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NPL Site Narrative for Norfolk Naval Base (Sewells Pt Nvl Cmpx)
NORFOLK NAVAL BASE (SEWELLS POINT NAVAL COMPLEX)
Norfolk, Virginia
Federal Register Notice: April 1, 1997Conditions at Proposal (June 1996): The Norfolk Naval Base (NNB) is located on 4,631 acres, directly northwest of the City of Norfolk, Virginia. The Naval Complex includes Norfolk Naval Base as well as other Naval Facilities. The facility is bounded by Willoughby Bay to the north, the confluence of the Elizabeth and James Rivers (forming Hampton Roads) to the west, and the City of Norfolk to the southeast. Land in the area surrounding NNB is used predominantly for industry. NNB provides shore facilities and logistics support for Navy vessels and aircraft. There are reportedly 260 tenants on the base who support Navy activities worldwide. Wastes generated at NNB include halogenated and non-halogenated solvents; corrosives; battery electrolytes; paint wastes; wastes from electroplating operations; contaminated petroleum, oils and lubricants; and off-specification, excess, or out-of-date commercial chemical products. In addition, the facility manages used oils, construction debris, PCBs, contaminated oils, general trash, and materials that contain asbestos.
Eighteen potential sources of contamination have been identified at NNB. Twelve potential sources were not evaluated because sampling data are lacking. The six sources evaluated include the Camp Allen landfill, the slag pile, the Q Area drum storage yard, the transformer storage area, the pesticide disposal site, and the CD landfill. The site may include other sources and suspect areas.
Ground water samples from the sources revealed volatile organic compounds (VOCs), metals, PCBs, and pesticides at elevated concentrations. Soil samples from the sources revealed metals, VOCs and semi-VOCs, pesticides, and PCBs at elevated concentrations. An observed release to drainage ditches surrounding the Camp Allen landfill has been documented. The drainage ditches contain wetlands subject to contamination.
Surface water runoff from the six sources flows either to the Elizabeth River or to Willoughby Bay, which converges with the Chesapeake Bay approximately 3-4 miles downstream from the sources. The Willoughby Bay drainage basin includes wetlands and fisheries. Fisheries within 15 miles downstream of the site in Willoughby Bay and the Chesapeake Bay are subject to potential contamination from NNB.
Status (April 1997): A Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study has been completed and cleanup remedies have been selected for the Camp Allen Landfill, CD Landfill, Q Area Drum Storage Yard, and the LP-20 area. Construction of a ground water treatment system has been completed for the Camp Allen Landfill. Site investigation work has started at eight other disposal areas.
For more information about the hazardous substances identified in this narrative summary, including general information regarding the effects of exposure to these substances on human health, please see the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) ToxFAQs. ATSDR ToxFAQs can be found on the Internet at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html or by telephone at 1-888-42-ATSDR or 1-888-422-8737.