SYNCON RESINS, INC., OPERATED A RESIN MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN SOUTH KEARNY, NEW JERSEY, UNTIL ITS BANKRUPT- CY FORCED A VIRTUAL CESSATION OF OPERATIONS IN 1981. THE FACILITY WAS OPERATED BY SYNCON, & IS OWNED PARTIALLY BY THAT CO & PARTIALLY BY BENJAMIN FARBER. FARBER OPERATED A RESIN MANUFACTURING PLANT THERE FROM 1961 TO 1972, WHEN HE SOLD THE BUSINESS & MUCH OF THE PROPERTY TO SYNCON. MORE THAN 10,000 CONTAINERS OF HAZ WASTE (OFF-SPECI- FICATION RESINS & SOLVENTS) REMAIN ON SITE. MANY OF THESE ARE RUSTED & LEAKING. THERE ARE ALSO TWO UNLINED LAGOONS AT THE SITE, & THE SOIL & GROUNDWATER ARE HEAVILY CONTAM- INATED, PRESUMABLY FROM PRESENT & PAST OPERATIONS AT THE FACILITY. THE SITE IS LOCATED IN AN INDUSTRIAL AREA ALONG THE PASSAIC RIVER. EPA'S INITIAL CONTACT W/THE TWO PROPOSED DEF'S IN THIS ACTION BEGAN IN 1981, AT WHICH TIME CORRESPONDENCE TOOK PLACE BETWEEN SYNCON & OUR OFFICES REGARDING THE CO'S STATUS AS A HAZ WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITY UNDER SUB- TITLE C OF RCRA. SEVERAL INSPECTIONS RESULTED IN THE IS- SUANCE TO SYNCON, IN 11/81, OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLA- INT PURSUANT TO SEC 3008 OF RCRA, CITING A VARIETY OF VIOL'S OF THE RCRA REGULATIONS. AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME THE BANKRUPTCY COURT W/JURISDICTION OVER THE CO HAD AUTH- ORIZED A SALE OF ASSETS. WE ASKED THE COURT TO REQUIRE THE CO'S RECIEVER TO ALERT POTENTIAL PURC