EPA v. MANY DIVERSIFIED INTERESTS SUPERFUND SITE - ASHLAND CHEMICAL

Case summary

1. SECTION 106(A) OF THE COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL RE- SPONSE, COMPENSATION, AND LIABILITY ACT ( CERCLA ), 42 U.S.C. SECTION 9606(A). 2. MANY DIVERSIFIED INTERESTS SUPERFUND SITE 3617 BAER STREET HOUSTON, HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS 77020 RESPONDENTS: SEE SCREEN 3. 3. THE MANY DIVERSIFIED INTERESTS SUPERFUND SITE (MDI) CON- SISTS OF APPROXIMATELY 36 ACRES IN A MIXED INDUSTRIAL/ RESIDENTIAL LAND USE AREA LOCATED 2 TO 3 MILES EAST OF DOWNTOWN HOUSTON, HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AT 3617 BAER STREET. DURING THE MID-1980S, A PART OF THE SITE WAS LEASED TO CAN-AM RESOURCES GROUP FOR THE PURPOSE OF OPERATING A SPENT CATALYST RECYCLING OPERATION. CAN-AM REPORTEDLY STORED 2,000 TO 4,000 DRUMS OF SPENT CATALYST MATERIAL FROM REFINERIES AND CHEMICAL PLANTS ON THE LEASED PORTION OF THE SITE. THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 4,000 DRUMS LOCATED ON-SITE WITH MOST IN DETERIORATED CONDITION; SLAG, ASH, AND OTHER DE- BRIS FROM THE STEEL REMELTING AND REMOLDING OPERATIONS ARE BURIED ON-SITE; A POND IS LOCATED ON THE FACILITY; AND RUNOFF INTO THE STREET WAS OCCURRING AT THE NORTH DRUM AREA. 4. RELIEF SOUGHT PURSUANT TO SECTION 106(A) OF CERCLA, EPA ISSUED A UNILATERAL ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER FOR REMOVAL RE- SPONSE ACTIVITIES TO 11 POTENTIALLY RESPONSIBLE PARTIES (PRPS) AT THE SITE. THE ORDER DIRECTS THE PARTIES TO RE- MOVE APPROXIMATELY 4,500 DRUMS OF SPENT CATALYSTS AND CONTAMINATED SOILS FROM THE NORTH END OF THE SITE. THE PARTIES WILL INFORM THE AGENCY OF ITS INTENT TO TO COMPLY WITH THE UAO ONMAY 25, 1999, AND, IF THEY COMPLY, MEET WITH EPA TO DISCUSS IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REMOVAL ON JUN. 2, 1999.

Defendants (21)

• CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
• EXXON CORPORATION
• M.A. BELL COMPANY
• NOVO INDUSTRIES, INC.
• RHODIA INCORPORATED
• SHELL CATALLYSTS VENTURES, INC.
• SHELL OIL COMPANY
• TEXACO INC.
• UNIVERSAL OIL PRODUCTS COMPANY
• ASHLAND CHEMICALS, ET AL.Named in settlement
• CITGO PETROLEUM CORPORATION
• CONOCO, INC.
• DELTA RESINS & REFRACTORIES
• DOW CORNING CORPORATION
• EURECAT U.S., INC.
• IRELAND ALLOYS, INC.
• IRVING OIL CORPORATION
• JOE H. SMITH CO., INC.
• KOCH INDUSTRIES, INC./KOCH REFINING CO.
• LAPORTE, INC.
• LYONDELL PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY

Facilities (1)

• MANY DIVERSIFIED RESIDENTIAL AREAS

  RESIDENTIAL AREAS, HOUSTON, TX, 77020

  Registry ID: 110009320751

Statutes cited

• CERCLA 106A — Imminent & Substantial Endangerment Order

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• MANY DIVERSIFIED INTERESTS SUPERFUND SITEentered 1999-05-19

  Primary law: CERCLA

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 1999-05-19Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 1999-05-19Final Order Issued
• 1999-05-21Enforcement Action Data Entered