As part of the field characterization process at White Wing Scrap Yard at Oak Ridge, teams conduct radiological surveys to identify areas requiring excavation and cleanup. Image by United Cleanup Oak Ridge

OAK RIDGE, TN - The Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management (OREM) and contractor United Cleanup Oak Ridge (UCOR) have begun major field work to address an old scrapyard, a project that will remove risks and allow future industrial reuse on the land.

The site, called White Wing Scrap Yard, is adjacent to an announced multibillion-dollar uranium enrichment facility and near the East Tennessee Technology Park, where private industry has announced billions of dollars in capital investments that will generate an estimated 2,500 new jobs.

“Our environmental cleanup goal at White Wing is to reduce risk and clear land to support future reuse opportunities,” UCOR End State Delivery Director Clint Wolfley said. “We are seeing that more everyday with companies moving into the area.”

An aerial view of White Wing Scrap Yard. Crews have cleared trees from 20 of the 39 acres. Tree clearing is scheduled to be complete this summer. Image by United Cleanup Oak Ridge

UCOR crew members have completed characterizing the scrapyard site, and they are currently felling trees to support subsurface cleanup activities.

The scrapyard area contains various materials and scraps used from the 1940s through the 1960s. All three sites on the Oak Ridge Reservation used the area, including the former K-25 Site, Y-12 National Security Complex, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

“Characterization is an essential step to understand what we’re dealing with and what types of hazards we may encounter,” said OREM Project Manager Alex Schenk. “After collecting material for nearly thirty years, clearing this site poses many unique challenges, but we’re approaching it methodically to ensure safe and efficient cleanup of the site.”

Crews have completed early site preparation and field characterization to support the next phases of cleanup at White Wing Scrap Yard. Image by United Cleanup Oak Ridge

Field characterization provided crucial data needed before crews could mobilize and begin tree clearing. Work underway now paves the way for teams to evaluate and conduct cleanup actions at the site.

So far, UCOR has cleared 20 of the 39 acres, with tree clearing scheduled to be complete this summer.

“This is high-hazard work with lots of moving parts and pieces,” said Matt Putinas, UCOR area project manager for the scrapyard project. “But our team of workers, including laborers, operators, technical support, and project management, go above and beyond to safely execute our cleanup mission.”

Following tree felling, focus will shift to clearing debris and hazards so the land can be reused.