The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its contractor, Environmental Restoration (ER), have begun moving equipment to Barber’s Orchard in Waynesville, NC to begin removal of contaminants at the site, according to an announcement today from the EPA. The actions come more than 10 years after the site was placed on the Superfund List.

The removal process includes the excavation and disposal off-site contaminated soil — approximately 127,374 cubic yards. This amount of soil is equivalent to removing the top 18 inches of soil on an area slightly less than three football fields.

Besides contaminant removal, the contractor will document current conditions of roads, clear appropriate portions of properties, construct erosion control structures where/when needed,

At the height of operations, approximately 100-120 trucks will be entering and leaving the staging area on a daily basis. Hours of operation will be 10 to 11 hours per day, Monday through Friday and at least a half day on Saturday. Water will be used to minimize dust emissions during soil excavation, transport and hauling, and air monitoring will be conducted during all excavations. The removal action is projected to be completed in September 2011.

Barber's Orchard was a 438-acre productive apple orchard for many years. In 1988, after bankruptcy, the bank holding the loan on the orchard began selling tracts of land in various sizes. Of the 438 acres, approximately 100 acres have been developed into residential properties, 10 acres have been replanted with apple trees, 20 acres have been developed into church properties, approximately 30 acres have been developed as either commercial or light industrial property, and approximately 30 more acres may be developed into commercial or light industrial property, and the remaining acreage, approximately 248 acres, is anticipated to be developed into residential properties.

The following chemicals were identified as chemicals of concern in the soil: arsenic, lead, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, and endrin ketone. Lindane has been detected in the groundwater. The selected soil remediation documented in the 2004 Record of Decision was soil excavation with off-site disposal of contaminated soil.

For more information the EPA advises persons to contact Angela Miller, (404) 562-8561, miller.angela@epa.gov or Jon Bornholm, (404) 562-8820, Bornholm.jon@epa.gov.