Marion Pressure Treating Company

Site Description

The Marion Pressure Treating Company (MPTC) site, a 22-acre site located in Union Parish, Louisiana, is a former wood treating facility that applied creosote to wood products as a preservative. From 1964 through 1983, the facility released creosote contaminated wastewater on site, contaminating the site with volatile and semivolatile organic compounds, specifically polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The facility closed in 1989 when the company declared bankruptcy.

Current Site Status and Cleanup Actions to Date

• From 1994 through 1995, EPA studied the extent of the site's surface soil, sludge, surface water, and ground water contamination.
• In 1997, EPA removed creosote sludge from tanks at the facility, excavated contaminated soil and debris, and consolidated and securely covered the former process area.
• In 1999, EPA and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality completed additional investigations at the site and found volatile and semivolatile organic compounds, specifically polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
• In 2000, EPA studied the extent of the contamination and sampled the town's drinking water system to ensure that no groundwater contamination reached water supply wells. A fence was also installed around the site to restrict access.
• In September 2001, EPA released its proposed cleanup plan for public comments, conducting both an open house and a public meeting to gather the community's input into the cleanup decisions.
• The final cleanup plan for the site was released in June 2002.
• EPA continues to monitor the site to ensure there is no immediate threat to human health or the environment pending the start of long-term cleanup work.

Current Funding Status

• Approximately $5 million has been spent to complete the above work.
• EPA has determined that this site does not pose an immediate threat to human health, and will continue to monitor this site for any changes that may trigger additional action. EPA will consider funding new work at this site in Fiscal Year 2004.

For more information on this site, please read the Fact Sheet (PDF 131KB, 6 pages) on the Region 6 Superfund Web site.

Key Accomplishments