Clinch River Corporation Superfund Site Harriman, Tennessee

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Clinch River Corporation Superfund Site Harriman, Tennessee

Remedial Action Fact Sheet May 2018

Introduction This fact sheet provides information about the upcoming Removal and Remedial Action cleanup activities at the Clinch River Corporation Superfund (Site) that is expected to begin in early May 2018 and continue through August 2018.

Remedial Action

Mead Custom Papers (now WestRock), conducted an engineering evaluation/cost analysis (EE/CA) between March and September 2015 by sampling soils, sediments, and groundwater. Sampling data was used to conduct a streamlined risk evaluation to identify chemicals of concern, exposure pathways, and environmental impacts. Hazardous substances were found in surface soils that exceed concentrations for an unrestricted use/unlimited exposure land use scenario. The Site’s location in the 100-year floodplain of the Emory River increases the likelihood that these hazardous substances could migrate offsite in flood events.

Specific actions to be taken to address these concerns and prepare the Site for its intended reuse as part of a City of Harriman riverfront park include:

 The concrete flooring for the mill basement will be perforated to allow the accumulated rainwater to drain.

 Demolition of all existing structures (e.g., buildings, partial buildings, silos, digester concrete pads) at Parcel 003.00. The bath house/training center, office building, clarifier, and adjacent sump will also be demolished on Parcel 002.00.

 The lower portion of concrete floor at the northwest end of former mill building will be lowered (i.e., graded to daylight) to eliminate abrupt grade changes.

 At the washout area along the river front, the suspended flood protection wall opening will be removed to provide a minimum opening that is 60 feet wide. The area from the river into the concrete-paved parking area through this opening will be excavated and graded.

 The water-retention structure pool, wooden building and vegetation at the edge of the concrete-paved parking area near the washout area will be removed and graded.  ----1111111111(Removal of an underground fuel-oil storage tank. 1~----

 Soil sampling will be conducted after the remedial activities have been completed to confirm that the Site soils pose no unacceptable risk long-term for the Site’s intended reuse as a recreational facility.

Site Description

The Clinch River Corporation Superfund Site, consisting of four parcels encompassing approximately 30.5 acres, is located at 728 Emory Street, Harriman, Roane County, Tennessee. The Site is bound to the west by Emory Drive and residential properties, to the north by parcels owned by the Tennessee Valley Authority and to the east and south by several businesses and the Emory River. There are several railroad spurs and easements traversing the Site from north to south.

Background The pulp and paper mill was constructed by the Harriman Corporation in 1929. The neutral sulfite semi-chemical (NSSC) process was used from 1929 until that process was discontinued in 1989. Thereafter, the facility was operated as only a secondary fiber mill. The process involved dissolving wood chips in a mild and warm chemical solution (i.e., pulping liquor made from sodium sulfite and sodium carbonate) followed by mechanical refining for fiber separation. The pulping process generated brown (unbleached) pulp which was converted into corrugated medium typically used as the inner liner for cardboard. This process generated residual paper and spent pulping liquor, called “black liquor” because of its dark color, from the extracted wood tannins. The black liquor also contained wood lignin and inorganics. The black liquor was normally managed off Site. An on‐Site, coal‐fired boiler was used to provide steam for the mill. Fuel oil was also used as a back‐up fuel. Ash from the coal‐fired boiler was managed on Site. Other liquids were initially discharged to the Emory River until approximately 1957, by which time these process discharges were routed to the City of Harriman wastewater treatment plant. Subsequent owners conducted a series of operations at the Site. The pulp and papermaking operations using the NSSC process were suspended in 1989. The mill was restarted in 1992 as a secondary fiber mill and finally ceased operations in 2002. Extensive data collected at the Site over the years as a result of Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) efforts, Brownfield assessment efforts by the Corps of Engineers, EPA groundwater sampling, and the EE/CA suggests low-level concentrations occur in soil, groundwater, and sediments. EPA previously removed asbestos, various drums of material and a 630,000 gallon above-ground storage tank containing a mixture of black liquor sludge.

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Threats and Contaminants

Hazardous substances were found in surface soils that exceeded concentrations for an unrestricted use/unlimited exposure long-term residential land use scenario. The primary elements contributing to non-cancer risk for a potential long-term residential land use scenario were certain inorganics and some polyaromatic hydrocarbons. Groundwater was sampled and there were no exceedances of drinking water standards. Surface water, sediment and fish from the river were sampled and no unacceptable risk to human health or the environment was found. Future Activities

After the removal action and remedial investigation (RI) data efforts are completed, the EPA and TDEC will determine if any follow up actions are needed.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Remedial Project Manager Community Involvement Coordinator Scott Miller (404) 562‐9120 Angela Miller (404) 562‐ 8561 [email protected] [email protected]