Free Exhibit - District Court of Connecticut - Connecticut

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-. · . Case 3:03-cv-00945-CFD Document 213-30 Filed 05/10/2007 Page 0
_ A STATE OF CONNECTICUT X
gii DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
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February 26, 2001
Mr.David Mclntyre H _ sy _ itognrtco t»<·`clClU’3 Chief, Site Evaluation and Response Section 1 ‘ f'
EPA Region 1 es;-»_
1 Congress Street, Suite 1 109 (HBR) ’»·*§€$S
S Subject; Emergency Evaluation Request im
Vicinity of Augur, Remington, Harris, Newhall, Newbury, Marlboro
and Morse Streets; Winchester and Wadsworth Avenues; and Bryden Terrace
Hamden, Connecticut .
Dear Mr. Mclntyret
The Department of Environmental Protection is requesting assistance from the
Environmental Protection Agency to evaluate the presence of surface soil contamination on
residential properties suspected to be located on landfill materials in the vicinity of the Hamden
Middle School. The neighborhood area identitied above is located to the north, south and east of
the Hamden Middle School (aka. Whalen Jr. High School. Newhall Street Field), a CERCLA
site (CERCLIS No. CTD982544355).
ln the fall of 2000, the Hamden Board of Education conducted geotechnical and
environmental testing in the area immediately surrounding the Middle School in conjunction
with a planned school expansion project. Up to 20 feet of ash fill material was identified at the
school, and surface soils were found to he contaminated with metals including lead and arsenic,
and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons compounds (PAHs) at concentrations up to 150 times the
state’s Residential Direct Exposure Criteria.
During the course of public meetings held pertaining to the school, local residents
indicated that they were aware of historic dumping in the area and the presence of waste
materials in surface soils at the Middle School site, at two nearby parks, and at residential
properties. Based on these allegations, the Department conducted a Geoprobe investigation of
two public recreation fields located east of the school and potentially affected residential areas
located to the north, south and east of the school, in December 2000 and January 2001.
Sampling in the residential areas focused on the public rights—of—way along the roads. Based on
historic aerial photograph review, preliminary results of the Geoprobe investigation, and
complaints from residents, the Department has identifed 3 residential areas that are likely to be ,
underlain by landfill materials. The first residential area is located east of the Middle School m ,_
along Newhall, Morse, Marlboro, and Newbury Streets; Winchester and Wadsworth Avenues; IL j l\
and Bryden Terrace. This area includes 54 parcels covering approximately 11.2 acres. Z bi; Q
Investigation of an additional residential block located east of this area will be conducted during g Q [
the week ofFebmary 19, 2001. A second residential area containing 17 parcels and covering 2.8 Z E vt
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` ~ . Case 3:03-cv-00945-CFD Document 213-30 Filed 05/10/2007 Page 2 of 2
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V Mr. David Mclntyre —
I February 26, 200l
Page 2 of 2
acres abuts the Middle School property to the south along Morse Street. it is possible that
landfill materials may be present in the rear yards of these residences located adjacent to the
school athletic field. The third residential area is located north of the Middle School along
Augur, Remington, and Harris Streets. This area comprises approximately 30 residential parcels
and 4.2 acres. Residents along Augur Street have found ash and debris in surface soils at the rear
oftheir parcels.
As we have discussed with you, Department staff is unable to handle the magnitude of
sampling and the logistics required for the investic*"·sr of auch a large residential area in an
expedited fashion. Therefore, the Department is requesting that the EPA Removal Program
complete a surface soil sampling investigation in the residential area to determine whether
surface soil contamination exists that would pose a direct exposure threat to residents who may
be living on landfill materials. We request that this sampling occur in an expedited manner
based on intense public concem relating to the use of property in the spring. Residents have _
inquired as to whether it is safe for them or their children to work or play in the yard, and
whether they can plant gardens in potentially contaminated soil.
Attached is a map of the area of concern for your use and consideration. Additional
sampling data from the limited Geoprobe investigation will be fowvarded to you when it
becomes available. The Department would sincerely appreciate any assistance the EPA could
provide to help us address the sensitive issues associated with this site in a timely manner. My
staff will be available to assist the EPA On-Scene Coordinator with the development of an
appropriate work plan and to provide any other assistance, as needed. Please do not hesitate to
contact me directly at (860) 424—370l. with any questions regarding these issues. hir. Thomas
RisCassi and Ms. Shannon Windisch of my staff may also be contacted for additional
information regarding the site. Mr. Risfjassi can be reached at (860) ~124—378l, and Ms.
Windisch can be reached at (860) 424-3546.
Sincerely,
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Michael J. Harder
Director
Permitting, Enforcement & A
Remediation Division
Bureau of Water Management
MJH/TWR/smw
Enclosure
CC: Gilberto lrizanry, EPA Region l, On-Scene Coordinator
Don Smith, EPA Region l, CT Site Assessment Manager
Tom RisCassi, CT DEP ·
Shannon Windisch, CT DEP
HAM04i96