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Amnicola Dump
National Information
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: TND980729172Location: Chattanooga, Hamilton County, TN
Lat/Long: 35.062500, -085.276380
Congressional District: 03
NPL Status: Proposed: 12/30/82; Final: 09/08/83; Deleted: 04/30/96
Affected Media: Debris, Ground water, Soil
Cleanup Status: Deleted from the NPL
Human Exposure Under Control: Yes
Groundwater Migration Under Control: NA
Sitewide Ready for Anticipated Use: Yes
Site Reuse/Redevelopment: None
Site Manager: Yvonne Jones (jones.yvonneo@epa.gov)
Current Status
The Amnicola Dump site includes an area used for construction debris disposal from 1970 to 1973. EPA placed the site on the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1983 because of contaminated debris, ground water and soil resulting from facility operations. EPA, the Kentucky Department for Environment Protection (KDEP) and the site’s potentially responsible parties (PRPs) have investigated site conditions and taken steps to clean up the site in order to protect people and the environment from contamination. In 1996, following cleanup activities, EPA deleted the site from the NPL.
Site Location and Background
The site is an 18-acre inactive construction debris disposal area in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Commercial properties, including a restaurant, a recycling business and warehouse-based businesses, surround much of the site to the east and south. Forested areas border the site to the north. The Tennessee River borders the site to the west.
During the 1930s, operators reportedly used the site for clay mining operations. Operations left several water-filled pits at the site. From 1970 to 1973, the City of Chattanooga operated a dump on the property. The site owner reportedly handled, stored and burned creosote-contaminated railroad ties on the site during this time. In 1973, the City of Chattanooga closed dump operations due to EPA and TDEC concerns over unauthorized dumping and the discharge of leachate from the site into the Tennessee River. As part of closure activities, the City of Chattanooga covered the disposal area and improved site drainage.
In 1983, EPA listed the site on the NPL. In 1996, following cleanup activities, EPA deleted the site from the NPL. The site is currently not in use.
Threats and Contaminants
Site investigations identified contamination in debris, ground water and soil that could potentially harm people in the area. Contamination resulted from waste disposal practices at the site. Contaminants of concern include pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, heavy metals such as chromium, polychlorinated biphenyls, inorganic chemicals and persistent organic pollutants.
Ground water monitoring initially indicated that chromium levels exceeded primary drinking water standards in one monitoring well. Investigators did not identify any site-related contaminants in the city's water supply. Follow-up ground water monitoring for the site indicated that contaminants met federal drinking water standards.
Site cleanup activities, which included the digging up and off-site disposal of contaminated soil and debris, addressed any threats from contaminated soil.
Institutional controls are in place in the form of a Declaration of Restrictions to prohibit the disturbance of creosoted railroad ties, construction of drinking water wells at the site and any activity that may disturb the soil cover.
Investigation and Cleanup Responsibility / Oversight
The site’s PRPs led site investigation and cleanup activities, with oversight provided by EPA and TDEC.
Site Cleanup Plan
In 1989, EPA issued a cleanup plan (a Record of Decision, or ROD) for the site. The plan included the following activities:
- Digging up and screening contaminated soil and debris.
- Treating contaminated soil on site.
- Disposing of any contaminated debris off site.
- Placing a solidified mass on site, above the ground water table, and outside the 100-year floodplain.
- Monitoring ground water quality for four years.
- Conducting a public health assessment five years after cleanup activities.
In 1993, EPA issued an Explanation of Significant Differences (ESD), which changed the soil treatment selected in the 1989 ROD from the treatment of contaminated soils on site to their disposal off site along with contaminated debris.
Cleanup Progress
In 1993, the site’s PRPs completed all cleanup activities specified in the ROD and ESD. These activities included digging up and disposing of contaminated soil and debris off site and filling in the dug-up areas with stone.
The site’s first and final Five-Year Review, completed in 1997, found that the site’s cleanup approach continues to protect people and the environment. In 1997, the PRPs discontinued quarterly ground water monitoring based upon a Five-Year Review recommendation.
Enforcement Activities
EPA negotiated a legal agreement with the site’s PRPs to clean up the site. The PRPs continue to fund site monitoring and oversight activities.
The ROD and Five-Year Review online provide information on specific legal agreements for the site.
Community Involvement
EPA worked with the community and its state partner to develop a long-term cleanup plan for the site, reflecting the Agency’s commitment to safe, healthy communities and environmental protection. Community engagement and public outreach are core components of EPA program activities.
EPA conducted a range of community involvement activities to solicit community input and to make sure the public remains informed about site activities throughout the cleanup process. Outreach efforts included public notices, fact sheets, press releases and public meetings.
Future Work
In 1996, EPA deleted the site from the NPL.
Additional Information
EPA keeps additional site documents and information in a site information repository at the location below. EPA also posts site documents, when available, on EPA’s CERCLIS Site Profile page. For documents not available on the website, please contact the Region 4 Freedom of Information Office.
Site Repository
Chattanooga Hamilton County Public Library
1001 Broad Street
Chattanooga, TN 37402