FINAL CLOSE OUT REPORT 

REDWING CARRIERS, INC. (SARALAND) 

SUPERFUND SITE 

SARALAND, MOBILE COUNTY, ALABAMA 

PREPARED BY: 

U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 

REGION4 

ATLANTA,- GEORGIA 

July 2015 
This Final Close Out Report (FCOR) documents that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

completed construction activities for the Redwing Carriers, Inc. Superfund Site (Site) in accordance with 

the May 2011 Close Out Procedures for National Priorities List Sites (OSWER Directive 9320.2-22). In 

June 2005, the EPA approved the Remedial Design (RD) work plan prepared by the potentially 

responsible party (PRP), which was developed in accordance with the December 1992 Record of 

Decision (ROD), June 2000 amended ROD (AROD) and the September 2007 Explanation of Significant 

Differences (ESD) for the Site. The EPA and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management 

(ADEM) conducted a final inspection on August 28, 2008. During this inspection, the EPA and ADEM 

determined that the Redwing Site PRP constructed the remedy in accordance with the RD plans and 

specifications. The PRP has completed remedial construction activities necessary to achieve 

performance standards and Site completion criteria. No further remedial action construction activities 

are anticipated at this Site. The EPA and ADEM have agreed that this inspection was sufficient for the 

purposes of this FCOR and have initiated the activities necessary to achieve site deletion. As such, this 

Site meets the Close Out Procedures for National Priorities List Sites (OSWER Directive 9320.2-22) 

closeout criteria as required for the Final Close Out Report and consideration for delisting are as 

follows: 

• All remedial decision documents have been completed, and the selected remedy is consistent 

with CERCLA, the NCP, and the EPA policy and guidance; 

• All response actions have been completed and appropriately documented in the site file; and 

• No institutional controls are required since the Site attained the cleanup goals for unrestricted 

use, as established in the ROD, AROD and ESD. 

II. SUMMARY OF SITE CONDITIONS 

Background 

The Site is 5.1 acres in size and is located in the City of Saraland, Mobile County, Alabama. The Site is 

bounded to the east by U.S. Highway 43 and a skating rink. To the north, it is bounded by a United Gas 

Pipe Line easement and a mobile home community, to the south by a residential development, and to the 

west by an undeveloped lot. The Site was the former location of the Saraland Apartment Complex 

(Apartments) that has since been demolished to allow for the complete remediation of the Site. Figure 1a 

is a detailed area map, and Figure 1 b is a site vicinity map. 
Figure la. 

Figure lb. 

From 1961 to 1971, Redwing Carriers, Inc. (Redwing), a trucking company, owned and operated the 

Site as a terminal for cleaning, repairing and parking its fleet of trucks. The company transported a 

variety of substances, including asphalt, diesel fuel, chemicals and pesticides from local plants. Redwing 

discharged untreated hazardous substances to the ground during the cleaning of tanker trucks, creating a 

tar-like sludge and contaminating Site soils. The tar-like sludge was composed predominately of 

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds together with lesser amounts of pesticides, herbicides and 

volatile organic compounds. These operations resulted in contamination of soils, groundwater and 

sediment. Figure 2 shows the Site layout. 

In 1973, Saraland Apartments Ltd. purchased the Site and built a U.S. Housing and Urban 

Development (HUD) subsidized apartment complex on the Site. During construction, the sludge and 

contaminated soils were covered with up to 5 feet of clean soil. When completed, the complex consisted 

of 60 apartment units located in 12 buildings, and at one time housed approximately 160 residents, 

including 80 to 90 preschool-age or elementary school-age children. 

In 1984, ADEM investigated apartment residents' complaints about the tar-like sludge seeping to the 

surface at numerous locations at the Site. In 1985, under Superfund removal authority, the EPA 

conducted initial studies in which high concentrations of 1, 2, 4-trichlorobenzene and naphthalene were 

detected in the soil and in leachate coming from the sludge. On July 8, 1985, the EPA and Redwing 

entered into a removal Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) that required Redwing to, among other 

things, conduct a limited sludge and contaminated soil removal action. The Site was proposed for listing 

on the National Priorities List (NPL) on June 24, 1998 (53 FR 23988) and finalized on February 21, 

1990 (55 FR 6154) due to the potential for consumption of contaminated groundwater. 
Figure 2. Site Layout 

Enforcement and Removal Activities 

jOP ... 

------

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On July 2, 1990, the EPA and Redwing entered into an AOC wherein Redwing agreed to conduct the 

Site Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study. On December 15, 1992, the EPA issued a ROD for 

the Site. Redwing continued periodic removal of surface seeps until1994, when they stopped doing any 

work at the Site. On July 5, 1995, the EPA issued a Unilateral Administrative Order to Redwing and 

Saraland Apartments, Ltd. directing them to conduct a removal of tar seeps at the Site. When both 

parties declined to comply with the order, the EPA conducted the removal action. The action consisted 

of the removal and off-site disposal of 288 55 gallon drums of investigation derived waste, 

approximately 5 cubic yards of stockpiled soil and approximately 10 gallons of "tar like material" 

(TLM) from 13 tar seeps. 

During the spring of 1996, the tar seeps returned. On July 12, 1996, the EPA issued a Unilateral 

Administrative Order to Redwing and Saraland Apartments, Ltd. directing them to remove the source of 

the tar seeps. When both parties refused to comply with the order, the EPA conducted the removal 

action, which consisted of temporarily relocating 57 families living in the complex and excavating and 

transporting off-site for disposal approximately 20,724 tons of sludge, contaminated soil and debris. 

These contaminated materials were transported as nonhazardous waste, after passing Toxicity 

Characterization Leaching Procedure (TCLP) sampling analysis, to the Browning-Ferris Industries' 

Falcon Incinerator in Brewton, Alabama. Trucks were lined prior to filling to prevent further 
In July 1997, the EPA collected soil, sediment and water samples from 23 properties adjacent to the 

Redwing Site. The purpose of this sampling was to address community concerns about possible releases 

from the Site. Based on a risk evaluation of the analytical results of these samples, the EPA determined 

that there is no unacceptable health risk or hazard in the neighborhood adjacent to the Redwing Site. 

In April1999, the EPA published a Proposed Plan to amend the 1992 ROD based on new data collected 

during the 1996-1997 Removal Action. The EPA signed the amended ROD on June 14, 

2000. The amendment added additional requirements for removing the apartment buildings, which 

would allow for complete removal of the remaining source material. The amendment also delayed the 

implementation of the 1992 ROD requirement for groundwater extraction and treatment to allow for 

evaluation of the groundwater monitoring data which would be collected after the source removal action 

completion. Implementation was to be contingent upon the results of the baseline groundwater sampling 

and evaluation of the quarterly groundwater monitoring data. In 2002, a global settlement between the 

Red wing PRPs and the Federal government was reached on the final cleanup of the Redwing Site. The 

PRP entered into the Remedial Design (RD) /Remedial Action (RA) Consent Decree on February 26, 

2002 with the EPA for the PRP to conduct the RD/RA under the EPA's oversight and approval. 

Selected Remedy 

The Redwing Site ROD was signed on December 15, 1992. The major components of the 1992 selected 

remedy include: 

• Excavation of sludge, sediments and contaminated soils. 

• Off-site treatment/disposal of contaminated soils, sediments and sludge at an approved 

disposal facility, as determined appropriate by Resource Conservation and Recovery Act 

(RCRA) criteria and the waste sampling results from TCLP testing. 

• Regrading and backfill of excavations using clean, compacted-fill material. 

• Temporary and possibly permanent relocation of residents with the potential demolition of 

selected apartment units. 

• On-site treatment of contaminated groundwater in the surficial aquifer. Monitoring and 

possible withdrawal and treatment of groundwater in the alluvial aquifer. Treatment of 

groundwater for discharge to a Publicly Owned Treatment Works, or if unavailable, to a 

nearby surface water body. 

While the ROD did not explicitly detail Remedial Action Objectives (RAOs), the selected remedy was 

intended to address unacceptable risk presented by the Site, which is described in the risk assessment. 

The risk assessment summary for the Site indicated several areas of risk for mitigation as indicated 

below: 
• Development of a phased approach to implement the amended remedy during the RD. 

• Demolition, removal and off-site disposal to an approved facility of all buildings, 

foundations, concrete walkways, asphalt driveways and parking areas. 

• Excavation, off-site treatment and disposal of the remaining source material (sludge, 

sediments and contaminated soils) at an approved disposal facility as determined appropriate 

by RCRA criteria and the waste sampling results from TCLP testing to aid in restoring and 

protecting groundwater quality. 

• Reconstitution of the groundwater monitoring program at the Site after the backfilling -and 

regrading of excavated areas had been completed. 

• Postponement of the 1992 ROD requirement for on-site extraction and treatment of 

contaminated groundwater and compliance monitoring. Implementation was to be contingent 

upon the results of the baseline groundwater sampling and evaluation of the quarterly 

groundwater monitoring data. The groundwater response action would be revaluated to consider new groundwater monitoring data collected after the source removal action 

completion and determine whether or not the site cleanup could be achieved using Monitored 

Natural Attenuation (MNA). 

On September 25, 2007, the EPA issued an ESD for the Red wing Site. In the ESD, the EPA revised the 

1992 ROD subsurface soil cleanup levels for acetone, Aldrin, alpha-BHC and Dieldrin. The remedy at 

the Site is protective of human health and the environment because the surface soil, subsurface soil, 

sediment and groundwater at the Site met performance standards established in the ROD, AROD and the 

ESD. 

Cleanup Goals 

The cleanup goals for surface soil and sediment, subsurface soil and groundwater, as specified in the 

ROD, are shown in Tables 1, 2 and 3 below. The cleanup levels are based on applicable or relevant and 

appropriate requirements (ARARs) and/or are risk-based. The groundwater cleanup level ARARs are 

health-based and are the more stringent of federal or state primary drinking water standards. The 

subsurface soil cleanup level ARARs are site-specific calculations for risk to groundwater protection. 

The surface soil and sediment cleanup level ARARs are site-specific calculations for risk of inhalation 

or ingestion. 
Chrysene 362 

*Based on risk from inhalation or ingestion. 

TABLE2 

Subsurface soil COCs Cleanup Goal (micrograms per kilogram, pglkg) 

4,4'- DDT** 566 

Acetone 453* Aldrin 640,000* Alpha-BHC 2.2* 

Chloroform 70 

Chromium 47,000 

Dieldrin 81* 

Gamma- BHC (Lindane) 3.2 

Methylene Chloride 0.6 

Nickel 30,000 

Vanadium** 156,000 Vernolate 55 

Site-specific cleanup levels were developed based on assessment of risk to groundwater 

protection. 

* ARAR revised by site-specific risk assessment, which was detailed in the 2007 ESD. 

** 4,4'- DDT and Vanadium were detected in the groundwater during the RI, but was not 

detected above cleanup level concentrations in the subsurface soils. The subsurface soil cleanup 

level was retained for the ROD so that these contaminants would be included in the post 

excavation confirmation sampling. 
 

Beryllium 4.00 MCL Bis (2-Ethylhexyl) Phthalate 6.00 MCL 

Carbon Disulfide 47.6 * 

Chloroform 100 MCL Chromium 50 MCL 

Dieldrin 0.00337 * 

Gamma- BHC (Lindane) 0.2 MCL 

Methylene Chloride 5 MCL 

Nickel 100 MCL 

Vanadium 78.1 * 

Vernolate 11.2 * 

*Based on Risk Assessment 

Remedial Action 

The Redwing PRP conducted the remedial action pursuant to the February 26, 2002 RD/RA Consent 

Decree. Site demolition activities started in March 2004 and were completed in June 2004. During the 

demolition, 5,700 cubic yards of demolition debris were transported off-site for disposal, and 3,915 

cubic yards of asphalt and concrete were transported off-site for recycling. All debris was visually 

inspected, and any debris found with visually questionable materials were sampled prior to transport to 

ensure that none of the debris failed TCLP. None of the construction debris failed TCLP and thus all 

was transported to Jarrett Rd. Landfill in Pritchard, Alabama, a RCRA-permitted construction debris 

facility, as required by the ROD. 

The Final RD Report was approved on June 28,2007. The Redwing RA started in mid-December 2007 

and was completed in June 2008. The excavation of TLM-contaminated soil was executed by the 

removal blocks of soil to predetermined depths based on analytical results from the pre-design 

investigation. Additional TLM-contaminated soil was removed laterally based on visual inspection and 

presence on excavated sidewalls. Additional soil was excavated from the bottom of pre-determined 

excavation block depths based on confirmation analysis. Specifically, five-point composite samples 

were collected at the bottom of each excavation block and analyzed for the COCs established in the 

ROD. If the concentration of any constituent resulted in an exceedance of the 90% Upper Confidence 

Limit (UCL) average concentration for the Site, then additional soil was excavated and the deeper block 

bottom was again sampled. 
p

y 

During the RA, a total of 25, 114 cubic yards of soil was excavated. Of this amount, approximate! y 

21,375 cubic yards were sampled to assess for TCLP and subsequently transported off-site for disposal 

at Macland Disposal Center in Moss Point, Mississippi, a RCRA permitted non-hazardous waste facility, 

as no materials failed TCLP. The remaining soil that lacked visual signs for TLM and passed 

confirmation sampling was mixed together with clean fill brought in from off-site and was used in 

backfilling and regrading excavated areas of the Site. After regrading and seeding activities were 

completed, six monitoring wells were installed on-site and groundwater samples were collected on 

September 5, 2008, December 2008 and March 2009. Only a few minor exceedances of the ROD 

cleanup criteria were observed with the exception of Vernolate, which was detected in higher persistent 

concentrations in MW-16. It was determined that this well was installed near an area where soils 

containing unexpectedly high concentrations of Vernolate were removed during the soil excavation 

phase of the RA. In response to the 2008 and 2009 groundwater sampling, three monitoring wells were 

installed on adjacent property in early April 2009 to determine if contaminated groundwater had 

migrated off-site. No contamination was detected in these off-site monitoring wells during any sampling 

event. 

The June 14,2000 AROD delayed the implementation of the 1992 ROD requirement for groundwater 

extraction and treatment to allow for evaluation of the groundwater monitoring data that would be 

collected after the source removal action completion. During this evaluation, degradation rates for each 

of the groundwater contaminants of concern were determined along with a prediction of future decreases 

in contaminant. After this evaluation, it was determined that further groundwater remediation may not 

be required since it was anticipated that the groundwater cleanup levels would be achieved within a 

short time frame as a result of natural attenuation after the removal of the source material. From 

September 2009 to August 2012, groundwater samples were collected quarterly and exclusively from 

MW-16 and the three (3) off-site monitoring wells. In September 2012, the EPA agreed that the 

groundwater concentrations in these monitoring wells were below their respective ROD standards for all 

constituents and abandonment of the remaining monitoring wells for the Site was approved. The EPA 

approved the Final RA Report in September 2014. 

Redevelopment and Future Land Use 

No reuse planning for the Site property was executed since the Site owner is still determining the best 

use for the property. Since the Site obtained Unlimited Use and Unrestricted Exposure, there are no 

restrictions being placed on the planned future use of the Site, however, the surrounding properties are 

currently a mix of commercial and residential. 

III. MONITORING RESULTS 

Long-term, post-remediation groundwater monitoring was initiated after the completion of the RAin 
Total Organic Carbon, Methylene Chloride, Acetone, Carbon Disulfide, Chloroform, Bis(2-

ethylhexyl)phthalate, Vemolate, Lindane, Alpha-BHC, 4,4-DDT, Dieldrin and Aldrin. Only a few minor 

exceedances of the ROD cleanup criteria were observed with the exception ofVemolate in MW-16 as 

shown in Table 4 below. 

Table 4. 

0.19 JB 0.19 JB 

Acetone nd 2.9 J 1.8J 

0.83 

Chloroform nd 0.4 J .21 J 

nd 

0.0064 nd nd 

nd 0.13 J 
nd 0/0.0161 

Vernolate 190/150 110/120 D 

Acetone 

Carbon Disulfide 

Chloroform nd 0.181 

Lindane nd 0.00981 

10 

nd 1.3 1 

Carbon Disulfide nd 0.191 

0.161 

Acetone nd 2.9 1 

0.361 

Chloroform 0.171 

nd 

f------------' Exceedance of cleanup goal 

J = estimated result 

ND = non detect result 

nd 

120/100 

0.261 

nd 

10 

nd 

0.0651 

0.2 1 

2.5 1 

0.0781 

0.21 

nd 

During the March 2009 sampling event, it was determined by the EPA that the groundwater cleanup 

goals had been met for all COCs, with the exception of V ernolate. Due to the persistent exceedances of 

Vernolate in MW-16, three additional monitoring wells were installed off-site (MWOS-01, MWOS-02, 

and MWOS-03). Some members of the community expressed concern as a result of the proximity of 

MW -16 to the property line. All monitoring wells except MW -16 and the three off-site monitoring wells 

were abandoned in 2010. Monitoring continued on these three wells and on-site MW-16 for Vemolate 

until the groundwater cleanup level was achieved in MW-16, as shown in Table 5. No Vemolate was 

ever detected in the off-site monitoring wells. 
12/2/2010 67/62 

417/2011 28/31 

7/19/2011 7.2/6.8 

1111/2011 24/19 

2/6/2012 23/21 

5/3112012 0/0 

8/31/2012 010 

From September 2009 to August 2012, groundwater samples were collected quarterly from MW-16 and 

the three off-site monitoring wells. In September 2012, the EPA determined that the Vernolate 

concentrations in these monitoring wells was below the cleanup level specified in the ROD, and 

abandonment of the remaining monitoring wells for the Site was approved. 

IV. ATTAINMENT OF GROUNDWATER RESTORATION CLEANUP LEVELS 

Groundwater monitoring results after the source removal indicated that cleanup would be met quickly so 

that no additional response action would be necessary outside of MNA. Groundwater monitoring was 

discontinued in September 2012 once all wells had been recorded below COC cleanup goals as specified 

in the ROD. During the 2014 Five-Year Review (FYR), the EPA confirmed that the Site is a deletion 

candidate since the source removal and MNA groundwater remedy had been effective in achieving the 

cleanup goals established in the 1992 ROD, 2000 AROD and 2007 ESD for all monitoring wells. 

V. SUMMARY OF OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE REQillRED 

The ROD did not require a formal Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Plan for the Site. Site 

groundwater monitoring was administered by an approved groundwater monitoring plan, and cost were 

recorded for submittal by the PRP in each GWMR. There are no associated annual O&M costs, as the 

Site met the RAOs and cleanup goals set forth in the decision documents. 

VI. DEMONSTRATION OF CLEANUP ACTIVITY, QUALITY ASSURANCE AND 

QUALITY CONTROL 

The quality assurance/quality control (QNQC) requirements for this remedy were minimal given the 

chosen remedy of source removal and monitored natural attenuation and apply more specifically to 

source material removal criteria, disposal characterization, and soil and groundwater sample collection, 

handling and analysis. The QNQC requirements were included in the RA Work Plan, Quality 

Assurance Project Plan, and the Contract Documents. These work controlling documents were prepared 

in planning for the remedial actions, and are consistent with the 1992 ROD, subsequent 2000 AROD and 

subsequent 2007 ESD. Groundwater monitoring for natural attenuation continued until cleanup goals for 

groundwater were achieved in 2012. 
of remedial action at the Site to ensure that the remedy is protective of human hea

t

a

d t

environment. The policy FYR was conducted in 2014, and it concluded that the selected remedy at the 

Site is protective of human health and the environment because the surface soil, subsurface soil, 

sediment and groundwater at the Site met performance standards established in the 1992 ROD, 

subsequent 2000 AROD, and subsequent 2007 ESD. 

The policy requirement for the FYR has been met, and accordingly, the Site FYR requirement will be 

discontinued. Per the EPA's 2001 FYR Guidance, "Five-year reviews may no longer be needed when no 

hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants remain on-site above levels that allow for unlimited 

use or unrestricted exposure" (UUIUE). Since the Site is UUIUE and has met the requirements 

established by the ROD, it is not necessary to conduct another FYR. 

VIII. SITE COMPLETION CRITERIA 

The implemented remedy achieves the degree of cleanup and protection specified in the decision 

documents for the Site for all exposure pathways. The selected remedy at the Site is protective of human 

health and the environment because the surface soil, subsurface soil, sediment and groundwater at the 

Site met performance standards established in the ROD, AROD and the ESD. The Site does not require 

any institutional controls since the Site was remediated to residential standards to allow for UUIUE. All 

selected remedial and removal actions, RAOs and associated cleanup goals are consistent with the . 

EPA's policy and guidance; these actions, objectives and goals have all been achieved and, therefore, no 

further Superfund response is needed to protect human health and the environment. 

IX. BIBLIOGRAPHY 

EPA, 1992. 

EPA, 1998. 

EPA, 2000. 

NewFields, 2005. 

EPA, 2007. 

NewFields, 2007. 

Record of Decision. Redwing Carriers, Inc. (Saraland) NPL Site. 

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act 

Removal Action Report. Redwing Carriers, Inc. (Saraland) NPL Site. 

Amended Record of Decision. Red wing Carriers, Inc. (Saraland) NPL Site. 

Final Field Sampling and Analysis Plan Site Characterization for Redwing 

Carriers, Inc. (Saraland) Superfund Site. 

Explanation of Significant Difference. Redwing Carriers, Inc. (Saraland) NPL 

Site. 

Final Remedial Design Report for Redwing Carriers, Inc. (Saraland) Superfund 

Site. 
ranklin E. Hill, Director 

Superfund Division 

Date 
responsible party (PRP), which was developed in accordance with the December 1992 Record of 

Decision (ROD), June 2000 amended ROD (AROD) and the September 2007 Explanation of Significant 

Differences (ESD) for the Site. The EPA and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management 

(ADEM) conducted a final inspection on August 28, 2008. During this inspection, the EPA and ADEM 

determined that the Redwing Site PRP constructed the remedy in accordance with the RD plans and 

specifications. The PRP has completed remedial construction activities necessary to achieve 

performance standards and Site completion criteria. No further remedial action construction activities 

are anticipated at this Site. The EPA and ADEM have agreed that this inspection was sufficient for the 

purposes of this FCOR and have initiated the activities necessary to achieve site deletion. As such, this 

Site meets the Close Out Procedures for National Priorities List Sites (OSWER Directive 9320.2-22) 

closeout criteria as required for the Final Close Out Report and consideration for delisting are as 

follows: 

• All remedial decision documents have been completed. and the selected remedy is consistent 

with CERCLA. the NCP, and the EPA policy and guidance; 

• All response actions have been completed and appropriately documented in the site file; and 

• No institutional controls are required since the Site attained the cleanup goals for unrestricted 

use. as established in the ROD. AROD and ESD. 

II. SUMl\tiARY OF SITE CONDITIONS 

Background 

The Site is 5.1 acres in size and is located in the City of Saraland. Mobile County, Alabama. The Site is 

bounded to the east by U.S. Highway 43 and a skating rink. To the north, it is bounded by a United Gas 

Pipe Line easement and a mobile home community. to the south by a residential development. and to the 

west by an undeveloped lot. The Site was the former location of the Saraland Apartment Complex 

(Apartments) that has since been demolished to allow for the complete remediation of the Site. Figure La 

is a detailed area map. and Figure lb is a site vicinity map. 

CONCURRENCES: 

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D. Matory 

f,JM 7-&-16 

D. Lovern