Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Atlantic Research Corporation in Gainesville, Virginia

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A Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Record of Decision (ROD) was signed on September 30, 1991, approving a combination of corrective measures in the areas of Building 28 and 40. The corrective measures included: 1) excavation and soil shredding with on-site redeposition; 2) excavation of inorganic contaminated soil for off-site treatment and disposal; 3) pumping and treatment of the contaminated groundwater to remove the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs); and, 4) monitoring of streams points of compliance and the shallow and deep aquifers to evaluate the effectiveness of soil remediation and the effectiveness in attaining the clean up standards specified in the Explanation of Significant Differences (July 31, 1992) under intrinsic remediation.

Cleanup Status

Currently ARC is operating the Northern Deep Groundwater Treatment System for bioremediation of perchlorate and VOCs in groundwater. An interim measure was proposed to excavate select areas with impacted soils and buried debris and work was completed and reported in 2013. EPA approved the soil excavation IM in December 2013. Sediments were sampled and reported to EPA September 2011 and additional interim measures are being evaluated. A site-wide Human Health Risk Assessment was submitted to EPA in November 2012 and comments have been submitted to ARC requiring revision of the HHRA prior to approval.

In November 1992, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Atlantic Research Corporation (ARC) entered into a Corrective Measure Implementation (CMI) Consent Order requiring the implementation of the corrective measures selected in the ROD.

In January 1994, the remediation program for VOCs soil contamination in the Buildings 201, 28 and 40 areas was completed.

On September 28, 2001 and December 14, 2001, ARC submitted a notification informing EPA of the discovery of a perchlorate groundwater contaminant plume at the facility. As a result of the discovery of the perchlorate groundwater contamination plume, ARC determined that a supplemental RCRA investigation and interim measures were deemed necessary to evaluate the source and the risks, to delineate the extent of contamination, and to control and treat the contaminant plume.

On February 14, 2011, EPA issued comprehensive comments on the Supplemental RFI Report. The Facility reviewed data quality assurance and quality control issues and prepared a revised report addressing EPA’s comments and submitted the revisions in 2013.

The 2011-2012 Groundwater Monitoring Plan and Well Maintenance Activities (Sept 30, 2010) was revised and approved, and groundwater monitoring activities continue.

Closure of three thermal treatment units in the northwest area of the facility property was initiated in 2006 under the authority of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and clean closure was achieved in late 2011. Required groundwater monitoring for the closed units will be implemented under the Corrective Action Program.

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Site Description

Interactive Map of Atlantic Research Corporation, Gainesville, VA

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The Facility was primarily a Department of Defense contractor that manufactured rocket propellant and rocket motors, tested rocket motors and gas generators, conducted laboratory research, and operated three thermal treatment processes. Degreasing solvents were used in Facility operations. The facility is composed of approximately 100 structures: administrative office buildings, solid rocket motor production and testing operations, research laboratories, and design technology areas. ARC ceased operations at this facility on April 15, 2005 and is undergoing closure of the facility pursuant to the state permit and is continuing corrective action activities as discussed above.

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Contaminants at this Facility

Based on the risk calculations, tetrachloroethylene (PCE), 1,1-dichloroethene (1,1-DCE), methylene chloride (MC), hexachlorobenzene, chromium and arsenic are the primary constituents of concern.

Findings of investigations conducted at this facility have detected VOC contamination in the deep groundwater aquifer (PCE, 1,1-dichloroethene (1,1-DCE) and 1,1,1-trichloroethane) and in the shallow aquifer (PCE, 1,1-dichloroethane and 1,1-DCE), detected TCE predominantly and also PCE, 1,2-dichloroethene, 1,1,1-TCA, 1,1-DCA, 1,1-DCE and vinyl chloride in the surface water organic contamination, and solvent soil contamination (PCE, MC, 1,1-DCE).

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Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility

 The need for institutional controls is yet to be determined.

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Land Reuse Information at this Facility

This facility is currently unused.

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Site Responsiblity at this Facility

RCRA Corrective Action activities at this facility are being conducted under the direction of the EPA Region 3 with assistance from Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

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