MCM Real Corporation, Hazardous Waste, CT 1999

Stafford Springs, CT – MCM Real Corporation has been penalized for knowingly abandoning hazardous waste at a former textile mill in Stafford Springs, Connecticut, resulting in a Superfund cleanup costing taxpayers over half a million dollars. The case, stemming from the late 1990s, highlights the dangers of neglecting environmental responsibilities during property redevelopment.

According to court documents, MCM Real Corporation was established in 1988 with the intention of renovating a facility previously operated by Gaynor Stafford Industries. During the early 1990s, the company became aware of significant environmental liabilities on the property – specifically, containers of flammable hazardous waste and two open vats containing corrosive acid. Despite obtaining multiple estimates for proper removal and disposal, MCM failed to take any corrective action.

This inaction led to a deteriorating situation, ultimately requiring the intervention of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Superfund program. In 1996, the EPA initiated a costly cleanup operation to remove the abandoned hazardous materials and mitigate the environmental risk. The total cost of the Superfund cleanup reached $560,570.11.

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Legal Ramifications

On July 16, 1999, MCM Real Corporation was indicted on three counts of violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), specifically 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A), which prohibits the knowing treatment, storage, or disposal of hazardous waste without a proper permit. The company subsequently pled guilty to the charges. The court sentenced MCM to full reimbursement of the EPA’s cleanup costs – totaling $560,570.11 – and imposed a separate fine of $280,000.

“This case serves as a stark reminder that property owners and developers are legally and ethically obligated to address hazardous materials discovered on their land,” stated a source within the EPA’s criminal investigation division, speaking on background. “Ignoring these responsibilities not only endangers public health and the environment but also results in significant financial penalties.”

Key Facts

Defendant: MCM Real Corporation
Location: Stafford Springs, Connecticut
Year of Offense: Early 1990s (cleanup in 1996, indictment in 1999)
Statute Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) – RCRA
Cleanup Costs: $560,570.11
Criminal Fine: $280,000
Nature of Hazard: Flammable hazardous waste and corrosive acid

The case of MCM Real Corporation underscores the EPA’s commitment to pursuing criminal enforcement against those who endanger communities and the environment through the improper handling of hazardous waste. The company’s failure to address known hazards demonstrates a disregard for regulatory requirements and a willingness to shift the financial burden of environmental remediation onto taxpayers.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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