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EPA continues Licking River Bank Stabilization Project |
 The replacement of a culvert over nearby Shawnee Run provides safe access for future site construction and redevelopment activities. Photo courtesy of Ohio EPA. |
The finished work has paved the way for the city of Newark to further develop the 66-acre site for re-use and potentially attract new industry and jobs to the area. |
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Ohio EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announce the completion of several additional environmentally protective projects at the former Newark Processing facility (1367-1601 East Main Street, Newark, Licking County) where erosion and stockpiled aluminum dross waste had threatened the integrity of the Licking River for many years. The finished work has paved the way for the city of Newark to further develop the 66-acre site for re-use and potentially attract new industry and jobs to the area.
The primary riverbank stabilization was completed in July 2008 for less than $2.3 million, approximately 20 percent under the estimated budget. The $500,000 leftover paid for several additional projects, which were recently completed. These include the stabilization of an eroding bank along adjacent Shawnee Run; replacement of a culvert to provide safe access for future site construction and redevelopment activities; and installation of fencing to prevent trespassing and protect stabilization features (i.e. newly planted streamside grass, shrubs and trees).
“It is exciting to see the visible changes at this site, knowing that we have helped turn a serious environmental concern into a significant redevelopment opportunity,” said Ohio EPA Director Chris Korleski.
Over time, large amounts of aluminum dross (a byproduct of aluminum smelting) and other waste had washed from the former aluminum recycling facility into the Licking River. This prompted Ohio EPA to target the bank stabilization site as one of Ohio’s top priority projects after Newark Processing filed for bankruptcy. The Agency slated $2.8 million from the state’s Hazardous Waste Cleanup Fund for work to prevent further erosion of the dross at the river’s endangered north bank. USACE designed the bank stabilization features and provided project oversight. Last year, more than 18,000 tons of stone were placed along 1,600 feet of riverbank. Additionally, piles of dross were pushed back from the bank to better stabilize the site.
 In 1996, shortly before filing for bankruptcy, Newark Processing estimated
that approximately 175,000 tons of aluminum dross and 374,000 tons of dross
fines sludge remained at the Licking County site. The dross (classified as a
solid, not hazardous, waste) was deposited over about 20 acres and extended as
much as 20 feet below the surface. Ohio EPA estimates that tens of thousands of
square feet of the dross has eroded into the Licking River. Aerial photo courtesy of Ohio EPA.
As of December 8, additional work will be done at the site. The city of Newark recently received $2 million from the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund to conduct further remediation and demolition activities at the former Newark Processing site. The city plans to use most of the money to grade and cap piles of aluminum dross. The dross consists of aluminum, aluminum oxides, ammonia, free metals and salts. The dross on site is classified as a solid waste, not a hazardous waste.
State law requires Newark to receive an authorization from Ohio EPA before certain work (i.e. grading and capping) can commence at a solid waste facility. Ohio EPA issued this authorization to Newark last month.
Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:55:00
From the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
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