dixie caverns landfill uperfund site

Five Year Review

Dixie Caverns Landfill uperfund Site

(EPA ID: VAD980552095)

Abe Fedas Director

ous Site Cleanup Division, Re

U.S. Environmental Protecti~n Agency Region I11

Hazardous Site Cleanup Division Five-Year Review (Type I)

Dixie Caverns ~ b u n t y Landfill (Roanoke County, Virginia)

1. Executive Summary

The Dixie Cavern County Landfill was operated from 65 to 1976. The Site was the focus of two Removal Actions and two RODS (Records sf Dec on) (see Tables 1 md 2). 7Xrougk these actions, a fly ash pile was removed for High Temperature Metals Recovery (HTMR); sediment from two streams that had been contanrniznated by this h were excavated, sQbilized, and Imdfilled ow-site; nepnnerous drums were removed h m the Site; m d slnd associated soils and sediment were excavated md disposed of off-site.

e only waste remaining at hehe Site is contained in a lmdfi%l area of the Site, specifically constructed for it, as "comrete-like'? stabilized blocks, and in a small (5 cubic yards) fly mh-eo~ltminated sediments, securely entombed deep in an inaccessible stream b date, there h a been no leachate collected %Hsm the NPE kindfill, although the leachate collection system is indeed hctioning properly, and therefore, no slfpalgrses performed on leahate (the munieipd lmdfi'll does produce leachate which is periodically analyzed). The conditE~n of the landfill and cap are good; there are no si ficitplt erosional or leachate problems at the Site.

Cons e remedy iqiemented at the Si bifization and sf sediments ed with m - h a c e fly ash (a R Ested waste) h remains, protective. The streams flowing ugh the Site appear to be quite healthy.

Authority Statement; Purpose. PA Region 111 conducted this review pwsusfnt to section 12% (e) of the Comprehensive

Envirsmena Response9 Compensation, md Liability Act of t 980, sas mended (CERCEA), 42 U.S.C. g 942 1 (c); s e c t h 300.460(9(4)( f the National Oil md H ous Substances

08 (as mended); md O S W R Directives 9355.7- 4), and 9355.7-03A (December 21,1995). It is a

-ye% review is to ensure that a remedid action remains

understood by EPA.

Site History and Charaetexistics. The Dixie Caverns Emdfill Site (the "'Site") is located in Roanoke County, near Salem,

State Route 778, approximately one mile west of Exit 132 ('"Dixie Cavem9'")sp%

Five-Year Review Report Dhie Caverns County Landfill July 200 E U.S. EPA Region HI1

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The Site is located in a w a l area with the nearest residence located approximately one hdf mile so~theast a l ~ n 'Twine I-Ioliow ro A totd of 235 residents live witkin a one-mile radius of the Site, md an estimated 2,1118 five within thee miles. Within one mile sf the Site private wells are used as the source of potable water.

Mmieipaf md industrial wastes were first disposed of at i t e Site in 1965. In 1972 the County of Roanoke was notified by the Corncanwealth of Virginia that their operation had to be

d out by July 1, 1973, which the deadline for jurisdictions to obtain a soBid waste al permit. After several w s sfbl attempts to obtain a permit, the landfill ceased

operation in July I W6.

Table 1. Summary of Contaminated Areas Addressed at Dixie Caverns County Landfill Su~erfuad Site

Date sf Action(s)

Pile 1993 Consent Decree 9m. 1996 (K861)

(Admiraismtive Order by Consent)

Description of remedy: B m s stabilized md ovevacked for tmnspslca off-site to a I% disposal fsncility. Remsvd, stabiliation arnd off-site disposal of approx. 508 cubic yards of sludge a d con%kimted soil.

-

Excavation md transport sf apgrox. 9,600 cubic y d s of fly-ash m a t e d to off-site

contaminated soils md stream se related to the fly ash pile, placing "concrete- like" blocks into an sn-site landfill.

er actions were required for the remainder of the Site.

In June 1983, EPA completed a Preliminary Assessment of the Site and identified several d i spsd areas including a l e fly ash pile of wdetemined constituents. As a result of these

ons, the County of Roanoke signed a Consent Agreement and Or 7 to conduct a removal action at htk disposal areas - a dis

fly ash pile. 'The County completed removal activities in the groved the Coumty plan to treat the fly ask using a gropriet

Five-Year Review Report July 2001

Dixie Caverns County Landfill U.S. EPA Region III

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For the D m Di val activities consisted ofthe removal of cons debris, tires, and approx along with identification (if possible) of the origin Prior to removal wnped, ovenpa~ked~ m&or moved directly demtifying laixls or other infomation pertaining to their possible contents, d m integrity and volume of materid. Bflcnnas containing liquids were pumped or ovenpacked prior to removal to the designated

piing area. Compatible liquids were consolidated into a bulk ncoanpatibk liquids and nsn-pmgable sludges were p m p e

stabilized in BOT-approved b s for off-site disposal in an approved lip

facility.

a~erid were overpacked, and/or iring disposal were either

organic compounds.

it consisted of the removal of approximat owed by disposal ossite in an approved

cwation sampling to enswe with clean fill, a d revegetat

area contained high levels of various org

avems EandfiIl Si s proposed for listing om the Supe ) on J m u ~ 22, B e Site was formally listed on the

1988 and April 26,1989, EPA sent specid notice letters Comprehensive Environmentid Response, Co

(CERCLA), 42 U. S.C. Section 9622(e), t delstified Potentially to of'%er them the emedid Investigatio of the Site. When the work in July 1989, EPA i determine the M1 ination at the Site.

AI&ou& the Remedid Investigation had not yet ompleted, EPA had sufficient infomation in Septemkr 1991, to dktemine the approp medy for the fly ah, identified under ~esot&e Consemation aPld Recovev Act (RCWB) as K061. 'This waste is a listed hmdolms waste under the re dations promulgated at 40 C.F .R. Section 251 3 2 pursuant to RCU, 42 U.S tions 6901 et seh. The KO61 waste pile ed several metals including lead, and zinc, at levels that presented an i


Dixie Caverns County Lmdfill U.S. EPA Region III

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the emviroment, On September 40, 1991, EPA issued a Record of Decision the approximately 9,000 cubic yards of KO61 waste (fly

Site. AS described in the 199% ROD, the selected remedy for the fly ash m the Site aaad treatment- k at. a High Temperahape

ility. The fly ask pile sed separately fiom the rest of the Site as Operable Unit 1 (ObJ1). The PWs entered into a consent decree with EPA h S u e of 1 implement the remedy selected in the OUf ROB. Specifically the 0U1 ROD called for:

Excavation of approximately 9000 cubic yards of fly ask materid o Trmspof%atim of approximately 9000 cubic yards of fly a h material off-site for

ent using the High Temperame Metals Recovery QHTMR) process, e Treatment of the fly ash a% an EPA approved HTMR facility to achieve the

treatment stmdmds for KO61 waste specified in 56 Federd Register 41 164- 41 148, md

s Implementation of dust controls and erosion and sedimenbtion controls dwing fly ash excavation.

The Remedid Action (construction) was fsmaily initiated on August 15, 1994, when the

Five-Year Review Report July 260 1

ecause sf the high levels of inorganic eontaminants fomd in the staem s, the EBB Region I11 Superfwd Removal Branch was no

need for m expedited response. EPA subsequent%y determined that welfme andlor the enviroment existed due to stances from the Site. As a result, on August 2

inistntive Order by Consent for Remov 106(a> a d 122(a) of GERCLA, 42 U.S.C.

5)622(a)- The Removal Order required that the P

Hdentify the extent o nation exceeding eeobgicd risk-based levels in two streams at in soils in the vicinity of md directly beneath the KO

e Eliminate the effect of conmination on aquatic ;and vegetative located in md a o m d the two strems and,

s Remove, treat, r dispose of cont inated soils in the vicinity of directly beneath the KO6 E waste pile.

The &xnovd Order required that the BWs develop, gain EPA appmvd for, md implement a Response Action Plm Q ) detailing the specific implemented to address the require of the Removal Order. plm to reduce to acceptable levels the potential threat posed fly ash waste pile. The plan was to sample the streams to de contmination, then excavate the sediment contmilBated by the contaminated soils widedying the fly ash pile. The cont would be stabilized using a proprietary process developed

ncies. The process wodd involve en landfilling the bloc

, sapl ing and analysis ta~srnld cofim the success of the plan.

Implemenbtion of the to comply with the Removd Order took place over a 93 to 1997. The work took place in five stages. The first step was

tten, submitted andl approved by EPA. Sampling and analysis was conducted, md the results used to form remedid strategies. nt control measures were designed sun$ implemented, access to

adjoining properties was gained and plans were made to manage co

Five-Year Review Report July 200 1

Dixie Caverns County Landfill U.S. EPA Region IIk

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The second step hvolved co irnated soil md sedirnea removal. Equipment was selected, and methods; were e (1. These evdmtions resulted in modify the removal processes. The proposals were submitted md approved by EPA, and the work continued at prling confirmed tafe success of the remsv

The third step was cont inate$ soil and sediment st&% stabilization was demnstfated md approved by EPA. This pros neutra%ized the contaminated waste. Modifications to the stabilization process were tested, approved by E A md implemented to increase efficiency.

The fourth step was ultimate disposal. A gicd and hydrsgeol investigation confirmed the spritabil $fiH construction. subtitle "C" compliant 1 e with dl applicable

atieans. After con d maintained in compliance B for disposal of the stabilized sediment md soil. As the waste was dispsed

sf in the Emdfilll, modifications to the operational practices were proposed md accepted by EPA to improve process efieiency. The lmdfiI1 was filled, capped, and certified closed.

site ~Iestpl-up. Access, roadway, md produ~tion areas were econtamimpated, md mixing equipment was disposed of.

e elem-up were stabilized md disposed sf in the Imdfill prior to ccloswe.

A report certifying the successful clean-up of soils in the vicinity of and directly beneath the KO6 k waste pile, includi Analysis Plan, st

activities, m d v i c d atistics was sub s on Sepemkr 26,1995. Wo imemt remsvaH a d stabilization continued ugh the early s m e r of 1997 nspectisn was conducted by EPA on July 3 1,

entided '"mplementatism of a Response Action Pk se of Soils a d Sediment at Dixie Caverns L

that all requirements of the Removd Order had k e n met EPA accepted this report opt September 18, 1997.

action as the remedy for OU2. Pgke OU2 ROD addresses Site which were not addressed by 8U1 (the KO61

(sediments ins the adjacent stream pile). EBA's rationale for the "no

rn a1 actions addressed dl risks posed by ne . The 0U2 ROD was signed on Septe

There are no long-term requirements associated with the work sf the OUI a d the QU1 Consent Decree. A Post-C1os-e Care Plan for the sn- the stabilized soils md sediments has been developed to provide m


for operation md maintenance of the landfill components, including vegetative cover, erosion and sediment control, and the landfill ]leachate esillectiont met disposd system. A

st-=c%osure pBm c be found in Appendix V% of the r "Implementation of a Response Action Plan to Remove, Stabilize, m d Dispose of Soih and Sediment at Dixie ~avems~andfi l l" , dated September 4,1997.

A small pocket s f sediment in the south b of %he large sediment pond bumable to be excavated due to its inaccessible loc . The pcket consists of ab cubic yards of contamimated sediment. The pocket is buried under 7 feet of clay sand is protected from erosion by the stream by a large culvert direct Abmdoment of this sediment pocket was approved by EPA

entombment was practicd. A yearly e was required to ensure that erosion did n wspections indicate that the integrity s f

shall be made to ensure the entombment. The adjacent sediment con& including the pipin md drop inlet are inspected regularly to verify that they me free of debris.

The s d y remaining activity to e pedomed at $he Dixi Operations and Mstnaenmce of the I

soils, md site ins ctions for condueti process.

11. Discussion of Remedial Objectives

fly ash pile in accordmce with the 8U-1 ROB h cofl%kmatorgr sampling. Since the two Remsv

addressed the remainder of the Site, the 6U-2 ROD called for No Further Action, md therefore it has no associated pedomawee standards.

The cap enclosing the lmdFnH has been very effective, so impermeabii that en no leashate collected for mdysis or disposal to e. Cowsequentply, the

objective of on-s been csrnpleteIy obtained, and the Site is in complimce with pcsnse Action Plan (for the second removal).

111. ' Site Visit

r 28, 1999, Remedial Project Manager Matkfew T, ,Mellon and On- Arena, both froarm EPA Region ZII, met with Ge

from aaPe CsmV ke, as well as a representative of Olver, Ins., re inspect the Site.

at the Site, the fence m d gates were f ~ ~ d to be intact, and st inside the entrance to the Site, the lower leachate collection a d

pre-treatwlent systems (which operate for the entirety of the landfi%l, not just the NPE


Dixie Caverns County Landfill U.S. EPA Region I11

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Remedial Project M ager Matthew T. MelSon conducted a second site visit on ay Jme 20,2801. The fence was again found to be in good condition, the gate (fop. a delivery to the new county training facility), but showed evidence that it

was usudly lock worked freely, and was free of debri fficer confmed as did M. George Simp leachate collection syst the municipal 1 fill no longer requires pre-treatrraelzt (though it is periodically sampled md analyzed to confirm that status).

Tikere remains no leachate generated from the NBE portion of to collect for analysis. Mr. Sirnapson confirmed &at both the upper leachate stem and the leak detection system (which sene the NBL landfill) are h

working condition. Vegehtion on bke Imdfill was Bush, and hesenghout the entirety of the Site (both the NPL, md the municipal Imdfill), new roadbeds md new riprap drain systems have been installed (completed in May 200 1). These improvemelats when the County of Roannok ity with cclassrooms outdoor shooting rmge oaf h leachate collection

and security cameras were also instalt8led,

There is almost no visible evidence of the removal action taken in the streams at the Site. V e g t a ~ o n has taken hold, and the stream appears quite healthy. Fish were obsewed feeding in a small pond where the fly ash pile w formerly E~cated. The abmdomd pocket sf fly h-comtminated sediment rem s seewe%y entombed. No erosional problems were observed in any part of the Site.

nds &at periodic in 11 cap md leachate hue as specified Iose-Out Report for the

fy that tbe cap remains free of damage due to erosion, that a vegetative wver r m h s success~ ly rooted (to prevent erosion), md to determine if my leachate is ever collected. EPA dss recornends that the County of Roanoke continue its periodic inspectism sf tke landfill and strew, which occur at a ater frequency th EQA's Five Year Reviews.

ore, since contamhmts remain in place under the cap, Five Year Reviews will continue to be conducted at the Site.

Five-Year Review Report Dixie Cwenas County Landfill July 200 E US. EPA Region I11

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V. Statement se Protectiveness

$pp. Next Fiveyear Review

The next five-yea review will be conducted by five years fiom the date of this report.

Dixie Caverns County Landfill U.S. EPA Region 111

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dixie caverns landfill uperfund site

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