Wyckoff Facility Soils and Groundwater Cleanup Area
EPA divided the Wyckoff-Eagle Harbor site into three cleanup areas (called "operable units"). The Wyckoff Facility Soils and Groundwater Operable Units, also called OU2/4, is located on the south side of Eagle Harbor and includes soil and groundwater that became contaminated during decades of wood treating operations at the former Wyckoff facility. Learn about EPA's other cleanup areas at this site.
Cleanup Status
Additional cleanup is needed in the soil and groundwater.
The containment remedy from the 2000 Record of Decision has prevented large-scale releases of contaminants into Eagle Harbor, but the sheet pile wall and groundwater extraction system has not stopped contaminants from seeping into intertidal The area of shoreline between the high tide and low tide marks. sediments along East Beach and North Shoal.
Current cleanup activities
In May 2019, EPA issued a second cleanup decision to address upland soil and groundwater contamination at the former wood treating facility at the site. The May 2019 cleanup plan modifies the earlier containment cleanup decision issued in 2000.
In 2022, EPA completed pre-construction design fieldwork including vegetation clearing, geophysical surveying, air and noise monitoring, sub-surface drilling, test pitting, and infiltration testing. EPA also conducted an in-situ solidification/stabilization (ISS) pilot study. This fieldwork supported ongoing construction design for additional work associated with the former Wyckoff facility (OU2/4).
Cleanup will begin with demolition of the former thermal pilot test system and replacement of groundwater wells in order to make room for the soil cleanup. Future activities include replacing the perimeter sheet pile wall with a reinforced concrete wall and in-situ soil stabilization (ISS) of heavily contaminated upland soils and groundwater. Additional improvements include outfall replacement, stormwater management, and a vegetated soil cap.
Past cleanup activities
Several stages of cleanup activities have been completed at the site. In the 1990s, EPA demolished buildings at the former Wyckoff facility, removed wood treating chemicals left in tanks and pipes, and hauled away contaminated sludge, soil, and debris. EPA also installed groundwater extraction wells and took over operation of the onsite treatment plant.
In the 2000s, EPA evaluated thermal treatment technologies at the site by conducting a thermal pilot test of steam-enhanced extraction to remove contaminants from soil and groundwater. After the pilot test, EPA determined that steam-enhanced extraction could not meet the cleanup goals and implemented the containment remedy from the 2000 Record of Decision. A metal sheet pile wall was installed around the perimeter of the uplands to prevent migration of contaminants to Eagle Harbor.
Related Documents
- Fifth Five-Year Review Report (pdf) - July 2022 (site-wide, including Wyckoff Facility)
- Record of Decision Amendment for Soil and Groundwater Operable Units (pdf) - May 2019
- Record of Decision Amendment for East Harbor and Soil and Groundwater Operable Units (pdf) - May 2018
- Record of Decision for Soil and Groundwater Operable Units (pdf) - February 2000
You can also search for more site documents in EPA's publicly available collection.