Corps increases operational activity, public information session at ... - lrp.usace.army.mil
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Pittsburgh District announces an increase in operational activity and a public information session for the Shallow Land Disposal Area (SLDA) in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, in preparation for site remediation.
Residents near the SLDA site will continue to see an increase in vehicle traffic, site workers, equipment, signage, and maintenance activities over the next year to 18 months. As USACE contractors prepare the site for the 2025 remediation activities, they will bring in stone for the new administrative area base and conduct targeted site grading. Additionally, residents will also see some construction on the site, including buildings to enclose future trench excavations and to process excavated material for off-site shipment, a wastewater treatment plant to treat site wastewater, delivery and installation of administrative trailers, and an on-site laboratory.
Public health and safety remain top priorities for the Corps of Engineers. The USACE is committed to continuing to monitor the site and ensure our workers are safe and well-trained on safety procedures and processes to protect the workers' health and welfare and the community surrounding the site. These site preparation activities will continue through 2024 to prepare for physical remediation, which includes removal and off-site disposal of contaminated soil and waste as described in the 2007 Record of Decision and 2015 amendment. USACE contractors are expected to begin physical remediation in 2025.
The Army Corps of Engineers will host a public information session to ensure the public fully understands the site activity and the future project schedule.
Public Information Session: Wednesday, Sept. 20, from 7 – 8:30 p.m., at the Parks Township Fire Department at 1119 Dalmation Drive, Vandergrift, PA 15690. Everyone is invited to attend and participate. Contact the Pittsburgh District Public Affairs Office at celrp-pa@usace.army.mil or (412)395-7500 for more information.
Background
The SLDA site, encompassing 44 acres of privately-owned land, is located approximately 23 miles east-northeast of Pittsburgh in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. It is on the right bank of the Kiski River, a tributary of the Allegheny River, near the communities of Apollo and Vandergrift. Radioactive waste disposal operations were conducted between 1960 and 1970 at the site.
As part of work done under Atomic Energy Commission contracts, low-level radioactive materials were produced, primarily for fuel for nuclear-powered submarines and power plants. Disposal operations were conducted by the firm NUMEC, Nuclear Materials and Equipment Corporation, in the early 1960s. In 1967, ARCO purchased stock in NUMEC. In 1971, ARCO sold the stock of NUMEC to Babcock & Wilcox which has changed to BWX Technologies. BWX Technologies is the current owner of the SLDA site.
In 1981, disposal regulations were rescinded, and a 2002 law directed the site be added to the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program or FUSRAP. The FUSRAP program was initiated to identify, investigate, and clean up or control sites throughout the United States contaminated because of the nation's atomic weapons and energy programs.
For more information, visit the Army Corps' SLDA website: https://www.lrp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Planning-Programs-Project-Management/Key-Projects/Shallow-Land-Disposal-Area/; hardcopy documents related to the study, site testing, and removal plans are available online and at the Apollo Memorial Library, 219 North Pennsylvania Avenue, Apollo, PA 15613-1397.
For additional information, please contact the Public Affairs Office at 412-395-7500 or e-mail CELRP-PA@usace.army.mil.
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