Hazardous Waste Cleanup: DC Department of Corrections (Formerly: Lorton Correctional Complex) in Lorton, Virginia
On this page:
- Cleanup Status
- Site Description
- Contaminants at this Facility
- Institutional/Engineer Controls
- Land Reuse
- Site Responsibility
Cleanup Status
A meeting and site visit was conducted on October 30, 2008 to the Former Lorton Correctional Complex. The USEPA Region III and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will decide if additional information or sampling at the facility is required to determine whether the environmental indicators have been met or if corrective action is required at the facility. The facility will be provided with the opportunity to pursue Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) corrective action utilizing the Facility Lead Program Agreement by USEPA.
On August 6 2018, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued a Remedy Decision for the Former DC Correctional Facility (Former Lorton Correctional Complex (Facility) located at 8515 Silverbrook Road , Lorton, Virginia. On June 18, 2018, DEQ issued a public notice for the Statement of Basis (SB) for the proposed remedy and announced the commencement of a thirty (30)-day public comment period. The Final Remedy, the components of which are explained in detail in the SB, requires the implementation of and maintenance with institutional and governmental controls in the form of land use controls.
Site Description
Interactive Map of DC Department of Corrections (Formerly: Lorton Correctional Complex), Lorton, VA
View larger mapThe Lorton Correctional Complex was established circa 1911 and included dormitories, cell blocks, residences, maintenance facilities, a large oil and coal-fired boiler house (steam plants), industrial facilities such as furniture manufacturing and repair facilities, vehicle repair centers, a hog farm, a dairy farm, a water treatment plant, and wastewater treatment plants. The facility generated and managed hazardous waste from the various manufacturing and industrial related activities including wood/upholstery furniture manufacturing/repair, printing operations, metal working and fabrication, vehicle maintenance and repair, and auto body work. Historical review of the facility's information I indicates the Lorton facility was cited on numerous occasions for a significant number of regulatory violations of the RCRA Regulations. As a result of the frequency of the RCRA violations, the facility was issued two Enforcement Consent Orders (COs), which required the facility to address the violations and to come into compliance with the regulatory requirements.
On July 15, 2002, after the property was surveyed and covenants established, 2,324 acres was transferred to Fairfax County for $4.2 million. Areas of the property designated for a high school and a middle school (approximately 116 acres) were transferred at no cost on May 1, 2002.
Contaminants at this Facility
The facility generated and managed hazardous waste from the various manufacturing and industrial related activities including wood/upholstery furniture manufacturing/repair, printing operations, metal working and fabrication, vehicle maintenance and repair, and auto body work.
Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility
Institutional Controls at the facility include:
- Restriction of all earth moving activities including excavation, drilling and construction activities that without DEQ approval.
- Maintenance and compliance with all applicable VA solid waste regulations at the closed solid waste landfill
- Operation and monitoring of the I-95 Landfill in accordance to Virginia Solid Waste Regulations
- Prohibition of private portable wells In accordance with Fairfax County’s ordnance 70.1
- Prohibition groundwater use for potable purposes unless it is demonstrated to DEQ that such use does not pose an unacceptable risk to human health and DEQ provides prior written approval for such use.
- Notification to local health department that groundwater has been impacted and no new groundwater wells should be permitted unless it has been demonstrated that groundwater has meet applicable EPA or DEQ standards
Land Reuse Information at this Facility
The site is under continued use.
Site Responsiblity at this Facility
RCRA Corrective Action activities at this facility are being conducted under the direction of the Virginia DEQ with assistance from EPA Region 3.