Hazardous Waste Cleanup: West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection in Elkview, West Virginia
On this page:
- Cleanup Status
- Site Description
- Contaminants at this Facility
- Institutional/Engineer Controls
- Land Reuse
- Site Responsibility
Cleanup Status
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection' (WVDEP) Emergency Response operations began at the facility with the issuance of the RCRA permit in September 2003. These operations do not include on site disposal of any solid or hazardous waste. The facility includes a single storage unit. The unit measures 30 by 70 feet. The storage unit floor is constructed of concrete and is surrounded by a berm, creating a containment sump. The operational history at the Facility, as detailed in the CCR (WVDEP, 2022), also rule out any hazardous waste releases into the media. As described in the above summary, both in the previous history and during the operational life of the WVDEP Homeland Security Emergency Response facility, there has been no prior industrial use. Furthermore, the record also bears no evidence of signs of releases or detections of any contaminants or complaints or expressed concerns of any environmental waste in the vicinity of the facility. Thus, no human exposures from environmental media can reasonably be suspected.
On May 26, 2023, the EPA's Environmental Indicators , Human Exposures and Groundwater , were determined to be under control.
On June 16, 2023, a RCRA Corrective Action Statement of Basis with a Remedy Decision was proposed.
September 8, 2023, EPA determined the facility was ready for anticipate use. Cleanup goals have been achieved current and reasonably anticipated future land uses of the facility so there are no unacceptable risks.
Site Description
Interactive map of West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, Elkview, West Virginia
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP)’s Homeland Security and Emergency Response (HSER) Facility is located on approximately 1.16 acres of land of which the operational area is about 0.82 acres. The entire property is surrounded by a chain link fence.
The site layout consists of a main facility building, a hazardous waste storage pad, a shed with a gravel-based response vehicle parking area. The main building and the storage pad sit on a concrete base, used mainly for employee and emergency response vehicle parking and vehicle maneuvering. Adjacent to the east of the main facility building and the concrete padding is a north-south running grassy strip about 25 feet wide that abuts a highly vegetated bank that slopes steeply to the Elk River.
The current owner of the property, O.V. Smith and Sons purchased the property in 2000. The property was purchased from John R. Hughes, Jr and Betty B. Hughes. John R Hughes and Virginia A. Hughes left the property to John R. Hughes Jr, as their sole heir at law in late 70’s.
According to the historical records and topographic maps examined for the compilation of the Current Conditions Report (WVDEP, 2022), there is no presence of storage tanks, mines, or any other signs of industrial activity on the property. A USGS aerial photo from 1977 shows limited development in the vicinity of the facility, although it shows obvious development within 2-3 miles of the facility.
Contaminants at this Facility
There were no record or detections of any contaminants at this facility.
Institutional and Engineering Controls at this Facility
Institutional controls, if required, will be determined at the time of remedy selection.
Land Reuse Information at this Facility
The site is West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP)’s Homeland Security and Emergency Response (HSER) facility.
Site Responsibility at this Facility
RCRA Corrective Action activities at this facility have been conducted under the direction of WV DEP.