EPA to Discuss Cleanup Plan for Contaminated Portsmouth Superfund Site

Public meeting scheduled to address radioactive and heavy metal pollution at former scrapyard.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 6:48pm

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A bold, abstract painting in muted earth tones and shades of gray, featuring sweeping geometric arcs, concentric circles, and precise botanical or physical spirals, conceptually representing the structural complexity and scale of the environmental challenges at the former Peck Iron and Metal Superfund site.The EPA's plan to remediate the former Peck Iron and Metal Superfund site aims to contain and isolate the complex web of radioactive and toxic contaminants that have accumulated over decades of industrial activity.Portsmouth Today

The Environmental Protection Agency is hosting a public meeting in Portsmouth, Virginia to discuss the remediation plan for the former Peck Iron and Metal scrapyard, which has been designated a Superfund site due to the discovery of radioactive materials and heavy metals like lead and arsenic. The 34-acre property was contaminated over decades of processing scrap metal from military, power, and rail sources before closing in 1999.

Why it matters

The Peck Iron and Metal site poses significant environmental and public health risks due to the presence of dangerous radioactive and toxic materials. Proper cleanup and containment of the contamination is critical to protect the surrounding community and Paradise Creek ecosystem from further pollution.

The details

The EPA's cleanup plan involves removing most of the hazardous waste for off-site disposal and treatment, while containing and capping the remaining contaminated soil, fill material, and wetland sediment to prevent the spread of pollutants. This process will require extensive excavation, surveying, and safety precautions after the discovery of potentially live munitions on the property during prior investigations.

  • The public meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 9, 2026 from 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
  • Cleanup efforts began in December 2023 with the clearing of trees and shrubs, followed by soil and fill sampling.
  • In January 2024, the EPA discovered potentially live munitions on the site, prompting the development of a safety plan.
  • The EPA plans to finalize a feasibility study outlining cleanup options by the winter of 2024.

The players

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The U.S. federal agency responsible for protecting human health and the environment, overseeing the cleanup of the Peck Iron and Metal Superfund site.

Peck Iron and Metal

The former scrapyard facility that operated in Portsmouth, Virginia until 1999, processing scrap metal from various industrial sources and leaving behind radioactive and toxic contamination.

Paradise Creek

The nearby waterway that has been impacted by the pollution from the Peck Iron and Metal site, requiring remediation efforts to protect the local ecosystem.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The federal agency that is working with the EPA to develop a safety plan for future disturbances on the site after the discovery of potentially live munitions.

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What’s next

The EPA plans to finalize a feasibility study outlining cleanup options and alternatives for the Peck Iron and Metal Superfund site by the winter of 2024, which will inform the next steps in the remediation process.

The takeaway

The contamination at the former Peck Iron and Metal scrapyard highlights the ongoing environmental challenges posed by legacy industrial sites, and the critical importance of thorough cleanup efforts to protect public health and local ecosystems. The public meeting provides an opportunity for the community to engage with the EPA's plans and ensure the site is remediated responsibly.