The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) New England has finalized a Prospective Purchaser Agreement (PPA) for the Olin property, a 50-acre parcel at 51 Eames Street in Wilmington, Massachusetts. This site was previously used for chemical manufacturing and waste disposal, leading to significant environmental contamination and its designation as a federal Superfund site in 2006.
A PPA is a settlement tool used by the EPA to address liability concerns of prospective purchasers or third parties looking to redevelop contaminated sites. The agreement involves Wilmington Woburn Industrial, LLC (WWI), an affiliate of GFI Partners, LLC. WWI plans to construct a 195,400 square foot warehouse facility at the main entrance of the Olin property along Eames Street.
"EPA continues to move forward with necessary cleanup measures and advancing ongoing groundwater investigations at this site," said EPA New England administrator David W. Cash. "At the same time, EPA will ensure that the proposed redevelopment does not interfere with the cleanup and that the property is safe for its intended use."
As part of the PPA, WWI agrees to coordinate with Olin Corporation to ensure that construction aligns with EPA's cleanup plan and Consent Decree requirements. The decree involves Olin Corporation and three other parties responsible for contamination who are tasked with conducting cleanup activities and covering agency oversight costs.
The PPA was made available for public review from July 2 to August 1, 2024. After reviewing comments received during this period, it was determined that no information indicated that the proposed PPA was inappropriate or inadequate. The agreement will become effective once WWI acquires the Olin property.
Relevant documents related to this agreement can be found on EPA's website: https://www.epa.gov/superfund/olin.
Chemical manufacturing at the Olin property began in 1953 under various owners until it closed in 1986. Olin Corporation purchased it in 1980 and used it for producing chemicals for rubber and plastics industries. Contaminants were discharged into unlined pits and ponds initially; even when lined lagoons were later used, leaks led to further contamination reaching groundwater tables.
Contaminated groundwater migrated nearly a mile from the site, causing Wilmington's municipal drinking water supply wells in Maple Meadow Brook aquifer to be taken offline due to contamination.
In 2021, EPA selected a cleanup plan involving interim actions for removing ongoing sources of groundwater contamination and final actions addressing contaminated soil, sediments, and surface water at the site. Studies are ongoing under a separate settlement agreement from 2007 to improve bedrock characterization and define groundwater contamination extent further.
For more information about this site visit: www.epa.gov/superfund/olin
