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International Creosoting

This Former Wood Treatment Facility in Jefferson County is in the Feasibility Study and Remedial Action phases of the state Superfund program.

Site Summary

The International Creosoting site at 1110 Pine Street is adjacent to Interstate 10 and Brakes Bayou. From 1898 through 1973 the facility used creosote preservative in producing treated wood products, including pressure-treated railroad cross-ties and other railroad wood products. In 1973 the wood treatment operation was dismantled and replaced with a facility that produced asphaltic ready-mix concrete until 1987.

Site Contamination

In the 1980’s the TCEQ and private entities established that surface soils, subsurface soils, and groundwater had been impacted by creosote and asphalt constituents. Brakes Bayou is also contaminated from historical activities.

Superfund Registry

The TCEQ listed the site to the state Superfund registry in 1989. In 1990, the potentially responsible parties entered into an Agreed Order to complete the remedial investigation and feasibility study.

Remedial Investigation

In 1996, the site was split into two operable units: the 14.7-acre land-based unit and the bayou-based unit.  The land unit includes the soil, groundwater, and free-phase creosote in the upland portion of the site, and the bayou unit includes the portion of Brakes Bayou that has been impacted by site contaminants. The split was created to expedite the remedial investigation and feasibility study on the land unit.

Remedial Action

In July 1999, responsible parties entered into an Administrative Order to complete the land unit’s remedial design and remedial action. This included a clay soil cap; a 50-foot-deep slurry wall to isolate the affected on-site soils, groundwater, and any free-phase creosote constituents; and recovering contaminated groundwater and free-phase creosote.

Current Status

In 2009, one of the responsible parties filed for bankruptcy. As part of the settlement an environmental response trustee was created and has assumed responsibility for the site. The trustee is conducting the remedial design and remedial action for the land unit and the feasibility study for the bayou.