Louisiana Superfund Site: Marion Pressure Treating
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Do you need a Toxic Tort Lawyer in The Pelican State? The EPA has designated Marion Pressure Treating in Louisiana as a Superfund site because of its amounts of enviromental contamination and danger to the environment. You can read the report for the site below.
Some Superfund sites are on the National Priority Site Lists. The National Priorities List ("NPL") is the list of hazardous waste sites in the United States eligible for long-term remedial action financed under the federal Superfund program. Environmental Protection Agency regulations outline a formal process for assessing hazardous waste sites and placing them on the NPL. The NPL is intended primarily to guide the EPA in determining which sites warrant further investigation.
Sites are listed on the NPL upon completion of Hazard Ranking System (HRS) screening, public solicitation of comments about the proposed site, and after all comments have been addressed. EPA may delete a final NPL site if it determines that no further response is required to protect human health or the environment. Sites where a remediation was completed through the Superfund program are typically deleted from the NPL.
Living near Superfund Sites in Louisiana may place you and your loved ones more vulnerable to developing a disease from proximity to the site and experiencing a loss of value for your property, but action is being taken to fight back: The EPA says,
[We have] set up a "Post Construction Completion" (or PCC) strategy to ensure that Superfund response actions provide for the long-term protection of human health and the environment. EPA's Post Construction Completion activities also involve optimizing remedies to increase effectiveness and/or reduce cost without sacrificing long-term protection of human health and the environment.Even so, most of the Superfund sites still pose a health hazard to the health of those who live close to a Superfund site.
When you rely on Weitz & Luxenberg, you will get the legal experience of accomplished Toxic Tort lawyers who will help fight back against polluters and get you and your loved ones the financial compensation and environmental remediation to which you are entitled.
Below you can read the EPA report for the Marion Pressure Treating Superfund site. If you, a loved one, or someone in your community has suffered due to toxic pollution in Marion Pressure Treating, or if your property has lost value because of contamination, you are better off with a toxic tort attorney who knows the people of the State of Louisiana . Learn more about your legal options by filling out this simple form. There is no obligation, and your case will be evaluated within one business day. To refer a friend, neighbor, or loved one, follow this link to let them know about the environmental toxic tort attorneys at Weitz & Luxenberg.
Marion Pressure Treating
This site is not a Federal Facility.
Marion Pressure Treating Company
Marion, Union Parish, Louisiana
EPA Region 6
Epa Id# Lad008473142
Site ID: 0604491
Congressional District: 5
Fact Sheet Updated: August 2005
Site Description
Location:The former facility is situated on a 10-acre tract of land along State Highway 551,
approximately 0.5 miles north of the junction of State Highways 551 and 33 in the
town of Marion, Union Parish, Louisiana. Facility operations extended beyond
the 10-acres and current areas of concern cover over 22-acres.
Setting:The facility, located in a rural area, is an inactive and abandoned wood treating
plant that was in operation from 1964 to 1989. The facility treated wood
products, including poles, bridge pilings, fence posts, and other lumber, using a
creosote pressure impregnation process.
Population:Marion, one of the oldest towns in Union Parish, was settled by pioneers from
Alabama, who named it after their old home county in that state. It was first
incorporated on January 13, 1909. There is currently a reported population of
775.
The facility is bounded by forest land. Big Creek, a small surface water body,
lies approximately 500 feet east-southeast of the facility. Big Creek empties into
Bayou de Loutre approximately 7.5 miles south of the facility.
Bayou de Loutre is recreational fishing of catfish, panfish, white perch, and bass. A State wildlife
management area is located 4 miles north of Marion. The Upper Ouachita
Wildlife Refuge is located approximately 5 miles east, and federally listed
endangered species such as the red-cockaded woodpecker and the bald eagle are
known to live there.
Present Status And Issues
From 1994 through 1995, EPA studied the extent of the site’s surface soil, sludge, surface
water, and ground water contamination.
In 1997, EPA removed creosote sludge from tanks at the facility, excavated contaminated
soil and debris, and consolidated and securely covered the former process area.
In 1999, EPA and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality completed
additional investigations at the site and found volatile and semivolatile organic
Marion Pressure Treating Company 2
EPA PUBLICATION DATE: September 6, 2005
compounds, specifically polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs),
.
In 2000, EPA studied the extent of the contamination and sampled the town’s drinking
water system to ensure that no groundwater contamination reached water supply wells.
A fence was also installed around the site to restrict access.
In September 2001, EPA released its proposed cleanup plan for public comments,
conducting both an open house and a public meeting to gather the community’s input into
the cleanup decisions.
The final cleanup plan for the site was released in June 2002.
EPA continues to monitor the site to ensure there is no immediate threat to human health
or the environment pending the start of long-term cleanup work.
Current Funding Status:
Approximately $5 million has been spent to complete the above work.
EPA has determined that this site does not pose an immediate threat to human health, and
will continue to monitor this site for any changes that may trigger additional action. EPA
will consider funding new work at this site in Fiscal Year 2006.
Wastes And Volumes
There are three source areas of possible concern:
Consolidation Area:Erosion has occurred on the eastern and western sides of the consolidation
area, built during the removal action, threatening to undermine the
integrity of the cap and surrounding fence. The liner covering the
contaminated soil is exposed at several locations, and erosion could result
in the further spread of contamination.
On-site Area:Soils may contain low levels of volatile and semivolatile organic
compounds, specifically polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), in
the former process area, tank product storage area, monitoring wells, and
drainage pathways on the side of the former processing area. Several
clusters of small creosote piles have also been identified in the woods,
south of the facility, adjacent to and upgradient of the wetlands and Big
Creek
Creek:Sediments on the creek, adjacent to and upgradient of the wetlands and
Big Creek, may contain low levels of creosote related organic compounds.
National Priorities List
NPL Inclusion Proposal Date:October 22, 1999
NPL Inclusion Final Date:February 4, 2000
NPL Deletion Proposal Date:n/a
NPL Final Deletion Date:n/a
Marion Pressure Treating Company 3
EPA PUBLICATION DATE: September 6, 2005
Site Map
Site History
1964-1989: Site operated as an active wood treating facility.
1964-1983: Creosote process wastewater was disposed of in an on-site and unlined surface
impoundment.
The facility ceased operation in October 1989, due to bankruptcy.
1994-1995: EPA performed an investigation and identified contaminated surface soil, sludge,
surface water, and ground water.
November 1996: EPA funded the removal and off-site disposal of four loads of creosote sludge
from tanks at the facility. As part of the removal action, EPA also funded the excavation of
creosote-stained soil and debris from the southern, northwestern, and eastern areas of the facility
and the consolidation and capping of the excavated material in the former process area.
1999: The EPA and the State, LDEQ, completed additional investigations at the site. The
investigations revealed the presence of volatile and semivolatile organic compounds, specifically
polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), in the former process area, tank product storage
area, monitoring wells, and drainage pathways located on the eastern and western sides of the
Marion Pressure Treating Company 4
EPA PUBLICATION DATE: September 6, 2005
processing area. In addition, black, creosote-stained soil was noted in many locations throughout
the site.
1999: Site proposed to the National Priorities List (NPL), October 22, 1999.
1999: EPA began a comprehensive site study to determine the extent of contamination and to
propose remedial alternatives RI/FS.
On-site sampling started on July 17, 2000 with the mobilization of EPA’s contractor on
site. Site activities included the collection of samples for Ecological Risk Assessment,
samples for Human Health Risk Assessment, and samples to complete the RI/FS portions
of the investigation.
In addition, during the week of July 24, 2000 the EPA, the EPA’s contractor and the U.S.
Geological Survey (USGS) completed a geophysical survey of the site to characterize site
conditions and define the best locations for temporary and permanent monitoring wells.
During the initial ground water investigation, in July 2000, the presence of DNAPL was
uncovered in at least two on-site shallow monitoring wells. Further ground water
evaluation will continue according the RI/FS field activities plan.
Preliminary investigations indicate that site operational boundaries extended beyond the
10-acres initially identified. EPA has secured access from the 10-acre property owners,
and property owners surrounding this original property. Plans were made for the
completion of the RI/FS field activities and fencing of known potential contamination
and areas where facility operations extended beyond the 10-acre property.
Field activities and demobilization completed during the months of August and
September 2000. Fencing was completed by the end of October 2000.
2000:The Site was added to the NPL on February 4, 2000.
Town wells were sampled by EPA in January 2000, to verify and confirm that site
contamination is not affecting the town drinking water supply.
EPA and its contractor collected sediment samples from the town sewage oxidation pond
in October 2000. These samples were used to characterize this pond, where creosote
related materials were discharged. The report completed in December 2000 indicates
that only few locations within the pond present low levels of site related contaminants.
The reported low levels, at a few locations, and the characteristics of the pond do not
present a complete exposure pathway and/or an unacceptable human health risk at this
time.
2001:Completion of RI/FS
Early in 2001 the laboratories completed analysis of all samples collected. The EPA and
its contractor reviewed the data, validated the data and established its usability. Once
reviewed, the Remedial Investigation report, the Human Health Risk Assessment Report
and Ecological Risk Assessment Report were completed.
A Proposed remediation Plan (PP) was presented to the public on September 4, 2001.
Copy of the Proposed Plan is available at the Marion Town Hall and via the internet at
the website http://www.epa.gov/earth1r6/6sf/6sf-decisiondocs.htm
.
Marion Pressure Treating Company 5
EPA PUBLICATION DATE: September 6, 2005
2002:Record of Decision
EPA completed and signed the Record of Decision (ROD) on June 28, 2002. Copies are
available via the internet at the website http://www.epa.gov/earth1r6/6sf/6sf-
decisiondocs.htm
.
2003:Remedial Design
EPA completed the remedial design package.
Human Health And Ecological Risk Assessment
The potential for elevated health/ecological risk levels is due to various organic compounds
associated with creosote and the wood treatment process.
These creosote related compounds, in on-site soil and the stream sediments are the leading
concern at this site because of the ecological value of the creek.
Record Of Decision
The ROD was signed on June 28, 2002.
Community Involvement
Site Mailing List:Completed
EPA Open Houses:
Site Status Fact Sheets:December 6, 1999 - February 4, August and September 2000 -
August 2001
EPA Formal Meetings:September 27, 2001 Marion High School
Community Relations Plan: Completed
Constituency Interest:Nearby residents concerned about personal health and supportive
of EPA efforts.
Site Repository/Contact:Ms. Jan Jenkins, Town Clerk, 398 Main Street, Marion, LA.
Technical Assistance Grant
Availability Notice:n/a
Letters of Intent Received: n/a
Final Application Received: n/a
Grant Award: n/a
Marion Pressure Treating Company 6
EPA PUBLICATION DATE: September 6, 2005
Site
EPA Remedial Project Manager:Bartolome J. Cañellas 214-665-6662 or 1-800-533-3508
EPA Enforcement Project OfficerLydia Johnson214-665-8419 or 1-800-533-3508
Site Attorney:Edwin Quiñones214-665-8035 or 1-800-533-3508
Community Involvement:Janetta Coats214-665-7308 or 1-800-533-3508
EPA Contractor:Tetra Tech Environmental Management, Inc.
EPA Regional Public Liaison: Arnie Ondarza1-800-533-3508
LDEQ Louisiana State Contact:William N. Perry225-765-0473 or 1-800-763-5424
Realized Cleanup Benefits
Remediation of the contaminated media will reduce the health and ecological risk
associated with the contaminants.
The EPA is working with the city and the community to ensure the property will meet
future planned land use.
source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Act Now! It is essential that you inquire about your pollutant lawsuit as soon as possible. Louisiana law may limit your time to bring a legal claim to protect your rights. Your legal review is free and there is no commitment. You case will be evaluated immediately, so get started on your claim today!
see also:
Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant
Environmental Pollution in Louisiana- Site: Louisiana Army Ammunition PlantLouisiana Army Ammunition Plant Superfund Site Info - Fight Air Pollution, Water Pollution
American Creosote Works, Inc. (Winnfield Plant)
Environmental Pollution in Louisiana- Site: American Creosote Works, Inc. (Winnfield Plant)American Creosote Works, Inc. (Winnfield Plant) Superfund Site Info - Fight Air Pollution, Water Pollution
LA
Environmental Pollution Lawsuit: Louisiana Superfund SitesLouisiana Superfund Site - Fight Environmental Pollution Legally.
