Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Rosedale Landscape Depot in Rosedale, Maryland
On this page:
- Cleanup Status
- Site Description
- Contaminants at this Facility
- Institutional/Engineer Controls
- Land Reuse
- Site Responsibility
The State Highway Administration (SHA) Rosedale Landscape Depot site is located in Rosedale, Baltimore County, Maryland. During past activities at the facility, twenty-two drums of herbicide/pesticide residue were stored on the property. Over time, these drums deteriorated and, when discovered later in 1984, the partially buried drums had released dioxin contamination (specifically 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin or 2,3,7,8-TCDD) over approximately one third of an acre. The dioxin contamination found in the soils was generated as an unwanted by-product during the herbicide manufacturing process. The contaminated soil and remaining drums were removed, confirmation soil samples were taken and a protective, multi-layer cap was placed over the former disposal area to prevent any exposure from residual contamination. Approximately 500 tons of soil and solid materials were removed from the area.
Cleanup Status
At the time of the excavation, there was not an approved method for disposing of the dioxin- contaminated materials. Therefore, the drums of waste needed to be stored on-site until an alternative could be found. From 1984 to 1988, the drums were stored in temporary containers. SHA determined that a more permanent storage facility was needed for the potential long-term storage of the drums of waste. As a result, a 7,200 square foot storage building with secondary containment was constructed at the facility to more safely house the waste. The SHA received a Maryland state permit to store the hazardous waste in the containment building and performed weekly inspections of the area to ensure no contaminants were being released to the environment. In November 1994, an approved disposal facility for dioxin was located and all dioxin wastes were transported to the company for proper treatment and disposal. SHA proceeded with the clean-closure of the Hazardous Waste Storage building and received approval from the Maryland Department of the Environment in 1995. The building is now used as a maintenance shop and storage.
In the fall of 2000, EPA and SHA reconfirmed that no unacceptable releases have occurred at the facility by taking additional groundwater samples around the former disposal area. Based on this information and the past removal activities, EPA issued a final Agency determination of Corrective Action Complete with Controls. This determination documents that no further corrective action activities are necessary at this time, as long as SHA continues to maintain and annually inspect the existing multilayer cap. EPA and SHA negotiated an agreement (referred to as a Corrective Measures Implementation Agreement) in March 2003 to implement these remaining requirements and ensure long term protection of human health and the environment. SHA submits an Annual Certification report to EPA to document that the existing cap remains in place. As an added measure of long term protectiveness, SHA has placed a notice in the deed for the property that informs any future potential buyers of the residual subsurface contamination. The recording reference for the Deed Notice is 19712/173. It was recorded on March 9, 2004.
Site Description
The Maryland State Highway Administration, Rosedale Landscape Depot facility is located in Rosedale, Maryland, approximately 3,000 feet west of the Route 40 and I-695 interchange outside of Baltimore. The Landscape Depot site is approximately 3.5 acres, while the previously contaminated area of interest occupies one third of an acre of that space. The land use in the area is mixed residential, agricultural and light commercial.
EPA requested comments from the public on the proposed Agency determination of Corrective Action Complete with Controls. The public comment period lasted forty-five calendar days. Only one comment was received from SHA with minor changes to the proposal.
Contaminants at this Facility
In the past, the main contaminant in the soil was dioxin or 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD). SHA has completed extensive excavation to remove the contaminated soil in 1984 and the area has been covered with a multi-layer cap.
Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility
SHA has placed a notice in the deed for the property that informs any future potential buyers of the residual subsurface contamination. The recording reference for the Deed Notice is 19712/173. It was recorded on March 9, 2004.
Land Reuse Information at this Facility
The facility is under continued use.
Site Responsibility at this Facility
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action activities at this facility are being conducted under the direction of the EPA Region 3 with assistance from Maryland Department of Environmental Protection.