The University of Connecticut operated a sanitary landfill and
chemical pits just north of its main campus in Mansfield, Connecticut from 1966
until 1982 when the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection ordered
these disposal sites closed. The history
of this landfill and the contentious debates about its impact upon the health
of Mansfield residents and their drinking water has become a classic example of
government mismanagement of public health and environmental issues. The University of Connecticut is an agency of
the State of Connecticut and as such has enjoyed some of the extra-legal
privileges that are often given by its sister agencies - the Department of
Public Health and Department of Environmental Protection. The chronology of events over the last fifty
years clearly shows state agencies (i.e. Dept. of Public Health and Dept. of
Environmental Protection) taking a desultory approach to the enforcement of
state laws with limited use of their inspection and oversight functions. This chronology reveals the importance of
citizen action in holding government agencies and polluters responsible for
their actions.
For years the University of Connecticut (UCONN) operated with little
environmental oversight by its own administration. While the university operated a sewage
treatment plant and a public drinking water supply for nearly 100 years and a
landfill and chemical pits for approximately sixteen (16) years, the university did
not retain environmental staff to oversee its vast regulatory responsibilities until 2002. Most American universities began hiring environmental staff with
regulatory experience in the 1980s and early 1990s. In contrast, UCONN relied on attorneys and
generalists to deal with its environmental regulatory issues until the burdens
of compliance and frequency of code violations became overwhelming and a total
embarrassment to the university administrators.
It is rare to compile a history of a landfill closure project such as
this attached timeline. Most Americans
would rather bury their waste and forget about it. The reason this chronology was prepared is to
underscore the importance of citizen involvement in the design, development and
closure of sanitary and hazardous waste landfills. All too often, these regulatory processes are
of little interest to citizens – until there is clear evidence of a public
health threat.
 |
| Limits of Plume as of 2013: Note: Earlier Limits of Plume in the 1960s and 1970s Were Never Quantified |
A review of the landfill’s history suggests five key lessons learned:
Landfills Should Be Banned In
Connecticut: The notion that waste should not be buried
never occurred to our forefathers or to those who approved the UCONN landfill
and chemical pits. A sustainable future
depends on the elimination of waste through source reduction, recycling and
reuse. Landfills are a No – No. While this lesson has already been learned by
Connecticut environmental regulators, it was not understood at the time UCONN granted
approval to establish a landfill by the Connecticut Department of Health.
Environmental & Public Health
Agencies Border on the Dysfunctional: While the State of Connecticut
has some excellent regulatory controls over sanitary and hazardous waste
disposal operations, there is little funding available to inspect, monitor and
conduct thorough multi-media audits of environmental “bad actors.” This state of affairs has emerged over
several decades as the Department of Environmental Protection has gradually
lost funding for many of its essential functions. The lesson learned is that citizen
involvement is an essential pre-requisite for the proper functioning of state
environmental regulations. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
UCONN is Not to be Trusted as Long as it
Has the Powers of a State Agency: While UCONN is a state agency and presumably
operates in the public interest, this belies the reality that it is a major
corporation with business interests in sharp contrast with those of its
neighbors in Mansfield. Mansfield
citizens overwhelmingly voiced their disapproval of UCONN’s approach to the
closure of its landfill and chemical pits.
This distrust continues even today – largely because UCONN’s mission is
less about the public interest and more about its own self-interest.
Landfill Closures are a Life-Time
Process and Continue to Pose Health Risks. It took UCONN twenty seven (27)
years to complete its landfill closure process and it now is responsible for
maintaining the integrity of the landfill closure system for another thirty
years (i.e. circa 2036). While many
citizens would like to forget about this landfill, the following chronology
makes it clear that citizens must be ever vigilant about any activities that
may directly or indirectly affect the discharge of contaminated effluent from
the former landfill and chemical pits.
Any developments located near to the former landfill and chemical pits
can influence groundwater and surface water patterns which in turn can
influence the pattern and intensity of leachate discharge. The University of Connecticut never placed
land use restrictions on property downgradient of the former landfill and
chemical pits – even though this was recommended by their consultants.
Untold Health Consequences from Exposure
to Contaminated Drinking Water. While
UCONN and the Connecticut DEP spent enormous amounts of money on documenting
groundwater contamination, all of this work was done many years after the real
time drinking water exposures occurred to nearby residents. From 1966 to 1982 contaminated
groundwater downgradient of the landfill may have polluted many more wells than
were identified by subsequent testing regimens.
With the leachate plume traveling at a speed of 1.3 miles per year, the public
health impacts of UCONN’s landfill will never be known – even though there is
extensive anecdotal evidence that many neighbors succumbed to various forms of
cancer and other diseases prior to, during and subsequent to the landfill and
chemical pits closure. The full human and environmental consequences of the
landfill will never be told because the most egregious exposures occurred long
before any testing was undertaken.
Date
|
Description
|
Reference
|
1960s
|
UCONN Incinerates Most Radioactive
Waste.
Some radioactive waste is also poured down the drain and some is buried
in landfill. Historical records, interviews with Poultry Science Dept.,
School of Pharmacy, and six other science departments as well as an interview
with the UCONN Director of Environmental, Health & Safety confirm
extensive period of irresponsible low level radio-active waste disposal.
|
Haley & Aldrich, Comprehensive Hydro-geologic Investigation and
Remedial Action Plan, Addendum No. 2, July 2004
|
September 1, 1965
|
CT Department of Health
Services (DHS) Regulates Landfills.
The state legislature authorizes DHS to regulate refuse disposal
plants and none can be built without the agency’s approval.
|
Connecticut State Legislature, Public Act No. 508, September 1, 1965
|
May 23, 1966
|
Site for Landfill is Purchased
by UCONN.
UCONN purchases 102.7 acres of wooded land from Claude & Anna
Costello which becomes the site of future landfill.
|
Haley & Aldrich Report, May 9, 2000
|
November 1966
|
DHS Approves UCONN Disposal
Site.
CT Department of Health Services (DHS) determines the 102.7 acre
property is suitable as a waste disposal area provided it complies with state
health codes and other conditions. From 1966 to 1989, the landfill operates
under the DHS inspection and/or permit program with sporadic DHS oversight
and limited UCONN accountability.
|
Haley & Aldrich Report, May 9, 2000 and Eastern Highlands Health
District, Remarks of Kenneth Dardick, MD, Medical Advisor, July 29, 1998
|
December 1966
|
Chemical Dumping Begins at
UCONN.
UCONN faculty & staff begin dumping chemicals and waste over a 15
acre area on land formerly owned by Costello. Chemical pits were not brought
to the attention of DHS and continued in operation until 1978. Four chemical
pits were established by the Chemistry Department. Chemicals disposed included; acids, ethers,
peroxides, cesium and other heavy metals, cyanide, arsenic, solvents,
chlorinated hydrocarbons, ammonium hydroxide, mercury, toluene, acetone,
benzene, herbicides and pesticides (including experimental pesticides).
|
Haley & Aldrich Report, May 9, 2000
|
March 12, 1970
|
UCONN Receives Landfill
Permit.
CT Department of Health Services grants UCONN permit to operate a
landfill. Landfill regulations of that era were inadequate by modern landfill
management standards. While Congress
enacted the Resource Conservation & Recovery Act in 1970 this regulation
would not have had any bearing on UCONN’s landfill permit.
|
Haley & Aldrich Report, May 9, 2000
|
June 25, 1971
|
In response to Earth Day 1970, and other environmental concerns, the
state legislature creates the Connecticut Department of Environmental
Protection. Their mission includes solid waste management.
|
Department
of Energy and Environmental Protection Website accessed July 22, 2017.
Public Act No. 872, An Act Creating a Department of Environmental Protection,
adopted June 25, 1971
|
Undated – (probably early 1970s)
|
DEP Lets UCONN Keep Chemical
Pits.
DEP allows UCONN to keep chemical pit on a short term basis. It is not clear what authority DEP
inspector had to make such a determination.
|
Haley & Aldrich, Comprehensive Hydro-Geologic Investigation and
Remedial Acton Plan, Addendum No. 2, July 2004
|
August 27, 1974
|
DEP Inspection Determines
Hazardous Waste Dumped.
DEP inspects UCONN’s chemical pits and determines pesticides, acids, bases and other chemicals were dumped in. Inspector notes that a fire truck was routinely used whenever chemical fires broke out in the chemical pits. |
Haley & Aldrich, Comprehensive Hydro-Geologic Investigation and
Remedial Acton Plan, Addendum No. 2, July 2004
|
August 23, 1976
|
DEP Orders UCONN to Close &
Cover the Chemical Pits.
The two year delay after the 1974 inspection suggests DEP did not make
UCONN’s chemical pits a priority enforcement.
|
Haley & Aldrich, Comprehensive Hydro-Geologic Investigation and
Remedial Acton Plan, Addendum No. 2, July 2004
|
October 21, 1976
|
Commonly referred to as RCRA, this law is our nation’s primary law
governing the disposal of solid and hazardous wastes. Congress passed RCRA on October 21, 1976 to
address the increasing problems the nation faced from our growing volume of
municipal and industrial waste. RCRA, which amended the Solid Waste Disposal
Act of 1965, set national goals for: 1) Protecting human health and the
environment from the potential hazards of waste disposal;
2) Conserving energy and natural resources; 3) Reducing the amount of
waste generated; 4) Ensuring that wastes are managed in an
environmentally-sound manner. This law ended the practice of open dumping.
|
Public Law 94-580, known as RCRA, adopted October 21, 1976.
|
1979
|
UCONN Disobeys DEP Orders.
Disregarding DEP order, UCONN continues to dump in chemical pits.
|
Haley & Aldrich Report, April 2001
|
December 11, 1980
|
Responding to numerous environmental disasters like Love Canal,
Congress passes the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act (CERCLA) which creates joint and several liabilities for owners
of contaminated properties.
|
Public Law 96-510, known as CERCLA, adopted December 11, 1980.
|
December 18, 1980
|
UCONN Geologist Reveals
History of Chemical Pollution.
Dr. Robert Black, UCONN geology professor, independently releases
historical research that identifies the location, depth, use and time frame of
chemical pits as well as the chemicals disposed.
|
Haley & Aldrich Report, May 9, 2000
|
May 1981
|
UCONN Professor Declares
Private Wells Polluted.
Dr. Black independently releases a report titled, “Environmental
Impact of the Chemical Waste Disposal Site of the University of Connecticut”
which reveals the sampling and analysis of four private wells and monitoring
wells. Copper and chromium were detected above drinking water standards at
four private wells.
|
Haley & Aldrich Report, May 9, 2000
|
August 19, 1981
|
DEP says UCONN Dump Should
Close.
DEP official says the site is not suitable because leachate dumps
into the Cedar Brook which leads to the Willimantic River. “It is putting
leachate into a stream that is too small to handle the pollution and it is
located too close to a lot of wells.”
|
Hartford Courant, DEP Says UCONN Dump Should Close, August 19, 1981,
p. B6C
|
January 31, 1982
|
Waste War Heats up at UCONN.
A hazardous waste incinerator is proposed to eliminate chemical waste. Courant staff writer stirs town-wide
concerns over UCONN’s plan to build a big chemical incinerator with state
legislation exempting their actions from Siting Council Review.
|
Leonard Bernstein, Waste War Heats Up at UCONN, Hartford Courant,
January 31, 1982, p. B1.
|
August 30, 1982
|
DEP issues a Consent Order to
close Chemical Pits.
DEP orders necessary investigative studies to determine the scope of
contamination and requires all work to be completed within 15 months. This order came eight years after DEP found reasonable cause to close these pits.
|
Haley & Aldrich Report, April 2001 and DEP Consent Order, dated
August 30, 1982, signed by Stanley Pac. DEP Commissioner.
|
October 15, 1982
|
Solid Waste Permit Issued for
UCONN Landfill.
DEP issues solid waste permit to UCONN for its landfill closure plan. UCONN objects to groundwater sampling
schedule since it interferes with the planned groundwater monitoring planned
by its consultant.
|
Haley & Aldrich, Comprehensive Hydro-geologic Investigation and Remedial
Action Plan, Volume 8, October 2002
|
December 17, 1982
|
UCONN Violates DEP Wetlands
Regulations.
DEP cites UCONN with wetlands violations and non-compliance with its
November 17, 1980 NPDES permit. UCONN was burying sewage sludge in a wetlands
contrary to the clearly stated limitations of its NPDES permit.
|
Haley & Aldrich, Comprehensive Hydro-Geologic Investigation and
Remedial Acton Plan, Addendum No. 2, July 2004
|
January 1983
|
Student Predicts Dump Releases
Vast Quantities of Leachate.
Tim Welling, a student of Dr. Black continues groundwater sampling
and releases sampling results and leachate flushing simulations – estimating the
landfill generates 24 million liters of leachate annually – a reasonably
accurate forecast of what would be documented some 20 years later when UCONN
began controlled and measured leachate discharge to their sewage treatment
plant.
|
Haley & Aldrich Report, May 9, 2000
|
January 13, 1983
|
UCONN Contracting Procedures
Delay Cleanup.
Hartford Courant reports UCONN to search for source of pollution
coming from landfill but delays in contracting have held up this project.
Over 125 tons of trash are dumped weekly into the landfill. Contaminated
water is suspected to have leached from the landfill or sewage treatment
plant.
|
Jeff Weingart, UCONN to Search for Source of Pollution, Hartford
Courant, January 13, 1983, p. E1.
|
May 5, 1983
|
UCONN Ordered to Test Private
Wells.
DEP orders UCONN to re-test private wells forcing it to spend $70,000.
These are same two polluted wells that had previously been tested by the town
of Mansfield.
|
UCONNN to Spend $70,000 for Tests of Polluted Wells, Hartford Courant,
May 5, 1983
|
January 13, 1984
|
Town Health Office Notifies
Kardestuncer of Contamination.
Mansfield Health Officer Charles Bradley notifies Mr. Kardestuncer
that the samples extracted from his drinking water well on September 8, 1983 and November 30, 1983 confirm
benzene is present at 9 micrograms per liter – far above the 1 microgram per
liter maximum safe level set by Connecticut drinking water standards.
|
Charles Bradley letter to Salahattin Kardestuncer, January 13, 1984
|
February 5, 1984
|
Mansfield Town Manager
Notified of Well Contamination.
Town Health Officer notes that the Kardestuncer residence has benzene
at nine (9) times above acceptable level.
|
Charles Bradley memo to Martin Berliner, February 3, 1984
|
May 1, 1984
|
Dept. of Health Services
Releases Water Monitoring Results.
Groundwater sampling results for five (5) apartment complexes along
Hunting Lodge Road in September 1982 are declared as either “none detected”
or “satisfactory.” The Dept. of Health Services acknowledges the
contamination of one domestic well on Hunting Lodge Road, indicating that the
source of the contamination is still unknown.
|
James Ericson, Dept. of Health Services, letter to Charles Bradley,
Mansfield Sanitarian, May 1, 1984
|
July 19, 1984
|
Benzene Discovered in Private
Well.
Consulting Environmental Engineers (CEE) studied seepage into private
wells. A total of 5 of the 15 private wells
tested on Hunting Lodge Road were contaminated including one with benzene
found at 8 times the safe level.
|
Steven Gield, Firm studying Effects of Seepage into Wells, Hartford
Courant, p. E1,
|
1985
|
Size of Landfill Plume Grows.
UCONN Graduate student Ruth Izraeli determines that the downgradient
plume extends 2,100 feet south of the landfill and is 600 feet wide, the
equivalent of about 29 acres of contaminated land. She also found the leachate
plume traveled exceedingly fast at 19.3 feet day on the southern edge of the
landfill. While her work is rarely mentioned by UCONN’s consultants, this
study clearly reveals the degree of down-gradient danger this landfill posed
for Mansfield residents during the early years before any sub-surface
investigation was conducted. A simple
calculation shows the leachate plume traveling at the above calculated rate would
travel 1.3 miles a year!
|
Haley & Aldrich Report, May 9, 2000 and Ruth Izraeli, Water
Quality and Hydrogeological Investigations at the University of Connecticut
Waste Disposal Area, 1985
|
1985
|
Nearly 300,000 Cubic Yards
Dumped in Landfill.
UCONN estimates over 18,000 cubic yards of material was deposited
annually during the years 1970 to 1985. There were 19 waste cells, each up to
45 feet wide and 250 feet long or as much as 213,750 square feet (about 5
acres). This after-the-fact estimate represents
50% less waste than that reported by the Hartford Courant staff writer in
1983.
|
Haley & Aldrich Report, May 9, 2000
|
1985
|
Volatile Organic Compounds are
detected near Homes.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are found in the vicinity of
private homes/apartments on Hunting Lodge Road.
|
Eastern Highlands Health District, Remarks of Kenneth Dardick, MD,
Medical Advisor, July 29, 1998
|
May 1985
|
DEP Approves the Consultant
Closure Report.
The Consulting Environmental Engineers (CEE) report is approved by
the DEP Water Compliance Unit. According to the original Consent Order this
report was due November 30, 1984.
|
Environmental Impact Evaluation for UCEPI Research Park Project, p.
3-70.
|
October 1985
|
Uncontrolled Chemical Dumping
is Confirmed.
An unknown individual was found to have dumped toluene at the
landfill.
|
Eastern Highlands Health District, Remarks of Kenneth Dardick, MD,
Medical Advisor, July 29, 1998
|
September 3, 1986
|
Chemical Pit Closure Plan
Approved.
Connecticut DEP approves a plan for closure of the UCONN chemical
pits.
|
Haley & Aldrich Report, April 2001 and DEP letter of approval
dated September 3, 1986
|
November 25, 1986
|
State Law Requires Polluters
to Provide Potable Water.
A State Law passed in 1985 allows DEP to order those responsible for well
water contamination to provide bottled water while working toward a final
solution. While an important
legislative development, it does not address those residents of Hunting Lodge
Road whose water was contaminated before 1985. At the time this Hartford
Courant article was written UCONN officials claim that the waterline for
Hunting Lodge Road was 75% complete at a cost of $249,000.
|
Steve Gield & Daniel Jones, Homeowners Often Pay the Price of
Pollution, Hartford Courant, November 25, 1986, p. D1
|
December 1, 1986
|
EPA Declares Connecticut DEP
to be “State Lead” for Landfill.
Perhaps lacking time and resources, the Federal Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) decides that the Connecticut Department of
Environmental Protection will be responsible for all decision making with
respect to the UCONN landfill remediation.
|
Environmental Impact Evaluation for UCEPI Research Park Project, p.
3-70.
|
December 11, 1986
|
Five Contractors Bid on
Cleanup.
Hartford Courant reports five bids are received for the chemical pit
remediation.
|
Steve Gield, Five Bids Received in Pits, Hartford Courant, December
11, 1986
|
February 18, 1987
|
Chemical Pits Dump Cleanup
Begins.
Contractor prepares to excavate UCONN chemical pits dump site.
|
Steve Gield, Contractor
Prepares to Excavate Chemical Dump
Site, Hartford Courant, February 18, 1987
|
February 21, 1987
|
UCONN asks State Legislature for up to $125,000 to cover cost of
extending waterline to serve an additional 40 homes. Connecticut Attorney General Rules UCONN
can provide water to private homes.
|
Steve Gield,
Homeowners Get Water Service from UCONN, Hartford Courant, February 21, 1987,
p. B4E
|
May 21, 1987
|
UCONN Spends $430,000 for
Initial Cleanup.
Clean Harbors is paid $430,000 to dig up hazardous wastes buried for
years at UCONN landfill. The
contractor claims hazardous waste is completely removed but future
investigations would prove otherwise.
|
Steve Gield,
Contractor Digs Up Hazardous Wastes Buried for Years at UCONN landfill,
Hartford Courant, May 21, 1987
|
July 1, 1987
|
UCONN Lawyers Strong Arm
Mansfield Residents.
Residents are angered by UCONN’s offer to provide potable water on
the condition that the university place an option on their homes (i.e., the right
of first refusal at the time of sale).
|
Steve Gield, Residents Angered by Offer, Hartford Courant, July 1,
1987
|
August 17, 1987
|
DEP Declares Soil Removal was
Adequate.
The DEP Hazardous Waste Management Section formally documents that
soil removal was adequate and successfully removed identified contamination.
Eight days later DEP declares the cleanup was completed in compliance with
the DEP approved plan. This conclusion
would be declared short sighted some ten years later.
|
Environmental Impact Evaluation for UCEPI Research Park Project, p.
3-70.
|
September 14, 1987
|
Eight Houses are Tied into
UCONN Waterline.
Eight residences along Hunting Lodge Road are provided with a hook-up
to UCONN waterline. Residents served are located 105, 115, 122, 125, 131, 134,
135 and 146 Hunting Lodge Road.
|
Summary Table of Hunting Lodge Road Residents That Received Tie-in to
UCONN Water System, September 14, 1987 – Filed with Eastern Highlands Health
District
|
September 28, 1987
|
Chemical Pits Cleanup Approved
by Connecticut DEP.
DEP issues Letter of Compliance approving Clean Harbor’s closure of
the chemical pits & removal of 5,400 cubic yards of contaminated soil.
|
Haley & Aldrich Report, April 2001
|
1987
|
40 Homes Receive Potable Water
From UCONN.
UCONN installs a public water supply to 40 homes on Hunting Lodge
Road.
|
Eastern Highlands Health District, Remarks of Kenneth Dardick, MD,
Medical Advisor, July 29, 1998
|
February 28, 1990
|
DEP Adopts Enhanced Solid
Waste Disposal Regulations.
The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection adopts “state
of the art” landfill closure regulations designed to ensure leachate is
collected. Liners are required to cap existing solid waste landfills.
|
TITLE 22A, Environmental Protection, Department of Environmental
Protection, Solid Waste Management, Adopted February 28, 1990, Sec.
22a-209-14. Disposal of residue.
|
1990
|
UCONN Improperly Dumps Bulky
wastes.
Bulky wastes were discovered by DEP in violation of previous orders.
|
Eastern Highlands Health District, Remarks of Kenneth Dardick, MD,
Medical Advisor, July 29, 1998
|
June 26, 1991
|
DEP Inspects Landfill &
Finds Improper Disposal Practices.
DEP is notified of illegal PCB drum disposal. On-site DEP inspection the next day
suggests only grease was disposed which was also an illegal action. No sampling was undertaken to confirm the
constituents that were disposed.
|
Haley & Aldrich, Comprehensive Hydro-Geologic Investigation and
Remedial Acton Plan, Addendum No. 2, July 2004
|
1996
|
UCONN Consultant Declares
Previous Cleanup Unacceptable.
An Earth Tech Report prepared ten years after the 1987 landfill
closure concludes that Clean Harbor’s closure was not adequate. It lacked the
required fill cover and missed hazardous waste deposits due to sloppy
remediation practices.
|
Haley & Aldrich Report, May 9, 2000
|
June 3, 1998
|
Environmental Organizations
Demand EPA Intervention.
Mansfield Common Sense, a local environmental group, teams up with
PEER and Toxics Action Center to request EPA intervention and enforcement
action against UCONN for its chemical pits.
|
Letter from Ayla Kardestuncer, et. al. June 3, 1998
|
June 9, 1998
|
DEP and UCONN Attempt to
Pre-empt Citizen Initiative.
Art Rocque, DEP Commissioner and Phil Austin, UCONN President request
EPA to independently evaluate chemical pit cleanup actions. This effort, six days after PEER’s letter
to DeVillars was clearly an effort to pre-empt citizens’ seeking intervenor
status in the failed remediation.
|
Rocque/Austin letter to John DeVillars, EPA Administrator, Region 1,
June 9, 1998
|
June 13, 1998
|
News media Paints DEP &
EPA as Soft on Compliance Issues.
Hartford Advocate reports on UCONN’s failure to comply with federal
and state environmental laws and suggests DEP Commissioner and EPA Region 1
Administrator were to blame for not inspecting and enforcing these laws
|
Jayne Keedle, When it Acid Rains, It Pours, Hartford Advocate, June
13, 1998, p. 13
|
June 26, 1998
|
DEP Issues Landfill Consent Order
to UCONN.
This turn of events would not have happened without Mansfield
residents taking a leadership role to “jump start” the proper closure process
for this simmering toxic brew of chemicals.
|
Art Rocque Letter to Mayor Michael Schor, June 26, 1998
|
June 1998
|
DEP Blamed for Chemical Pit
Mess.
PEER faults Connecticut DEP Commissioner for stalling on chemical pit
remediation
|
PEER Newsletter, Summer 1998 Issue
|
June 1998
|
Health District Begins Water
Sampling.
Eastern Highlands Health District begins sampling tap water at up to
90 homes in four sampling events revealing 12 properties or homes have
polluted drinking water.
|
Haley & Aldrich, Comprehensive Hydro-Geologic Investigation and
Remedial Acton Plan, Addendum No. 2, July 2004
|
July 1998
|
Landfill Closure
Specifications Updated.
Earth Tech provides UCONN with updates on the Solid Waste Closure
Technical Specifications.
|
Earth Tech Report, July 1998
|
July 14, 1998
|
Concerned Citizen Claims UCONN
is a Bad Actor.
Pharmacist Greg Cichowski contends UCONN has failed to implement a
DEP consent order that was issued 13 years ago. He urges intervenor status
rather than cooperation with UCONN.
|
|
July 27, 1998
|
Mansfield Officials OK EPA
Public Involvement Process.
Mansfield Town Council unanimously votes to support an EPA public
participation process as part of the landfill closure plan.
|
Martin Berliner, Town Mgr., letter to Thomas Callahan, Govt. &
Community Relations, UCONN dated July 29, 1998
|
July 29, 1998
|
Health District Expert
Declares Many Wells Contaminated.
Eastern Highlands Health District presents results of water testing
to residents indicating that 12 of 82 private wells are contaminated.
|
Eastern Highlands Health District, Remarks of Kenneth Dardick, MD,
Medical Advisor, July 29, 1998
|
August 11, 1998
|
Local Pharmacist Calls for
Citizens to Speak Up.
Pharmacist Greg Cichowski issues a letter to neighbors requesting them
to send letters to DEP to ensure that all citizen concerns are part of the
record and so that a citizen participation process can be established. He
provides 48 questions that need resolution.
|
Greg Cichowski letter dated August 11, 1998 to Mansfield Neighbors
|
August 12, 1998
|
EPA Official Encourages
Mansfield to accept EPA Role
EPA invites Mansfield’s Town Manager to host a public outreach
meeting on the UCONN landfill.
|
Linda Murphy, EPA Office of Ecosystem Protection, letter to Martin H.
Berliner, August 12, 1998
|
August 27, 1998
|
EPA Administrator Plays Down
EPA’s Authority.
John DeVillars, EPA Region 1 Administrator contends that EPA can only
play a limited role in the chemical pits remediation – deferring to
Connecticut DEP. However, DeVillars does
commit to a public outreach and participation effort as a means to cool
citizen outrage with UCONN’s desultory administration of the closure plan.
|
DeVillars letter to Mayor Michael Schor, August 27, 1998
|
August 31, 1998
|
Tired of Half Truths, Citizens
Issue Their Own Landfill Facts.
Citizens’ UCONN Landfill Fact
sheet is issued to reflect town residents’ viewpoint on neglected facts
including their assertion that the landfill was a hazardous waste site – not
a solid waste facility. They also assert that UCONN does not know the
full extent of the problem nor does it want to know. Fact sheet issued
concurrent with DEP town meeting on landfill held in Mansfield Town Hall.
|
Citizens’ UCONN Landfill Fact Sheet, dated August 31, 1998
|
September 14, 1998
|
Landfill Regrading Plan
Approved by DEP.
Michael Harder, Director of Permitting and Enforcement approves the
UCONN landfill regrading plan
|
Harder letter to Mark A Emmert, Chancellor & Provost of
University Affairs, September 14, 1998
|
Fall of 1998
|
UCONN Hires Regina Villa
Associates for Public Relations.
Facing serious public concerns about the landfill and chemical pits,
UCONN retains the services of Regina Villa Associates to manage public
relations. UCONN maintains their services until December of 2006.
|
Email correspondence from Nancy Farrell, Chief Executive Officer,
Regina Villa Associates, July 24, 2017
|
October 2, 1998
|
Chronicle Editorial Board
Urges UCONN to Comply.
Willimantic Chronicle editorial board supports need for landfill
compliance despite State Rep. Denise Merrill claiming she was unconvinced
about the landfill being a problem and her asking why UCONN has been singled
out.
|
Dump Compliance is the Issue here, Willimantic Chronicle, October 2,
1998, p. 6
|
October 17, 1998
|
UCONN Officials Surprised Radioactive
Waste was Buried.
Hartford Courant reports that radioactive waste was once kept at the
UCONN landfill. UCONN officials are
surprised that a radio-active waste storage site once existed at the
landfill. Richard Sherman of Mansfield Common Sense, stated, “The fact that UCONN doesn’t understand
its own radioactive waste disposal history is consistent with what they
didn’t know about the chemical-waste disposal history, and that is not
reassuring.”
|
Daniel P. Jones, Radioactive Waste Once Kept at Landfill, Hartford
Courant, October 17, 1998, Section B, p.1
|
October 17, 1998
|
UCONN is fined $36,000 for
Landfill Violations.
UCONN fails to meet DEP consent order deadlines. Art Rocque, taking
the heat from Mansfield citizens realizes he needs to get tough on UCONN.
|
Barbara Jordan, DEP Fines UCONN $36,000, Hartford Courant, October
17, 1998, p.1
|
October 21, 1998
|
Residents Remain Deeply
Distrustful of UCONN.
Willimantic Chronicle reports that despite talks, Mansfield residents
are still mistrustful of UCONN’s management of the landfill/chemical pits
closure. A total of 50 residents attended, including 25 members of Mansfield
Common Sense. Citizens expressed the
need for more reliable information about past dumping practices and a greater
role for citizen input.
|
Barbara Jordan, Despite Talks, residents still mistrustful over
landfill, Willimantic Chronicle, p. 3
|
October 31, 1998
|
Connecticut Green Party
Condemns DEP & EPA.
Amy Vas Nunes, Co-Chair of the Connecticut Green Party writes an
editorial to the Willimantic Chronicle calling the UCONN landfill a superfund
site and urging UCONN to provide public water to all those living in the
area. She pans the public involvement
process as a “public relations snow job.”
|
Amy Vas Nunes, Co-Chair of the Connecticut Green Party, UCONN
Landfill is Superfund Site, Willimantic Chronicle, October 31, 1998, p. 6
|
October 1998
|
UCONN Releases Preliminary
Groundwater Results
UCONN releases results of Geo-probe Groundwater Investigation at the
Landfill which provides limited evidence of contamination - revealing a
limited investigation due to an inappropriately narrow scope of work. This
technique is normally used for a preliminary assessment. Future geo-technical
investigations would expand upon this preliminary work.
|
Haley & Aldrich Report, October 1998
|
November 20, 1998
|
Chronicle Editorial Board
Urges UCONN to Install Waterline.
Editorial Board of the Willimantic Chronicle calls on UCONN to extend
the water line to protect public health for those living downgradient of the
landfill. The Board suggests Mansfield
pay for the extension and then work out reparations with UCONN later on.
|
Willimantic Chronicle, It’s Time to extend UCONN’s water line,
November 20, 1998, p. 6
|
November 27, 1998
|
DEP Calls for Private Well
Testing at 50 Homes.
Hartford Courant reports that DEP will test the water at 50
residences that may have been affected by the UCONN Landfill and chemical
pits. This is a follow-up testing regime to that undertaken by the Eastern
Highlands Health District at over 100 residences.
|
Brenda Sullivan, Water Wells to be Tested, Hartford Courant, November
27, 1998, p. B6
|
December 22, 1998
|
Mayor of Mansfield Urges UCONN
to Provide Water.
Michael Schor, Mayor of Mansfield, urges UCONN to provide potable
water to affected residents – or at least begin the planning and analysis to
make this possible
|
Michael Schor, Mayor, letter to Michael Emmert, UCONN Chancellor and
Provost, dated December 22, 1998
|
January 30, 1999
|
Citizens Call for UCONN to Do
More Study.
UCONN invites public comments on the draft scope of study for the
hydro-geological investigation of the landfill and chemical pits. Over 30
comments or submissions were received from citizens seriously concerned about
UCONN’s commitment to remediation.
|
Response to Comments Document, January 30, 1999
|
June 18, 1999
|
UCONN Required to Expand its
Investigation.
DEP issues revised scope of study for hydro-geological investigation
to address six new issues – many of which reflect the concerns of Mansfield
residents expressed at the January 30, 1999 public hearing.
|
Michael Harder, DEP Director of Permitting and Enforcement, letter to
Mark Emmert, UCONN Chancellor
|
May 9, 2000
|
Study Reveals Contamination
Follows Bedrock Fractures.
UCONN submits final preliminary Hydro-geological Investigation Report
to DEP indicating the landfill leachate affects groundwater, surface water
and sediment. Study team does not
believe any threats exist to health of abutters that require immediate action.
Haley & Aldrich also point to chemicals that have penetrated fractured
bedrock and have migrated along fracture lines which will require more study.
|
Haley & Aldrich Report, May 9, 2000
|
June 9, 2000
|
Federal Health Agency Declares
No Public Health Concern.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) releases
Health Consultation report for UCONN landfill/chemical pits. ATSDR identifies
low level contamination in 24 of the private wells sampled. ATSDR states none
of them pose a public “health concern” from a long or short term exposure. Undoubtedly, citizen lack of confidence in
UCONN’s and DEP’s past performance with the landfill/chemical pits led to the
request for ATSDR intervention.
|
ATSDR, Health Consultation Report, June 9, 2000
|
November 26, 1999
|
Connecticut Dept. of Health
Releases Health Consultation.
The Connecticut DPH releases its “Health Consultation” report
concluding that While low levels of some volatile organic compounds were
identified in 21 of the private wells sampled, none of the compounds were
identified at levels that would present any public health concern from either
long or short term exposure. However high levels of lead and sodium were
found in two wells that require further sampling. The findings of this Health
Consultation were presented to the public during a public meeting on June 8,
1999.
|
“Health Consultation” prepared by Connecticut Department of Public
Health Under Cooperative Agreement with the Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry, November 26, 1999.
|
August 16, 2000
|
Sloppy Cleanup Calls for More
Trench Work.
UCONN begins trenching program based on identification of additional
missed contamination by Clean Harbors in 1987.
|
Haley & Aldrich Report, April 2001
|
September 13, 2000
|
Trench Work Continues as
Contamination Expands.
UCONN begins second round of trenching after finding even more
contamination.
|
Haley & Aldrich Report, April 2001
|
December 5, 2000
|
UCONN Agrees to More Water
Sampling.
UCONN agrees to sample any domestic wells at homeowner’s request.
Sixteen homeowners accept UCONN’s offer. Tests extend to 21 additional wells.
Three wells tested above acceptable drinking water criteria.
|
Haley & Aldrich, Comprehensive Hydro-geologic investigation and
Remedial Action Plan, Addendum No. 2, July 2004
|
February 22, 2001
|
Five Wells Serving Six
Residences to be Given Potable Water.
Art Rocque, DEP Commissioner, Orders UCONN to provide potable water
to six properties on North Eagleville Road found to have polluted wells.
|
Letter to John D. Peterson, Chancellor, UCONN, from Art Rocque, DEP
Commissioner, February 22, 2001
|
April 2001
|
UCONN releases results of
Trench Testing Program.
UCONN releases results of Test Trenching Program at former chemical
pits.
|
Haley & Aldrich Report, April 2001
|
July 10, 2001
|
Six Residences Hooked up to
UCONN Water.
DEP approves water main extension to six residences on North
Eagleville Road.
|
EP Consent Order SRD-101, July 10, 2001
|
October 2001
|
Dozens of Chemicals Found
above Regulatory Standards.
UCONN releases conceptual model for shallow groundwater, surface
water, and soil gas sampling as part of the landfill closure assessment.
Report indicates 46 chemicals found above Remediation Standard Regulations
(RSR). Report declares that the principal groundwater migration pathway from
former chemical pits is through fractured bedrock. Dense Non-Aqueous Phase
Liquids (DNAPL) are the principal contaminants of concern. DNAPLs are
“sinkers” and were found in high concentrations in the deep bedrock wells.
|
Haley & Aldrich Report, October 2001
|
December 26, 2001
|
UCONN releases Poorly Prepared
Health Risk Assessment.
EPONA Associates retained to conduct risk assessment. Their
calculations are poorly documented and without scholarly integrity. They conclude that soil contact does not
pose an excess lifetime cancer risk.
|
Haley & Aldrich, Comprehensive Hydro-geologic
Investigation and Remedial Action Plan, Volume 8, October 2002
|
January 2002
|
Separatist Road Residence
Hooked Up to Waterline.
One resident on Separatist Rd is connected to UCONN water system.
|
Interview with Alison Hilding, July 23, 2017
|
January 31, 2002
|
EPA Contractor Declares
Citizen’s Don’t Trust UCONN.
EPA’s Public Involvement Process Coordinator declares that UCONN’s
credibility with the community has not improved over the last 3 years despite
public involvement process. The public
continues to lack confidence in UCONN’s ability to remediate without regulatory
oversight.
|
Marion Cox, Resource Associates, Memo to DEP and EPA, January 31,
2002
|
September 20, 2002
|
UCONN Establishes an Office of
Environmental Policy.
Attorney Richard Miller is selected for this post after a
distinguished career with Northeast Utilities and the CT Business &
Industry Association.
|
Karen Grava, Environmental Director Appointed, UCONN Advance,
September 23, 2002
|
Fall 2002
|
Land Use Restrictions
Recommended for Chemical Pits.
UCONN’s consultants recommend restrictions on the use of land where the
former chemical pits were located. However, this important recommendation is
not listed as one of the required elements of the landfill closure plan (see
UCONN Update dated April 2004).
|
UCONN Update, Landfill Remediation Project, Fall 2002, p. 2.
|
January 2003
|
UCONN Study Recommends
Purchase of Downgradient Land.
In an effort to protect public health, UCONN’s draft final
Hydrogeological Investigation of the landfill and chemical pits recommends
attempting to purchase downgradient property to prohibit future development.
There is no evidence that this recommendation was ever implemented.
|
|
June 5, 2003
|
Remedial Action Plan Approved
by DEP.
DEP approves UCONN’s comprehensive hydro-geological Investigation
Report & Remedial Action Plan.
|
Minutes of the Mansfield Town Council, December 8, 2003, p. 20
|
November 26, 2003
|
Seven Residents Accept UCONN
Water.
Seven residents accept public water and agree to abandon their wells
on North Eagleville & Meadowood Roads.
|
Minutes of the Mansfield Town Council, December 8, 2003, p. 22
|
Fall 2003
|
In response to public comments, UCONN makes documents available in a
digital format at the website titled;
www.landfillproject.uconn.edu
|
UCONN Update, Landfill Remediation Project, Fall 2003, p. 6.
|
January 26, 2004
|
UCONN Submits Revised Closure
Plan.
In December 2003, DEP issued a letter commenting on the Closure Plan
and requesting a revised Closure Plan, which UConn prepared and submitted in
January 2004. The revised closure plan affirms that post-closure monitoring
will continue for at least 30 years.
Quarterly sampling is required under the Remediation Standard Regulations
(RSRs); however, UConn can petition the DEP to reduce sampling frequency
after post-closure conditions are well-established.
|
UCONN Update, Landfill Remediation Project, April 2004, p. 1.
|
May 2004
|
Six more Residences are Connected
to UCONN Water System.
At DEP’s direction, UCONN is ordered to provide potable water to six
residences as part of the final landfill closure approval.
|
UCONN Update, Landfill Remediation Project, April 2004, p. 4.
|
June 30, 2004
|
UCONN Submits Wetland Plan to
Army Corps of Engineers.
UCONN submits wetland mitigation and remedial action implementation
plan for UCONN landfill & former chemical pits.
|
Haley & Aldrich, Wetland Mitigation Plan submitted to Cori, Rose,
at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, June 30, 2004
|
November 22, 2004
|
DEP Approves Landfill Closure Plan.
Connecticut DEP approves UCONN’s landfill closure plan based on
documents prepared by Haley & Aldrich.
|
Haley & Aldrich, Project Manual, Volume 3, Summary of Permits
Related Documents Remedial Action Plan Implementation, July 2005
|
January 2005
|
Wetlands Hearing Held on
Landfill’s Impact on Wetlands.
DEP permit hearing is held on the wetlands filling and mitigation
plan.
|
UCONN Update Landfill Remediation Project, December 2005, p.2 found in the Mansfield Town Council Minutes
of January 9, 2006, p. 11
|
May 25, 2005
|
Wetlands Permit Issued to
UCONN.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit is issued for wetlands work near
the UCONN landfill.
|
Haley & Aldrich, Project Manual, Volume 3, Summary of Permits
Related Documents Remedial Action Plan Implementation, July 2005
|
August 2005
|
Landfill Specifications
Finalized.
Haley & Aldrich completes specifications for Remedial Action
Plan.
|
Haley & Aldrich, Project Manual, Volume 1 of 4 – Specifications
Remedial Action Plan Implementation, August 2005
|
December 2005
|
Long Term Monitoring to Last
30 Years.
UCONN states in the January 9, 2006 issue of the UCONN Update
Landfill Remediation Project Newsletter that the long term monitoring plan
(LTMP) is to last for 30 years.
|
UCONN Update Landfill Remediation Project, December 2005, p.5 found in the Mansfield Town Council Minutes
of January 9, 2006, p. 14
|
January 30, 2006
|
Land Use Restrictions Placed
on UCONN’s F Lot.
Haley & Aldrich submit construction completion report for the F
Lot disposal area indicating closure occurred in November 1999 and complies
with applicable regulations. Report indicates permanent land use restrictions
placed on F lot precluding its use for residential use and for drinking
water. The F lot is a separate
closure project from that of the landfill and the chemical pit closures.
|
Haley & Aldrich, Construction Completion Report F Lot Disposal
Area, January 2006
|
November 29, 2006
|
Groundwater Sampling Continues
to Find Volatile Organics.
Haley & Aldrich, UCONN’s contractor, submit the long term
monitoring plan Sampling Round #1. The report indicates Volatile Organic
Compounds (VOC) detected in deep bedrock monitoring wells above groundwater
protection criteria. A total of only 18 more Sampling Rounds are released by
UCONN over the next seven years even though it declared that groundwater sampling
would last 30 years (see December 2005).
|
Haley & Aldrich, Long Term Monitoring Plan Sampling Round #1,
November, 2006
|
June 2007
|
Landfill Leachate Treated at
Waste Water Plant.
Temporary pumping of leachate from landfill is sent to UCONN’s wastewater
treatment plant (WWTP). Enormous quantities of leachate require treatment at
the WWTP. The volumes of treated
leachate at the WWTP are consistent with the estimates made by Welling in the
early 1980s.
|
CT ACHMM Newsletter, August 2007, p.
7.
|
March 5, 2009
|
Community Water Wells Proposed
Downgradient of Landfill.
Keystone Companies LLC, an Avon company managed by Anthony P. Giorgio,
requests the Dept. of Public Utility Control for permission to install a
community water system immediately downgradient of UCONN landfill on Hunting
Lodge Road.
|
Kemberley Santopietro, Dept. of Public Utility Control, letter to
Anthony Giorgio acknowledging receipt of application for certificate of pubic
convenience and necessity for a community water system, March 5, 2009
|
December 11, 2009
|
Mason Associates submits Wetland Mitigation Monitoring Report #2 that
confirms 1.83 acres of wetlands was created to replace the amount lost; an
additional 2.97 acres of wetlands was restored and 12.4 acres of wetlands was
enhanced as required by Army Corps permit requirements.
|
Mason Associates Wetland Mitigation Monitoring Report #2, 2009
|
December 15, 2009
|
Based on a Connecticut DEP approval letter dated December 15, 2009
and prompted by UCONN’s request to halt progress reports, no further public
reporting is provided.
|
Patrick Bowe, Director of DEP Remediation Division to Richard Miller,
Director, Office of Environmental Policy, dated December 15, 2009
|
April 27, 2011
|
Keystone Co. LLC Submits
Request for Community Water.
|
Mark Lewis, CT DEP letter to Lori Mathieu, June 21, 2011
|
June 21, 2011
|
CT Dept. of Public Health
Denies Community Water System.
Lori Mathieu, Public Health Section Chief, CT Department of Public
Health, denies Mr. Giorgio’s application for the Revised Phase 1-A
application that had been received April 27, 2011. On this same date, the CT
DEP raises serious concerns with the impact of the revised community well
locations (i.e., they are closer to the landfill than the first application)
on domestic wells in the area. The developer’s wells are expected to
accelerate the downgradient movement of landfill leachate.
|
Lori Mathieu, Public Health Section Chief, CT Dept. of Public Health,
to Kimberley Santopietro, Dept. of Public Utility Control, June 21, 2011 and
Mark Lewis, CT DEP letter to Lori Mathieu,
June 21, 2011
|
September 21, 2011
|
Keystone Withdraws its
Community Well Application.
Community concerns with water contamination derail this proposal. The
proposal was officially withdrawn on September 30, 2011. However, on this
same date Keystone submits a revised
application also confusingly titled Phase 1-A (Keystone should have given
it another name to make it easier for historians to follow this confusing
process).
|
John Betkoski, Hearing Officer receives Motion to Withdraw
Application, September 27, 2011
|
October 28, 2011
|
Senator Don Williams Objects
to Keystone LLC Application.
Senator Donald Williams objects to the Keystone Companies LLC revised
application submitted September 21, 2011 and implores Commissioner Mullen to
preserve the integrity of the landfill cap “while ensuring an adequate water
supply free from contamination for local residents.”
|
Donald Williams, Senator, 20th Senatorial District, to Commissioner Jewel Mullen, CT Public Health, October 28, 2011
|
November 14, 2011
|
Eastern Highlands Health
District Fights Keystone LLC Wells.
Robert Miller, Director of Health of EHHD opposes the Keystone Companies
LLC Ponde Place application to install a community water system wells
immediately downgradient of the UCONN landfill and chemical pits on a 45 acre
parcel located on Hunting Lodge Road. Miller notes the significant drop in water
levels at landfill monitoring wells and private owned domestic water wells
near the proposed development during Keystone’s test pumping. He notes that
the developer’s proposal will accelerate the movement of contaminants toward
wells downgradient of the landfill.
|
Robert Miller, EHHD Director, letter to Eric McPhee, CT Dept. of
Public Health, date November 14, 2011
|
November 21, 2011
|
CT Dept. of Public Health
Rejects Keystone’s LLC Application.
The Keystone LCC Ponde Place application is rejected for many reasons
including its potential impact on drawing the landfill plume southwestward
toward Hunting Lodge Road and many nearby residential wells. While this
rejection stopped Keystone’s development proposal, later developments,
including UCONN’s contractual authority to extend sewer and water service to
residential areas of Mansfield, suggests Keystone’s Ponde Place development proposal
will soon be re-activated.
|
Lori Mathieu, Public Health Section Chief, CT Dept. of Public Health,
to Kimberley Santopietro, Dept. of Public Utility Control, November 21, 2011
|
April 24, 2012
|
Volatile Organics Remain in
Bedrock Wells after 16 Rounds.
Long Term Monitoring Plan Round #16 groundwater sampling continues to
reveal volatile organic compounds in the deep bedrock monitoring wells.
|
Haley & Aldrich, Long Term Monitoring Plan Round #16, April 2012
|
May 1, 2012
|
Health District Director Not
Concerned about VOC results.
Robert Miller, Eastern Highlands Health District, reviews the results
from Landfill Monitoring wells Sampling Round #16 and notifies Town Manager
Hart that, in his opinion, the results do not indicate immediate or imminent
threat to health.
|
Robert Miller memo to Matthew Hart, May 1, 2012
|
November 26, 2013
|
Bedrock Contamination Remains
after 19 Sampling Rounds.
Long Term Monitoring Plan Round #19 continues to reveal volatile
organic compounds in the deep bedrock monitoring wells with fracture lines
pointing toward a southerly plume direction.
|
Haley & Aldrich, Long Term Monitoring Plan Round#19, November
2013
|
July 6, 2017
|
Total Cleanup Estimated at $35
Million.
Pharmacist Greg Cichowski indicates that UCONN is alleged to have
spent over $35 Million to remediate the chemical pits and landfill.
|
Interview with Cichowski, July 6, 2017
|
Research Methods:
Details on the sources and methods used in this research can be found by clicking on Notes on the Research Supporting this Blog.
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