Project Update Woburn Neighborhood Association, Inc
Olin Chemical
New Boston Street Bridge
Olin Chemical
On July 2, 2024 the United States Environmental Protection Agency announced a proposed Prospective Purchaser Agreement (PPA) that is open for public comment for the Olin property – the approximately 50-acre parcel at 51 Eames Street in Wilmington, Massachusetts – where chemical manufacturing and waste disposal activities were formerly
On July 2, 2024 the United States Environmental Protection Agency announced a proposed Prospective Purchaser Agreement (PPA) that is open for public comment for the Olin property – the approximately 50-acre parcel at 51 Eames Street in Wilmington, Massachusetts – where chemical manufacturing and waste disposal activities were formerly conducted. These industrial activities resulted in extensive environmental contamination that led to the Olin Chemical Superfund Site’s designation as a federal Superfund site in 2006.
A prospective purchaser agreement is the primary settlement tool used by EPA to address the liability concerns of a prospective purchaser or other third party who wants to redevelop a site. EPA’s proposed PPA is with the real estate developer Wilmington Woburn Industrial, LLC (WWI), previously Wilmington Woburn Intermodal, LLC, an affiliate of GFI Partners, LLC.
WWI has informed EPA that its planned redevelopment of the Olin property includes in Phase 1 the construction of a 195,400 sq ft. warehouse facility at the main entrance to the Olin property along Eames Street. Phase 2 will include an additional 135,000 sq ft warehouse facility onsite. The original plan called for a 24 hour massive trans-rail and trucking commodity distribution center.
In the PPA, WWI agrees that it will coordinate and cooperate with Olin Corporation to ensure that the construction of the project will be consistent with the requirements of EPA’s cleanup plan for the site and EPA’s legal agreement with Olin Corporation and three other parties responsible for the contamination, to conduct the cleanup and pay agency oversight costs.
The proposed PPA, signed by WWI, EPA, and the Environmental and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, is subject to a 30-day public comment period. The PPA and related Site documents are available at EPA’s website https://www.epa.gov/superfund/olin.
Dates of the Public Comment Period: Tues, July 2, 2024 to Thurs, Aug. 1, 2024
To submit comments: Submit your comments online at https://www.regulations.gov (Docket ID No. EPA-R01-SFUND-2024-0214). Enter EPA-R01-SFUND-2024-0214 in the search field. Then, click on the Comment button.
WNA Comments submitted to EPA referenced to PPA dated 7/3/24 Between EPA and Wilmington Woburn Industrial LLC
(1) It has been challenging to fully evaluate the more than 800 pages of the proposed Prospective Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the Olin property dated May 2, 2024. The number one concern of the Woburn Neighborhood Association, Inc. is the continuing contaminated surface water flow from the east ditch to the two exits in Woburn, one at North Maple Street and one at Presidential Way. Both exits empty into the Aberjona River which flows through Woburn, Winchester and Medford. (REF Page 359 PPA)
(2) It is apparent in our review, that the PPA does not and will not address the ongoing contamination of OU3 (Woburn) until after OU1-OU2 is complete. Would it be feasible to construct a slurry dam on the east ditch to prevent any further contamination to the Cities and towns south of the east ditch? A slurry dam was constructed at Halls Brook to prevent any further surface water contamination to enter the Aberjona River from the Woburn Industrial Superfund site. {REF PPA List of Chemicals 241-244 OU3 Woburn) (REF PPA Long Term Woburn Page 229-231)
(3) In the December 23, 2022 Wilmington Woburn Industrial LLC (WWI) request for Prospective Purchaser Agreement it was stated that WWI proposed plan is to develop the 51-acre site in Phases. Phases to be completed as the remediation effort is completed. The phases include two warehouses with a total footage of 330,000 sq ft. Although the proposed plan is less than the original plan, our concerns have not changed. A) The effect of the additional truck traffic on our streets through Woburn, b) The additional train traffic running on antiquated tracks from 11 PM to 5am, and C) the additional contaminated run off flowing toward Woburn for the approx. one million square feet of asphalt used for the project. When will these concerns be addressed? The number one concern of the WNA is the Health, Safety and Welfare of the residents of Woburn and the surrounding communities. Contamination knows no boundary.
WNA History
New Boston Street Bridge
Olin Chemical
Founded in 2002, Woburn Neighborhood Association, Inc has been a leading environmental organization for over two decades. We have a proven track record of successful campaigns and initiatives that have helped to improve the health of our planet.
Contact Information
Woburn Neighborhood Association, Inc.
Co-Chairman Mike & Linda Raymond
10 N Maple Street
Woburn MA 01801
New Boston Street Bridge
New Boston Street Bridge
New Boston Street Bridge
After years of planning, construction has begun on the new bridge that will connect two sections of New Boston Street. Currently, the two sections of New Boston Street are separated by train tracks. The new bridge will make a much needed connection to improve traffic flow and pedestrian access in the area. The City funded the design wo
After years of planning, construction has begun on the new bridge that will connect two sections of New Boston Street. Currently, the two sections of New Boston Street are separated by train tracks. The new bridge will make a much needed connection to improve traffic flow and pedestrian access in the area. The City funded the design work for the Bridge. The $28 million to construct the bridge is being funded through Federal and State funding. Construction of the Bridge began in Spring 2022 and is expected to be completed in 2025.