WVDEP Approves Cleanup Method Submitted by Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council

 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Office of Environmental Remediation (OER) at the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) has approved a cleanup method submitted by Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council. The submission is to address environmental conditions through the Voluntary Remediation Program at the Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council facility in Kanawha County.

The site is located at 321 Virginia Street West in Charleston and includes approximately 1.6 acres. The site was developed as an auto sales and service facility in the late 1940's, most recently operating as the Charleston Lincoln Mercury auto dealership until 2011. The site has been subdivided into two parcels. Parcel 1 includes the property on the southwest side of Virginia Street West and Parcel 2 includes the property on the northeast side of Virginia Street West. This notice is specific to Parcel 1, which includes the former showroom/auto maintenance building and parts supply building. These buildings have recently been renovated and are currently being used by the Girl Scouts for a commercial camp and offices. Prior to the 1940's, the site primarily consisted of residential dwellings. Contaminant sources related to the historical use of Parcel 1 include in-ground hydraulic vehicle lifts, above ground storage tanks for used oil storage, drum storage areas, and activities related to servicing vehicles.

The soil and groundwater remedial goals will be met by recording a Land Use Covenant which will place specific restrictions on the future use of Parcel 1. These restrictions include restricting land use to non-residential (i.e., commercial or industrial use), and prohibiting the construction of subgrade structures (basements) intended for human occupation. Based on the De Minimis Ecological Screening Evaluation, potential ecological exposure pathways are not complete at the site. The applicant has submitted a final report to OER confirming that the site now meets the applicable remediation standards.

West Virginia’s Voluntary Remediation and Redevelopment Act encourages voluntary cleanups of contaminated sites, as well as redevelopment of abandoned and under-utilized properties, with an objective of counteracting the lack of development on sites with contamination or perceived contamination.

The Voluntary Remediation Program identifies and addresses potential contamination at a given site; sets applicable remediation standards; and ensures that the standards are maintained at the site. By providing financial incentives to invest in brownfields, this approach protects communities and the environment while still promoting economic development in West Virginia.

For more DEP news and information, go to www.dep.wv.gov. Also, be sure to connect with the agency on all social media platforms. Follow @DEPWV on Twitter and find us on YouTube by searching “Environment Matters.” For specific information about our REAP (Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan), West Virginia Project WET (Water Education for Teachers), West Virginia Watershed Improvement Branch, Youth Environmental Program and Human Resources initiatives, connect on Facebook.

Contact:

Jake Glance
(304) 926-0499 ext. 1335
Jacob.P.Glance@wv.gov