Gulfco Marine Maintenance
Superfund Site
Freeport, Brazoria County, Texas
EPA Region 6
EPA ID: TXD055144539
Site ID: 0602027
U.S. Congressional District 14
Contact: Gary Miller 214-665-8318
Updated: July 2015
Current Status
The Site achieved the construction completion milestone on September 9, 2011, because the removal work
was completed and the selected remedy did not require any new construction. Implementation of the
remaining operation and maintenance work for the Site will be performed according to a Consent Decree,
which is being prepared now.
The EPA issued a Unilateral
Administrative Order, effective July
29, 2005, to the Gulfco Respondents
to perform a remedial investigation to
define the nature and extent of
contamination at the site, and to
prepare a Feasibility Study to identify
and screen remedial action
alternatives.
A Proposed Plan outlining the Site
history, investigation results, and the
Preferred Alternative for remediation
was issued, and a public comment
period on the Proposed Plan ended
on August 22, 2011. A public meeting
was also held on August 4, 2011 to
present the Proposed Plan and
receive comments.
The Record of Decision issued on September 29, 2011, selected a final remedy including institutional
controls, groundwater monitoring, and an operation and maintenance program for inspection and repair of the
cap over the former impoundments.
Background
The Site is located in Freeport, Texas at 906 Marlin Avenue (or County Road 756). The Site consists of
approximately 40 acres along the north bank of the Intracoastal Waterway between Oyster Creek (one mile to
the east) and the Texas Highway 332 Bridge (one mile to the west).
lulfco Marine
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EPA Publication Date: July 10, 2015
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Marlin Avenue divides the Site into two primary areas. The property to the north of Marlin Avenue (the North
Area) consists of undeveloped land and the closed surface impoundments, while the property south of Marlin
Avenue (the South Area) contains a dry dock, sand blasting areas, and two barge slips connected to the
Intracoastal Waterway. Adjacent property to the
north, west, and east of the North Area is
unused and undeveloped. Adjacent property to
the east of the South Area is currently used for
industrial purposes. The property to the west of
the South Area is currently vacant and
previously served as a commercial marina.
Residential areas are located south of Marlin
Avenue, approximately 300 feet west of the
Site, and 1,000 feet east of the Site.
The site operated as barge cleaning and repair
facility from 1971 to about 1998. Barges
brought to the facility were cleaned of waste
oils, caustics, and organic chemicals. Three
surface impoundments in the North Area were
used for storage of waste oils, caustics, various
organic chemicals, and waste wash waters
generated during barge cleaning activities until 1981. The impoundments were closed in 1982. Shallow
groundwater (salt water) below the former impoundments has been found to contain various organic
chemicals including 1,1,1-trichloroethene, tetrachloroethene, and IrichloroethsJ-.
Commented [MG1]:
In October 2010 the EPA and the Gulfco Respondents signed a Consent Order, which required the
Respondents to remove the storage tanks located in the southern part of the site. The removal work began in
November 2010 and was completed by February 2011 with the exception of six roll-off containers which
remain on-site waiting on disposal facility capacity. These roll-off containers were removed in March 2011.
Benefits ¦
Remediation of the contaminated area reduced human health risks associated with the contaminants at the
site. Further, revitalization of the area will encourage reuse or redevelopment plans.
National Priorities Listing (NPL) History
Proposal Date:
Final Listing Date:
September 2, 2002
May 30, 2003
Population: Approximately 78 people live within the one square mile area surrounding the Site, and 3,392
people live within 50 square miles. The population of the City of Freeport is 12,800.
Setting: The Gulfco site lies along the north bank of the Intracoastal Waterway between Oyster Creek to
the east and the Old Brazos River Channel and the Dow Barge Canal to the west. It is
approximately 40 acres in size. A fence has been installed around the property south of Marlin
Avenue to restrict land access. A wetland area is located north of the site.
Hydrology: The Chicot and Evangeline Aquifers underlie the Site. Ground water flow in the aquifers is to the
southwest. A shallow, briney ground water zone also exists within a few feet of the surface.
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EPA Publication Date: July 10, 2015
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Site Map
Wastes and Volumes
Approximately 74,500 gallons of aqueous liquids and 14,150 gallons of hydrocarbon liquids located within the
former storage tanks were transported off-site for incineration. The former storage tanks contained volatile
organic compounds including benzene, chloroform, dichloroethane, and trichloroethylene. These tanks were
demolished and removed from the Site. In addition, contaminated soil below the tanks to a depth of 5.5 feet
was removed and transported off-site for incineration. The excavated area was back-filled with clean soil.
The former surface impoundments consisted of three earthen lagoons used for the storage of wash waters
generated from barge cleaning operations. Covering an area of approximately 2.5 acres combined, the
impoundments were three feet deep with a natural clay liner.
The closure activities completed in 1982 included the removal of liquids and most of the sludges, and
solidification of approximately 100 cubic yards of residual sludge that was difficult to excavate. The former
impoundments were capped with three feet of clay and a hard-wearing surface {i.e., shell). The sludges
covered by the cap include various organic compounds such as trichloroethane; 1,1-dichloroethene;1,2,3-
trichloropropane; 1,2-dichloroethane; benzene; methylene chloride; tetrachloroethene; trichloroethene; and
vinyl chloride.
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EPA Publication Date: July 10, 2015
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Health Considerations
Implementation of the tank removal action and placement of institutional controls has addressed the risks at
the Site. Long term protectiveness will be achieved with complete implementation of the remedy selected in
the Record of Decision.
Record of Decision
The Record of Decision, which was issued on September 29, 2011, selected a final remedy including
institutional controls, groundwater monitoring, and an operation and maintenance program for inspection and
repair of the cap over the former impoundments.
Community Involvement
Involvement Plan:
Open Houses:
Proposed Plan:
Public Meeting:
Technical Assistance Grant:
Information Repository:
November 2004
October 2005; August 22, 2003
July 18, 2011
August 4, 2011
September 26, 2002 and May 15, 2003
No Final Applications received
Freeport Branch Library
410 Brazosport Boulevard
Freeport, Texas 77541
(979) 233-3622
Site Contacts
EPA Remediation Project Manager:
Gary Miller
(214) 665-8318
State Project Manager:
Anna Lund
(210) 403-4020
State Community Relations Coordinator
John Flores
(512) 239-5674
EPA Public Liaison
Donn R. Walters
(214) 665-6483
EPA Site Attorney:
Anne Foster
(214) 665-2169
EPAToll-Free Telephone Number:
(800) 533-3508
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EPA Publication Date: July 10, 2015
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