Nine Local Organizations Sign Letter Urging EPA to Put Bradford Printing and Finishing on the National Priorities List
August 16, 2024
EPA Region 1
ATTN: Dr. David Cash, Regional Administrator
5 Post Office Square
Suite 100
Boston, MA 02109-3912
RE: Bradford Printing and Finishing Site (EPA ID: RID075679530)
Dear Regional Administrator Cash:
We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned about the significant continued release of contaminants to the environment by all areas of concern (AOCs) at the Bradford Printing and Finishing Site (EPA ID: RID075679530) on the Pawcatuck River in Westerly, Rhode Island. We urge you to expedite the Expanded Site Inspection (ESI) and prioritize putting Bradford Printing and Finishing on the National Priorities List (NPL) so that remediation can commence. The exposure through fishing and recreational activities to site contaminants and the site’s proximity to private and public drinking water wells warrant expedited action under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA).
We are particularly concerned about the following findings from RI Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM)’s site inspection:
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) present above RI standards in groundwater
- Lead, cadmium, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) present above RI standards in surface soil
- Lead, arsenic, mercury, VOCs, and SVOCs present in subsurface soil above RI standards
- Arsenic, lead, chromium, and SVOCs present in site sediments
There is a significant risk from direct contact with contaminant-impacted soil and sediment and from the consumption of PFAS-contaminated fish found on the Grills Preserve by the RI Department of Health (RIDOH). Further delaying the process only allows the continued release of contaminants into the environment, especially during the summer months, when folks are expected to recreate and interact with the river system more. We are greatly concerned about the recent frequent and heavy rain events of early 2024, which exacerbated the risk of contaminant release from the site.
In the first five months of 2024, there have been a concerning total of 5 flood events in which the Pawcatuck River USGS gauge at Wood River Junction crested at over 5 ft elevation. This spike in flooding can be attributed to the 35.12 inches of rain that Rhode Island has experienced during this time period, marking it the second greatest volume of precipitation ever recorded in RI meteorological history from January to May. This trend is not new, as in 2023 we also witnessed similar patterns with respect to flooding. During the months of June through September 2023, Rhode Island experienced 22.95 inches of rain, the second highest on record for that time period. These statistics highlight the increasing frequency and severity of flooding events in Rhode Island, specifically in the Pawcatuck River area. More frequent and severe flooding events highlight the urgent need for immediate and proactive steps to protect our communities.
Many of our organizations serve as stewards for the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed, which received federal Wild & Scenic River designation by the National Park Service in 2019. We aim to protect and restore this river system, and ensure that the public can safely enjoy it. In conclusion, we are asking you to quickly move forward through the process so that remediation of this site can commence as soon as possible and abate ongoing and continuous threats to environmental and human health.
Thank you for your time and consideration. We eagerly await your response.
Sincerely,
– – – – –
CC’d: Senator Jack Reed, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressman Seth Magaziner, State Senator Victoria Gu, State Representative Samuel Azzinaro, Attorney General Peter Neronha