The current street address that most closely matches the location of the former fertilizer plant is 2390 Baker Hospital Boulevard, North Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina. The lat/long is 32.8371 degrees east and 79.9700 degrees west. The former fertilizer plant was located on approximately 11 acres along the Ashley River (riverfront). The site is currently bounded to the west by the Ashley River, to the north by the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce and the former Baker Medical Center, to the east by commercial development and King Street, and to the south by the Rhodia site (formerly Albright and Wilson VCC).

Several investigations have been performed at the Site by ARCADIS (on behalf of Exxon Mobile) and other property owners. However in 2008 ARCADIS, on behalf of Exxon Mobile, collected samples to support a Removal Site Evaluation.  Information obtained during the RSE prompted an interim removal action to address soils in the vicinity of a playground at the Osprey Place Apartments. A summary of the interim removal action is presented in the following section. ARDACIS returned to the Site in 2009 to perform a more comprehensive investigation of soils and sediments on the Ashley Properties (both undeveloped and developed properties) and presented this information along with the information associated in the RSE in the Site Investigation Report (ARCADIS, 2010).

The samples collected during the RSE and Site Investigation Report indicated that lead and arsenic, two common contaminants of concern associated with fertilizer production, were present in soil and sediment. The concentrations of lead and arsenic in soil and sediment exceeded the Site Specific Action Levels (27 ppm arsenic and 400 ppm lead) proposed by Exxon Mobile for the VCC sites. These Site Specific Action Levels are similar to EPA’s Removal Action Levels (39 ppm arsenic and 400 ppm lead) for these contaminants.

Soil and sediment removal areas were initially outlined in the Scope of Work Plan (Figures 3A,3B, 3C for soil and Figures 4A, 4B for sediment). The contractors mobilized to the site during the week of September 31, 2011. Initial Site activities consisted of the installation of erosion and sediment controls, construction of haul road, erecting a security fencing, and performing utility clearance at the properties. Following these activities Entact began clearing and grubbing operations.

The excavation work began with the removal of sediment along Ashley River, followed by removal of the sediments along the Tidal Backwater Area, and eventually proceeded to soils along the area designated as Upland Soils adjacent to the Osprey Pointe and Osprey Place Apartments. Confirmation samples (post-excavation samples) were collected within the footprint of each excavation area.

The excavated soils and sediments were stockpiled and sampled for waste disposal. A portion of the soils and sediment were amended with Enviroblend and Blastox, respectively, in order to attain the RCRA TCLP standard of <5 ppm lead and arsenic. The analytical results for the amended as well as the non-amended soil and sediment demonstrated that the soils and sediments could be disposed as non-RCRA hazardous waste. All soils and sediments were transported to Waste Management Oakridge Landfill (Subtitle D landfill), 2183 Highway 78, Dorchester, South Carolina (888) 964-9730. The disposal activities were completed  on February 11, 2012.

The removal action will continue with restoration activities consisting of sod placement and the planting of trees and shrubs. Exxon Mobile will ensure that the vegetation associated with the restoration activities is well established and thriving.

Suspected asbestos containing material (ACM) was discovered during soil excavation activities in an area between the Osprey Place Apartments (building D) and the Ashley River. This area was previously identified as being utilized as a landfill by the City of Charleston. The area containing suspect ACM was surveyed, covered with demarcation liner, and covered with clean fill material (soil).