Valley Forge Asbestos Release Site
The Valley Forge National Historical Park (Valley Forge) in Pennsylvania was the site of the 1777-78 winter encampment of the Continental Army under General George Washington. After a six month encampment, and successful training program, the previously tired, cold and ill-equipped army emerged and successfully engaged with the British army at the Battle of Monmouth in New Jersey.
Visitors to the Park can see restored and reconstructed structures and monuments and learn about Valley Forge. In addition to the historical significance of the Park, Valley Forge has 28 miles of trails, which allow visitors opportunities to view wildlife and learn about geology within the park.
Currently, the National Park Service (NPS) is addressing contamination related to activities that occurred within the Asbestos Release Site (Site). The Site occupies approximately 112 acres of the 3,466 acre park within the historically significant landscape known as the Grand Parade. Once contaminated soil associated with the Site is addressed the area will be re-opened for public use.
Main Panel Photo: The United States National Memorial Arch, located in Valley Forge National Historical Park is a monument built to celebrate the arrival of General George Washington and the Continental Army at Valley Forge.
Why is there asbestos contamination at Valley Forge?
In the early 1800s, areas formerly used during the 1777-78 encampment, including the Grand Parade, were quarried for dolomite. In the late 1800s, Ehret Magnesia Manufacturing Company began purchasing quarries in the area to acquire dolomite to use in the manufacturing of pipe insulation products. This process included combining dolomite quarried at Valley Forge with asbestos imported from Canada. In 1895, Ehret built their main manufacturing plant in the middle of the Grand Parade. Waste produced by Ehret’s manufacturing process included asbestos-containing slurry which was placed into the former quarries and released into a waste channel which eventually discharged to the adjacent Schuylkill River.
Baron von Steuben drilling Washington’s Army at Grand Parade, Valley Forge
Ehret Magnesia Manufacturing Company Factory that was operational from 1895 to 1968.
Main Panel Photo: Soldiers at Valley Forge 1777-1778 Winter Encampment.
Addressing Asbestos Contamination
The asbestos contaminated waste was buried and unknown to NPS until 1997 when it was uncovered during the excavation of a trench. To address the immediate risk to the public, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and NPS initiated an emergency response action.
After the immediate threat was addressed, NPS and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania began further investigations of the Site to identify where contamination was present and how to protect visitors, park workers, and the environment from future contact with the contamination. NPS found nine areas where asbestos and other contaminants were present and in need of cleanup.
Piles of asbestos waste located within the Grand Parade landscape of Valley Forge in area formerly used by Ehret Magnesia Manufacturing Company to produce asbestos-containing pipe insulation.
Main Panel Image: This map shows the Valley Forge Asbestos Release Site Areas of Concern.
Remedial Action
After evaluating possible cleanup alternatives, NPS determined a cleanup strategy which was described in the 2007 Record of Decision (ROD). Between 2013 and 2014, NPS implemented the cleanup strategy and removed asbestos-containing soil and sediments located within 2-feet of the ground surface. The removed soil was transported to an approved landfill for disposal. In 2014, samples collected at the completion of this work identified additional areas of contaminated soil. In 2016, after the areas requiring additional cleanup were delineated, NPS began the final phase of cleanup. The removal of contaminated soil during this final phase of cleanup was completed in fall 2017. All remediated areas were replanted with native vegetation. Once these plantings have sufficiently stabilized the entire Site will be re-opened to the public.
View of asbestos-containing waste uncovered during NPS remediation.
Main Panel Photo: View of tributary to Schuylkill River during NPS remediation showing gravel and rock placed in the tributary to stop contaminated sediments from migrating into Schuylkill River.
For More Information
For more information, please visit:
NPS Valley Forge Website https://www.nps.gov/vafo/index.htm
Valley Forge Cleanup Information https://www.nps.gov/vafo/learn/management/asbestos.htm
Main Panel Photo: Tributary to Schuylkill River following removal of asbestos-contaminated sediments and revegetation.
Central Hazardous Materials Fund
The Central Hazardous Materials Fund (CHF) is the U.S. Department of the Interior’s (Department) principal source of funds for the cleanup of the most highly contaminated sites located within national parks, national wildlife refuges, and other Department-managed lands. Since 1995, the Department has used the CHF to undergo Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) response actions at more than 70 sites and completed cleanup at 20 sites. Sites include abandoned hard rock mines and property transferred to or acquired by the Department that were contaminated by past industrial, military and other uses.
The CHF pursues potentially responsible parties for cost reimbursement or for them to perform work so that the Department can avoid paying for the cleanup costs. Between 1995-2017, the CHF has recovered and avoided over $582 million, which has allowed the program to support many more projects than if funded solely by the ~$217 million appropriations provided during the same time frame.
To learn about additional sites the CHF has funded, visit: https://www.doi.gov/oepc/central-hazardous-materials-fund-chf
The map to right showcases all of CHF's sites represented by their bureau's logo, as well as their associated regions with the Office of Environmental Policy (OEPC).
