NCD980602163_20010717_Warren County PCB Landfill_SERB C_Landfill Updates, 1999 - 2001-OCR

BACKGROUND:
STATUS OF THE PCB LANDFILL
DETOXIFICATION AND REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT
WARREN COUNTY, NC
July 17, 2001
In the late 1970s over 30,000 gallons of oil contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were illegally sprayed
along approximately 210 miles of state roadways. Listed as a Superfund site by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
the roadsides were excavated and the contaminated soils disposed in a Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) permitted landfill
built in Warren County. Residents and civil rights leaders vehemently protested the construction of the PCB Landfill. These
protests are considered the ''watershed event" that brought the issue of environmental justice to the national level.
Governor James B. Hunt Jr. made a commitment to the people of Warren County in 1982 that if appropriate and feasible
technology became available, the state would explore detoxification of the landftll. In 1995, $1 million was appropriated to study
detoxification technologies. Warren County citizens and members of various environmental organizations were invited to join
state employees in a joint partnership to assess the condition of the landfill and explore detoxification. The group was designated
the Warren County PCB Working Group (WG), and later became the Citizens Advisory Board (CAB).
DETOXIFICATION STUDIES:
With staff of the Division of Waste Management (DWM), independent science advisors, and the WG, an extensive site
investigation was performed. It included the installation of additional monitoring wells, boring into the landfill to extract soils for
testing, and bench scale detoxification studies. Twelve different technologies were considered. Following vigorous testing and
using stringent guidelines and treatment goals for both PCBs and dioxin, it was determined that Base Catalyzed Decomposition
(BCD) was the best technology for the detoxification of the PCB Landfill. The BCD process utilizes non-incineration chemical
reactions to detoxify the PCBs and dioxins/furans in the contaminated soils. Chlorine atoms are chemically removed from the
PCB and dioxin/furan molecules, and replaced with hydrogen, to form biphenyls, which are non-hazardous. Treated soil is
returned to the landftll and organics are recycled or disposed off site as a non-hazardous waste.
CURRENT FUNDING AND SPENDING:
In 1999, an additional $1 million was appropriated and $7 million made available to match federal funds for the
detoxification effort. The EPA offered several in-kind services valued at approximately $500,000 to aid in the detoxification of
the landftll in August 2000. The in-kind was deemed as federal funding by the Office of State Budget, thus making available the
$7 million reserved for the project.
Several contracts have been executed for the project. A Technical Community Advisor was hired in June 2000 to help
communicate technical information to the community. Earth Tech was contracted in November of2000 as oversight contractor to
represent the state's interests during the detoxification. IT Corporation was hired as the detoxification contractor based on
qualifications and low bid in March of 2001
EPA in Regions IV is also provided grants totaling approximately $180,000 over two years for the training that will be
required for workers on the project and for community outreach. The finalists have been selected and it is anticipated that the
grants will be awarded within the next month.
This funding, while significant, is not enough to cover the entire cost of the detoxification; therefore, a two-phased
approach is being used to implement the project. Phase I includes site preparation, equipment mobilization, performance and
permit demonstrations, and the treatment of a limited amount of contaminated material from the landftll. Phase II completes the
detoxification, demobilizes the equipment, and restores the site to a condition ready for development Both phases also include
tasks to develop a plan for the future use of the site. An additional $7.5 million will be needed in early 2002, to contract and
complete Phase II. The project could then be completed in October 2002, which is the 20th anniversary of the landfill.
IMPLEMENTATION OF DETOXIFICATION PROJECT:
A groundbreaking ceremony was conducted on June 11, 2001 to celebrate the beginning of work at the site. Staff from
both Earth Tech and IT Corporation has been mobilized to the site to direct and oversee project work. Site preparation, which
includes installation and upgrading of utilities, clearing of trees, grading, and installation of concrete pad for the equipment, is
underway and should be completed by October. The TSCA permit application for the treatment system has been submitted and
EPA is beginning the process of contracting for tlie analytical services that will required as part of their in-kind services.
Equipment modification and fabrication is underway at an off site facility. Mobilization of the treatment equipment to the site is
scheduled for November.
FOR QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE PROJECT CONTACT:
Mike Kelly, Director ofDENR Disaster and Emergency Response [phone]
Pat Backus, PCB Landfill Project Manager [phone] ext. 308
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WARREN COUNTY PCB LANDFILL DETOXIFICATION PROJECT
PUBLIC MEETING
MAYl0,2001
1. When will the work begin?
A The general contractor, The IT Group, will begin site clearing on June 4th• Construction of the
treatment facility will continue for the remainder of the year.
2. What is the BCD treatment process?
A BCD stands for base-catalyzed decomposition. Soils and a small amount of sodium bicarbonate
(baking soda) are heated in a thermal treatment unit until the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
evaporate and are separated from the soils into a gas stream. The gases are cooled to collect the
PCBs, which are then treated in a separate reactor. Base, such as sodium hydroxide (lye) is added
to the reactor as a catalyst to speed up the breakdown, or decomposition, of the PCBs. Exhaust
gases are treated with activated carbon before discharge to the atmosphere. Because the gases are
cooled to below air temperature, the discharged gas stream has a very low flow rate, less than that
of a bathroom vent.
3. How do we know this treatment is safe?
A The contractor must first prove to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that their system
is effective and will meet the tight standards for thermal treatment of PCBs. The contractor will
first prepare a pennit application that will be reviewed by the North Carolina Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The pennit application will then be sent to EPA
for approval. Once the pennit is approved, the contractor will ready their equipment for
treatment and then conduct a preliminary test and three full-scale treatment tests. This is called
the performance demonstration. EPA will monitor these tests and perform air sampling of the
treatment equipment. The oversight contractor will collect air samples on the perimeter of the
property for comparison with health-based standards. Only when the contractor has demonstrated
that their process is safe and effective will they begin treatment of the remainder of the landfill
soils.
4. When will they start treating the soils?
A The performance demonstration test is scheduled for January and February of 2002. Treatment of
the soils will continue if the sampling results show that the process is effective and safe and if
funds are available to continue the decontamination project.
5. Will any materials go off-site for treatment?
A The objective is to treat all materials on site. Treated soils will be tested and then placed back
into the landfill if they meet the treatment standards. The collected PCBs will be treated and the
· resulting oils will be sent to a recycling operation for use as in fuel blending. Only if the
collected PCBs cannot be treated or if there is no recycling option at the time will they be sent off
site for incineration. The expected volume of collected PCBs is small, much less than one
percent of the total volume of soils that will be treated.
In addition, the landfill liner and any large debris that cannot be treated on site will be sent off site
to a landfill. This volume will also be much less than one percent of the landfill soils.
6. How long will the project last?
A. If additional funding is provided, treatment will be complete by November 2002. The site can
then be developed for other uses, such as a park or recreation facility. The contractor will leave
the site by January 2003.
7. How do I apply for a job on the project?
A. The IT Group has published a list of available positions. Subcontractors have also been asked to
indicate if they plan to hire additional personnel for the project. Please contact Sandy Williams at
the Warren Family Institute (257-1134) for more information.
8. I may have more questions later. Who should I contact?
A. For now, please contact the Community Advisory Board office at 257-1948. The PCB Landfill
Hotline, a toll-free number, will be set up shortly to better answer questions regarding the project.
Notice of the new number will be sent to everyone on the mailing list and advertised in the paper.
Or, you can call Pat Backus or Mike Kelly of the NCDENR in Raleigh at:
Pat Backus: [phone], x308
Mike Kelly: [phone]
2
BACKGROUND:
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NCDENR
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
D. E. Benton, Chief Deputy Secretary
March 7, 2001
STATUS OF THE PCB LANDFILL
DETOXIFICATION AND REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT
WARREN COUNTY, NC
In the late 1970's over 30,000 thousand gallons of oil contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were illegally
sprayed along approximately 210 miles of state roadways. Listed as a Superfund site by the US Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), the roadsides were excavated and the contaminated soils disposed in a Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) permitted
landfill built in Warren County. Residents and civil rights leaders vehemently protested the construction of the PCB Landfill
These protests are considered the "watershed event" which brought the issue of environmental justice to the national level
In 1982, Governor James B. Hunt Jr. made a commitment to the people of Warren County that if appropriate and feasible
technology became available, the state would explore detoxification of the landfill. In 1995, $1 million was appropriated to study
detoxification technologies.
Warren County citizens and members of various environmental organizations were invited to join state employees in a
joint partnership to assess the condition of the landfill and explore detoxification. The group was designated the Warren County
PCB Working Group (WG).
DETOXIFICATION STUDIES:
With staff of the Division of Waste Management (DWM), independent science advisors, and the WG, an extensive site
investigation was performed. It included the installation of additional monitoring wells, boring into the landfill to extract soils for
testing, and bench scale detoxification studies.
Twelve different technologies were considered. Two technologies, Base Catalyzed Decomposition (BCD) and Gas Phase
Chemical Reduction, were found to be appropriate and potentially feasible for the Warren County Landfill. Following vigorous
testing and using stringent guidelines and treatment goals for both PCBs and dioxin, it was determined that BCD was the best
technology for the detoxification of the PCB Landfill.
The BCD process utilizes non-incineration chemical reactions to detoxify the PCBs and dioxins/furans in the
contaminated soils. Chlorine atoms are chemically removed from the PCB and dioxin/furan molecules, and replaced with
hydrogen, to form biphenyls, which are non-hazardous. Treated soil is returned to the landfill and organics are recycled or
disposed off site as anon-hazardous waste.
With the selection of a detoxification technology the mission of the WG was fulfilled. In August of 1999 the group was
reestablished as the Citizens Advisory Board (CAB) with a new mission to continue the efforts to detoxify the landfill and to serve
as a liaison between the state and the community at-large.
DESIGN ACTIVITIES:
A Phase II, Preliminary Draft Design Plan based on the BCD detoxification studies estimated the maximum cost for the
entire project to be under $24 million. In 1998, an additional $2 million was appropriated to begin the detoxification effort using
BCD. In 1999, a chemical/environmental engineer was hired by tl1e DWM to be fue project manager and a contract for a Phase III
Final Design was issued.
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1,,,:,,,, Y Several meetings were held with EPA TSCA personnel in Atlanta (Region IV) and Washington, DC (Headquarters) to
solicit input on the final design and to outline permitting requirements for the detoxification. The final design package was
completed in March of 2000. In addition to design drawings and technical specifications, the package included a Community
Outreach and Involvement Plan to ensure that residents and local business have an opportunity to receive financial benefits from
the detoxification project
CURRENT FUNDING:
In 1999, an additional $1 million was appropriated and $7 million made available to match federal funds for the
detoxification effort. However, because of tl1e tremendous relief effort needed after Hurricane Floyd, approximately $1.4 million
of previously appropriated funds were reverted to the state budget Efforts to obtain federal matching funds were also suspended
in deference to Hurricane Floyd needs.
In August of 2000, the EPA offered several in-kind services to aid in the detoxification of the landfill. Their offer
included technical and analytical assistance to obtain the TSCA permit needed for the BCD process and tl1e waiving of the federal
portion of the BCD licensing fee. This assistance was valued at over $500,000. In September, the Office of State Budget
indicated these services qualify as federal funding thus making available the $7 million reserved for the project.
This funding, while significant, is not enough to cover the entire cost of the detoxification, tllerefore, a two-phased
approach is being used to implement the project. Phase I includes site preparation, equipment mobilization, performance and
permit demonstrations, and the treatment of a limited amount of contaminated material from the landfill. Phase II completes the
detoxification, demobilizes the equipment, and restores the site to a condition ready for development. Both phases also include
tasks to develop a plan for the future use oftlle site.
The project was competitively bid and awarded to tlle lowest bidder, tlle IT Corporation, at cost of $13.5 M. Phase I can
be contracted now, but an additional $7.5 million will be needed by the fall of 2001 to continue to Phase II. Monies have been
reserved to close, recap, and restore tlle landfill to TSCA requirements should Phase II not be funded. Additional funding from
state and federal sources is being sought.
CONTRACTS:
Patrick Barnes was hired in June of 2000 as a Technical Community Advisor. His job includes assisting in identifying
local resources that could be utilized by the detoxification contractor, starting the community newsletter, providing support to
small, local subcontractors in fueir participation on fue project, and providing other support services of a technical nature requested
by the community. (For fuis project "local" has been defined as Warren, Franklin, Halifax, Vance, and Granville counties.) The
"Community/Contractor Open Forum" which was held in October and attended by approximately 125 citizens, potential
subcontractors, and detoxification contractors and the "Local Resources Guide" are examples of work funded through his contract.
An oversight consultant to represent the state's interests during fue detoxification was hired in November. Earth Tech,
which will use resources from fueir Raleigh, Greenville, SC, and Richmond, VA offices, was selected from a field of ten firms.
The selection by fue State Building Commission followed state guidelines for the contracting of engineering services and also
included input from fue DWM and CAB. Earth Tech's primary objective is to ensure that fue final design is accurately interpreted
and adhered to during construction and implementation. Earth Tech's initial task was to prepare tlie bid package tllat was issued in
late Noveniber.
The detoxification contractor was recently selected following state guidelines for construction projects. Potential
contractors were first qualified based on state construction and engineering licensing requirenients, the ability of their company to
obtain required insurance and performance bonding, the safety record of their companies, and tlleir experience with sinlilar
remediation projects. Only tllose firms that qualified were allowed to bid on the project.
The public bid opening was held on December 22, 2000 at the Warren County Courthouse. The apparent low bidder was
the IT Corporation. After certification of the bids and completion of required Minority Business Participation forms, the State
Construction Office awarded the contract to IT Corporation on January 30. Execution of the contract was completed on March 2
and the official start date has been set for March 12, 2001 .
FOR QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE PROJECT CONTACT:
Michael A Kelly, Director ofDENR Disaster and Emergency Response [phone]
Pat Backus, PCB Landfill Project Manager [phone] ext. 308
BACKGROUND:
Detoxification and Redevelopment Project -Warren County, NC
March 7, 2001
STATUS OF THE PCB LANDFILL
DETOXIFICATION AND REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT
WARREN COUNTY, NC
In the late 1970s over 30,000 gallons of oil contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were illegally sprayed
along approximately 210 miles of state roadways. Listed as a Superfund site by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
the roadsides were excavated and the contaminated soils disposed in a Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) permitted landfill
built in Warren County. Residents and civil rights leaders vehemently protested the construction of the PCB Landfill. These
protests are considered the ''watershed event" that brought the issue of environmental justice to the national level.
Governor James B. Hunt Jr. made a commitment to the people of Warren County in 1982 that if appropriate and feasible
technology became available, the state would explore detoxification of the landfill. In 1995, $1 million was appropriated to study
detoxification technologies. Warren County citizens and members of various environmental organizations were invited to join
state employees in a joint partnership to assess the condition of tl1e landfill and explore detoxification. The group was designated
the Warren County PCB Working Group (WG), and later became the Citizens Advisory Board (CAB).
DETOXIFICATION STUDIES:
With staff of the Division of Waste Management (DWM), independent science advisors, and the WG, an extensive site
investigation was performed. It included the installation of additional monitoring wells, boring into the landfill to extract soils for
testing, and bench scale detoxification studies. Twelve different technologies were considered. Following vigorous testing and
using stringent guidelines and treatment goals for both PCBs and dioxin, it was determined that Base Catalyzed Decomposition
(BCD) was tlle best technology for the detoxification of the PCB Landfill. The BCD process utilizes non-incineration chemical
reactions to detoxify the PCBs and dioxins/furans in the contaminated soils. Chlorine atoms are chemically removed from the
PCB and dio:xin/furan molecules, and replaced with hydrogen, to form biphenyls, which are non-hazardous. Treated soil is
returned to the landfill and organics are recycled or disposed off site as a non-hazardous waste.
CURRENT FUNDING:
In 1999, an additional $1 million was appropriated and $7 million made available to match federal funds for the
detoxification effort. The EPA offered several in-kind services to aid in the detoxification of the landfill in August 2000. Its offer
included technical and analytical assistance to obtain the TSCA permit needed for the BCD process and the waiving of the federal
portion of the BCD licensing fee. This assistance was valued at more than $500,000. In September, the Office of State Budget
indicated these services qualify as federal funding, thus making available the $7 million reserved for tile project.
This funding, while significant, is not enough to cover the entire cost of tile detoxification; tilerefore, a two-phased
approach is being used to implement the project. Phase I includes site preparation, equipment mobilization, performance and
permit demonstrations, and tile treatment of a limited amount of contaminated material from the landfill. Phase II completes the
detoxification, demobilizes the equipment, and restores the site to a condition ready for development Both phases also include
tasks to develop a plan for tile future use of the site. An additional $7.5 million will be needed by November 1, 2001, to contract
and complete Phase II. The project could then be completed in October 2002, which is tl1e 20th anniversary of the landfill.
CONTRACTS:
A Technical Community Advisor was hired in June 2000. An oversight consultant to represent the state's
interests during the detoxification was hired in November. Earth Tech, which will use resources from their Raleigh, Greenville,
SC, and Richmond, VA offices, was selected from a field of 10 firms. The detoxification contractor was recently selected
following state guidelines for construction projects. The public bid opening was held on December 22, 2000 at the Warren
County Courthouse. The apparent low bidder was the IT Corporation. After certification of the bids and completion of required
Minority Business Participation forms, tile State Construction Office awarded the contract to IT Corporation on January 30.
Execution of the contract was completed on March 2 and the official start date has been set for March 12, 2001.
FOR QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE PROJECT CONTACT:
Michael A. Kelly, Di.rector ofDENR Disaster and Emergency Response [phone]
Pat Backus, PCB Landfill Project Manager [phone] ext. 308
i-·················································································································•·················································•·······························································································································,
NCDENR
Department of E11viro11ment a11d Natural Resources
William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
D. E. Bento 11, Chief Deputy Secretary
February 15, 2001
STATUS OF FUNDING FOR THE PCB LANDFILL
DETOXIFICATION AND REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT
WARREN COUNTY, NC
Since 1995, the State of North Carolina has made available $11 million for the Warren County PCB Landfill
Detoxification Project. These funds came from a variety of sources: appropriations, a transfer from the White Goods account, and
a set aside from reversion monies. In December 1999, $1.44 million was taken from the PCB landfill fund and used as part of the
Hurricane Floyd Relief package. The state has also been provided with $570,274 as a share of the settlement between the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the estate of the responsible party.
Expenses for the Detoxification Project
SOURCE OF FUNDS/ COMMITMENTS TOTAL DOLLARS AVAILABLE/
USED/NEEDED
Legislative monies provided since 1995 $11,000,000
Estimated value of EPA In Kind Services to be used during life of project $ 500,000
Estate settlement, funds available from EPA through Department of Justice $ 570,274
Total funds/ services originally committed to project since 1995 $12,070,274
Money transferred to Hurricane Floyd Relief Fund, December 1999 ($ 1,439,450)
Total funds/ services available $10,630,824
Assessment oflandfill and detoxification pilot studies ($1,474,792) Completed
Project Expenses (DENR oversight, landfill maintenance, equipment, ($ 85,758) Completed
monitoring)
Subtotal available as of November 1, 2000 $ 9,070,274
Phase I detoxification contracts ( oversight, design build, permit, technical ($7,738,233) Contracted
support)
EPA In-Kind Services provided during life of project ($ 500,000) Available
Project commitments and contingencies (includes contingency for Phase II) ($1,342,931)
Phase II (design, build, treatment contract cost) ($ 6,923,800) Contract price
(This is the bid contract price; to be signed when funds are available.)
Total estimate of the detoxification project, Phase I and Phase II $16,504,964
FUNDS NEEDED TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT FOR ($ 7,434,690) Need 11/01
PHASE II AND TO COMPLETE THE DETOXIFICATION
The current cost is based on a bid received by the contractor to continue the decontamination of soil directly from Phase I
into Phase II. The current contracts for oversight and detoxification include a contingency so that if funds for Phase II are not
secured by November 1, 2001, a new cap will be placed on the landfill and the contractor's equipment removed. If the balance of
the funds needed to complete Phase II are not received by Noven1ber 1, 2001, significant additional costs will be incurred to
remove the cap, re-mobilize and perform another demonstration pilot, and then to de-mobilize after work is completed.
······················---····························································································································································································································································,
North Carolina
Department of Environment and
Natural Resources
BACKGROUND:
MCDENR
February 14, 2001
STATUS OF THE PCB LANDFILL
DETOXIFICATION AND REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT
WARREN COUNTY, NC
William G. Ross Jr., Secretary
D. E. Benton, Chief Deputy Secretary
In the late 1970s over 30,000 gallons of oil contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were illegally sprayed
along approximately 210 miles of state roadways. Listed as a Superfund site by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
the roadsides were excavated and the contaminated soils disposed in a Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) permitted landfill
built in Warren County. Residents and civil rights leaders vehemently protested the construction of the PCB Landfill. These
protests are considered the "watershed event" that brought the issue of environmental justice to the national level.
Governor James B. Hunt Jr. made a commitment to the people of Warren County in 1982 that if appropriate and feasible
technology became available, the state would explore detoxification of the landfill. In 1995, $1 million was appropriated to study
detoxification technologies. Warren County citizens and members of various environmental organizations were invited to join
state employees in a joint partnership to assess the condition of the landfill and explore detoxification. The group was designated
the Warren County PCB Working Group (WG), and later became the Citizens Advisory Board (CAB).
DETOXIFICATION STUDIES:
With staff of the Division of Waste Management (DWM), independent science advisors, and the WG, an extensive site
investigation was performed. It included the installation of additional monitoring wells, boring into the landfill to extract soils for
testing, and bench scale detoxification studies. Twelve different technologies were considered. Following vigorous testing and
using stringent guidelines and treatment goals for both PCBs and dioxin, it was determined that Base Catalyzed Decomposition
(BCD) was the best technology for the detoxification of the PCB Landfill. The BCD process utilizes non-incineration chemical
reactions to detoxify the PCBs and dioxins/furans in the contaminated soils. Chlorine atoms are chemically removed from the
PCB and dioxin/furan molecules, and replaced with hydrogen, to form biphenyls, which are non-hazardous. Treated soil is
returned to the landfill and organics are recycled or disposed off site as a non-hazardous waste.
CURRENT FUNDING:
In 1999, an additional $1 million was appropriated and $7 million made available to match federal funds for the
detoxification effort. The EPA offered several in-kind services to aid in the detoxification of the landfill in August 2000. Its offer
included technical and analytical assistance to obtain the TSCA permit needed for the BCD process and the waiving of the federal
portion of the BCD licensing fee. This assistance was valued at more than $500,000. In September, the Office of State Budget
indicated these services qualify as federal funding, thus making available the $7 million reserved for the project.
This funding, while significant, is not enough to cover the entire cost of the detoxification; therefore, a two-phased
approach is being used to implement the project. Phase I includes site preparation, equipment mobilization, performance and
permit demonstrations, and the treatment of a limited amount of contaminated material from the landfill. Phase II completes the
detoxification, demobilizes the equipment, and restores the site to a condition ready for development. Both phases also include
tasks to develop a plan for the future use of the site. An additional $7.5 million will be needed by November 1, 2001, to contract
and complete Phase II. The project could then be completed in October 2002, which is the 20th anniversary of the landfill.
CONTRACTS:
A Technical Community Advisor was hired in June 2000. An oversight consultant to represent the state's interests during
the detoxification was hired in November. Earth Tech, which will use resources from their Raleigh, Greenville, SC, and
Richmond, VA offices, was selected from a field of 10 firms. The detoxification contractor was recently selected following state
guidelines for construction projects. The public bid opening was held on December 22, 2000 at the Warren County Courthouse.
The apparent low bidder was the IT Corporation. After certification of the bids and completion of required Minority Business
Participation forms, the State Construction Office awarded the contract to IT Corporation on January 30. The contract is in the
process of being executed and a Notice to Proceed should be issued shortly.
FOR QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE PROJECT CONTACT:
Michael A. Kelly, Director ofDENR Disaster and Emergency Response [phone]
Pat Backus, PCB Landfill Project Manager [phone] ext. 308
JAMES B. 'HUNT JR.
GOVERNOR
BILL HOLMAN
SECRETARY
f
WILLIAM L. MEYER
DIRECTOR
BACKGROUND:
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT
October 23, 2000
STATIJS OF THE PCB LANDFILL
DETOXIFICATION EFFORT
WARREN COUNTY, NC
In the late 1970's several thousand gallons of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were
illegally disposed by the spraying of contaminated oil along approximately 210 miles of state
roadways. Listed as a Superfund site under the US EPA program, the roadways were dug up and
the contaminated soils disposed in a Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) approved PCB landfill
located in Warren C.ounty. Residents and civil rights leaders vehemently protested the location of
the landfill in Warren County. These protests are considered the ''watershed event" which brought
the issue of environmental justice to the national level
In 1982, Governor James B. Hunt, Jr., made a commitment to the people of Warren
County that if appropriate and feasible technology became available, the state would explore
detoxification of the landfill In 1995, $1 million was appropriated to study detoxification
technologies.
The Warren County PCB Working Group (WG) was established and consisted of local
citizens, state employees, and members of various environmental organizations. This group
worked together in a joint partnership to explore detoxification.
DETOXIFICATION STUDIES:
With staff of the Division of Waste Management (DWM), independent science advisors,
and the WG, an extensive site investigation was performed. This included the installation of
additional monitoring wells, boring into the landfill to extract soils for testing, and bench scale
detoxification studies.
Twelve different technologies were considered. Two technologies, Base Catalyzed
Decomposition (BCD) and Gas Phase Oiemical Reduction, were found to be appropriate and
potentially feasible for the Warren County landfill. Following very rigorous testing using
stringent guidelines and treatment goals for both PCBs and dioxin, it was determined that BCD
was the best technology for detoxification.
The BCD process utilizes non-incineration chemical reactions to detoxify the PCBs and
dioxins/furans in the contaminated soils. Chlorine atoms are chemically removed from the PCB
and dioxin/furan molecules, and replaced with hydrogen, rendering them non-hazardous.
Detoxified soils will be replaced on-site as part of a redevelopment plan for the area.
With the selection of a detoxification technology the mission of the WG was fulfilled. In
August of 1999 the group was reestablished as the Cltizens Advisory Board (CAB) with a new
mission to continue to participate in the efforts to detoxify the landfill and to serve as a liaison
between the state and the community at-large.
1646 MAIL SERVICE CENTER, RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27699-1646
401 OBERLIN ROAD, SUITE 1 SO, RALEIGH, NC 27605
PHONE [phone] FAX [phone]
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/ AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER -SO% RECYCLED/10% POST-CONSUMER PAPER
DESIGN ACTMTIES:
A Phase II, Preliminary Draft Design Plan based on the BCD detoxification studies estimated the maximum
cost for the entire project to be under $24 million. In 1998, an additional $2 million was appropriated to begin the
detoxification process using BCD. In 1999, a chemical/environmental engineer was hired by the DWM to be the
project manager and a contract for a Phase ill Final Design was issued.
Several meeting were held with EPA TSCA personnel in Atlanta (Region IV) and Washington, DC
(Headquarters) to solicit input on the final design and to outline permitting requirements for the detoxification. The
final design package was completed in March of 2000. In addition to design drawings and technical specifications,
the package included a Community Outreach and Involvement Plan to help ensure that residents and local business
receive some financial benefit from the detoxification efforts and are kept informed of activities at the site.
FUNDING:
In 1999, an additional $1 million was appropriated and $7 million made available to match federal funds
for the detoxification effort. However, approximately $1.4 million of previously appropriated funds were reverted
back to the state budget office for Hurricane Floyd relief. Efforts to obtain federal matching funds were also
suspended in deference to the Hurricane Floyd needs.
In August of 2000, the EPA offered several in-kind services to help in the detoxification of the landfill.
Their offer included technical and analytical assistance in obtained the TSCA permit needed for the BCD process
and waiving of the federal portion of the BCD licensing fee. This assistance was valued at approximately $600,000.
In September the Office of State Budget, Planning and Management stated these services would qualify as federal
funding thus making the $7 million set aside available for the project
Since all funding is not available at this time a phase funded approach is being pursued. With the available
funds site preparation, equipment mobilization, performance testing, and the treatment of a limited amount of
material could be completed. Additional funding will be requested from state and federal sources to continue to the
project to completion while these efforts are underway. It is estimated that an additional $7 million will be needed.
CONTRACTING:
Patrick Barnes was hired in June of this year as a technical community advisor. His job includes assisting
in identifying local resources that could be utilized by the detoxification contractor and starting the community
newsletter, which will be used throughout the detoxification to keep citirens informed. The "Community/Contractor
Open Forum" was also funded through his contract.
Qualifications for an oversight contractor for the detoxification project were requested in July. The
primary objective of the oversight contractor is to ensure that the final design is accurately interpreted and adhered
to during construction and implementation. Earth Tech was selected as the top ranked firm in late August and
contract negotiations with them are nearing completion.
A Request of Qualifications for a detoxification contractor was advertised from September 15 to October 6
in the State Purchase Directory. IT Corporation, Roy F. Weston, and WRS Infrastructure and Environment were
deemed qualified to perform the detoxification and will be allowed to bid on the project. A public bid opening to
announce the lowest apparent bidder is tentatively scheduled for November 21 in Warren County.
CONTACT: Michael A Kelly, Deputy Director
Pat Backus, Project Manager
919-715-3644
919-733-4996 ext 308
WARREN COUNTY PCB LANDFILL TALKING POINTS
GENERAL
♦ The Warren County PCB Landfill contains material covering more than 200 miles of
highway shoulders in 14 North Carolina counties that were illegally sprayed with waste
containing PCBs in the late 1970's.
♦ EPA permitted the landfill under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The landfill
contains approximately 40,000 cubic yards ( equivalent to 60,000 tons) of contaminated soil.
♦ The PCB Landfill is located in the Shocco Township of the county, which has a population
of approximately 1,000. Seventy-eight percent of the township residents are nonwhite and
29% of the residents have incomes below the federal poverty level.
♦ Residents of Warren County and civil rights leaders vehemently protested the location of the
landfill in Warren County. These protests are considered the "watershed event" which
brought the issue of environmental justice to the national level.
♦ Environmental Justice (EJ) recognizes the concern that minority populations and/or low-
income populations have borne a disproportionate amount of adverse health and
environmental effects and calls for the "fair treatment for people of all races, cultures, and
incomes, regarding the development of environmental laws, regulations, and policies."
♦ In 1982, Governor Jim Hunt made a commitment to the people of Warren County that
if appropriate and feasible technology became available, the state would explore
detoxification of the landfill.
♦ A Working Group consisting of members of the community and representatives from the
state began working in 1994 to provide an in-dept assessment of the landfill and to study the
feasibility of detoxification. A technology, Base Catalyzed Decomposition (BCD) was
selected by the Working Group as the most appropriate technology. Testing of the process
using landfill soil and designs for construction and operation of an on-site treatment facility
has been completed. Approximately $1.6M of state funds have been spent to date.
♦ The process selected destroys the PCB molecule. Destruction of the PCBs to non-toxic
compounds will eliminate further regulation of the site and pe1mit unrestricted future use.
♦ In 1999 the General Assembly appropriated$ lM and reserved an additional $7M to match
federal funds to detoxify the landfill. The state and community have worked with EPA to
enable the project to move forward in a phased-funding manner.
♦ The $7M appropriated cannot be released until the state receives some federal
matching funds. Timing is critical because Governor Hunt wants the work to begin
during his Administration.
♦ We believe a contractor can be selected and work can begin on a phased approach in
September, 2000 ifwe have a commitment of some matching federal funds.
♦ The total estimated cost of the detoxification project is $14-18 M.
♦ Wan·en County is an economically depressed community and has been designated as a Tier I
county for economic development.
♦ Nmth Carolina should be used as a model for: 1) involving the community in selecting the
detoxification technology; 2) working with the state and federal agencies as partners; and 3)
demonstrating how a landfill can be cleaned up and rehabilitated as a recreational use.
SPECIFIC TO DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE MATERIAL
♦ The total quantity of contaminated soil in the landfill is 40,000 cubic yards ( or 60,000 tons).
Ten percent of the soil came from Ft. Bragg (4,000 cubic yards or 6,000 tons.) A ten percent
share of the cost of detoxification would be approximately $1 . 6M.
♦ A landfill provides containment of contaminated material. The material in the landfill is still
toxic. As a contributor of material to the landfill, the Department of Defense still retails
liability for the materials. Should there be a failure of the landfill that require further action,
the Department of Defense would be a principal responsible party. The remediation will use
a process that will convert the PCBs to non-toxic substances and thus remove the site from
regulation and future liability.
♦ The landfill was designed assuming the soil going into the landfill would be relatively dry.
Material from the roadsides transported by the North Carolina Department of Transportation
met that criterion. Closure of the landfill was delayed by several weeks to accommodate the
placement of Ft Bragg material in the landfill. During that delay, the site experienced a
significant amount of rainfall that resulted in a large quantity of water in the landfill that
could not be removed before closure. The original leachate removal and treatment system
was not designed for the amount of water in the landfill. There has been concern over the
impact of the additional water on the integrity of the landfill.
♦ The original cost of the landfill was $2 .95 M.
Federal Share
DOD
EPA
Total Federal
State Share
Total Cost
$ 343 ,377
$ 2,163,021
$ 2,506,398
$ 445,779
$ 2,952,177
♦ The total amount received in settlements with the Ward estate (the principal party that
dumped the material on the roadsides) was $3 .5M (cost+ interest).
Federal Share
DOD
EPA
Total Federal
State Share
Total Recovered
$ 407,095
$ 2,564,405
$ 2,971 ,500
$ 528,500
$ 3,500,000
To: PCB Community Advisory Board
From: Pat Backus
Date: August 8, 2000
Re: Landfill Monitoring
Leachate Pumping
The leachate removal rate continues to drop as the water level in the landfill decreases. The current
removal rate is approximately 0.07 gpm.
The cumulative amount of leachate removed since the installation of the continuous pumping system is
approximately 130,000 gallons.
Landfill Water Levels
The latest measurements taken on July 27 indicated a water level of approximately three feet in the
north and south wells. The following graph of the south well illustrates the history of the drop in water
level.
.;
.; > .!
~ ... ~
15
14
13
12 .. •• 11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
0
•••• -...
Water Level in South Well
Warren County PCB Landfill
• -•
• -. ..
◄~ ~, .... -•• •• ◄Ii
~ •• ~ • ••
~
12101/96 03131/97 07/29/97 11/26'97 03126'98 07/24/98 11/21/98 03121/99 07/19/99 11/16'99 03115100 07/13100
Data
Sediments have deposited at the bottom of the north and south wells. This sediment will limit the ability
to read water level as the level drops lower. The following drawings indicate the problem.
TOP VIEW
SIDE VIEW
(Note: the level of water is determined by subtracting depth to water surface from the known length of
well pipe.)
Analytical Test Results
Analytical results for the June monthly samples are as follows.
Influent = 0.0013 ppm PCB Effluent = <0.0001 ppm PCB
The July monthly samples were taken on July 27. The samples are in the state laboratory for analysis.
E Q. .:,
C 0 ~
PCB Content of Influent and Effluent of Leachate Treatment System
Warren County PCB Landfill
c: 0.0010 +----1------1----+--++-+--+---+----.IO---+---+----I---+-------<
~ u C 0 u
Ill u 0..
0.0005 +---l---+--.\---l+-----1+---+----+---.+-..-:::...._+---+-----I < SDWA Limit
0.0000 +----1------1----+---+-----+----+---+---+-------<
02/19198 05/30198 09107198 12/16198 03126199 07104199 10/12/99 01120/00 04129100 08/07100
Date
----Influent _._Effluent I
NA
NCDENR
JAMES B. HUNT JR.
GOVERNOR
BILL HOLMAN
SECRETARY
WILLIAM L. MEYER
DIRECTOR
BACKGROUND:
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT
July 11, 2000
STATUS OF THE PCB LANDFILL
DETOXIFICATION EFFORT
WARREN COUNTY, NC
In the late 1970's several thousand gallons of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were illegally
disposed by the spraying of contaminated oil along approximately 210 miles of state roadways.
Listed as a Superfund site by the US EPA, the roadways were dug up and the contaminated soils
disposed in a Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) approved PCB landfill located in Warren
County. Residents and civil rights leaders vehemently protested the location of the landfill in
Warren County. These protests are considered the "watershed event" which brought the issue of
environmental justice to the national level.
In 1982, Governor James B. Hunt, Jr., made a commitment to the people of Warren County that if
appropriate and feasible technology became available, the state would explore detoxification of
the landfill. In 1995, $1 million was appropriated to study detoxification technologies.
The Warren County PCB Working Group (WG) was established and consisted of local citizens,
state employees, and members of various environmental organiz:ations. This group worked
together in a joint partnership to explore detoxification.
DETOXIFICATION STUDIES:
With staff of the Division of Waste Management (DWM), independent science advisors, and the
WG, an extensive site investigation was performed. This included the installation of additional
monitoring wells, boring into the landfill to extract soils for testing, and bench scale detoxification
studies.
Twelve different technologies were considered. Two technologies, Base Catalyzed
Decomposition (BCD) and Gas Phase Chemical Reduction, were found to be appropriate and
potentially feasible for the Warren County landfill. Following very rigorous testing using
stringent guidelines and treatment goals for both PCBs and dioxin, it was determined that BCD
was the best technology for detoxification of the landfill.
The BCD process utilizes chemical reactions to detoxify the PCBs in the contaminated soils.
Chlorine atoms are chemically removed from the PCB molecules and replaced with hydrogen in
the process, rendering them non-hazardous. Detoxified soils will be replaced on-site. Because of
the stringent treatment goals, no further monitoring will be needed and the site can be redeveloped
by the community.
DESIGN ACTIVITIES:
A Phase II, Preliminary Draft Design Plan based on the BCD detoxification studies estimated the
maximum cost for the entire project to be under $24 million (Note that the estimate for next phase,
detoxification treatment and demobilization, was $14-20M). In 1998, an additional $2 millfr,.~ .. 0 "' • .tfA MW•MN•M
1646 MAIL SERVICE CENTER, RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27699-1646
401 OBERLIN ROAD, SUITE 150, RALEIGH, NC 27605
PHONE [phone] FAX [phone]
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY / AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER -50% RECYCLE0/1 0o/o POST-CONSUMER PAPER
appropriated to begin the detoxification process using BCD. In 1999, a chemical/environmental engineer was hired
by the DWM to be the project manager and a contract for a Phase III Final Design was issued.
Several meeting were held with EPA TSCA personnel in Atlanta (Region IV) and Washington, DC (Headquarters)
to solicit input on the fmal design and to outline permitting requirements for the detoxification.
The design package was completed in March of 2000. In addition to design drawings and technical specifications,
the package included a Community Outreach and Involvement Plan to ensure that residents and local business
receive some financial benefit from the detoxification efforts and are kept informed of activities at the site.
OTHER ACTIVITIES:
With. the selection of a detoxification technology the mission ofth.e WG was fulfilled. In August of 1999 the group
was reestablished as the Citizens Advisory Board (CAB) with a new mission to continue to participate in the efforts
to detoxify the landfill and to serve as a liaison between the state and the community at-large.
In 1999, an additional $1 million was appropriated and $7 million made available to match federal funds for the
detoxification effort. However, approximately $1.4 million of previously appropriated funds were reverted to the
state budget for Hurricane Floyd relief Efforts to obtain federal matching funds were also suspended in deference
to the Hurricane Floyd needs. These efforts were resumed in the spring of 2000. Governor Hunt, Secretary
Holman, and 1st Congressional District Representative Eva Clayton sent letters to several federal contacts including
EPA Administrator Carol Browner and Secretary of the Army Louis Caldera (approximately 10 percent of the
landfill material came from Ft Bragg) requesting federal assistance. Representatives from EPA met with. DWM
personnel in Raleigh and with community representatives in Warren County on July 10 and 11 to discuss the project
and explore how EPA could participate in the detoxification. In addition to direct funding, they will also be
exploring "in-kind" services that would reduce the amount of funding required from the state for the project.
In addition, EPA Region IV is providing a grant of $225,000 to fund a Community Involvement Coordinator and job
developer for the project. This grant will go to the Warren Family Institute in Warrenton.
In discussions concerning contracts for the project it was determined that the contracts for this phase of the project
would be required to go through the State Construction Office. The nature of the detoxification project required that
it be approached as a design-build project, which in North Carolina is an alternative contracting method. Approval
to use this method was granted by the State Building Commission in late April.
CURRENT STATUS:
Based on the outlook oflimited additional funds in the near future, a phased funded approach is being pursued. This
approach was acceptable to both. the EPA and the State Budget Office. With the funds available and reserved, site
preparation, equipment mobilization, performance testing, and the treatment of a limited amount of material could
be completed. During th.e time required to complete the initial phases, th.ere will be additional opportunities to
obtain funds from state and federal sources to continue to the project to completion.
A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) notice for an oversight contractor will be issued through the State Construction
Office on July 12. The selection of the contractor and approval by the Commission is expected to be complete by
the end of August. A Request for Qualifications for the detoxification contract has been drafted and is being
reviewed. The current schedule is to issue this RFQ by the end of July.
CONTACT: Michael A Kelly, Deputy Director
Pat Backus, Project Manager
919-715-3644
919-733-4996 ext 308
.,.
To: PCB Community Advisory Board
From: Pat Backus
Date: May 30, 2000
Ra: Landfill Monitoring
Below is the latest infonnation available on the monitoring of leachate at the PCB Landfill.
Leachate Pumping
The leachate removal rate has dropped to approximately 0.15 gpm. Adjustments to the pumping cycle
are being made in an attempt to increase the rate and reduce unnecessary wear on the compressor.
The cumulative amount of leachate removed from the landfill since pumping continuously is
approximately 119,000 gallons.
140,000
120,000
; 100,000
-g
Q, ! 80,000
l
: 60,000 'iii :i E ~ 40,000
20,000
0 "
CONl'INUOU5 LEACHATE PUMPING AT WARREN COUNI'Y PCB LANDFILL
Cummul■tive Amount Removed
~v
V
,.,...,
.,,v ✓
/ V
,.
.,V
v'
.,,,-v"'"
2&-2!;-1S-14· OS-03-Ju 2&-Ju 22· 16-11· 0!;-30-2!;-1S-13-OS-03-2&-23-17-
~ ~ · -M ~----~-~~··-M Dato
Landfill Water Levels
Landfill water levels continue to drop. The latest measurements taken on May 19,2000 indicated a
water level of three and a half feet in the North and South wells. A graph of the water level in the South
well is shown below.
15
14
13
12
11
10
5
3
0
•••• • •► -..
Water Laval In South Wall
Warran County PCB Landfill
• ~ ► •
• -. ...
4►
' ·-· _.,
~ .... • •
12/01/96 03131/97 07/29197 11/26197 03126198 07/24/98 11/21/98 03121/99 07/19199 11/16/99 03115/00
Dato
Analytical Test Results
'
The May monthly samples were taken on May 19, 2000. The samples are in the state laboratory for
analysis.
The results from the air sampling inside of the leachate sand filter are shown on the following page.
The sand filter was selected because it was felt that it would have the highest concentration of
contaminants -higher than the center landfill vent which has a carbon filter attached.
,.
RESULTS OF AIR SAMPLING AT LEACHATE SAND FILTER
Sample no.
Pump no.
Beginning flow rate
Ending flow rate
Runtime
Average flow rate
Beginning temp
Ending temp
Reference temp
Pressure
Reference pressure
Total volume of air
Chromium
Manganese
Copper
Zinc
Arsenic
Silver
Cadmium
Barium
Lead
NIOSH
NIOSH Limits
OSHA Limits
IDLH Limits
001727
13077
1218 cm3/min
1236 cm3/min
240 min
45 F =
60 F =
68 F =
789.5 torr = =
Metals
Date 41512000
= 1323 scm3/min
= 1304 scm3/min
1313 scm3/min
505 R
520 R
528 R
31 .08 in Hg
29.92 in Hg
315,209 scm3
Sample results NIOSH IDLH
ug ug/scm3 mg/m3 mg/m3 Notes mg/m3
0.3090 9.80E-07 0.00098 0.500
0.0138 4.38E-08 0.00004 1.000
0.0420 1.33E-07 0.00013 1.000
0.4050 1.28E-06 0.00128 5.000 Zinc Oxide
0.0030 9.52E-09 0.00001 0.010 .... OSHA
0.0090 2.86E-08 0.00003 0.010
0.0160 5.08E-08 0.00005 0.005 .... OSHA
0.0170 5.39E-08 0.00005 0.500 Barium Nitrate
0.0500 1.59E-07 0.00016 0.100
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
Part of US Department of Health and Human Services
It is responsible for recommending health and safety standards.
Recommended exposure limits are time-weighted average concentrations
for up to a 10-hour workday during a 40-hour week.
Time-weighted average concentrations that must not be exceeded
during any 8-hour work shift of a 40-hour week.
lrrmediately Dangerous to Life or Health
The maximum concentration about which only a highly reliable breathing
apparatus providing maximum worker protection is permitted. As a
safety margin, these limits were set to allow a worker the ability to escape
without loss of life or irreversible health effects and also consider the effect
of eye or respiratory irritation and other deleterious effects that would
prevent escape.
250
500
100
500
5
10
9
50
100
RESULTS OF AIR SAMPLING AT LEACHATE SAND FILTER
Sample no.
Pump no.
Beginning flow rate
Ending flow rate
Runtime
Average flow rate
Beginning temp
Ending temp
Reference temp
Pressure
Reference p'8Ssure
Total volume of air
PCB
NIOSH
NIOSH Limits
OSHA Limits
IDLH Limits
001725
15118
640 cm3/min
645 cm3/min
241 min
45 F
60 F
68 F
789.5 torr
=
=
=
=
=
PCBs
Date 4/5/2000
695 scm3/min
680 scm3/min
688 scm3/min
505 R
520 R
528 R
31 .08 in Hg
29.92 in Hg
165,751 scm3
Sample results NIOSH
ng ug/scm3 mg/m3 mg/m3
20 1.21E-07 0.00012 0.001
Notes
Less than
detection
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
Part of US Department of Health and Human Services
It is responsible for l"ecommending health and safety standards.
IDLH
mg/m3
5
Recommended exposure limits are time-weighted average concentrations
for up to a 10-hour workday during a 40-hour week.
Time-weighted average concentrations that must not be exceeded
during any 8-hour work shift of a 40-hour week.
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health
The maximum concentration about which only a highly reliable breathing
apparatus providing maximum worker protection is permitted. As a
safety margin, these limits were set to allow a worker the ability to escape
without loss of life or irreversible health effects and also consider the effect
of eye or respiratory irritation and other deleterious effects that would
prevent escape.
' ,
RESULTS OF AIR SAMPLING AT LEACHATE SAND FILTER
Sample no.
Pump no.
Beginning flow rate
Ending flow rate
Runtime
Average flow rate
Beginning temp
Ending temp
Reference temp
Pressure
Reference pressure
Total volume of air
Hydrocarbons
(BP 36-126 C)
Hydrocarbons
(Aromatic)
Hydrocarbons
(Halogenated)
NIOSH
NIOSH Limits
OSHA Limits
IDLH Limits
001724
15118
Hydrocarbons
Date 4/5/2000
640 cm3/min = 695 scm3/min
645 cm3/min = 680 scm3/min
241 min
688 scm3/min
45 F = 505 R
60 F = 520 R
68 F = 528 R
789.5 torr = 31.08 in Hg
= 29.92 in Hg
165751 scm3
Sample results NIOSH
mg mg/scm3 mg/m3 mg/m3
0.040 2.41E-07 0.2413
0.040 2.41E-07 0.2413
0.040 2.41E-07 0.2413
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
Part of US Department of Health and Human Services
Notes
Less than
detection
Less than
detection
Less than
detection
It is responsible for recommending health and safety standards.
IDLH
mg/m3
Recommended exposure limits are time-weighted average concentrations
for up to a 10-hour workday during a 40-hour week.
Time-weighted average concentrations that rrust not be exceeded
during any 8-hour work shift of a 40-hour week.
lrrmediately Dangerous to Life or Health
The maxirrum concentration about which only a highly reliable breathing
apparatus providing maxirrum worker protection is permitted. As a
safety margin, these limits were set to allow a worker the ability to escape
without loss of life or irreversible health effects and also consider the effect
of eye or respiratory irritation and other deleterious effects that would
prevent escape.
RESULTS OF AIR SAMPLING AT LEACHATE SAND FILTER
Sample no.
Pump no.
Beginning flow rate
Ending flow rate
Runtime
Average flow rate
Beginning temp
Ending temp
Reference temp
Pressure
Reference pressure
Total volume of air
Hydrocarbons
(BP 36-126 C)
Hydrocarbons
(Aromatic)
Hydrocarbons
(Halogenated)
NIOSH
NIOSH Limits
OSHA Limits
IDLH Limits
001726
13077
Hydrocarbons
Date 41512000
1218 cm3/min = 1323 scm3/min
1236 cm3/min = 1304 scm3/min
240 min
1313 scm3/min
45 F = 505 R
60 F = 520 R
68 F = 528 R
789.5 torr = 31.08 in Hg
= 29.92 in Hg
315,209 scm3
Sample results NIOSH
mg mg/scm3 mg/m3 mg/m3
0.040 1.27E-07 0.1269
0.040 1.27E-07 0.1269
0.040 1.27E-07 0.1269
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
Part of US Department of Health and Human Services
Notes
Less than
detection
Less than
detection
Less than
detection
It is responsible for recommending health and safety standards.
IDLH
mg/m3
Recommended exposure limits are time-weighted average concentrations
for up to a 10-hour workday during a 40-hour week.
Time-weighted average concentrations that rrust not be exceeded
during any 8-hour work shift of a 40-hour week.
Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health
The maxirrum concentration about which only a highly reliable breathing
apparatus providing maxirrum worker protection is permitted. As a
safety margin, these limits were set to allow a worker the ability to escape
without loss of life or irreversible health effects and also consider the effect
of eye or respiratory irritation and other deleterious effects that would
prevent escape.
' ..
To: PCB Citizens Advisory Board
From: Pat Backus
Date: May 3, 2000
Re: Landfill Monitoring
Below is the latest information available on the monitoring of leachate at the PCB Landfill.
Analytical Test Results
The March monthly samples were taken on March 24, 2000.
Influent = 0.0011 ppm PCB Effluent = <0.0001 ppm PCB
The April monthly samples were taken on April 5, 2000.
Influent = 0.0010 ppm PCB Effluent = <0.0001 ppm PCB
E
Q. Q.
C 0 .,,
~
PCB Content of Influent and Effluent of Leachate Treatment System
Warren County PCB Landfill
0.0020 ,----~--.----------;r------.----.----r---r----,
0.0015 +----+----t----f----+t+------+----+----+----
~ 0.0010 +---+----t-----------,f--------jl--llC--f---+------llr----t-----+---J-----
u C 0 " Ill ii
0.0000 t----t------,f------+------+----+----+----+----<
<SOOA
Limit
03/06/98 06/14/98 09/22/98 12/31/98 04/10/99 07/19/99 10/27/99 02/04/00 05/14/00
Date
-Influent -+-Effluent j
Semi-annual Sampling
Groundwater wells, surface water, stream sediment, and leachate was sampled for PCBs on April 5
and 6 to fulfill the landfill's TSCA permit for the semiannual monitoring. The results are listed in the
following table.
April 5-6, 2000
Specific
PCBs ConductancE
(ppm pH (umhos
Ground Water
1 <0.0001 5.85 141
1A <0.0001 ** **
2 <0.0001 5.91 96
3A <0.0001 6.11 104
5(deep) <0.0001 5.82 89
?(shallow) <0.0001 5.64 79
11 <0.0001 ** **
12 <0.0001 5.48 124
Surface Water
RCUS <0.0001 6.95 77
RCDS <0.0001 7.13 84
UTUS <0.0001 7.10 81
UTDS <0.0001 6.95 68
Sediment
RCUS <0.10
RCDS <0.10
UTUS <0.10
UTDS <0.10
Leachate
Influent 0.0010 6.90 1037
Effluent <0.0001 6.96 921
April 5-6, 2000
PCBs
(ppm)
Pond Soils
Outlet 0.10
Mid 0.61
Center 0.20
Filters
Sand 0.20
Above Sand 0.68
Carbon <0.10
RCUS -Richneck Creek Up Stream
RCDS -Richneck Creek Down Stream
UTUS -Unnamed Tributary Up Stream
UTDS -Unnamed Tributary Down Stream
** -Not enough sample to test
,I
MEMO
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
RE:
April 17,2000
Pat Backus
Wendy Shepherd
Methane Monitoring at the PCB Landfill
Methane monitoring was conducted at the PCB Landfill located in Warren County on
Wednesday, April 5, 2000. Methane readings were taken using the LANDTEC GA-90 gas
analyzer. The GA-90 uses an infrared beam to analyze the amount of methane, carbon dioxide
and oxygen within landfill gas.
As the monitoring plan indicated 6 inch bore holes were placed into the landfill surface using a bar
punch probe. Each sample was taken in approximately 50-foot increments inside the landfill liner
boundary. The results and locations for the boreholes are located on the included pages.
Additional readings were taken at the previously installed gas/water monitoring wells also.
TESTING PROCEDURES
Monitoring began at 9:20 am, starting with the east-side of the landfill and ending with the west -
side.
The first borehole and sample was made approximately 116' feet from the east side of the pump
house. Then walking in a north/south -south/north manner readings were taken approximately
every 5 0 feet.
Sampling began on the east side with the first reading being made at the liner boundary. Walking
south, a reading wa3 taken approximately every 50' until the south cell boundary line was reached
(East Side: Line A= EA). Starting from the last borehole in line A, moving 25' west, a second
line was established (EB). Again, boreholes were made roughly every 50' walking north towards
the pump house. This process continued for lines EC and ED. This same process was duplicated
on the West Side of the landfill, ending at the west-side liner boundary.
An additional set of readings was taken at the north and south well and at the center vent.
RESULTS
The temperature on the landfill ranged from 52°F in the morning to 65°F in the afternoon. Overall
weather conditions began cloudy but clear as the day progressed. Landfill conditions were
moderately wet.
All of the samples showed no amount of methane escaping through the surface of the landfill. A
few of the samples gave a range of oxygen reading from 20.3 to 21.4 along the surface. This
could be due to wet conditions on the landfill or calibration error.
Carbon Dioxide reading for Lines EA and EB were quite higher than other samples taken on the
landfill surface. Those samples were re-examined later in the day and a reading of O was found at
that time.
CONCLUSION
It has been noted, th_e temperature and barometric pressure inside the landfill influence methane
gas concentration. Both cell boundary and random surface testing have not shown any amount of
methane escaping through the landfill surface.
cc: Bill Meyer
Larry Rose
Code I Time I Date ICH4 % EAST !EA71-9:37 04/05/2000 0 EN2 9:40 04/05/2000 0 EN3 9:42 04/05/2000 0 EN4 9:44 04/05/2000 0 EB/1 9:45 04/05/2000 0 EB/2 9:48 04/05/2000 0 EB/3 9:50 04/05/2000 0 EB/4 9:52 04/05/2000 0 EC/1 9:54 04/05/2000 0 EC/2 9:56 04/05/2000 0 EC/3 9:59 04/05/2000 0 EC/4 10:00 04/05/2000 0 ED/1 10:01 04/05/2000 0 ED/2 10:04 04/05/2000 0 ED/3 10:06 04/05/2000 0 ED/4 10:09 04/05/2000 0 04/05/2000 0 1:31 04/05/2000 0 EN1 1:33 04/05/2000 0 EB/4 1:34 04/05/2000 0 CO2 02 Bal % % % 0 21 79 0.6 20.7 78.7 0.4 20.3 79.3 0.2 20.4 79.4 0 21 79 0.1 20.7 79.2 0.2 16 83.8 2.2 17 80.8 ·----0.8 20.3 78.9 0.7 20 79.3 0 21.2 78.8 0 21.1 78.9 0 21.1 78.9 0 21.1 78.9 --0 21.2 78.8 0 21.1 78.91 0 21.4 78.6 0.7 19.7 79.6 f----0 21.4 78.6 -~-0 21.4 78.6 PCB Landfill 4/5/2000 Humidity "Hg 29.7 WEST 29.7 ··--·-·----29.7 29.7 29.7 29.7 29.7 29.7 29.7 29.7 29.7 29.7 29.7 Code South Center North Code Time Date CH4 CO2 02 Bal Humidity % % % % "Hg WN1 10:11 04/05/2000 0 0 21.2 78.8 29.7 WN2 10:14 04/05/2000 0 0 21.2 78.8 29.7 WN3 10:16 04/05/2000 0 0 21.3 78.7 29.7 WN4 10:19 04/05/2000 0 0 21.4 78.6 29.7 WB/1 10:21 04/05/2000 0 0 21.4 79 29.7 WB/2 10:23 04/05/2000 0 0 21.4 78.6 29.7 WB/3 10:26 04/05/2000 0 0 21.3 78.7 29.7 WB/4 10:28 04/05/2000 0 0 21.4 78.6 29.7 WB/5 10:31 04/05/2000 0 0 21.4 78.6 29.7 WC/1 10:35 04/05/2000 0 0 21.1 78.9 29.7 WC/2 10:37 04/05/2000 0 0 21.3 78.7 29.7 WC/3 10:39 04/05/2000 0 0 21.3 78.7 29.7 WC/4 10:40 04/05/2000 0 0 21.4 78.6 29.7 WC/5 10:42 04/05/2000 0 0 21.4 78.6 29.7 CH4 CO2 02 Bal I Humidity Time Date % % % % "Hg Well 1:39 04/05/2000 0 0 21.4 78.6 --. --Vent 1 :47 04/05/2000 5 2 19.6 73.4 ·-· Well 2:06 04/05/2000 1.2 1.2 20.2 77.4
,• j •
*
*
South X
*
*
*
*
Appendix A
X
Center Vent
East
Orginal Bore Hole
*
X North
*
*
*
• 'fl
STATUS OF PCB LANDFILL DETOXIFICATION
WARREN COUNTY, NC
March 25, 2000
BACKGROUND:
In the late 1970's several thousand gallons of polychlorinated bi-phenyls (PCBs) were
illegally disposed by spraying along approximately 210 miles of state roadways. PCBs were
used extensively as transformer fluids in the early 1970's. However, because they were
suspected carcinogens, they were outlawed from manufacture in 1976 and strictly controlled in
disposal as transformers came out of service.
Listed as a Superfund site under the US EPA program, the roadways were dug up and the
contaminated soils disposed in an approved PCB landfill built in Warren County. There was
much opposition to the landfill and the Environmental Justice movement supposedly got its start
at this site.
In 1982, Governor James B. Hunt Jr., made a commitment to the people of Wan-en
County that if appropriate and feasible technology became available, the state would explore
detoxification of the landfill. In 1995, $1 million was appropriated to study detoxification. The
General Assembly provided this money for the sole purpose of studying various detoxification
technologies, including bench scale work; confirming that detoxification is possible; and
identifying the best technology available to do the work.
The Warren County PCBWorking Group (WG) was established and consists oflocal
citizens, state employees and members of various environmental organizations. This group has
been working together in a joint partnership with the state to explore detoxification.
ASSESSMENT STATUS:
The WG, through the Division of Waste Management (DWM), contracted with two
independent science advisors to provide technical expertise to the WG and to help outline the
steps necessary to explore detoxification.
With staff from the DWM, the WG and science advisors outlined activities that needed
to take place during the detoxification studies. These activities included an extensive site
investigation, installation of monitoring wells, boring into the landfill to extract soils for testing,
and the actual detoxification studies.
1
Mobilization/site work:
On February 12, 1997, DWM personnel and science advisors began work at the PCB
landfill to install additional monitoring wells and begin the site investigation. Fifteen new
monitoring wells were installed around the perimeter of the landfill and in the immediate area
within .25 miles of the landfill. Three were placed off site as background wells, approximately
1.5 miles away. Two boreholes were placed in the landfill from which soils were extracted and
containerized for the detoxification studies. Extraction wells were installed in the boreholes.
Two eight-foot square areas were dug out to a depth of approximately two feet in order
to examine the top liner of the landfill cap system. "Split spoon" samples were taken of the clay
cap and the landfill contents. These samples were analyzed for a variety of things including
moisture, compaction, permeability and PCB content. A 10-mil plastic liner covers the clay cap.
Sections of this liner were cut out and sent to a testing laboratory for examination. The cut out
portions was replaced and the holes refilled.
Sampline:
Extensive sampling was done in the monitoring wells and streams around the landfill.
Soil and sediment samples from selected locations around the area were taken. These samples
were analyzed for a variety of chemicals including PCBs, dioxin, heavy metals, pesticides and
volatile organic chemicals.
Detoxification studies:
Beginning in 1996, the science advisors for the Working Group, along with DWM staff,
conducted a detailed technology screening, evaluation, assessment and comparative analysis on
potentially feasible technologies . Potential feasibility had to have been demonstrated through
prior successful full-scale use of a technology for PCB detoxification work. Any technology
that existed only as a research or developmental technology was deemed inappropriate.
Twelve different technologies were considered. All but two were screened out. Only
Base Catalyzed Decomposition (BCD) and Gas Phase Chemical Reduction technology were
found to be appropriate and potentially feasible for the Warren County landfill.
Two companies were subsequently picked to conduct bench scale demonstrations. ETG
Environmental, using BCD, and ECOLOGIC, using the Gas Phase Chemical Reduction
technology, were provided samples of the contaminated soils from the landfill, along with very
stringent guidelines and treatment goals for both PCBs and dioxin. Following their bench scale
studies, each company submitted phase I reports that were analyzed by the WG, state staff and
science advisors.
2
As a result of these phase I studies, the Working Group concluded that feasible and
effective detoxification technology was available and selected BCD as the preferred technology
for detoxification of the PCB Landfill. ETG Environmental, Inc. (ETG) was subsequently
awarded a contract to perform a Phase II preliminary design of a full-scale BCD detoxification
system to remediate the PCB Landfill (ETG petformed the successful Phase I bench scale BCD
study.) The primary purpose of the Phase II report was to develop sufficient conceptual design
information to allow for preparation of a cost estimate to form the basis to request funding from
the State legislature for final design and detoxification of the PCB Landfill utilizing the BCD
process.
The BCD process utilizes non-incineration chemical reactions to detoxify the PCBs and
dioxins/furans in the contaminated materials. Chlorine atoms are chemically removed from the
PCB and dioxin/furan molecules, and replaced with hydrogen, rendering them non-hazardous.
The resulting non-hazardous oil can be recycled off-site. Detoxified soils will be replaced on-
site, covered and re-vegetated. The process has been proven at several full-scale project
applications.
The preliminary conceptual design of the full-scale detoxification project is divided into
two components. The first component provides written conceptual designs for site preparation,
excavation, treatment, confirmation/verification sampling, stormwater management, security,
site reclamation, decontamination, and demobilization. These aspects of the project have been
conceptually designed to provide the basis for a detailed cost estimate for detoxification.
The second component presents those aspects of the project, which will be completed
during the final design portion of the Phase III Design/Build detoxification. Outlines have been
provided to introduce these final design items, as follows: emergency response plan, pe1mitting
plan, performance demonstration plan, air monitoring plan, quality assurance plan, health and
safety plan, construction quality assurance plan, and technical specifications.
The Design/Build detoxification contractor would include Program Management,
working in conjunction with the state, to ensure that the local community has a strong role in the
detoxification project's implementation. The Design/Build detoxification contractor would also
include a coordinator to ensure maximum economic benefit to local/minority businesses and the
local economy. Direct local economic impact is estimated in the range of $3 million to $5
million, which includes the hiring of local individuals and utilization of local businesses for
supplies, materials, and services to support the detoxification project. A detailed cost estimate
has been prepared to perform the detoxification project utilizing the BCD process. A cost of
$23,975,000 was established, vyhich included a $2,079,000 contingency and approximately
$1 ,000,000 for air monitoring and testing.
3
The North Carolina General Assembly appropriated $2 million in 1998 to begin
detoxification of the landfill. This appropriation bill also specified the BCD technology and
cleanup levels of 200 ppb PCBs and 200 parts per trillion toxicity equivalent concentration
(TEQ) for dioxins/furans .
In January 1999, the state hired Ms. Pat Backus, PE, and a chemical and environmental
engineer, to be the project manager for detoxification.
On February 16, 1999, Henry Lancaster, then the Deputy Secretary for DENR, Mike
Kelly and Pat Backus met with representatives of the BP A Region 4 in Atlanta to discuss
potential funding support for detoxification and the permitting requirements from BP A to do the
work. Henry Lancaster and Mike Kelly also traveled to Washington in February 1999, and with
Jim McClesky, of the Governor's Washington office, met with various members of the North
Carolina Congressional staff The purpose of this visit was to update them on the project, and to
visit the Pentagon to discuss the possibility of securing funds from the Department of Defense to
help in the detoxification effort. Approximately ten percent of the contaminated soil in the PCB
landfill came from Ft. Bragg.
A contract for Phase III, Final Design, was awarded to ETG Environmental in May of
1999. The DWM then sent out requests for a statement of interest to various vendors with the
ability to use BCD technology on a full-scale operation. The DWM wanted to begin looking at
the number of qualified firms available to bid on the full-scale detoxification. XXXXX
companies submitted letters of interest and qualification packages.
The general assembly passed an additional appropriations bill during the 1999 session to
set aside $7 million out of reve1iing funds, and to also transfer $1 million from the solid waste
white goods fund for the PCB landfill detoxification project. The appropriations bill for the $7
million will require some federal matching funds .
In August of 1999 the WG was reorganized as a Citizens Advisory Group (CAB) with a
mission to pursue detoxification and the necessary funding to complete the project. Their
responsibilities also were to continue working with the state staff and contractors to complete the
final design plans for detoxification and to help finalize plans for the redevelopment of the land
once detoxification was completed.
In December 1999, as a result of state needs for hurricane relief, approximately $ 1 .42
million of non-obligated money was transferred from the detoxification fund back to the state
budget office.
4
►
CURRENT STATUS:
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has agreed to provide $225,000 ($75,000
each year for three years) out of their Environmental Justice program for the hiring of a
Community Involvement Coordinator to work in Warren County as a liaison between the local
community, CAB, state staff and the contractor for detoxification. The individual hired will
work through the Warren Family Institute and will be located at the Warren County PCB office.
Applications are currently being accepted for this position.
On February 3, 2000, Pat Backus and Mike Kelly, along with representatives from ETG
Environmental, met with the pe1mitting staff at BP A headquarters in Washington, DC. The
purpose of this meeting was to bring the BP A staff up to date on the current detoxification
efforts and to discuss a phase funded approach to the detoxification project. The detoxification
project will require a pe1mit from BP A. The Final Design Phase III document was completed
and turned over to the state on March 9.
DENR staff met March 21 with state contracting personnel to discuss the RFP for a
phase-funded approach to the detoxification. Work is progressing on this RFP. Under the
current schedule, it is anticipated that a contract for the actual detoxification will be signed this
fall.
Efforts are currently being undertaken to find additional funding to complete the project
as well as the matching federal dollars required under the appropriations bill from 1999.
CONTACT: Michael A. Kelly, Deputy Director
Pat Backus, Project Manager
5
919-715-3644
919-733-4996, ext. 308
AVA
NCDENR
JAMES 8. HUNT JR.
GOVERNOR
BILL HOLMAN
SECRETARY
WILLIAM L . MEYER
DIRECTOR
BACKGROUND:
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT
March 23, 2000
STATUS OF THE PCB LANDFILL
DETOXIFICATION EFFORT
WARREN COUNTY, NC
In the late 1970's several thousand gallons of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were
illegally disposed by the spraying of contaminated oil along approximately 210 miles of state
roadways. Listed as a Superfund site under the US EPA program, the roadways were dug up and
the contaminated soils disposed in a Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) approved PCB landfill
located in Warren County. Residents and civil rights leaders vehemently protested the location of
the landfill in Warren County. These protests are considered the "watershed event" which brought
the issue of environmental justice to the national level
In 1982, Governor James B. Hunt, Jr., made a commitment to the people of Warren
County that if appropriate and feasible technology became available, the state would explore
detoxification of the landfill. In 1995, $1 million was appropriated to study detoxification
technologies.
The Warren County PCB Working Group (WG) was established and consisted of local
citizens, state employees, and members of various environmental organizations. This group
worked together in a joint partnership to explore detoxification.
DETOXIFICATION STUDIES:
With staff of the Division of Waste Management (DWM), independent science advisors,
and the WG, an extensive site investigation was performed. This included the installation of
additional monitoring wells, boring into the landfill to extract soils for testing, and bench scale
detoxification studies.
Twelve different technologies were considered. Two technologies, Base catalyzed
Decomposition (BCD) and Gas Phase Chemical Reduction, were found to be appropriate and
potentially feasible for the Warren County landfill. Following very rigorous testing using
stringent guidelines and treatment goals for both PCBs and dioxin, it was determined that BCD
was the best technology for detoxification.
The BCD process utilizes non-incineration chemical reactions to detoxify the PCBs and
dioxins/furans in the contaminated soils. Chlorine atoms are chemically removed from the PCB
and dioxin/furan molecules, and replaced with hydrogen, rendering them non-hazardous.
Detoxified soils will be replaced on-site as part of a redevelopment plan for the area.
DESIGN ACTIVITIES:
A Phase II, Preliminary Draft Design Plan based on the BCD detoxification studies
estimated the maximum cost for the entire project to be under $24 million. In 1998, an additional
$2 million was apprnpriated to begin the detoxification prncess using BCD. In 19::.c ... "
I\WI --·--·-1646 MAIL SERVICE CENTER, RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27699-1646
401 OBERLIN ROAD, SUITE 150, RALEIGH, NC 27605
PHONE [phone] FAX [phone]
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY / AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER -50% RECYCLED/1 0 o/o POST-CONSUMER PAPER
chemical/environmental engineer was hired by the DWM to be the project manager and a contract for a Phase III
Final Design was issued.
Several meeting were held with EPA TSCA personnel in Atlanta (Region IV) and Washington, DC
(Headquarters) to solicit input on the final design and to outline permitting requirements for the detoxification.
The final design package was completed in March of 2000. In addition to design drawings and technical
specifications, the package included a Community Outreach and Involvement Plan to help ensure that residents and
local business receive some financial benefit from the detoxification efforts and are kept informed of activities at the
site.
OTHER RECENT ACTIVITIES:
With the selection of a detoxification technology the mission of the WG was fulfilled. In August of 1999
the group was reestablished as the Citizens Advisory Board (CAB) with a new mission to continue to participate in
the efforts to detoxify the landfill and to serve as a liaison between the state and the community at-large.
Additionally funding for the actual detoxification was sought through the EPA Superfund Program, the
EPA Brownfields Program, and the Department of Defense (approximately 10 percent of the landfill material came
from Ft. Bragg). EPA Region IV is providing a grant of $225,000 to fund a Community Involvement Coordinator
and job developer for the project. However, no funding was available from these sources for the actual
detoxification.
In 1999, an additional $1 million was appropriated and $7 million made available to match federal funds
for the detoxification effort. However, approximately $1 .4 million of previously appropriated funds were reverted
back to the state budget office for Hurricane Floyd relief Efforts to obtain federal matching funds were also
suspended in deference to the Hurricane Floyd needs.
CURRENT STATUS:
Based on the outlook of limited additional funds in the near future, a phased funded approach has been
investigated. With the funds available and reserved, site preparation, equipment mobilization, performance testing,
and the treatment of a limited amount of material could be completed. This approach was received favorably by the
EPA and the state budget office. During the time required to complete the initial phases, there will be additional
opportunities to obtain funds from state and federal sources to continue to the project to completion while these
efforts are underway.
A Request for Proposals for the initial phase of work is being prepared for issue in May. Following
selection of a remediation contraction, a contract should be signed by the fall of 2000.
CONTACT: Michael A Kelly, Deputy Director
Pat Backus, Project Manager
919-715-3644
919-733-4996 ext 308
JAMES B. HUNT JR.
GOVERNOR
WAYNE MCDEVITT
SECRETARY
WILLIAM L. MEYER
DIRECTOR
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT
October 11, 1999
STATUS OF THE PCB LANDFILL
DETOXIFICATION EFFORT
WARREN COUNTY, NC
Hurricane Floyd was a tremendous weather event that had a devastating effect on Eastern North
Carolina. Since the hurricane, many questions have been raised concerning how the PCB Landfill
fared. The purpose of this update it to inform you of the monitoring and other activities that have
been under way before and since the hurricane.
♦ Significant Rainfall
Warren County received significant rainfall during Hurricane Floyd. Rainfall amounts
recorded at the Arcola climatic data station totaled 9.73 inches in the period from September 15-
17. Although considerable, these amounts were significantly lower than the 15 to 20 inches
experienced in other areas of the state.
♦ No Flooding
The soil surrounding the landfill site was extremely moist due to the rainfall, but no
flooding or standing waste was observed.
The PCB Landfill site it located above the 100-year flood level. Before the landfill was
constructed, the Geologic Survey of the U.S. Department of the Interior investigated the site.
They estimated that the 100-year flood height is not more than 8 feet above the average level in
the surrounding creeks. The PCB Landfill site is approximately 80 feet above the surrounding
creeks. In their judgement, this site would not be subject to flooding.
♦ No Facility Damage
There was no damage to the facilities or equipment at the landfill due to Floyd. The only
noticeable damage was a small tree that had fallen across an access road to a monitoring well.
♦ Water in Landfill
Water in the landfill has been a concern for many years. Free water in the landfill puts
additional pressure on the landfill liner. In February, the state installed a system that continuously
pumps water from the landfill. The water is treated in sand and carbon filters and then discharged
in accordance with a North Carolina Division of Water Quality permit. Since May, the water
level in the landfill has been monitored approximately once a week using an electronic water-level
indicator. A continuous, significant drop in level has been observed. The following chart shows
the data on the south well inside the landfill. The level of water has dropped approximately seven
feet landfill since continuous pumping began and approximately 80,000 gallons have been
removed.
401 OBERLIN ROAD, SUITE 150, RALEIGH, NC 27605
PHONE [phone] FAX [phone]
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/ AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER -50% RECYCLED/I 0% POST-CONSUMER PAPER
15
14
13
12
11
0
12/1/96
••
3/31/'JT
• • .
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••
Weter Level In South Well
Warren County PCB Landfill
• •• •
11/26197 312&'96
• -.
•► -·,-•
11/21198 3/21/!19 7/19/flJ
Pumping was interrupted for the few days due to the power outage experienced after the hurricane. However,
pumping resumed immediately after power was restored.
♦ Sampling
The normal monthly sample of treated leachate from the PCB Landfill was taken on September 22,1999. The
result was <0.0001 ppm PCBs. This analysis is consistent with previous results and is less than the Safe Drinking
Water Act level of0.0005 ppm PCBs.
The biannual sampling event at the landfill is scheduled for October 25 and 26. During this event, water
samples are taken from monitoring wells around the landfill site and sediment samples are taken from Richneck
Creek and analyzed for PCBs. The normal monthly leachate samples will be taken also . The biannual sampling
event fulfills a requirement of the PCB Landfill Toxic Substances Control Act permit.
♦ Detoxification Final Design
ETG Environmental, Inc and its subcontractor Barnes, Ferland and Associates are completing the final design
for the PCB Landfill detoxification. The final design includes design drawings and specifications plus a number of
project work plans which address site health and safety, air monitoring, site operations, process performance, process
quality assurance, cleanup verification, and community involvement. Representatives from the contractors have
attended the past few meetings of the Joint Warren County/State PCB Landfill Working Group to update the
community and answer questions concerning the design. The scheduled completion date for the final design is
December 31, 1999.
♦ Funding
This year the General Assembly allocated $1 million for the detoxification of the PCB Landfill and authorized
the state to identify $7 million in state funds to match federal funds. The funds have been placed in a reserve fund as
directed by the General Assembly. A request for $7.5 million from federal sources is pending.
CONTACT: Pat Backus, Project Manager, DWM 919-733-4996, ext. 308
I
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Attaohed le en Ll~to on ~vensl 1ternA c;.:oooemlng U\8 PCB Landfill th1i I w~td Ul<tt to sMnd o I, Swioe Pat Wl1lilllrnsor1 Is on leave. Sharri EVRM·Stenton 8LIQ08Sl1&CI that 1,end It to you lo review for aimm&r,
c1arlty, 0te. b8tor& sending It out. 1
Thankli for your ha~.
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Octobe1 l l, 1999
I
STATUS OF TJIE PCB LI\ND ILL 1
f / DETOXIFICATION El\'FO ~~ I.· \ ;{\Ir ~q_ .
! 1 r I e,,, iw I WARD.EN COUNTY, N \ jr .
1,v t\. .. ~H .. 1tt.t ti, r 1 \: . ;
JJun11,aa11c Flu d w11~ e rremendou, weather \'ent that had a df 1&tating effect o~ Eaatcm North :
C£1rol111a. ·Ni.tff-llllW-H,llMIIJ many que11tiol\l! •••~tl'iottw, oncewlnii how t~D PCB Landfill
fanid. Thti pu[JJOSD oft!1IH llJ'ldMl'! it to tnfru:m you ot tho monlt ring and oth,r aorl· itlcii thnt )111.vo1
b~ undet~Y before and sinco the hurficane, ♦ ijgnJflynt Rainfall 1 J I i cJuu -' i ·
Wonen Coun~;· rci;civcd aigniflca.nt rainfall ~ Hfnica11e ~loyd. il.infJIJI arnoun~
lCC(11di:d 11t the Arcola cl!maric d111a atation tot!iled 11,73 U)ohoo in tho pc:rlod froJn Sop1cn1bo( 1~-/ 7 ~ Althouah cvnsidcrabt~. the so rimo1H\U wcr~ ~i~1if1Ca11tly lower 1•n t'he 1 S to 10
inc.he41 c,.peticn1,;w in other areas of th~ 111ate. i I j · . ·,
• N2floodlUi . i, / . . . • ; : •
Tltc: 110i1 surrounding th~ landfill sift \\rail extremolyi moist due to thj tti~fall, b~{' j ·
flooding or st11nding wMte w~~ observod. ) i ,
The PCB Litldfall Gite lt Joc,tod 11bovo tho l OO~y~r tjood level. Bd'i~
1
the landftlt w4
constn.11:lod, tht: Geologic Survey nf thei ll.S. Department: o,f theJlnterior 11we,tig11. &d the site. The>'
e~tin1at¢od. that th• l 00-yei\T t1ood height la ,:,,ot more ihati 8 ~l ilbovo tho av rage level ln ihc:
surr<>1.mding creek~. Tin:: PCB L11mlfill Rite IB 11ppro:rlmatcly & !et11 •hove the Q rrounding ere•~•
In lhelr judaemant. this site would not be suhjoot -~ 114, I 1· . . . ... , . ;
• No fR<:llltr Rani.Hi J ;
There was no damase to the f4011tti«1 or cquip.-lont; 11t ~ landfill duo 10 /rk,yd. 'I110 ocly
noticc:able damage W&li ll i.mall lreD that had fallen acrnBI 11n ao U fl'IAd to ~ nlO!'litorlng Well. :
I I ' • ~VntQr ln.Lond!lll ~· : . I
Wator in the lri.ndfill has b¢on II IXtllCOfll foJ n .. oi y •· f11.11. watc:r ii ilie landfill JIIJlt
oddhlone.l pr~!ilua1 on tht: hrnd!'ill liner. In F~rulli'r , , the tta~ inlltJ,lled • 8Ytlem '9l
oontinuoU&l'Y pumps water from the landfi11. Th0 w~,~J~ 1n ond and ca..1~ou fillers and 6'en
r:lisohaTgr.d in acc.ordllJlc.e with ll Norm Carolina Dfp'a~~ ~f Watbr QUahty ~mut. 8inQCI M,y,
the water Jti\•~I in tho landfl11 w ~l r0,11d app&Oll.!!,_ · IA. w00Lll:,~: :~-,-~lcotron~_:_atpr-__ fl
level imJlcaior. A continiww, Rlgnlfi.cent draJ' 111 l~'Ve:1 :has n obgeiv~ following chart · · · · -.f.
$how, the data 011 the 11011th well inQ!de the l11ndfill. 'fbQ:lovo ofwator h.0,5 drotµed 11ppm1dmau.lv / . , ., l-✓ .. 1,,,.-BOVCD fo(t landfill si11e0 coi,linuuus pumpluis h.,gan lilnd Rf'J" ()Ximacely 8{),0UO aallons h11ve \,ten
nimovl\d. I ·
I
OCT • •~·.!_ £. J .::._,•~1 -., ::11 '\-1·, ltr, ,-,.._ ,. ._ .. F ''::J'::J U'::: ; 4bHM EHf-JF' · F'UBLI C RFFR rns
w-w••I"' •-h w.~ W..!'l'on OoUfA)I PC:11, l.tlldffll
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u , ___ ..__
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Pumping wlli im1mupted for 1he few '1llys ti~ tn thti pnwtii-u11taiio c~ri ccd ofter 1hc hu4 cano, Howo,,.,J,:
pumpLig rQ6Umod imn1C4ie.tcly after power W~9 reetorod. · 1
·~~ :
! , I .
The m)11t1t:t! moutluy sample of treated lcaohato from tho PCS Landtlll wu taken on Sc,p~rr 22, 19!)9. 'nad
reauK w~ co.0001 ppm I'('.89. Th l~ 11)8lyala !ff conalaiem with pniviou. r~u-1· and is leas than c Safo Drl~
Water Act level of0.0005 ppm Pella, · ·
Tho bicnriual e.11mplin~ ,vent at the lnndflll iu schedul&d for October :15 ~Gd ·6. During d\111 ~~ent, w•tot s~mpiJ
are talr~n fMtn monl1t1rlng wells around the l1mdfiU ~Jtc iu1d sedimoot a11rqpli;.1 01c tllkcn frorn Riohneck Ctulc ~4
~nal;-z¢d for PCBs. The nQrrntil monthly leacna~ aamplea wm be u1ken alG'o. o bl!innu11I Hmotlng ovcnt fulfillJ •
rcq11irciruc:lll of1ho PCB L1111dfl1I ~mlit. / 1/ /' · ) .,.,..--•-,
• Dttufftcttl!ilPt'.m:I Pdlm • . .....___ S/7f / 1 0 v -: j ,,---'-/ /1'\.: Lc· . ~ \ t✓~ /c. (c:')f"c /o '1 ., · ' ;, l "-= ~ ...,.,.,.
TITO Ilnvironm.ontal, Inc ond th uboontra11tor Hames, Ferlat.ld and A;a9o · at~ 110To~ r
the fln1d de111sn for ~1~ Pen Landfill ni:oe1o~ilkJ1t11111. TI1c_ final design incl\lJc, d aign dro.wil\iG, on , r,poci~~•ti~e P.lu1
e. uumhor of projoct work plo.ne whu;h fl<klte,s 01te h&alth and 1111fety; air monitoring, N11.c upcrili1um1, 1.noqett ,
pe-rform!lM~. pr()·oesti qul'!llry 111:Ruranco, cle1mup vorlffo11tiou, and comruunlty i vol.,.i;mont, Repr~e11tat1v• troro.tbe .
contractotli h11vq nttcnd~d the p1L1;t few rnc1•tingi t>f the Joint Wanl!!l Cn~ty/~tate PCB Landnl\ Wmlng G1·oup 1,1};
up1,w~ tht: i.;omm.unit1 1111d answer Question& i=o~lng the. deai&n, The H~dul•d completion d«te for 1M .~naf ;
doaign 1& l,)~c•mb~r 31, l!)fl9. / / 1 :
• l!Jwb ~ l I ;, ;
Thli yeAr the Otinentl Aii.!le1nbl1 aUocatod S 1 million (or tho dotalliHQ~ttim f the PCB Land~lt l\l'ld au!l1orl~ ~
•tote to identify S7 mtlhon ill &tate S:uuda to rnAreh t~erRI funrk 'Jl11i l\mdstave beon ple.ccd in a. rceosve t\iitd .,
direcn:d by \lie; Oenc,ol A~mbly. A requcat for $7 ,S million from fed♦ra\ iOU c:~ i~ pending. :.
. '
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NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT
April 21, 1999
ST A TUS OF THE PCB LANDFILL
DETOXIFICATION EFFORT
WARREN COUNTY, NC
BACKGROUND:
In the late l 970's several thousand gallons of polychlorinated bi-phenyls
(PCBs) were illegal disposed by spraying along approximately 210 miles of state
roadways. Listed as a Superfund site under the US EPA program, the roadways
were dug up and the contaminated soils disposed in an approved PCB landfill
located in Warren County. There was much opposition to the landfill and the
Environmental Justice movement supposedly started at this site.
In 1982, Governor James B. Hunt, Jr., made a commitment to the people
of Warren County that if appropriate and feasible technology became available, the
state would explore detoxification of the landfill. In 1995, $ I million was
appropriated to study detoxification.
The Warren County PCB Working Group (WG) was established and
consists of local citizens, state employees and members of various environmental
organizations. This group has been working together in a joint partnership to
explore detoxification.
DETOXTFICA TION STUDIES:
With staff from the Division of Waste Management (DWM), independent
science advisors and the WG, an extensive site investigation was performed. This
included installation of monitoring wells, boring into the landfill to extract soils for
testing, and bench scale detoxification studies.
Twelve different technologies were considered. Two technologies, Base
Catalyzed Decomposition (BCD) and Gas Phase Chemical Reduction, were found
to be appropriate and potentially feasible for the Warren County landfill.
Following very rigorous testing using stringent guidelines and treatment goals for
both PCBs and dioxin, it was determined that BCD was the best technology for
detoxification.
401 OBERLIN ROAD, SUITE 150, RALEIGH, NC 27605
PHONE 919·733-4996 FAX [phone]
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/ AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER• !50% RECYCLED/I 0% POST-CONSUMER PAPER
The BCD process utilizes non-incineration chemical reactions to detoxify the PCBs and
dioxins/furans in the contaminated soil. Chlorine atoms are chemically removed from the PCB
and dioxin/furan molecules, and replaced with hydrogen, rendering them non-hazardous.
Detoxified soils will be replaced on-site as part of a redevelopment plan for the area. A Phase II,
Preliminary Draft Design Plan estimates the maximum cost to be under $24 million.
CURRENT STATUS:
In 1998, $2 million was appropriated to begin the detoxification process using BCD. The
DWM hired a chemical/environmental engineer to be the project manager. A contract is being
issued for the completion of the Final Design Drawings for full scale detoxification. Preliminary
meetings for the permitting activities required have been held with EPA Region 4 (Atlanta) and
Headquarters (Washington) personnel.
EPA is providing funding for a Community Liaison person to work with the local
community in a variety of tasks, and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
(NIEHS) sponsored a Warren County citizen in a Superfund Job Training Program designed to
teach her how to set up a job training program for local citizens so they can be involved and
employed in the detoxification work. NIEHS would also sponsor this activity. Contacts are
ongoing with the EPA Environmental Justice, Superfund and Re-development program personnel,
as well as other groups such as Georgia Tech (for job training and a science advisory role), the
US Soccer Association (support for the re-development of the area), and the Department of
Defense (IO percent of the landfill materials came from Ft. Bragg), as partners and potential
funding sources.
Site preparation work is either on-going or in the planning stages for such things as
utilities (water, power, toilet facilities, etc), road work, boring under the landfill, and a re-
development plan once detoxification is completed. Job training and business opportunities for
minority companies in the area is a priority.
The DWM is currently pre-qualifying companies interested in bidding on the actual
detoxification. The Phase III, Final Design, should be completed by September 1999, and it is our
hope to have a RFP for detoxification ready to send out this fall, as soon as the additional funding
is appropriated. The next phase is estimated to cost a maximum of $16 million. Under the
current schedule, a contract could be issued in early 2000, and actual detoxification on-site started
in the summer of 2000. The on-site work is estimated to take 18-24 months.
CONT ACT: Michael Kelly, Deputy Director, DWM
Pat Backus, Project Manager, DWM
Pat Williamson, PIO, DWM
733-4996, ext 203
733-4996, ext 308
733-4996, ext 337
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NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT
April 8, 1999
l\1EMORANDUM:
FOR: MONA MOON
THROUGH: JANE SMITH
FROM: MICHAEL KELLY
SUBJECT: ST A TUS OF PCB LANDFILL
Attached are informational papers regarding the PCB landfill in Warren
County. These include:
Current status as of March I, 1999
Proposed budget for the allocated $2 million
Contact information regarding funding sources other than
state appropriations
Proposed time line for the next 2.5 years to complete the
detoxification project.
We anticipate being able to utilize the entire $2 million currently
appropriated within the next 12 months. As of the first of January, I had hired an
environmental/chemical engineer to be the project manager. Since this is her only
project, things are starting to move fairly quickly.
Please call me should you have any questions. My number is 733-4996,
extension 203.
Thanks for your continued support.
401 OBERLIN ROAD, SUITE I SO, RALEIGH, NC 27605
PHONE 919·733-4996 FAX [phone]
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/ AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER• 50% RECYCLED/I 0% POST-CONSUMER PAPER
CURRENT ST A TUS:
The North Carolina General Assembly appropriated $2 million in 1998 to begin
detoxification of the landfill. This appropriation bill also specified the BCD technology and
cleanup levels of 200 ppb PCBs and 200 parts per trillion toxicity equivalent concentration (TEQ)
for dioxins/furans.
In January I 999, the state hired Ms. Pat Backus, chemical and environmental engineer, to
be the project manager for detoxification.
The state is currently completing the scope of work and contract negotiations with ETG
Environmental for completion of the Phase III final design plan, for full-scale detoxification.
It is anticipated that this final plan will be completed in August 1999.
During the next few months, the state will be pre-qualifying prospective bidders for the
detoxification. Assuming adequate funding is received, a request for proposals (RFP) for the
detoxification will be sent out this fall, and a contract awarded in the first quarter of 2000.
Depending on a variety of factors, including capabilities of the company receiving the contract,
our plans would include an on-site full-scale demonstration in the second half of 2000, and actual
detoxification taking place by the end of the year 2000. At the current time, it is estimated that
detoxification will take 18 to 24 months of actual on-site work to complete.
During the balance of 1999, the state will undertake as much work as possible using the
$2 million currently allocated. We anticipate the final phase III work to cost approximately
$530,000. Other pieces of the project, such as site preparation, lining of the leachate pond,
confirmation sampling under the landfill and ut ility needs, are being identified in order that they
may be completed during the interim time .
On February 16, 1999, Henry Lancaster,J\1ike Kelly and Pat Backus met with
representatives of the EPA Region 4 in Atlanta to discuss potential funding support for
detoxification and the permitting required from EPA to do the work . ·
CO NT ACT : Michael A. Kelly, Deputy Director 919-733-4996, ext. 203
Pat Backus, Project Manager 919-733-4996, ext. 308
Pat Williamson, Public Information Officer, 9 I 9-733-4996, ext. 33 7
PCB LANDFILL DETOXIFICATION
PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE $2 MILLION
COMPLETION OF FINAL DESIGN DRAWINGS FOR FULL
SCALE OPERATION
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING, TESTING UNDER LANDFILL
LINING OF POND FOR USE DURING DETOXIFICATION
SITE PREPARATION WORK
WATER AND POWER
OTHER AREAS THAT CAN BE COMPLETED
USI NG THESE FUNDS ARE BEING IDENTIFIED
$529,000
$200,000
$50,000
$600,000
$300,000
$321,000
TOTAL: $2,000,000
The next phase of the project (actual detoxification) will require approximately $16 million based
on the original cost projections in the Phase II document. It is hoped that this cost will actually
decrease as a result of the bidding process.
OTHER AREAS BEING EXPLORED FOR FUNDING/RESOURCE SUPPORT:
National Institute of Environmental Health Services: funding for job training; have
sponsored a scholarship for a Warren County representative to attend the job training seminar in
April 1999 on how to set up a program for the county (a state representative will also attend).
EPA, REGION 4: has set aside $75,000 per year for three years from their Environmental
Justice program to provide a community liaison staff person and fund community outreach efforts.
The detoxification project does not qualify for "Superfund" monies, as the landfill was the
"solution" to a Superfund site, ie 200+ miles of roadside. Region 4 is very supportive of the
project and will continue to look for funding sources.
BRO\VNFJELDS GRANT: Warren County has applied for a Brownfields grant to assist in
community involvement; final assessment work at the landfill, and re-development planning; will
know in mid-May if they are successful (applied for $200,000).
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE: met with representatives at the Pentagon to discuss available
funds for detoxification (IO percent of the landfill contents came from Ft. Bragg); initial reaction
from the Pentagon is that they have no funds available for detoxification.
CAPITOL HILL: contact has been made with congressional representatives through the
governor's Washington office, and a letter of request was being sent to various congressional
committees seeking partial funding for the next phase of the project.
EPA HEADQUARTERS, WASHINGTON: met with various members of EPA staff
(Brownfields, re-development) in February to look at sources of money to support the
detoxification. They are continuing to seek available funds.
GEORGIA TECH STATE UNIVERSITY: Georgia Tech, through assistance grants from
EPA, can provide support, technical advice (similar to what the science advisors have provided),
and some job training for the citizens of Warren County. The DWM will continue to pursue this
resource.
US SOCCER ASSOCIATION: contact has been made with this organization; they are very
excited about supporting re-development of the property into a public park; they can provide
engineering assistance and design information for soccer fields and perhaps limited amounts of
money; also have contacts with the major sportswear manufacturers who might be interested in
contributing to the re-development project. (For instance, NIKE recently contributed $250,000
to a project in New York.) ·
The EPA and other organizations continue to be supportive of this project, and we continue to
find possible funding sources for various pieces of the project. The environmental engineer
recently hired as the project manager for the state, and the soon to be hired community liaison
person in Warren County, will continue to pursue every available opportunity for such funding.
PROPOSED TIME LINE FOR DETOXIFICATION OF PCB
LANDFILL, WARREN COUNTY, NC
JANUARY 1999
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APR.IL
JUNE
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
JANUARY 2000
FEBRUARY
JULY
SEPTEMBER
NOVEMBER
SEPTEMBER 200 I
Hire state project manager
Negotiate contract for Phase III final design
Complete compliance with EPA NON
Meet with EPA, Region 4 and HQ (Washington) to discuss money
Meet with representative staff on Capitol Hill to discuss funding
Meet with representatives at the Pentagon to discuss funding
Meet with EPA to discuss TSCA permit for detoxification
Research funding/resource options for detoxification
Solicit qualification packages from prospective bidders
Finalize contract negotiations on Phase III
Work on confirmation sampling under landfill
Initiate work on other pieces of detoxification (utilities,
site preparation, line storm-water collection pond.)
Semi-annual sampling/testing at the landfill
Issue Phase III contract
Search for local community liaison
Begin RFP process for detoxification
Work to secure funding for completion of project
Hire community liaison for Warren County
Receive completed Phase III document
Send out RFP for detoxification
Pre-bid conference for detoxification, site visit
Select contractor for work
Issue contract for detoxification of landfill
Pilot scale test
On-site full scale demonstration
Begin full scale work
Project completed
PCB LANDFILL DETOXIFICATION
PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE $2 MILLION
COMPLETION OF FINAL DESIGN DRAWINGS FOR FULL
SCALE OPERATION
DIRECTIONAL DRILLING, TESTING UNDER LANDFILL
LINING OF POND FOR USE DURING DETOXIFICATION
SITE PREPARATION WORK
WATER AND POWER
OTHER AREAS THAT CAN BE COMPLETED
USING THESE FUNDS ARE BEING IDENTIFIED
$529,000
$200,000
$50,000
$600,000
$300,000
$321,000
TOTAL: $2,000,000
The next phase of the project (actual detoxification) will require approximately $16 million based
on the original cost projections in the Phase II document. It is hoped that this cost will actually
decrease as a result of the bidding process.
OTHER AREAS BEING EXPLORED FOR FUNDING/RESOURCE SUPPORT:
National Institute of Environmental Health Services: funding for job training; have
sponsored a scholarship for a Warren County representative to attend the job training seminar in
April I 999 on how to set up a program for the county (a state representative will also attend).
EPA, REGION 4: has set aside $75,000 per year for three years from their Environmental
Justice program to provide a community liaison staff person and fund community outreach efforts.
The detoxification project does not qualify for 11Superfund11 monies, as the landfill was the
11 solution II to a Superfund site, ie 200+ miles of roadside. Region 4 is very supportive of the
project and will continue to look for funding sources.
BROWNFIELDS GRANT: Warren County has applied for a Brownfields grant to assist in
community involvement, final assessment work at the landfill, and re-development planning; will
know in mid-May if they are successful (applied for $200,000).
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE: met with representatives at the Pentagon to discuss available
funds for detoxification (IO percent of the landfill contents came from Ft. Bragg); initial reaction
from the Pentagon is that they have no funds available for detoxification.
S--tJLl.~
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT
FAX FAX FAX FAX FAX FAX
FROM:
TO:
MICHAEL A. KELLY
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
EXTENSION 203
SUBJECT: f o ~~ .~r~=· kv:---f ~6 1--F
NUMBER OF PAGES: COVER+ \ •
Please:
Draft a reply for my signature
Take appropriate action
Handle and report to me
~ information
Call me to discuss
Note and return material to me
401 OBERLIN ROAD, SUITE I SO, RALEIGH, NC 2760S
PHONE [phone] FAX 919-71 S-3605
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/ AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER -SOo/o RECYCLED/I 0% POST-CONSUMER PAPER
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NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
FAX
FROM:
TO:
SUBJECT:
FAX FAX
MICHAEL A. KELLY
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
EXTENSION 203
NUMBEROFPAGES: COVER+ _s-
Please:
Draft a reply for my signature
Take appropriate action
Handle and report to me
DIVISION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT
FAX FAX
~r infonnation
Call me to discuss
Note and return material to me
FAX
401 OBERLIN ROAD, SUITE I SO, RALEIGH, NC 27605
PHONE [phone] FAX [phone]
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/ AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER• 50% RECYCLED/I Oo/o POST-CONSUMER PAPER
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NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF WASTE MANAGEMENT
March 8, 1999
BULLETIN ABOUT THE PCB LANDFILL DETOXIFICATION EFFORT
TO:
FROM:
CITIZENS OF w WEN ~UNTY
MIKE KELLY~~
In an effort to keep citizens informed about the PCB landfill detoxification effort, I
will occasionally send out a bulletin to those living closest to the landfill and other
citizens on the Working Group's mailing list. This is the first such bulletin.
*** As you are aware, we received $2 million from the General Assembly last fall
to begin the detoxification process. We are currently negotiating a contract with
ETG Environmental for the Phase III, final design plans for the detoxification. Mr.
Patrick Barnes, BF A, Orlando, FL, will be working with ETG on this project.
*** In January, I hired an environmental and chemical engineer, Ms. Pat Backus,
to be the project manager for the detoxification. This will be her full time job. Her
phone number is 919-733-4996, ext. 308.
***Weare now in compliance with the Notice of Non-compliance (NON) issued
by the EPA to the state in August 1997. We are doing all of the required
monitoring and recently installed an automatic pumping system to remove water
from the landfill. The water is being pumped out at a rate of about 1/2 gallon per
minute. It is being filtered through the carbon and sand filter systems at the landfill
prior to being discharged into the pond. The EPA has granted us an indefinite
extension on the requirement for a new cap on the landfill since we are pursuing
detoxification.
*** Last month Henry Lancaster, Pat Backus and I met with representatives of
the EPA in Atlanta to discuss funding and permitting issues on the detoxification.
Henry and I also went to Washington to meet with representatives on Capitol Hill
and the Pentagon, and I met with other EPA officials at EPA headquarters.
*** We plan to do our next semi-annual sampling at the landfill in April.
*** Dollie Burwell, Henry Lancaster and I, plan to meet with Secretary McDevitt
later this month to discuss the PCB landfill detoxification effort.
The next PCB Working Group meeting is March 16 at 6 pm. Please call me at
9 I 9-733-4996, ext. 203, if you have any questions.
401 OBERLIN ROAD, SUITE 150, RALEIGH, NC 27605
PHONE [phone] FAX [phone]
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/ AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER• 50% RECYCLED/I 0% POST-CONSUMER PAPER
CHRONOLOGY
12.Z.8
July 30 First report of a chemical spill which was later identified as PCB on NC 58 in
Warren County. PCBs are polychlorinated biphenyls, a chemical that was widely used as a liquid
insulation material in electrical transformers. The chemicals were banned in 1978 .
August 2-5 PCB located along roadsides in several other North Carolina counties including
Johnston, Alamance, and Chatham.
August 3
August 5
First NRCD laboratory confirmation of PCBs Qohnston County).
Meeting of concerned citizens in Johnston County with state officials
August 10 Conference held with representatives of the Department of Human Resources,
Department of Agriculture, Attorney General's Office, Department of Transportation,
Environmental Protection Agency, and the news media to discuss the PCB dumpings.
Memo to local health directors (DHR).
August 15 Activated charcoal solution and liquid asphalt applied along 210 miles of North
Carolina highways where shoulders had been contaminated by PCB. This action was taken at the
recommendation of specialists at NC State University, who submitted a plan for temporarily
deactivating the PCB to prevent migration and to reduce any hazard to the public.
Governor requested the President to declare 14 counties as disaster areas.
August 17 Request for emergency relief funds made to the Federal Highway Administration,
US Department of Transportation.
Flyers concerning health effects delivered to residents along spills (DHR;).
August 18?? The NC Department of Transportation began applying a solution of activated
carbon and liquid asphalt to the 210 miles of contaminated roadside.
Governor requested federal assistance through the Federal Disaster Assistance
Administration, Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Blood samples taken from 20 people along spill sites (DHR).
August 28???? NC Department of Transportation begins applying a solution of activated carbon
at the rate of one gallon per square yard and an application of liquid asphalt at the rate of 1/10 gallon
per square yard to the 210 miles of contaminated highway shoulder
August 29 Flyers concerning health effects to crops and livestock delivered to residents along
spill (AGRIC).
1
September
September 1
Search begins for solid waste landfill sites.
Memo to physicians in affected counties (DHR).
September 6-19 Tests conducted along uncontaminated road shoulders to determine the safety and
effectiveness of equipment to be used in picking up the PCB.
September 29 Governor's request for assistance from the Federal Disaster Assistance
Administration, Department of Housing and Urban Development, is denied.
October 4 Notified by Federal Highway Administration, US Department of Transportation
that our request for emergency relief funds denied.
October 5 Test of pick-up equipment conducted along a contaminated road shoulder on
Highway 58 in Warren County.
November 6 Test results of the pick-up of contaminated soil along the roadside in Warren
County show that the contaminated soil can be picked up and and treated without harming the
environment or personnel involved.
November 20 Chatham County Commissioners passed a resolution "agreeing to sell the the State
of North Carolina six acres of land at the county landfill site to be used for the storage and disposal of
PCB contaminated soil to include all PCB contaminated soil known to be in Chatham County."
December 1 The state obtained an option on 142 acres of land in Warren County to be used to
dispose of the contaminated soil that would be picked up along the roadsides in 14 North Carolina
counties.
December 4
county
December 6
Public hearing in Chatham County Courthouse on Chatham Landfill site held by
commissioners and attended by state officials.
Application filed with EPA for Chatham County site.
December 12 Application filed with EPA for approval of the Warren County site as a disposal
area for the PCB contaminated soil.
llZ2
January 4
Guard Armory.
January 6
County.
Public hearing on the Warren County site conducted in Warrenton National
Test of in-place treatment on uncontaminated highway shoulder material in Wake
January 17 Robert Burns and sons pleaded guilty to a violation of the federal Toxic Substances
Control Act. Burns received an active jail sentence and his sons were placed on probation.
2
..
•
,
January 29 Secretary Hyde and other North Carolina officials met in Washington, DC, with
Deputy EPA Administrator Barbara Blum and other federal officials to discuss in-place treatment.
February 2 North Carolina petitions EPA to modify its regulations to permit alternative
methods of disposal of PCB contaminated soil and debris (i.e. in-place treatment).
February 6 Filed petition with EPA to amend rules under the Toxic Substances Control Act.
February 15 Test of in-place treatment on contaminated highway shoulder material in Johnston
County (NC 210).
March 22 Test of in-place treatment on contaminated highway shoulder in Alamance
County (SR 1010).
March 31 Option on Warren County site (Pope) expires-unable to renew.
May 7 State agrees to EPA request for an additional 10 days to announce decision on
petition to amend rules.
June 4 Couglas Castle, EPA administrator, rules against petition to change rules to allow
consideration of alternate methods of treatment.EPA denies North Carolina's petition.
the state's
EPA's Region IV Administrator John White approved Warren County site, and
application to construct a PCB landfill there.
June 6 Robert Burns and sons pleaded guilty to state charges surrounding the PCB
dumping in Halifax County Superior Court. Burns later received an active jail sentence and his sons
were placed on probation. Buck Ward, the owner of Ward Transformer, Inc. (where PCB
contaminated oil originated and was later dumped along roadsides by Robert Burns and sons) was
found not guilty on state charges.
August 16 Suit filed by Warren County What kind of suit, to do what???
Sept -Dec Draft EIS prepared, filed on December 28, 1979
July -Aug Comments received on EIS. Why would comments be received before the draft
was prepared???
illQ
September 12 Envineering consultant firms were interviewed by the state and a recommendation
was made to the Capital Building Authority for selection of a firm to develop plans for a PCB landfill
in Warren County.
12.8.1
May22 Buck Ward tried and found guilty of a violation of the federal Toxic Substance
3
Control Act. He received an active jail sentence and a $200,000 fine.
November 25 Judge Earl W. Britt grants summary judgment in favor of state and EPA in Warren
County and Twitty suits, resolving legal obstacles delaying constructing of the landfill. Appeals taken
in both cases.
12.82
May 13 Contract for construction of the PCB landfill awarded by the Capital Building
Authority pending the approval of federal Superfund money to fund the PCB cleanup project. The
contract was awarded to the low bidder, Jim Lineberger Grading and Paving Company of Gastonia.
May 26 Nonh Carolina and EPA officials announced the signing of a cooperative
agreement which provided $2.5 million in federal Superfund money to construct a PCB landfill in
Warren County, and to clean up the PCB contaminated soil along 210 miles of Nonh Carolina
roadsides.
State deeded 120 acres surrounding the landfill site to Warren County as buff er
zone. Voluntary dismissal taken by Warren County in suit on appeal.
June 21 Construction began on the PCB landfill in Warren County.
July 2 NAACP files discrimination suit in federal coun requesting preliminary
injunction to prohibit placement of soil in Warren County.
July-September Background sampling of groundwater, surface water, and surface water sediments
conducted (documented in June 30, 1983 letter from Tom Karnoski to O.W. Strickland and is part of
the Final Technical Repon to Al Hanke.
August 4
August 10
Hearing held before Judge Earl Britt.
Preliminary injunction denied.
September 15 Removal of PCB from roadsides begins by DOT crews. Protests begin in Warren
County and a total of 423 adult arrests were made and 100 juveniles were taken into custody over the
following 4½ weeks.
October?????
October 6
Gov. Hunt meets with residents of Warren County.
Fon Bragg begins removal operation for PCB on base.
October 12 State finishes roadside removal of PCB. There were 241 shoulder miles picked up;
6,455 truckloads taken to the landfill.
October 20 Gov. Hunt's open letter to the citizens of Warren County.
4
October 27 Fort Bragg finishes removing PCB from base; 768 truckloads put in landfill. Total
state/Ft. Bragg truckloads were 7,223.
November 1 Capping operation begins; plastic liner and clay liner in place, soil layer added.
Bad weather prevents final soil layer and seeding of cap to be accomplished.
December Heavy rains during the month cause soil erosion on cap and exposes plastic liner.
Bubbles develop in exposed liner from gas in the landfill caused by decomposition of vegetation mised
in with soil. Bubbles vented, soil erosion temporarily corrected and a temporary seed cover is installed
on the cap. Landfill will be completed in spring.
December 13 Buck Ward begins sentence at Danbury, Connecticut, Federal Prison after being
denied petition for certiorari by US Supreme Court.
December 27
illi
January
PCBs.
January 26
Federal Appeals Court affirms Judge Britt's ruling in Twiddy case.
EPA monitors gas venting from landfill and reports no significant emissions of
Sampling of 55 private wells within a three-mile radius of the PCB Landfill.
US files civil suit in federal court against Buck Ward and Ward Transformer, Inc.
February 17 State dismisses state law suits against Buck Ward and state allowed to intervene in
federal suit. All counterclaims dismissed by Ward against state.
March 4
May 11
May24
Voluntary dismissal taken by plaintiffs in discrimination suit.
Contractor resumes work on completion of landfill construction.
EPA grant period extended until July 23, 1983.
June The Intergovernmental Working Group on PCB Detoxification began meeting.
This group met nine times beginning in June 1983.
July 14
July 15
July 23
August 3
Construction completed.
Inspection held at the site and acceptance made by state officials.
Grant period ended.
Inspection held at the site by EPA officials and approval given.
5
12M
The four monitoring wells at the site and the four surface water monitoring sites
(upstream and downstream on Richneck Creek and an unnamed tributary are sampled twice yearly.
The monitoring wells, streams, and stream sediments were sampled in June and December. The PCB
landfill was inspected on a monthly basis and minor maintenance and repairs were performed as
needed.
December 12 The Final Report and Recommendation of the Intergovernmental Working Group
on PCB Detoxification was submitted to Governor Hunt .
.12..8.S.
The monitoring wells, streams, and stream sediments were sampled in May and
November. The PCB landfill was inspected on a monthly basis and minor maintenance and repairs
were performed as needed.
May 30 Division of Environmental Management permit re-issued for nondischarge type
wastewater treatment and disposal facility.
12.8..6.
The monitoring wells, streams, and stream sediments were sampled in May and
November. The PCB landfill was inspected on a monthly basis except for April and minor
maintenance and repairs were performed as needed .
.illZ
The monitoring wells, streams, and stream sediments were sampled in June. A
1996 review of the monitoring files showed that actual inspection forms were missing for April, June,
July, August, September, October and December; however, there were monthly inspection cover
memos for April, July, August and September. Minor maintenance and repairs were performed at the
landfill as needed.
The monitoring wells, streams, and stream sediments were sampled in February
and July. A 1996 review of the monitoring files showed that actual inspection forms were missing for
October, November and December. Minor maintenance and repairs were performed at the landfill as
needed.
12£2
The monitoring wells, streams, and stream sediments were sampled in March and
October. A 1996 review of the monitoring files showed that actual inspection forms were missing for
January and February. Minor maintenance and repairs were performed as needed.
6
,
ill.Q
The monitoring wells, streams, and stream sediments were sampled in April and
October. The PCB landfill was inspected on a monthly basis and minor maintenance and repairs were
performed as needed.
January 4 Memorandum from Solid Waste Section to division discussing maintenance and
operation needs at the PCB landfill and the need for appropriations for an operations and maintenance
budget.
March Study of landfill leachate system results in an estimate of approximately 13.3 feet
of head in the PCB landfill cell. It was discovered that the foot valve in the leachate collection system
had failed and needed to be replaced. This explains why no leachate had been pumped in recent years,
since the system would not hold the prime water. Other maintenance needs also identified at the PCB
landfill site. Plans were initiated for additional investigation of the leachate head and the leachate
pumping system.
In the spring, Division of Waste Management notified officials in the Secretary's
office that there was water in the landfill that needed to be removed, but that funds were not available.
A request for funds to dewater the landfill was not a high priority in the depanment's legislative
budget package in 1991, and did not make it to the General Assembly.
March 6 The Division of Solid Waste Management notified the depanment of the status of
the PCB landfill and some operations and maintenance needs at the facility, and made
recommendations on actions to be taken.
March 28 Letter from Dept. of Crime Control and Public Safety to the Division of
Environmental Management requesting the transfer of the wastewater treatment and disposal facility
permit to the Dept. of Administration.
April/May (??) Additional investigation and sampling at the PCB landfill facility including
sampling of cover soils, cover vegetation, sand and carbon from the treatment system, and soils from
the sediment basin, in addition to the regular sampling of the monitoring wells, streats, stream
sediments, leachate influent and leachate effluent. No PCBs were detected in the cap samples. Only
one sediment sample from the leachate pond showed a detectable concentration of PCBs. PCBs were
detected at a level of 0.27 ppm in this sample, which is below the 1.00 ppm cleanup level for PCBs in
soil. State officials think this residue occurred when the pumps in the leachate collection system were
primed after the landfill was closed.
May 3 The leachate detecton probe was repaired and tested.
May 16 Memorandum from Secretary Bill Cobey, DEHNR, to Secretary James Lofton,
DOA, summarizing responsibilities of the various departments to provide support and assistance to
the Dept. of Administration as the permit holder for the state PCB landfill in Warren County.
June 26 Memorandum from Solid Waste Section to the division regarding additional
equipment and measures necessary to study the collection and disposal of leachate at the PCB landfill.
7
August 28 The irrigation system at the PCB landfill was tested and found to be broken.
September 25 Memorandum from division to the Solid Waste Section authorizing purchase of a
water level indicator and other equipment necessary to measure leachate levels, leachate pumping rates,
volumes, etc.
12.2.1
The monitoring wells, streams, and stream sediments were sampled in April and
October. The PCB landfill was inspected on a monthly basis and minor maintenance and repairs were
performed as needed.
February 13 The Dept. of Administration made repairs to the irrigation system.
March 20 A leachate measurement system was installed to measure the level of leachate in
the PCB landfill cell.
April 25
system.
Pump-down and recharge measurements were made for the leachate collection
September Division Task Force established to study further action needed to pump and treat
leachate in the PCB landfill cell. Calculations made to estimate time required to remove leachate from
cell. Estimations of cost of installing a recovery well in the landfill cell were made. Calculations made
of the possible volume of leachate in the landfill cell based on varying vertical head levels and varying
porors1t1es.
The division notified the department of fluctuations in the leachate levels
measured at the PCB landfill.
October 7 Carolina Power & Light Company made cost estimate of providing electric power
to the PCB landfill site.
October 10 SP A TCO submits report on "Landfill Water Recovery/Treatment Cost Estimate."
October 17 A survey of the landfill cell and monitoring wells was done in order to be able to
estimate subsidence levels during landfill dewatering operations and in order to estimate relative water
table elevations for the monitoring wells.
????? Discussion regarding Memorandum of Agreement to outline responsibilities of the
various departments (DOA, DOT, DEHNR) for the PCB landfill.
The monitoring wells, streams, and stream sediments were sampled in May and November.
The PCB landfill was inspected on a monthly basis and minor maintenance and repairs performed.
8
,
May29 PCB landfill resurveyed to verify elevations of October 1991 survey.
July 6 Report submitted by Randy McElveen regarding "Alternatives and Procedures for
Evacuating Fainfall From The Warren County PCB Waste Disposal Facility Located In Warren
County, North Carolina."
August 28 The division submitted to the department a budget request to perform operations
and maintenance at the PCB landfill.
November James B. Hunt Jr. re-elected Governor of North Carolina.
November 20 S&ME submitted a report to the division assessing the current conditions at the
PCB landfill and proposing methods for the recovery, treatment, and disposal of leachate from the
facility .
.1ill
January Gov. Hunt takes oath of office. Later briefed on status of PCB landfill.
March Gov. Hunt directed state officials tomeet with Warren County officials in a public
meeting to determine what to do about the water in the landfill. Several citizens demanded that
detoxification be considered as a prerequisite to dewatering or done simultaneously with dewatering
the landfill . DEHNR set up a 16-member working group composed of Warren County citizens,
environmentalists, and state officials to make recommendations to Gov. Hunt about future
management of the landfill.
Check inspection reports for dates
122i
Check inspection reports for dates.
January/March?? Joint Warren County/State PCB Working Group met for the first time.
March Warren County awarded $100,000 form the Solid Waste Grants Program to be
used for capital improvements on the PCB landfill.
May 1 Working Group enters into contract with Pauline Ewald, head of Environmental
Compliance Organization (ECO) for $82,950 to serve as the group's science advisor for one year. Her
duties were to recommend site evaluation procedures, a methodology for water removal, a
detoxification technology, and long-term controls for the PCB landfill.
July 12 Draft field sampling plan prepared for Working Group.
9
July Sampling event conducted at the PCB landfill. Surface soil, air, groundwater,
surface water, sediment, and landfill samples taken by both state and ECO. No PCBs found outside of
the landfill. The laboratory that analyzed the state's samples detected some dioxin at the ppq (parts
per quadrillion) level in three of the monitoring report date????? wells around the landfill. Opinions
varied as to where the dioxin orginated. Pauline Ewald tried to discredit the state's findings, but then
used those finding to conclude in ther report that the PCB landfill is the likely source of the dioxin
and furan contamintion at the site. Ewald's report was not acceptable to the state, and peer reviews by
outside sources were critical of her report.
September
group.
~
Working Group's membership increased to 22(24??????) at the request of the
Check inspection reports for dates.
Senator Frank Balance, at the request of the Working Group, introduced
legislation to the General Assembly to appropriate $10 million for cleanup of the PCB landfill. Bill
not enacted. However, Sen. Balance did get General Assembly to appropriate $1 million from the
Highway Fund for pilot projects to determine the most appropriate technology for cleanup of the
landfill.
Pauline Ewald recommended base catalyzed dechlorination (BCD) as a
detoxification method and the Working Group agreed because it was suitable, acceptable to the
community, and could be done on site.
May/June???? Pauline Ewald's contract expired.
~
Check inspection reports for dates.
February RFP (request for proposal) sent to potential vendors for excavation,
handling, and storage of PCB contaminated soils from the landfill for pilot scale tests. The Working
Group wanted the input of science advisors, so the effort was put on hold.
March 7 The Working Group decided they needed the services of another science advisor as
well as support staff. On March 7, Mr. Joel Hirschhorn and Mr. Patrick Barnes were hired as science
advisors with contracts of $100,000 each.
March 18 Ms. Doris Fleetwood was hired as a part-time secretary for the Working Group.
March 25 A joint agreement was made between DEHNR and the Warren County Board of
Commissioners to provide office space, furniture, equipment, supplies, conference room, kitchen,
restroom facilities and parking for the secretary and the two science advisors. Working Group's
office opened on March 25 in the CP&L building in Warrenton. The $1 million appropriated by the
10
General Assembly used to pay science advisors at the rate of $100 per hour, and for office space and
half-time secretary at $25,000 for one year.
Fall????? Work began with CP&L to provide electrical service to the landfill for the pilot
projects, dewatering, full-scale detoxification, or other activites that might require electrical service.
CP&L paid $64,384 for this service from the capital improvements account.
April 25 Working Group approved "Master Plan" developed by the science advisors. The
master plan called for less expensive, off-site bench scale projects to be conducted by technology
companies rather than pilot scale studies, and a better case could be made to the General Assembly for
funding if more money was spent on a thorough site investigation and remedy design.
June 23 Division of Waste Management receives fax from Joel Hirschhorn titled
"Explanation of Selection of Two Detoxification Technologies." This document explains why
Hirschhorn eliminated/ selected certain technologies to detoxify the PCB landfill.
September The science advisors modified the plans for the detoxification studies, and the RFP
was modified, reactivated, and sent to vendors for excavation, handling, and storage of PCB
contaminated soils from the landfill.
October Four responses received regarding RFP, reviewed by science advisors, who then
recommended Camp Dresser & McKee for the job.
October 2 Mike Kelly sent draft PCB Landfill Sampling Plan to the two science advisors for
review and comment. Patrick Barnes presented some amendments to the draft sampling plan at the
October 23 meeting of the Working Group, but no comments were received from Joel Hirschhorn.
October 23 Science Advisor Joel Hirschhorn presented the Working Group with a draft letter
to EPA Region 4 Administrator John H. Hankinson, Jr., accusing the state of a serious and prolonged
lack of compliance. The letter stated that the state did not carry out all required groundwater
monitoring; failed to analyze early data that shows that the landfill has had water entering and
escaping it; failed to act or plan to remove large amounts of water inside the landfill; and failed to
repair a dysfunctional leachate collection system. The letter also acused EPA Region 4 for failing to
provide oversight and enforcement. Letter actually sent November?????
Hirschhorn presented the Working Group with a signed declaration stating that detoxification
technology appropriate for use at the PCB landfill is now commercially available. The two
technologies he named are gas phase chemical reduction and base catalyzed decomposition.
November? Patrick Barnes releases his report titled "PCB LANDFILL HYDROLOGY AND
LINER LEAKAGE."
November 5 RFP to conduct dioxin/furan testing on water, soil and sediment samples from and
around the PCB landfill was sent to potential respondents. Proposals due by noon, November 22.
November 6 RFP to construct monitoring wells (9 deep, 3 shallow) at the PCB landfill was sent
to potential vendors.
11
November 12 Press conference held at State Capitol Building at 10 am by some members of the
Working Group to announce that there is feasible technology to detoxify PCB landfill, and that the
group wants EPA and the state to perform compliance audits. State members of the Working Group,
staff, and a few other members of the group were not informed that the press conference time was
changed from 11 am to 10 am.
November 18 Pre-bid meeting held for vendors who wished to submit quotes for constructing
monitoring wells. An amendment to this RFP tconstruct three off-site background wells presented to
the Working Group and approved.??????
December 2 Final proposals due for constructing monitoring wells.
12.2Z
January 13 PCB landfill surveyed. The boundary of the plastic liner was identified and
marked at 50 foot intervals and 12 inche deep bore holes were dug and capped for future evaluation.
January 29 During a routine inspection of the PCB landfill, methane testing was conducted
using the center vent as the methane source.
February 1 Contract budget with Environmental Investigations, Durham, NC, to install 15
groundwater monitoring wells at and near PCB landfill.
Contract budget with Southwest Laboratories of Oklahoma, Broken Arrow, OK,
to provide analytical testing for dioxin/furans on about 50 samples from/near PCB landfill.
February 7 Bore holes in landfill tested. Eight of the 22 bore holes were saturated with
rainwater, so a reading could not be conducted on these holes.
February 11 Region IV EPA authorizes state to conduct intrusive sampling and testing work in
the PCB landfill.
February 12 Division of Waste Management began site investigation and assessment at PCB
landfill.
Annie Davis (Warren County) signs lease agreement with the state for a 10' x 10' parcel of land
on which a background monitoring well will be installed. State agrees to pay a sum of $500 to Davis
for lease of property for three years. GET DATES FOR OTHER TWO LESSORS.
February 14 Letter from EPA Region IV Administrator John Hankinson to Dollie Burwell and
Henry Lancaster states that EPA staff will conduct sampling investigation at PCB landfill the week of
March 17, 1997.
February 17
February 19
Pre-bid meeting for potential vendors for bench scale studies.
Cooperative Agreement between the Warren County Board of Commissioners
12
and DEHNR was amended to increase the amount payable by $23,161, making the total amount
payable under the agreement $48,161. It also changed the agreement ending date to December 31,
1997.
Extraction well for soil removal on south side installed and one methane reading
(each) taken at this well and center vent.
February 26 Extraction well installed on north side of center vent.
February 27 One methane reading taken at southern extraction well and center vent, and two
readings taken at northern extraction well.
February 28 An Alabama landfill liner company cuts section of plastic liner from two different
locations near the extraction wells and replaces with new pieces. S&ME is taking sections to Charlotte
for testing to determine current condition of top liner.
March 3 Drums of soil from extraction wells, pails of material for bench studies, drums of
rinse water, and drums of debris picked up by ECOFLO, a hazardous waste disposal company frorri
Greensboro. ECO FLO will dispose of waste materials and hold pails of soil in storage until shipping.
??????Spring S&ME selected to put in additional groundwater monitoring wells around the
landfill, and three off-site wells. Eighteen new monitoring wells were installed-seven around the
outside perimeter of the fenced-in area, seven in a perimeter from 100 yards to 1/2 mile from the
fenced in area, and three on private property about one to two air miles from the landfill (east, south,
and west) to serve as background wells. The additional wells help identify geologic and hydrologic
features around landfill and provide more locations where monitoring samples can be taken. Off-site
wells provide a broader scope of groundwater conditions at three different areas not impacted by the
landfill.
Environmental Investigations chosen to put two bore holes in the landfill to
extract soil for detoxification study, and replace the bore holes with extraction wells that could be used
to remove water from the landfill.
March 10 Memo from Wendy Peacock to Mike Kelly concerning results of methane gas
testing at PCB landfill.
March 19 Working Group sends letter to EPA Region IV Administrator John Hankinson
asking that compliance be linked to detoxification of the landfill. Group does not want EPA to issue a
compliance order only.
Completed bids due for RFP for bench scale studies of PCB-contaminated soil.
April Landfill activities and sampling completed.
April 23 Cochairs Dollie Burwell and Henry Lancaster receive letter from Winston A.
Smith, EPA Region IV director of Air, Pesticides and Toxics Management Division, on behalf of John
Hankinson. He said a final assessment regarding NC's compliance with the disposal permit would not
13
be made until after the sampling investigation is completed.
May 29 Bill Meyer, Ed Mussier, Pat Williamson, Patrick Barnes, and Joel Hirschhorn visit
ECO LOGIC at Aberdeen Proving Grounds near Baltimore, MD, to view bench scale operation on
soil from PCB landfill.
June 12 Letter sent from Bill Meyer to Dr. Gregory N. Richardson, G .N . Richardson &
Associates, Inc., Raleigh, to review 1997 sampling data from PCB landfill, and provide thoughts,
conclusions, recommendations or interpretations he might have as a result of the review.
June 17 Bill Meyer, Ed Mussier, Pat Williamson, and Patrick Barnes visit ETG
Environmental, West Chester, PA, to view bench scale operation on soil from PCB landfill.
June 30 Contracts expire for science advisors Joel Hirschhorn and Patrick Barnes.
July 10 Letter to Joel Hirschhorn and Patrick Barnes authorizing them to complete work
on the Site Investigation/ Assessment Final Report. Payment will not be made until report is signed by
bother science advisors and satisfactorily delivered to the Division of Waste Management.
August EPA issued a Notice of Non-Compliance for violating TSCA regulations to
regularly monitor leachate for pH and specific conductance, for failure to test groundwater monitoring
wells and surface water for pH and specific conductance, and for failure to have a leachate collection
system that would remove leachate as it was generated. The order also required North Carolina to
replace the cap on the landfill unless the state planned to detoxify the landfill.
Date The state began monitoring for pH and specific conductance and submitted a plan
to replace the cover system and upgrade the leachate system.
Date Both ECOLOGIC and ETG submitted phase I reports based on their bench scale
demonstrations. The reports were analyzed by the Working Group, state staff and the science
advisors, and BCD was selected as the preferred technology for detoxification.
Date ETG was subsequently awarded a contract to perform the Phase II preliminary
design of a full-scale BCD detoxification system.
Date A cost estimate was prepared and used as the basis for requesting funding from the
NC General Assembly. The cost estimate, including contingencies, is $24 million.
1998
Governor James B. Hunt Jr. requested a $15 million appropriation from the NC
General Assembly to detoxify the landfill using the BCD technology. The remaining funding would
come from the federal government and other sources. Senator Frank Ballance, who represents Warren
County, requested the full $24 million to detoxify the landfill.
Date The NC General Assembly approved $2 million to continue efforts toward
detoxification of the PCB landfill.
14
f
1222
The Division of Waste Management has been given permission by State
Purchasing and Contracts to sole-source the Phase III full-scale detoxification plan. This contract is
being awarded to ETG.
February The Division of Waste has installed a pump to remove water from the landfill.
The Warren County PCB Working Group has requested DENR Secretary Wayne
McDevitt to set up an Advisory Committee in Warren County to continue detoxification efforts since
the Working Group's original goals have been reached.
15
,,, . \
July -1978
July 30
August ·1978
August 2-5
August 10
August 15
August 18
September·l978
September 6-19
October· 1978
October 5
·November 1978
November 6
APPENDIX A
CHRONOLOGY
First report of a chemical spill which was
later· identified as PCB on N.C. 58 in Warren
County.
PCB located along roadsides in several other
North Carolin~ counties including Johnston,
Alamance, and Chatham.
Conference held with representatives of the
Department of Human Resources, Department of
Agriculture, Attorney General's Office,
Department of Transportation, Environmental
Protection Agency, and the news media to
discuss the PCB dumpings.
Activated charcoal solution and liquid asphalt
applied along 210 mil'es ·:of North Carolina
highways where shoulders had been contaminated
by PCB. This action was taken at the recom-
mendation of specialists at North Carolina
State University, who submitted a plan for
temporarily deactivating the PCB to prevent
migration and to reduce any hazard to the
public.
The N.C. Department of Transportation began
applying a solution of activated carbon and
liquid asphalt to the 210 miles of contaminated
roadside.
Tests conducted along uncontaminated road
shoulders to determine the safety and
effectiveness of equipment t9 be used in
picking up _the PCB.
Test conducted along a contaminated road
shoulder on Highway 58 in Warren County.
Test results of the pick-up of contaminated
soil along the roadside in Warren County
show that the contaminated soil can be picked
up and treated without harming the environ-
ment or personnel involved.
,. .
December 1978
December 1
December 12
January ·1979
January 4
January 17 ·
February 1979
February 2
June 1979
June 4
June 4
June 6
Au~st 1979
August 16
Sept -Dec 1979
July -Aug 1979
SeEtember 1980 .
September 12
- 2 -
The state obtained an option on 142 acres of
land in Warren County to be used to dispose
of the contaminated soil that would be picked
up along the roadsides in 14 North Carolina
counties.
Application filed with the EPA for approval
of the Warren County site as a disposal area
for the PCB contaminated soil.
Public hearing on the Warren County site
conducted in Warrenton National Guard Armory.
Robert Burns and sons pleaded guilty to a
violation of the federal Toxic Substances
Control Act. Burns received an active jail
sentence and his sons were placed on probation.
North Carolina petitions.-:EPA to. modify its
regulations to permit alternative methods of
disposal of ~CB contaminated soil and debris
(i.e. in-place treatment).
EPA denies North Carolina's petition.
EPA's Region IV administrator approved Warren
County site, and the state's application to
construct a PCB landfill there.
Robert Burns and sons plead guilty to state
charges surrounding the PCB dumping in
Halifax County Superior Court. Burns later
received an active jail sentence and his
sons were placed on probation. Buck Ward was
found not guilty on state charges.
Suit filed by Warren County.
Draft EIS prepared, filed on December 28, 1979.
Comments received on EIS.
Engineering consultant firms were interviewed
by the state and a recommendation was made to
the Capital Building Authority for selection
May 1981
May 22
·Novemberl981
November 25
Mayl982
May 13
May 26
May 26
June 1982
June 21
·July 1982
July 2
August 1982 .
August 4
August 10
- 3
of a firm to develop plans for a PCB landfill
in Warren County.
Buck Ward tried and found guilty of a viola-
tion of the federal Toxic.Substance Control
Act. He received an active jail sentence
and a $200,000 fine.
Judge Earl W. Britt grants summary judgment
in favor of state and EPA in Warren County
and Twitty suits, resolving legal obstacles
delaying constructing of landfill. Appeals
taken in both cases.
Contract for construction of the PCB landfill
awarded by the Capital Building Authority
pending the approval of federal "Superfund"
money to fund the PCB cleanup project. The
contract was awarded to ~he low bidder, Jim
Lineberger Grading and Paving Company of
Gastonia.
North Carolina and EPA officials announced the
signing of a cooperative agreement which
provided $2.5 million in federal "Superfund"
money to construct a PCB landfill in Warren
County, and to clean up the PCB contaminated
soil along 210 miles of North Carolina
roadsides.
120 acres surrounding the landfill site deeded
by state to Warren County as buffer zone.
Voluntary dismissal taken by Warren County
in suit on appeal.
Construction began on the PCB landfill in
Warren County. •
NAACP files discrimination suit in federal
court requesting preliminary injunction to
prohibit placement of soil in Warren County.
Hearing held before Judge Earl Britt.
Preliminary injunction denied.
September .1982
September 15
October 1982
October 6
October. 12
October 27
November ·l982
November 1
December ·19a2
December
December 13
December 27
·January ·19a3
January
January 26
- 4 -
Removal of PCB from roadsides begins by DOT
crews. Protests begin in Warren County and
· a total of 423 adult arrests were made and
100 juveniles were taken into custody over
the following 4½ weeks.
Fort Bragg begins removal operation for PCB
on base.·
State finishes roadside removal of PCB.
There were 241 shoulder miles picked up;
6,455 truckloads. taken to landfill.
Fort Bragg finishes removing PCB from base;
768 truckloads put in landfill. Total
state/Ft. Bragg truckloads .7 ,223.
Capping operation begins:; plastic liner and
clay liner in place, soil layer added. Bad
weather prevents final soil layer and seeding
of cap to be accomplished.
Heavy rains cause soil erosion on cap and
exposes plastic liner. Bubbles develop in
e.xposed liner from gas in the landfill caused
by decomposition of vegetation mixed in with
soil. Bubbles vented, soil erosion temporarily
corrected and a temporary seed cover is
installed on the cap. Landfill will be
completed in Spring.
Buck Ward begins sentence at Danbury,
Connecticut, Federal Prison after being
denied petition for certiorari by U.S.
Supreme Court. •
Federal Appeals Court affirms Judge Britt's
ruling in Twiddy case.
EPA monitors gas venting from landfill and
reports no significant emissions of PCBs.
U. S. Files civil suit in federal court
against Buck Ward and Ward Transformer, Inc.
·February 1983
February 17
March 1983
March 4
·May ·1933
May 11
May 24
Ju1y ·1933
July 14
July 15
July 23
August .1983
August 3
- 5 -
State dismisses state law suits against Buck
Ward and state allowed to intervene in federal
suit. All counterclaims dismissed by Ward
against state.
Voluntary dismissal. taken by plaintiffs in
discrimination suit.
Contractor resl.JI!les work on completion of
landfill construction.
EPA grant period extended until July 23, 1983.
Construction completed.
Inspection held at the site and acceptance
made by state officials.:.
Grant period ended.
Inspection held at the site by EPA officials
and approval given.
****
****
****
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PCB LANDFILL, WARREN COUNTY, NC
TALKING POINTS ON PROPOSED DETOXIFICATION
Detoxification efforts are underway using $2 million allocated in 1998, following
the expenditure of $1 million in the last three years assessing the landfill and choosing
a detoxification technology
Next phase of project will require $16 million for on site work; federal dollars
are crucial to the state's ability to contract for this work
Representative Clayton's support is also crucial to obtaining this money to help
fulfill a promise to detoxify the landfill in Warren County, the birthplace of the
En vironmental Justice movement
Failure to proceed with detoxification will cause significant loss of faith and trust
in state government, breaking a promise, and potentially causing civil disturbance in the
county
PCB LANDFILL, WARREN COUNTY, NC
PROPOSED DETOXIFICATION
I) PCB landfill sited in Warren County against the wishes of the people. The Environmental
Justice movement got its start here.
2) Governor Jim Hunt made a promise in 1982 to look at detoxification if and when the
technology was available. In 1994, Secretary Howes, DENR, set up a Working Group in Warren
County to study the feasibility of detoxification and to provide an in-depth assessment of the
landfill.
3) Over $ I million was spent studying detoxification technologies and assessing the landfill. A
technology was chosen, and in 1998, $2 million was appropriated to begin actual detoxification.
4) Detoxification is feasible, and it is the right thing to do.
5) The recent court decisions regarding pay back of taxes to retirees may have a dramatic effect
on the available state funds for the project The next portion of the project is the actual
detoxification process that will require $16 million to select and contract with a vendor. The state
will need this amount to enter into a contract for this phase of the detoxification.
6) The Phase I I report for detoxification set the total estimated cost at approximately $24 million,
and took into account worst case scenarios. It also included a $2 million contingency. The site
would be detoxified to levels less than IO times drinking water standards and be available to
Warren County for use with its surrounding property as either an industrial park or recreational
park .
7) The EPA, congressional staff and the DOD have been contacted to see what funds may be
available to support the project The site does not qualify for "Superfund" cleanup funds as the
site was the remedy to the cleanup of a National Priority Listed (NPL) site (spill along the road
side ) It is anticipated that any funds received from EPA will be less than $500,000. The DOD
will notify us within the next two weeks if they have any funds available.
8) The cleanup standards are very strict and will allow the state to walk away from the landfill
without any future liability, maintenance or monitoring Failure to detoxifiy the landfill may
require a more extensive and expensive cleanup in the future .
9) Although the landfill is currently not leaking, it does contain nearly 2 million gallons of water.
During assessment of the landfill, there were indications that the top liner is beginning to fail The
state is currently under a Notice of Non-compliance from the EPA that may require expenditure
of substantial funds in the future for upgrading the landfill if we do not pursue detoxification.
I 0) Federal participation in the project will decrease the amount necessary for contribution by the
state.