All News Releases By Date

EPA SUPERFUND REMOVAL UNDERWAY AT THE GEORGIA-PACIFIC HARDWOOD SITE, PLYMOUTH, WASHINGTON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

Release Date: 09/03/1999
Contact Information: Dawn Harris, EPA Press and Media Relations, 404-562-8421

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that a Superfund hazardous substance removal is underway at the Georgia-Pacific Hardwood site in Plymouth, Washington County, North Carolina. A removal is a short-term cleanup intended to stabilize or clean up a site that poses an imminent and substantial threat to human health or the environment. The removal is taking place under the authority and direction of the Agency’s Emergency Response and Removal Branch (ERRB).

The EPA is working with the Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to address the environmental threats at the site. The removal will include:

restricting access to the facility;

identifying the extent of contamination;

demolition of buildings and structures;

excavating, and temporarily stockpiling contaminated soil;

conducting pretreatment and/or disposal of waste;

consolidation and disposal of containerized waste; and

restoration of the site (including backfill, grade, and revegetation).



The removal action is expected to be completed within six months.

The Georgia-Pacific Hardwood site is a former woodtreating facility that was in operation from the 1930s until 1980. The site is located within the city limits of Plymouth, North Carolina in a mixed residential/commercial/industrial setting. Contaminants of concern include pentachlorophenol, dioxin, lead, and arsenic.

Persons interested in obtaining additional information are encouraged to contact Michael Taylor, EPA On-Scene Coordinator, at (404) 562-8762 or Michael Henderson, Community Relations Coordinator, at 404- 562-8724 or 1-800-564-7577.