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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Inspector General
At a Glance
2007-P-00039
September 25, 2007
Why We Did This Review
Members of Congress
requested that we examine
several issues about the
cleanup decisions, oversight,
and actions at the Ringwood
Mines/Landfill Superfund site
(Site) located in Ringwood,
New Jersey. This report
addresses questions raised
about cleaning up the Site and
the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's (EPA's)
oversight of that cleanup.
Background
In 1983, due to concerns about
groundwater and surface water
contamination, EPA listed the
Site on the Superfund National
Priorities List (NPL). In 1994,
after addressing known
concerns, EPA deleted it from
the NPL. However, several
more cleanup actions have
occurred at the Site since,
prompting EPA for the first
time in Superfund"s history to
restore a site to the NPL.
Catalyst for Improving the Environment
Limited Investigation Led to Missed
Contamination at Ringwood Superfund Site
What We Found
EPA's oversight of the Ford Motor Company's cleanup at the Site met many
requirements. Based on the initial investigation, EPA selected a remedy that
addressed groundwater and surface water concerns at the Site. EPA ensured
implementation of the remedy and removal of identified paint sludge, deleted the
Site from the NPL, and conducted the 5-year reviews. However, EPA did not
comply with the community notification requirements when conducting the 5-year
reviews.
Residents continued to discover paint sludge at the Site after EPA deleted it from
the NPL in 1994. These discoveries were because EPA did not ensure that Ford's
initial Site investigation was comprehensive. During the initial investigation, EPA
could have ensured that Ford conducted a more comprehensive survey of the 500-
acre Site and made better use of aerial photographs. In addition, EPA itself could
have conducted a more thorough search for records involving waste disposal
activities at the Site by enforcing disclosure requirements on Ford. Had EPA
taken or enforced these actions, it may have produced information that supported a
more comprehensive site investigation or identified additional paint sludge. Under
EPA orders, Ford is conducting an ongoing, comprehensive Site investigation. If
done properly, it should address concerns about the initial Site investigation.
EPA Region 2 managers were not regularly documenting ongoing Site visits and
discussions with State managers. EPA's Records Management Manual requires
documentation of such activities in certain circumstances.
What We Recommend
For further information,
contact our Office of
Congressional and Public
Liaison at (202) 566-2391.
To view the full report,
click on the following link:
www.epa.qov/oiq/reports/2007/
20070925-2007-P-00039.pdf
We recommend that EPA Region 2 ensure that: 1) Ford has submitted all relevant
information regarding the company's waste disposal activities at the Site; 2) the
Ringwood community receives the required notification of the initiation and
results of any future 5-year reviews at the Site; and 3) appropriate EPA staff
receive written guidance defining their responsibilities for complying with EPA's
records management policies when conducting conversations with State officials
and during site visits. In its response to the draft report, the Region agreed with
recommendations 1 and 2, but did not agree with recommendation 3, which we
revised to account for the Region's comments.

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