The Site is located in a residential area of Guaynabo Municipality. The Responsible Party (RP) was an individual, now deceased, who operated an off-spec/rejected chemical distribution company, shipping these chemicals to such places as the Dominican Republic.
The Site was discovered through a 'tip' to the FBI. Agents responded and discovered the dangerous conditions at the Site. The FBI notified the Coast Guard because the Site is in Coast Guard jurisdiction. The Coast Guard then referred the Site to EPA via a formal Statement of Agreement between Sector San Juan and Region 2 ERRD.
EPA OSCs with the Caribbean Environmental Protection Division (CEPD) performed an assessment of the Site on 9/27/2011 and determined that conditions were so dangerous that an emergency removal action was necessary. Verbal authorization for $250,000 in CERCLA funds was obtained from the Division Director of ERRD, an ERRS contractor was selected and tasked to perform the removal action. As of 10/12/2011 ERRS has started stabilizing the Site. The Municipality of Guaynabo is cooperating fully with EPA and providing valuable support by way of manpower and municipal services.
