Cleanup Expected to Start Spring 2024 at Kerr-McGee Jacksonville Superfund Site, to Be Discussed at Community Meetings Jan. 31, Drop-In Sessions Feb. 1
JACKSONVILLE, FL (January 24, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Multistate Environmental Response Trust (Multistate Trust) are holding virtual community meetings Wednesday, January 31 and in-person drop-in sessions Thursday, February 1 to share information about major cleanup work anticipated to begin this spring at the Kerr-McGee Superfund Site in Jacksonville (the Site).
The public is invited to learn about the planned two-year cleanup to address soil, groundwater, sediment, and surface water contamination at the ±31-acre Site along the St. Johns River on Talleyrand Avenue. The EPA and Multistate Trust will discuss air monitoring and other measures to be taken to control dust and odors, protect the health and safety of neighbors, and minimize impacts on nearby workers and residents during the cleanup activities. Other topics will include the investigation of Site-related contamination in Deer Creek, expected to begin in spring 2024.
Community Meetings – virtual only
Wednesday, January 31
12:30–1:30 p.m. and 5:30–6:30 p.m.
–Join by Zoom: Use https://us06web.zoom.us/j/9465848922 or enter https://tinyurl.com/jaxmeetings in your browser. Use meeting ID 946 584 8922 and passcode B8U7EX.
–Join by phone: Call (646) 876-9923. Use meeting ID 946 584 8922 and passcode 664564.
–Both meetings begin with the same presentation. A question-and-answer session follows.
Drop-In Information Sessions – in-person only
Thursday, February 1
12 noon–2:00 p.m. and 4:30–6:30 p.m.
Silkie’s Chicken & Champagne Bar, 1602 Walnut Street, Jacksonville
–Speak one-on-one with cleanup team members, and get answers to your questions.
–View informational posters about the planned cleanup.
–Refreshments provided.
For More Information
–Community Meetings Jan. 31 and Drop-In Sessions Feb. 1 Flyer
–OU1 Remedial Action Fact Sheet
–https://jacksonville.greenfieldenvironmental.com
–https://www.epa.gov/superfund/kerr-mcgee-chemical-llc
Site Background
The ±31-acre Site at 1611 Talleyrand Avenue is located on the west bank of the St. Johns River in the predominantly industrial port of Jacksonville. Kerr-McGee and its predecessors used the Site to manufacture, formulate, package, and distribute fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicide from 1893 to 1978. Site contaminants—primarily pesticides and metals—are present in soil, sediment, and groundwater at concentrations that may pose a threat to human health and the environment. The Site is secured by a chain-link fence and bordered on the west by Talleyrand Avenue, on the north by Jacksonville Port Authority property leased to JM Family Enterprises, Inc./Southeast Toyota Distributors, and on the south by Deer Creek and an undeveloped CSX Transportation parcel.
Site Cleanup
A major cleanup phase is expected to begin in spring 2024. The planned Remedial Action will address soil, groundwater, sediment, and surface water impacted by Site-related contamination associated with Operable Unit 1 (OU1). The OU1 cleanup includes installing an environmental bulkhead to contain contaminated St. Johns River sediment in place; dredging contaminated sediment from outside the bulkhead and consolidating the dredged sediment inside the bulkhead; on-site consolidation of contaminated soil from the adjacent CSX Transportation property; and constructing a low-permeability, multilayered cap covering the Site footprint. An initial phase of cleanup in 2020 and 2021 included Site clearing and prepared the Site for the upcoming remediation work. Visit the OU1 Remedial Action fact sheet here. The Site has been divided into two operable units to facilitate cleanup of known contamination. The EPA will address sediment and surface water contamination in Deer Creek (Operable Unit 2 or OU2) by an OU2 Remedial Investigation, expected to begin in spring 2024.
The Multistate Trust
The Multistate Environmental Response Trust (Multistate Trust) is a private, independent entity. It was created by a federal bankruptcy court to assume responsibility for the Site, to investigate and remediate it, and facilitate safe, beneficial reuse. The Multistate Trust performs its work under EPA oversight in consultation with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). The Multistate Trust’s beneficiaries include the United States (represented by EPA) and the State of Florida (represented by FDEP). Beneficiaries must approve property sale or other disposition. Site cleanup funds were paid by Kerr-McGee and other companies responsible for Site contamination. Greenfield Environmental Multistate Trust LLC is the court-appointed Trustee of the Multistate Trust.