Impact/Purpose:

The purpose of this project was to characterize the extent, if any, of contamination originating from a wood treating facility that has since closed operations.

Description:

The US-EPA, Region 4, Science and Ecosystem Support Division (SESD) in cooperation with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) conducted the second phase of an environmental investigation (EI) in Perry County, Mississippi during July 30 - August 1, 2002. The investigation was requested by the Region 4 Environmental Accountability Division (EAD) in support of the Environmental Justice Program (EJP) and in response to environmental concerns from the McSwain and Richton Communities. In February 2001, the first phase of an environmental investigation was conducted in Perry County. The major finding identified during the Phase 1 EI was that two areas adjacent to the American Wood site were found to be contaminated with compounds used in the treatment process for preserving wood products. In preparation for the Phase 2 investigation, a reconnaissance of the Richton EI site was conducted on April 24, 2002. EPA personnel met with concerned citizens and local officials regarding the upcoming EI. A leaking underground storage tank (UST) site in Richton was examined. Tater's Food and Fuel establishment on Front Street detected soil contamination during removal of some their underground storage tanks in 1997. The UST site had been in operation for thirty years, but there is no date available of when the leakage began. A property downstream of the American Wood site was examined. The owner of the property indicated that the ditch alongside Apple Street would flood and water would flow onto his property. The owner indicated that he felt one of his fields was impacted and he could not cultivate it.

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