This document consists of descriptions of the 17 sites proposed for the National Priorities List (NPL) in June 1993
The size of the site is generally indicated, based on information available at the time the site was scored using the Hazard
Ranking System. The size may change as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination.
Sites are arranged alphabetically by State (two-letter abbreviations) and by site name.
United States Office of Publication 9320.7-081
Environmental Protection Solid Waste and June 1993
Agency Emergency Response
"S-EPA Descriptions of 17 Sites
Proposed for the National
Priorities List in June 1993
Office of Emergency and Remedial Response Intermittent Bulletin
Hazardous Site Evaluation Division (5204G) Volume 3, Number 2
CLEANING UP UNDER SUPERFUND
The Superiund program is managed by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is
authorized by the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA),
enacted on December 11, 1980, as amended by the
Superfund Amendments and Reauthonzation Act
(SARA), enacted on October 17, 1986. In October
1990, SARA was extended to September 30, 1994. The
Hazardous Substance Response Trust Fund set up by
CERCLA as amended pays the costs not assumed by
responsible parties for cleaning up hazardous waste sites
or emergencies that threaten public health, welfare, or
the environment; Superfund also pays for overseeing
responsible parties conducting cleanup.
Two types of responses may be taken when a
hazardous substance is released (or threatens to be
released) into the environment:
Removal actions - emergency-type responses
to imminent threats. SARA limits these actions
to 1 year and/or $2 million, with a waiver
possible if the actions are consistent with remedial
responses. Removal actions can be undertaken by
the pnvate parties responsible for the releases or
by the Federal government using the Superfund
Remedial responses - actions intended to
provide permanent solutions at uncontrolled
hazardous waste sites. Remedial responses are
generally longer-term and more expensive than
removals A Superfund-financed remedial
response can be taken only if a site is on the
NPL EPA published the first NPL in September
1983 The list must be updated at least annually
EPA's goals for the Superfund program are to
Ensure that polluters pay to clean up the problems
they created, and
Work first on the worst problems at the worst
sites, by making sites safe, making sites clean,
and bringing new technology to bear on the
problem
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REMEDIAL RESPONSES
Hie money for conducting a remedial response at
a hazardous waste site (and a removal action, as well)
can come from several sources:
The individuals or companies responsible for the
problems can clean up voluntarily with EPA or
State supervision, or they can be forced to clean
up by Federal or State legal action
A Slate or local government can choose to
assume the responsibdity to clean up without
Federal dollars
Superfund can pay for the cleanup, then seek to
recover the costs from the responsible party or
parties
A remedial response, as defined by the National
Contingency Plan (the Federal regulation by which
Superfund is implemented), is an orderly process that
generally involves the following steps:
¦ Take any measures needed to stabilize conditions,
which might involve, for example, fencing the
site or removing above-ground drums or bulk
tanks
Undertake initial planning activities to scope out
a strategy for collecting information and analyzing
alternative cleanup approaches.
Conduct a remedial investigation to characterize
the type and extent of contamination at the site
and to assess the risks posed by that
contamination
Conduct a feasibility study to analyze various
cleanup alternatives. The feasibility study is often
conducted concurrently with the remedial
investigation as one project. Typically, the two
together take from 18 to 24 months to complete
and cost approximately 51.3 million.
Select the cleanup alternative that:
- Protects human health and the environment,
- Complies with Federal and State
requirements that are applicable or relevant
and appropriate,
- Uses permanent solutions and alternative
treatment technologies or resource recovery
technology to the maximum extent
practicable;
- Considers views of the State and public; and
- Is "cost effective" - that is, affords results
proportional to the costs of the remedy.
Design the remedy. Typically, the design phase
takes 6 to 12 months to complete and costs
approximately $1.5 million.
Implement the remedy, which might involve, for
example, constructing facilities to treat ground
water or removing contaminants to a safe disposal
area away from the site.
EPA expects the implementation (remedial action)
phase to average out at about S25 million (plus any costs
to operate and maintain the action} per site, and some
remedial actions may lake several years to complete
The State government can participate in a
remedial response under Superfund in one of two ways-
The State can take the lead role under a
cooperative agreement, which is much like a
grant in that Federal dollars are transferred to the
State The State then develops a workplan,
schedule, and budget, contracts for any services
it neetls, and is responsible for making sure that
all the conditions in the cooperative agreement are
met In contrast to a grant, EPA continues to be
substantially involved and monitors the Stale's
progress throughout the project.
EPA can take the lead under a Superfund State
Contract, with the State's role outlined EPA,
generally using contractor support, manages work
early in the planning process. In the later design
and implementation phases, contractors do the
work under the supervision of the U S Army
Corps of Engineers. Under both arrangements,
the State must share in the cost ot the
implementation phase of cleanup
CERCLa requires that EPA select the remedy
2
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UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
OERR Hazardous Site Evaluation Division Washington. DC 20460
June 1993
ALCOA (POINT COMFORT)/LAVACA BAY
Point Comfort. Texas
The ALCOA/Lavaca Bay site is located in Calhoun County in southeast Texas along the Gulf of Mexico. The site
consists of portions of the Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA) Point Comfort plant, a section of Lavaca Bay
surrounding the ALCOA plant, and an associated man-made dredge spoil island located approximately 1,200 feet
west of the ALCOA plant. The dredge spoil island is composed of a 91-acre gypsum lagoon and a dredge spoil
area (covering approximately SO acres) that includes five lagoons. The ALCOA plant is located in an industrial area
approximately 1.5 miles south of Point Comfort and 4 miles northeast of the City of Port Lavaca.
In 1965, ALCOA opened a chlor-alkali production plant that produced chlorine gas and sodium hydroxide through
an electrolytic process that utilized mercury cathodes. The two primary sources of hazardous substances at the site
are the gypsum lagoon and the dredge spoil areas. Dunng the plant's operation, waste water containing mercury
was discharged into Lavaca Bay through outfalls located on the off-shore gypsum disposal lagoon Dredge spoils
contaminated with mercury were disposed of in several areas oa the site. EPA sampled sediments in Lavaca Bay
in September 1992, and found mercury at levels significantly above concentrations in background samples.
In 1970, the Texas Water Quality Board (predecessor to the Texas Water Commission), in response to information
received firom the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Texas Department of Health (TDH), issued
an Emergency Order against ALCOA finding them responsible for the mercury discharged to the off-shore gypsum
lagoon. The order also stated that these discharges contaminated Lavaca Bay, creating harmful and possibly toxic
conditions for humans, animals, and aquatic life. In the same year, ALCOA terminated the discharge of mercury-
contaminated waste water into Lavaca Bay. In April 1988, the TDH issued a public warning prohibiting the
harvesting of fish and crabs from portions of Lavaca Bay near the site.
Lavaca Bay is an estuary of the Matagorda Bay system and is used for both commercial and recreational fishing.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Lavaca Bay also serves as a habitat for a number of endangered
aquatic and bird species
(The description of the sue (release) is based on information available at the time the sue scored The
description may change as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination See 56
FR 5600, February 11, 1991, or subsequent FR nonces J
Supertund hazardous waste site listed under the Comprehensive Environmental Response. Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) as ar-«
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UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
OERR Hazardous Site Evaluation Division Washington. DC 20460
June 1993
ALLEGANY BALLISTICS LABORATORY (USNAVY)
Mineral County, West Virginia
Allegany Ballistics Laboratory (ABL) is located in Mineral County, West Virginia, approximately 2 miles south of
Cresaptown, Maryland. ABL occupies 1,628 acres and is situated on the flood plain of the North Branch of the
Potomac River, along the West Virginia-Maryland state border. Surrounding land use is primarily agricultural with
some forestry. The facility has been in operation since 1942, primarily for the research, development, and testing
of solid propellants and motors for rockets, ammunition, and armaments for the Navy. ABL houses two operating
plants. Plant 1 is owned by the Navy and occupies 1,572 acres of the ABL facility. The remaining 56 acres are
owned and operated by Hercules, Inc. The area referred to as Plant 2, or the Hercopel Plant was not included by
EPA under CERCLA because no releases of hazardous materials are known to be associated with this facility.
Operations at ABL have generated a variety of explosive and solvent wastes. Until 1978, the majority of these
wastes were disposed of in onsite disposal areas From 1970 to 1981, some of ihe waste was stored in a drum
storage area. Waste disposal and handling practices at (he facility have resulted in several source areas of concern.
Seven of these areas were aggregated into one source known as the Northern Riverside Waste Disposal Area
(NRWDA). Other contamination sources include two previous burning ground areas; an inert non-ordnance landfill;
a spent photographic developing solutions disposal areas; a sensitivity test area/surface water impoundment; and a
beryllium landfill. Other sources of potential contamination exist at the site including a waste burning operation
for the disposal of contaminated material.
NRWDA is located at the northern boundary of the ABL property along the south bank of the North Branch of the
Potomac River. The seven sites that make up NRWDA are an ordnance burning ground; an inert burning ground;
a former solvent waste disposal pit; three acid disposal pits; a hazardous waste drum storage area; and an incinerator
landfill. These sources were aggregated due to their proximity and the similarity of the hazardous substances
deposited in the sites In addition, the bedrock under the site is folded and fractured.
Contaminants associated with these sources and detected in ground water and soil samples include explosives,
volatile organic compounds (VOCs), acids, bases, laboratory and industrial wastes, bottom sludge from solvent
recovery, metal plating pretreatment sludge, paints, and thinners Some contaminants have moved offsite and were
detected in the North Branch of the Potomac River, adjacent to ihe site.
Two ABL water supply wells were temporarily taken out of service in 1981 because they were found to contain
VOCs. The wells were then used only as backups during drought conditions. The wells are not currently hooked-
up to the supply system. Recent testing of these wells, as well as numerous monitoring wells in the developed area,
shows consistent contamination of the ground water with VOCs.
[The description of the site (release) is based on information available at the time the site was scored. The
description may change as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination. See 56
FR 5600, February 11, 1991, or subsequent FR notices j
SuDBTlund tiazardous wasle sits listed under die Comprehensive Environmental Response. Compensation, and liability Act {CERCLA) as an-ended
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UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
OERR Hazardous Sits Evaluation Division Washington. DC 20460
Juna 1993
CHEMFAX, INC.
Gulfport, Mississippi
Chemfax, Inc. is an 11-acre site bordered by Three Rivers Road and Creosote Road in an industrial section of
Harrison County near Gulfport, Mississippi. Chemfax produces petroleum hydrocarbon resins. The primary
operation is a paraffin wax blending process. Condensed cooluig water used in this process is stored in an onsite
cooling pond with an overflow drain that leads to a drainage ditch. Chemfax began operations at the site in 1955,
An additional holding pond that was owned by the Alpine Masomte Co. is located adjacent to Chemfax. Alpine
Masomte used the pond to store excess cooling water discharged from its phenolic restn operation. Reportedly, the
pond was not used by Chemfax to store wastes but was covered by a layer of paraffin wax that had melted during
a fire and flowed into the pond This wax, along with wax that periodically appeared in the drainage ditch, can be
atlnbuted to several fires that occurred at Chemfax in the past
Air sampling conducted by EPA in May 1990, found high levels of benzene, toluene, xylenes, ethyl benzene, and
styrene. The concentrations of benzene detected tn the air were over 180 times EPA's health based benchmarks.
Other contaminants were also found in air samples significantly above upwind sample concentrations.
Chemfax employs 57 people and Alpine Masomte employs 2 individuals, all of whom are exposed to air
contaminants from Chemfax. In addition, there are approximately 45,000 people living within 4 miles of the site.
/77ie description of the site (release) is based on information available at the time the site war scored. The
description may change as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination. See 56
FR 5600, February 11, 1991, or subsequent FR notices. J
Supertund hazardous waste sue listod under iha Comprehensrje Envronmanial Response. Compensator, and Liability Act (CEaCLA) as amerced
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3EPA
UNUEQSTATES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AQENOV
NATIONAL PRIORITIES LIST NPL
OERR Hazardous Sita Evaluation Division Washington. DC 20460
June 1993
FREMONT NATIONAL FOREST/WHITE KING AND
LUCKY LASS URANIUM MINES (USDA)
Lake County, Oregon
The Fremont National Forest/White King and Lucky Lass Uranium Mines site is located approximately 18 miles
northwest of Lakeview, Oregon. The White King Mine is located on U.S. Forest Service and private land and the
Lucky Lass Mine is located entirely on Forest Service land.
The mines were operated from 1958 through 1961 and intermittently through 1964. The Atomic Energy
Commission oversaw ore production from the mines. A total of 140 acres were disturbed by mining: 120 acres
at White King Mine and 20 acres at Lucky Lass Mine. Contaminant areas include stockpiled ore, overburden mixed
with ore, and acid drainage waste water that has filled the pits created by the mining activities.
The primary hazards posed by the mine waste include gamma radiation exposure from radioactive constituents,
emanation of radon gas, and environmental contamination by heavy metals and the radioactive constituents in surface
and ground water. Surface water and sediments in Auger Creek and nearby wetlands have been contaminated by
mining activities. The creek and surface water bodies downstream of the site are used as a source of recreational
fishing.
EPA, the Forest Service, and the State of Oregon are negotiating a CERCLA Section 120 Interagency Agreement
to address the remediation of the site.
[The description of the site (release) is based on information available at the time the site was scored. The
description may change as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination. See 56
FR 5600, February II, 1991, or subsequent FR nonces ]
<£r§>
Suoerfund hazardous waste site listed under the Comprehensive Environmental Response. Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) as amended R^jseci
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pr>A UNITED STATES
rr>\ ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
" * AGENCY
OERR Hazardous Site Evaluation Division Washington. DC 20460
June 1993
FORT RICHARDSON (USARMY)
Anchorage, Alaska
Fort Richardson occupies a 25,000 acre area located within the municipality of Anchorage in south-central Alaska.
The installation is bounded by the city of Anchorage and Elmendorf Air Force Base to the west and by Eagle Bay
and the Kmk Ann of Cook Inlet to the north. Fort Richardson's southern and eastern boundaries consist of
undeveloped lands and Chugach State Park.
Three sources of contamination were identified by the Army but do not represent all known or suspected sources
of contamination at the Fort Richardson installation. These sources are the Eagle River Flats (ERF) ordnance
impact area, the Poleline Road Disposal Area (PRDA), and the Roosevelt Road Transmitter Site (RRTS).
ERF is located in wetlands associated with the Eagle River delta in the northwestern comer of the installation. ERF
has served as the primary ordnance impact area for Fort Richardson since World War II The ordnance testing area
encompasses 2,500 acres of wetlands, which serves as an important habitat for waterfowl such as ducks, geese, and
swans during spring and fall migrations. Sediment and surface water samples collected from ERF in August and
October 1989 and in 1991 revealed elevated levels of heavy metals, explosive compounds, and white phosphorous.
Copper, cadmium, nickel, zinc, and mercury concentrations in surface water wetland samples exceeded the Ambient
Water Quality Criteria.
PRDA is located approximately 1.1 miles southwest of the Eagle River. PRDA was identified by a former soldier
who stated that hazardous substances were buned there in the 1950s; a 1954 Army Corps of Engineers map
confirmed the existence of this disposal area. In 1990, an expanded site investigation conducted by the Army
confirmed the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in soil and shallow ground water at PRDA
RRTS consists of a bomb-proof underground bunker and the remnants of support facilities constructed in the 1940s.
In May and June 1990, the Army conducted sampling operations as part of a site investigation follow-up. Analytical
results from this investigation indicated contamination by PCBs, VOCs, semi-volatile organic compounds, dioxins,
asbestos, and inorganic elements throughout RRTS.
The Eagle River is used for recreational fishing and supports a wide variety of game fish including king, silver, red,
pink, and chum salmon; dolly varden; arctic char, rainbow trout, grayling, and whitefish. The river maintains
spawning runs of chinook, coho, and pink salmon. Stickleback inhabit salt marshes along the Knik Arm and are
common within the shallow ponds and some impact craters within ERF The American peregrine falcon, a
federally-designated endangered species, and the federally-designated threatened arctic peregrine falcon, migrate
through the area.
EPA, the Army, and the Alaska Department of Conservation will negotiate an interagency agreement to address
the clean-up of this site.
[The description of the site (release) is based on information available at the time the site was scored. The
description may change as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination. See
56 FR 5600, February 11, 1991, or subsequent FR notices ]
Superfund hazardous waste site listed under ths Comprehensive Environmental Response. Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) as amended
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SEPA
UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
NATIONAL PRIORITIES LIST
OERR Hazardous Site Evaluation Division Washington DC 20460
June 1993
JACKSON PARK HOUSING COMPLEX (USNAVY)
Kitsap County, Washington
The Jackson Park. Housing Complex (JPHC) is Located east of Highway 3, approximately 2 miles northwest of
Bremerton, Washington. The area west of Highway 3 includes a golf course, an urban area, and an
undeveloped wooded area. A wooded park and urban area are located south of Highway 3. JPHC occupies
approximately 300 acres of land that includes housing for approximately 3,OCX) military personnel, recreational
areas, undeveloped areas, a hospital, and community semces buildings
The facility was operated as a Naval ammunition depot from 1904 to 1959. From 1910 to 1959, unused
ordnance was disposed of by open burning along the shoreline. From 1918 to 1959, during low tides, various
marker dyes and smoke candles were placed on the beach and ignited, where they continued to bum until the
tide rose and extinguished the fires. Residual ordnance powders from loading operations were disposed of by
open burning aiong the waterfront or at a fi/i area ac (he south end of the site. During ordnance handling and
loading operations, potentially hazardous dust and powder were deposited on the floor and washed into floor
drains emptying into Ostrich Bay Waste acid and caustics from case cleaning operations were also flushed
down floor drains. Waste water lhat contained elevated levels of explosives from demilitarization operations
went down the nearest drain. Since many types of casings and projectiles cleaned and repaired were made of
brass and bronze alloys, heavy metals such as copper, zinc, tin, and other metals were dissolved into acid and
base solutions and drained into the bay. In 1959, ordnance and industrial operations were relocated to SUBASE
Bangor. Between 1973 and 1975, nearly all ammunition buildings were demolished and the current facility was
constructed. Industrial activities at JPHC included ordnance storage, loading, testing, burning, and disposal;
case and projectile cleaning; tank and powder can repair; bag dyeing; fuse operations; demilitarization; and pier
operations. In addition, the site contained incinerators; paint, locomotive, battery, industrial, and machine
shops; and a boiler plant.
According to several people, Ostrich Bay occasionally became a yellow color due to discharges emanating from
the ordnance facility The yellow color was a result of waste water containing ammonium picrate (an explosive)
or dyes During decontamination and demolition operations in 1974 and 1975, ammonium picrate was found in
storm drains leaving abandoned buildings that had formerly housed ordnance operations
From 1918 to 1959, untreated sewage and waste water from ordnance and other activities was discharged
directly into Ostrich Bay outfalls located along the waterFront The Navy sampled the outfalls in 1991 and
confirmed the presence of arsenic, cadmium; chromium, capper, lead, nickel, zinc; 2,4,6-tnnitrotoluene, 2,6-
dinilrotoluene; 1,3,5-tnmtrobenzene; and 1,3-dim! robe niece
In 1991 and 1992, soil, sediment, and fish samples were collected as part of two environmental investigations
conducted by the Navy. Analytical results from these investigations show that there is extensive surface soil
contamination at the site Hazardous substances were also detected in sediment and fish samples collected from
the bay and can be attributed to the waste water outfalls. The Navy has closed the beaches at the site to shell
fishing
Ostrich Bay has been identified by EPA as a special area requiring protection under the National Estuary
Program. The bay is used for boih recreational and commercial fishing, and extensive wetland habitats exist
adjacent to the site EPA, the Navy, and the Washington Department of Ecology are negotiating an interagency
agreement to address the contamination at the site
[The description of the sue (release) u based art urfommtan available oi the time ike sue was scared The
description may change as adduiona! information is gathered on the sources and extent of canta/ntnatrcn See
5-6 FR 5600, February J], J991. or subsequent FR notice*.]
Supertund hazardous waste sits listed under the Co
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SEFA
UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
NATIONAL PRIORITIES LIST
OERR Hazardous Site Evaluation Division Washington. DC 20460
June 1993
MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY (USARMY)
Watertown, Massachusetts
The U.S. Army Materials Technology Laboratory (MTL), commonly known as the Watertown Arsenal, occupies
47.5 acres on Arsenal Street in Watertown, Massachusetts. MTL is located on the north bank of the Charles River
and encompasses 36.5 acres approximately 5 miles west of Boston. Eleven acres of inactive MTL land situated
between North Beacon Street and the Charles River was leased to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1920 and
currently contains the North Beacon Street Park and the Watertown Yacht Club.
The facility was originally established as the Watertown Arsenal in 1816. The facility continued to expand and
occupied 131 acres and employed 10,000 people at the end of World War II. The site was used for small arms
maintenance and ordnance supplies; ammunition and pyrotechnics production; paint, lubricant, and cartridge testing
and experimentation, manufacture of guns and cartridges; and development of advanced metallurgical processes used
in the casting, welding, and machining of artillery pieces. A research nuclear reactor was used for molecular and
atomic structure research activities from 1960 to 1970. Although the reactor was deactivated in 1970, it is currently
being decommissioned under the jurisdiction of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. In 1968, approximately 55
acres were sold to the Town of Watertown. Of the 47.5 acres retained by the Army, 36.5 acres became the Army
Materials and Mechanical Research Center (AMMRC). In 1985, AMMRC became MTL. The current mission
of MTL includes testing material; developing weapons, ammunition, and lightweight armor; and manufacturing
testing technology.
In October 1988, Congress recommended the closure of the facility. The U.S. Army Toxic and Hazardous
Materials Agency (TH AM A) had already initiated the first stage of the closure plan, the preliminary assessment/site
inspection, which was conducted in 1987. The Army also conducted a soil, sediment, and ground water sampling
program in 1988, from which a remedial investigation (RI) report was produced The data obtained from this
sampling could not be verified or validated by the Army Subsequently, the Army completed a Draft Phase 1
Remedial Investigation Report m April 1991 and a Phase 2 report in October 1992.
Sampling during these investigations indicated contamination of ground water, soil, surface water, and sediments
at MTL. Contaminants detected above background concentrations at the site include volatile and semi-volatile
organic compounds, PCBs, pesticides, inorganic elements, and radioactive substances. PCBs were detected on the
property on the surface of electrical transformers and in the surrounding soil Samples collected from onsite storm
drains indicate the presence of several organic compounds and inorganic contaminants related to site activities
However, there are other potential sources of contamination from nearby industrial activity
The only known dnnking water well within 4 miles of the site not separated by the Northern Boundary Fault, is
a private well 2.5 miles northwest of the property. Municipal dnnking water within 4 miles of the site is supplied
by surface water sources located to the west of MTL, and are unaffected by the site. The Charles Rjver is used
for recreational boating, swimming, and fishing.
The active portion of MTL is completely fenced and public access is restricted 24-hours by a guarded gate Eight
people occupy housing located on the property Approximately 600 people are currently employed at MTL.
{The description of the site (release) is based on information available at the time the site was scored The
description may change as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination See 56
FR 5600, February 11, 1991, or subsequent FR notices J
Supertund hazardous waste site listed under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) as amencoa
-------
UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
OERR Hazardous Site Evaluation Division Washington. DC 2046fr
June 1933
MCCORMICK & BAXTER CREOSOTING CO. (PORTLAND PLANT)
Portland, Oregon
The McConmck & Baxter Creosoting Company site covers approximately 58 acres and is located at 6900 Edgewater
Street, approximately 7 miles south of the city of Portland, Oregon. McCormick & Baxter is situated on the west
bank of the Willamette River in an area zoned for heavy industrial use. The site is bordered by railroad tracks on
the northeast and northwest, a barge maintenance and dredging facility on the southeast, and an empty lot where
a shipyard and cooperage was once located on the northwest. A residential area is located on the northwest side
of the site on top of a bluff approximately 120 feet high
McCormick & Baxter was founded in 1944 to produce treated wood products during World War II. Wood treating
products used at the site include creosote/diesel oil mixtures, pentachlorophenol/diesel oil mixtures, and a variety
of water- and ammonia-based solutions containing arsenic, chromium, copper, and zinc Between 1945 and 1969,
waste water and non-contact cooling water were directed into onsite catch basins that discharged directly into the
Willamette River via storm water outfalls Prior to 1971, boiler water, storm water, and oily wastes were disposed
of in the former waste disposal area located in the southern portion of the site. McConmck & Baxter operated an
aboveground tank farm at the facility consisting of six tanks ranging in size from 70,000 gallons to 173,000 gallons
These tanks held mixtures consisting of creosote, pentachlorophenol, oil, and oily-waste water. In addition to the
tank farm, McCormick & Baxter used a 750,000-gallon creosote tank. McCormick & Baxter filed for Chapter 11
bankruptcy in 1988. In 1989, with certain remedial measures only partially completed, responsibility for the site
was transferred to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ORDEQ). McCormick & Baxter's lending
institution took control of their accounts in 1991 and the facility ceased operations.
During an investigation conducted by ORDEQ in 1990, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and
pentachlorophenol were detected at elevated levels in soils, sediments, and water at the facility. Soils beneath the
site are contaminated from the ground surface to as deep as 80 feet in some areas. The soil contamination has
migrated to sediments in the Willamette River Sethments near the site are contaminated to depths of up to 35 feet
below the sediment surface.
The Willamette River is used for recreational activities downstream of the McCormick & Baxter site ORDEQ and
the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife have posted warning signs to alert people of the potential hazards
associated with the site The site is also fenced and 24-hour security restricts public access EPA and ORDEQ will
investigate various cleanup alternatives appropriate for the site
[The description of the site (release) is based on information available as the time the site was scored. The
description may change as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination See
56 FR 5600, February 11, 1991, or subsequent FR notices J
SuparfurxJ hazardous waste sua listed under ihe Comprehensive Environmental Response. Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) as amended
-------
UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
OERft Hazardous Sfta Evaluation Division Washington. DC 20460
June 1993
NAVAL WEAPONS INDUSTRIAL RESERVE PLANT
Bedford, Massachusetts
The Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant (NWIRP) is located on Hartweli Road in Bedford, Middlesex County,
Massachusetts. The 46-acre facility is part of a larger industrial complex located immediately north of Han scorn.
Air Force Base. NWIRP and Raytheon Missile Systems Division (RMSD), which is also located within the
industrial complex, are operated by Raytheon Co.
NWIRP was created in 1952 and operations continue at the facility today. NWIRP is used for advanced technology
research in weapons systems development; primarily the design, fabrication, and testing of prototype equipment such
as missile guidance and control systems. The Components Laboratory, located on Hartwell's Hill on the north side
of Hartweli Road, and the Flight Test Facility, on the lower, south side of Hartweli Road, are the primary operating
areas at NWIRP Approximately 21 other buildings house various support activities related to the work at these
two centers.
The Navy has conducted several investigations of the NWIRP facility An Initial Assessment Study (IAS) was
completed by the Department of Defense in April 1986. The IAS identified potential sources and areas of concern
at the NWIRP facility. In 1990, the Navy completed the first phase of a remedial investigation (RI) that further
evaluated the potential sources of contamination At NWIRP.
NWIRP has generated or stored wastes at numerous locations throughout its operational history. Hazardous waste
disposal was accomplished either through direct discharge to the septic system or through barrel storage and offsite
disposal. The septic system consisted of onsite leaching fields until 1930, when municipal sewer lines were
constructed. Wastes generated at the NWIRP include tnchlorethylene, 1,1,1-tnchloroethane, methyl ethyl ketone,
acetone, toluene, xylene, photographic fixer, waste oil and coolants, lacquer thinner, unspecified solvents and
thinners, Stoddard solvent, waste paint, and chromic, sulfuric, nitric, hydrochloric and phosphoric acids.
The Hartweli Road Well Field, part of the municipal water supply for the Town of Bedford, is located less than
0.5 miles northwest of NWIRP The three wells in this field were closed in 1984 after volatile organic compound
contamination was traced to two of the wells. A 1991 RI report prepared by the Town of Bedford concluded that
NWIRP was a likely source of the well field contamination. Hanscom AFB is also a potential contributor to the
ground water contamination in this area.
Approximately 11,000 people rely on drinking water wells within 4 miles of NWIRP In addition, approximately
12,800 people receive water from an intake on the Shawsheen River, 7 miles downstream of NWIRP. There are
extensive wetlands and several species of rare plants and wildlife along Elm Brook and the Shawsheen River
downstream of the NWIRP.
[The description of the sue (release) is based on information available at the time the sue was scored The
description may change as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination. See 56
FR 5600, February II, 1991, or subsequent FR notices ]
Superhjnd hazardous waste sue lisied under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) as amended _
Revised
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UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
OEftR Hazardous Site Evaluation Drvisbn Washington. DC 20460
June 1993
NORTH SANITARY LANDFILL
Dayton, Ohio
The North Sanilary Landfill, Inc. (NSL) site is located at 200 Valleycresl Drive in Dayton, Montgomery County,
Ohio. The site occupies 101.9 acres, approximately 45.7 of which were used as a landfill. Several industrial
facilities, including bulk oil storage terminals, an industrial laundry facility, car crushing facility, a former industrial
plating facility, and a demolition debris landfill are located adjacent to the NSL property.
The NSL site, also known as the Valleycrest Landfill, was owned by the Keystone Company, Inc , which operated
a sand and gravel mining operation from the 1940s until the 1970s Between 1966 and 1975, landfill operations
at the site were conducted by B.G. Davis Co., Inc., under the name of NSL, Inc Waste Management, Inc. of
North America purchased the B.G. Davis Co. in 1983.
Industrial and municipal wastes from the Dayton area were used at NSL to fill unlined gravel pits that were created
by former mining operations. These pits contained water that may have entered the sand and gravel aquifer that
the pits intersect. The following wastes were deposited at the NSL site electrical transformers, burned foundry
sand, demolition debris, slag, baghouse dusts, plaster, rubber tires, lampblack, gnndings from brake shoes (possibly
containing asbestos), waste from a local sewer cleaning company, and drums of chemicals. Lead, mercury,
cyanide, and PCBs were detected in wastes disposed of at the site. While operating the landfill, NSL was cited for
repeated violations such as inadequately covering wastes, accepting hazardous wastes for which it was not permitted,
and accepting burnable wastes (numerous onsite fires have occurred). These citations were issued by State and local
health departments.
According to the Miami Conservancy Regional Planning Commission District and the Ohio Environmental
Protection Agency, thousands of drums were buried onsite. Drums filled with used oil and liquid chemicals were
emptied directly onto the ground or into the unlined gravel pits. Many of the drums contained waste paint or other
volatile organic wastes In March 1985, leachate was observed flowing down hillsides and forming ponds in low
areas onsite
A series of EPA inspections began at the NSL site in February 1986 These inspections included a geophysical
survey of the eastern portion of the site and the installation of 21 monitoring wells in the sand and gravel aquifer
beneath the landfill This aquifer provides drinking water to 487,000 people Chemical analysis of ground water
samples and subsurface soil samples collected by EPA in June 1991, revealed elevated levels of volatile organic
compounds, heavy metals, and PCBs Several residential drinking water wells in the area are contaminated with
various organic compounds Affected residents have been connected to the Dayton municipal water supply
[The description of the site (release) is based on information available at the time the site was scored The
description may change as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination See 56
FR 5600, February 11, 1991, or subsequent FR notices j
Superfund hazardous waste srte listed under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) as ««- .
>»vis©d
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saw
UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
NATIONAL PRIORITIES LIST NPL
OERR Hazardous Site Evaluation Division Washington DC 20460
June 1993
PORT HADLOCK DETACHMENT (USNAVY)
Indian Island, Washington
Port Hadlock Detachment of the U.S.Navy, is located on Indian Island in Jefferson County southeast of the city of
Port Townsend, Washington. The 2,700-acre island is approximately 4.5 miles long and 0.5 miles wide.
The island was purchased by the Navy in 1948 to store explosives. Currently, the island receives, stores, maintains,
and issues Naval ordnance; assembles anti-submanne rocket airframes, and provides mine maintenance
Sources of hazardous waste activity at the site include municipal and industrial landfills, drum and container storage
areas, above and below ground storage tanks, bum pits, spills, and possible areas of illegal dumping. Potentially
hazardous wastes associated with the sources at the site include heavy metals, pesticides, PCBs, solvents, explosives,
paints and pigments, and acids and bases.
Site investigations conducted by the Navy in 1989 documented marine sediments contaminated with heavy metals,
PCBs, and other organic compounds. Shellfish have also been found contaminated with heavy metals and pesticides
Commercial and recreational harvesting of shellfish occurs on the beaches at the north and south ends of the island,
at Bishop's Point on the east side of the island, as well as in coastal waters surrounding the island. The beach at
the north end has been posted as closed for the collection of shellfish. Although most of the island is restricted,
civilians occasionally enter along beaches by boat to collect clams. Native Americans also are permitted access for
collecting shellfish. Fort Flagler State Park is located a few hundred feet from the north end of the island.
[The description of the site (release) is based on information available at the time the site was scored. The
description may change as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination. See
56 FR 5600, February 11. 1991, or subsequent FR notices.]
Superfund hazardous waste sits listed under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) as ar#>r«-
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UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
OEflR Hazardous Site Evaluation Division Washington. DC 20460
June 1993
PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD
Kittery, Maine
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNS) is located on Seavey Island in the Piscataqua River in Kittery, York County,
Maine. The 278-acre Seavey Island is composed of three smaller islands (formerly Seavey, Jamaica, and Dennett's
Islands) connected by 90 acres of fill. Filling of the tidal flats between the original islands took place gradually as
space needs for PNS increased. The PNS property also includes the undeveloped Clark's Island, which is connected
by a bridge to Seavey Island.
PNS, established in 1690, became a Navy shipyard in 1800. During its operational history, the shipyard was used
for construction of ships and submarines and is currently used to overhaul nuclear propulsion fleet ballistic missile
submarines and attack submarines. PNS consists of three dry docks, 6,500 linear feet of berthing, and 376 buildings
and other structures. Hazardous wastes have been stored, disposed of, spilled, and/or treated at more than 30 areas
on the site
From 1945 to 1975, untreated acidic and alkaline wastes, waste battery acid and lead sludge, waste water and spent
baths from an electroplating operation, and other wastes from various industrial shops were discharged into the
Piscataqua River via industrial waste outfalls. From 1945 until approximately 1978, 25 acres of tidal flats between
Jamaica and Seavey Islands were filled with wastes including chromium-, lead-, and cadmium-plating sludge;
asbestos insulation; irichloroethylece; methylene chloride; toluene; methyl ethyl ketone; drams of waste paint and
solvents; mercury-contaminated materials; sandblasting gnt containing various metal wastes; and dredged sediments
from the Piscataqua River
Dredged sediment samples collected in the late 1970s near the industrial outfalls were found to contain elevated
concentrations of metals, PCBs, and other contaminants Although Portsmouth Harbor and the lower Piscataqua
River are heavily industrialized, the Navy has indicated that the probable source of the sediment contamination is
the industrial outfalls at PNS In addition, hazardous substances attributable to PNS are present at elevated levels
in wetlands bordering Seavey Island
Ground water supplies drinking water to over 10,000 people within 4 miles of the site. Salmon Falls, the Cocheco
and Piscataqua Rivers, the Great Bay estuary, and coastal tidal waters within 15 miles downstream of PNS are used
for commercial and recreational fishing In addition, extensive wetlands communilies exist along surface water
bodies downstream of the PNS site
[The description of the site (release) is based on information available as the time the sue was scored The
description may change as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination. See 56
FR 5600, February II, 1991, or subsequent FR notices.]
Superfund hazardous waste sile listed under the Cotnpfehansive Envronmentai Response, CompensaDon, and Uabdity Act (CERCLA) as anriendad Rqvisgc
<©
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UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
OERR Hazardous Site Evaluation Division Washington, DC 20460
June! 1993
REDSTONE ARSENAL (USARMY/NASA)
Huntsville, Alabama
Redstone Arsenal (RSA) is located in Huntsville, Madison County, Alabama. RSA encompasses 38,300 acres,
36,459 of which the Department of the Army controls. The George C. Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC)
leases the remaining 1,841 acres. Approximately 15,500 acres are woodlands, 9,200 are leased for agricultural
use, and 4,100 are designated as the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. Morton-Thiokol Chemical Corp., a
government contractor-operator, uses a portion of RSA property for the development of solid rocket propellants
and the General Aniline and Film Corp. leases approximately 10 acres for the production of iron carbonyl.
Olm-Mathieson Chemical Co. (DDT manufacturing), Raytheon Co. (rocket motor assembly), Rohm and Haas
Allied Chemical and Dye (chlorine manufacturing), and Stauffer Chemical Co. (chlorine manufacturing) have
conducted operations at RSA in the past
Three separate military facilities (Redstone Ordnance Plant, Huntsville Arsenal, and Gulf Chemical Warfare
Depot) were established at RSA in 1941 and worked together from 1942 to 1945, producing conventional and
chemical munitions used during World War II. After the war, Gulf Chemical Depot stored captured German
chemical agents and surplus chemical munitions and agents. The munitions were buried in various locations
throughout RSA. As activities increased, the Army incorporated all lands that the three facilities previously
used into the present day RSA.
Six mustard gas manufacturing plants operated at RSA from 1942 until 1943. These plants produced substantial
quantities of sulfur monochlonde, ethylene, bnne, caustic soda, liquid caustic, chlorine, and thionly chloride.
Lewisite, a chemical warfare agent containing arsenic, was manufactured in four of the plants. Wastes
generated from lewisite manufacturing were disposed tn shallow surface impoundments.
Following World War II, the chemical manufacturing facilities were leased to private firms for production of
commercial chemicals and pesticides The manufacture of DDT and other pesticides resulted in significant
amounts of hazardous wastes Large quantities of wastewater containing DDT residues were discharged to
Huntsville Spring Branch. An 11-nule stream segment, including Huntsville Spring Branch, Indian Creek and a
portion of the Tennessee River in the Tnana area, was placed on the National Priorities List in 1983 due to past
DDT disposal practices In 1983, Olm-Mathieson, the principal DDT manufacturer, began cleanup actions
under a U.S. Justice Department consent decree.
In October 1983, RSA submitted a RCRA closure/post-closure plan for DDT Landfill Q1 RSA also submitted
a Part B permit application in May 1984. Based on information provided m the closure/post-closure plan, EPA
authorized RSA to remove DDT Landfill Q1 from its Part B permit application. Following revisions to the Part
B permit application, RSA was issued a permit for nine Hazardous Waste Storage Igloos ui Apnl 1986. RSA
submitted a revised Part B permit application on October 21, 1988. The Storage Igloos, Open Burning Pans
and four new Storage Igloos continued to operate under interim status. MSFC filed three Part A applications
for several areas on its leased portion of the site; however, MSFC submitted a closure plan m lieu of a Part B
application.
Two aquifers beneath RSA are considered interconnected and are referred to as the Tuscumbia-Fort Payne
aquifer. Three municipal systems have wells located within a 4-mile radius of RSA An estimated 39,900
people utilize the wells as their source of drinking water.
[The description of the site (release) is based on information available at the time the site was scored The
description may change as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination See
56 FR 5600, February 11, 1991, or subsequent FR nonces J
Superfund hazardous waste site listed under ihe Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) as amended ,
Revised
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UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
OERR Hazardous Sits Evaluation Division Washington. DC 20460
June 1993
RIPON CITY LANDFILL
Fond Du Lac County, Wisconsin
The Ripon City Landfill (RCL) site is located on approximately 7.3 acres of land in Fond Du Lac County,
Wisconsin. The site is approximately 0.75 miles northwest of the City of Ripon, on County Road NN, south of
the intersection with County Road FF. The site is located in a rural area with woods to the north, an active gravel
pit operation to the west, and a private residence and an agricultural field to the south. East of the site, a portion
of the old (original) gravel pit not used by RCL, is being filled with miscellaneous debris by passersby
RCL is owned by Arlene Sauer, who leased the land to the City of Ripon in 1967 for the purposes of landfilling.
In March 1968, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) issued a permit to the City for the
operation of the landfill. WDNR conducted a routine site inspection of RCL in early 1968 and discovered that the
landfill was being used to dispose of liquid wastes and containers from Speed Queen, an electnc appliance
manufacturer in Ripon Speed Queen apparently had disposed of its waste at the site since 1966 In 1973, after
reviewing the wastes Speed Queen dumped at the landfill, WDNR determined that the waste was considered
hazardous and should not be disposed of at the City landfill. Speed Queen continued to dump at the facility until
1979. In 1981, WDNR requested that the City put together a closure plan for the landfill and install new monitoring
wells since older monitoring wells were destroyed by site operations. At that time WDNR requested that the City
conduct quarterly ground water sampling at the facility, as required by State law for all closed landfills. The facility
was closed in February 1983.
During the fall of 1984, WDNR collected ground water samples from private wells surrounding the RCL. A
residential well located 500 feet south and hydraulically downgradient of the landfill contained total-1,2-
dichloroethylene, tnchloroethylene, and vinyl chloride. Due to the detection of these contaminants, WDNR sampled
a hydraulically downgradient monitoring well at the site; trans-l,2,-dichloroethylene and vinyl chloride were
delected. This sampling confirmed that the landfill was the source of contamination in the residential well
Ln June 1984 and July 1985, EPA performed a site inspection at RCL. During the inspection, EPA sampled the
monitoring wells and confirmed the presence of vinyl chloride, trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, benzene, and xylene in
ground water beneath the site. The City of Ripon is currently submitting quarterly ground water sampling results
from the monitoring wells onsite. The sampling results have found elevated concentrations of vinyl chloride in
groundwater beneath and hydraulically downgradient of the site
Ground water is the primary route through which people may be exposed to contaminants associated with the RCL
site. Within 4 miles of the site, residents obtain drinking water solely from ground water. The City of Ripon has
a population of 11,286 people and is entirely within 4 miles of the site. The City of Green Lake (southwest of the
landfill) utilizes one municipal well that serves approximately 500 people within 4 miles of the site In addition,
approximately 2,077 people, including residents, students, and workers, not served by the municipal drinking water
sources receive drinking water from private wells. There is no drinking water source other than ground water
available for people living within 4 miles of RCL
[The description of she site (release is based on information available at the time the sue was scored The
description may change as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination See 56
FR 5600, February 11, 1991, or subsequent FR notices.}
Supertund hazardous waste site listed under the Comprehensive Environmental Response. Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) as amondad
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UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
OERR Hazardous Site Evaluation Division Washington. DC 20460
June'1993
SOUTH WEYMOUTH NAVAL AIR STATION
Weymouth, Massachusetts
South Weymouth Naval Air Station (SWNAS) is located east of Pond Street (Route 18) at the southern end of
Weymouth, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, and extends into the Towns of Abington and Rockland, Plymouth
County, Massachusetts. SWNAS is approximately 1,500 acres in size. The surrounding area is suburban, with
a mixture of residential, industrial, and commercial land use.
The U.S. Navy acquired the property in 1941 and used it as a support facility for aircraft during World War
II. The facility is comprised of two active runways and approximately 200 buildings used for the support of
flight operations. Activities performed at the facility include aircraft maintenance, refueling, personnel I raining
and housing, and administrative support services.
Reportedly, station-generated wastes, some of which can be classified as hazardous, were disposed of in three
onsite landfills. The West Gate landfill operated from 1969 to 1972. The Rubble Disposal area and the Small
Landfill operated from 1972 until the mid-1980s. Flammable liquid wastes were reportedly burned in the onsite
fire fighting training area. Small amounts of waste battery acid, possibly containing lead, may have been
disposed of in a tile leachfield. The U.S. Coast Guard operates a buoy maintenance depot on the property
through an agreement with the Navy. The buoy depot reportedly sandblasted lead-based paint from buoys from
1972 until 1986. Other potential source areas onsite include 12 PCB transformers and a sewage treatment plant.
The Navy completed a preliminary assessment of SWNAS in Apnl 1988, and prepared a Draft Environmental
Impact Statement in August 1990. A site investigation of SWNAS was completed by the Navy in February
1992, and included the installation of 21 ground water monitoring wells around six of nine identified source
areas on the property. Soil samples were collected during the installation of these wells, and ground water,
surface water, sediment, and soil samples were collected from the vicinity of source areas on the property
Soil samples were found contaminated with volatile organic compounds and heavy metals. Ground water
samples collected down from the West Gate Landfill, the Rubble Disposal area, fire fighting training area, and
the tile leachfield were contaminated primarily with heavy metals
Eighteen municipal drinking water wells are located within 4 miles of source areas at SWNAS These wells
provide drinking water to approximately 74,000 people In addition, approximately 85 private drinking water
wells located within 4 miles of SWNAS draw from the same aquifer
[The description of the sue (release) is based on information available at the time the site was scored. The
description may change as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination. See
56 FR 5600, February 11, 1991, or subsequent FR notices.)
Supertund hazardous waste site listed under the Comprehensive Environmental Response. Compensation, and Liability Aa (CERCLA) as amended
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UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
PERR Hazardous Site Evafaafort Onvrebrr Washington. DC 20460
Juno 1993
UGI COLUMBIA GAS PLANT
Columbia, Pennsylvania
UGI Columbia Gas Plant is a 1.6-acre site located on Front Street in Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
From approximately 1853 to 1935, Columbia Gas used the site for gas manufacturing. Ownership of the property
was transferred to Pennsylvania Power and Light (PP&L) in 1935, and the Lancaster County Gas Company in 1949.
Lancaster County Gas merged with UGI Corporation and occupied the site until 1976, when the land was privately
purchased The property is currently used as a boat dealership. The land surrounding the site is predominantly
residential. The Susquehanna River is located approximately 400 feet southwest of the site.
The primary sources of contamination at the site include the gas holder, the relief holder pit, and a 4,200 square-
foot area of contaminated soil. The main waste streams consist of tar and purifier wastes. Hazardous substances
associated with the contaminant sources and waste streams include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile
organic compounds (semi-VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metals, and cyanide Dunng
operation of the site, overflows from an onsite tar separator were directed to an open ditch that led to the
Susquehanna River. Records show that local fishermen complained to the plant that their boats were being covered
with tar.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources (PADER) conducted a preliminary assessment cf the UGI
Columbia Gas Plant site in August 19S4. In 1985, PP&L and UGI Corp. conducted a field investigation lo
determine the nature and extent of contamination at the site. Tar was encountered in test pits dug in the gas and
relief holders and in several other test pLt and boring areas onsite. Sotl, sediment, sludge, tar, and ground water
samples collected during this investigation revealed VOCs, semi-VOCs. heavy metals, and cyanide contamination
An area of Susquehanna River sediments directly downstream of the site was found to contain tar-related
contaminants such as PAHs and cyanide.
In 1987, PP&L and UGI recovered approximately 100 cubic yards of tar-contaminated material which had been
pushed into a railroad pedestrian tunnel bordering the site They disposed of the tar sludge in a facility permitted
under EPA's Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Also during 1987, it was determined that
approximately 80 cubic yards of sediment southwest and directly downstream of the site were contaminated with
tar from the tar separator and open ditch
In January 1991 EPA conducted an expanded site inspection of the UGI Columbia Gas Plant The ground water,
soil, and surface water samples from the Susquehanna River confirmed previously reported contamination of VOCs,
semi-VDCs, PAHs, and cyanide. Within 15 miJes downstream of the site, approximately 90 people use the
Susquehanna River as a source of drinking water. Approximately 1,000 people use ground water wells within 4
miles of the site for water.
{The description of the site (release) is based on information available at the time the site wot scored. The
description may change as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination. See
56 FR 5600, February 1J, 1991, or subsequent FR norices j
Superfund haia/dous waste sua listed under Die Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Lability Act (CERCLA) as amanooo
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UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
OERR Hazardous Site Evaluation Division Washington. DC 20460
June 1993
VANCOUVER WATER STATION #1 CONTAMINATION
Vancouver, Washington
Vancouver Water Station #1 is located at East Reserve and Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard in Vancouver, Clark
County, Washington. Vancouver Water Station #1 is one of several stations that consists of ground water wells that
supply drinking water through a blended system to approximately 134,000 people. In October 1992, EPA listed
a nearby water station, Vancouver Water Station #4, on the National Priorities List.
In response to the Safe Dnaking Water Act (SDWA), ground water from the welJs at Vancouver Water Station
was sampled in 1988. Since 1988, increasing levels of tetrachloroethene (PCE) have been detected in each of the
wells comprising Vancouver Water Station #1 While levels of PCE have exceeded the EPA maximum contaminant
level established under SDWA, the City of Vancouver has used blended water from the Vancouver Water Station
#1 wells by selectively pumping lower concentration wells
An extensive soil gas and ground water study conducted by the City of Vancouver was unsuccessful in identifying
the source of contamination in Vancouver Water Station if 1 wells. In addition, a subsequent soil gas and ground
water study conducted by EPA was also unsuccessful in identifying the source of ground water contamination.
Although a definitive source has not been identified, several drycleamng facilities, gas stations, and other facilities
in the area are suspected contributors of ground water contamination.
EPA is currently considering various alternatives for further evaluation of potential sources and performing
remediation of the existing ground water contamination
{The description of the site (release) is based on information available at the time the site was scored. The
description may change as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination. See 56
FR 5600, February 11, 1991, or subsequent FR notices ]
Supertund hazardous waste site listed under the Comfxehansrve EmmonmeritaJ Raspoisa. Compensation and Liability Act (CERCUA) as amended ^ d
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