Citizen Group Withdraws Action Against Exide on Mill River Cleanup

The citizen group FairPLAN withdrew its intervention filed with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to stop Exide Group Inc. from dredging the portion of the Mill River adjacent to its defunct battery manufacturing facility, according to a release from the group. 

FairPLAN, which stands for Fairfielders Protecting Land and Neighborhoods, announced the withdrawal this week, days after various town boards decided to drop the action against Exide, which filed a cleanup application to remove lead from the river. 

"From the beginning of this process, FairPLAN's concern has been for the successful removal of lead in and around the Mill River. While we do not feel that Exide's plan is as comprehensive as it could be, DEEP has assured us that if lead is discovered after the planned clean-up, Exide can still be held accountable for future lead remediation," according to Kathryn Braun, a member of FairPLAN. 

"We intend to rely on that assurance from DEEP as an important safeguard in the restoration of the Mill River area to the healthier condition it was in prior to decades of lead contamination."

FairPLAN intervened in Exide's DEEP application earlier this year and demanded improvements to Exide's remediation proposal. The Town of Fairfield joined FairPLAN by filing a similar intervention, but withdrew the action last week after Exide made significant upgrades to its clean-up plan.  

“Our intervention, along with the Town’s, has resulted in an improved strategy for cleaning Mill River, “ FairPLAN Chair Linda Snelham-Moore said. “While Exide could be doing more, the process of cleaning Mill River will at least begin soon with an upgraded effort.”  

First Selectman Michael Tetreau added, "The Town appreciates FairPLAN’s initiative and persistence in pursuing the improved health of Mill River.” 

FairPLAN remains concerned that property adjacent to the Exide site is polluted with Exide lead, and infrastructure (like drains and manhole structures) may be seriously damaged by acid run-off from Exide manufacturing processes. The property involved is owned by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT). 

"FairPLAN has informed the DOT of the possible hazards on its property and anticipates working with the DOT and other government officials to develop a comprehensive response,” Braun said.