Pioneer Sand Company Superfund Site: Cleanup and Current Status

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Pioneer Sand Company Superfund Site: Addressing Environmental Concerns in Warrington, Florida

The Pioneer Sand Company Superfund site, an 11-acre area located in Warrington, Florida, south of Saufley Field Road, has a history rooted in waste disposal practices that led to its inclusion in the Superfund program. Bordered by residential areas and commercial businesses, with the U.S. Navy Naval Air Station Pensacola and Pensacola’s well field in proximity, this site’s environmental status is of significant community and regional interest.

From 1973 to 1979, the Pioneer Sand Company utilized an inactive quarry on the site for waste disposal. The materials dumped included shredded auto parts, construction debris, and industrial sludge. This disposal activity primarily concentrated on three-quarters of the site, while Pioneer Sand Company’s operational area comprised the remaining quarter.

In 1981, the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation (FDER), now known as FDEP, took regulatory action by not renewing the company’s disposal permit, effectively halting further dumping. Subsequently, in 1983, due to concerns over contaminated groundwater and soil stemming from these disposal operations, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officially placed the Pioneer Sand Company site on the National Priorities List (NPL). This listing designated it as a Superfund site, prioritizing it for long-term environmental remediation.

Following successful cleanup operations, the EPA removed the Pioneer Sand Company site from the NPL in 1993. Currently, the site is fenced and remains out of use. The EPA, FDEP, and Pioneer Sand Company, identified as the potentially responsible party (PRP), have been actively involved in investigating and monitoring site conditions. Their ongoing efforts, including groundwater monitoring, institutional controls, and regular Five-Year Reviews, ensure continued protection for both people and the environment from any residual contamination from the Pioneer Sand Company’s past activities.

Importantly, current assessments indicate that site contamination does not pose an immediate threat to residents and workers in the vicinity. Homes adjacent to the site are connected to the public water supply, ensuring access to safe drinking water.

Remediation Efforts at the Pioneer Sand Company Site

Pioneer Sand Company, as the designated PRP, took the lead in implementing cleanup activities under the oversight of the EPA and FDEP.

Key Cleanup Milestones:

1986: Formalizing the Cleanup Plan: The EPA issued a Record of Decision (ROD), outlining the comprehensive cleanup strategy for the Pioneer Sand Company site. This plan included:
- Collection and stabilization of contaminated sludge and soil.
- Construction of a landfill cap to contain contaminated materials.
- Implementation of access controls, such as fencing, to restrict site entry.
- Establishment of a groundwater monitoring program to track water quality.
- Development of a system to intercept and manage contaminated water migrating through the site.
- Installation of a methane gas collection and venting system.
1991: Completion of Initial Cleanup: Pioneer Sand Company successfully removed or contained all identified soil contamination. Contaminated soil was consolidated within an on-site landfill and capped. By 1991, the initial cleanup phase was completed, and long-term groundwater monitoring commenced.
1993: NPL Delisting: Recognizing the successful remediation efforts, the EPA officially removed the Pioneer Sand Company site from the National Priorities List.

To further ensure long-term safety, the EPA implemented institutional controls on the site. These controls restrict specific activities including construction, disposal, and both residential and commercial land use, safeguarding the integrity of the cleanup measures.

Current Status and Long-Term Management

The EPA’s sixth Five-Year Review, published in 2024, affirms that the implemented remedies at the Pioneer Sand Company site continue to be effective in protecting human health and the environment. The measures in place effectively mitigate potential exposure pathways to site contaminants, ensuring risks remain at acceptable levels.

A significant development occurred when the last PRP declared bankruptcy. However, the EPA secured over $700,000 in a 2016 bankruptcy settlement. These funds were strategically utilized, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and their contractors undertaking ongoing groundwater sampling and essential site maintenance. With these funds nearly exhausted, the EPA is actively working to transfer the long-term Operation and Maintenance (O&M) responsibilities for the site to the FDEP. This transfer is contingent upon the establishment of a Superfund State Contract, ensuring a seamless transition and continued site stewardship.

Institutional Controls and Land Use Restrictions

Institutional controls are crucial components of Superfund site remedies, acting as activity and use limitations. At the Pioneer Sand Company site, these controls are in place to minimize exposure to residual contamination by carefully managing land and resource use. These controls guide human activities on and around the site, ensuring that land use remains consistent with the achieved level of environmental cleanup. For detailed information, the EPA provides resources on Institutional Controls.

Specifically, the EPA’s institutional controls for the Pioneer Sand Company site prohibit construction, disposal activities, residential development, and commercial land use.

Furthermore, the South Florida Water Management District has designated the site and surrounding areas as a groundwater delineation area. This designation mandates that any new wells proposed within this area require explicit approval from the District, adding another layer of protection for groundwater resources.

Enforcement and Continued Responsibility

Enforcement of environmental regulations is a core function of the EPA, ensuring the protection of both human health and the environment. The EPA maintains a robust enforcement approach, taking civil or criminal action when environmental laws are violated. More information on this can be found at Enforcing Environmental Laws.

In the case of the Pioneer Sand Company site, the EPA has established legal agreements with Pioneer Sand Company, the PRP, to ensure site cleanup. The PRP remains responsible for funding ongoing site cleanup, monitoring, and regulatory oversight activities, demonstrating a continued commitment to environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance.