Mid-Atlantic Superfund

EPA Region 3 (Mid-Atlantic)

Maryland
Baltimore County
Rosedale

EPA ID# MDD980918387

2nd Congressional District

Last Update: March 2009

Other Names

68th Street Dump/ Industrial Enterprises, Inc.

Current Site Status

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and 19 settling parties signed a Consent Agreement in May 2006 to conduct the investigation and evaluation of cleanup options following EPA's Superfund Alternative Site (SAS) process. The SAS process is identical to the Superfund program except the Site will not be finalized on EPA's National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL is a list of hazardous waste sites that may pose long-term human health or environmental risks requiring investigation under the Superfund Program. EPA proposed the Site for the NPL in January 1999 and re-proposed the Site in April, 2003. EPA, the Settling Parties, and the Maryland Department of the Environment recently completed a Non-Time Critical Removal Action to remove hazardous debris from the surface of the landfills. The Site Team will continue coordinating with the public for their input regarding the future use of the area during the investigation of the five inactive landfill areas which began in July 2008.

Site Description

The 68th Street Dump Site is an approximately 165-acre site located near the town of Rosedale in Baltimore County, Maryland. The western edge of the site is adjacent to the border between the City of Baltimore and Baltimore County.

In September 1953, Mr. Robb Tyler was issued a permit by the Maryland State Health Department allowing him to operate a sanitary landfill on the site property. Operations included the landfilling of industrial and commercial refuse and uncooled incinerator ash from the city of Baltimore, as well as the use of numerous pits for the dumping of waste oils. Throughout operation of the original landfill, inspection reports indicate numerous troubles associated with the disposal of wastes at this site including uncontrolled fires, inadequate covering of refuse, nuisance odors, improper disposal of drums and other salvageable materials, and the migration of oil and/or refuse into the adjacent surface waters of Herring Run and Moore’s Run. In July 1955, a state health department official recommended that this landfill be closed.

In 1956, Mr. Tyler leased a portion of land from Industrial Enterprises, Inc. and expanded the landfill and disposal operations. Inspection reports prepared during the active period of this landfill indicate that operations included the disposal of refuse in the floodplain, the dumping of waste oil into a pit excavated near Herring Run, and the salvaging of metal containers and cardboard. In addition, historical reports and recent visits to the site have documented the presence of various types of refuse on the ground surface, including tires, numerous 55-gallon drums, and other industrial wastes. In August 1979, state inspectors discovered approximately 23 drums buried in the western portion of this landfill. Samples of the materials in the drums revealed the presence of potentially hazardous concentrations of heavy metals.

An additional dumping area, the island area landfill, was formed during Mr. Tyler’s landfilling and disposal operations. The island landfill is located in the Herring Run channel between the Industrial Enterprises landfill and the Baltimore County Pumping Station. Operations at this landfill included the spreading of uncooled incinerator ash and the landfilling of 55-gallon drums. Contamination from previous landfilling activities is also located in the north central portion of the site near Redhouse Run.

Site Responsibility

This site will be addressed through federal, state, and potentially responsible parties' actions.

NPL Listing History

This site was proposed to the National Priorities List of the most serious uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites requiring long-term cleanup action on January 19, 1999. EPA has re-proposed the site to the National Priorities List on April 30, 2003. The original 60-day public comment period was extended 30 days to close on July 30, 2003. EPA is currently considering the comments received.

Threats and Contaminants

Hazardous substances detected at the site include volatile organic compounds, semi-volatile organic compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and metals. Surface water bodies associated with the site include Herring Run, Moore’s Run, and Redhouse Run.

Cleanup Progress

EPA conducted an Expanded Site Inspection in the Spring of 2000, with following-up sampling in February 2001. The Settling Parties combined this data with previous results and prepared an Interim Data Gap Analysis Report to identify areas requiring additional information. An early removal action was conducted in the summer of 2008 to remove contaminated surface soils, containers, gas cylinders, empty drums and batteries. A Remedial Investigation and Feasability Study are currently underway to evaluate the extentent of contamination and develop alternatives to clean up the Site.

Contacts

Site Contacts

Administrative Record Locations