On August 19th, 2005, the third 5-year review from 2000 to 2005 was prepared by EPA; it consists of a simplified 19 page narrative, 2 site maps, 1 chart showing 3 chemical substances (of the many tested for) 9 more uncharted tables of water chemistry, an incomplete list of 13 internal documents, an unsigned (once a month) NPDES discharge permit and an unsigned 5-year inspection checklist. The report should, but does not, contain a single reference or comparison to progress at over 107 other wood preserver sites subject to active investigation or remediation by EPA. Apparently, neither the state nor Haverford’s EAC has prepared a written critique of this milestone report that leaves a lot to be desired. On Wednesday and Thursday November 16 and 17, EPA wants to discuss – but not put anything on the official record – the status of the cleanup at the Havertown PCP Superfund site. EPA seems to think: a piece of polyethylene about 15 trash bags thick now covering the site will never, ever, become porous or allow hazardous substances out or precipitation in (despite widespread criticism of EPA’s own guidance document on the subject); on-site contamination downgradient from the site can be left in place (perhaps with deed restrictions or signs in the community) to be forgotten over coming years. Keep in mind that contamination runs downgradient and downstream. Additionally, in yet another screwball idea, one contaminated Ward reportedly thinks a swimming pool would be a good idea over contamination in an adjacent Ward.
At the
request of Steve D’Emilio, I met for an uninterrupted hour on
October 25th with our Township Manager Mike English and Codes
Enforcement Director and designated liaison to EPA Lori Widdop
to discuss the township’s handling and response to EPA through Ms. Widdop’s designated
agent, Haverford’s volunteer Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC). At the behest of its non-commissioner
appointed and illegitimate chairman, Joe Mastronardo
who is employed by the township’s engineers, Pennoni
Associates, this committee has met less than a handful of times this year,
conducts no real business, keeps no minutes, does not prepare reports, and
according to Lori Widdop has nothing to occupy itself
other than the Superfund remedial action in which it has an open back-channel
to EPA that prevents faster, better cheaper completion of the project. Both Township Manager and Codes Enforcement
think this committee is operating appropriately according to rules of municipal
procedure; this is nonsense. It is part
of the job of administrative officials to ensure volunteer committees’ don’t
become rogues or piles of dead wood, as the EAC has over the years; the EAC is
supposed to protect our environment.