Superfund Sites in Reuse in Maryland
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68TH STREET DUMP/INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISES
The 239-acre 68th Street Dump/Industrial Enterprises Superfund site is in Baltimore County, Maryland. From 1950 to 1970, landfills on-site accepted industrial and commercial wastes containing hazardous wastes. They contaminated soil, sediment, groundwater, surface water and wetland areas. EPA assessed the site under the Superfund Alternative Site (SAS) process. In 1980, the Maryland Department of the Environment led several emergency cleanup actions. They included the removal of more than 50 55-gallon drums of assorted waste. EPA led more investigations and selected a cleanup plan in 2013. It includes placing a soil cap over contaminated areas and removing contaminated soil hotspots, other debris and pond sediment. It also includes treating groundwater, restoring stream banks and revegetating capped landfills with native plants. A 2017 Consent Decree between EPA and more than 40 responsible parties guides the remaining cleanup activities. EPA approved the parties’ remedial design in March 2023. The remedial action began in June 2023. Its completion is anticipated in 2026. Current site features include a highway overpass, wetlands and streams.
Last updated September 2024
As of December 2023, EPA did not have economic data related to on-site businesses, or economic data were not applicable due to site use. For additional information click here.
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BEAR CREEK SEDIMENTS
The Bear Creek Sediments Superfund site is in Sparrows Point, Maryland. The nearly 60-acre site is in Bear Creek next to the Sparrows Point peninsula, where steelmaking and ship-building industries operated for over 100 years. The Bethlehem Steel Corporation (BSC) was the primary owner and operator from 1887 to 2013. Hazardous substances from the steelmaking process and wastewater and stormwater discharges migrated into Bear Creek and contaminated creek sediments. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 2022. The former BSC facility’s current owner is working with EPA and the Maryland Department of the Environment to address land sources of contamination under other cleanup programs. They are not included as part of the site. The Tin Mill Canal, a major source of contamination that discharges into Bear Creek, has undergone extensive removal of contamination and capping to ensure contaminants no longer have the potential to migrate into Bear Creek. An investigation is underway to verify the nature and extent of offshore contamination prior to cleanup. In 2024, EPA presented its Preferred Alternative, which involves dredging contaminated sediment and capping the removal action area, for public comment. Community members use Bear Creek for water-based recreation, fishing and crabbing.
Last updated September 2024
As of December 2023, EPA did not have economic data related to on-site businesses, or economic data were not applicable due to site use. For additional information click here.
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BUSH VALLEY LANDFILL
The 16-acre Bush Valley Landfill Superfund site is in Harford County, Maryland. From 1974 to 1983, a municipal solid waste landfill was on site. Landfill operators accepted hazardous waste that contaminated soil and groundwater. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1989. Cleanup by the county and the site’s potentially responsible party group included a landfill cap to prevent further groundwater contamination, a landfill gas management system, environmental monitoring and land use restrictions. Today, green space and wildlife habitat are on site. The site serves as a buffer between developed areas and the neighboring Bush Declaration Natural Resources Management Area.
Last updated September 2024
As of December 2023, EPA did not have economic data related to on-site businesses, or economic data were not applicable due to site use. For additional information click here.
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CHEMICAL METALS INDUSTRIES, INC.
The Chemical Metals Industries, Inc. Superfund site is in Baltimore, Maryland. It includes two separate properties. Chemical Metals Industries (CMI) ran a chemical manufacturing facility and recovered precious metals at one property. CMI used the other property, a closed gas station, to store waste and scrap metal. Leaking drums on both properties prompted inspections. Investigators found extensive contamination and the potential for fires or explosions. EPA proposed adding the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1981. EPA did not finalize the listing because its early cleanup actions addressed the threats. With support from the Maryland Department of the Environment, EPA removed contaminated drums, debris and liquid waste from the site, and capped the area to prevent further exposure to contamination. After more investigations by EPA in 1998 found the cap was deteriorating, EPA removed contaminated soil and replaced the cap. The Maryland Department of the Environment now has a storage and equipment maintenance facility on one of the site properties.
Last updated September 2024
As of December 2023, EPA did not have economic data related to on-site businesses, or economic data were not applicable due to site use. For additional information click here.
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KANE & LOMBARD STREET DRUMS
The Kane & Lombard Street Drums Superfund site is in Baltimore, Maryland. It consists of two areas. One area is a 10-acre parcel at the corner of Kane and Lombard streets. The second area is a 40-acre parcel across from the first area. From 1962 to 1984, an open dump for demolition, municipal and industrial wastes was on site. Disposal activities resulted in the contamination of soil and groundwater. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1986. EPA and the site’s potentially responsible party (PRP) manage the cleanup. Cleanup actions include removal of waste drums, groundwater containment and capping of contaminated soil at the 10-acre site area. EPA also restricted land and groundwater use to prevent exposure to contamination. A separate EPA action is addressing contaminated groundwater at the 40-acre site area. The 10-acre parcel was bought through a Prospective Purchase Agreement (PPA). A PPA encourages the reuse of Superfund site properties by addressing purchaser and lessee liability concerns. In 2016, the PRP put in a pump-and-treat system for part of the groundwater plume. EPA is working on a remedy that will address the entire groundwater plume. A golf driving range and parking lot are located at the 10-acre area. Several commercial and industrial businesses are active at the other site area. They include a trucking company and a fire protection supplier.
Last updated September 2024
As of December 2023, EPA had data on 5 on-site businesses. These businesses employed 107 people and generated an estimated $11,995,980 in annual sales revenue. For additional information click here.
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MID-ATLANTIC WOOD PRESERVERS, INC.
The 3-acre Mid-Atlantic Wood Preservers, Inc. Superfund site is in Harmans, Maryland. A wood-treating facility was on-site from 1974 to 1993. In 1978, investigations found soil and groundwater contaminated with chemicals from facility operations. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1986. In 1993, the site’s potentially responsible party led cleanup activities with EPA oversight. Cleanup included removing contaminated soil from a neighboring property and covering the entire 3-acre facility with an asphalt cap. In 1994, EPA entered into a Prospective Purchaser Agreement (PPA) with Gunther’s Leasing & Transport, a neighboring property owner. A PPA encourages the reuse of Superfund site properties by addressing purchaser and lessee liability concerns. The PPA enabled the company to expand its operations and use part of the site as a parking lot and for office space. Site owners store large vehicles on-site. EPA took the site off the NPL in 2000. Operation and maintenance activities are ongoing.
Last updated September 2024
As of December 2023, EPA had data on one on-site business. This business employed 150 people and generated an estimated $6,687,000 in annual sales revenue. For additional information click here.
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MIDDLETOWN ROAD DUMP
The 15-acre Middletown Road Dump Superfund site is near Annapolis, Maryland. A dump accepted rubble, construction debris, and municipal and industrial waste for several decades without proper state permits. Operations contaminated soil with heavy metals and other chemicals. In 1981, a state inspection found crushed and deteriorating drums and debris contaminated with hazardous substances. The dump shut down in 1981. Sampling found soil contamination threatened groundwater and nearby surface water. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1983. Cleanup activities included the removal and off-site disposal of drums, contaminated soil and debris. After cleanup, EPA took the site off the NPL in 1988. Current site uses include a home and a landscaping business.
Last updated September 2024
As of December 2023, EPA had data on one on-site business. This business employed 10 people and generated an estimated $353,460 in annual sales revenue. For additional information click here.
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ORDNANCE PRODUCTS, INC.
The 95-acre Ordnance Products, Inc. Superfund site is in the town of North East, Maryland. From 1957 to 1979, a manufacturing plant made ordnance products such as grenade fuses and detonators on-site. Operators buried burned waste in open pits and discharged waste into five unlined surface locations. These practices resulted in contamination of groundwater, soil, sediment and sludge. Sampling also found site-related contamination in nearby residential drinking water wells. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1997. Cleanup included removal of hazardous materials and contaminated soil. It also included treatment systems for affected residential groundwater wells to provide homes with safe drinking water. In 2012, EPA added systems to remove contaminated air from two houses. EPA finished construction of the groundwater remedy in June 2015. Groundwater treatment and monitoring are ongoing. Residential areas next to the site remain in continued use. In December 2021, the site was among those selected by EPA to receive cleanup funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to accelerate the cleanup of the remaining contamination. With this funding, EPA is already initiating work on backlogged remedial construction projects and accelerating cleanups at NPL sites.
Last updated September 2024
As of December 2023, EPA did not have economic data related to on-site businesses, or economic data were not applicable due to site use. For additional information click here.
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SOUTHERN MARYLAND WOOD TREATING
The Southern Maryland Wood Treating Superfund site is in Hollywood, Maryland. Wetlands cover most of the 94-acre area. From 1965 to 1978, wood-treating operations took place on 25 acres of the site. These activities resulted in contamination of soil, groundwater and a stream next to the site. In the early 1980s, the owners abandoned the property, leaving processing equipment and deteriorating containers of chemicals behind. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1986. To clean up the site, EPA removed contaminated soil and sediment and heat-treated the material to remove hazardous substances. Two water treatment systems operated between 1995 and 2000 to remove contamination while soil cleanup took place. In 2000 and 2001, EPA re-graded the site and planted wildflowers and grains to restore wildlife habitat. In a 2004 Ready for Reuse Determination, EPA documented that the site’s remedy allows for unrestricted future use. EPA took the area off the NPL in 2005.
Last updated September 2024
As of December 2023, EPA did not have economic data related to on-site businesses, or economic data were not applicable due to site use. For additional information click here.
For more information:
- Southern Maryland Wood Treating Ready for Reuse Determination (2004) (PDF)
- Superfund Site Profile Page
SPARROWS POINT
The Sparrows Point site is in Baltimore County, Maryland. A steelmaking facility opened on the 2,300-acre site in 1887. Since 2001, site ownership has changed many times, and steelmaking operations ended in 2012. EPA’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) program oversees the cleanup of the onshore facility. The Sparrows Point Environmental Trust was established in 2014 to address potential offshore impacts in water bodies around the site. EPA’s Superfund program oversees the offshore work. EPA and the Maryland Department of the Environment continue to oversee the investigation and cleanup of this area.
Last updated September 2024
As of December 2023, EPA did not have economic data related to on-site businesses, or economic data were not applicable due to site use. For additional information click here.
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WOODLAWN COUNTY LANDFILL
The 38-acre Woodlawn County Landfill Superfund site is in Cecil County, Maryland. A sand-and-gravel quarry was on-site before Cecil County bought it in 1960. Cecil County then ran a landfill on-site from 1960 to 1978. From 1978 to 1981, operators disposed of polyvinyl chloride industrial sludge at the site. Landfill operations contaminated soil, groundwater, and stream sediments. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1987. With EPA oversight, the site’s potentially responsible parties (PRPs) cleaned up the site in 2001. Cleanup included the placement of a vegetative soil cover over the waste. It also includes monitoring the natural breakdown of groundwater contaminants, which continues. Long-term maintenance and monitoring activities are ongoing. The PRPs put in the soil cover to support wildlife habitat. Together with an adjacent 58-acre area, the site is part of an environmental education center. Local schools, the Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of America, and the community visit the site for nature and science projects, environmental education and recreation. The area includes a stream and wetlands and hosts more than 160 species of birds. Cecil County also runs a solid waste transfer station on part of the site. It provides residents with drop-off facilities for trash, recycling and yard waste.
Last updated September 2024
As of December 2023, EPA had data on one on-site business. This business employed 3 people. For additional information click here.
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