On October 21, 2003, the New York State Department of Envronmental Conservation (NYSDEC) verbally requested that the EPA conduct an assesment of the Robinson Fiddlers Green Manufacturing facility located at 243 West Main Street in Springville, New York. On October 22, 2003, EPA met on-site with NYSDEC and began a Removal Site Evaluation at the Site. On that day, OSCs from EPA’s Response and Prevention Branch toured the facility. EPA documented the presence of approximately 200 steel and poly drums and numerous 5 gallon pails strewn throughout various areas of the property. Based upon visual observations, EPA determined that the drums and pails appeared to contain various cutting oils, waste and lube oils, and chlorinated solvents believed to have been used for degreasing.
Based on conditions observed at the Site on October 22, 2003, the NYSDEC verbally requested that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conduct a removal action under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), as amended, 42 U.S.C. §9601 et seq.
On October 27, 2003, EPA conducted a sampling event as part of the Removal Site Assessment. Samples were collected and field tested using hazard characterization techniques which verified the presence of hazardous substances at the Site. At that time, EPA also observed that the roof on the primary building was leaking and rain water was infiltrating the premises. Rain water was also noted entering the storm drains from various parts of the facility including immediate areas surrounding the drum storage locations. The Site was unsecured and unoccupied. Based on the results of the removal assessment, EPA determined that this Site met the criteria for the performance of a removal action.
The Site includes an irregularly shaped parcel of land containing approximately 4.5 acres located at 243 W. Main Street in the Village of Springville, Town of Concord, Erie County, NY. Approximately two of these acres are developed with five structures as follows: i) a primary building being a mixed two-story and three-story brick-facade manufacturing building containing approximately 75,000 enclosed square feet and a partially paved inner courtyard, ii) free-standing enclosed loading dock, iii) two free-standing open-sided sheds, both adjacent to the primary building, and iv) a garage building located at the rear of the property. Throughout the primary building and inner paved court yard there are numerous storm drains.
Approximately 100 steel and poly drums in various stages of deterioration are staged inside the primary building. Approximately another 75 steel and poly drums are located within the open-sided sheds, and approximately 25 additional drums are located inside the enclosed loading dock. Many of the steel drums are rusty and are bulging.
From 1994 through approximately 2002, Robinson Fiddlers Green Manufacturing Co., Inc. (“Robinson/Fiddlers Green”)and a "sister" company, AMP Technologies, Inc., used the Site to manufacture kitchen utensils including knives, spatulas and other cutlery. Business had failed some time in 1992 when AMP Technologies moved their operations, Robinson/Fiddlers Green ceased operations and the Site was abandoned. Robinson Knife Manufacturing Co., Inc. manufactured knives and other cutlery at the Site prior to 1994.
EPA issued a draft Administrative Order of Consent (AOC) to the PRPs in February 2004. Negotiations between the EPA and one of the PRPs have been concluded and the PRP signed the AOC on July 13, 2004. The work plan is under development and cleanup activities should begin by the end of September.
