Bayer Corp Damascus, Virginia The Road to Reuse ~~~ Closed in 1986, the 53-acre former Bayer Corp (Bayer) facility is located in Damascus, Virginia, adjacent to the Beaverdam Creek, approximately one-half mile south of the Damascus town center and approximately 12 miles south of Abingdon, Virginia. The Virginia Tennessee state line is one-half mile south of the plant. The manufacturing facilities associated with a former textile dye plant occupied approximately 6 acres at the northern end of the property. This Bayer property is a RCRA corrective action facility and conducted the RCRA Facility Approximate total acres and current use Approximate Acres in Reuse-. 53 Current Use: Recreational trails, restaurant and inn, conference center Investigation pursuant to an Administrative Consent Order issued March 30, 1989. Past activities that may have impacted the environment include land disposal activities, use of surface impoundments for wastewater treatment, and chemical use, storage, and t ransport associated with manufacturing operations. In 1995, the company expressed a desire to expedite cleanup of the property given its intention to donate the land to the City of Damascus. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) worked with Bayer to develop interim measures to expedite the cleanup process, resulting in a reduction in time for site cleanup and cost savings for both Bayer and EPA. EPA's final decision announcing that the site was clean was the key to having the property successfully donated to the City of Damascus. The City of Damascus received a Department of Housing and Community Development grant to develop walking trail on the part of the property, which is located near the Appalachian Trail. They were also funded to create a multi-use recreational park with soccer, football and baseball fields. Construction of the park is planned to start in winter 2009. The City's goal is to have the walking link the park to the Appalachian Trail. M, www. epa.Rov/rea3wcmd/correctiveciction.htm For More Information EPA Region 3 Contact: Luis A. Pizarro, ------- |