WVDEP Approves Cleanup Method Submitted by Merit Development, Inc

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 Merit Development, Inc. to address environmental conditions through the Voluntary Remediation Program (VRP 15046) at the Former Owens Illinois Plant #3 in Marion County.

The site is located at 1620 Speedway Ave. in Fairmont and includes approximately 26 acres. Historical glass manufacturing activities have impacted soils and groundwater. The site has been parceled into two areas. A 23-acre portion of the former Owens Illinois Glass Plant #3 operated on Parcel A. Parcel B is an adjacent three acre hillside which is intended for future residential use.

The applicant has proposed remediation methods to ensure that the property meets the De Minimis Human Health and Ecological Standard. These methods include encapsulation of surface soils in a defined area of concern with a permanent cover within Parcel A, and the recording of land use covenants that prohibit the following: 

        • Extraction of groundwater at the site for any use except groundwater monitoring and remediation; 
        • Soil excavation, drilling, or penetration of subsurface soils in defined areas and the soil cover area unless conducted or supervised by persons qualified and knowledgeable about releases and exposure to contaminants known to exist at the site.

In addition, use of Parcel A is restricted for any purpose other than non-residential property as defined by the West Virginia Voluntary Remediation and Redevelopment Act (West Virginia Code §22-22-2q). Upon completion of the remediation, a final report will be submitted to OER for review and approval. 

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.