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Hazardous Waste Cleanup: Virginia Department of Transportation Culpeper District Complex, Culpeper, Virginia

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In 1996, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VADEQ) and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) implemented a Compliance Agreement initiating compliance with Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) requirements. The Agreement outlined the facility’s regulatory obligations associated with three solid waste management units (SWMUs) including the Sign Shop Vat, Paint Pit, and Hot Vat Stripper Ditch.

Cleanup Status

In 2016, the facility completed activities as part of its final corrective action remedy, which consisted of excavation at SWMU 8, the former salvage metal and debris storage area, and limited excavation at SWMU 9, the former battery storage area, meeting remedial cleanup goals for soil. The facility continues to conduct post-closure care groundwater monitoring. The Facility recorded an environmental covenant which meets requirements of the Uniform Environmental Covenants Act to establish land use controls on January 29, 2018. Post-closure groundwater monitoring is currently being implemented and will continue until post-closure care obligations detailed in the facility’s Hazardous Waste Management Permit for Post-Closure Care and Corrective Action have been met.

Cleanup Background

The facility completed closure of the SWMUs and subsequently was issued a Permit in 2005 to continue post-closure care activities at the Sign Shop Vat and Paint Pit, which included groundwater monitoring. The facility’s Permit also included Corrective Action requirements.

On September 28, 2006, VADEQ completed an evaluation of the available information and data from closure activities and initial investigations and issued a “YES” determination for the “Human Exposures under Control” Environmental Indicator (EI) under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA).

In 2009, the facility completed a RCRA Facility Investigation (RFI) characterizing environmental conditions site-wide. Based on results of the RFI, DEQ approved moving forward with interim measures to complete limited excavations to address contaminants in soil in 2011.

On December 1, 2011, VADEQ completed an evaluation of available information and issued a “YES” determination for the “Migration of Contaminated Groundwater under Control” EI under the GPRA.

In 2013, the facility in coordination with VADEQ determined to implement interim measures as the facility’s final remedy for Corrective Action. Therefore, in 2014, the facility pursued a Permit modification to incorporate the final remedy.

In September 2014, the facility completed a modification to its Permit incorporating its selected final remedy. The Permit modification included a 60-day public comment period, during which no comments were received.

An environmental covenant which meets the requirements of the Uniform Environmental Covenants Act was recorded with the Culpeper Circuit Court on January 1, 2018.

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Site Description

Interactive Map of Virginia Department of Transportation Culpeper District Complex, Culpeper, VA

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The facility occupies 52.8 acres and is located on US Route 15 in the southern portion of the incorporated limits of the Town of Culpeper. Topography varies with the land sloping primarily to the north and east. Since the late 1930’s, various activities have been conducted at the facility including storage and maintenance of VDOT vehicles, storage of materials, used road sign refurbishing, and various administrative/dispatch services.

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Contaminants at this Facility

The primary contaminants of concern in soil and groundwater are 1,2-dichloropropane and chlorinated solvents.

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Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility

On January 29, 2018, VDOT recorded an environmental covenant, which meets requirements of the Uniform Environmental Covenants Act to establish land use controls. In addition, the controls are included in the facility’s permit. The land use controls include limiting groundwater use beneath the property, requiring vapor intrusion mitigation measures or alternate demonstration that vapor intrusion is not occurring for any newly constructed buildings within 100 feet of groundwater containing chlorinated solvents, and residential use prohibition and maintenance and monitoring in accordance a DEQ approved Material Management plan for SWMU-8. The facility met hazardous waste closure requirements for soil, therefore no controls are necessary for soil.

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Land Reuse Information at this Facility

The facility is in continued use.

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Site Responsibility at this Facility

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

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