United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region I
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

This Pollution Report (POLREP) documents the completion of cleanup 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.  

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).

A December 2006 investigation by EPA revealed that contaminants, including beryllium, lead, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) were present in soils within the drainage swale at the rear of the property. 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 current cleanup, performed under EPA oversight by HRP Associates, on behalf of FCI USA, Inc., addressed contaminated surface soils within and adjacent to the drainage swale.

Two public schools and four private schools are located within 1 mile of the Site, the nearest of which is located approximately 1,000 feet from the drainage swale.  In addition, residential properties are located within 500 feet of the property.  According to the 2000 census, 130 people live within 1/4 mile of the Site, and 6,658 people are located within 1 mile of the Site.

Repairs were made to the swale on February 20, 2008 following some minor erosion damage in the area of the concrete weir.  The erosion damage was observed during a site inspection following heavy storms during the previous week.  

Approximately 10 tons of riprap were used to repair the swale.  The banks of the swale were reshaped, covered with a geotextile fabric, and then finished with riprap.  The riprap was also placed along the bottom and banks on both the upstream and downstream side of the weir.  The riprap that was originally placed within the spillway was reshaped to allow for better flow through the weir.

Wetland vegetation, including trees (Red maple, Green ash, Black gum, and Pin oak), shrubs (Shadblow, Red chokeberry, Sweet pepperbush, Winterberry, Spicebush, Highbush blueberry, and Arrowwood), and herbs (Fringed sedge, Soft rush, Sensitive fern, Cinnamon fern, Royal fern, and Woolgrass), were planted in the woods and wetland areas that were disturbed during cleanup activities.  Small piles of brush and logs were installed in the area to serve as wildlife habitat.  The restoration activities were completed on Wednesday, April 23, 2008.

This final POLREP is reissued September 29, 2008 to document that EPA issued a "Superfund Removal Program Notice of Completion of Work" to FCI USA, Inc. on August 28, 2008, documenting EPA's approval of the removal activities.

No further removal actions are planned.

The EPA Removal Program's involvement at the site has been concluded.  Following HRP's submittal of an After-Action Report to EPA, CTDEP will assume responsibility for providing oversight of HRP's remaining maintenance activities (quarterly on-site inspections for up to one year to evaluate the condition of the restored swale area and the vegetative cover).

A press event with local officials and EPA was held at Milford City Hall on Thursday, March 13, 2008 to mark the completion of the soil excavation activities.