Document wgr2jZzOGqKjgpgXo84qX6gKo

PHH Homequity 40 Apple Ridge Road Danbury, CT 06810 7300 Telephone 203 796 3400 June 20, 1995 Ms. Diana Herndon MONSANTO--A2SP The Chemical Group 800 N. Lindbergh Boulevard St. Louis, Missouri 63167 Dear Diana: It was a pleasure to have spoken to you this morning. The updates you and Larry gave were very helpful to our understanding of the circumstances at your Anniston facility. I have enclosed the news clips we discussed for your further review--they present some of the background for our DuPont project in New Jersey. DuPont's upfront dialogue with the community, the resident involvement, and the basic remediation process sound somewhat similar to your approach in Alabama. Please let me know if you need any additional clarification. We are very excited about the potential of working on the project with you and look forward to further talking with you. Sincerely, Regional Project Manager enclosure DSW 133443 STLCOPCB4033401 2 N.J. Wl'C lilt. /vt;n ivni\ iMl;.), ........ jrtiVOAKr u, /yV/ Pompton Lakes Journal Du Pont and Residents Try to Resolve Contamination Issue ;;.) By LVN MAUTNER POMPTOH LAKFJT HCID BROOK. wtikti rum from F.. I. jFh[ chi r<M< Nemours A Comfuny'* expkwlve* plant on Cannon ball A Wmk Road through residential areas down to the take, carried a bitter message to this community last year when high levels of lead and mercury were found along Its banks. Du Pont made the discovery while moni toring the area as part of Its program to bring past disposal practices under current state regulations. Borough officials had also urged testing for hszjxrdovs wastes off the plant site In conjunction with the closing of Du Pont'* Shooting Pond, long used for un derwater detonation of blasting caps. More than 500 soli samples were taken along the brook. Du Pont found that 20.5 percent of the samples were above the ac. ceptable lead level for children and that 21.7 percent were above acceptable mercury ter. els. Ihe rest, measured in ports per million, fell within Federal health-risk standards, Du Pont said Although Du Pont and environmental ex* ' perts hired by the company emphasized that these substances were not cancer causing, were not present In the air or water and could be harmful only If the contaminated soil was _ Ingested over many years, they were bom barded with questions from worried citizens. Researchers have linked lead and mercury lo neurological disorders like learning dlsabilities* anemia, kidney disease and repro ductive problems In adults. The first casually was not health but peace of mind." said Ed Merrill, who Is on a 12-member citizens* advisory committee set up by Du Pont to discuss the situation. Planning lo ReplSte Soil Me said It was unusual for such n large rompnny In Involve the community rlRhl from ihe siart. "Du Font has been very cooperative." he anlcf. "Instead of making excuses, they are working with the Depart- menl of Environmental Protection ami the t)orough to define, evaluate, then remove the contamination wllh plans to replace the pol luted soil In a massive cleanup effort next spring." ' Leander Woods, the Du Pont plant man ager, said: "We have tried lo deal with the situation fairly, openly, responsibly. We want to show that ii doesn't take the worst case of pollution for Industry to respond, lo go to work for the community, that good results nre possible." Mr. Woods said that "for a number of years. Ou Font ha tested quarterly the wa ter In Acid Brook at It leaves our plant" and that K had continued to be within Department of Environmental Protection guidelines. He said the contamination found in the soil was r*rt result of a "continuous outfall** from the plant, like a pipe, but of periodic gather ing of rrfl by the brook whenever It flooded. Janet Hackbanh, who has lived In Pomp- Ed Merrill, a member of citizens' advisory committee set up by Du Pont to discuss concerns about contami nated soil near Acid Brook, background, speaking with Paul and Vivian Dow, property owners. ton Lakes for 22 years and Is n member of Ihe advisory committee, said: "If I did not think Du Pont was dealing fair and square with us, l*d bo the first In the lawyer's office. My attitude Is, `I'm from Missouri* " But undercurrents of mistrust and fear continue to run through the community, erupting In emotional outbursts and rumbles of possible lawsuits ngalnsl the company. The most trnubled area is where much of the contamination was found -- Du Pont Village, named for Its proximity to the plant. (The company had built these homes for its workers, but then sohi them to members of the community.) Employing thousands dur ing the World Wars, tl*c Pompton Lakes plant now has a work force of 100. manufacturing explosive products for surface mining, the oil and space Industries and the military. Many residents said the still unanswered question for them was whether long exposure to the soli could be harmful to health. Shirley Koppcnal. whose house Is near the plant, Ihres In what she describes as a "clus ter of sicknesses." "The main concern up and down Ihe block is health," she said. "In the two houses on either akie of me, three have had cancer; two have died. I want proof that mercury, lead and other substances found In my yard do not cause cancer. In one spot they discovered sotI with 20.000 parts of mercury per million -- one of the Mghest found. I want Du Pont to make a door-to-door study along Acid Brook to .see if kidney problems, anemia, clc.. run In Ihete families.'* Henry Rimer It the lawyer for a number of families kt the borough considering Indi vidual fawsuits against Du Pont. "They have thoroughly tested the soft and water," he said, "but have not gone to the peopte about health problrms. Resident! are Jett In doubt about this Important and emotional aspect of the altualJun." Du Pont has retained Dr. Michael Gochfeld of the department of environmental and com munity medklne at the UMventty of Medlctnd and Dentlrtry/Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center, who was present at a public meeting Du Pont held last summer. The company offered to pay for doctors* visits and laboratory tests <ai an Independent com pany) for alt residents who wished them. About 10 famlUct took up Du Pont on Its offer. Initial lest results showed that two people had mercury levels above normal limits. Mr. Wood* said. *'l suggest," Mr. Wood* said, "that a per son with positive findings go to their personal physician, who has the most knowledge of that Individual, to have these results con firmed and, by appropriate questioning, to also confirm the source of these findings -- the way the substances were Ingested. "We sent all contaminated soil samples out to toxicologists for evaluation. The findings did not establish a connection between the level* found and a potential health hazard, tl Is my understanding that the levels have to be higher fora population risk assessment to be warranted" But Mrs. Koppenal sakf. "I would like to have a doctor not retained by Du Pont come and speak to ua, to reassure us, together with representative from the Stale Health De partment" . Brian Hlnchman grew up on Howard Street near the plant. His mother and sister IWHtvyirtTMn'* still Ihre thete. Mr. Illnchman, who la a member of the citizens' advisory committee, said: "I water-skied In the delta, ate vegeta bles from the garden. We have high levels of lead and mercury In yard soil that wUI be replaced, but I am worried. What about dirt trapped under the foundation? In one or two spots, cement fat our basement Is wont Sway and dirt has come through. Do Pont Is still bunting hazardous wastes -- rags, card board. Seems to me they're taking the pollu tion from ground Into air." . Vivian Dow's house on Howard Street also borders Add Brook. "Many medical prob lems can be caused by a variety of things/' she said. "Because of the contamination In. our yard, they wilt have to uproot bushes and trees that have been In the family for years -- but la that sufficient reason to sue?" - Another concern among possible loss In the value of residents Is their houses the' and " .-t property because of the contamination., " "Du Pom caused this stigma; they should'' protect us," said Eileen Watson, who lives on Colfax Avenue. "I grew up In this house. Am I now going to lose H I" What Happens II We Want to Kelt?* " Mrs Koppenal added: "What happens It we want to sell our home In the future? Alter.. the cleanup, wilt the Stigma still remain, os - will property be restored to Its lull value?".. In reply, Mr. Woods outlined a planned value-protection program tor residents at a -. meeting of the committee last month. The . program, which was drawn up with the help of a real-estate consulting company, seeks lo answer the fears of property owners. Du Pont plans to hold a public meeting ort Ihe ,. plan In the near future. .-. In addition, Du Pont Is completing plans to minimize Inconvenience to famines who < must temporarily move during Ihe cleanup- Till Cunderman haa lived near the brook. . for IS years. "1 wonder about the level of.. knowledge of this whole subject," she sakl. "I - am not convinced that state and Federal standards are based Ou hard scientific evf. . dence. Do they know.for example, details of how plants and vegetables absorb these sub stances? I don't know, t caned the U5.DA, ., but didn't get an answer. I think Du Pont la- acting In good faith, but still I'm nervous,"* - .- = DSW 133444 DSW 1 3 3 4 4 5 Bike, auto collide DuPont to distribute packet WAYNE -- Police reported a to soil-impacted homeownerscoLlision of a Honda motorcycle "* * n..j gvr3 67>.: 'MbbiAVy Z7f ft(H < from Wayne, me acciaeot oc curred on Saturday afternoon at 3:25. Police said the motorcycle was apparently heading north on Val ley Road when Bailey attempted to make a left turn onto Valley Road at the intersection of Hall Court. Police said there is a stop sign at that location and there is no indication that Bailey failed to come to a full stop. Arrest nets By LORI HASO STAFF WRITER POMPTON LAKES -- Keeping ils commitment to address the needs of the community responsibly, Du Pont will introduce a value-protec tion program for homeowners with property directly impacted by lead and mercury contaminated soil. The program was drawn up with the help of a real estate consulting company and seeks to answer the fears and questions of affected property owners. According to plant manager Lee Woods, it was the concern of these homeowners that prompted the company to research and initiate the program. "After we announced the soil contamination last spring, wc began to get feedback that banks in the local area would not write mort gages for people who had con taminated soil near their property. People felt trapped and thought they wouldn't be able to secure a mort gage to sell or re-finance their homes. As a result, we began to gather information from the home owners and have hired a contractor to draw up a program responsive to the needs of these property owners. We also needed a mortgage lender to participate in the program and have commitments from two national lenders who say they will support it." Woods^ara. i DuPont <Wred PHH Home Equity as its contractor to design thc-grcF" gram and counsel homeowners on real estate questions. Beginning tomorrow, according to Woods, packages explaining the program in detail will be delivered door-to-door to homeowners who are eligible. "The program will assist people with refinancing or selling their homes. We are treating this as a people program for homeowners directly impacted by the cleanup activities that will begin in the spring of this year and continue until all the contamination is removed," Woods said. Lowering boro water rates stolen car WAYNE -- Police arrested two men. including a Detroit, Michigan man, for possession of a stolen car and drugs on Jan. 19. Police arrested Alfred A. Rose, 43, of Ft. Lee and Horten Peoples m, 41, of Detroit, at Wiliowbrook Mail. The two men were allegedly observed, by Del. James Clarke, conducting thern selves in a suspicious manner in the mail parking lot. Clarke arrested the two men for possession of a stolen 1990 Oldsmobile and for possession of marijuana under 50 grams and possession of cocaine. Index SECTION ONE is not unanimously hailed By LINDA BALDWIN ' the borough can afford the rate ing our water rates now, but wc have STAFF WRITER reduction. to upgrade our system and may have - RINGWOOD -- Water rates However, Councilmcn Ernest to increase the rates. This is not a could be reduced in the near future Schwesingcr and William Busioo good idea right now," he said. by a majority vote of the borough fed that rates could very well go up Borough Manager Charles De council, but the vote to introduce the again in (he future. Deyn pointed out that there could be ordinance Tuesday night was not ' Schwesingcr said he was opposed enough money in the surplus to help unanimous, as two councilmcn feel the action is premature. During last week's couacil busi ness meeting, a 4-2 vote was taken to introducethe amended ordinance, designed (o reduce the rates by to (he proposed reduction. "We should be doing other things to improve our water system," he said, "such as in the Hilltop Clubhouse area. This money could be better spent."' pay for the upgrade. "We could possibly do both, cut the rates and fund the upgrade," he said. The ordinance is scheduled to be ; approximately 15 percent. Borough Busino concurred. advertised on Feb. 3 and the council j officials say there is a $259,000 "Many things are up in the air will vote on it during its March 26 surplus in the water account and that with our watersystem. We're lower- ' business meeting. Dptoni1 will nn-an liitiaflv TOT has a big pair of shoes am sure she will fill tl Bunting received f degree in business from Rutger's Univer master's in school busir (ration, also from Rutg sn employed as the rinlstrator in Mendhan Prior to that, she was a in Middlesex Boro sc and assistant business i from 1984 to 1989. "I am thrilled to be Butler. One of the majo will be that the Mend. Drilled fire uni ByVTTODeLAROJR. BTAFFWRITER LINCOLN PARK -- borough fire departmei to several fires in a couj or don't have to battle over a month, the depaj sharp and ready to roll. According to Borouj ficial Bruce Smilh. e company bolds approx simulated fire drills a ; the borough at various Smilh also said (hedepar one combined drill eac: well. "During the drills we c thing from going over tl simulating a rescue of ar La a burning building," "We also go over the pr our equipment." On Tuesday night School, both engine cor scheduled to hold a spec of fire safety. Several r o\c Sun., November 24/1991 Suburban Trends Section One -- 7 Families return to clean-up area ByDARREN La PADULA STAFF WRITER , POMPTON LAKES -- "I'm a pretty happy camper," said George Courter Thursday afternoon, look ing at his backyard from the side ' deck of his Barbara Drive home. "It's nice to be back." ' Courier, who returned home with his wife Ten Nov. 1 after a six week Stay in a Hamburg Turnpike ' house, casually pointed out the , 'sapling Japanese Red Maples and ' the cherry trees still bound and awaiting there own home in the new. 'soft earth. Tomorrow, he said, the sod would be laid and home would ."'return to its sweet self. '-"Just weeks before, the windows /and doors to his home were covered ` with plastic drapes and the backyard had earth movers and dump trucks crawling around it like Japanese beetles. DuPont was completing the ^ first phase of a massive remediation .''project to remove and replace soil : contaminated with mercury and lead from years of black powder manufactoring : in i the nearby plant. Courter and about seven of his neighbors were the first tended to, and the first to return home, literally ^taa new,earth. _" . Courier and his wife spent six weeks living on Hamburg Turnpike, in a home now reserved to one of about 110 other families whose land will be remediated. And while the experience was certainly inconve nient, Courier said, it was necessary and managed well. When the first eight families were relocated, visions of criminals busting into their vacant homes and an imminent return to less favorable .conditions followed many to bed at night. Often, Courter and neighbors .were seen standing by there homes ',or patrolling the area during the day -and night to keep an eye out. /."Everybody, in the beginning, ,\vk$ a little concerned about secur ity. After all, you're packing up and leaving your home with all your valuables still in there," Courier said. "But we didn't have any problems. They (DuPont) were very cooperative, they really tried ac comodate everyone. Even the workers' were friendly. They took 'good care of us." ' Clean soil replaced the tainted soil `which was shipped out to ap- piropriatc disposal facilities. The frees and other vegatation ripped out irith the earth was resupplied. Crews even built a cedar fence around Courier's property in an ..... attempt to restore privacy that was . . ,'lost when the tall standing tittswere >. V.-.V. r. V.*JCUt down. . -Cleanup crews have begun to tfiovc down the line,'along the 'periphery of Acid Brook, blamed .... ,. $)}. originally delivering the con- - - 'ijminants into the area when it flooded. ' .. * / OSW 133446 STLCOPCB4033404