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CTS purchaces Mills Gap Rd. facility
New York Times articleCTS Corporation, of Elkhart, Indiana, purchases the Mills Gap Rd. facility from IRC in a joint manufacture agreement 2 in Electronics Pact: Resistance Co., Chicago Phone Supply Slate Mutual Aid.” -
CTS registers as a generator of hazardous waste with EPA
PHASE II REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION WORK PLAN CTS of Asheville registers as a generator of hazardous waste with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), after listing that the company disposes of 44,440 pounds of sludge and 8,307 pounds of waste solvent annually. -
CTS is denied permission to treat or dispose of hazardous waste by the North Carolina Division of Health Services.
CTS is denied permission to treat or dispose of hazardous waste by the North Carolina Division of Health Services. Denial of Waste (PDF) -
CTS Corporation ceases all operations at the facility.
Phase I Site Assessment PlanCTS Corporation ceases all operations at the facility. -
Resident Dave Ogren calls NC Dept. Environment and Natural Resources to report a chemical pond; but this call first appears in a 1990 document from DENR.
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On behalf of CTS, Law Environmental, Inc., assesses the site, reporting that “the potential for ground-water contaminants at the site appears to be minimal.”
Law EnvironmentalOn behalf of CTS, Law Environmental, Inc., assesses the site and claims that “the potential for ground-water contaminants at the site appears to be minimal.” -
CTS sells its property (53.54 acres) to Mills Gap Road Associates under a land contract, which was settled with a final payment made Aug. 27, 1997.
Phase I Site AssessmentCTS sells its property (53.54 acres) to Mills Gap Road Associates (MGRA). -
NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources logs a call regarding a “chemical pond” on the property, sparking state involvement.
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) documents a call from resident Dave Ogren, reporting a “chemical pond” on the property, sparking state involvement. Ogren argues this call was actually made in Spring, 1987. Pat DeRosa at NCDENR PDF -
NUS Corporation, under contract from the EPA, completes the second phase of the screening site inspection, listing many dangerous chemicals yet recommends “no further remedial action” be taken on the site.
NUS Corporation, under contract from the EPA, completes the second phase of the screening site inspection, listing many dangerous chemicals yet recommends “no further remedial action” be taken on the site. Phase II Screening Site Inspection PDF -
North Carolina Division of Waste Management places the site on its Inactive Hazardous Sites (IHS) inventory.
Inactive Hazardous Sites InventoryNorth Carolina Division of Waste Management (DWM) places the site on its Inactive Hazardous Sites (IHS) inventory. -
NC Department of Waste Management refuses a request from new owner, Mills Gap Road Associates, to remove the site from the IHS inventory.
NC Department of Waste Management Letter to MGRANC DWM refuses a request from MGRA to remove the site from the IHS inventory. -
Buncombe County Board of Adjustment approves sale of 45 acres of the CTS property to Richard Green of The Biltmore Group
Buncombe County Board of Adjustment approves sale of 45 acres of the CTS property to developer Richard Green of The Biltmore Group, LLC, not including a 9-acre fenced facility area. See page 6. -
NCDENR orders MGRA to record inactive hazardous substances on their property.
CTS Letter 4NCDENR orders MGRA to record inactive hazardous substances on their property. -
Law firm Powell & Deutsch prepares a plat of property for development by The Biltmore Group, though this plat fails to list main contaminants on the property.
Law firm Powell & Deutsch prepares a plat of property for development by The Biltmore Group, though this plat fails to list main contaminants on the property. Plat PDF CTS - Powell 1 PDF -
NC Division of Water Quality (DWQ) tests the drinking wells of the Rice family, neighbors of the CTS property, and finds trichloroethylene (TCE) at 21,000 ppb, 4,200 times the EPA’s legal limit of 5 ppb. The family is put on municipal water.
De Rosa letter, 1999NC Division of Water Quality (DWQ) tests the drinking wells of the Rice family, neighbors of the CTS property, and finds trichloroethylene (TCE) at 21,000 ppb, 4,200 times the EPA’s legal limit of 5 ppb. The family is put on municipal water (see attached letter from DENR’s Pat DeRosa). -
EPA Region 4 conducts a removal site evaluation, concluding that the site poses a threat to public health and the environment; see 2002 EPA Action Memorandum.
CTS - EPA 1999
EPA Region 4 conducts a removal site evaluation, concluding that the site poses a threat to public health and the environment; see 2002 EPA Action Memorandum. -
EPA contractor Tetra Tech releases report indicating soil and sediment samples containing high levels of chemicals including TCE, chromium, arsenic and mercury.
Tetra Tech reportEPA contractor Tetra Tech releases report indicating soil and sediment samples containing high levels of chemicals including TCE, chromium, arsenic and mercury. -
EPA contractor Lockheed Martin identifies TCE in the soil beneath the plant at 830,000 ppb, prompting action from the EPA.
Lockheed Martin identifies TCE in the soilEPA contractor Lockheed Martin identifies TCE in the soil beneath the plant at 830,000 ppb, prompting action from the EPA. -
NCDWM recommends “No Further Remedial Action” status in their Expanded Site Inspection.
NCDWM recommends “No Further Remedial Action” status in their Expanded Site Inspection. -
EPA Region 4 releases an Action Memorandum approving an immediate, full-scale cleanup of the site, claiming “an immediate threat to the health and safety of nearby residents.”
2002 Action MemorandumEPA Region 4 releases an Action Memorandum approving an immediate, full-scale cleanup of the site, claiming “an immediate threat to the health and safety of nearby residents.” -
EPA Region 4 issues an Administrative Order on Consent for Removal Action (AOC) for the site, providing means by which a “removal action” can take place (Hitchcock). The AOC is an agreement between EPA, CTS and MGRA.
Administrative Order on Consent for Removal ActionEPA Region 4 issues an Administrative Order on Consent for Removal Action (AOC) for the site, providing means by which a “removal action” can take place (Hitchcock). The AOC is an agreement between EPA, CTS and MGRA. -
NC Div. Waste Management submits Site Reassessment Report to EPA Region 4, recommending no further remedial action due to a “lack of contaminated groundwater being used for potable uses.”
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Mactec-installed Soil Vapor Extraction (SVE) system begins operating on-site
Cited in Wallace letter of April 30, 2007. April 30, 2007 PDF -
Unknown date in February: TriTest, a Raleigh-based laboratory, finds TCE in the Rice family springs at 293,000 ppb
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Unknown date in November: TCE tests at 57 ppb (11 times the legal limit) at a well in The Oaks subdivision; the neighborhood is put on city water
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EPA Region 4 tests resident David Bradley’s well and finds over 800 ppb TCE in his well (160 times the legal limit); home is connected to city water
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EPA removes the ozonation system after it fails to reduce concentrations of TCE in springs (EPA report to Office of Inspector General)
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NC Department of Health and Human Services reports that “private well data…do not indicate the potential for adverse health effects” and that there is no "cancer cluster" at the site.
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EPA’s Office of Inspector General criticizes EPA Region 4’s handling of the site, claiming that contaminated drinking water went undetected and that “site risks remain”
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Soil Vapor Extraction system at CTS site disabled by copper thieves; EPA says 3 tons of VOCs removed
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CTS Corporation files a lawsuit against current property owner Mills Gap Road Associates for “breach of contract" regarding their agreement to share cleanup costs
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NC Department of Health and Human Services reports that there is no “cancer cluster” at the site
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Mills Gap residents files a lawsuit in federal court against CTS Corporation, alleging the company used an illegal dumping system and discharged TCE polluting the environment and sickening citizens
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EPA Region 4 proposes adding CTS of Asheville to its National Priorities List (NPL), or "Superfund" list
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A UNCA study by led by Professor Jeffrey Wilcox notes TCE in tissues of trees near the CTS plant and finds 1,340 ppb in a stream near the site, “[indicating] a consistent source of TCE feeding the streams”
This document was received via email. UNCA CTS Study PDF -
Community leaders appeal to the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners to condemn the CTS building, claiming a compromised structure and evidence of gang- and drug-related activity inside the abandoned plant
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Buncombe County begins demolition of CTS plant in Mills Gap (at taxpayer expense)
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N.C. lawmakers hear testimony from DENR and CTS neighbors about handling of site by state and federal agencies
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CTS and EPA sign new agreement prescribing more studies and clean-up plan
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New contamination emerges in residential wells. Citizens advocate for city water hookups
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N.C. House committee issues subpoenas to EPA officials to testify on CTS; community members file formal complaint against agency alleging criminal negligence
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CTS of Asheville site added to EPA National Priorities List
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EPA and CTS Corp. offer home filtration systems to residents with contaminated wells
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Mills Gap citizens hold press conference alleging malfeasence in EPA's handling of CTS site
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Buncombe County Commissioners vote to apply for $4 million in loans to extend water lines to residents around CTS site
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UNC-A professor Jeff Wilcox tests spring at Rice property; finds 11,000 ppb of TCE in sample
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Asheville City Council approves extension of water lines to 129 residents around CTS site
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600-plus residents sign petition calling for clean-up of CTS site
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8.3-acre parcel of former CTS property on Southside Village Drive put up for sale
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U.S. Fourth Circuit of Appeals court rules in favor of citizens seeking clean-up and compensation from CTS Corp. Case appealed to U.S. Supreme Court.
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The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health releases health report to determine effects of contamination on nearby residents
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CTS Corp. Appeals 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling to U.S. Supreme Court
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Community members gather for premier of WLOS investigative report "Buried Secrets," which alleges mishandling of reponse by EPA
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Buncombe County Commissioners unanimously vote to extend city water lines to residents living near CTS site.
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EPA conducts air sampling of outdoor and indoor areas around Rice property
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"My Toxic Backyard" documentary about contamination effects on residents released
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South Asheville resident Patrick Dunn makes unannounced visit to CTS board of directors to address contamination issues
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Three families evacuated from Rice property due to elevated TCE air levels recorded in April 21 testing
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U.S. Supreme Court rules 7-2 against Mills Gap residents right to sue CTS Corp., citing N.C. statute of limitations in prosecuting case
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EPA expands air testing near CTS site
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CTS Corp. loses lawsuit against EPA over NPL listing of CTS of Asheville site
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POWER Community Advisory Group hosts town hall meeting to update citizens on testing and future steps at CTS site
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Associated Press publishes “An Old Plant, tainted Land, and Worried Homeowners” article on CTS site in Charlotte Observer
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EPA Region IV Director Franklin Hill issues expedited letter to SSV residents assuring that contamination from CTS site poses no "unacceptable risk to residents of SSV.”
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The Atlantic magazine publishes "Don't Drink the Water" article chronicling effects of contamination on nearby residents
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EPA announce plans to begin clean-up process by 2016
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"Historically high" ambient air samples detect TCE concentrations in vicinity of Silk Tree Lane in SSV
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CTS Corp. creats millsgaprealfacts.com website, blames residents and local media for spreading false information and delaying progress on site
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EPA denied permission to conduct indoor air sampling in 4 residences on Silk Tree Lane or within Southside Village by homeowners
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Outdoor air sampling on property adjacent to SSV yields high concentrations of TCE
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EPA pushes CTS Corp. to expand scope of clean-up efforts on CTS site
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Tensions boil over between EPA/CTS representatives and community members during community meeting over proposed clean-up measures
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Quarterly air samples on adjacent property to SSV indicate lower concentrations of TCE
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Quarterly air samples on adjacent property to SSV yield higher concentrations of TCE than previous samples taken in Oct. 2015
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Congressman Mark Meadows criticises EPA officials over CTS handling at Flint. Mich. water hearings
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EPA approves plans to begin clean-up on 3-plus acres at CTS site; costs estimated at over $9 million
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EPA installs new test well on property adjacent to SSV
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EPA conducts quarterly air sampling on adjacent property to SSV. Results not available at this time.
