Officials expand river cleanup plan

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Federal environmental officials have expanded plans to clean up the Woonasquatucket River.

The Providence Journal reports the Environmental Protection Agency's revised plan calls for removing more sediment from the river and its banks to meet new federal standards for dioxin levels.

The standards were passed in February leading to changes in plans for numerous Superfund sites.

The river cleanup focuses on a 9-acre site in North Providence near Lyman Mill, which was once home to a chemical company and an incinerator used in the reconditioning of metal drums.

The agency is holding several informational meetings this week and accepting public comment on the cleanup plan through Aug. 17.

It's not clear when the project would begin.