Site is a defunct paper converter which manufactured tissue and toilet paper, and is located within 10 feet of the Battenkill River in upstate rural NY. Owner operates business from office area, but manufacturing ceased 10 years ago.
Since April 2004 OSC is working with the owner to remove approx. 30 55-gallon drums of hydraulic fluid, PCB fluids, auro batteries, waste oil and other chemical substances. Removal contractor due on-Site 11/2 to assess disposal costs and timeframes for removal.
Since April 2004 owner had only removed 12 drums of hyrdaulic fluid. Consequently, in April 2005 the OSC was informed by the owner that he was unable to afford to complete the removal action. The OSC received funding to complete the removal in May, 2005, and on June 10, 2005, the ERRS contractor shipped for disposal, 30 drums of hazardous substances, contaminants, and pollutants and 19 lead-acid batteries.
During the shipping event at the Site, the OSC observed an overgrown oil tank on the property. Closer investigation revealed the presence of approx. 10,000 gallon of aged #6 oil being stored in a deteriorated metal tank that had inadequate secondary containment.
Inasmuch as the paper mill has been shut down for 10-12 years and will never operate again, the OSC determined that the oil being stored in the deteriorated tank, with less than adequate secondary, constituted a significant
threat of a release of petroleum to a navigable waterway
of the United States. Because of the Petroleum Exclusion in CERCLA, the oil will be addressed with funding from OPA '90 if the owner refuses to remove the oil. See seperate site "Bio-Tech Mills II" for additional information
