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Cleanup Begun at the Camilla Wood Preserving Site in Camilla, Ga

Release Date: 12/21/2006
Contact Information: Media: Laura Niles, 404-562-8353, [email protected] All other inquiries: Sherryl Carbonaro, 404-562-8611, [email protected]

(ATLANTA – December 21, 2006) The EPA cleanup of hazardous waste at the Camilla Wood Preserving Site (Camilla Site) in Camilla, Mitchell County, Ga. began this week. The removal of hazardous waste at the Camilla Site is a short-term cleanup intended to stabilize the site and remove any hazards it may pose to human health and the environment.

A release of hazardous substances (creosote, pentachlorophenol, and 2,3,7,8-tetracholorodibenzo-p-dioxin) occurred at the Site and, as a result, has contaminated groundwater beyond the facility boundaries. Further investigations are being conducted to determine other potential hazardous substance migration pathways from the facility.

EPA is currently working with local government officials and the community to determine the potential for reuse of the facility after cleanup has been completed. The cleanup will likely be completed in phases, with the current phase targeted for completion in May 2007. The current estimated cost for the entire cleanup is approximately $4,500,000.

The Camilla Site is approximately 40 acres in size and is located in the City of Camilla, Ga. The Site operated as a wood treating facility for more than 40 years. After wood was treated, the poles were moved to the drip pad area located in the vicinity of the railroad tracks, and then moved south towards the pole barns for further drying and storage prior to distribution.


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