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American Zinc

This former zinc smelter in Dumas, Moore County is in the operation and maintenance phase of the state Superfund program.

Site Summary

The American Zinc site is located near the city of Dumas, approximately 3.5 miles north on U.S. 287 and 5 miles east on Farm Road 119. The site operated as a zinc smelter from the late 1930s until the late 1960s or early 1970s, generating heavy metal waste typical to that process. Numerous slag piles were deposited in, around, and across the intermittent South Palo Duro Creek. The slag material was also used throughout the site as road base. In 1987, the TCEQ collected samples from various locations around the site, including the creek, and analysis showed significant contamination.

Superfund Registry and Investigation

In October 1993, the TCEQ proposed the site to the state Superfund registry. The potentially responsible parties entered into an Agreed Order in 1995 and Agreed Order Amendment in 1999 with the TCEQ to conduct the remedial investigation and feasibility study. The remedial investigation and feasibility study began in July 1995.

Remedial Action

In January 2010, the site was listed on the state Superfund registry and the TCEQ issued an administrative order, which selected the remedial action for the site and ordered named responsible parties to perform it. The selected remedial action specified a commercial/industrial land use and entailed consolidation of soils, capping of contaminated areas, land use restrictions, and soil treatments. The remediation work began in May 2012 and was completed in June 2012.

Current Status

Cleanup is complete and the site is in the operation and maintenance phase. Responsible parties continue to maintain the site and monitor the capped area and surrounding area to prevent further contamination.

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