Amnicola Dump

• Site Profile
• Administrative Record Index (All PDF): OU1 (12 pp., 603K), ESD (1 pp., 26K), Deletion (2 pp., 68K)
• 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 Amnicola Dump site is an 18-acre inactive construction debris disposal site located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The site is situated along the eastern bank of the Tennessee River in an industrial area, a half mile upstream from the city's water intake. During the 1930's the site was reportedly used for clay mining operations. These operations resulted in several waterfilled pits. The Amnicola site was operated as a dump from 1970 until 1973 by the City of Chattanooga. The dump operations were closed in 1973 due to concerns over unauthorized dumping and the discharge of leachate from the site into the Tennessee River. Elevated levels of 10 inorganic compounds were detected in the leachate streams. Water quality downstream in the Tennessee River was not noticeably affected. The site owner reportedly handled, stored, and burned creosote-contaminated railroad ties. This activity has contributed to the elevated creosote contamination in the site's surface soil. Approximately 150,000 people live within a 2-mile radius of the site. There are no residences located within the immediate 2-mile radius of the site.

On-site surface soil and debris contained polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Groundwater monitoring indicated that chromium levels exceeded the primary drinking water standards in one monitoring well. No site-related contaminants have been found in the city's water supply. Direct contact with contaminated soil could have posed a threat to human health and the environment prior to site cleanup.

Cleanup Progress: Construction Completed
In September 1991, the EPA issued a ROD for the site. Later in 1991, EPA and the parties potentially responsible for site contamination signed a Consent Decree that required these parties to design the selected cleanup remedies and clean up the site. These activities included excavating and disposing of contaminated soil and debris off site and backfilling the area with crushed stone. The Consent Decree also stated that the site would undergo quarterly groundwater monitoring to ensure the continued effectiveness of the remedy.