WILMINGTON - The Wilmington Environmental Restoration Committee, Inc. (WERC) has entered into a contractual agreement with Cambridge Environmental Inc. to serve as technical advisor under the USEPA's Technical Assistance Grant program.

Cambridge Environmental will assist WERC in the review and analysis of risk assessments and proposed remedial activities to be undertaken by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the Olin Chemical Superfund site in Wilmington.

WERC, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community group of citizens committed to keeping the public informed about clean-up activities at the site, including the evaluation of human health impacts and environmental damage to Maple Meadow Brook and Wilmington's water resources.

The Olin Chemical facility encompasses a 53-acre property located at 51 Eames Street in Wilmington, just over the Woburn line.

The Olin Chemical property was used for chemical manufacturing starting in 1953. Chemical blowing agents, stabilizers, pesticides, antioxidants and other specialty chemicals for the rubber and plastics industry were produced by several companies at the facility for thirty years.

The facility closed in 1986, but the property is still owned by Olin Corporation.

On-site waste disposal practices have resulted in subsurface contamination both on and off the Olin Chemical property, and is responsible for the contamination of the Maple Meadow Brook Aquifer and the closure of the municipal drinking water supply wells in South Wilmington.

Earlier this year WERC's Technical Team solicited proposals from 17 environmental engineering firms, and posted a Request for Proposals (RFP) with a clearinghouse for minority/women-owned businesses.

WERC received five solicitations from highly qualified firms. After careful consideration the Technical Team felt Cambridge Environmental Inc. was best qualified and has the expertise to best perform the tasks outlined in WERC's scope of work.

Currently under review by the EPA is Olin's Remedial Investigation / Feasibility Study Statement of Work (RI/FS). This document comprises three volumes of technical information and can be found on WERC's homepage - www.wilmingtonerc.org.

The public is encouraged to visit this website periodically for information relative to past, current and future activities and milestones associated with the Olin Chemical Superfund site. If you would like to be added to the update email list please feel free to contact Suzanne Sullivan via email at swampy10@verizon.net