University of Maryland
Update: After January 6, 2017, information about this RCRA Corrective Action site
will be available at:
Corrective Action Sites Around the Nation - Region 3
(Search for the Facility by Name, Location, or EPA ID)
Please be sure to update your bookmarks.
On This Page
EPA ID:MDD980829873
Location:
3115 Chesapeake Building 338
College Park, MD 20742-3133
Property Area 1300 Acres
Congressional District: 3
Other Names: na
Final Update
Contacts
EPA Project Manager
Ms. Barbara Smith
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 3
Mail Stop: 3LC20
1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029
(215) 814-5786
Email: smith.barbara@epa.gov
Bulletin Board
Site Status
- Cleanup Status :
Complete with Controls - Human Exposure Controlled: YES
- Groundwater Controlled: YES
- Institutional -Engineering Controls : YES
Status
- In September 1991, EPA issued a Corrective Action permit to University of Maryland (UM). The permit required UM to investigate whether releases occurred from various Solid Waste Management Units (SWMUs). UM conducted soil and groundwater investigations at the SWMUs. Areas identified with soil contamination were remediated as follows: (1) soil was removed from the Pesticides Wash and Diesel Fuel Tank Areas; and (2) a Diesel Fuel Tank was removed and replaced. EPA determined that other areas did not require remediation. Groundwater investigations showed some low level dioxin and methane in the three Paint Branch Landfills and the Metzerott Road Landfill. EPA concluded that the low level dioxin and methane, coupled with the low risk of human exposure, would not pose a risk to human health and the environment under current conditions. Ground water underlying the University is not used for drinking water.
- In January 2007, EPA reissued the Corrective Action Permit to UM. UM completed work on all of the SWMUs, with remaining work to be completed at the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI) property located on campus. The permit requires a Corrective Measures Study (CMS) for MFRI, and also includes a Notice for Use Restriction (an institutional control) to prevent future use of groundwater beneath the former landfills (including MFRI) as a drinking water supply. EPA approved UM's CMS workplan in June 2007, and the Use Restriction was is recorded in Prince George County Land Records. Ground water monitoring for benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, xylene, naphthalene and methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) will continue at MFRI for the natural attenuation remedy. The permit also requires EPA review for future development that requires excavation in the former landfills.
- The Environmental Indicator Forms discuss that current human exposure to site contaminants is under control, and any migration of contaminated ground water is also under control.
Background
- The University of Maryland at College Park is a state owned and operated higher education institution. The facility is comprised of a complex of academic and research buildings designed and used for performing the University's primary broad educational and research missions, complemented by residential, services, and support buildings.
- The surrounding land use is primarily residential property on the north, south and west property lines. The area east of the campus has been developed for light industrial/commercial business and residential uses. Surface water runoff is directed toward Paint Branch Creek located on the eastern margin of the campus. A portion of the eastern section of the campus is located in the 100-year floodplain. Based on landfill area studies, groundwater depth ranges from 2 to 15 feet and appears to flow south. Ground water beneath the campus is not used for drinking water purposes.
Contaminants and Risks
- Based on data from previous studies and clean-ups, any residual soil or ground water contaminants does not present a risk to human health and the environment. At the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, a limited area of petroleum related groundwater contamination has been delineated and benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, xylene, naphthalene and methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) contaminants remain at low levels. Human exposure to contamination is prevented because most of the surface area is paved and groundwater contaminants are declining from natural processes over time.
Institutional - Engineering Controls
- Point Branch Landfills : Area 1A :9.74 Acres; Area 1-B: 54 Acres; Area 1-C: .9 Acres; and Area 2: 1.01 Acres;
- Maryland Fire & Rescue Institue (MFRI - Landfill Area 3A): 10.86 Acres;
- Metzerott Roadd Landfill Area - 4.35 Acres
Restrictions or Controls that Address: | Yes | No |
---|---|---|
Groundwater Use |
X |
|
Residential Use |
X |
|
Excavation |
X |
|
Vapor Intrusion |
X |
|
Capped Area(s) |
X |
|
Other Engineering Controls |
X |
|
Other Restrictions |
X |
The University registered a ground water use restriction with the County Land Use records, which prohibits ground water use for drinking water purposes. Also on the landfills certain activities, including but not limited to, excavation, grading, dewatering, sheeting or shoring, are prohibited without prior written approval in following areas:
Also in MFRI ( Landfill 3A) Area : Ground water monitoring for benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, xylene, naphthalene and methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) will continue at MFRI for the natural attenuation remedy.
Documents and Reports
- Some of the site’s key documents of interest are accessible below:
- Corrective Action Statement of Basis [PDF, 5 pages, 70 KB, About PDF]
- Corrective Action Statement Permit Factsheet [PDF, 6 pages, 32 KB, About PDF]
- Corrective Action Statement Permit [PDF,21 pages, 7602 KB, About PDF]
- Environmental Covenant - Deed Restriction [PDF, 18 pages, 835 KB, About PDF]
- Institutional/Engineering Controls (IC/EC) Long Term Assessment- Site Visit (March 2014) [PDF, 16 pages, 3694 KB, About PDF]
- Environmental Indicator Determination - Human Exposures [PDF, 9 pages, 40 KB, About DF]
- Environmental Indicator Determination - Groundwater [PDF, 8 pages, 25 KB, About PDF]
- All documents and reports regarding this facility also can be reviewed in person at these locations:
U.S. EPA Region III
Land & Chemicals Division - RCRA
1650 Arch Street-11th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 814-5786
Call for an appointment.
- Submit a FOIA Request
Get instructions on how to submit a FOIA request. Additional fee for requests over 100 pages.
Photos, Maps and Diagrams
University of Maryland | University of Maryland GeoSpatial PDF [PDF, 1.82 MB, 1 page, About PDF] | University of Maryland Metzerott Rd Landfill GeoSpatial PDF [PDF, 1.82 MB, 1 page, About PDF] | University of Maryland Landfill 3 GeoSpatial PDF [PDF, 1.82 MB, 1 page, About PDF] |
Click on a thumbnail to enlarge the photo or Geospatial PDF)
Reuse Information
- The facility is under continued use.
Questions
- The EPA is dedicated to providing you with timely and accurate information about our work at this site. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the EPA Project Manager: Ms. Barbara Smith (215)-814-5786.