Region 3 GPRA Baseline RCRA Corrective Action Facility

Hercules  Incorporated
27123 Shady Brook Trail
Courtland, VA 23837-2034
Congressional District 4
EPA ID #: VAD003122165
Last Updated 12/28/05
Current Progress at the Site
On October 28, 1999, Hercules entered into a EPA Region III Facility-Lead Agreement (Agreement)
under RCRA, and agreed to conduct environmental investigations at the facility and perform
remediation, to meet the RCRA Corrective Action Goals. This facility is a EPA High Priority RCRA
Corrective Action site.

Hercules completed most of the site characterization as well as remediation of several solid waste
management units. The first phase of site characterization and limited remediation is documented in a
Release Assessment (ERM; March 1999) and the second phase of site characterization is documented
in a Release Assessment Addendum (GES; January 2002).  The Facility submitted its annual reports as
required under the October 1999 Agreement and provided a schedule of additional work.
Groundwater remediation in the Vulcup area is on-going. An investigation into possible  sources of
groundwater contamination beneath the Vulcup area is complete and the report should be submitted to
EPA in 2006.

EPA approved the March 2003 Quality Assurance Project Plan for future site investigations.  EPA also
approved sampling plans for four additional focused investigations. Hercules has made significant
progress in assessing site contamination, as documented in the Release Assessment and Addendum.
Hercules completed groundwater sampling of private wells  located around the facility and found no
site-related compounds. Hercules met the environmental indicator for human health exposures under
control in September 2004. In 2006, EPA and Hercules will evaluate the site characterization data to
determine if Groundwater Releases at the facility are controlled. Remedial Plans for the West Area will
be sent to EPA in 2006.
Site Description
The Hercules Franklin, Virginia facility encompasses 120 acres, with about 30 acres developed, at the
intersection of Routes 671 and 650 in Franklin, Virginia. Since 1955, the facility has been a chemical
processing plant primarily producing rosin, fatty acids and organic peroxides.  The primary raw material
used at the facility is Tall Oil derived from the wood pulping industry. Historically, it has managed
wastes in on-site landfills, a spray field, lagoons and pits. The current processes generate wastewater,
non-contact cooling water, biological sludge and small quantities of spent solvents from the on-site
quality control laboratory.

In 2001, Hercules sold two of the three business units that operate at the facility while maintaining
ownership of the facility property.  The resins business was sold to Eastman Chemical Resins, Inc. and
the organic peroxides business was sold to GEO Specialty Chemical Company. Hercules retained the
Aqualon business and responsibility for the Agreement.

-------
Site Responsibility
RCRA Corrective Action activities at this facility are being conducted under the direction of the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, Philadelphia, PA.


Contaminants	

The site characterization data indicate that onsite soil and groundwater contain 1,2 -dichloropropane
(PDC), benzene, acetone, phenols, petroleum hydrocarbons and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons.
Community Interaction
The Facility has developed a community relations plan that is a part of the Agreement. Public
participation is included as appropriate.

Institutional Controls
No institutional controls are currently in place.

Government Contacts
Barbara Smith
U.S. EPA-Region III
1650 Arch Street (3WC23)
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029
Phone: (215) 814-5786      Email: smith.barbara@epa.gov

For more information about EPA's corrective action webpage, including Environmental Indicators,
please visit our site at: www.epa.gov/reg3wcmd/correctiveaction.htm
Facility Contact
Mr. Andrew C. Lucas                   Mr. Joseph A. Keller
Hercules Incorporated            Hercules Incorporated
Pulp and Paper Division                 Research Center - Bldg. 8139/15
27123 Shady Brook Trail                500 Hercules Road
Courtland, VA 23837-2034              Wilmington, DE 19808-1599
Phone: (757) 562-3121 Ext. 176          Phone: (302) 995-3407
Email: alucas@herc.com                Email: jkellerl@herc.com

-------