Mid-Atlantic Superfund

EPA Region 3 (Mid-Atlantic)

Maryland
six miles southeast of downtown Baltimore
Anne Arundel County

EPA ID# MD4690307844

2nd Congressional District

Last Update: June 2011

Other Names

None

Current Site Status

Cleanup activities are either underway or have already been completed at all areas of contamination at the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard. Physical cleanup is completed at Site 4 (Salvage Lot) and Site 8 (Former Incinerator) where contaminated soil was excavated and removed.

At Site 7 (Former Burn Pit), soil excavation and removal has been completed and groundwater has been treated. Ongoing groundwater monitoring is being conducted.

At Site 9 (Reported Bilge Spoils Area), soil excavation and removal is ongoing. Sediment cleanup will begin after the soil work is completed.

Site Description

The Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard occupies 113 acres on the east side of Curtis Creek, south of Hawkins Point Road. The site is six miles southeast of Baltimore in Anne Arundel County. The facility provides support for the U.S. Coast Guard, including the design, construction and repair of ships and boats. During its peak use during World War II, the yard was a fully operational shipbuilding facility employing over 3,000 workers round-the-clock.

Site Responsibility

The U.S. Coast Guard is responsible for the site.

NPL Listing History

Proposed to the National Priorities List in September 2001, the Curtis Bay Coast Guard Yard's NPL listing was finalized In September 2002.

Threats and Contaminants

Former site related activities are suspected to have to contributed to contamination of soils, groundwater, surface water and sediments at the site. Samples collected at the site show that the soil is contaminated in certain areas with semi-volatile organic compounds, metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides and dioxin. Sediment samples taken in Curtis Creek have indicated elevated metals concentrations suspected to be associated with dry-dock operations. Current Coast Guard activities/waste management practices have been modified and/or discontinued to minimize contribution potential future release of contaminants from the site.

Contaminant descriptions and risk factors are available from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, an arm of the CDC.

Cleanup Progress

A Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS) was completed for Site 1 (Curtis Creek Sediments) It was determined that the low levels of contamination in the sediment do not pose an unacceptable risk to Human Health or the Environment. A No Action Record of Decision (ROD) for Site 1 was signed in September 2007.

Soils at Site 4 (former salvage lot), which contained elevated levels of lead and PCBs, were excavated and removed from the Yard under a Removal Action conducted between November 2007 and March 2008. A No Further Action ROD was signed for Site 4 in May 2009.

An RI/FS has been completed for Site 7 (former Burn Pit). The Seclected Remedy includes excavation of contaminated soils and treatment of contaminated groundwater. A ROD was signed in September 2009. Removal of contaminated soils has been completed and treatment of groundwater was conducted. Ongoing groundwater monitoring is being conducted.

Site 8, Former Incinerator Site - A Removal Action has been completed for the excavation and removal of contaminated soil.

Site 9, Reported Bilge Spoils Area - A Removal Action is ongoing with the excavation and removal of contaminated soil and sediment.

Four additional Areas of Concern are also under investigation as part of an Expanded Site Investigation.

A Public Health Assessment (PHA) was completed and finalized by the Agency for Toxic and Disease Registry (ATSDR). The results of the PHA did not determine that Coast Guard activities in the area have contributed to or have the potential to contribute adverse impact to workers or residents in the area.

The Coast Guard has proposed to the Citizen Advisory Group (CAG) to scale back the number of meetings from quarterly to biannual meetings with community representatives and industry to keep them informed of site activities and as a forum to solicit questions and concerns.

Contacts

Site Contacts