The Woodlawn Landfill Site A Case Study in the Values and Methods of Ecological Revitalization

Our Environmental Mission: Continually Cleaner Operations Greener Products, Helping our Customers Improve their Environmental Performance Improving Our Communities by Helping Them Improve the Environment Communicating Openly and Honestly About Our Shared Environment TEAMS: Bridgestone’s Total Environmental Advanced Management System (in addition to ISO 14001)

New Beginnings- The Woodlawn Wildlife Area

Woodlawn Landfill Project History Typical landfill site 1950s - Sand and Gravel Quarry to Agricultural, Municipal, Industrial Waste Landfill Vinyl Chloride Detected in Groundwater – Listed as Superfund site 1992 –Investigation Completed –Remedy decision (ROD).

1993 Remedy Decision (ROD) Engineered “Waterproof” Cap Pump Groundwater, Treat and Discharge to Nearby Stream Perpetual Groundwater and Stream Monitoring Perpetual Cap Maintenance Projected Remedy Cost: >$23 Million

Project Goals for Woodlawn Landfill Prevent Exposure to Contaminated Groundwater Clean Groundwater to Potential Drinking Water Quality (defined by EPA) Prevent Ecological Degradation  Enhance Wildlife Habitat  Leave Community with Improvements, Rather than Degradation

Groundwater is Cleansing by Natural Attenuation Concentrations Declining Declines Due to Biological Destruction of Contaminants (Not Just Dilution)  Area of Contamination Declining  Exchange of Dissolved Gases (O 2 in, CO 2 & Methane Out) is Necessary Computer Modeling Demonstrated No Significant Future Risks

Bedrock Saprolite Landfill Sand/Gravel Dissolved Oxygen, Redox and Vinyl Chloride Distribution Dissolved Oxygen Redox Vinyl Chloride Manganese waste soil saprolite bedrock (gneiss)

Groundwater is Getting Cleaner; BUT: The former, “standard” cap design would reduce gas exchange, which microbes need to continue metabolizing (destroying) contaminants. SO: BSA offered 2 Designs – the former, “waterproof” cap, or natural vegetation with soils that would “breathe”. Wildlife Habitat Council recommendations were included to revitalize ecological value of land.

WHC Proposal for Woodlawn: Presented as Alternative Remedy

New Remedy Decision, September 1999 Vegetated soil cover instead of waterproof cap Monitored natural attenuation of ground water instead of pump- and-treat Long-term monitoring of groundwater and wildlife habitat instead of perpetual waterproof cap maintenance Groundwater restoration predicted within 12 years rather than 30+ Natural vegetation allowed instead of grass forever Wildlife Habitat improvements included in Design Total Projected Cost: $ <6 Million (15 yr.) Projected Savings $17 Million

Vinyl Chloride Concentrations and Extent Declining Rapidly through Natural Attenuation

Final, Sustainable Solution Vegetated cover, minimal impact Enhanced wildlife habitat on site (native wildflowers, shrubs, trees, grasses) Wetlands established at toe of slope Return to Nature: Natural succession of vegetation allowed to proceed Monitored Natural Attenuation will continue to clean up groundwater Community Benefits from Land Use Healing of the Scar on the Landscape MINIMUM IMPACT, MAXIMUM BENEFIT Vegetated cover, minimal impact Enhanced wildlife habitat on site (native wildflowers, shrubs, trees, grasses) Wetlands established at toe of slope Return to Nature: Natural succession of vegetation allowed to proceed Monitored Natural Attenuation will continue to clean up groundwater Community Benefits from Land Use Healing of the Scar on the Landscape MINIMUM IMPACT, MAXIMUM BENEFIT

Woodlawn’s Future 58 acres to be transferred to local conservation group with a conservation easement Environmental education opportunities Maintain area as high quality wildlife habitat

Lessons to Remember Communication Establish the facts necessary to instill confidence Make the case with conviction Communicate in non-scientist language Collaboration Multidisciplinary teamwork Scientific, engineering, legal, financial, etc. Invite the Community to participate Strategy Your goals and plans must be clear and concise Communication There is no substitute for effective writing There is no substitute for effective public engagement

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