NPL Site Narrative for Garland Creosoting GARLAND CREOSOTING Longview, Texas Federal Register Notice: October 22, 1999 Conditions at Proposal (July 1999): The Garland Creosoting site is located in Gregg County, Longview, Texas, and encompasses the approximately 12-acre property formerly used by the Garland Creosoting Company for the manufacture of creosote-treated wood products. Garland Creosoting Company began wood treating operations at the facility in 1960 and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in February 1997. Investigations conducted while the facility was operational and subsequent to its closure indicate that hazardous substances used in the wood treating process have contaminated on-site soil, ground water underlying the site, and nearby surface waters. Prior to 1985, wastewater generated by the Garland Creosoting facility system was treated and discharged to five surface impoundments to allow evaporation. Bottom sludges created in the surface impoundments are classified as a hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Reportedly, the facility discontinued use of the surface impoundments in 1985 and diverted treated wastewater to the City of Longview wastewater collection and treatment system. A sixth surface impoundment was used at the facility to contain wastewater in the event of a spill from the process area or wastewater treatment plant. ------- In May 1986, Garland Creosoting decided to close the five surface impoundments used as wastewater evaporation ponds. A subsurface investigation indicated that the ground water in the vicinity of the impoundments was contaminated, and 12 ground water monitoring wells were installed. In November 1989, the five surface impoundments were capped, leaving the creosote contaminated sludge and soil in place. In June 1990, the facility was issued a post-closure care permit for the impoundments requiring that Garland Creosoting install, operate, and monitor a ground water recovery system to address the contamination. A ground water collection trench was installed to intercept free creosote product and creosote- contaminated ground water. The trench drained into a sump from which the recovered ground water was pumped to the wastewater treatment system and, following treatment, discharged into the City of Longview system. During operation of the system, the facility reported the presence of free creosote product in some of the monitoring wells and ground water contamination by creosote-related substances. In May 1997, following Garland Creosoting's bankruptcy filing, TNRCC inspected the facility. The inspection revealed that the ground water treatment system had ceased operation and a dark oily substance was observed flowing downhill from the ground water collection trench sump into an intermittent creek running along the southern border of the site. TNRCC inspectors observed a 1,400-square-foot area of soil saturated with creosote between the sump and the intermittent creek. Stressed vegetation, stained soil, and creosote seeps were noted along the bank of the intermittent creek. Ten 55-gallon drums with labels indicating hazardous wastes were found in an unlocked building. TNRCC initiated an emergency response action in May 1997 to abate ongoing discharges and stabilize the site. The intermittent creek along which the stressed vegetation, stained soil, and creosote seeps were observed runs downstream approximately 1/3 mile where it meets the Iron Bridge Creek southwest of the site. Approximately 1 and 3/4 miles downstream from its confluence with the intermittent ------- creek, Iron Bridge Creek flows into the Sabine River. During a November 1997 TNRCC site visit, seven sediment samples were taken from the intermittent creek and Iron Bridge Creek. Analyses of these samples indicated the presence of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and dibenzofuran, contaminants commonly associated with creosoting processes. PAHs and other creosote-related contaminants were detected in samples collected from the surface impoundments, ground water collection sump, and intermittent creek. Both Iron Bridge Creek and Sabine River are actively fished for flathead catfish, blue catfish, white bass, channel catfish, crappie, large mouth bass, and spotted bass. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, these fish are primarily caught for human consumption. In addition, wetlands exist along the banks of Iron Bridge Creek and Sabine River throughout the 15-mile distance considered potentially susceptible to contamination from the site. The paddlefish, a listed endangered species in the State of Texas, inhabits the waters at the confluence of Sabine River and Iron Bridge Creek, and is also considered potentially susceptible to contamination from the site. Status (October 1999): EPA is considering various alternatives for the site. [The description of the site (release) is based on information available at the time the site was evaulated with the HRS. 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.] For more information about the hazardous substances identified in this narrative summary, including general information regarding the effects of exposure to these substances on human health, please see the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) ToxFAQs. ATSDR ToxFAQs can be found on the Internet at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html or by telephone at 1-888- 42-ATSDR or 1-888-422-8737. ------- |