JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The long-anticipated cleanup of a manufacturing site in Jacksonville is finally underway, according to officials.
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On Wednesday, the Environmental Protection Agency, along with the Multistate Environmental Response, the group tasked with sanitizing the location, laid out its two-year plan to clean up the 31-acre site, which is located in the city’s Talleyrand neighborhood near the Jaxport Terminal.
For over 8 decades, the site was home to companies specializing in pesticide, fertilizer, and herbicide production and storage. When operations ceased in 1978, the Kerr-McGee company left behind contaminants in the soil, groundwater, and sediment, threatening public health and the quality of the nearby St. Johns River.
According to the Multistate Environmental Response, about 5 acres of the property are severely contaminated. During a virtual meeting, the group revealed plans to safely remove and contain pollutants without impacting surrounding areas.
Peter Cornais, the senior project manager, outlined the remediation process. Measures will include capping soil to prevent exposure, solidifying contaminated materials to protect groundwater, and constructing a steel bulkhead to isolate and contain sediment.
“We’ve developed a process to address soil, groundwater, and sediment contamination over time,” Cornais explained. “The soil will be capped to block rainwater infiltration and direct access to pollutants. Contaminated groundwater will be treated by solidifying materials to stop leaching. As for sediment, we’re building a sealed bulkhead to contain it and safely dredge contaminated material.”
As the project moves toward completion, officials said air quality will be monitored to ensure dust and pollutants do not escape into the atmosphere, particularly during windy conditions, and stressed the importance of this safeguard to protect nearby residents and the environment.
The Florida Department of Health advises caution for those fishing near the St. Johns River in this area. Contaminated fish pose health risks, and it’s essential to follow issued advisories.
The Multistate Trust said it plans to conduct additional community meetings in January to address public questions and provide updates on the project. This approach reflects years of planning aimed at transparency and minimizing disruptions to the neighborhood.
The cleanup marks a significant step toward resolving a long-standing environmental hazard in Jacksonville, and in the future, potentially transforming the site into a safe, usable space.