EPA v. Borough of Ringwood et al.

Case summary

From approximately 1967 to 1971, Ford disposed of paint sludge and other solid waste at a large property it owned in Ringwood, New Jersey. In 1970, Ford transferred 300 acres of this property by Deed of Gift to the Borough of Ringwood. The Borough still owns most of the property. The Borough disposed of municipal waste before, during, and after Ford disposed of its waste in the same general areas of the property. In 1983, EPA added this property to the NPL as the Ringwood Mines/Landfill Site. Ford investigated the Site, conducted a series of removal actions there and also conducted a long term groundwater monitoring program. When the groundwater no longer showed any contaminants above acceptable health-based levels, EPA deleted the Site from the NPL. At the request of residents who live on the Site, EPA has determined that a comprehensive reinvestigation of the Site is necessary. Preliminary results indicate that significant amounts of hazardous material remain in some areas of the Site, including areas owned by the Borough. In some places, Borough wastes and Ford wastes are intermingled. Ford has agreed to perform this Site reinvestigation but the Borough refused to participate in the work. EPA has, therefore, ordered the Borough to coordinate and cooperate with Ford in its investigative work.

Defendants (2)

• Ringwood, Borough ofNamed in settlement
• Ford Motor CompanyNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• RINGWOOD MINES/LANDFILL

  PETERS MINE ROAD, RINGWOOD, NJ, 07456

  Registry ID: 110009300112

Statutes cited

• CERCLA 106A — Imminent & Substantial Endangerment Order

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Borough of Ringwood et al.entered 2005-09-22

  Primary law: CERCLA

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2005-09-22Final Order Issued
• 2005-09-22Enforcement Action Closed
• 2005-09-28Enforcement Action Data Entered