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Kerr-McGee Chemical Corp.
National Information
Photos/Multimedia
- 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: NCD980557805Location: Navassa, Brunswick, NC
Congressional District: 07
NPL Status: Superfund Alternative Approach
Affected Media: Ground water, Soil, Sediments
Cleanup Status: Physical cleanup activities have not yet started
Site Reuse/Redevelopment: Currently unused
Site Manager: Erik Spalvins (spalvins.erik@epa.gov)
Site Background
The Kerr-McGee Chemical Corp. site is located in Navassa, North Carolina. The site is bounded on the north by North Navassa Road, on the east by the Brunswick River and to the south by Sturgeon Creek. The approximately 300-acre site was used as a creosote-based wood treating facility from the mid-1930s until 1974. Creosote storage and application occurred in the southwest portion of the site. The creosote treatment process generated wastewater which was discharged into wastewater ponds on site. Kerr-McGee dismantled the site in 1980, removing plant equipment, buildings, and tanks. The wastewater ponds were emptied and the remaining sludge was mixed with clean soil and seeded.
The site was listed on the National Priorities List (NPL) on April 5, 2010.
Threats and Contaminants
Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons have been detected in soil and ground water on site and in the sediments of the marsh adjacent to the site.
Site Cleanup Plan
The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) conducted a Site Investigation (SI) in 1988. The SI was followed by a Site Inspection Prioritization in 1995. In 2003, the NCDENR asked EPA to evaluate the site.
Under an EPA enforcement agreement, Kerr-McGee completed an Expanded Site Investigation in 2005. Kerr-McGee began a Remedial Investigation (RI) in 2006.
Kerr-McGee created a company called Tronox that became independent in March 2006. Tronox assumed responsibility for the cleanup in Navassa. Tronox was unable to adequately fund its ongoing business operations or the cleanup and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January 2009.
EPA issued a partial work takeover notice on March 8, 2010, stating that EPA would conduct some of the sampling needed to complete the RI.
The information from the RI will be used to conduct a Feasibility Study, which evaluates the options for cleanup. Once the Feasibility Study is completed, a Proposed Plan will be written which will present the cleanup strategy chosen by EPA and the rationale for the preference. Public review and comment will be solicited on the alternatives under consideration. After public comment, a cleanup strategy will be documented in a Record of Decision (ROD). A ROD provides the justification for the cleanup action chosen at a Superfund site.
Cleanup Progress
Site cleanup activities by the responsible party – Tronox, LLC. – have ceased with the Tronox bankruptcy. EPA will conduct some of the sampling needed to complete the RI.
Enforcement Activities
An Administrative Order on Consent was finalized in 2004.
Community Involvement
EPA has conducted a range of community involvement activities at the Kerr McGhee Chemical Corp. 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. Members of the community that are interested in the site are encouraged to contact the project manager.
Future Work
Information from the Remedial Investigation is being used to perform a Feasibility Study, which evaluates the options for cleanup. Once the Feasibility Study is completed, a Proposed Plan will be written which will present the cleanup strategy chosen by EPA and its justification.
Site Administrative Documents
Site Repository
An information repository has not yet been established for this site.
For documents not available on the website, please contact the Region 4 Freedom of Information Office.