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The Browning Lumber Company operated a sawmill at this location until 1998. The company also operated a pressure treatment facility for lumber on this property till 1996. The company was in the business of manufacturing pressure treated cribbing and supports for the underground mining industry. Chromated - Copper Arsenate (CCA) was used in the process and the company obtained an EPA ID number for hazardous waste activity in June 1987.
In July 2002, the Site was inspected by West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP). This inspection revealed that the former wood treating operation had not been completed closed and contaminatation, specifically chromium and arsenic, from the process still existed on the Site.
WVDEP has requested that EPA Region 3 take the lead in conducting a full assessment of the Site and take actions to mitigate the threats at the Site.
After performing an analytical evaluation and consulting with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registrar, the OSC has determined that an immediate removal action must be taken.
ENSR performed low-flow groundwater sampling on monitoring wells MW-5, MW-5, MW-7, and MW-8 at the Site. Prior to sampling, the locations of the new monitoring wells were surveyed by Benchmark Surveying, Inc. (WV-licensed surveyor). All groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for total and dissolved arsenic, chromium and copper via EPA Method 6020. Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) samples were also collected.
Sample results found total arsenic ranged from 2.0 to 7.3 micrograms per liter (ug/L) and dissolved arsenic ranged from 2.3 to 7.6 ug/L. Dissolved arsenic was detected in monitoring wells MW-5 to 6.0 ug/L and MW-7 at 7.6 ug/L above the standard (4/5 ug/L) set forth by the Administrative Settlement Agreement for drinking water at the point of compliance, however, the results were qualified as estimated due to method bland contamination. Arsenic, chromium, and copper were not detected above EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for drinking water. Currently groundwater is not being used as drinking water at the Site. Groundwater at the Site flows to the west-norhtwest.
Also, during this reporting period, ENSR has prepared draft documents (application and agreement) to enter the Site into the West Virginia Voluntary Remediation Program (VRP). The VRP requires that the current property owner enter into a voluntary agreement with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Trustee ("the Trustee") and West Virginia. The draft documents have been submitted to the property owner for review.
OSC will continue to coordinate site activities with ENSR and state officials.
ENSR will continue to inspect the Site on a monthly basis to monitor Site security and erosion and sediment controls. ENSR will also perform a receptor survey of groundwater targets within 1000 feet of the Site.
The Trustee will continue to seek the property owner's participation in the VRP.
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