North Hollywood Dump

• Site Profile
• Administrative Record Index: Deletion (PDF, 10 pp., 567K)
• Public Hearing Notice for July 2, 2002 on Bankruptcy Settlement (PDF, 2 pp., 7K)
• Bankruptcy Settlement Document (PDF, 89 pp., 321K)
• Additional Site Documents including Five Year Reviews, Records of Decisions (ROD) and Explanation of Significant Differences (ESD).
• For documents not available on the website, please contact the Region 4 Freedom of Information Office (http://www.epa.gov/region4/foiapgs/submit.htm).

Site Background:
The 70-acre North Hollywood Dump site was used as a municipal dump from the 1930s until the City closed it in 1967. In the late 1940s, the Hayden Chemical Company used the dump to dispose of wastes generated in the production of sodium hydrochloride. Hayden later was bought out by Velsicol Chemical Corporation, which continued the practice of dumping at the site. At one time, pesticide-contaminated sludge from a closed sewer line leading to the Velsicol plant was removed and buried in a small area at the site. The dump was also used for the disposal of other industrial wastes from plants in the Memphis area. In 1980, the EPA found pesticides and heavy metals (including lead, copper, and arsenic) in surface soil, groundwater, and pond sediments on the dump. Due to high community concerns in the early 1980s, the State of Tennessee recommended this site as the State's highest priority hazardous waste site. Approximately 10,000 people live within 3 miles of the dump site.

Cleanup Progress: Construction Complete
In 1980, the EPA took an emergency action to slow the movement of contaminants from the site. Also, the EPA installed a chain-link fence around the site and began a program to monitor the on-site wastes. In 1981, a technical assistance group made up of representatives from the State, the City of Memphis, Shelby County, local industry, and the EPA, removed some of the chemical wastes from the surface. In 1982, the EPA assumed the lead role from the State to complete investigations into the nature and extent of contamination. The potentially responsible parties took over the study in 1984. The study was completed in 1990.

EPA issued a ROD for the site in September 1990. The selected remedy included: placement of a 2-foot clay cap, grading, and revegetation over the landfill area; dredging and capping of contaminated sediment in the adjacent 40-acre "Abandoned Dredge Pond"; and removal of fish found to be contaminated, followed by re-stocking of the pond. In addition, the site was fenced and restrictions on future use of the site have been put into place. In early 1991, two responsible parties entered into a Consent Decree with the EPA to perform remedy design and cleanup activities at the site. The design of the remedy was completed in late 1993. Cleanup activities began in early 1994; the capping and grading of the landfill and the drum removal was completed in 1995. Dredging and covering of sediments in the Abandoned Dredge Pond began in 1995 and were completed in 1996. Actual physical construction was considered complete by EPA on July 1, 1997. EPA published a Notice of Intent to Delete the Site from the NPL on October 10, 1997, and the closing date for comments was November 10, 1997. EPA received no comments. The Site was deleted from the NPL with an effective date of December 31, 1997.

Monitoring and maintenance activities continue in accordance with the terms of the Consent Decree. Groundwater samples taken periodically around the site have consistently met performance criteria. Fish tissue data submitted during November 1999 to May 2001 indicated that fish in the Abandoned Dredge Pond contained pesticide levels exceeding cleanup goals. In September 2003, fish were again removed from the Abandoned Dredge Pond and additional fencing installed at the Site. These measures limit access and fishing and reduce potential risk associated with eating contaminated fish. Signs posted around the pond note that consumption of fish taken from the pond may be a health hazard.  Long term monitoring of groundwater, surface water, and fish will continue.