United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Heizer Creek Landfill Site
Poca, Putnam County, West Virginia
— Ongoing Cleanup Status Update—
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency—Region 3
August 2008
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in cooperation with the West Virginia Department of
Environmental Protection (WVDEP), continues to oversee the cleanup action at the Heizer Creek Landfill Site,
located in Poca, WV. The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide the following: an update on the ongoing
cleanup activities; background information; and additional online sources to the community.
Cleanup Continues
The Heizer Creek Landfill Site is undergoing a
cleanup to address on-site soils that are contaminated
with a chemical called 2,3,7,8-TCDD, also known as
dioxin. Monsanto (now known as Pharmacia), with
state and federal oversight, is performing the
following cleanup activities:
• sampling sediment and surface water
• excavating contaminated soils and consolidating
them on-site
• placing a vegetative soil cover over the
consolidated soil
• preparing a storm water management plan that
will help prevent erosion of the cover, and keep
the contaminated soil from moving off-site.
This work is expected to be completed in autumn
2008, pending weather conditions and work
schedules. Additional restrictions, such as land use
restrictions for the Site, may then be put in place to
help protect the integrity of the cover.
Site Background and Timeline
The Site is located on Heizer Creek Road,
approximately one mile northeast of Poca, Putnam
County, West Virginia. The Site is near the
Pocatalico River, and consists of the Heizer Creek
Landfill and a small portion of a strip mine, which
operated in the 1940s.
From about 1948 to 1969, Monsanto operated their
facility located in Nitro, WV, resulting in production
by-products that contained dioxin. Monsanto
reportedly used the Heizer Creek Landfill for
approximately one year for the disposal of facility
wastes. The landfill was closed in 1960.
EPA investigated the Heizer Creek Landfill Site in
the 1980s, to address the dioxin-contaminated soils
found on-site. This resulted in a cleanup action
performed by Monsanto (the Potentially Responsible
Party, or "PRP").
In 1998, EPA performed additional sampling from
the landfill and a nearby stream. The results of the
sampling revealed the presence of dioxin in some
soils with a small amount of dioxin found in the
stream. Based on these results, Monsanto agreed to
conduct an investigation, called an Engineering
Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) in order to
identify and recommend an appropriate cleanup
remedy for addressing the dioxin contamination at
the Site. In 2005, EPA approved the EE/CA report
and recommended cleanup remedy. Cleanup
activities at the Site are currently ongoing.
Photo: Onsite excavation work June 2008
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Photo: Onsite excavation work June 2008
For more information, visit these websites:
^ EPA'sHeizer Creek Landfill Site:
www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/super/sites/
WVD980538656/index.htm
^ EPA's Administrative Records:
www.epa.gov/arweb
If you have additional questions,
please contact:
^ Irish Taylor,
Community Involvement Coordinator, at:
215-814-5539ortaylor.trish@epa.gov
^•Dennis Matlock, On-Scene Coordinator, at:
304-234-0284 or matlock.dennis@epa.gov
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 3
1650 Arch Street (3HS52)
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Attn: Irish Taylor
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