Rhode Island Superfund Site: Rose Hill Regional Landfill
Fight Air Pollution & Water Pollution With an Environmental Toxic Tort Lawsuit
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Are you in need of a Toxic Tort Attorney in Little Rhody? The U.S. E.P.A. has designated Rose Hill Regional Landfill in Rhode Island as a Superfund site because of its amounts of toxic pollution and danger to the environment. You can read the report for the site below.
Some Superfund sites are on the National Priority Site Lists. The National Priorities List ("NPL") is the list of hazardous waste sites in the United States eligible for long-term remedial action financed under the federal Superfund program. Environmental Protection Agency regulations outline a formal process for assessing hazardous waste sites and placing them on the NPL. The NPL is intended primarily to guide the EPA in determining which sites warrant further investigation.
Sites are listed on the NPL upon completion of Hazard Ranking System (HRS) screening, public solicitation of comments about the proposed site, and after all comments have been addressed. EPA may delete a final NPL site if it determines that no further response is required to protect human health or the environment. Sites where a remediation was completed through the Superfund program are typically deleted from the NPL.
Living near Superfund Sites in Rhode Island may place you and your loved ones more vulnerable to developing a disease from proximity to the site and experiencing a loss of value for your property, but action is being taken to fight back: The EPA says,
[We have] set up a "Post Construction Completion" (or PCC) strategy to ensure that Superfund response actions provide for the long-term protection of human health and the environment. EPA's Post Construction Completion activities also involve optimizing remedies to increase effectiveness and/or reduce cost without sacrificing long-term protection of human health and the environment.Regardless, most of the Superfund sites are still very dangerous to the well-being of those near-by.
The lawyers of Weitz & Luxenberg, you will get the legal experience of accomplished Toxic Tort lawyers who will help fight back against polluters and win you and your family the compensation and remediation to which you are entitled.
Below you can read the EPA report for the Rose Hill Regional Landfill Superfund site. If you, a loved one, or someone in your community has suffered due to toxic pollution in Rose Hill Regional Landfill, or if your property has lost value because of contamination, you will need a toxic tort attorney who knows the people of the State of Rhode Island . Learn more about your legal options by filling out this simple form. There is no obligation, and your case will be evaluated within 24 hours. To refer a friend, neighbor, or loved one, click here to let them know about the environmental toxic tort lawyers at Weitz & Luxenberg.
Rose Hill Regional Landfill
This site is not a Federal Facility.
Site Type: Long Term/National Priorities List (NPL)
ROSE HILL REGIONAL LANDFILL
South Kingstown, Rhode Island
Washington County
| Street Address: | ROSE HILL RD |
| Zip Code: | 02880 |
| Congressional District(s): | 02 |
| EPA ID #: | RID980521025 |
| Site ID #: | 0101279 |
| Site Aliases: |
Street Address:
ROSE HILL RD
Zip Code:
02880
Congressional
District(s):
02
EPA ID #:
RID980521025
Site ID #:
0101279
Site Aliases:
Site Responsibility:
Federal, State, Potentially Responsible Parties
NPL LISTING HISTORY
Proposed Date
06/24/1988
Final Date
10/04/1989
Initial Action
In 1985, the Utilities Department within the Town of South Kingstown extended the municipal water line to residences on Rose Hill Road that were found to have contaminated wells. EPA investigations during the winter and spring of 1993 indicated gas migration from the landfill to nearby residences. In response to this information, the Town of South Kingstown installed gas alarms in the residences and relocated one residence.
Entire Site
EPA began an investigation into the nature and extent of contamination in the three separate disposal areas in 1990. The scope of the investigation included sampling of groundwater, surface water, soils, and sediments. Expanded studies included an ecological impact assessment, a landfill gas migration evaluation, and a revised assessment of alternatives that included the feasibility of using several innovative cleanup technologies. EPA evaluated several cleanup alternatives through 1999, and following a public comment period, selected a final cleanup remedy for the site in December 1999.
Source Control
The selected remedy is the first operable unit of a phased approach to remediate the environmental contamination caused by the site. This first operable unit is a source control remedy which is intended to prevent or minimize the continued release of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants to the environment. This first operable unit will control the sources of contamination at the site by limiting percolation and infiltration from precipitation through the waste materials thereby controlling an otherwise continuing release of hazardous substances into the air and ground water.
The first operable unit remedy consists of the following components: (1) consolidate the Bulky Waste Area landfill onto the Solid Waste Area landfill; (2) collect and manage leachate and waters collected from run-off and de-watering operations during the excavation and consolidation of the Bulky Waste Area; (3) apply a protective cover (hazardous waste cap) to the Solid Waste Area landfill; (4) assess, collect and treat landfill gases via an enclosed flare; (5) inspect and monitor the integrity and performance of the cap over time; (6) monitor groundwater, surface water, leachate emergence, and landfill gas emissions over the duration of the remedial action; (7) implement deed restrictions (in the form of easements and covenants) on groundwater and land use to prevent access onto portions of the site where remediation activities warrant this restriction; (8) provide data to assess the need for taking any further response actions after the cap is in place and functional; (9) perform appropriate operation and maintenance of the remedy; and (10) plan for and conduct statutory five-year reviews to ensure protectiveness. Site monitoring will furnish data to assess the effectiveness of the source control remedy and assist the State with TMDL predictions for site-related contaminant concentrations affecting local water bodies. The Sewage Sludge Area meets minimal State requirements for sewage sludge landfill closure, and poses no significant health threat as currently closed.
Management of Migration
Potential future management of the migration of contaminants to surface and ground water will be based on data obtained from the first operable unit monitoring, and any additional studies that are deemed necessary in order to further assess site impacts, characterize the extent of any contamination, and assess the need to develop and evaluate alternatives for future actions (should it be found necessary to do so).
Enforcement Highlights
After approximately two years of negotiation, a successful settlement was entered in District Court in March 2003. The settlement requires the municipalities (South Kingstown and Narragansett, RI) to pay $4,000,000, plus interest from March 31, 2002, to a Superfund special account in settlement of past costs incurred by the United States and future costs by the United States relating to the Operable Unit 1 ("OU1") source control remedy. The Consent Decree also provides that the State will implement the OU1 remedy and be responsible for 50% of the cost of construction and 100% of the cost of operation and maintenance of the remedy. Under the Consent Decree, the Towns are to eventually reimburse the State for 30% of the State’s OU1 remedy costs through a combination of cash payments and in-kind services. The Consent Decree also resolves the Towns’ liability to the United States for natural resource damages relating to the Rose Hill Landfill site. The Towns will also repair or replace the Indian Run Reservoir Dam and the Asa Pond Dam, both in the Town of South Kingstown, R.I., in settlement of the State’s claims for natural resource damages.
Disclaimer
Instructions about PDF
Recent Press Releases about this project (if any) nbsp
Site Reuse Profile, July 2005 (377KB) nbsp
Final NPL Listing nbsp
Administrative Record Index, OU 01 Record of Decision (ROD), December 20, 1999 (935 KB) nbsp
Beneficial Reuse Study, November 2003 (1,468KB) nbsp
View Records of Decision (RODS) on-line (EPA HQ) nbsp
Record of Decision, December 20, 1999 (1,965KB) nbsp
NPL Site Narrative at Listing: nbsp
Restoring and Protecting New England's 'Special Places' - South County Watershed nbsp
[Back to Top
EPA Remedial Project Manager:
David Newton
Address:
1 Congress Street Suite 1100 (HBO)
Boston, MA 02114-2023
Phone #:
(617) 918-1243
E-Mail Address:
newton.dave@epa.gov
EPA Community Involvement Coordinator:
Sarah White
Address:
1 Congress Street Suite 1100
Boston, MA 02114-2023
Phone #:
(617) 918-1026
E-Mail Address:
white.sarah@epa.gov
State Agency Contact:
Gary Jablonski
Address:
RIDEM - OWM
235 Promenade St.
Providence, RI 02908
Phone #:
(401) 222-4700 x7148
E-Mail Address:
gjablons@dem.state.ri.us
Threats and Contaminants
On-site groundwater monitoring wells contain several volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including 1,1-dichloroethane, chloroethane, vinyl chloride, benzene, and xylenes, as well as some heavy metals. Visual observations indicate that Mitchell Brook, an unnamed brook, and the Saugatucket River are impacted by contaminated run-off from the site. Early investigations determined that landfill gases are migrating laterally off-site in the vicinity of some residential properties. Three private wells adjacent to the site are contaminated with low levels of organic compounds, as are on-site soils. The site is not completely fenced, making it possible for people to come into direct contact with the landfill materials on-site. The Saugatucket Pond, located 2,000 feet downstream from the site, is used for fishing and swimming. A freshwater wetland is also located 500 feet downstream of the site, and could be subject to contamination.
Cleanup Approach
The site is being addressed in two stages: initial actions and two long-term remedial phases focusing on cleanup of the entire site.
Response Action Status
| Initial Action | In 1985, the Utilities Department within the Town of South Kingstown extended the municipal water line to residences on Rose Hill Road that were found to have contaminated wells. EPA investigations during the winter and spring of 1993 indicated gas migration from the landfill to nearby residences. In response to this information, the Town of South Kingstown installed gas alarms in the residences and relocated one residence. |
| Entire Site | EPA began an investigation into the nature and extent of contamination in the three separate disposal areas in 1990. The scope of the investigation included sampling of groundwater, surface water, soils, and sediments. Expanded studies included an ecological impact assessment, a landfill gas migration evaluation, and a revised assessment of alternatives that included the feasibility of using several innovative cleanup technologies. EPA evaluated several cleanup alternatives through 1999, and following a public comment period, selected a final cleanup remedy for the site in December 1999. |
| Source Control | The selected remedy is the first operable unit of a phased approach to remediate the environmental contamination caused by the site. This first operable unit is a source control remedy which is intended to prevent or minimize the continued release of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants to the environment. This first operable unit will control the sources of contamination at the site by limiting percolation and infiltration from precipitation through the waste materials thereby controlling an otherwise continuing release of hazardous substances into the air and ground water. The first operable unit remedy consists of the following components: (1) consolidate the Bulky Waste Area landfill onto the Solid Waste Area landfill; (2) collect and manage leachate and waters collected from run-off and de-watering operations during the excavation and consolidation of the Bulky Waste Area; (3) apply a protective cover (hazardous waste cap) to the Solid Waste Area landfill; (4) assess, collect and treat landfill gases via an enclosed flare; (5) inspect and monitor the integrity and performance of the cap over time; (6) monitor groundwater, surface water, leachate emergence, and landfill gas emissions over the duration of the remedial action; (7) implement deed restrictions (in the form of easements and covenants) on groundwater and land use to prevent access onto portions of the site where remediation activities warrant this restriction; (8) provide data to assess the need for taking any further response actions after the cap is in place and functional; (9) perform appropriate operation and maintenance of the remedy; and (10) plan for and conduct statutory five-year reviews to ensure protectiveness. Site monitoring will furnish data to assess the effectiveness of the source control remedy and assist the State with TMDL predictions for site-related contaminant concentrations affecting local water bodies. The Sewage Sludge Area meets minimal State requirements for sewage sludge landfill closure, and poses no significant health threat as currently closed. |
| Management of Migration | Potential future management of the migration of contaminants to surface and ground water will be based on data obtained from the first operable unit monitoring, and any additional studies that are deemed necessary in order to further assess site impacts, characterize the extent of any contamination, and assess the need to develop and evaluate alternatives for future actions (should it be found necessary to do so). |
| Enforcement Highlights | After approximately two years of negotiation, a successful settlement was entered in District Court in March 2003. The settlement requires the municipalities (South Kingstown and Narragansett, RI) to pay $4,000,000, plus interest from March 31, 2002, to a Superfund special account in settlement of past costs incurred by the United States and future costs by the United States relating to the Operable Unit 1 ("OU1") source control remedy. The Consent Decree also provides that the State will implement the OU1 remedy and be responsible for 50% of the cost of construction and 100% of the cost of operation and maintenance of the remedy. Under the Consent Decree, the Towns are to eventually reimburse the State for 30% of the State’s OU1 remedy costs through a combination of cash payments and in-kind services. The Consent Decree also resolves the Towns’ liability to the United States for natural resource damages relating to the Rose Hill Landfill site. The Towns will also repair or replace the Indian Run Reservoir Dam and the Asa Pond Dam, both in the Town of South Kingstown, R.I., in settlement of the State’s claims for natural resource damages. |
Environmental Progress
The Town of South Kingstown has provided a safe drinking water supply to residents who could potentially be affected by contaminants migrating from the site. EPA has investigated landfill gas migration from the site to nearby residences and the Town of South Kingstown has taken action to control the threat to the public. The State and EPA will continue to assess conditions at the Rose Hill Regional Landfill site throughout the design and construction of the remedy.
Current Site Status
In the Fall of 2002, the EPA and RIDEM entered into a Cooperative Agreement (CA) which provides EPA's share of the funding for the Remedial Design (RD) phase of the cleanup and identifies RIDEM as the lead agency (with EPA oversight) for the RD work. The towns of South Kingstown and Narragansett have recently completed a beneficial reuse plan for the site that is being incorporated into the RD. The plan calls for a small driving range, open space and low impact recreation facilities consistent with the reasonably anticipated future use of the site. Presently, the State’s estimated completion date for final Remedial Design is December 2004. To continue the cleanup progress at the site, in September 2004, EPA and the State entered into a second CA focused on construction of the source control remedial action. As outlined in this CA, the State, with assistance from EPA and the two towns, will prepare and expect to release the bid package(s) and associated contract document(s) during the winter of 2004-2005. Actual construction of the remedy is planned to start during the early summer of 2005 and may take upwards of two years to complete. This site has had a moderately high level of community interest and the public is particularly interested in seeking assurances that the Saugatucket River impacts are significantly reduced. To this end, EPA and RIDEM plan to use, to the extent practical, the composted sludge from the Sewer Sludge Area adjacent to the site as a useful cover amendment for closure of the Solid Waste Landfill.
Site Photos
Links to Other Site Information
| Disclaimer | Instructions about PDF |
| Recent Press Releases about this project (if any) nbsp | ||
| Site Reuse Profile, July 2005 (377KB) nbsp | ||
| Final NPL Listing nbsp | ||
| Administrative Record Index, OU 01 Record of Decision (ROD), December 20, 1999 (935 KB) nbsp | ||
| Beneficial Reuse Study, November 2003 (1,468KB) nbsp | ||
| View Records of Decision (RODS) on-line (EPA HQ) nbsp | ||
| Record of Decision, December 20, 1999 (1,965KB) nbsp |
| NPL Site Narrative at Listing: nbsp | ||
| Restoring and Protecting New England's 'Special Places' - South County Watershed nbsp | ||
South Kingstown Public Library, 1057 Kingstown Road, Peace Dale, RI 02883
EPA New England Records Center, One Congress Street, Boston, MA 02114 (617) 918-1440
| [Back to Top |
| EPA Remedial Project Manager: | David Newton |
| Address: | 1 Congress Street Suite 1100 (HBO) Boston, MA 02114-2023 |
| Phone #: | (617) 918-1243 |
| E-Mail Address: | newton.dave@epa.gov |
| EPA Community Involvement Coordinator: | Sarah White |
| Address: | 1 Congress Street Suite 1100 Boston, MA 02114-2023 |
| Phone #: | (617) 918-1026 |
| E-Mail Address: | white.sarah@epa.gov |
| State Agency Contact: | Gary Jablonski |
| Address: | RIDEM - OWM 235 Promenade St. Providence, RI 02908 |
| Phone #: | (401) 222-4700 x7148 |
| E-Mail Address: | gjablons@dem.state.ri.us |
source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Act Now! It is essential that you inquire about your pollutant lawsuit as soon as possible. Rhode Island law may limit your time to bring a legal claim to protect your rights. Your legal review is free and there is no commitment. You case will be evaluated immediately, so get started on your claim today!
see also:
Picillo Farm
Environmental Pollution in Rhode Island- Site: Picillo FarmPicillo Farm Superfund Site Info - Fight Air Pollution, Water Pollution
West Kingston Town Dump/Uri Disposal Area
Environmental Pollution in Rhode Island- Site: West Kingston Town Dump/Uri Disposal AreaWest Kingston Town Dump/Uri Disposal Area Superfund Site Info - Fight Air Pollution, Water Pollution
RI
Environmental Pollution Lawsuit: Rhode Island Superfund SitesRhode Island Superfund Sites - Fight Environmental Pollution


