The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently conducted an inspection at the Diaz Chemical Corps. Superfund site in Holly to determine whether the EPA had safety measures in place to protect public health and the environment.
They found that the EPA has made significant progress in soil remediation, demonstrated effective communication and monitoring of the site, and effectively addressed deficiencies. The EPA initiated operable unit 2 (OU 2) remedial actions in August 2021. This includes thermally treating the soil by heating it to very high temperatures, which turns the contaminants into vapors that move through the soil for extraction. The EPA estimated that it will complete the thermal treatment of the soil in late 2027. During their site visit, inspectors observed site safety measures in place, including noise barriers, air monitoring, fencing in good repair, and well-maintained construction areas.
While the EPA has acted swiftly to address past complaints from the public, the OIG recommends that the EPA conduct community interviews during the 2027 five-year review to confirm that there are no community concerns. It also recommends updating the community involvement plan and making it publicly available, which would ensure that the EPA’s approaches for community engagement remain relevant. The EPA has agreed with the recommendations, and corrective actions are pending.
Find more information at https://www.epa.gov/office-inspector-general/report-inspection-infrastructure-investment-and-jobs-act-funded-activities.
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