All News Releases By Date

EPA issues order to Estate of James Campbell and Weston Solutions, Inc., to complete final cleanup at former wood treatment facility on Oahu

Release Date: 08/11/2010
Contact Information: Dean Higuchi, 808-541-2711, [email protected]

Action requires completion of final remedy for soil and groundwater at the 2.6-acre site

(08/11/10) HONOLULU – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has negotiated terms and ordered cleanup of the former Chem-Wood wood treatment facility located in the Ewa Beach area of Oahu.

The consent order directs the Estate of James Campbell, a former property owner, and Weston Solutions Inc., the current property owner, to grade the site and consolidate contaminated soil under an asphalt cap. In addition, groundwater will be monitored and treated, and restrictions placed on the property to prevent future residential use and use of groundwater. Weston will also fund a Trust Account to ensure that the final remedy is completed. EPA selected the final remedy in late 2009.

"This final remedy follows up on waste cleanup and removal work that EPA ordered in 2008,” noted Jeff Scott, Director of the Waste Management Division for U.S. EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. “We’re pleased that the cleanup by the companies will make it possible to put the property back into productive commercial or industrial use.”

The 2008 removal action included the removal of all remaining contaminated debris such as treatment vessels and chemical storage tanks. In December 2009, EPA issued its Final Remedy Decision, which will be implemented under this order.

The final remedy includes:

* Construction and long-term maintenance of an asphalt concrete cap across the site,
* Limited excavation of soil from two adjacent properties and placement under the new cap,
* Monitoring and treatment of any contaminated groundwater,
* Fencing and signs to restrict site access, and
* Deed restrictions on the use of the property and prohibiting residential reuse.

The former Chem-Wood Treatment Company operated a wood pressure-treating operation at the site between 1975 and 1988. The operation used hazardous chemicals containing chromium, arsenic and mineral spirits, some of which were released to soil and have impacted groundwater. EPA first took enforcement action at the site in 1988 and has since overseen a series of site investigations and cleanup actions.

For more information on hazardous waste, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard
###

Follow the U.S. EPA's Pacific Southwest region on Twitter: http://twitter.com/EPAregion9 and join the LinkedIn group: http://www.linkedin.com/e/vgh/1823773/