Projects
LCP Chemicals of Georgia NPL Site
CERCLA Removal Actions, RI/FS and Natural Resource Damage Assessment/Restoration
Brunswick, Georgia
1994 – present
The LCP Chemicals Superfund Site located in Brunswick, Georgia has been characterized by USEPA as the “Love Canal of the South.” It is the most comprehensive, and perhaps most complex CERCLA remediation project in USEPA Region 4. The site borders an ecologically-sensitive estuarine marsh.
Mr. Kessler, Principal with EPS, has served as Technical Director for assessment and remediation services since 1994. Initially, Mr. Kessler worked with the Responsible Parties and regulators to obtain a waiver from RCRA Land Disposal Restrictions (LDRs) for what was termed commingled waste, allowing direct off-site disposal without costly pre-treatment. The Removal Actions involved a five-year continuous effort at a cost of approximately $70 million. In all, nearly 200,000 tons of soil and waste were removed, 440,000 pounds of elemental mercury recovered and recycled, 1500 tons of scrap metal salvaged, 50 million gallons of wastewater treated, 14 acres of salt marsh flats excavated and restored, and more than 2500 linear feet of tidal tributaries dredged. Mr. Kessler prepared and successfully advanced a RCRA delisting petition for K071 process waste, resulting in net savings of one million dollars. Total project savings recognized for the removal actions amounted to $14.3 million, a key element to AlliedSignal’s recognition as a recipient of their Quest for Excellence award. USEPA deemed the project as a “model of Superfund” in terms of process efficiency, environmental restoration, and cooperation amongst stakeholders. This spirit translated into nearly $2 million in voluntary contribution from USEPA toward the removal actions.
Mr. Kessler continues to serve as the Technical Director for the post-removal action RI/FS. He lead the development of a sophisticated geochemical reaction model demonstrating in situ attenuation of mercury, arsenic and other metals in groundwater. The USEPA and local environmental coalition issued a favorable review of the Groundwater RI Report, stating “The study was generally thorough. It is apparent that a lot of thought was given to the activities planned and the data required to determine source removal and future potential remediation planning......the fate and transport study was very thorough in its assessment of the mobility of the contaminants and the conclusion that natural attenuation of the contaminants will prevent further migration is well supported.”
All data collected at the site are maintained in a GIS database designed by Mr. Kessler. He has used the GIS to identify data gaps and communicate data and findings to the steering committee, agency, and public. This has proved to be an essential tool for conveying complex environmental information and has proved invaluable in terms of advancing technical arguments.
Mr. Kessler also serves as a technical expert on the Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) cooperative assessment program, involving three Trustee agencies and Honeywell. He advises the team regarding transport and fate of mercury and PCBs within the estuarine environment.
