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Residential Cleanup Begins at the Picayune Wood Treating Site in Picayune, MS

Release Date: 08/06/2007
Contact Information: Laura Niles, (404) 562-8353, [email protected]

(ATLANTA – August 6, 2007) EPA is currently conducting a removal action at the Picayune Wood Treating Site (the Site) in Picayune, Miss. The removal action is a short-term cleanup intended to stabilize the Site and remove hazards it may pose to human health and the environment. The removal action began the week of March 5, 2007. The scope of work was recently expanded to address contamination in the surrounding neighborhood.

A release of hazardous substances (creosote, pentachlorophenol, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, and dioxin) occurred at the Site and, as a result, has contaminated soil and groundwater. The planned removal action includes disposal of hazardous waste that was stockpiled on site, storm water improvements to prevent future offsite migration of contaminants, and removal of contamination from Mill Creek and residential properties adjacent to Mill Creek.

The removal action may take up to twelve months. The estimated cost for removal action, including current and prior removal actions begun in 1999, is $12,942,000.

The wood treating property is approximately 30 acres in size and is located in the City of Picayune at 403 Davis Street in a mixed residential, commercial, and industrial neighborhood. A wood treating facility operated at the Site for more than 50 years. It ceased operation in 1999.