US EPA Urged To Re-Open The Remedial Investigation And Mandate Cleanup of PFAS “Forever Chemicals” Found At Curtis Specialty Papers Superfund Site In Milford NJ

“Forever chemicals” PFAS apparently have been discovered in groundwater at the Curtis Specialty Papers Superfund site in Milford NJ along the Delaware River.

I’ve written prior posts that provide background information currently available to me regarding this issue (i.e. see this and this and this).

Because I got the runaround from NJ DEP, in order to focus EPA’s attention and secure commitments to assure proper permanent cleanup at the site, I just fired off this email request to Acting EPA Region 2 Administrator Walter Mugdan:

Dear Acting Regional Administrator Mudgan:

I am writing regarding the Curtis Specialty Papers Superfund site in Milford NJ.

I write to request that the remedial investigation and Record of Decision (ROD) for the site be re-opened, given recent discovery of PFAS in groundwater.

According to EPA Superfund Coordinator Pat Seppi’s Agenda for the April 26 meeting of the CAG for the Curtis Specialty Papers Superfund site in Milford NJ,:

“PFAS IN GROUNDWATER – CEA/WRA for PFAS approved April 14, 2021”

Immediately upon learning of this, I requested information from Ms. Seppi regarding the technical basis for this CEA/WRA.

My questions were referred by Ms. Seppi to NJ DEP case manager Gwen Zervas for response.

Ms. Zervas of NJ DEP has provided incomplete and contradictory responses to my questions and denied that NJ DEP issued a CEA/WRA. Ms. Zervas claims that the RP’s somehow issued their own CEA/WRA on a voluntary basis. Ms Zervas also failed to respond to my questions regarding remedial investigation and remedial action to address PFAS contamination, instead suggesting that EPA was the regulatory lead agency at the site.

As you may be aware, the public raised concerns about the presence of PFAS during the Superfund process. These public concerns were dismissed by EPA (see Appendix 5C of the ROD for public comment and EPA response).

I have filed public records requests to NJ DEP for the PFAS data and technical basis for this “voluntary” CEA/WRA.

I trust that I will not have to file FOIA requests to obtain relevant information from EPA.

In the meantime, I request your commitment and public announcement of EPA’s intent to re-open the remedial investigation and the ROD in order to develop appropriate remedial requirements to address the presence of PFAS in groundwater and potential discharge to the Delaware River.

I  also request that EPA formally consult with US Fish and Wildlife Service regarding potential natural resource injuries and compensation at the site.

I look forward to your prompt and favorable reply.

Bill Wolfe