United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region VI
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

The Pointe Coupee Site is an inactive wood preserving facility which used PCP to treat wood products.  Dioxins and furans, potential by-products associated with sites where PCP was used, were also identified as contaminants of concern, as well as poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).  The Site was operated  from the early 1950s through 1988.  The action involves the removal of wastes in containers, tanks and the onsite pressure vessel.  The action also involves the excavation of soil contaminated with dioxin, PCP and PAHs.

For additional information see POLREP 1.

On September 18, 2006 The Superfund Division Director, Samuel Coleman signed an Action Memorandum to address the contaminated soil and waste at the site.  The removal action was initiated following the completion of negotiations with the property owner to address access issues.

All removal activities at the site have been completed.   All wastes in tanks and other containers, including the pressure vessel have been evacuated and sent off-site for appropriate disposal.  Depending on its origin, construction and demolition debris generated during removal activities has been sampled and sent for appropriate disposal.  Scrap metal generated on-site was appropriately sized and decontaminated prior to being sent for offsite as scrap. A total of 43 grids were excavated to between 6 inches to 3 feet below ground surface.  EPA and LDEQ entered into a Response Action Contract to excavate additional contaminated soils between 0 to 3 feet, based on LDEQs removal criteria of .384 parts per billion (ppb) of dioxin. Because of the limited space available on-site excavated soil was continuously restaged to facilitate excavation, stockpiling and transportation activities.

EPA and LDEQ hosted an Availability Session on July 17, 2008 for the Pointe Coupee Site.  The session had a turnout of between 15 and 20 people.  Community member were given the opportunity to ask questions of both EPA and LDEQ representatives.  Questions varied from the duration of removal activities to issues of potential exposure.


On September 1, 2008 Hurricane Gustav made Landfall in Houma, LA.  The hurricane caused high winds and some flooding at the site.  However adequate precautions were taken to secure the site in advance of the hurricane.  

On September 9, 2008, Superfund Division Director, Samuel Coleman, gave verbal authorization for an increase in the action memo ceiling and a one year extension.

All activities outlined in the action memo have been completed.  There are no future actions planned.

All key issues for this site have been identified and resolved.

• 133 tons of C&D debris (microencapsulated)
• 1,734 tons of EPA incinerable spoil (incinerated)
• 60 tons of EPA landfillable spoil (landfilled)
• 10 tons of process residuum (incinerated)
• 20 yd3 of non-hazardous debris (landfilled)
• 15 yd3 of F032 hazardous debris (incinerated)
• 20 yds of D037 hazardous debris (landfilled)
• 4 drums of HHW (flammable liquid, batteries, flammable solids, and oxidizing liquid) (treated and landfilled)
• 2 yd3 of E-Waste
• Approximately 30,000 gallons of storm contact and decontamination water (incinerated)
• 615 tons of LDEQ incinerable spoil (incinerated)
• 169 tons of LDEQ landfillable spoil (landfilled)