PROJECT ARCHIVES:
Bauer Farm
Sparrows Point, Maryland

Between the mid-1940s and 1950s, areas of the 195-acre Bauer Farm Property were utilized for municipal waste disposal. To access the waste disposal areas of the Site, unpaved roads were created and fortified with chromium ore process residue (COPR) tailings. The COPR impacted roads and peripheral areas were later used to create a single parcel and the resulting area (3.0973 acres) was subdivided from the 195-acre Bauer Farm property and was the focus of this project (Site).

In 1986, the presence of COPR was identified during an inspection of the Site by State Officials as part of a suspected wetlands and sediment control violation. Since that time, several Phase I and Phase II investigations were completed by Arc Environmental and others to evaluate the presence of COPR and the potential impacts to Site soil and groundwater. Sampling and analysis conducted as part of these investigations reported concentrations of metals and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in Site soil and groundwater exceeding applicable standards.

Arc Environmental prepared a Remedial Action Workplan (RAW) to address the areas of concern identified during the prior assessments completed at the Site for submittal to the MDE Controlled Hazardous Substance (CHS) Enforcement/Fund Lead Site Assessment Division. The October 2004 RAW outlined tasks associated with a soil excavation and disposal remedy to address the chromium, hexavalent chromium, and vanadium impacted soils. The limit of excavation was determined based on concentrations of chromium, hexavalent chromium, and vanadium identified in soil during the prior assessments and was limited to areas along the eastern, northeastern, and western roadbeds and two former potable well locations. The RAW was approved by MDE CHS on October 12, 2004.

Due to contractual obligations negotiated after submittal and approval of the RAW, the property was entered into the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) administered Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP). The MDE VCP reviewed the completed VCP application and requested development of a Response Action Plan (RAP) to address the metal and SVOC impacts to Site soil and groundwater.

Given that the remedy detailed in the RAW addressed only soil impacts associated with chromium, hexavalent chromium, and vanadium, Arc Environmental prepared a RAP that would provide a remedy for both the metal and SVOC impacts. The proposed response action detailed a multi-phased remedial approach consisting of a removal action, a containment remedy, and placement of restrictions on the deed prohibiting future use of impacted groundwater, requiring continued maintenance of the cleanfill cap and the existing asphalt paved area, and requiring notifications to MDE for future excavation activities. Arc Environmental negotiated the RAP details with the MDE prepared an addendum to the original December 2006 RAP. MDE approved the final RAP in July 2007.

Between June 2007 and January 2008, the RAP was implemented and consisted of the excavation and proper disposal of approximately 15,000 tons of hazardous and non-hazardous chromium, hexavalent chromium, and vanadium impacted soil, installation of a geotextile fabric marker, placement of a Site-wide cleanfill cap, and completion of associated health and safety monitoring. These efforts conducted as part of the RAP have eliminated the complete exposure pathways identified at the Site. MDE issued a Certificate of Completion (COC) for the Site on October 29, 2008.