PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
CHERRY POINT MARINE CORPS AIR STATION
CHERRY POINT, CRAVEN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
IRP SITE SUMMARIES - MCAS CHERRY POINT, NC
| Operable Unit No. | Site Number/Name/ Site Description |
Waste Disposal History | Contaminated Media | Status of Investigation | ATSDR Evaluation |
| OU-1 | Site 14 - Tank Farm C &
Motor Transportation: Parking lot & vehicle maintenance |
Oil spills and waste oil applied for dust control | Soils - low levels of oil and grease | Site assessment report submitted to regulators | Fenced with gates. Exposures are unlikely due to limited access. |
| OU-1 | Site 15 - Area and Ditch
Behind NADEP 25 acres of ditch between NADEP and Runway 5. Site 40 located in center. |
NADEP wastes [Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricant (POL), solvents, cyanides, and metals]) discharged from 1940s to 1975. | Surface water and sediment in Schoolhouse Branch - low levels of metals. | RI and RFI completed;
no further action
needed. Information indicates that another ditch was outside Building 133-more RI/RFI activities needed in this area |
Access to area is highly restricted. Only remediation workers are expected in the area. Thus, exposures are unlikely. |
| OU-1 | Site 16 - Landfill at Sandy
Branch 11-acre landfill (now known to be larger). |
Miscellaneous landfill wastes, oil, potassium cyanide. | Groundwater upgradient and downgradient of landfill - volatile organics. | RI/RFI ongoing Further investigation needed in landfill and upgradient Remediation of asbestos piles-8/95 |
Site 16 is gated, but not
fenced. Only workers
are expected in the area.
Exposures are unlikely
due to limited access.
GW* |
| OU-1 | Site 40 - NADEP Former
Drum Storage Area Remediated former drum storage area located adjacent to Site 15. |
NADEP wastes.
Closed. |
None remain. | Closure approved by state | This site is remediated. It is currently a fenced storage area in a highly restricted area. No exposures are expected. |
| OU-1 | Site 42 - Industrial Wastewater
Treatment Plant (IWTP) Treats industrial sources such as metal plating, painting, aircraft, and vehicle maintenance. IWTP being upgraded. |
Metals, solvents, oils previously
accepted F002 and F006.
Active. |
Groundwater and soil - volatile organics. | RI/RFI ongoing | Only workers are
expected to be in the
IWTP area. Exposures
are unlikely.
GW* |
| OU-1 | Site 47 - Industrial Sewer
System Services Air Station's industrial area. |
Metals, solvents, oils.
Active. |
Soil and groundwater -
volatile organics and
metals. Multiple confirmed leaks in lines. |
Continued RI/RFI of
soil and groundwater
planned Repair of leaking lines |
No one is exposed to the
underground
contaminated soils.
Leaking lines are being
repaired.
GW* |
| OU-1 | Site 51 - Building 137
Plating Shop Plating shop with concrete lined sump. |
Metals and cyanide. | Soils and groundwater, believed to be from other sources - volatile organics. | RI/RFI Ongoing Further investigation needed to define sources. |
The plating shop was an
empty building
scheduled for demolition
at the time of the
ATSDR site visit. No
exposures are expected
relating to this site.
GW* |
| OU-1 | Site 52 - Building 133
Plating Shop and Ditch Plating shop with concrete lined sump. |
Metals and cyanide. | Soils and groundwater believed to be from other sources - volatile organics. | RI/RFI Ongoing Further investigation needed to define sources. |
The plating shop was an
empty building
scheduled for demolition
at the time of the
ATSDR site visit. No
exposures are expected
relating to this site.
GW* |
| OU-1 | Site 71 - Building 3909 Weapons cleaning area. |
Spills of petroleum based cleaning products. | Soil - petroleum and solvents. | Continued investigation. | Area is fenced and access is restricted. No exposures are expected relating to this site. |
| OU-2 | Site 10 - Old Sanitary
Landfill 40-acre landfill with RCRA sludge impoundment area located in center. (Planes historically used for fire training were recently noticed via aerial photo interpretation.) Site 45 located on top. |
POLs, miscellaneous landfill
wastes from 1955 to
mid-1980s. Sludge impoundment area permitted for metal filings, plating sludges, paint, solvents, oil, and grease. Miscellaneous chemicals. |
Soil and groundwater -
solvents and metals. Surface water - metals exceed SC/AWQC standards. |
RFI for soils ongoing CMS for groundwater partially complete, additional supporting data required IMS for Sludge Impoundment ongoing |
This landfill is capped
and fenced on 3 sides
with a barbed-wire
fence. Slocum Creek
borders the west side.
Only workers have
access to the landfill.
No exposures are
expected.
GW* |
| OU-2 | Site 44A - Former Sludge
Application Area Retention Time (90-day) sludge. |
Sanitary Sewage sludge. | Soil-Metals | Additional RFI data from Site 10 investigations will be used to further evaluate this site. | This site is fenced. Only workers have access to the site. Thus, exposures to soil unlikely. |
| OU-2 | Site 46 - Polishing Ponds No. 1 and No. 2. 2 unlined surface impoundments that serve as aeration basins for sewage wastewater. STP under construction, will no longer need ponds after complete. | Sanitary sewage, previously discharged to Slocum Creek via NPDES permitted outfall. Currently discharges to the Neuse River. | Soil-Solvent and metals. | Closure Plan submitted
in 1988. Final approval pending |
This site is not easily accessed--it's behind the sewage treatment plant. Only workers should be in the area. Exposures to contaminated soils are unlikely. |
| Hobby Shop Building and parking lot for vehicle repair |
Unknown | Unknown | RI/RFI ongoing | Area is now covered with asphalt, thus exposures to potentially contaminated soils are not possible. | |
| OU-3 | Site 6 - Fly Ash Ponds 2.5 acres at 2 unlined ponds. |
Fly ash and cinders
(1940s-1970). Lime/alum sludge (1980-present). |
Groundwater - metals. | RI/RFI ongoing Additional RI/RFI data will be collected to include groundwater, soil, surface water, and sediment sampling |
Entire site is fenced,
thus no exposures are
expected.
GW* |
| OU-3 | Site 7 - Incinerator 5 acres of incinerator and open burning grounds. |
NADEP wastes, POLs and municipal wastes from 1949-1955. | Groundwater and soil -
metals. Groundwater - benzene. |
RI/RFI ongoing Additional RFI data will be collected to include groundwater, soil, surface water, and sediment sampling |
Area is remote; adjacent to
the sewage treatment
plant.
Only workers have access. No exposures are expected. GW* |
| OU-4 | Site 4 - Borrow Pit/Landfill
North of Runway 14 10-acre landfill and pit. Site larger than originally thought. |
Demolition debris since 1950, possibly other wastes, currently used for construction debris disposal with a solid waste permit. | Groundwater - volatiles and metals. | RI/RFI ongoing Additional RI/RFI data will be collected to include groundwater, soil, surface water, and sediment sampling |
This site has a locked
gate. Only workers have
access.
Exposure to groundwater is not possible. GW* |
| OU-5 | Site 1 - Borrow Pit/Landfill 4-acre landfill. |
Hazardous material in 1950s, drums, rubble, trash. | Groundwater - Cyanide in 1985 and 1987. None in recent rounds. | RI/RFI ongoing Additional RI/RFI data will be collected to include well installations, groundwater, soil, surface water, and sediment sampling |
Site 1 is not fenced, is
heavily wooded, and is
located along an isolated
road used primarily by
joggers. Exposure to
groundwater is not
possible.
GW* |
| OU-5 | Site 2 - Borrow Pit/Landfill 4-acre landfill. |
Hazardous material in 1950s, drums, rubble, trash. | Groundwater - Cyanide in 1985 and 1987. None in recent rounds. | RI/RFI ongoing Additional RI/RFI data will be collected to include well installations, groundwater, soil, surface water, and sediment sampling |
Site 2 is not fenced, is
heavily wooded, and is
located along an isolated
road used primarily by
joggers. Exposure to
groundwater is not
possible.
GW* |
| OU-5 | Site 19 - Borrow Pit/Landfill
North of Runway 32 9-acre landfill. |
Borrow pit used for landfilling from 1949 to 1960. | Groundwater - Low concentrations of organics, not detected in recent rounds. | RI/RFI ongoing Additional RI/RFI data will be collected to include well installations, groundwater, soil, surface water, and sediment sampling |
This site is extremely
remote. Located along
Runway 32, the site is
within the flightline
security area. People
will not be in this area.
Exposure to
groundwater is not
possible.
GW* |
| OU-6 | Site 12 - Crash Crew
Training Area & Oil/Water
Separator 3 separate areas: 50-foot-diameter crash crew training area A 100-foot-diameter pit A 5-foot-wide, 10-foot-long, and 8-foot-deep oil/water separator. |
Flammable liquids. | Groundwater - metals. Soils and sediments - TPH. |
RI/RFI ongoing Additional RI/RFI activities to be conducted to include groundwater and soil sampling |
This site is extremely
remote.
Located on the east side of the runway system, the site is within the flightline security area. Only workers will be in the area. Exposures are not expected. GW* |
| OU-7 | Site 55 Third Light Anti-Aircraft Missiles (LAAM)
Area Waste Oil Underground Storage Tank (UST). Found not leaking. |
Waste oil. | Groundwater - Low
levels of volatiles. Soil - TEX in upgradient boring. |
RI/RFI ongoing Source investigation to continue in outlying areas |
Site 55 is in a restricted
area; only workers have
access. Contaminated
soil has been removed,
thus exposures are
unlikely.
GW* |
| OU-8 | Site 5 - POL Storage Tank 100,000-gallon above-ground tank (Tank 1771) and storage tank. |
POL, No. 6 fuel oil. Tank 1771 removed. |
Soil - PCBs. | RFI and CMS
completed Pre-CMI study for soil Removal presently being conducted |
Contaminated soils were removed in March 1995. No exposures are expected. |
| OU-8 | Site 17 - DRMO Storage
Area and Drainage Ditch Drainage ditch approximately 1 acre in size. |
General storage, including transformers. PCB spills, 1961-1968. | Soil - PCBs. | RFI and CMS
completed Pre-CMI study for soil Removal presently being conducted |
Contaminated soils were removed in March 1995. No exposures are expected. |
| OU-9 | Site 36 - Headquarters and
Headquarters Squadron
(H&HS) Former
Accumulation Area 10-foot by 10-foot by 3-inch concrete pad. |
Spent oil, battery acid, batteries
since 1970s.
Active. |
Soil | RFI completed
IM completed Additional confirmation soil and groundwater sampling pending |
Currently the site is a non-hazardous waste storage area. Exposures to soil are unlikely. |
| OU-9 | Site 37 - Marine Wing
Communications Squadron
(MWCS) 28 Accumulation
Area 50-foot by 10-foot by 6-inch concrete pad. |
Hazardous/nonhazardous
wastes, including paint cans,
paint sludge, waste oil,
solvents, antifreeze, batteries,
sorbents since 1970s.
Active. |
Soil - metals only. No volatiles detected. | RFI completed IM completed Additional confirmation groundwater sampling pending |
This less-than-90-day storage area is surrounded by a barbed wire fenced and locked shut. Because of the concrete pad, no exposures to soil are expected. |
| OU-9 | Site 49A and 49B -
Oil/Water Separators and
Leach Fields. Two oil/water separators and leach fields consisting of a system of subsurface drains discharging through NPDES outfalls. |
Clarified water from oil/water
separators. All O/W separators discharge through NPDES, IWTP, POTW. |
Soil - low levels of metals. | RFI completed IM completed Additional confirmation groundwater sampling pending |
Removal actions have been performed, thus exposures to contaminated soils are not likely. Site 49B is fenced. |
| OU-10 | Site 33 - Marine Aerial
Refueler Transport
Squadron (VMGR) 252
Accumulation Area 40-foot by 100-foot by 8-inch concrete pad. |
Less than 90-day storage area
for hydraulic fluid, waste JP-5,
leaded gasoline, paint, solvents.
Active. |
None remain. Maximum residual TPH concentration 55 mg/kg; maximum TEX < action levels. | Remediation complete Regulatory acceptance pending |
The site is fenced and is located inside the flightline security area. No contamination remains. |
| OU-10 | Site 34 - Crash Crew
Accumulation Area 100-foot by 15-foot by 6-inch concrete pad. |
POL and hydraulic fluid.
Active. |
None remain. Maximum residual TPH concentrations 0.0063 mg/kg; no volatiles detected. | Remediation complete Regulatory acceptance pending |
The site is located inside the flightline security area. No contamination remains. |
| OU-10 | Site 35 - Marine Aircraft
Group (MAG) 14
Accumulation Area 30-foot by 20-foot and 15-foot by 5-foot concrete pads. Inactive. |
Empty hydraulic fluid cans and waste JP-5 in drums. | None remain. Maximum residual TPH concentration 0.0014 mg/kg; volatiles below action levels. | Remediation complete Regulatory acceptance pending |
The site is located inside the flightline security area. No contamination remains. |
| OU-11 | Site 3 - Explosive Ordnance
Disposal (EOD) Old inactive area with small buffer zone, subsequently moved farther south to provide better buffer. Active, interim status permitted facility. |
Detonation of unserviceable ammunition and napalm. | Groundwater - low levels of TNT below action level. | Site active; will be closed under RCRA | Site 3 is extremely
remote, in the woods,
fenced, and double
gated. It also has a
safety buffer zone. Only
workers with protective
equipment have access.
Exposures to
groundwater are not
possible.
GW* |
| OU-11 | Site 38 - Defense
Reutilization Marketing
Office (DRMO) Hazardous
Waste Storage Area 1 acre by 6-inch concrete pad. Active, permitted TSD facility. |
Hazardous waste stored in drums, including F001, F004, F005, F007, F008, D002. | Soils in ditch are
considered Site 17
(PCBs).
No other contaminants noted. |
Site active; will be
closed under RCRA CMI activities at Site 17 will cover ditch |
Site 38 is in a restricted area and covered by asphalt. Exposures to contaminated soils are not likely. |
| OU-11 | Site 39 - Facilities
Maintenance/Hazardous
Waste Storage Area 3 separate roofed, bermed concrete pads in a fenced area approximately 100 feet by 500 feet. |
PCB-contaminated transformers, solvents, POL. | Soil - PAHs. | Site active; will be closed under RCRA | Site 39 is surrounded by a fence with a locked gate. The ground is covered with concrete pads, thus no exposures to soil are expected. |
| OU-11 | Site 43 - Sewage Treatment
Plant Treats sanitary sewage from the air station and pretreated sewage from the IWTP. |
Sanitary sewage, permitted NPDES. | None Known. | Presently active; planned upgrade in 1994 | Contamination has not been detected, thus no exposures are expected. |
| OU-11 | Site 45A to F - Current
Sludge Application Area Sludge application (350 permitted acres). |
Sanitary Sewage sludge, state water quality permit, active, non-hazardous. | None Known. | Presently active. | These 6 sites are in the secured flightline area, thus access is restricted. No exposures are expected at these permitted sites. |
| OU-12 | Site 41 - Fuel Line Leak
Site Leak in underground JP-5 transfer line. |
JP-5 transport system leaked 600 gallons. | Soil-TPH and volatiles | Contaminated soil
removed Deferred to UST program |
The contaminated soils have been removed, thus exposures are unlikely. |
| OU-13 | Site 21 - Borrow Pit/Landfill
(South End of Runway 32) 30-acre landfill. |
NADEP wastes, ash, and asbestos from 1949 to early 1960s. | Groundwater - metals. Possible upgradient sources, because upgradient and cross-gradient wells affected. | RFI Ongoing Groundwater sampling, surface water sampling, soil sampling |
This site is in the fenced
flightline security area at
the remote end of
Runway 32. Access is
restricted to workers.
GW* |
| OU-13 | Site 44B - Former Sludge
Application Area 12 acres on which treated sludge was applied under state non discharge permit. Later designated as RCRA waste by EPA. Retention Time (90-day) sludge. |
Sanitary sewage sludge. | Soil-Metals. | Additional RFI data
from Site 21.
Investigations will be
used to further evaluate
this site. Closure Plan submitted in 1988 |
This site is in the fenced flightline security area at the remote end of Runway 32. Access is restricted to workers. Any exposures to soil would be highly infrequent and do not pose a health hazard. |
| PA/SI Site | Site 50 - Polychlorinated
Biphenyls (PCB)
Transformer Spill Area PCB transformer leaked oil onto a 50-foot by 20-foot area in the active industrial area. |
Transformer (PCB) spill contaminated soil removed. | Soil - low concentrations or DDT isomers and PCBs. | SI report recommended, no further action/investigation. | Contaminated soils have been removed, thus exposures are not expected. |
GW* – These sites have contributed to groundwater contamination of the upper aquifers which are not used for drinking water. Thus, no one is exposed to the contamination.
Persons Met With:
MCAS Cherry Point Personnel:
Renee Henderson, Environmental Affairs Department (EAD)
George Radford, EAD
Rachel Johnson, EAD
Tom Fitzgerald, EAD
Doug Nelson, EAD
Debbie Moorefield, EAD
Bill Rogers, Natural Resources
Elizabeth Holland, Industrial Hygiene, Naval Aviation Depot (NADEP)
Donald Durnil, Safety, NADEP
Captain Jeff Hearn, Public Affairs
Lynn Phillips, Noise Compliance
W.M. DePriest, Facilities Directorate
Gary Kornegay, Facilities Maintenance Department
Lt. David Shuemaker, Environmental Health, Naval Hospital
Jim Woods, Facilities Development Department
Herb Caviness, Housing Department
Sonja Hopkins, Housing Department
Cecil Moore, Fire Department
Rudy Schwanda, Directorate (Air Station Historian)
Other Navy Personnel:
Linda Saksvig, Naval Facilities Engineering Command-Atlantic Division
William H. Etheridge, Navy Environmental Health Center
Contacts:
Gena Townsend, Environmental Protection Agency
Linda Raynor, North Carolina Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources (NCDEHNR)
George Gilbert, NCDEHNR
The comments listed here were received by ATSDR in response to the public comment period for the MCAS Cherry Point Public Health Assessment (April 22, 1996). No comments on accuracy of stated facts are included. If a statement was questioned, we verified or corrected it.
Comment: The text needs to mention that the aquifers must be monitored to determine if contaminants are migrating vertically from the contaminated aquifers above. Information regarding the air station's sampling program (sampling frequency, analyses performed and reporting process, etc.) should be presented, and the quality of groundwater samples collected at the wellheads of the supply wells should be monitored to ensure adequate protection of human health and the environment.
Response: Because there are no exposures to groundwater at this site and future exposures are not expected, we do not deem this information necessary for the document. Further, various IRP documents describe the air station's plans and progress in remedial actions and monitoring plans. Long-term monitoring plans for the aquifers will be described in remedial decision documents. Those IRP documents are available at the Havelock Public Library and the MCAS Library.
Comment: Several wells in the industrial area are used for non-potable water supply; they are industrial cooling water supply wells. Should these wells become contaminated, would there be a risk associated with their use in any way?
Response: No. No one is expected to be exposed to the water used for industrial cooling. The water is recirculated in a closed system.1
Comment: If Goose Creek is upstream of the air station, how would these brown bullheads be affected by any contamination originating from the air station?
Response: The brown bullheads in Goose Creek are not affected by air station contamination and are not expected to be. Goose Creek is a control creek in a non-industrial area (10 kilometers upstream and across the Neuse River) used for comparison to creeks surrounding the air station. Since contamination in brown bullheads from the creeks surrounding the station and the control creek are similar, the station apparently has not adversely impacted brown bullheads in Slocum and Hancock Creeks.
1. Facsimile to Vicki Smith, ATSDR, from Renee Henderson, MCAS Cherry Point. June 26, 1996.
