Mid-Atlantic Superfund

EPA Region 3 (Mid-Atlantic)

Maryland
six miles southeast of downtown Baltimore
Anne Arundel County

EPA ID# MD4690307844

2nd Congressional District

Last Update: August 2009

Other Names

None

Current Site Status

The Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard was listed on the National Priorities List (NPL) on September 5, 2002.

EPA performed a preliminary assessment of the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard in 1993 and identified 13 potential sources of contamination. Four of the sources were petroleum related materials according to the U.S. Coast Guard which are exempt from Superfund cleanup laws. Six of the nine remaining areas were evaluated to prepare Hazard Ranking System package, which was considered by EPA headquarters in its decision to place the facility on the NPL.

In September 2008, EPA and the Coast Guard signed a Federal Facility Agreement as required by Section 120 of CERCLA, as amended by SARA.

Site Description

The Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard occupies 113 acres on the east side of Curtis Creek, south of Hawkins Point Road. The site is six miles southeast of Baltimore in Anne Arundel County. The facility provides support for the U.S. Coast Guard, including the design, construction and repair of ships and boats. During its peak use during World War II, the yard was a fully operational shipbuilding facility employing over 3,000 workers round-the-clock.

Site Responsibility

The U.S. Coast Guard is responsible for the site.

NPL Listing History

Proposed to the National Priorities List in September 2001. Final Date: September 5, 2002.

Threats and Contaminants

Former site related activities are suspected to have to contributed to contamination of soils, groundwater, surface water and sediments at the site. Samples collected at the site show that the soil is contaminated in certain areas with semi-volatile organic compounds, metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides and dioxin. Sediment samples taken in Curtis Creek have indicated elevated metals concentrations suspected to be associated with dry-dock operations. Current Coast Guard activities/waste management practices have been modified and/or discontinued to minimize contribution potential future release of contaminants from the site.

Contaminant descriptions and risk factors are available from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, an arm of the CDC.

Cleanup Progress

A Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS) was completed for Site 1 (Curtis Creek Sediments) It was determined that the low levels of contamination in the sediment do not pose an unacceptable risk to Human Health or the Environment. A No Action Record of Decision (ROD) for Site 1 was signed in September 2007.

Soils at Site 4 (former salvage lot), which contained elevated levels of lead and PCBs, were excavated and removed from the Yard under a Removal Action conducted between November 2007 and March 2008. A No Further Action ROD was signed for Site 4 in May 2009.

An RI/FS has been completed for Site 7 (former Burn Pit). The Proposed Remedy includes excavation of contaminated soils and treatment of contaminated groundwater. A ROD is expected to be signed by September 2009.

An RI/FS is ongoing for Site 8 (former incinerator area). Four additional Areas of Concern are also under investigation as part of an Expanded Site Investigation.

A Public Health Assessment (PHA) was completed and finalized by the Agency for Toxic and Disease Registry (ATSDR). The results of the PHA did not determine that Coast Guard activities in the area have contributed to or have the potential to contribute adverse impact to workers or residents in the area.

The Coast Guard has proposed to the Citizen Advisory Group (CAG) to scale back the number of meetings from quarterly to biannual meetings with community representatives and industry to keep them informed of site activities and as a forum to solicit questions and concerns.

Contacts

Site Contacts