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Site Type: Short Term/Removal (SHORT) 
EVELYN PORTER ESTATE
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| Foxborough, Massachusetts |
| Norfolk County |
| Street Address: | Cocasset Street |
| Zip Code: | 03465 |
Congressional
District(s): |
10 |
| EPA ID #: | MAN000103179 |
| Site ID #: | 103179 |
| Site Alias: | |
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Description
This site is the location of a former domestic wastewater sludge disposal area. The entire Evelyn Porter Estate property is an approximate 100-acre parcel of wooded land with several ponds and wetlands located on site. The site consists of two specific lagoon areas where elevated levels of dioxin and PCP have been detected, as well as heavy metals and other semivolatile organic compounds.
The Evelyn Porter Estate Site is located within a residential area that is on Cocasset Street in the town of Foxboro, County of Norfolk, State of Massachusetts. The geographic coordinates of the site are 42E 04' 21" north latitude, and 71E 13' 25" west longitude, as measured from the approximate center of the property. The site is bound by Cocassett Street to the north and East Belcher Road to the southwest. The property is bound to the east, west, and south by town and conservation land. There are residential properties located within 100 feet to the entrance of the site on the Cocasset Street side and within 500 feet of the entrance on the East Belcher Road side. The property consists of an approximate 100 acre parcel of land that is largely wooded with a dirt road that extends the length of site from north to south. Depressions, both man made and naturally occurring are located along both sides of the dirt road. These depressions (lagoons) have been used as septic waste disposal areas by the Bentley F. Porter Pumping and Disposal Company (Porter Company) from approximately 1938 until 1988. Two lagoon areas located in the southwestern portion of the property contain elevated levels of dioxin and PCP. One of the lagoons has been fenced off by the Estate pursuant to an Immediate Response Action (IRA) that was required by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MADEP). The other lagoon is located immediately to the west of the fenced-in lagoon. There are several ponds and wetlands located throughout the property. In addition, the Rumford River flows along the eastern perimeter of the property. The site is the location of a former domestic wastewater sludge disposal area. The entire Evelyn Porter Estate Property is an approximate 100-acre parcel of wooded land with several ponds and wetlands located on site. The site consists of two specific lagoon areas where elevated levels of dioxin and PCP have been detected, as well as heavy metals and other semivolatile organic compounds. At the request of MADEP , EPA initiated a preliminary assessment/site investigation (PA/SI) of the site on July 29, 1998. This PA/SI consisted of collecting 18 surface soil samples from various lagoon areas within the site. Analytical results indicated that elevated levels of metals and semivolatile organic compounds are present in the surficial soils. On October 29, 1998, EPA conducted follow-up PA/SI activities at the site which included collecting 20 subsurface soil samples to delineate the vertical extent of contamination. In 1998 and 1999, MADEP was the lead agency providing oversight of the site and was working with a prospective purchaser to remediate the property. On February 7, 2002, representatives from the Estate and a second prospective purchaser, Foxboro town officials, MADEP, and EPA met at the Foxboro Town Hall to discuss the dioxin contamination discovered by the second prospective purchaser and the possibility of further site characterization and development of the property. The first prospective purchaser have apparently decided not to undertake the cleanup and development of the site. It appears the second prospective purchaser was not willing to fund the cleanup of the site. In July 2002, MADEP requested EPA’s assistance in addressing the contamination at the site that poses an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health and/or the environment.
The property consists of an approximate 100 acre parcel of land that is largely wooded with a dirt road that extends the length of site from north to south. Depressions, both man made and naturally occurring are located along both sides of the dirt road. These depressions (lagoons) have been used as septic waste disposal areas by the Bentley F. Porter Pumping and Disposal Company (Porter Company) from approximately 1938 until 1988. Two lagoon areas located in the southwestern portion of the property contain elevated levels of dioxin and PCP. One of the lagoons has been fenced off by the Estate pursuant to an Immediate Response Action (IRA) that was required by the MADEP. The other lagoon is located immediately to the west of the fenced-in lagoon. There are several ponds and wetlands located throughout the property. In addition, the Rumford River flows along the eastern perimeter of the property.
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Current Status
In September 2002, EPA signed an Action Memorandum for a time-critical removal action. The actions required to mitigate the threats outlined herein, are given below. At this time, indications are that the Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs) will not perform this work. The proposed actions will protect public health, welfare, and the environment, including: a) Perform site walkthrough with EPA’s Emergency Rapid Response Services (ERRS) contractor. b) Mobilize personnel and equipment. c) Secure the site to prevent unauthorized access. If necessary, repair existing fence and install warning signs. d) Conduct sampling to further delineate the contaminated areas. e) Conduct the removal and disposal of the highly contaminated soils at EPA-approved facilities. f) Conduct site restoration activities in areas where soil has been excavated, which may include a cap over areas with residual contamination. g) Demobilize personnel and equipment.
Photos
Links to Other Information
Public Record Locations
OSRR Records and Information Center, 1st Floor, 5 Post Office Square, Suite 100 (HSC), Boston, MA 02109-3912 (617) 918-1440
Contacts
| WING CHAU |
| On-Scene Coordinator |
| Address: | One Congress Street, Suite 1100 (HBR)
Boston, MA 02114-2023 |
| Phone #: | 617-918-1254 |
| E-Mail Address: | chau.wing@epa.gov |
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