PCB Assessment and Brownfield Remediation on Former Junkyard
Weston & Sampson was selected to address long-standing issues with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at a vacant urban lot within several blocks of the State Capitol Building. The property was used as a junkyard from the 1940s through the 1980s. During this time, transformers were brought to the junkyard and leaked PCB oil into the subsurface along with a myriad of other contaminants. Discovery of the PCBs triggered regulatory involvement and oversight by the federal Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) from EPA Region 1. Other contaminants in addition to PCBs included lead, PAHs, petroleum hydrocarbons, and chlorinated solvents.
This project involved interaction with various stakeholders, regulators, railroad, and VTrans with funding through EPA Brownfields Grants, a state Brownfield Grant, private and municipal sources, and the Federal Highway Administration with VTrans oversight.
We successfully guided the project through an ownership transition working with both the buyer’s and seller’s legal teams. Work for the initial private owner involved extensive assessment and remediation of over 800 tons of PCB and lead contaminated soils. Following this work, we assisted the new owner with planning, design, and public outreach associated with the future bike/pedestrian path, green space, and a multi-modal transit building.