The Ecusta Mill is a former flax pulping and paper manufacturing facility that was built in 1939 and was operational until 2002. Cellophane production also occurred at the facility for approximately 30 years. In addition, the following activities have occurred at the Site: chlorine production operations using Sorenson mercury cells (electro-chemical building); caustic storage; water and wastewater treatment; and printing. EPA's Removal Program and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NC DENR) first responded when the plant was closed down in 2002. Of primary concern were potential releases from an interruption of power to the basement sumps under the production buildings. The EPA Environmental Response Team conducted sampling of the concrete floor, the sub-floor, and soils under the electro-chemical building and sediments in on-site ditches. This sampling confirmed the presence of mercury in the sub-floor structures to 16 feet below ground surface (580 mg/kg) and the floor drains (260 mg/kg) of the electro-chemical building, in the indoor air and in the overland drainage ditches which had received historic discharge from the building.
An Expanded Site Inspection (ESI) was conducted by EPA Region 4, Science and Ecosystem Support Division and the State in March, 2004. The ESI focused on two main areas of concern, the electro-chemical building and the Aeration and Sedimentation Basin (ASB) area. Mercury was detected in soils adjacent to the electro-chemical building, in sediments in the on-site drainage ditches and in sediments of the Davison River immediately adjacent to the manufacturing area. The ESI also confirmed soils and sediments in other areas of the site are contaminated with mercury and dioxin. Groundwater sampling has confirmed low-levels of mercury in groundwater near the electro-chemical building, low levels of carbon disulfide and 1,1-Dichloroethane near the cellophane plant, and a high pH reading (pH 12.17) in the area of a previous caustic spill.
The total Site is approximately 527 acres in a mixed-use residential/industrial area. The manufacturing facility is approximately 213 acres. The ASB has a surface area of approximately 75 acres and was used for wastewater treatment. The ASB also receives storm water from approximately one-third of the site, including those areas historically most actively involved in paper production. The following industrial solid waste landfills are located at the Site: the Island landfill, the new ash landfill; the old ash and sludge landfills which are unlined industrial landfills which do not have permit numbers issued. The previous site owner is in the process of closing all landfills in compliance with State permit requirements.
A small arms firing range has been historically operated on the Site south of the main manufacturing operations on a largely undeveloped parcel of land near the confluence of the Davidson and French Broad Rivers. Lead impacted soil has been document from the historic firing range.
Renova Partners, a Brownfields redevelopment company purchased the property in January 2008. Renova formed a subsidiary company Davidson River Village, LLC (DRV) who is conducting complete demolition of all on-site structures prior to site redevelopment. D.H. Griffin was retained by DRV to conduct the demolitiion.
DRV is conducting the Removal Activities at the site under an AOC with EPA. They have hired Shaw Environmental as the lead environmental contractor. Removal Activities include a Time Critical Removal Action and 2 Non-Time Critical Removal Actions.
Shaw continuing sampling crushed concrete/brick debris.
Shaw performing field survey of the coal yard to determine capacity for cellophane soil
placement.
DH Griffin shipping loads of scrap metal to DH Griffins Greensboro office for recycling.
DH Griffin shipping lead impacted brick to Republic landfill.
DH Griffin continuing demolition of buildings 60,62.
DH Griffin continuing crushing operations in the north end of the site.
DH Griffin continuing demolition of building slabs 16,20,87,88.
DH Griffin continuing removing utilities behind building 62.
DH Griffin continuing perimeter dust monitoring.
Mountain Environmental completing removing weak liquor from building 56 chests and
transferring to the clarifier.
DRV continue discharging from the north clarifier into the ASB.
Shaw continue slab assessment activities in building slabs 75,87.
Shaw collecting samples from crush material for lead analysis.
Shaw completing slug testing and the step drawdown test in the caustic area.
Shaw and DH Griffin will continue the building clearance process.
Shaw will continue collecting samples for crushed debris.
DH Griffin demolition activities will continue in buildings cleared.
DH Griffin will continue loading out scrap, C&D debris and non-hazardous materials.
DH Griffin will continue removing utilities less than 4 ft below ground level.
DH Griffin/ Shaw will continue slab removal and investigation process.
DH Griffin and Mountain Environmental will continue with OHM material T & D.
DH Griffin will continue T & D of lead impacted brick.
JD Galloway will begin T & D of starch.
Shaw will continue site wide sub slab analysis and documentation.
State/federal regulators will continue to investigate arsenic soil background levels.
Shaw will install additional wells near the caustic area and begin pump and slug testing.
Mike Singer discusses the desire to investigate on site treatment of water generated form site
activities, in part due to the mercury issues. Jennifer mentions that DWQ will have the
final say.
Shaw is awaiting the results for collected environmental samples from the geotech
borings.
The drillers and Shaw are still developing a plan to perform the deep samples at the
seven ditch transects.
Olin final report is coming soon will be delayed will a re-excavation for shallow PAH
exceedences is conducted at SB-03.
Jennifer asked about the “clean criteria’’ for the black liquor chests debris. Mike Singer
responded the debris could be washed to visually clean but that black liquor is not a site
contaminant of concern.
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