(TCP Pub # 02-09-048)
The state of Washington Department of Ecology and the Georgia Pacific Corporation have proposed, under terms of the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA Chapter 70.105D RCW), to enter into an agreed order. An Agreed Order is a legal document formalizing an agreement between Ecology and potentially liable persons (PLP's), to ensure that the proposed cleanup activities are conducted according to methods and standards prescribed under MTCA and other applicable laws and regulations.
Under the proposed Agreed Order, the corporation would conduct a remedial investigation and a clean up feasibility study on the chlor-alkali plant area at the pulp and paper mill complex in Bellingham. After satisfactory completion of the clean up, Ecology would release the corporation from liability for specific contaminants that may subseqently be discovered at the chlor-alkali plant site.
Ecology invites you to evaluate the proposed Agreed Order. We welcome your comments about the proposal through September 13, 2002. The box at the right lists where to read a copy of the draft agreed order, as well as where to submit written or spoken comments.
Site Background
In 1965, Georgia Pacific built a chlor alkali plant in the Bellingham Washington pulp and paper mill. The plant's function was to produce chlorine and sodium hydroxide (caustic) for use in bleaching and pulping wood fiber.
Process description
Chlorine and caustic were produced at the plant using the DeNora mercury cell process. Chlorine gas was generated electrolytically from a saturated solution of sodium chloride (brine). The mercury cells were rectangular steel troughs having a slight downward slope. Mercury flowed through the closed loop cell and decomposer, producing chlorine and caustic. The mercury and brine NaCI flowed parallel through the cell (the brine floated on top of the mercury). In each cell, the mercury acted as a flowing cathode, while the anodes consisted of titanium metal.
Chlorine evolved at the anodes and was extracted from the cell as a gas. As the chlorine evolved from the brine, sodium amalgamated with the mercury, leaving the cell and traveling to a decomposer. Having passed through the cell, the brine was stripped of any residual chlorine and returned to the brine saturator to be restarted with salt.
The mecury/sodium amalgam was continuously treated in the decomposer. In the decomposer the mercury acted as an anode, liberating sodium which reacted with water to form sodium hydroxide (caustic). Hydrogent gas was liberated at the cathode. The mercury was then pumped back into the cell to repeat the process. At the inlet and outlet ends of the cells the mercury was covered with a water bath to prevent volatilization at these points. The entire cell was kept at a negative pressure to prevent the loss of chlorine gas.
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Plant Closure and Cleanup
Georgia Pacific West Corporation closed the chlor alkalki plant during the summer of 1999. Planned remediation of the plant site was to occur in two phases. The first phase was conducted under an Ecology Agreed Order (DE TC99 1035) governing the shut down, decommissioning, and demolition of the the plants' processing machinery and building. That Phase of the project is complete.
The current proposed Agreed Order, phase two, will be used to direct a remedial investigation and feasibility study (RI/FS). The RI/FS will include sampling and testing of the soils and ground water on the site to identify the types and extent of contamination. The feasibility study will consider an array of containment and treatment methods and determine the best cleanup scenario for the property.
What will be done in Phase II?
In 1994 Georgia Pacific Corporation submitted an Independent Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS) for the chlor-alkali plant site. The 1994 RI/FS was completed without Ecology review and input. The phase two proposed Agreed Order would have Ecology review and would require Georgia Pacific to take the following actions at the plant site to complete the 1994 RI/FS:
Submit, within 45 days, a sampling plan that completes characterization of the site. After Ecology approval, complete sampling and use final soil and groundwater analysis to determine both the area and vertical extent of mercury contamination in soil at the site.
Submit, within 45 days, a sampling plan that initiates further investigation of the Chemfix mercury sludge disposal area (12 tons of mercury).
Develop a sampling and testing protocol to determine whether mercury could leach from the solidified Chemfix sludge. Use the new protocol to sample the Chemfix sludge. Report sampling results.
Submit, within six months of the completion of the sampling programs and Ecology's approval of the results, a proposed feasibility study to finish the cleanup of the site.
What will happen next?
Ecology will consider all public comment about this proposed Agreed Order that is received during the formal comment period, and respond in a written and published report called a "Responsiveness Summary". If necessary, based upon the comments received, Ecology may modify the Agreed Order before issuing it. The work required in the Agreed Order should be completed in approximately nine months.
Final cleanup of the site will occur after Georgia Pacific submits a remedial investigation and feasibility study that Ecology can approve; and the parties draft and sign a consent decree. An additional formal public comment opportunity will occur after the Agreed Order for the RI/FS has been satisfied and before Ecology issues the Consent Decree for final cleanup.
The comment period on the proposed Agreed Order expired on September 13, 2002.
Interested parties may arrange to see the file of supporting documents that informed the drafting of this proposed Agreed Order by contacting Paul Skyllingstad at Ecology's headquarters building in Lacy, (360) 407-6949.
Original document: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/pubs/0209048.pdfDOE
Clean up schedule: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/tcp/sites/blhm_bay/sites/bel_bay_sites.html#Cleanup_Progress
WA Department of Ecology Study on Brownfield reclamation and re-development: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/pubs/0909043.pdf
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