ATLANTIC WOOD INDUSTRIES

Carlson was contracted to provide environmental due diligence support relating to the purchase and redevelopment of this 50-acre former wood treating site located near Savanna, Georgia.  Historically the facility treated wood utility poles and railroad crossties, initially with creosote and later with pentachlorophenol.  When the facility was initially developed, these chemicals were not regulated, and thus, were not managed with sufficient care, leading to the release of substantial quantities to the subsurface soil and groundwater.

As a result of releases that had occurred over the years, a dense, non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) pool, primarily creosote and pentachlorophenol, had accumulated approximately 30 feet below grade over a significant portion of the site.  Groundwater had also been impacted as a result of the gradual dissolution of this DNAPL.

Carlson and our Client entered into extensive negotiations with the Georgia Department of Environmental Protection to evaluate site remediation alternatives that would be conducive to site redevelopment.  Although the site was already undergoing RCRA Corrective Action, Carlson determined redevelopment of the site would have required significant additional remediation including decontamination during demolition, installation of more than 4,000 feet of slurry wall on-site as well as the installation of additional slurry wall on an adjoining property, excavation and disposal of impacted soil which would be listed hazardous waste, as well as possible dredging of a portion of the Savannah River, and continued groundwater treatment for decades.  Ultimately our Client ceased negotiations on the property, choosing to pursue other prospects which were more economically attractive.