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Remedial Action Implementation Phase I Report
The remediation described in this report above was performed and completed to satisfy the EPA Brownfield remediation grant. All work was performed in accordance with remedial actions proposed in the EPA-approved Combined Remedial Action Work Plan (CRAWP) as authorized by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) Voluntary Remediation Program (VRP). The approved CRAWP also met EPA criteria for an analysis of Brownfield cleanup alternatives, as outlined in a cooperative agreement between EPA and the City of Roanoke.
All requirements of the EPA cleanup grant have been met and the grant has been closed out. Property transfer to Carilion took place in late November 2010. Carilion continues to prepare the property for redevelopment.
Read the article from the EPA Region 3 Land Revitalization Update (Winter 2010) titled
"Scraps to Scrubs in Virginia." See how perseverance and partnering pay off when the first medical school students start their school year.
The Site
Brownfield redevelopment work in the 110-acre South Jefferson Redevelopment Area (SJRA) has been underway for several years with efforts focused on the 25-acre Riverside Center for Research and Technology (RCRT). The City of Roanoke and the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) moved their attention further along the corridor to the adjacent Virginia Scrap Iron and Metal Company, Inc. (Virginia Scrap) property at 1620 South Jefferson Street. This property is strategically located along Jefferson Street and connects RCRT to a main thoroughfare, downtown and to the remainder of the SJRA.
History
This property was originally developed in 1906 as the Adams, Payne and Gleaves Lumber Company. By the 1920s the company provided a wide range of building materials for the rapidly growing city. However, during the depression the building supply business downsized and many of the structures were leased to other enterprises.
In 1942, the Virginia Scrap Iron and Metal Company purchased the yard and began a 66-year operating period at the site. A few of the larger Virginia Scrap customers and sources of scrap metal included the Virginian Railway Company (merged with the Norfolk & Western in 1959), Appalachian Power, General Electric, Westvaco and many other regional industries (e.g., Xaloy, RAAP, etc.). Particular items of interest that were routinely processed on-site include electric transformers and capacitors, locomotive engines, automobile engines and batteries, power system back-up batteries and steel drums and tanks. The facility received and processed scrap metal primarily in the central portion of the site.
River Metals Recycling (River Metals) was contracted by Virginia Scrap to process and remove the inventory of scrap material in 2005. River Metals performed the processing and removal activities during two separate periods of time, the first being November 2005 to May 2006 and the second being May 2007 to August 2007. Virginia Scrap stopped receiving scrap material from customers on May 11, 2007.
Site Information
The subject property is comprised of approximately 7 acres which housed Virginia Scrap and scrap metal recycling operation and business office. All the parcels of the subject property are zoned INPUD.
The redeveloped site will likely contain a mix of uses including institutional, commercial and potentially residential development based on the redevelopment plan for the SJRA and the City’s Strategic Housing Plan.
The City and RRHA have used EPA brownfield assessment grant funds to perform Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESAs) prior to acquisition of the property. These assessments identified significant environmental impacts associated with metals (e.g., lead) related to the former scrap yard operations as well as various petroleum products and oils historically handled on the property.
Executing a full cleanup to meet Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Voluntary Remediation Program (VRP) program default standards for residential development could cost as much as $4,000,000. However, by tailoring remediation to the proposed development of the property, the level of cleanup can be significantly reduced. As new construction will likely include several feet of fill and unoccupied first floor space to address flood plain issues, the actual cost of cleanup can be reduced to approximately $1,300,000. The anticipated cost to raise the elevation of the property to address flooding issues is estimated at $900,000. The reduced cost of cleanup in conjunction with flood proofing is much less than the cost of full cleanup and is equally protective of human health and the environment.
The City and the RRHA have performed an initial review of cleanup options that are presented in a Preliminary Assessment of Brownfield Cleanup Alternatives document. Next steps in the cleanup process are as follows:
- Confirm regulatory jurisdiction with U.S. EPA and Virginia DEQ.
- Complete a detailed site assessment report documenting the extent of environmental impacts.
- Prepare a risk assessment that establishes cleanup goals for the site.
- Prepare a remedial action work plan that details how the cleanup goals will be met.
- Implement the remedial action work plan.
The City procured consulting services to assist with the development of the above reports/plans using DEQ and EPA assessment grant funds. The City also worked with a contractor to conduct cleanup activities through a separate EPA $200,000 cleanup grant. Cleanup worked at the site took place during the months of August and September 2010.
Preliminary Analysis of Brownfield Cleanup Alternatives (ABCA)
This Preliminary Analysis of Brownfield Cleanup Alternatives (ABCA) was prepared to summarize known environmental conditions, anticipated regulatory framework for cleanup and the proposed remediation approach at the former Virginia Scrap Iron and Metal Company, Inc. (Virginia Scrap) property located along South Jefferson Street in the City of Roanoke, Virginia. This document serves as a starting point to determine the specific actions necessary to formally define the regulatory program jurisdiction for the property and to complete site assessment, risk assessment and remedial action work plans required to document formal cleanup levels and actions.
Analysis of Brownfield Cleanup Alternatives, 2 MB
Appendix A, 2.5 MB
Appendix B, 9 MB
Appendix C, 4 MB
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
The City of Roanoke retained Draper Aden Associates, Inc. to conduct a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) for the former Virginia Scrap Iron and Metal Company, Inc. The purpose of the Phase I ESA was to identify and investigate potential Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs) on the property. The document was prepared in accordance with generally accepted standards of environmental practice, and in general accordance with the scope and limitations of the ASTM International (ASTM) E 1527-05: Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessment: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process.
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, 23 MB
Phase II Environmental Site Assessment
Draper Aden Associates completed a Phase II ESA for the former Virginia Scrap Iron and Metal Company, Inc. property located at 1620 South Jefferson Street. The Phase II ESA activities included the advancement of 14 soil borings throughout the subject property, with the collection of groundwater samples from each of the borings and soil samples from two of the borings for laboratory analysis. The details of the sample collection activities and results of the data evaluation are included in the document.
Phase II Environmental Site Assessment, 9 MB
Combined Remedial Action Work Plan
A Combined Remedial Action Work Plan for the site was completed by 3-E Consulting, Inc. in spring 2010 and approved by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The plan includes detailed analysis of data, a risk assessment, treatability testing, and serves as the final Analysis of Brownfield Cleanup Alternatives (ABCA). Proposed cleanup involves removal of "hotspots" and implementation of engineering controls (cap) and land use controls.
Combined Remedial Action Work Plan