Return to Use Initiative 2006 Demonstration Project Nutmeg Valley Road:woicott,cr THE SITE: The 26-acre Nutmeg Valley Road site has been home to metalworking and finishing shops since the 1940s.Two machine shops with a known history of dumping waste oil and solvents on the ground became the focus of attention when private drinking water wells in the area were found to be contaminated. EPA iisted the site on the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1989. In 1992, during an emergency removal action, approximately 1,150 tons of sludge waste and contaminated soil were removed from two unlined lagoons. This action addressed surface soil contamination and removed a potential source of ground water contamination. Studies have revealed no evidence of a wide-spread contaminated ground water plume, and contaminant levels are naturally decreasing over time. EPA determined that existing state law and a local ground water ordinance adopted by the Town ofWolcott in 2004 prohibiting the use of ground water at the site, when considered together, will prevent exposures. EPA's 2004 Record of Decision stated that no further action was necessary to make the site protective of human health and the environment. Because EPA's determination of no further action relies in part on laws already in place, EPA will review the protectiveness of this remedy every five years. THE OPPORTUNITY: Some commercial and light industrial businesses continued to operate, but some of the Nutmeg Valley Road site remained vacant. Town officials have targeted the area for revitalization efforts intended to stimulate commercial and industrial growth in the area and raise the tax base for the Town ofWolcott. THE BARRIER: According to business owners,thesite'sSuperfund designation made it difficult to secure loans to maintain and improve properties on the site. Other owners were unable to sell their businesses because of perceived stigma. Buildings were abandoned and fell into disrepair. THE SOLUTION: EPA Region 1 deleted the Nutmeg Valley Road site from the NPL in September 2005 and issued a site reuse profile shortly thereafter. This document provides site history, an environmental summary, and reuse status. The Town ofWolcott also made infrastructure improvements to area roads,and has offered visual enhancement incentives,such as debris pickup and free paint for property owners. THE SITE NOW: With more readily available site information and the recent NPL deletion, the Town expects consumer confidence to improve and the commercial/industrial park to thrive. FOR MORE INFORMATION,CONTACT: John Podgurksi, Region 1 Superfund Redevelopment Coordinator, at 617.918.1296 or wdaurski.iohn@epa.gov. Barrier: Superfund site stigma Solution: Deletion of site from National Pri- orities List; clear communication about site in a site reuse profile Mutanag VnJWry Prof»ftiM contained wllliln Industrial Zoning Before: Partially vacant industrial facility, protective for commercial and industrial uses; some buildings in disrepair After: Expected revitalization of com- mercial and industrial park Superfund Redevelopment Initiative ------- |