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.
DARI ACM abatement crews continue working in building 62 and start east end piping.
DH Griffin demolition activities continue in buildings cleared in phase I and III.
DH Griffin recycling contractors will continue removing recyclable supplies and
equipment.
DH Griffin will perform perimeter dust monitoring.
DH Griffin pulling up slab foundation of bldg 40.
DH Griffin cutting up AST tanks using "shears".
DH Griffin continue abatement of bldg 29 and 37.
Shaw moving excavated soil from rifle range that was treated using concrete mix.
Shaw continue moving hot spots from olin area.
DARI ACM abatement crews will continue working in building 62 and start east end piping.
DH Griffin demolition activities will continue in buildings cleared in phase I and III.
DH Griffin recycling contractors will continue removing recyclable supplies and equipment.
DH Griffin/ Shaw will continue slab removal and investigation.
DH Griffin and Mountain Environmental will continue to remove OHM materials.
DH Griffin will perform perimeter dust
monitoring.
DH Griffin will install additional erosion control measures in the sedimentation basin
drainage and excavate utilities adjacent to the south ditch.
Shaw will collect samples for lead paint, dust and crushed debris.
Shaw, DH Griffin and Mountain Environmental will continue the pre-demolition clearance process.
Shaw and NCDNR will continue to investigate soil arsenic background levels.
The next steps involve awaiting clearance from EPA and state on contaminant levels from the olin area.
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