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Hazardous Waste Cleanup: International Paper - Richmond Gravure in Richmond, Virginia

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    Cleanup Status

    This facility is one of EPA Region 3’s high priority Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) corrective action sites and EPA has determined that both the Human Exposure and Groundwater Environmental Indicators have been met.

    In 1994, Richmond Gravure investigated the site under a voluntary agreement with EPA Region 3. The facility characterized the hydrogeology of the groundwater and determined the sources and extent of the contamination. It was determined that Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) were present at the site. The facility then conducted the necessary corrective actions by installing an asphalt cover over the former landfill, and also implemented a 5-year groundwater monitoring program to determine if the groundwater contamination was migrating. Based on the results of the 5-year monitoring program, submitted to EPA on June 3, 2000, it was determined that the VOCs and PCBs present in the landfill were not migrating.

    EPA issued a letter to International Paper on October 22, 2002,  indicating that EPA will require annual monitoring, to continue to document that the contaminated groundwater is not migrating, and will require an annual inspection of the cap to document its integrity. EPA conducted a site visit on June 10, 2009, to further characterize the facility. EPA has evaluated the groundwater data from the five year monitoring and a final remedy decision document was issued on December 7, 2010. EPA selected monitoring and maintenance of the asphalt cap and implementation of, compliance with and continued maintenance of institutional controls as the final remedy for the Facility. This remedy is being implemented through an Environmental Covenant which was signed by EPA on September 26, 2011.

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    Site Description

    Interactive Map of International Paper - Richmond Gravure, Richmond, VA

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    International Paper's Richmond Gravure facility has been decommissioned in preparation for sale. The James River and its floodplain border the site on the east. Industrial properties are to the north, south, and west.

    The facility was used as a warehouse in the late 1960s. In 1969, printing operations began onsite. Folding cartons were printed at the facility until early 2000. The property is divided into a 16-acre north parcel and a 36-acre south parcel. International Paper has owned the north parcel since 1979 and the south parcel since 1988. Landfilling at the site began in the early 1970s on a portion of the site to the east and south of the plant building. Landfilling at the site ceased in 1979.

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    Contaminants at this Facility

    Contmaminants of concern are the volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) that were present at the site.

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    Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility

    Institutional /Engineering Control Summary
    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

    Institutional Controls for Groundwater control for the entire facility is implemented through an Environmental Convenant signed September 26,  2011. Also a former landfill area which ceased operations is east and south of the building and has an asphalt cap that is annually monitored and the remedy implemented through the Environmental Covenant . While there are no formal engineering controls,  groundwater is monitored annually for volatile organic compounds and PCBs. 

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    Land Reuse Information at this Facility

    The site is currently unused.

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    Site Responsibility at this Facility

    RCRA Corrective Action activities at this facility are being conducted under the direction of the EPA Region 3 with assistance from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

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