Hart Creosoting Company

Site Description

Hart Creosote, a 442-acre site in Jasper, TX (population 7,000), 8 acres of which were used to steam condition and pressure treat wood from 1958 until May 1993, using creosote. These operations contaminated the soil, surface water and ground water with polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), posing a threat to two public and 39 private wells used for drinking water and irrigation by approximately 12,000 people. Forests border the site to the north and south, an automotive detailing business is to the east, and a creek runs along the west side of the site. Approximately 1,000 people live within a one-mile radius of the site.

Current Site Status and Cleanup Actions to Date

• In 1995, EPA dismantled the existing tanks, structures and equipment, removed liquid wastes and contaminated soils, drained the on-site impoundments, stabilized the remaining sludge, and consolidated the sludge and contaminated soil into an on-site waste cell. The waste cell has been fenced and warning signs have been posted. It is approximately 2.25 acres in area and contains an estimated volume of 65,400 cubic yards.
• In July 1998, 2001, EPA investigated the extent of contamination in the unnamed tributary to Big Walnut Run Creek and the on-site waste cell.
• The cleanup plans will be finalized in July 2003. EPA plans to clean up the contaminated soil through a biological treatment, remove pockets of concentrated creosote material from the unnamed tributary, and then use plants in a process called in-situ phytoremediation (PDF 88KB, 2 pages) to act as a source control measure until long-term remedies are implemented.
• A cleanup contract has been signed by EPA and the State of Texas.

Current Funding Status

• To date, EPA has spent approximately $2.6 million for removal action and design work at this site.
• EPA's actions taken to date have considerably lessened the potential for human health or environmental exposure. EPA has determined that this site does not pose an immediate threat to human health, and will continue to monitor this site for changes that may trigger additional action. EPA will consider funding for this site in Fiscal Year 2004.

For more information on this site, please read the Fact Sheet (PDF 178KB, 7 pages) on the Region 6 Superfund Web site.

Key Accomplishments