Charles Macon Lagoon and Drum Storage

• Site Profile
• 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 Charles Macon Lagoon and Drum Storage Site located in Richmond County, North Carolina consists of two non-contiguous, independently owned parcels of land: a 40-acre tract owned by relatives and heirs of Charles Macon, and a one-acre tract owned by the Dockerys'. From 1979 through 1981, Mr. Macon operated the Site as a waste oil disposal and recycling plant, and an antifreeze manufacturing facility. In May 1981, Mr. Macon leased the recycling plant to C & M Oil Distributors which operated the Site until March 1982. A site inspection by the North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources revealed that waste oil was stored in 12 unlined and partially lined lagoons which were overflowing and contaminating the surrounding ground. The inspections also discovered 175 55-gallon drums containing various chemicals in various stages of deterioration which were broken or leaking. During the remedial investigation, the groundwater was found to contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), notably tetrachloroethene, trichloroethene, benzene, and vinyl chloride. Tetrachloroethene and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were discovered in the soil.

Cleanup Progress: Construction Completed
In November 1983, EPA conducted an early response action at the Site. A final cleanup decision (ROD) for the Site was signed in September 1991. In June, 1992, EPA issued a unilateral administrative order to the potentially responsible parties to conduct the design and construction of the remedy. Removal and off-site disposal of the remnants of a lagoon was completed in October 1994. Construction of the soil vapor extraction (SVE) system and the groundwater pump-and-treat systems were completed in January 1996. Both the SVE and groundwater remediation systems were operational in February 1996. The groundwater treatment is expected to last approximately 30 years; the SVE system, approximately 3 years (actual operating time). A five-year review was completed in FY00. The review concluded that the SVE system could be terminated because the soils were successfully remediated and the groundwater pump and treat system will continue. The SVE system was terminated in FY00. All associated equipment was subsequently removed. Remediation levels were reached in the groundwater of one of the four treatment areas; therefore treatment in that area was terminated in March 2004.  A second five-year review was completed in 2005.  The review concluded that the groundwater pump and treat system was operating as designed and should continue. Treatment continues in three areas.  The system continues to operate as designed.  The next five-year review will be completed no later than September 2010.