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Davis Timber Company
National Information
Photos/Multimedia
Pond on Davis Timber site
- Additional Site Photos
- Site Video
Additional Resources
- Site Cleanup Terms - can be found in EPA's glossary
- EPA Guides to Cleanup Technologies
- Superfund Community Involvement (PDF) (17 pp, 130K, About PDF)
Site Summary Profile
EPA ID: MSD046497012Location: Hattiesburg, Lamar County, MS
Lat/Long: 31.345190, -089.404460
Congressional District: 05
NPL Status: Proposed: 05/11/00; Final: 07/27/00
Affected Media: Ground water, Soil
Cleanup Status: Physical cleanup activities have not started
Site Reuse/Redevelopment: Potential for commercial / light industrial
Site Manager: Scott Martin (martin.scott@epa.gov)
Site Background
The Davis Timber site is a former timber processing and wood preserving operation facility in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, that was operated by the Davis Timber Company from 1972 until the late 1980's. Wastewater, containing pentachlorophenol, dioxin and furan compounds, was discharged into an onsite storage pond, which was reportedly backfilled and capped in 1980. Prior to closing this pond, pentachlorophenol and dioxin contaminated wastewater was released into surface water drainage pathways. Between 1974 and 1987, several fish kills in Country Club Lake, one mile downgradient of the facility, were reported. Pentachlorophenol, dioxins and furans have been detected at elevated levels in onsite soils and also in sediments in Mineral Creek and Country Club Lake.
The site was finalized on the NPL in 2000.
The state of Mississippi has collected fish from Country Club Lake seven times since 1987, and analyzed the fish tissue for dioxin compounds. Upon obtaining the first set of fish tissue data, MDEQ issued a notice to local residents (in 1989) recommending that fish from Country Club Lake not be consumed . Dioxin levels in fish have decreased significantly over the last ten years. In June 2001, the state of Mississippi lifted its ban on the consumption of fish caught in waters near this site. In 2004, MDEQ collected fish again from Country Club lake and analyzed the tissue for dioxin.
Threats and Contaminants
The State of Mississippi has collected fish from Country Club Lake seven times since 1987, and analyzed the fish tissue for dioxin compounds. Upon obtaining the first set of fish tissue data, Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) issued a notice to local residents (in 1989) recommending that fish from Country Club Lake not be consumed. Dioxin levels in fish have decreased significantly over the last ten years. In June 2001, the State of Mississippi lifted its ban on the consumption of fish caught in waters near this site. In 2004, MDEQ collected fish again from Country Club Lake and analyzed the tissue for dioxin.
Sampling conducted in the early 2000s found contamination (predominantly dioxins and semi-volatile compounds) present in the on-site soils, at the former PCP impoundment, and in sediments. The sediment contamination is predominantly in East Mineral Creek.
Site Cleanup Plan
The site was listed as final on the National Priorities List in 2000. The Remedial Investigation (RI) began in May 2000 to identify the nature and extent of contamination. In July 2002, EPA prepared a report compiling all data collected during the RI, which summarized findings and conclusions of the sampling investigation. In 2006, EPA finalized the RI and ecological and human health risk assessments for the site. The Feasibility Study, which evaluates possible cleanup strategies, is being conducted. The cleanup strategy will be recorded in a Proposed Plan, which is expected to be completed by September 2009.
Cleanup Progress (Remedial Design Underway)
The Remedial Investigation began in May 2000. Four field efforts took place between 2000 and 2002 to characterize on-site soils, creek and lake sediments, surface water, and groundwater. Analytical results from the RI sampling events indicate the presence of contamination (predominantly dioxins and semi-volatile compounds) in the on-site soils, at the former PCP impoundment, and in sediments. The sediment contamination is predominantly in East and West Mineral Creeks.
In July 2002, EPA prepared a report compiling all data collected during the RI, which summarized findings and conclusions of the sampling investigation. In 2006, EPA finalized the remedial investigation and ecological and human health risk assessments for the site. The feasibility study was finalized in 2009. A proposed plan presenting the preferred alternative for cleanup, and requesting public comment, was mailed in July 2009. The comment period was open from July 15, 2009 to August 14, 2009. A public meeting for the proposed plan was held on August 10, 2009.
The Record of Decision (ROD) which details the selected remedy for the site was signed on September 24, 2009. The Remedial Design will be approved in the spring of 2011. If the site receives remedial action funding, then cleanup could begin in the fall of 2011. Construction is anticipated to require 14 months for completion.
Enforcement Activities
Community Involvement
EPA is conducting a range of community involvement activities at the Davis Timber Company site to solicit community input and to ensure that the public remains informed about site activities throughout the site cleanup process. Outreach activities have included public notices and information meetings on cleanup progress and activities.
Future Work
The cleanup strategy for the site will be recorded in a Proposed Plan, which was completed September 2009.
Site Administrative Documents
Site Repository
For more information or to view any site-related documents, please visit the site information repository at the following location. As new documents are generated, they will be placed in the information repository for public information.
Administrative Record
- Record of Decision, 2009 (PDF) (142 pgs, 14.93MB, About PDF)
For documents not available on the website, please contact the Region 4 Freedom of Information Office.