Mid-Atlantic Superfund

EPA Region 3 (Mid-Atlantic)

Virginia
Chesapeake County

EPA ID# VA5170000181

2nd Congressional District

Last Update: August 2009

Other Names

None

Current Site Status

Site 2:
The Navy has finalized the Remedial Investigation (RI) for Site 2 after review by EPA and VADEQ. Phases of the RI have examined the nature and extent of contamination in soil, shallow and deep groundwater, and sediments. Risk drivers at Site 2 include TCE and daughter products (cis-1,2-DCE and Vinyl Cholride), as well as, chloroform and methylene chloride. In addition, the waste of the underlying landfill has not been fully characterized and is assumed to pose a potential risk to human health and the environment. Remedial alternatives have been examined in the feasibility study for Site 2. The Navy, EPA, and VADEQ are currently in the process of preparing a proposed plan that will go out for public comment. This document should be finalized in FY 2010.

Site 5:
A Non-Time Critical Removal Action (NTCRA) is currently in progress for the Site 5, the former Burning Grounds. During the excavation, a munition and explosive of concern (MEC) was found at Site 5. Following Navy health and safety policy, worked has been ceased until the potential risk from the munition could be addressed. Once precautions are taken to address potential arcs associated with the MEC, work will resume. The task consists of excavating the entire waste/burnt soil area as well as several other large areas and hotspots that are contributing to the overall human health and ecological risk at the site. As part of the NTCRA, a portion of the excavated area will be established as an upland area, another portion as a transitional area, and the remaining portion as a wetland. Provided no other munitions are encountered during the excavation, the Navy and stakeholders are tentatively planning to have a decision document prepared in early 2010.

Site 21:
The final Site 21 Remedial Investigation (RI) report that defines the nature and extent of contamination at the site has been finalized. Historical activities at the site have included machine, vehicle and locomotive maintenance, electrical shops, munitions loading facilities and equipment and chemical storage. Contaminants of concern identified during the RI include; TCE, cis-1,2-DCE and Vinyl Cholride. Risk drivers have been found in the shallow groundwater and are currently being investigated in the indoor air due to the nature of the contaminants (volatile organic compounds). The Navy and EPA have finalized a feasibility study looking at remedial alternatives to address the groundwater contamination at Site 21 . The proposed remedy at Site 21 is the injection of a reducing agent (ZVI) in hot spots with the injection of Emulsified Vegetable Oil (EVO) in the lower concentration portions of the plume. EVO is used to enhance the naturally occurring dechlorination process that is currently going on at the site. The Navy is also currently evaluating the potential for vapor intrusion to the buildings above the Site 21 groundwater plume. Workers in the vicinity of Site 21 have been moved from the buildings within the footprint of the plume and will return to the buildings once it is determined to be safe to do so.

Site Description

The St. Juliens Creek Annex (U.S. Navy) is located in southeastern Virginia at the confluence of St. Julien’s Creek and the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River in the city of Chesapeake. The northern boundary of the annex is the boundary between the cities of Portsmouth and Chesapeake, Virginia. The Elizabeth River and St. Juliens Creek form the eastern and southern boundaries, respectively, of the annex. Also to the north are residential developments and a road bed of the Norfolk and Western Railroad, and to the south lie sewage disposal and industrial waste ponds and residential developments. A residential section of Chesapeake City abuts the annex on the west. Norfolk Naval Shipyard is located less than one mile to the north. St. Juliens Creek Annex occupies approximately 490 acres, including 407 acres of land, 14 acres of marsh, and 69 acres of surface water.

The St. Juliens Creek Annex began operations in 1849 as an ordnance and material storage facility. In 1898, the facility was equipped for assembling ammunition. From 1898 to 1970, the facility was used to supply ammunition to the fleet in addition to loading, assembling, issuing, and receiving naval gun ammunition, and conducting experimental and test loading for new ammunition.

In 1969, St. Juliens Creek was disestablished under U.S. Department of Defense and was consolidated as an annex to the Naval Weapons Station, Yorktown, Virginia. Ordnance operations at the facility were terminated in the 1970s.

In 1977, the annex was transferred to the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. In 1995, it was transferred to Naval Base, Norfolk, and then it was transferred to Naval Station, Norfolk, in 1996. St. Julien’s Creek Annex currently provides administrative offices, light industrial shops, and storage facilities for tenant naval commands. Its primary mission is to provide a radar testing range (35 acres) and various administrative and warehousing structures.

Site Responsibility

This site is being addressed through Federal actions.

NPL Listing History

This site was proposed as an NPL site on February 4, 2000. The site was formally added to the list in the July 27, 2000, making it eligible for federal cleanup funds.

Threats and Contaminants

Former operations at the facility that generated potentially hazardous substances include metal plating, degreasing, painting, operation of hydraulic equipment, vehicles and locomotives, ordnance loading, ordnance testing, ordnance disassembly, ordnance destruction, pest control, maintenance of lead-acid batteries, and printing. Trash and garbage generated from the facility was disposed in on-site dumps. Wastes were typically disposed in low areas, which are wetlands. Beginning in the late 1930s, waste ordnance materials were disposed on site. On-site disposal and storage of waste created numerous sources of potential contamination, including landfills and an ordnance disposal (burning) area. Sources of potential contamination located on the facility include four landfills, an ordnance disposal area, an ordnance burn pit, a hazardous waste disposal area, a waste storage area, and a pesticide disposal area. These sources were noted because of their potential to release to the surface water surrounding the facility, i.e. Blows Creek, St. Julien’s Creek, and the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River.

An observed release of metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) from the sources to St. Juliens Creek and the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River has been documented. The Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River provides habitat for numerous species that are identified as threatened or endangered under federal or state legislation. In addition, wetlands are associated with the river. Both St. Juliens Creek and the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River are used for recreational fishing.

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

Cleanup Progress

Investigations continue at three additional sites (Sites 2, 5, 21) which may require removal and/or remedial actions.

A Non-Time Critical Removal Action (NTCRA) at Site 19-Building 190 was completed in May 2006. to address the Elevated Subsurface polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Metallic Slag areas. The action was comprised of excavation of contaminated soils and backfilled with imported clean fill. A final Closeout Report for Site 19 was completed in December 2006.

With the completion of two non-time critical removal actions at two areas (Site 3: Landfill C, and Site 6: Ordnance Disposal Pit) unacceptable risk to human health and the environment has been eliminated. As a result, No Further Action Records of Decisions (RODs) have been completed for Sites 3 and 6.

A ROD has also been signed at an additional area (Site 4: Landfill D). The selected remedial action for this site includes partial removal/consolidation of fill material, a soil cover and Land Use Controls (LUCs).

A Baseline Ecological Risk Assessment for Blows Creek Watershed was completed in 2006 and recommended No Further Action.

A Site Screening Assessment and Background soil and groundwater Investigation have been completed.

Contacts

Site Contacts