Picayune Wood Treating
Picayune Wood Treating
EPA ID: MSD065490930
Location: Picayune, Pearl River County, MS
Congressional District: 04
NPL Status: Proposed: 03/08/04; Final 07/22/04
Project Manager
Site Repository:
Margaret Reed Crosby
Memorial Library
900 Goodyear Blvd
Picayune, MS 39466
(601)798-50081
Site Background:
The Picayune Wood Treating Site is located at 403 Davis Street on a 31.5-acre parcel of land in Picayune, Pearl River County, Mississippi. Timber and lumber related operations began in th erly 1900's, but the wood treating operation most likely began around 1946. The Crosby Products Company pressure-treated yellow southern pine wood with preservative chemicals (creosote). In 1973, Wood Treating, Inc. purchased the facility and continued to pressure-treat wood until 1999. Residential, commercial, and industrial areas presently surround the Site.
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), regulated the Wood Treating, Inc. facility under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) from 1981 to 1999. Several enforcement actions were issued to the facility during that time period. A plan to treat groundwater was implemented in 1996 and continued until 1999. Wood Treating Inc., which operated a wood treating facility on the site, ceased operations in 1999.
In 1999, EPA began a Removal Action at the Site and completed the job in 2002. A Remedial Investigation was started by EPA in 2001. Another Removal Action in the residential area was initiated in summer of 2007.
Cleanup Progress: Remediation Complete:
- A plan to treat groundwater was implemented in 1996 and continued until 1999. A Removal Action between 1999-2001 treated wastewater and creosote sludge, and removed mercury, asbestos, tanks, scrap metal and tanker cars.
- A remedial action was initiated in 2001 for the remedial investigation of the former wood treating facility. EPA installed a chain link fence along Mill Creek to prevent access to the soil and sediment, and posted warning signs along the fence that runs through the neighborhood to further inform residents of the potential dangers.
- EPA, ATSDR, MSDEQ and local officials have held public meetings in the community to explain the Superfund process and threats identified at the site.
- A remedial investigation and feasibility study (RI/FS) for contaminated site groundwater and soils is complete. The RI/FS was completed in early 2007.
- Dioxins in soils were discovered in the residential areas adjacent to Mill Creek. A Removal action for residential area soils was initiated in the summer of 2007.
- A proposed plan was issued to the public in July of 2007.
- A Record of Decision was signed in September 2007.
- A Remedial Design will be initiated throughout 2008 for addressing the former wood treating site and groundwater contaminants.
- Removal activities in the residential areas will continue through March 2008.