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Background of the Pioneer Sand Co. Site
The Pioneer Sand Co. Superfund site, an 11-acre area, is situated south of Saufley Field Road in Warrington, Florida. This site is in a rural location, bordered by a 50-home subdivision and residences to the north and east, residential and commercial properties to the south, and undeveloped land to the west. The U.S. Navy Naval Air Station Pensacola and other residential areas are nearby. Importantly, a City of Pensacola well field is located within three miles of the site, highlighting the need for environmental protection in this area.
From 1973 to 1979, Pioneer Sand Company utilized an inactive quarry on this site for waste disposal. The materials dumped included shredded auto parts, construction debris, and industrial sludge. Three-quarters of the site area is where previous contamination removal occurred, while the remaining quarter was the actual disposal location for Pioneer Sand Company’s waste.
In 1981, the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation (FDER), now known as FDEP, revoked Pioneer Sand Company’s disposal permit, effectively stopping further dumping activities. Due to the resulting groundwater and soil contamination from these disposal operations, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) added the site to the Superfund program’s National Priorities List (NPL) in 1983. The NPL is a list of sites requiring priority cleanup under the Superfund program.
Following successful cleanup operations at the Pioneer Sand Co. site, the EPA removed it from the NPL in 1993. Currently, the site is fenced and not in active use.
The EPA, FDEP, and Pioneer Sand Company, identified as the potentially responsible party (PRP) for the site, have been actively involved in investigating site conditions. Through ongoing groundwater monitoring, implementation of institutional controls, and regular Five-Year Reviews, these agencies and the PRP work together to ensure continued protection of both people and the environment from any remaining site contamination linked to Pioneer Sand Co.
Currently, site contamination poses no threat to residents and workers near the Pioneer Sand Co. site. Homes adjacent to the site are connected to the public water supply via a water line, ensuring access to safe drinking water.
Cleanup Actions at the Pioneer Sand Co. Site
Pioneer Sand Company, as the site PRP, has taken the lead in cleanup activities, with the EPA and FDEP providing essential oversight.
1986: The EPA finalized the cleanup plan for the Pioneer Sand Co. site, documented in a Record of Decision (ROD). This plan included several key actions:
- Collection and stabilization of contaminated sludge and soil to prevent further environmental harm.
- Construction of a landfill cap to contain and isolate remaining contaminated materials.
- Implementation of access controls, such as fencing, to restrict site entry and potential exposure.
- Ongoing groundwater monitoring to track contaminant levels and ensure the effectiveness of the cleanup.
- Installation of a system to collect contaminated water as it moves through the contaminated material, preventing further spread.
- Methane gas collection and venting to manage potential gas buildup from the disposed waste.
1991: Pioneer Sand Company completed the removal or collection and covering of all identified soil contamination. The collected contaminated soil was placed within an on-site landfill and covered with a protective cap. By 1991, Pioneer Sand Company had completed the initial cleanup actions and initiated the long-term groundwater monitoring program.
1993: The EPA recognized the successful cleanup efforts at the Pioneer Sand Co. site and officially removed it from the NPL.
To further ensure long-term protection, the EPA established an institutional control for the Pioneer Sand Co. site. This control restricts certain activities on the land, including construction, disposal, residential land use, and commercial land use, preventing activities that could compromise the cleanup remedies.
Current Status of the Pioneer Sand Co. Superfund Site
The EPA published the sixth Five-Year Review for the Pioneer Sand Co. site in 2024. This review assessed the effectiveness of the implemented cleanup measures. The conclusion of the review was that the remedy continues to protect human health and the environment. This is because the potential exposure pathways that could lead to unacceptable risks from site contaminants are effectively being mitigated by the implemented remedial actions.
The last known PRP for Pioneer Sand Co. has declared bankruptcy. However, in 2016, the EPA received over $700,000 from the bankruptcy settlement. These funds have been used by the EPA, in conjunction with the Corps of Engineers and their contractors, to continue essential activities such as groundwater sampling and site maintenance at the Pioneer Sand Co. site. These funds are nearly depleted.
Currently, the EPA is in the process of transferring the long-term Operation and Maintenance (O&M) responsibilities for the site to the FDEP. This transfer is pending the establishment of a Superfund State Contract to ensure a smooth and legally sound transition.
Activity and Use Limitations at the Pioneer Sand Co. Site
Activity and Use Limitations, often referred to as institutional controls by the EPA, are in place at the Pioneer Sand Co. site. These controls are crucial components of site remedies as they minimize potential exposure to contamination by placing limitations on land or resource use. They essentially guide human behavior to prevent activities that could interfere with the site remedy. For instance, zoning restrictions can prevent land uses, such as residential development, that are not compatible with the achieved level of cleanup.
For more detailed information, please refer to the EPA’s resource on Institutional Controls.
As mentioned earlier, the EPA has implemented an institutional control at the Pioneer Sand Co. site to specifically restrict construction activities, disposal activities, residential land use, and commercial land use.
Furthermore, the South Florida Water Management District has designated the Pioneer Sand Co. site and the surrounding area as a groundwater delineation area. This designation mandates that any new wells proposed within this area require approval from the District to ensure the protection of groundwater resources.
Enforcement Actions Related to Pioneer Sand Co. Site
Enforcement of environmental laws is a core function of the EPA’s mission to safeguard human health and the environment. When necessary, the EPA will pursue civil or criminal enforcement actions against those found to be in violation of environmental laws.
In the case of the Pioneer Sand Co. site, the EPA successfully negotiated legal agreements with Pioneer Sand Company, the site PRP, to ensure the site’s cleanup. Pioneer Sand Company continues to be responsible for funding ongoing site cleanup, monitoring, and oversight activities, demonstrating their commitment to environmental remediation and compliance. Top of Page
