Opinion ID: 1213767
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Evidence of Lead Contamination at Metacon

Text: SAPS provided evidence of lead accumulation on Metacon's site based on a SAPS member's non-specific observation of a tremendous amount of spent ammunition on the ground, id. at 596, and Metacon's admission in a related state lawsuit that [t]housands of pounds of lead are deposited at the Site, id. at 696. Meanwhile, Metacon provided evidence that, for at least the last ten years, it has conducted regular clean-ups, where members rake the range to collect materials such as spent casings and munitions. Id. at 503. Several rounds of expert testing have been performed on Metacon's site. In November 2003, the State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CTDEP) indicated that groundwater and surface water samples from the Metacon site exceeded Connecticut's Remediation Standard Regulation (RSR) protection criterion for lead in groundwater and surface water. However, given time constraints on the testing and the fact that standard sampling protocol was not followed, CTDEP indicated that the result could be skewed[,] ... potentially resulting in higher concentrations of metals parameters. Id. at 275. As a result, CTDEP requested that Metacon retain a consultant to resample the monitoring wells and surface water east of the berm using an appropriate sampling methodology, and report back to the Department. Metacon hired Leggette, Brashears & Graham, Inc. (LBG), which provides professional groundwater and environmental engineering services, to conduct the requested testing. In an April 2004 report, LBG found that the ground water beneath the shooting range has not been impacted by lead from the shooting range, and that, with respect to wetland surface water, the dissolved lead findings demonstrate that lead is not leaching out of the soil or surface water to contaminate the surface water. Id. at 266. In sum, the sampling demonstrated that the shoo[t]ing activities at the Metacon property [have] not resulted in lead contamination of the ground water or surface water at the Metacon site. Id. at 267. Based on this report, the CTDEP concluded that [a]ll the results indicate[] that lead was not detected or was present at concentrations in groundwater and surface water below action levels. Id. at 262. SAPS disputed these findings with a May 2005 report produced by its own expert, Advanced Environmental Interface, Inc. (AEI). Unlike the LBG study, which tested only groundwater and wetland surface water samples, AEI tested soil samples and wetland sediment samples, as well as wetland surface water samples from the range and area surrounding the berm. With respect to soil samples, all samples collected from the backstop berm area, and all but one sample collected from locations between the firing line and berm, contained total lead concentrations that exceeded the CTDEP Direct Exposure Criterion (DEC) for residential sites, with several samples exceeding the CTDEP Significant Environmental Hazard (SEH) notification threshold. Some of these samples were subject to a leaching procedure, with results indicating that the lead is leachable and may over time pose a threat to ground water quality. Id. at 643. With respect to wetland sediment samples, the total lead concentration for all samples exceeded the CTDEP DEC for residential sites. As to the wetland surface water samples, the report found different results in filtered and unfiltered samples. As to the unfiltered samples, the total lead concentrations exceeded the CTDEP chronic aquatic life criterion, with some samples exceeding the acute aquatic life criterion. However, the dissolved lead in the filtered samples was non-detect, meaning that the total lead concentrations in the unfiltered samples were likely the result of either turbidity caused by suspended lead-bearing particles or colloidal matter. Id. at 644. The AEI report does not specifically explain the relevance of the distinction between the results from the filtered and unfiltered wetland surface water samples. The AEI report states that [s]pent ammunition from typical firing range activities has contaminated various environmental media on the Metacon Gun Club site. Id. at 645. Although the report notes that firing-range-related contaminants on the site ... represent[] a potential exposure risk to both humans and wildlife, it concludes that [a] risk assessment utilizing the data obtained during this investigation would be necessary to evaluate the degree of risk to humans and wildlife. Id. at 646. It is undisputed that Metacon does not have a hazardous waste disposal permit under the RCRA, 42 U.S.C. § 6925, or a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, which is required for the discharge of pollutants under the CWA, 33 U.S.C. § 1311(a).