ON DEC. 13, 2001, EPA REGION II SIGNED AN ADMINISTRATIVE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 122(H)(1) OF CERCLA TO RECOVER EPA'S PAST COSTS AT THE LIBERTY INDUSTRIAL FINISHING SITE FROM THE RESPONDENT, THE OWNER AND OPERATOR OF THAT FACILITY.
THE SITE, WHICH IS NOT LISTED ON THE NATIONAL PRIORITES LIST, BECAME CONTAMINATED THROUGH RESPONDENT'S OPERATION OF A METAL FINISHING BUSINESS BETWEEN 1978 AND 1997. EPA PERFORMED A REMOVAL ACTION AT THE SITE IN 1997 AND 1998 TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, STABILIZE, CHARACTERIZE, SAMPLE AND DISPOSE OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES CONTAINED IN SOILS, SURROUNDING UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS AND IN ABANDONED DRUMS, TANKS, AND DEBRIS AT THE SITE. RESPONDENT, WHICH IS DEFUNCT AND INSOLVENT, CEASED ALL BUSINESS ACTIVITIES IN 1997 AND HAS BEEN DISSOLVED BY PROCLAMATION OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE OF NEW YORK.