ATI soil sample test results now available
As reported yesterday, the Anthony Timberlands pine lumber sawmill in Malvern has resumed operations after a brief pause, during which time they worked with environmental consultants and waste disposal crews to address an incident involving a discharge of pollutants that took place last year at the local lumber treatment facility.
Alan York, Associate Director of the ADEQ’S Office of Water Quality, has been one of the lead regulatory officials in charge of ensuring ATI accurately responds to the stipulations set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency. York gave the following statement about a walk-through conducted at the sawmill with state and federal inspectors on Jan. 26, 2023:
“The EPA conducted a walk-through on January 26 regarding their Statement of Work. The Statement of Work phase overseen by EPA Region 6 was closed at the conclusion of the walkthrough. Procedurally, we are now entering the Remediation and Maintenance phase which will be overseen by the Arkansas Department of Energy & Environment, Division of Environmental Quality.
“The remediation and maintenance phase began with downstream soil, sediment, and water sampling. While I anticipate that the approved Remediation and Maintenance Plan will be amended and supplemented as needed, the initial approved plan (the January 10 plan) is available through the DEQ website at:
https://www.adeq.state.ar.us/home/pdssql/p_per-mits_online_npdes_addi-tonal.aspx?Pmtnbr=ARR-00B476&category=enforce-mentreports&Title=En-forcement%20reports”
Soil samples were taken on Jan. 13, the results of which were shared Jan. 26 at the above link. According to the Revised Remediation and Maintenance Plan, soil samples will be taken periodically from 10 locations west of the wood waste debris piles, which are situated near the concrete ditch southwest of the facility will. In addition, “…the facility will also take soil samples at the following downstream locations:
•Along the creek bank at SW3, SW4 Alternate, SW5, and SW6 Alternate
•In the creek bed at SW3, SW4 Alternate, SW5, and SW6 Alternate
•The wetland area south of the unnamed tributary. Sample locations will be chosen in consultation with a DEQ representative on-site.
•Residential properties in the proximate area of the release. These sample locations will be chosen in consultation with a DEQ representative on-site.”
ATI, ADEQ and the EPA have yet to respond to media inquiries for further explanation of the test results. The designated locations are marked on a satellite image of the ATI facility and surrounding area, and said image is available for public view through the above link as an attachment to the plan that was submitted on Jan. 6, 2023.
The Environmental Protection Agency determined after the Jan. 26 walk-through that ATI has made sufficient progress to shift from an emergency response to the ongoing remediation and maintenance that will be required to fully address the incident. An official statement from the EPA is forthcoming and will be shared as soon as it is made available.