EPA v. JOHN E. THOMPSON (BISBEE LINSEED COMPANY)

Case summary

THE REFERRAL RECOMMENDS FILING AN ACTION TO RECOVER RESPONSE COSTS INCURRED BY THE U.S. EPA IN CONDUCTING A REMOVAL ACTIO N AT THE SITE. THE SITE IS THE EASTERN PARCEL OF AN INDUSTR IAL PROPERTY. IT COVERS APPROXIMATELY FIVE ACRES, AND CONTA INS A NUMBER OF DETERIORATING BUILDINGS. THE SITE IS LOCATE D IN A MIXED INDUSTRIAL AND RESIDENTIAL SETTING. IT WAS USE D BY A LINSEED OIL MANUFACTURER UNTIL THE 1950S. SUBSEQUENT LY, THOMPSON FARMS (A MEATPACKING COMPANY), SUBSIDIARIES OF THOMPSON FARMS, AND LESSEES USED THE SITE FOR A VARIETY OF I NDUSTRIAL AND BUSINESS PURPOSES. USES INCLUDED STORAGE, WAR EHOUSING, OFFICE SPACE, VEHICLE REPAIR, AND PEST MANAGEMENT OPERATINGS. ILLINOIS EPA REFERRED THE SITE TO U.S. EPA IN NOVEMBER 1995. U.S. EPA OBSERVED ABANDONED DRUMS, SMALL CONTAINERS, AND TANKS THROUGHOUT THE SITE IN DECEMBER 1995. MANY CONTAINERS WERE OPEN AND DETERIORATING, AND HAD RELEASE D THEIR CONTENTS. HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES INCLUDED PCBS, PESTIC IDES, FLAMMABLE WASTES, ACIDS, CAUSTICS AND CYANIDE. BURIED AND ABOVEGROUND TANKS CONTAINED HAZARDOUS WASTES INCLUDING SOLVENTS. IN ADDITION, FRIABLE ASBESTOS WAS SCATTERED THROU GHOUT THE SITE. U.S. EPA STARTED A TIME-CRITICAL REMOVAL ACTION AT THE SITE ON FEBRUARY 13, 1996. U.S. EPA COMPLETED THE REMOVAL ACTION ON APRIL 23, 1996. THE COST OF THE RESPO NSE ACTION WAS $331M085.07 THROUGH OCTOBER 31, 1997.

Defendants (2)

• BISBEE LINSEED COMPANY
• JOHN E. THOMPSON

Facilities (1)

• BISBEE LINSEED COMPANY

  2010-2012 BUTLER STREET, CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL, 60411

  Registry ID: 110009279976

Statutes cited

• CERCLA 107A — Cost Recovery

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 1998-02-13Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1998-04-20Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 1999-06-28Complaint Filed With Court