Hercules, Inc. ran a pesticide production plant near Brunswick, Georgia from 1948 to 1980. Wastewater containing toxaphene flowed through an outfall ditch into Terry Creek, Dupree Creek, and the Back River system. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers periodically dredged contaminated sediment from those waterways and placed it in nearby spoil areas, creating multiple contaminated zones. EPA is handling the site under the Superfund Alternative Approach, which uses the same investigation and cleanup standards as National Priorities List sites. The site currently holds proposed NPL status.
Toxaphene is the one contaminant of concern identified by EPA at this site. It has been found in sediment, surface water, and fish tissue. EPA determined that toxaphene poses an unacceptable risk to human health and the environment, requiring cleanup action. EPA has assessed exposure pathways and determined that human exposure is currently under control across the site.
Cleanup has happened in stages. From 1999 to 2000, about 35,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment were removed from the outfall ditch and creek portions. EPA issued an interim cleanup plan in 2017 for the outfall ditch. That plan includes rerouting stormwater into a concrete-lined ditch, excavating impacted sediment, capping remaining contamination with geotextile fabric, backfilling with clean soil, and setting up long-term monitoring. Remedial construction began in January 2022. Completion dates cited in the source documents vary, with one section stating 2025 and another stating March 2026. An environmental covenant restricts land use and activities that could disturb the soil cover, and zoning restrictions prevent residential uses. Fish tissue sampling has been conducted every two years since 2005 and shows contaminant levels in fish have declined significantly. A fish consumption advisory still applies to parts of Dupree Creek and Terry Creek.
A five-year review is estimated to take place between December 2027 and February 2028. Two additional operable units are under investigation, but no cleanup decisions have been issued for them yet. The site has not yet achieved sitewide readiness for anticipated reuse.
Community members can get involved in several ways. EPA holds public meetings and issues public notices throughout the cleanup process. A community update meeting took place on May 20, 2025, in Brunswick. The Glynn Environmental Coalition holds a Technical Assistance Grant for the site to support community participation. Site records are available at the Brunswick Glynn County Library at 208 Gloucester Street. The EPA Community Involvement Coordinators and Remedial Project Manager assigned to the site can answer questions.
