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Mid-Atlantic Cleanup
Current Site Information
EPA Region 3 (Mid-Atlantic)
Delaware
New Castle County
14th Street, Wilmington |
EPA ID# DE0000122218
1st Congressional District
Last Update: November
2004
No future updates
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Other Names
None
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Current Site Status
The U.S. Envrionmental Protection Agency (EPA) performed an aggressive cleanup which is now complete and has alleviated concerns over public health and environmental justice issues. Excavation and off-site disposal of approximately 85,000 tons of lead- and PCB-contaminated soils, debris, scrap iron and other wastes have been completed. Where possible, soils were treated on-site prior to disposal, resulting in significant cost savings. The third phase of the Removal action, excavation and disposal of the lead- and PCB-contaminated streambank and associated mudflats, has also been completed. A temporary water diversion structure was installed to allow streambank and mudflat excavation while limiting the impact to creek waters. Innovative riparian wetlands restoration techniques were used to restore important tidal wetlands.
Site Description
The Diamond State Salvage Site is a $11.9 million Superfund Removal action to clean a 4.2-acre former salvage yard located on the banks of the Brandywine Creek in a residential community near downtown Wilmington, Delaware. The site is contaminated with lead and PCBs. This action will mitigate the potential public exposure to and ongoing discharge of lead and PCBs into the Christina River/Delaware Watershed.
On-site removal of oily waste will likely continue through the end of the Removal action. Weather permitting, excavation to remove lead and PCB contamination in the streambank and sediments will begin following installation of the water diversion structure, expected by March 2000, and will be completed in late Spring or early Summer 2000. Additionally, based on the significant amounts of PCB-contaminated oil encountered on-site and under the streambank, as well as other EPA costs, EPA is considering a request from the On-Scene Coordinator for additional funding to allow completion of this Removal action, to a total of approximately $16.7 million.
Initially elected officials’ concerns were focused on public safety and equity. Today their interest is focused on future land use. The property is owned by a defunct corporation. The owners have offered to give the property to the City if EPA will waive the owner’s potential Superfund liability. As the owners caused the problem and were unresponsive, that offer is unacceptable. The City has other options to acquire the property without EPA waiving the significant costs incurred through the cleanup.
- Site Responsibility
- This site is being addressed
by an EPA Superfund Removal Action
- NPL Listing History
- This site is not on the National
Priorities List.
Threats and Contaminants
The principle contaminants at the site are lead and PCBs. Direct contact was the principle threat. The salvage yard and shoreline were extensively and significantly contaminated with lead and PCBs. River sediments, and surrounding roads and properties were also contaminated. Lead and PCBs were found in soils up to 6 feet deep on Site. In all, nearly 80,000 tons of lead and PCB contaminated soils were found at the Site.
Cleanup Progress
Since May 1998, EPA has secured and temporarily stabilized the Site.
Site buildings and structures have been demolished and removed. Soil contamination
outside the former salvage yard property fence has been excavated and
restored, and most Site contamination has been excavated and properly
disposed off-site. Approximately 80,000 tons of contaminated soils have
been excavated and disposed. EPA has performed the following:
- 6,000 tons of lead- and PCB-contaminated debris were excavated and
disposed off-site.
- 55,000 tons of lead- and PCB-contaminated soils were excavated and
disposed off-site.
- 5,000 tons of PCB-contaminated Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
regulated wastes have been excavated and disposed off-site.
- 12,000 tons of RCRA hazardous wastes, which are highly contaminated
with leachable lead and PCBs, were excavated, treated and disposed.
- Since May 1998, EPA collected and analyzed over 2,000 soil, air,
and water samples in order to determine the extent, depth, and character
of site contamination, and to monitor and determine the safety and effectiveness
of Removal activity. These data show that the cleanup has been safe
and effective.
- EPA Region III sought and received approval of $11.9 million to clean
up the Site.
Contacts
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