FMC East Plant Site Remediation Manager Jim Bodamer joined other distinguished speakers at a conference held in Clarksburg, WV to discuss Keys to Success at the former FMC East Plant brownfields remediation and redevelopment site in South Charleston, WV. The conference, which was held on September 17 – 18, 2002 was sponsored by the National Association of Local Government Environmental Professionals and the Northeast Midwest Institute. The goals of the conference were to familiarize attendees with WV's Voluntary Remediation and Redevelopment Act and to promote brownfields cleanups by demonstrating successful sites. FMC's former East Plant was among the success stories.
Jim's presentation highlighted several elements, when combined, worked to provide a good outcome. He was particularly complimentary of the role that the WV Division of Environmental Protection played and, particularly, David Hight (WVDEP's Project Manager). Said Bodamer, “David helped us identify solutions when unexpected issues arose and he became an important part of the team. He became our advocate within the agency.” Noted Deanna Stone of the National Institute for Chemical Studies, “This important law makes it possible for agencies to shed the adversarial role in remediation efforts and take on an unprecedented spirit of cooperation. We're all in this together.”
The ‘brownfields' rule is expected to be an economic boon to the state. Bodamer agrees, “Our site has several acres of flat land, loaded with infrastructure, with immediate interstate, rail and river access. It just doesn't make sense to build new industrial sites on undisturbed green fields when property just like this can be re-used – usually at a significant environmental and financial savings.”
Click here to view Jim Bodamer's presentation
_______________________________________________________________________________
Workers are preparing to depart from West Virginia within the next few weeks as work on the former East Plant site comes to a conclusion. The original project scope was to clear land for the Joe Holland Chevrolet and Imports Parts and Service Center and for Holzer Medical Clinic's new facilities but was expanded to also include the property that borders MacCorkle Avenue.
“We're especially proud that our team of remediation specialists were able to complete the job without a lost time injury,” said FMC Project Remediation Director Jim Bodamer. The Shaw Environment and Infrastructure (formerly the IT Group) site operators completed nearly 25,000 safe work hours since they began work in November, 2001.
“These guys have been giving it all they've got six days a week – often for 10 or more hours each day – without much of a break,” said Shaw's Barry Weaver. “We would never have been able to achieve this milestone if safety wasn't our first and foremost consideration,” added FMC Site Manager Bob Smering. “We planned to be safe.”
Work along D Street, including the installation of a new storm sewer system for the City of South Charleston, concluded at the end of June and the property was ceremonially turned over to the new “residents” (Joe Holland) in a groundbreaking ceremony on June 21. [See photos in the Progress section.] Building construction began shortly thereafter and should be completed in spring, 2003. The Holzer Medical expansion will occur on the East Plant property just behind the existing facility. A building construction schedule has not yet been set.
When asked about how anxious Shaw workers might be to return to their respective homes, Barry thoughtfully responded: “West Virginia has been our home for the last nine months. We're moving on to the next project but this has become someplace special to each of us.”
