United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region I
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

This Pollution Report (POLREP) documents the initiation of activities at the Wampus Milford Associates Site, located at 80 Wampus Lane in Milford, Connecticut.  The 24-acre parcel was formerly owned and operated by the Burndy Corporation, beginning in 1956, for the manufacture of electrical components and accessories.  Operations included manufacture of rubber and plastic molding, operation of power presses, screw machining, degreasing, plating, wastewater treatment, soldering, assembly, and shipping.  All outstanding stock of the Burndy Corporation was purchased by Framatome Connectors International in 1989.  In 1993, all operations at the facility ceased.  In 1995, the company name was changed from the Burndy Corporation to Framatome Connectors USA.  In 1999, ownership of the Site was subsequently transferred to Wampus Milford Associates, LLC.

While the facility was operational, metal hydroxide sludges from the treatment of electroplating wastes were accumulated in two on-site surface impoundments and disposed of in an on-site landfill.  These areas of concern were previously remediated by the property owner under the direct oversight of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CTDEP).

The current cleanup, being performed under EPA oversight by HRP Associates, on behalf of FCI USA, Inc., is addressing contaminated surface soils within and adjacent to a man-made, earthen drainage swale on the property.  

Previous investigations by EPA revealed that contaminants, including beryllium, lead, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and petroleum hydrocarbons are present in soils within the drainage swale.   The swale is approximately 210 feet long and of varying width, with a ponding area and weir, and reportedly received treated plating wastewater and stormwater run-off between 1965 and 1991.  The swale continues to channel stormwater run-off to the Stubby Plain Brook, a tributary of the Indian River, which flows into Long Island Sound.

On September 18, 2007, EPA On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) Melanie Morash mobilized to the Site with representatives of HRP Associates to begin:

(1) clearing of on-site vegetation and debris to make room for Site activities;
(2) installation of security fencing and warning signs around the work areas; and
(3) air monitoring.

Planned removal actions include:

(1) air monitoring and sampling;
(2) erosion control and dust suppression measures;
(3) pumping well installation, dewatering, and water treatment;
(4) excavation and consolidation of contaminated surface soils within and surrounding the drainage swale;
(5) collection and analysis of post-excavation confirmatory samples to ascertain whether clean-up levels have been met;
(6) backfilling of excavations with clean fill materials;
(7) disposal of waste materials off-site at EPA-approved facilities; and
(8) repair of response-related damage in areas affected by cleanup activities.

EPA continues to coordinate with the City of Milford, CTDEP, and the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CTDPH) to implement the community involvement plan for the Site.  Officials from EPA and the Milford Health Department met with representatives of St. Mary's School on Wampus Lane on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 to discuss the safety precautions that will be taken during the cleanup to protect public health and the environment.

A press conference providing information on cleanup activities was held at Milford City Hall on Wednesday, September 12, 2007.  Following the press conference, EPA's Press Office issued a press release for the Site.  

Officials from the Milford Health Department and CTDPH distributed fact sheets to neighborhood residents, businesses, and schools on Thursday, September 13, 2007.