Article date: August 14, 2001

By: Mary Jordan

Cleanup of the Avtex Superfund Site has progressed with the recent start of the Basin Closure Project.

The Basin Closure Project, expected to be complete in 2003, is the first step in giving back to the community, said site manager Doug Bement.

"It’s the beginning of the end," said construction manager Mike Steiner. "Part of their community is coming back to them."

The project consists of the cleanup of sulfate, fly ash, and wastewater basins at the northern end of the site along the Shenandoah River, Steiner said. That area will become part of the Conservancy Park upon completion of the redevelopment project, which is expected in 2007.

The Basin Closure Project area — which consists of about 36 acres— will become wetlands and multi-use trails for walking and biking. Steiner said the area will be able to be used by community residents while cleanup continues on other parts of the site.

A fence will be placed around the area to divide the completed portion from the areas of unfinished cleanup, Steiner said.

Richard Kuhn, public affairs specialist for the Superfund community involvement section of the Environmental Protection Agency, said the fly ash basins in that area only pose a threat if they become eroded by wind or rain.

To deter this from happening, they will be covered with a liner to prevent water from getting into the material. The liner will then be covered with two feet of soil, Kuhn said.

However, Kuhn said there will be ongoing maintenance in the area, including monitoring the ground water, basins and soil.

"Throughout all of this, we need to continue to manage storm water and the wastewater treatment plant while we’re closing out the basins," Kuhn said.

Front Royal residents will also be able to see progress through the Skyline Demolition Project, which is scheduled to start after Labor Day, said Front Royal Warren County Economic Development Authority Executive Director Stephen A. Heavener.

The demolition will include knocking down two 2-million gallon oil storage tanks, five 10,000 to 15,000 gallon water tanks a single elevated water tank, a coal storage shed, a baghouse stack, and power house stacks.

The buildings being demolished can be seen from Kendrick Lane and residents will be able to clearly see the vacant land after the demolition.

"This is a major change in the skyline of Avtex since 1930," Heavener has said. "I’m very excited about the fact that the skyline of Front Royal will be changed dramatically with this pending demolition work."