Cambridge Mill Products, Illegal Dumping, NY 1987

A clandestine dumping operation dating back to 1986 has come to light, revealing that Cambridge Mill Products, Inc. illegally disposed of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at the Keffler and Rose mine site in New York. The discovery stemmed from inadvertent excavation at the mine, uncovering numerous drums filled with hazardous waste.

Cambridge Mill Products, a manufacturer of high vacuum pump fluid and investment casting wax, and its president, identified as LeBeau, were charged with two counts of violating the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) on September 3, 1986. The charges centered around the unlawful disposal of PCBs, a known environmental and health hazard. Investigators believe the company knowingly circumvented proper disposal procedures, opting instead for the cheaper, and illegal, method of dumping at the abandoned mine.

The investigation revealed truckloads of PCB-containing waste were transported to the Keffler and Rose site, potentially contaminating soil and groundwater. PCBs are highly persistent in the environment and can accumulate in the food chain, posing significant risks to both wildlife and human health. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiated the case following the discovery, leading to a guilty plea from both the corporation and LeBeau.

On November 19, 1986, both Cambridge Mill Products and LeBeau were sentenced by the court. They were held jointly and severally liable for a $25,000 fine, in addition to covering the substantial costs associated with cleaning up the contaminated mine site, totaling $23,000. LeBeau also received a 90-day probationary sentence, a comparatively light penalty given the severity of the environmental damage caused by the illegal dumping.

The case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by environmental regulators in combating illegal hazardous waste disposal. While the penalties levied against Cambridge Mill Products and LeBeau represent a degree of accountability, critics argue that the fines may not be sufficient to deter similar offenses by other corporations. The cleanup of the Keffler and Rose mine site will likely require ongoing monitoring and remediation efforts for years to come.

Table of Contents

Key Facts

Defendant: Cambridge Mill Products, Inc. and LeBeau
Crime: Illegal disposal of PCBs
Location: Keffler and Rose mine site, New York
Statutes Violated: 18 U.S.C. 1001, 15 U.S.C. 2615(b), Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), Sections 15 and 16(b) [15 U.S.C. 2614 and 2615(b)]
Penalties: $25,000 fine (joint and several), $23,000 cleanup costs, 90 days probation for LeBeau
Discovery: Illegal dumping uncovered during excavation at the mine site.

GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and report on the progress of the site remediation.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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