United States of America v. North Georgia Electric Membership Corporation, et al, No. 5:2016cv00820 - Document 10 (E.D.N.C. 2016)

Court Description: CONSENT DECREE AND FINAL JUDGMENT - Signed by District Judge Louise Wood Flanagan on 11/22/2016. (Attachments: # 1 Appendices A through G) (Baker, C.)

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United States of America v. North Georgia Electric Membership Corporation, et al Doc. 10 Att. 1 Appendix A Sales-Only Cashout Settling Defendants Dockets.Justia.com APPENDIX A SALES-ONLY CASHOUT SETTLING DEFENDANTS NAME 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 AMOUNT 3M Company Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc., formerly named Gencorp, Inc. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. Alcoa Inc. American Biltrite Inc. Appalachian Power Company Arkema Inc. Augusta State University n/k/a Augusta University Barnes and Powell Electrical Company Bedford Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. Bedford, Town of Blackstone, Town of VA Brazos Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. Buist Electric Caterpillar Inc. CGX Energy, LLC (f/k/a Cogentrix Energy, LLC, f/k/a Cogentrix Energy, Inc.) Cohen & Green Salvage Company, Inc. Conopco, Inc. f/k/a Unilever Corning Incorporated, formerly known as Corning Glass Works City of Dover Duquesne Light Company East Central Regional Hospital, Augusta, Ga. East Kentucky Power Cooperative Entergy Arkansas, Inc., formerly known as Arkansas Power and Light, Inc. Environmental Protection Services, Inc. Firelands Electric Cooperative, Inc. Florida Power & Light Company/NextEra FluiDyne Engineering Corp. dba Phoenix Solutions Co. G&S Motor Equipment Co., Inc. General Extrusions, Inc. GGP-TRC, LLC, f/k/a The Rouse Company, LLC Green Mountain Power, Inc. Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative, Inc. H&K Group, Inc. f/k/a/ Haines & Kibblehouse Hancock Wood Electric Cooperative, Inc. The Hershey Company The Hillshire Brands Company, f/k/a Sara Lee Corporation, including all present and former subsidiaries and affiliates thereof Holladay Property Services Midwest, Inc. A-1 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 † $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 ($70,000) * $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 ($70,000) * $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 Huntsville Utilities Jet Electric Motor Company, Inc. Kelly Electric Kingsport Power Company Kraft Heinz Foods Company, for itself and on behalf of Mondel z Global LLC Lewis Electric Supply Co., Inc. Mass. Electric Construction Co. MidAmerican Energy Company Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation dba National Grid Occidental Chemical Corporation Phillips 66 Company as successor to ConocoPhillips Company PPL Electric Utilities Corporation Royal Street Junk Company, Inc. Rubbermaid Inc./Newell Brands Inc. (f/k/a Newell Rubbermaid Inc.) The City of San Antonio, acting by and through City Public Service Board (a/k/a CPS Energy) Santee Electric Cooperative, Inc. South Carolina Public Service Authority (Santee Cooper) South Central Power Company Sumter Electric Cooperative, Inc. Sunbelt Transformer, LTD. Timken US LLC Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania United States Steel Corporation Unitil Energy Systems, Inc. Villanova University Virginia Electric & Power Company Warren Electric Cooperative, Inc. Wartburg College TOTAL $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $10,000 $510,000 * Net amount due or refund owed, accounting for prior $80,000 contribution to OU-1 costs under UAO † To be paid as initial payment of $2,500 and subsequent monthly payments of $2,500 and $5,000 A-2 Appendix B Cashout Settling Defendants APPENDIX B CASHOUT SETTLING DEFENDANTS NAME 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 AMOUNT Alcan Primary Products Corporation Carlisle Construction Materials, LLC, f/k/a Carlisle SynTec Incorporated CHRISTUS Health Northern Louisiana DACCO, Incorporated Duke Energy Progress, LLC f/k/a Carolina Power & Light Company d/b/a Progress Energy Carolinas East Penn Manufacturing Co. Emma L. Bixby Medical Center Erachem Comilog, Inc. IES Commercial, Inc. Imerys Carbonates USA, Inc. J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital Koch Industries LaCrosse Footwear, Inc. Parker Hannifin Corporation Peace College, k/n/a William Peace University Riley Power Inc. Robert Bosch LLC Southern Alloy Corporation Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, Inc. Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC Tredegar Film Products Corporation Woodstream Corporation $15,000 $15,000 $15,000 $15,000 TOTAL $165,000 $15,000 $15,000 ($65,000) * $15,000 $15,000 $15,000 $15,000 $15,000 $15,000 $15,000 $15,000 $15,000 $15,000 $15,000 $15,000 $15,000 $15,000 $400,000 * Net amount due or refund owed, accounting for prior $80,000 contribution to OU-1 costs under UAO B-1 Appendix C Settling Repair Defendants APPENDIX C SETTLING REPAIR DEFENDANTS NAME 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 53 54 55 56 ALLOCATION TOTAL FOR ANY CONTRIBUTION FUTURE OU-1 COSTS (%) INITIAL NET CONTRIBUTION Akers National Roll Company (named as National Roll) BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair Inc. Baltimore Gas & Electric Company BASF Corporation Bayer CropScience, Inc. Cape Hatteras Electric Membership Corporation Cargill, Incorporated Carr & Duff, Inc., for itself and on behalf of Ed Duff Cemex Construction Materials Florida, LLC Chemical Products Corporation Chevron Mining Inc. Cleveland Electric Company Continental Grain Company Cooper Power Systems, n/k/a Eaton Corporation Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Delaware Electric Cooperative, Inc. Donovan Spring Company, Inc. and Donovan Equipment Company, Inc., formerly known as Donovan Spring & Equipment Co., Inc., Donovan Spring & Equipment Co. of N.H., Inc. and Gasification Specialties, Inc. Dravo Corp. E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company Endicott Clay Products Company ExxonMobil Oil Corporation Fabri-Kal Corporation FMC Corporation Four County Electric Membership Corporation Frontier Communications Corporation Furman University General Electric Company (named as RCA, n/k/a General Electric Company) Georgia-Pacific LLC GrafTech International Holdings Inc., formerly known as UCAR Carbon Company Inc. Grand Haven Board of Light and Power Green Circle Growers, Inc. Greenwood Mills, Inc. Guam Power Authority Harsco Corp., f/k/a Multiserve North America f/k/a Heckett Haynes International, Inc. Hercules Incorporated Honeywell Hudson Light and Power Department Huntington Ingalls Inc., f/k/a Northrup Grumman Shipbuilding, Inc. Imerys Fused Minerals Greeneville, Inc. International Paper Company Intertape Polymer Group, Inc. Jessop Steel, LLC Lafarge Mid-Atlantic, LLC Town of Louisburg Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. Mid-Valley Pipeline Company Mittal Steel USA-Lancashire Coal Inc. City of Monroe The National Lime and Stone Company National Railroad Passenger Corporation (“Amtrak”) New Hampshire Insurance Company Norfolk Southern Railway Company North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services a/k/a North Carolina State Fair North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services C-1 ($44,500) * $48,000 $36,000 $36,000 $66,000 $90,000 $48,000 ($14,500) * $48,000 $78,000 $36,000 $48,000 $36,000 $60,000 $60,000 $102,000 $48,000 $48,000 $36,000 $36,000 $66,000 $90,000 $48,000 $78,000 $48,000 $78,000 $36,000 $48,000 $36,000 $60,000 $60,000 $102,000 0.96386 0.96386 0.72289 0.72289 1.32530 1.80723 0.96386 1.56627 0.96386 1.56627 0.72289 0.96386 0.72289 1.20482 1.20482 2.04819 $36,000 $36,000 0.72289 $60,000 $60,000 $60,000 $48,000 $66,000 $48,000 ($14,500) $60,000 $66,000 ($56,500) $66,000 $66,000 $36,000 $48,000 $36,000 $36,000 $48,000 $36,000 $48,000 $66,000 $48,000 $36,000 ($14,500) $90,000 $48,000 $48,000 $48,000 $66,000 $102,000 $60,000 $48,000 $66,000 $60,000 $66,000 $48,000 $48,000 $60,000 $60,000 $60,000 $48,000 $66,000 $48,000 $78,000 $60,000 $66,000 $36,000 $66,000 $66,000 $36,000 $48,000 $36,000 $36,000 $48,000 $36,000 $48,000 $66,000 $48,000 $36,000 $78,000 $90,000 $48,000 $48,000 $48,000 $66,000 $102,000 $60,000 $48,000 $66,000 $60,000 $66,000 $48,000 $48,000 1.20482 1.20482 1.20482 0.96386 1.32530 0.96386 1.56627 1.20482 1.32530 0.72289 1.32530 1.32530 0.72289 0.96386 0.72289 0.72289 0.96386 0.72289 0.96386 1.32530 0.96386 0.72289 1.56627 1.80723 0.96386 0.96386 0.96386 1.32530 2.04819 1.20482 0.96386 1.32530 1.20482 1.32530 0.96386 0.96386 $102,000 $102,000 2.04819 $90,000 $90,000 1.80723 * * † * 57 The North Carolina Granite Corporation North Carolina State University 58 North Georgia Electric Membership Corporation 59 Novartis Corporation 60 Nucor Corporation 61 Orbital ATK, Inc. f/k/a Alliant Techsystems, Inc. (ATK Launch Systems Inc.) 62 Owen Electric Steel Company of South Carolina 63 Palmetto Electric Cooperative, Inc. 64 City of Philadelphia 65 City of Radford, Virginia 66 Residual Enterprises Corporation, f/d/b/a CSX Residual Company 67 Roanoke Electric Steel Corporation 68 Rutherford Electric Membership Corporation 69 Seabrook Enterprises, Inc. 70 Shieldalloy Metallurgical Corporation 71 Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative, Inc. 72 Town of Tarboro 73 Trap Rock Industries, Inc. 74 Trinity Industries, Inc. 75 Union Carbide Corporation 76 United States Pipe and Foundry Company, LLC 77 The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 78 Veolia Environmental Services North America LLC for itself and as otherwise indicated on the signature block 79 Vulcan Construction Materials, LLC 80 Weyerhaeuser Company 81 City of Winston-Salem * Net amount due or refund owed, accounting for prior $92,500 contribution to OU-1 costs under UAO. † To be paid as initial payment of $9,000 and three subsequent quarterly installments of $9,000 C-2 $48,000 $60,000 $111,500 $48,000 $60,000 $78,000 ($32,500) $48,000 $66,000 $36,000 $60,000 $66,000 $66,000 $48,000 $60,000 ($32,500) $48,000 $48,000 $48,000 ($2,500) $48,000 $87,500 $48,000 $60,000 $204,000 $48,000 $60,000 $78,000 $60,000 $48,000 $66,000 $36,000 $60,000 $66,000 $66,000 $48,000 $60,000 $60,000 $48,000 $48,000 $48,000 $90,000 $48,000 $180,000 0.96386 1.20482 4.09639 0.96386 1.20482 1.56627 1.20482 0.96386 1.32530 0.72289 1.20482 1.32530 1.32530 0.96386 1.20482 1.20482 0.96386 0.96386 0.96386 1.80723 0.96386 3.61446 $66,000 $66,000 1.32530 $78,000 $66,000 $66,000 $4,055,000 $78,000 $66,000 $66,000 $4,980,000 1.56627 1.32530 1.32530 100.00000 * * * * * Appendix D UAO Parties Appendix D UAO Parties 1. City of Dover 2. Environmental Protection Services, Inc. 3. Four County Electric Membership Corporation 4. Akers National Roll Company (named as National Roll) 5. North Georgia Electric Membership Corporation 6. Owen Electric Steel Company of South Carolina 7. Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative, Inc. 8. Imerys Fused Minerals Greeneville, Inc. (f/k/a Tennessee Electro Minerals, Inc.) 9. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 10. Union Carbide Corporation 11. General Electric Company 12. Erachem Comilog, Inc. 13. Carr & Duff, Inc. 14. G&S Motor Equipment Co., Inc. 15. Virginia Electric and Power Company Appendix E Site Map Operable Unit 2 § ¦ ¨ 540 Reach B 70 £ ¤ Reach C Reach D § ¦ ¨ 540 Brier Creek Reservoir Wil _ ^ Lower Brier Creek Lower Crabtree Creek Lake Crabtree § ¦ ¨ 40 µ The Ward Transformer Site is located near the Raleigh Durham International Airport (RDU) in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina in a predominantly industrial area. Reach B Lower Brier Creek Reach D Approximate Boundary - Operable Unit 2 Site Map Lower Crabtree Creek Reach C August 6, 2013 Ward Transformer 0 500 1,000 2,000 Feet Raleigh, NC Appendix E Appendix F OU1 Record of Decision o APPENDIX F RECORD OF DECISION WARD TRANSFORMER SUPERFUND SITE Operable Unit 1 Raleigh, Wake County North Carolina ^CS^OST^, X«o^ U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION 4 ATLANTA, GEORGIA September 2008 ^ 10600878 TABLE O F CONTENTS Section Page DECLARATION FOR THE RECORD O F DECISION i DECISION SUMMARY 1 LO SITE NAME, LOCA TION, AND DESCRIPTION I 2.0 SITE HISTORY I 3.0 COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION 3 4.0 SCOPE AND ROLE O F OPERABLE UNIT I (OUl) 4 5.0 SITE CHARACTERISTICS 5 5.1 Site Settings 5 5.2 Climate 5 5.3 Local Soils 5 5.4 Surface Water 6 6.0 NATURE AND EXTENT O F CONTAMINATION 10 6.1 Main Source of PCB Contamination 6.2 Groundwater 11 6.3 Surface Water 6.3.1 Surface Water Investigation 6.3.2 Surface Water - Results Sununary 6.4 Sediment and Stream Banks 6.4.1 Sampling 6.4.2 Sediment and Stream Banks - Results Summary 12 12 12 12 13 14 6.5 Floodplain Soil 6.5.1 Sampling 6.5.2 Floodplain Soil - Results Sunimary 15 15 15 6.6 Crayfish and Fish Tissue 6.6.1 Sampling • . ; , Crayfish and Fish Tissue - Results Summary 6.6.2 V^^ 10 16 16 19 19 7.0 21 8.0 W CURRENT AND POTENTIAL FUTURE LAND AND RESOURCE USES SUMMARY O F SITE RISKS 22 8.1 Baseline Human Health Risk Assessment (BHHRA) 8.1.1 Identification of Chemical of Concern (COC) 8.1.2 Exposure Assessment ; 8.1.3 Toxicity Assessment 8.1.4 Risk Characterization ] 8.2 Baseline Ecological Risk Assessment (BERA) 8.2.1 Objectives '. ; 23 23 27 29 32 35 35 TABLE OF CONTENTS N^ajj^/ Section Page 8.2.2 8.2.3 8.2.4 8.2.5 8.2.6 8.2.7 8.2.8 9.0 Problem Formulation Conceptual Exposure Model Assessment Endpoints Identification of Target Receptors Development of Exposure Point Concentrations Estimation of Potential Risks Conclusion Summarv 35 35 36 36 _38 40 45 REMEDIAL ACTION OBIECTIVES . 45 9.1 Remediation Goals 46 10.0 DESCRIPTION O F ALTERNATIVES . 48 11.0 COMPARA TIVE ANALYSIS O F ALTERNA TIVES _ . 53 12.0 PRINCIPAL THREAT WASTE 60 13.0 SELECTED REMEDY 60 13.1 Remedy Description 60 13.2 Summarv of the Rationale for the Selected Remedy W _63 13.3 Summarv of the Estimated Remedv Costs _64 13.4 Expected Outcomes of the Selected Remedv _64 14.0 STATUTATORY DETERMINATIONS . 68 14.1 Protection of Human Health and the Environment _68 14.2 Compliance with Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements (ARARs) _68 68 14.3 Cost Effectiveness 14.4 Utilization of Permanent Solutions and Alternative Treatment Technologies or Resource _75 Recoverv Technologies to the Maximum Extent Practicable _75 14.5 Preference for Treatment as a Principal 75 14.6 Five Year Review Requirements 15.0 DOCUMENTATION O F SIGNIFICANT CHANGES . 75 FIGURES APPENDIX A RISK ASSESSMENT TABLES APPENDIXB .STA TF CONCURRENCE LETTER APPENDIX C RESPONSIVENESS SUMMARY APPENDIX D DECLARATION FOR THE RECORD OF DECISION FOR THE WARD TRANSFORMER SUPERFUND SITE SITE NAME AND LOCATION Ward Transformer Superfund Site, Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina Site Identification Number - NCD 003 202 603 STATEMENT OF BASIS AND PURPOSE This decision document presents the Selected Remedy for the Ward Transformer Superfund Site (Site), Operable Unit 1 in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, which was chosen in accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986 and, to the extent practicable, the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). This decision is based on the Administrative Record fiie for this Site. The State of North Carolina concurs with the Selected Remedy. K^J ASSESSMENT OF THE SITE The response action selected in this Record of Decision (ROD) for Operable Unit 1 (OUl) is necessary lo protect the public health or welfare, or the environment from actual or threatened releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants from this Site which may present an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health or welfare, or the environment. DESCRIPTION OF THE SELECTED REMEDY The Selected Remedy is: Excavation and Off-Site Disposal of sediments and flood plain soil from Reaches B, C, and D, and Lower Brier Creek; Monitored Natural Recovery (MNR) in Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree, and Lower Crabtree Creek; and Institutional Controls. The Selected Remedy includes: • • • • • • \^;^&^ Continue or enhance existing North Carolina fish consumption advisories and signs. Implement educational and community outreach programs. Conduct pre-excavation sampling of sediment and floodplain soil. Conduct a pre-excavation endangered mussel evaluation study. Excavate sediment/soil from Reaches B, C, D, and lower Brier Creek, and transport sediment/soil off-site for appropriate disposal. Restore site and stream to pre-remediation conditions. Implement Monitor Natural Recovery (MNR) in Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree and Lower Crabtree Creek. Conduct periodic monitoring of sediment and aquatic biota. Implement Institutional Controls. Conduct Five-year reviews. STATUTORY DETERMINATIONS The Selected Remedy is protective of human health and the environment, complies with Federal and State requirements that are applicable or relevant and appropriate to the remedial action, is cost-effective, and utilizes permanent solutions and altemative treatment technologies to the maximum extent practicable. The remedy selected for this operable unit does not satisfy the statutory preference for treatment as a principal element of the remedy because of the relatively low PCB levels in areas requiring excavation and because the remedy relies on naturally occurring processes to reduce toxicity, mobility, or volume of the contaminants in other areas, hi addition, the principal threat waste at the Site is being addressed through a separate time critical removal action using thermal desorption treatment. N^^ This remedy will not result in hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants remaining onsite above levels that allow for unlimited use and unrestricted exposure, however, since it may take more than five years to attain levels that allow for unlimited use and unrestricted exposure a policy review will be conducted within five years of construction completion for the Site to ensure that the Selected Remedy is, protective of human health and the environment. ROD DATA CERTIFICATION CHECKLIST 1 2 Baseline Risk Represented by the Chemicals of Concem 3 Cleanup Levels Established for Chemicals of Concem and the Basis for the Levels Section 9.1 4 Current and Future Land and Groundwater Use Assumptions Used in the Baseline Risk Assessment and the Record of Decision Section 7.0 5 Land Use that Will be Available at the Site as a Result of the Selected Remedy Section 13 6 v ^ Chemicals of Concem and Their Respective Concentrations Estimated Capital, Operalion and Maintenance, and Tolal Present Worth Costs; Discount Rate; and the Number of Years Over Which the Remedy Cost Estimates are Projected Section 13 Section 8.1.1 Seclion 8.1.4.1 Decisive Factors that Led lo Selecting the Remedy Sections 11 & 13 AUTHORIZING SIGNATURE This Record of Decision documents the Selected Remedy for Operable Unil 1 at the Ward Transformer Superfund Site. This remedy was selected by the Environmental Protection Agency with concurrence of North Carolina Department of Environmenl and Natural Resources. Date -ranklin E. Hill, Director , Superfund Division ni o DECISION SUMMARY FOR THE RECORD OF DECISION WARD TRANSFORMER SUPERFUND SITE Operable Unit 1 Raleigh, Wake County North Carolina o ^x^^^^'% ^LPK3^ U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION 4 ATLANTA, GEORGIA September 2008 ^Vi^ RECORD OF DECISION FOR THE WARD TRANSFORMER SUPERFUND SITE DECISION SUMMARY 1.0 SITE NAME, LOCATION, AND DESCRIPTION The Ward Transformer Superfund Sile (NCD 003 202 603) is located along Mount Herman Road, in a predominantly induslrial area of northwestem Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina. The Ward Transformer facility was built on approximately 11 acres of previously undeveloped land in 1964. As pan of its operations, the Ward Transformer facilily built, repaired, sold, and reconditioned transformers, switchgear, and olher similar types of electrical equipment at the Site until 2006. An EPA-lead phased remedial investigation was conducted from April 2003 to April 2007. As part of the investigation, soil, sediment, surface water, groundwater, and fish samples were collected. The investigation included the facilily properly and surrounding properties, together with more than 30 miles of waterways including unnamed tributaries lo Litlle Brier Creek (Reach A, B and C), Little Brier Creek (Reach D), Brier Creek Reservoir, Brier Creek, Lake Crabtree and cenain tributaries, Crabtree Creek and cenain tributaries, and a 0.5 mile segment ofthe Neuse River (Figure 1). In September 2005, EPA signed an Administrative Settlement Agreemeni and Order on Conseni wilh a group of potentially responsible panics (PRPs) to implement a lime critical removal action. The removal action is underway and includes contaminated soil/sedimenl removal al the Ward Transformer facility and some immediate surrounding areas, including Reach A. Operable Unit 1, the subject of this ROD includes Reaches B, C, and D; Brier Creek Reservoir; Brier Creek; Lake Crabtree; and Crabtree Creek. These areas are all downgradient from Reach A and the Ward Transformer facilily. The USEPA has the enforcement lead at the Site, with support from the North Carolina Department of Environmenl and Natural Resources (NC DENR). The USEPA plans to negotiate a Consent Decree wiih responsible parties lo conduct and pay for the implementation of the remedy described in this ROD. 2.0 SITE HISTORY W The Ward Transformer facility is owned by Ward Transformer Company, Inc., and operated by Ward Transfonner Sales and Service, Inc. (collectively "Ward") and was built on approximately 11 acres of previously undeveloped land in 1964. As pan of its operations. Ward built, repaired, sold, and reconditioned transformers, switchgear, and other similar types of electrical equipment at the Site until 2006. As a resull of Ward's operations, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were released into the environment. 1 The Ward Transformer Superfund Site was proposed for the National Priority List (NPL) on September 5, 2002, and was finalized on the NPL on April 30, 2003. EPA conducted a phased remedial investigation from April 2003 lo April 2007. As pan of the investigation, soil, sediment, surface water, groundwater, and fish samples were collected. The investigation covered the facility property and surrounding properties, together with more than 30 miles of waterways including unnamed tributaries to Litlle Brier Creek (Reach A, B and C), Little Brier Creek (Reach D), Brier Creek Reservoir, Brier Creek, Lake Crabtree and some tributaries, Crabtree Creek and some tributaries, and a 0.5 mile segment of the Neuse River (Figure 1). As part of its investigation of the Site, EPA has conducted numerous enforcement-related activities including: • • ^ On July 3, 2002, EPA sent Ward Transformer Company, Inc., an Information Request Letter pursuant to Seclion 104 of CERCLA seeking information as part of its investigation of the Sile. On Augusi 29, 2002, EPA sent Ward Transformer Company, Inc, a General Notice Letter notifying Ward of its potential liability for the release or threatened release of hazardous substances at the Site. In November 2003 and February 2004, EPA sent several hundred companies Information Request Letters based on information received from Ward that the companies may have conducted business with, or sent hazardous materials to, the Site. On September 14, 2004, EPA prepared and signed an Action Memorandum supporting EPA's decision to implement a time-critical removal at the Site. On October 20, 2004, EPA sent Notice/Demand letters and draft Administrative Orders on Consent (AOCs) to 43 Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs) notifying them of their potential liability, and providing them 60 days in which to enter into an agreement to conduct or finance a time-critical removal action at the Site, pursuant to the Action Memorandum, and to reimburse EPA for its costs incurred to date. On November 8, 2004, EPA sent a fifth owner/operator PRP a Notice/Demand letter and draft AOCs. The PRPs included 39 top-volume generator PRPs as well as four owner/operator PRPs. On December 22, 2004, the negotiation period officially ended. EPA was unable to reach a settlement agreement with the PRPs for the performance ofa time-critical removal action and the reimbursement of EPA's costs. Between February 2005 and September 2005, EPA negotiated with a group of owner/operator PRPs and generator PRPs for the performance of a time-critical removal action at the Site and the reimbursement of EPA's costs. W^ v^ On September 16, 2005, EPA entered into a DOJ-approved Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent (Settlement Agreement) with nine PRPs for the performance of a time-critical removal action at the Ward Transformer facility and some immediately surrounding areas and the reimbursement of $725,440.83 in past response costs. On April 21, 2006, EPA was notified that Ward had made a decision to permanently discontinue the manufacture, repair or inventory storage of all oil-filled transformers at the Ward Transformer facility or the adjacent warehouse property. On June 2006, the PRPs' contractor mobilized to the Site to begin implementation ofthe time-critical removal action. The removal action is underway and includes contaminated soil/sediment removal from the Ward Transformer facility and some immediate surrounding areas, including Reach A followed by treatment and off-site disposal, as appropriate. 3.0 V ^ COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION The Ward Transformer Superfund Site was included on the National Priorities List (NPL) or Superfund list in April 2003. Since 2003, EPA has conducted extensive community relations activities to inform and involve the community about Site activities. Community relations activities conducted include mailing information fact sheets and e-mails, press releases, availability sessions, sampling plan development meeting, presentations, and public meetings. Table 1 presents a summary of community meetings conducted in Raleigh, North Carolina. Table 1 - Community Participation ^EVENT-.:;:'- v'•'••^-i'-••^^:-U--^'^ '1'•• "•': '.-•'J&l'-^yy^^^ Remedial Investigation (RI) " K i c k - o f f Public meeting Rl findings meeting Task Force Presentation Sampling Plan Development meeting Public Availability Session Public Meeting Public Availability Session Proposed Plan Public Meeting for O U l :•:;:'.:•;/..•:^'"-:-rDATE^^:Vv/..s^^^ March 13, 2003 November 16, 2004 August 4, 2005 October 27, 2005 January 19, 2006 June 2 1 , 2 0 0 6 March 17, 2007 August 14, 2007 The OUl RI/FS report and Proposed Plan for the Ward Transformer Superfund Site were made available to the public in August 2007. They can be found in the Administrative Record file and the information repository maintained at the EPA Docket Room located at EPA Region 4 in 3 Atlanta, Georgia, and at the North Regional Public Library in Raleigh, North Carolina. The notice of availability of these two documents was published in the Durham Herald on August 6, 2007, and the Raleigh News and Observer on August 8, 2007. A public comment period was held from August 6, 2007, to September 4, 2007. An extension to the public comment period was requested. As a result, the public comment period was extended to October 4, 2007. In addition, a public meeting was held on August 14, 2007, to present the proposed plan to a broader community audience than those that had already been involved at the Site. At this meeting, representatives from the EPA and the NC DENR answered questions about the Site and the remedial altematives. EPA's response to the comments received during this period is included in the Responsiveness Summary, which is part of this Record of Decision. 4 0 SCOPE AND ROLE OF OPERABLE UNIT 1 (OUl) . As with many Superfund Sites, the problems at the Ward Transformer Superfund Site are complex. The contamination at the Site is being addressed through an on-going time critical removal action and future remedial actions. EPA has organized the remedial work into two operable units. OU 1 is the subject of this ROD, and OU 2 will be the subject of a future ROD. On-going Time Critical Removal Action: ^ On June 2007 the contractor for the potentially responsible parties (PRPs) mobilized to the Site to initiate a removal action that addresses the main source of PCB contamination. The removal action includes excavation and removal of contaminated soil and sediment from the Ward Transformer Facility and immediate surrounding areas including Reach A. The on-going removal action is scheduled to be completed in 2009. WTien completed, it is estimated that more than 150,000 tons of contaminated material would be addressed either by on-site Low Temperature Thermal Desorption (LTTD) treatment or off-site disposal, as appropriate. Future Remedial Actions: Operable Unit l(OUl) OU 1 is the subject of this ROD and addresses soil, sediment, surface water and fish on areas downgradient from the Ward Transformer facility including Reaches B, C and D; Brier Creek Reservoir; Lake Crabtree; and Lower Crabtree Creek. (Figure 1) Operable Unit 2 (OU2) Is a future ROD that will include the final remedy for all media; at the Ward Transformer facility, certain parcels adjacent to the facility, and nearby drainage pathways upgradient of Reach B. V ^ 5.0 SITE CHARACTERISTICS 5.1 Site Settings The Ward Transformer facility was built on approximately 11 acres of previously undeveloped land in 1964. As part of its operations. Ward built, repaired, sold, and reconditioned transformers, switchgear, and other similar types of electrical equipment at the Site until 2006. The Ward Transformer facility operations included the main building, where transformers were handled and offices were located, the transformer storage yard, a storm-water management lagoon, and a building housing a storm-water treatment plant (SWTP) system. Treated effluent from the SWTP was discharged to a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)permitted outfall on an unnamed tributary to Little Brier Creek (Reach A), located west of the lagoon area (Figure 2). The northem portion of the Site, a warehouse that was formerly part of the Ward operations, was later leased to Horizon Forest Products (Horizon) circa 1976 to 2002, a lumber supply business and is now vacant. V ) The Ward Transformer facility is located 600 feet (ft) south-southeast of the Northem Wake Expressway/lnterstate-540 (1-540), 1.000 ft southwest of US highway 70, and is adjacent to property owned by the Raleigh-Durham Intemational (RDU) Airport. The RDU Airport proper (i.e., terminals) is located approximately 2 miles south of the Site, with airport mnways located less than 1 mile south. Estes Transport Co., a trucking company, leases the property to the south (Figure 3). Across Mount Herman Road from the facility is Triangle Coatings where plastic and metal parts are painted. Visara Intemational, Inc. is also across Mount Herman Road. 5.2 Climate The Raleigh-Durham area receives an average of 42.5 inches of precipitation annually, based on measurements collected at RDU Airport between 1948 and 2005. Rainfall is well distributed throughout the year. July (4.6 inches) and August (4.5 inches) have the greatest amount of rainfall, and October (3.0 inches) and November (2.9 inches) the least. Soil moisture is sometimes low during spring and summer due to gaps between rain events rather than from a shortage of total rainfall, but occasionally the accumulated total during the growing season falls short of plant needs. Most summer rain is produced by thunderstorms, which may occasionally be accompanied by strong winds, intense rains, and hail. Tropical storm systems periodically impact the Raleigh-Durham area, with the largest storms producing 4 to 5.6 inches of rainfall in a 24-hour period. Storms of this nature typically result in flash flooding in the Crabtree Creek watershed. However, the Raleigh-Durham area is far enough from the coast such that the severe weather effects of coastal storms are reduced. While snow and sleet usually occur each year, significant accumulations of snow are rare. 5.3 Local Soils 'KJ The soil descriptions and maps in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Soil Conservation ^ ^ Service (SCS) Soil Survey for Wake County, NC (SCS, 1970) were reviewed. The following narrative summarizes characteristics of soils occurring within areas potentially impacted by releases from the Ward Transformer Superfund Site. Soils within the vicinity of the Site and the riparian area associated with the watershed below the facility are described by the Chewacia and Congaree soil series. Soils in Reaches B and C are described as soils from the Chewacia series of 0 to 2% slopes. This soil consists of nearly level, poorly drained soils on the floodplain. It is formed from alluvial deposits of fine loamy material. Fertility and organic material are low and permeability is moderately rapid. It has a seasonally high water table and frequent flooding occurs for brief periods of time. '^J Throughout the lower portion of the study area, encompassing Little Brier Creek through Brier Creek Reservoir down to Lake Crabtree, Chewacia soils occur with Congaree soils. Congaree soils have a higher rate of permeability and tend to be better drained. Soils of the Congaree series consist of nearly level, well-drained soils on the floodplains. Typically, they have a brown to dark-brown surface layer that is 4 to 12 inches thick. Beneath the surface layer, the soil material is silt loam that ranges from brown to dark brown in color and from 30 to 108 inches in total thickness. Like the Chewacia series, these soils have a seasonally high water table, low organic matter and fertility, and permeability is moderately rapid. These soils are also subject to frequent flooding for brief periods of time. 5.4 Surface Water The Ward Transformer facility is located in the Crabtree Creek drainage basin, a subbasin of the 2,405-square mile (mi~) Upper Neuse Basin (hydrologic unit code [HUC] No. 03020201). The Upper Neuse Basin is a subbasin ofthe 6,234-mi" Neuse River Basin. The headwaters ofthe Neuse River originate at the confluence of the Eno and Flat Rivers, northwest of Durham, and feed into Falls of the Neuse Lake (Falls Lake Reservoir), which was created by the constmction of Falls Lake dam in 1983. After this impounded 22-mile beginning, the Neuse River flows freely as a freshwater river until it reaches New Bem, North Carolina. In the vicinity of New Bem, the river tums brackish, widens, and travels sluggishly as it becomes a 40-mile-long tidal estuary that empties into the southem end of Pamlico Sound. v^ The Ward Transformer facility is located on a topographic high and on the edge of the local watershed. The facility is located outside the 500-year floodplain. In general, the topography of the property slopes to the west-southwest. Prior to 1972, all mnoff from the Ward Transformer facility flowed overland or was cartied in drainage ditches to intermittent streams located west and southwest ofthe facility. One ofthe streams receiving mnoff from the facility included an unnamed tributary to Little Brier Creek (Reach A), located west of the on-site lagoons. Some of the facility's mnoff also entered a drainage ditch located along the northem side of the property, adjacent to the transformer storage yard. This drainage ditch conveyed mnoff westerly and generally followed a dirt road located west ofthe facility. Some mnoff from the facility may have \^^ also flowed overland northwesterly into an intermittent stream, which also flowed to the west. In 1971, two lagoons were created on the southem portion ofthe Ward property for retention of stormwater mnoff. The upper lagoon had a pipe from the bottom that drained to the lower lagoon. The lower lagoon then had a pipe from the bottom that drained to the unnamed tributary to Little Brier Creek located west of the lagoons (Reach A). Around 1979, a concrete curb was built around the perimeter ofthe facility pad for the purpose of directing all stormwater mnoff into the on-site lagoons. At approximately the same time, the storm water treatment plant (SWTP) system was installed in a building located north of the lagoons. Runoff collected in the pond was pumped to the SWTP for treatment prior to discharge via the NPDES-permitted outfall located at the beginning of Reach A. No detectable concentrations of PCBs were allowed in the treated effluent. Effluent was also monitored for total chloride, total iron, total fluoride, total phosphoms, total nitrogen, and oil and grease. ^ From the SWTP outfall, surface water flows west-southwesterly via the unnamed tributary to Little Brier Creek for approximately 2,100 ft (0.4 mile) before entering the first culvert beneath the first 1-540 crossing. This section of the downstream surface water pathway will hereafter be refened to as Reach A in this report. Upon exiting the culvert on the west side of 1-540, the unnamed tributary to Little Brier Creek continues to flow west-southwesterly for approximately 1,500 ft (0.3 mile) before entering a culvert beneath the Lumley Road crossing. Several tributaries feed into this portion of the unnamed tributary to Little Brier Creek. This section of the downstream surface water pathway will hereafter be referred to as Reach B. From the terminus of Reach B, the unnamed tributary to Little Brier Creek conveys surface water southsouthwesterly for approximately 2,100 ft (0.4 mile) to its confluence with Little Brier Creek proper and a culvert beneath the second 1-540 crossing. This section of the downstream surface water pathway will hereafter be refened to as Reach C. From the culvert beneath the second 1540 crossing. Little Brier Creek flows southerly for approximately 4,200 ft (0.8 mile) to its mouth on Brier Creek Reservoir, located in the vicinity of the culverts beneath the Globe Road crossing. This section of the downstream surface water pathway will hereafter be refened to as Reach D. From Little Brier Creek's mouth. Brier Creek Reservoir canies surface water southerly for approximately 1.7 miles, flowing through culverts at Globe Road, Nelson Road, and Aviation Parkway to the reservoir's dam. Brier Creek Reservoir is not used as a source for drinking water; it is one of several impoundments in the Crabtree Creek drainage basin constmcted primarily for flood control. Brier Creek Reservoir covers an area of approximately 150 acres during normal (not flood stage) conditions. Brier Creek Reservoir Dam was completed in 1985. In addition to Little Brier Creek, Brier Creek is a tributary of Brier Creek Reservoir. From the Brier Creek Reservoir Dam, surface water is discharged through an outlet stmcture to lower Brier Creek, which flows southerly for approximately 1.8 miles, flowing through culverts at Airport Boulevard and 1-40, to its mouth on Lake Crabtree, an impoundment stmcture constmcted in 1988 primarily for flood control. Lake Crabtree cunently covers an area of V,^ approximately 460 acres under normal conditions. Figure 4 illustrates the locations of Reaches A through D, as well as water bodies located farther downstream, discussed above. Additional tributaries to Lake Crabtree include Stirmp Iron Creek, Crabtree Creek, Haley's Branch, and Black Creek, which drains portions of Cary, Monisville, and the RDU Airport. From Brier Creek's mouth. Lake Crabtree conveys surface water flow easterly, through a culvert at Aviation Parkway, to the lake's dam and an outlet stmcture. Water is discharged through the outlet stmcture to lower Crabtree Creek, which in tum flows east-southeasterly for approximately 11 miles before spilling over the Lassiter Mill Dam, a former mill pond dam constmcted in the early 1900s. The Lassiter Mill Dam is approximately 7 ft high and 200 ft wide. From the Lassiter Mill Dam spillway, Crabtree Creek continues to flow southeasterly for approximately 10.5 miles before discharging into the Neuse River north of Poole Road. Tributaries to Crabtree Creek between Lake Crabtree and the Neuse River include Reedy Creek, Sycamore Creek, Turkey Creek, Haresnipe Creek. Richland Creek, Mine Creek, Beaverdam Creek, Big Branch, Pigeon House, and Marsh Creek. (Figure 1) Table 2 summarizes the surface water bodies located downstream of the Ward Transformer facility included in the Rl/FS study area for OUl. Table 2 - Downstream Surface Water Bodies v ^ ' ••';:•.:; \ : - ^ - ; i : - : - y \ ' l : J ' M : ' ^ ^ ' •i:';/;?LENGTHO[F_REACH •.•'••:;• Reach A 0.3 Reach C 0.4 Reach D Liule Brier Creek proper 0.4 Reach B Unnamed Tributary to Little Brier Creek 0.8 Brier Creek Reservoir 1.7 Brier Creek 1.8 Lake Crabtree Tributaries include Stirrup Iron Creek, Upper Crabtree Creek, Black Creek, and Haleys Branch 1.5 Crabtree Creek (entire watershed) Tributaries include Reedy Creek. Sycamore Creek, Turkey Creek, Haresnipe Creek, Richland Creek, Mine Creek, Beaverdam Creek, Big Branch, Pigeon House, and Marsh Creek 21.5 Neuse River w^ ..••.• •;;;• ( M I L E S ) •^-••:•••••• • 230* *From its confluence with Crabtree Creek, the Neuse River flows southeasterly for approximately 230 miles to its mouth on Pamlico Sound. The downstream study area included an appro-ximate 0.5-mile length of reach of the Neuse River. This length of reach inciuded the Neuse River at its confluence with Crabtree Creek to approximately 0.5 mile downstream. 8 V,^^ In general, the RI/FS downstream study area terminus was located in the Neuse River, approximately 0.5 mile downstream of Crabtree Creek's mouth. Figure 1 shows the downstream study area from the Ward Transformer facility to the Neuse River. Municipalities located along the downstream study area include the City of Raleigh and the Towns of Monisville and Cary. Little Brier Creek, Brier Creek Reservoir, and Brier Creek are designated by NC DENR as Class C waterways for the entire length of these reaches. Class C waterways are protected for secondary recreation, fishing, wildlife, fish and aquatic life propagation and survival, agriculture, and other uses. Secondary recreation includes wading, boating, and other uses involving human body contact with water where such activities take place in an infrequent, unorganized, or incidental maimer. Lake Crabtree and Crabtree Creek to its confluence with Richland Creek (approximately 3 miles downstream of Lake Crabtree) are designated as Class B waterways. Class B waterways are used for primary recreation and other uses suitable for Class C. Primary recreational activities include swimming, skin diving, water skiing, and similar uses involving human body contact with water where such activities take place in an organized manner or on a frequent basis. Downstream from the mouth of Richland Creek, Crabtree Creek and the 0.5-miIe ponion of the Neuse River are designated as Class C waterways. All downstream surface water bodies from the Ward Transformer facility are further designated as nutrient sensitive waters (NSW). This classification is intended for waters needing additional nutrient management due to their being subject to excessive growth of microscopic or macroscopic vegetation. ^ ^ The unnamed tributary to Little Brier Creek originates at the facility and descends through moderate to steep topography into Little Brier Creek proper. Relatively little sediment deposition occurs along these reaches. The water in these reaches is turbid, primarily as a result of the area's soil and geology, although a significant amount of suburban development is occuning in the Little Brier Creek watershed, which is likely contributing to the sediment load in these reaches. Approaching Brier Creek Reservoir, Little Brier Creek loses energy and flow changes from a river environment to a lake environment. As the transition from river to lake occurs, energy gradients, bottom shear stresses, and turbulence levels all decrease, resulting in high rates of sediment deposition. This is evident by the occurrence ofsand and silt deltas forming in the area of Little Brier Creek's mouth. Brier Creek Reservoir is also exhibiting sediment deposition in the vicinity of its dam stmcture. At the time of constmction. Brier Creek Reservoir had a maximum depth of 16.5 ft under normal conditions, a flood stage area of 385 acres, and total flood storage of 3,190 acre-ft. However, since that time, sediment accumulation has occuned. Depth of water in Brier Creek Reservoir was 4 feet, 6 feet, and 3 feet, as measured during the RI at three different locations. From Brier Creek Reservoir, the energy and flow change from a lake to a river environment again, as lower Brier Creek canies surface water toward Lake Crabtree. Upon entering Lake Crabtree, however, the flow environment again changes from a river to a lake, and sedimentation rates increase in the vicinity of lower Brier Creek's mouth. This area is characterized by very shallow water and fine sediments. The water continues to have a distinctly muddy appearance. • ^ ^ v_y Several additional tributaries, including Stirmp Iron Creek, feed into this portion of Lake Crabtree. At the time of constmction. Lake Crabtree had a maximum depth of 16 ft at normal pool, a flood stage area of 1,114 acres, and total flood storage of 6,915 acre-ft (Woodmff, 2006). However, since that time, sediment accumulation has occuned. More recent measurements reveal Lake Crabtree has an average depth of 6.5 ft with a maximum depth of approximately 13 ft. In several areas of the lake, especially in the area of the lake's tributaries and upstream of the lake's dam stmcture, large amounts of sediment deposition can be observed. The sediment loading to the lake is likely attributable to the substantial suburban development occuning in the Lake Crabtree watershed. During normal operations and considering an average rainfall event, up to 83% and 95% of the total suspended solids (TSS) that enter Lake Crabtree and Brier Creek Reservoir, respectively, settle out as sediments during the time it takes for the surface water to circulate through the impoundments (City of Raleigh). ' ^ The geomorphology of the downstream reaches changes significantly with distance from the Ward Transformer facility. The beginning of Reach A near the facility has a bank full width of 2 ft and a bank full depth of approximately 0.5 ft. Approximately 21 miles downstream of the facility along Crabtree Creek at Route 1, the bank full width is 56 ft and the bank full depth is 4.5 ft (CH2MHill, 2001, revised 2002). 6.0 NATURE AND EXTENT OF CONTAMINATION This section presents a summary of the OUl Remedial Investigation (Rl) conducted at the Site. The RI report presents more details of the investigation and results. The RI report is part of the administrative record for the Site. 6.1 Main Source of PCB Contamination The main source of contamination is located at the Ward Transformer facility and on some of the immediate surrounding properties including Reach A. This source is being addressed under a PRP lead time-critical removal action. This action includes a combination of soil/sediment excavation follow by on-site treatment using a Low Temperature Thermal desorption process, or off-site disposal, as appropriate. Analytical data collected as part of the removal action activities show that some of these areas contain the highest levels of PCBs detected in soil (13,000 mg/kg in subsurface soil). Because these areas are being addressed under a separate action and agreement, they are not part of OUl, and therefore, are not discussed in much detail in this ROD. w^ 10 v^ 6.2 Groundwater Groundwater at the Ward Transformer facility occurs in fractured bedrock at approximately 5 to 7 ft below ground surface (bgs) in some areas. The groundwater beneath the facility flows predominantly to the west with some localized flow to the northwest and southwest following the site topography. Groundwater in the area generally discharges to local streams, so the facility groundwater most likely moves westward and discharges into the unnamed tributary to Little Brier Creek. No drinking water supply surface water intakes are located along the creeks or the Neuse River in the downstream study area. The nearest public drinking water supply surface water intake is located on the Neuse River, approximately 50 miles downstream ofthe Ward Transformer facility, and operated by the Johnston County Water System. According to Johnston County Water System officials, PCBs have not been detected in any drinking water samples collected at the water treatment plant since the facility began operating in 1996. v^ The primary water supply for Raleigh is Falls Lake, which is a surface water reservoir in the Neuse River above the Crabtree Creek watershed. Similarly, the City of Durham is primarily served by surface water intakes on Lake Michie and the Little River Reservoir, and the Town of Cary and Town of Mortisville are served by a surface water intake on the B. Everett Jordan Reservoir, more commonly known as Jordan Lake. None of these surface water bodies are located downstream of the Ward Transformer facility. The nearest groundwater public water system (PWS) to the Ward Transformer facility consists of five groundwater wells (Well Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6) operated by the Angus Bam (a restaurant), located approximately 0.5 miles east of the facility in the Sycamore Creek watershed. No additional groundwater public water systems are located within a 1.0-mile radius of the Ward Transformer facility. The nearest community water system utilizing a groundwater source is the Country Ridge subdivision, located approximately 2.8 miles east-southeast ofthe facility. The nearest transient, non-community groundwater drinking water system is the Bass Brothers/Triangle Golf Center, located approximately 1.5 miles nonheast ofthe Ward Transformer facility. All of these water systems are upgradient of the Ward Transformer facility (where the groundwater flows to the west-southwest) and outside the Little Brier Creek watershed. No public drinking water supply wells were located downgradient (west-southwest) ofthe facility within a 4-mile radius. Based on information from the Wake County Environmental Services and NC DENR's Groundwater Protection Unit, as well as a review of land use and zoning records, no private drinking water supply wells are located within 1.0-miIe downgradient (west-southwest) of the Ward Transformer facility. K^ 11 Vm_^ As part of the investigation groundwater monitoring wells were installed on site and sampled. Additional information is needed before remedial altematives can be developed and a remedy is proposed. The additional groundwater work will be conducted as part of 0U2. Therefore this OUl ROD does not discuss groundwater any further. 6.3 Surface Water The following subsections describe the various surface water sampling activities that were conducted as part ofthe investigation. 6.3.1 Surface Water Investigation In May 2003, a surface water investigation was conducted in the unnamed tributary to Little Brier Creek to determine if site contaminants have impacted the local surface water quality. Surface water sampling was conducted in the unnamed tributary to Little Brier Creek from the Ward Transformer facility's stormwater lagoon outfall to the confluence of Little Brier Creek proper (Reaches A, B, aiid C). ^ In December 2005, additional surface water samples were collected from the unnamed tributary to Little Brier Creek between the stormwater lagoon outfall and Northem Wake Expressway/I-540 (Reach A) to confirm previous (i.e.. May 2003) surface water sampling results and further characterize potential human health and ecological risk associated with site-related contaminants. In Febmary 2006, in response to concems expressed by the local community/stakeholders, surface water samples were collected from Lake Crabtree to refine the estimated extent and magnitude of site-related contaminants 6.3.2 Surface Water - Results Summary Downstream sampling results indicated PCB contamination, specifically Aroclor 1260, at several locations in Reach A, immediately downstream of the Ward Transformer facility, at concentrations exceeding the NC DENR Surface Water Quality Standard (SWQS) human health and aquatic life standards. The highest concentration of PCB Aroclor 1260 (0.0015 mg/L) was detected just below the SWTP's outfall where the treated stormwater lagoon water is discharged into Reach A of the unnamed tributary to Little Brier Creek. However, no PCB Aroclors or congeners were detected in surface water samples collected from Reach B or any other locations further downstream, including Lake Crabtree, where multiple surface water samples were collected. Therefore, no PCBs were detected in surface water within the OUl areas. 6.4 Sediment and Stream Banks The following subsections describe the various sediment sampling activities that were conducted as part of the investigation. v^ 12 v,_,V " ^ 6.4.1 Sampling In May 2003, a sediment investigation was conducted to assess the extent of site-related contamination in the unnamed tributary to Little Brier Creek. Sediment samples were collected across the stream width, from midstream and bank side locations, along the unnamed tributary to Little Brier Creek between the Ward Transformer facility's stormwater lagoon outfall and the confluence of Little Brier Creek proper (Reaches A, B, and C). The midstream samples were collected from underwater, but the bank samples were collected from the sediments just above the surface water level in the sides of the stream banks. Samples were attempted at depth intervals of 0 to 6 inches and 6 to 12 inches, where possible. However sediment samples from depths of 6 to 12 inches were not obtained at all sample locations due to refusal. In November 2003, based on the analytical results of the sediment sampling activities described above identifying PCBs in the sediment, additional sediment samples were collected from Little Brier Creek proper at the culvert crossing beneath Northem Wake Expressway/1-540 downstream to Lake Crabtree. The additional sediment investigation was conducted to estimate the extent of site-related contamination in the following surface water bodies: Little Brier Creek, Brier Creek Reservoir, Brier Creek, and Lake Crabtree. In addition to the new sampling locations described above, specific May 2003 sediment sample locations were sampled to deeper depths in November 2003 because many of the sediment samples collected from Reaches A, B, and C of the unnamed tributary to Little Brier Creek in May 2003 contained PCB contamination in the deepest sample collected. This additional sampling was conducted to determine the vertical extent of PCB contamination in order to evaluate potential remedial approaches and costs. The additional samples were collected beneath the locations of the midstream and bank samples that were collected across the stream width during the May 2003 sampling that contained the highest PCB concentrations. Following the completion of the September 2004 Rl and Baseline Human Health Risk Assessment (BHHRA) Reports, it was determined that additional environmental investigation activities were wananted in the vicinity of the Ward Transformer Site. As a result, in October 2004, sediment samples were collected from tributary streams to Lake Crabtree in order to assess background conditions and to identify other potential contaminant sources. One sediment sample was collected from one location on each of the following Lake Crabtree tributary streams: Stirmp Iron Creek, Crabtree Creek, upstream of Lake Crabtree, Black Creek, and Haley's Branch. In addition, in order to further assess the extent of sediment contamination downstream from the Ward Transformer facility, sediment samples were collected from Crabtree Creek between Lake Crabtree and the eastem edge of Umstead Park. In November 2004, because fish samples collected from Lake Crabtree (discussed below) contained concentrations of PCBs that prompted fish consumption advisories by the State of North Carolina, additional sediment samples were collected from Lake Crabtree in order to further refine the estimated extent and magnitude of site-related contaminants. V ^ 13 K,^ In December 2005, based on input from the local community/stakeholders, additional sediment sampling was performed in the unnamed tributary to Little Brier Creek between the Ward Transformer facility's stormwater lagoon outfall and the culvert beneath the Northem Wake Expressway/I-540 crossing (Reach A) in order to further characterize potential human health and ecological risk associated with site-related contaminants. In Febmary and March 2006, in response to concems expressed by the local community/stakeholders, additional sediment samples were collected at previously sampled locations downstream from the Ward Transformer facility, as well as from new locations further downstream. The locations include Reach D; the vicinity of the relic Little Brier Creek and Brier Creek stream channel/floodplain now submerged in Brier Creek Reservoir; Brier Creek, upstream of its confluence with Lake Crabtree; the vicinity of the relic Brier Creek and Crabtree Creek stream channel/floodplain now submerged in Lake Crabtree; the vicinity of the Lake Crabtree shoreline; Crabtree Creek, upstream and downstream of Lake Crabtree; two tributary streams to Crabtree Creek, Richland Creek, and Mine Creek; the Neuse River, upstream and downstream of its confluence with Crabtree Creek. Sediment samples were collected at the above locations from multiple depth intervals, with a maximum sample depth of 3.5 ft. Some of the targeted depth intervals were not achievable due to refusal. v^ 6.4.2 Sediment and Stream Banks - Results Summary Sediment sampling results are shown in Figures 5 through 10. A summary of the maximum PCB concentration detected in the OUl study areas is summarized in Table 3. Table 3 - Sediment, Maximum Concentrations •:'••:7;:^ • . - • - . v - ; ; ? • • : A R O C L O J R • ; ; ::\:.:'.rik.yv^^ir^'LOCATION;-.,v-;."^,:-: '^\ jyf • •J§l MAXIlVrUM'GONCENTF^^ •••^•:'r--.:':-:'l^-y-^:\(Tnf^ Reach A Reach B Reach C Reach D Brier Creek Reservoir Brier Creek Lake Crabtree Sector A Lake Crabtree Sector B Lake Crabtree Sector C Crabtree Creek Neuse River Stirrup Iron Creek Upper Crabtree Creek Black Creek 380 3.0 2.6 4.2 0.31 0.28 0.48 0.18 0.041 Not detected Not detected Not detected Not detected Not detected Not Not Not Not Haleys Branch Richland Creek Mine Creek Upper Neuse River 14 detected detected detected detected ',':.:i:^[• 1'-:-., 6.5 Floodplain Soil The following subsections describe floodplain soil sampling conducted as part of the investigation of the OUl areas. Most of the floodplain soil data was collected from Reach A which is the study area closest to the source. Reach A is being addressed as part of the removal action, and is not part of OU 1. As part of the removal action, floodplain soil from Reach A is being removed to levels below 1 mg/kg. 6.5.1 Sampling In Febmary and March 2006, soil samples were collected from the floodplain of surface water bodies downstream of the Ward Transformer facility. The soil samples were collected to determine if floodplain soils have been impacted by site-related contaminants and if they contained PCB concentrations that may pose an unacceptable risk to human health and/or ecological receptors. Sample locations targeted relatively high-use recreational areas (e.g., fishing, hiking, biking, athletic fields, etc.) ofthe Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree floodplain, focusing on potential depositional areas where contaminants would tend to accumulate. Soil samples were collected from the floodplain area at Lake Crabtree County Park, including the following: ^ • Open Play area, located adjacent to the Water Wise Garden, volleyball courts, and parking area. • Vicinity of the boat-rental/beach area. • Public boat ramp area. Car-top boat launching area. Areas used for biking, recreational shoreline fishing, and walking/hiking. Specifically, in the vicinity of Lake Crabtree County Park's Lake Trail, the Lake Crabtree Dam's spillway, and the Black Creek Greenway. • Lake Crabtree floodplain along its southem shoreline. • Upstream of Lake Crabtree, at an athletic field at the Cedar Fork District Park. 6.5.2 Floodplain Soil - Results Summary Floodplain soil sampling results are shown in Figures 5 to 9. V J Table 4 summarizes the floodplain soil results for PCB Aroclor 1260 analyses. 15 k^ Table 4 - Floodplain Soil Maximum Aroclor Concentrations ;.:.:'-;••,:..•:••:. /: ••-.::'..::. i.i-LocA'nON;• ' € \ :• .'. •;-•' • Reach A (outside floodplain soils) Reach A Reach B Reach C Reach D Brier Creek Reservoir Brier Creek Lake Crabtre Upper Crabtree Creek Crabtree Creek :^r-'-''';t;''C6NCENTRAribN:<n^g/kg);-:^^'-. 380 1.1 Not sampled Not sampled 0.048 0.048 Not sampled Not detected Not detected Not detected yjv 6.6 Crayfish and Fish Tissue ^ In order to characterize potential human health and ecological risk associated with uptake of PCBs by aquatic biota, fish samples were collected from surface water bodies located downstream from the Ward Transformer facility. Prior to sampling, a Scientific Collection Permit (SCP) was obtained from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC). Collection activities were performed in accordance with the requirements of the SCP. Contaminant concentration data from whole body composite samples were collected for assessing risk to potential ecological receptors, such as piscivorous mammals or birds. Contaminant concentration data from fish filet composite samples were collected for assessing risk to potential human receptors. 6.6.1 Sampling May 2003 Sampling - Reach B and Brier Creek Reservoir In May 2003, aquatic biota sampling was performed in Reach B of the unnamed tributary to Little Brier Creek. The sampling area in Reach B was located approximately 0.5 miles downstream ofthe Ward Transformer facility's stormwater lagoon outfall, and included Reach B's initial 0.15-mile length downstream ofthe Northem Wake Expressway/I-540. Target fish species established for the creek sampling included cyprinid minnows or small centrarchids (sunfish). However, cyprinid minnows were not dominant components of the biota in the creek. Because crayfish were abundant in the creek and are a prefened prey for raccoons and piscivorous birds, crayfish were sampled in lieu of cyprinids. In addition, pumpkinseed sunfish and yellow bullhead were collected. Whole body composite samples were prepared from crayfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, and yellow bullhead. All aquatic biota were collected in Reach B using a backpack-mounted electrofisher. v^ Also in May 2003, fish samples were collected from Brier Creek Reservoir. In order to determine whether spatial differences in fish tissue concentrations were present, three areas were operationally defined based on reservoir morphology. The upper portion of Brier Creek 16 ^ Reservoir was considered to extend from the last free-flowing location in Little Brier Creek approximately 0.2 mile downstream to the twin culverts beneath the Globe Road crossing (i.e., 0.2-mile downstream section of Reach D). The middle (downgradient) portion of Brier Creek Reservoir was considered to extend from the culverts beneath the Globe Road crossing approximately 0.45 mile downstream to the culverts beneath the Nelson Road crossing. The lower portion of Brier Creek Reservoir was considered to extend from the Nelson Road crossing, downstream to the Aviation Parkway crossing, and then downstream to the breast of the dam that forms Brier Creek Reservoir, a total length of approximately 1.2 miles. Fish samples were collected from Brier Creek Reservoir using two different gear types. A boatmounted Coffelt electrofisher was used to collect largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) specimens. Brown bullheads (Ameirus nebulosus) were collected by trotlining. A total of three discrete locations were selected for individual trotline sets and captured target fish specimens were segregated by location. Trotline No. 1 was located in the upper portion of the Brier Creek Reservoir sampling reach, and Trotlines No. 2 and No. 3 were located in the middle portion of the Brier Creek Reservoir sampling reach. Largemouth bass and bluegill sunfish specimens retained for tissue analyses were also segregated by capture locations defined as the upper Brier Creek Reservoir and middle Brier Creek Reservoir. Three whole body composite samples were prepared from bluegill sunfish collected from Brier Creek Reservoir. Three filet tissue composite samples each were prepared from bluegill sunfish, largemouth bass, and brown bullheads from Brier Creek Reservoir. ^ November 2003 Sampling - Brier Creek Reservoir, Brier Creek, and Lake Crabtree In November 2003, additional fish tissue samples were collected in the lower portion of Brier Creek Reservoir (downstream of Nelson Road), Brier Creek (between Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree) and Lake Crabtree (from three areas) to determine the downstream extent of fish contamination. In the lower portion of Brier Creek Reservoir (downstream of Nelson Road), composite whole body samples of bluegill sunfish and green sunfish were collected for assessing risk to potential ecological receptors such as piscivorous mammals or birds. In addition, four composite samples consisting of three to five fish each were collected for assessing potential human health risk to recreational fisherman. These included filet tissue samples obtained from brown bullhead, yellow bullhead, bluegill sunfish, and largemouth bass. Scaled, skin-on filet tissue samples were prepared from the individual fish. One composite sample was prepared frorn each of these groups. Three composite samples were collected in Brier Creek, between Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree, for assessing risk to potential ecological receptors such as piscivorous mammals or birds. WTiole body tissue samples were prepared from crayfish, yellow bullhead, and bluegill sunfish. v^ 17 ^ Three composite samples of whole body bluegill sunfish were collected from Lake Crabtree for assessing risk to potential ecological receptors such as piscivorous mammals or birds. Composite samples were collected to represent the northem (Sector A), westem (Sector B), and eastem (Sector C) portions of Lake Crabtree. In addition, ten composite samples consisting of three to five fish each were collected from Lake Crabtree for assessing potential human health risk to recreational fishermen. In addition to the target species of largemouth bass and bluegill sunfish from the May 2003 sampling event, carp were also targeted as requested by NC DENR. Carp species are popular among local fishermen in the area for both sport and as table fare. Because Lake Crabtree has been actively managed by the state as a large catfish fishery, channel catfish (Ictalurus nebulosus) were sampled in lieu of brown bullhead. Scaled, skin-on filet tissue samples (skin-off for catfish species) were prepared from the individual fish. Fish collection techniques in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree consisted of boat-mounted electrofishing gear and trotlining. Fish collection techniques in Brier Creek consisted of backpack-mounted electrofishing. November 2004 Sampling - Lake Crabtree and Crabtree Creek In November 2004, additional fish sampling was performed in Lake Crabtree and Crabtree Creek (downstream of Lake Crabtree) because fish from the most distant downstream locations sampled (in Lake Crabtree) contained concentrations of PCBs that prompted fish consumption advisories by the State of North Carolina. ^ v^ Additional whole body samples were collected from Lake Crabtree for assessing risk to potential ecological receptors such as piscivorous mammals or birds. In order to determine whether spatial differences in fish tissue concentrations were present, sample collection was performed in Sectors B and C of Lake Crabtree. Two whole body samples were prepared from Sector B; one sample was comprised of one largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and the other sample was comprised of one channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Two whole body samples were prepared from Sector C; one sample was comprised of one largemouth bass and the other sample was comprised of one channel catfish. Sampling was performed using two different gear types. A boat-mounted Coffelt electrofisher was used to collect largemouth bass specimens and channel catfish were collected by trotlining. Largemouth bass and channel catfish specimens retained for tissue analyses were segregated by capture locations within Sectors B and C of Lake Crabtree. Three approximately 1,000-ft long reaches within an approximately 5-mile long span of Crabtree Creek were targeted for fish sampling. Targeted fish for the Crabtree Creek sampling were to be comparable to the targeted fish from previous sampling efforts at locations in Brier Creek Reservoir and the portion of the unnamed tributary to Little Brier Creek closer to the Ward Transformer facility (i.e.. Reach B). However, because the dominant members of Crabtree Creek's fish community varied between the three sampling reaches, altemative species from the same trophic levels were substituted. Species collected by electrofishing in Crabtree Creek between Lake Crabtree and 1-40 included pumpkinseed sunfish, bluegill sunfish, and channel catfish. The sampling reaches in Crabtree Creek located at Umstead State Park, downstream of the Company Mill Crossing trail and upstream of Ebenezer Church Road, yielded redbreast 18 \^^ sunfish (Lepomis auritus), bluegill sunfish, and yellow bullhead. WTiole body composite samples were prepared from pumpkinseed sunfish, bluegill sunfish, channel catfish, redbreast sunfish, and yellow bullhead. Filet tissue composite samples were prepared from pumpkinseed sunfish, bluegill sunfish, channel catfish, and redbreast sunfish. Composite filet tissue samples of the sunfish species were each comprised of scaled, skin-on filets. Channel catfish composite samples were skinned filets. Sampling in Crabtree Creek was performed using a backpackmounted electrofisher. August 2005 Sampling - Crabtree Creek hi August 2005, the NC DENR's Division of Water Quality (NCDWQ) collected eight composite fish samples from Crabtree Creek, downstream of Lake Crabtree, for assessing potential human health risk to recreational fishermen. Four discrete sample locations along Crabtree Creek were targeted and included the creek's crossing at the following: Company Mill trail, located within William B. Umstead State Park; Duraleigh Road Bridge; Crabtree Valley Mall near the Homewood Banks Drive Bridge; and Wake Forest Road Bridge. The samples consisted of four to seven fish each and included filet tissue samples obtained from largemouth bass, channel catfish, and flathead catfish. Scaled, skin-on filet tissue samples (skinoff for catfish species) were prepared from the individual fish. Sampling in Crabtree Creek was performed using a backpack-mounted electrofisher. V ^ February and March 2006 Sampling - Brier Creek Reservoir WTiole body fish sampling from middle and lower Brier Creek Reservoir was performed in Febmary and March 2006 in order to reduce uncertainties in the ecological risk assessment for the Ward Transformer Superfund Site. The subsequent data were primarily used to better evaluate the risks to bald eagles and other carnivorous raptors that use Brier Creek Reservoir for foraging. One whole body composite sample consisting of five fish was collected from yellow bullhead (Ameirus natalis). In addition, due to sufficient body mass, three whole body grab samples were collected from largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Sampling in Brier Creek Reservoir in Febaiary and March 2006 was performed using two different gear types. A boatmounted Coffeh electrofisher was used to collect largemouth bass specimens, and yellow bullhead specimens were collected by trotlining. 6.6.2 Crayfish and Fish Tissue - Results Summary Aquatic biota (fish and crayfish) were collected downstream ofthe Ward Transformer facility. WTioIe body samples were collected in Reach B, Brier Creek Reservoir, Brier Creek, Lake Crabtree, and Crabtree Creek for evaluating potential risk to ecological receptors. Fish filet tissue samples were collected from Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree, and Crabtree Creek to assess potential impacts to humans from fish consumption. K^^ Samples of aquatic biota collected from downstream water bodies showed the presence of site contaminants. Crayfish and whole body fish samples (pumpkinseed sunfish and yellow bullhead) collected from Reach B contained significant concentrations of Aroclor 1260 and various PCB congeners and dioxins/furans. Sampling results are presented in Figures 11 and 12. 19 The highest concentrations were found in a whole body pumpkinseed sunfish sample from Reach B, with an Aroclor 1260 concentration of 75 mg/kg and a combined PCB and dioxin/furan TEQ concentration of 598 ng/kg. Table 5 summarizes the PCB Aroclor 1260 data by reach and fish species. Table 5 -Fish, Maximum PCB Concentrations (mg/kg) DoSyiSSTREAM REAiCH •••'••.•••:YELLbw''y;:';' ' CRAYFISH. BjLUEGILL. ByLLHEAb i:?:,':(WHOLE :;;;;•;• :-••• ;!SurgF-iisH/'w:--; •; r^j^BODY);^''-: :i>. " (WHOLE BODY)!. ' (WHOLE BODY) ' LARGEMOUTH IBASS (FILET) , •.•;.:-;',.;CHANNEL;- . CATFISH (FILET). Reach B 22 — — — Upper Brier Creek Reservoir — — 2.5 1.8 — Middle Brier Creek Reservoir — — 2.5 2.6 — Lower Brier Creek Reservoir — — 0.38 0.65 — Brier Creek 0.074 0.5 0.49 — — Lake Crabtree Sector A — — 0.9 0.3 0.67 Lake Crabtree Sector B — — 0.17 0.12 1.3 Lake Crabtree Sector C — — 0.15 0.19 1.7 Crabtree Creek ^ II — 0.074 0.59 0.18 0.34 Legend: Nol sampled As indicated in the table above, PCB Aroclor 1260 results generally show a declining trend in both whole body and filet concentrations in the samples farther downstream from the Ward Transformer facility. Fish tissue data from Crabtree Creek indicate continued downstream transport of PCBs below Lake Crabtree. Although the sediment samples from Crabtree Creek did not contain detectable concentrations of PCBs, their presence in fish samples indicates uptake and bioaccumulation of PCBs via the food chain. Based on the analytical results of the fish tissue samples, the North Carolina Division of Public Health issued fish consumption advisories for the protection of humans consuming fish potentially contaminated with PCBs. The fish consumption advisories action levels for PCB are described in Tables 6. s^ 20 Table 6 - Fish Consumption Recommended Limits TOTAL PCB LEVELS IN FISH ••::•:-y:- •:..- •-.' ;;; RJECOMMENDED MEAL Lr^u^^: ..(me/kg)"^:.;;::.v.y.•:•:..;••-•;•; <0.05 0.05 to 0.10 0.10to0.50 >0.5 Unlimited consumption. One meal per week. One meal per month Do not eat The fish consumption advisories that are cunently in effect for the water bodies within OUl are summarized in Table 7. Table 7 - Current Fish Consumption Advisories for OUl areas •••- ::• • ' y . ' : . • • • • • ! ; K - 1 ' • A R E A - ; ' ; • ; • ••:'' • . • ' : . • ; . ; • • • ; - ' ; ' ;-j. ysw;-'-NORTH'CAROLINA ^••.:'• •••--^• ^ : F i S H CONSUMPTION ADVISORY • Brier Creek Reservoir Little Brier Creek (downstream of Brier Creek Parkway) Tributaries to Little Brier Creek Brier Creek Lake Crabtree W Crabtree Creek (above Lake Crabtree and below Lake Crabtree to where it enters the Neuse River) 7.0 Do not eat fish. Do not eat any fish. Do not eat carp or catfish. Limit consumption of all other fish to no more than one meal per month. Limit consumption of carp, catfish, and largemouth bass to no more than one meal per month. CURRENT AND POTENTIAL FUTURE LAND AND RESOURCE USES Land use in the vicinity ofthe Ward Transformer facility is primarily industrial and commercial, with major highways located north (US highway 70) and west (1-540). Two properties located east of the site, across Mount Herman Road, were formerly used as residences. These properties are cunently vacant or now used for commercial purposes. Much of the land located southsouthwest of the property is owned by the RDU Airport Authority. The airport land, and the facility and sunounding industrial/commercial properties are generally access restricted (fenced). The properties located to the rear (northwest, west, and southwest) of the Ward Transformer facility consist of vacant undeveloped woodland. Land use along the Reach A through D portions of the downstream study area, includes undeveloped woodland primarily owned by the RDU Airport Authority or Ward Ventures LLC. Along Reaches B and C, the nearest developed properties consist of commercial retail businesses. Along the westem portion of Reach D, land is used for commercial purposes and ^ ^ 21 mainly consists of warehouse distribution buildings. The eastem portion of Reach D is owned by the RDU Airport Authority and is access restricted. ^ The nearest active residence downstream of the site is located approximately 1.7 miles downstream, at 10305 Globe Road, in the vicinity of Little Brier Creek's mouth at Brier Creek Reservoir. Two properties located on the north bank of Brier Creek Reservoir, between Globe Road and Nelson Road, were formerly used for residential purposes. These residences are vacant, however, and future land use of the properties will be for non-residential purposes. The remainder of land around Brier Creek Reservoir is primarily owned by the RDU Airport Authority and is access restricted. Brier Creek Reservoir is posted by Wake County to restrict trespassers. Land use in the vicinity of Brier Creek between Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree consists of commercial office space and undeveloped land under RDU Airport Authority control. The portion of Lake Crabtree northwest of Aviation Parkway, in the vicinity of Brier Creek's mouth, is undeveloped dense forest and wetland and is generally inaccessible. To the southeast of Aviation Parkway, Wake County owns a park that sunounds most of Lake Crabtree (Lake Crabtree County Park) and is used extensively for recreation. The park is located along the lake's north shore, while a walking/hiking trail (Lake Trail) generally follows the entire lake's shoreline and connects with adjacent community greenways. Lake Trail and the greenways are heavily used by joggers, walkers, and bikers. Lake Crabtree is a recreational fishery, but the park has posted fishing advisories and "catch and release" mles to protect fishermen from eating contaminated fish. Beyond the Lake Trail, the land is primarily used for commercial office space, although a property located along the southeastem portion of the lake is cunently being developed for mixed residential and non-residential uses. ^ From Lake Crabtree, land use features along Crabtree Creek include the North Cary Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), 1-40, and William B. Umstead State Park (Umstead Park), a relatively undisturbed forested area. The state park protects nearly 5,400 acres of forestland, through which Crabtree Creek flows for several miles. Upon exiting Umstead Park, land use along Crabtree Creek is primarily suburban residential, until the creek approaches US Highway 70/Glenwood Avenue, after which land use becomes more urbanized. Land use along Crabtree Creek for the remainder of the downstream study area is primarily heavily urbanized, including dense residential and commercial/industrial/institutional use within the City of Raleigh. 8.0 SUMMARY OF SITE RISKS The Baseline Human Health Risk Assessment (BHHRA) and the Baseline Ecological Risk Assessment (BERA) present the summary ofthe results ofthe comprehensive deterministic risk assessments of the potential threats to public health and the environment posed by the OU 1 areas under cunent and future conditions assuming that no remedial actions take place. The assessments provide the basis for taking action and identify the site related contaminants and " ^ 22 ^ exposure pathways that need to be addressed by the remedial action. The BHHRA and BERA are part of the Rl report. The Rl report presents more details and is part of the administrative record for the Site. This section presents a summary of the BHHRA and BERA. PCBs have been detected in soil, sediment, and fish at various locations downstream from the Ward Transfonner facility. The areas addressed under OUl extend from Reach B (0.4 miles downgradient of the Ward Transformer facility) to the end of Crabtree Creek at the Neuse River. (Figure 1) Note that Reach A is included in the risk discussion, because Reach A was grouped with all the other downgradient areas during the plarming stages ofthe risk assessment process. However, as previously noted, sediment and flood plain soil from Reach A are being addressed under the ongoing time critical removal action. 8.1 Baseline Human Health Risk Assessment (BHHRA) The BHHRA estimates the risks the Site poses to humans if no action were taken. It provides the basis for taking action and identifies the contaminants and exposure pathways that need to be addressed by the remedial action. The sections below summarize the results ofthe BHHRA for OUl. ^ 8.1.1 Identification of Chemical of Concern (COC) Chemicals of concem (COCs) are a subset of the site-related chemicals that were carried through the risk assessment (Chemicals of Potential Concem (COPCs)) that significantly contribute to the cumulative site risk. The carcinogen trigger represents the summed risks to a receptor considering all pathways, media, and routes per land use scenario. The Hazard Index (HI) represents the total of the Hazard Quotients (HQs) of all COPCs in all pathways, media, and routes to which the receptor is exposed. Chemicals are not considered as significant contributors to risk if their individual carcinogenic risk contribution is less than 1x10^ and their noncarcinogenic HQ is less than 0.1; therefore, these chemicals are not included as COCs. In addition, because 2,3,7,8 TCDD TEQ did not exceed the IxlO"^ cumulative site risk level or the site HI of 1 used as the remediation triggers, it is not included in the list of COCs. Based on the BHHRA the COCs for OUl are PCBs and PCB congeners. Although some of the calculated human health risks are associated with exposure to dioxins and furans (2,3,7,8 TCDD TEQ), over 90% of the risks are associated with PCBs (Aroclor 1260 or PCB congeners). As such PCBs and PCB congeners are the site-related chemicals driving the need for a remedial action at OUl. ^ ^ The tables below present the COCs and their exposure point concentrations (EPCs) for each media and study area with significant routes of exposure. The tables also include the range of 23 ^^^ concentrations, as well as the frequency of detections (i.e., the number of times the chemical was detected in the samples collected), the EPC (i.e., the concentration that was used to estimate exposure and risk for each COC in the specific media and area), and how the EPC was derived. Aroclor 1260 was the most frequently detected COC in all media and all areas. In most cases, the 95% UCL on the arithmetic mean was used as the EPC. However, for PCB congeners in some media where there were limited amount of sample data available, the maximum concentration was used as the default exposure point concentration. The COCs for the OUl ROD are presented in Tables 8 to 13. Table 8 - Reach A - Chemicals of Concern (Floodplain Soil) :\...r^:r •'•/:-:'''/l^;,• .:\:.:y. -vi^, • SUMMARY .OF CHEMICALS OE..CONeERN;AN^ ••'^•::\:-'\A- :,. .'y.''^'-•-'•::.''•.''•:: •.-•'.''••'':'••. MEDIUM-SPECtFicEXPOSUiiEPOlivrrCONCENTRATlOi^S '.:':?'. "'' Scenario Timeframe: CURRENT AND FUTURE Medium: SOIL Exposure Medium: FLOODPLAIN SOIL Concentration Exposure Chemical Frequency Exposure Point Detected Units Exposure Point of Detection Point of Concentiation Concentration Concem Units Min Ma.\ Floodplain Soil W Aroclor 1260 PCB Congener TEO Statistical Measure 0.21 380 mg/kg 11/14 148 mg/kg 95% UCL 0.000288 0.00363 mg/kg 2/2 0.00363 mg/kg MAXIMUM Key: mg/kg: Milligrams per kilogram 95 % UCL- 95 percent Upper Confidence Liniit Table 9 - Reach A - Chemicals of Concern (Sediment) ••':\'^; ;;y "SUMMARY OF C H E M I C A L S O F G O N C ^ MEbnjM-SPECincEM>OsuRE P O I N T (CONCENTRATIONS^: Scenario Timeframe: CURRENT AND FUTURE Medium: SEDIMENT Exposure Medium: SEDIMENT Concentration Frequency Exposure Chemical Units Exposure Point Detected of Concem of Detection Concentration Point (EPC) Min Max Aroclor _, J 260 ^-•;;••;••.•••,;' ;V-.V|:'v-i EPC Units Statistical Measure 0.014 62.0 mg/kg 3.3/33 19.8 mg/kg 95% UCL 0.000209 0.105 mg/kg 11/11 0.071 mg/kg 95% UCL Sedimeni PCB Congener TEQ Key: mg/kg. Milligrams per kilogram 95 % UCL- 95 percent Upper Confidence Limit " ^ ^ 24 w Table 10 - Reaches B-C-D, Brier Creek Reservoir and Brier Creek Chemicals of Concern (Sediment) -'^••-:; V'-.:. '; ••.^^. ••';-'';!; ''•: •:•;• ::,SUMMARYOF CHBMliCALSpFCbNCERNAND:"'^ - •'.'.;• - • ' : "•*- •'•••'..; • ' l ' : ' ' ' : • MEoroM-SPECiFic E X P O S U R E P O I N T C O N C E N T R A T I O N S " v: Scenario Timeframe: CURRENT AND FUTURE Medium: SEDIMENT Exposure Medium: SEDIMENT Exposure Point Concentration Detected Chemical of C o n c e m Frequency of Detection Units Exposure Point Concentration (EPC) EPC Units statistical Measure Min 0.0195 4.2 mg/kg 53/67 1.2 mg/kg -1-95% UCL 0.000000589 Aroclor 1260 Max 0.005 mg/kg 25/25 0.0014 mg/kg 9 5 % UCL Sediment PCB Congener TEQ Key: mg/kg: Milligrams per kilogram UCL: Upper Confidence Limit w Table 11 - Brier Creek Reservoir Chemicals of Concern (Fish) ,:;Tv:::;;'-.;' ^/':;';;.\.;SIJMMARV.OFCHEMICALS;0F'GP^ • vM^DiiJM-SPEciFic EXPOSURE POINT e ^ '-^':^W-'>^\ '!.'•• : : : r '':"••''•:': Scenario Timeframe: CURRENT AND FUTURE Medium: FISH Exposure Medium: FISH FILLET Exposure Point Chemical of Concern Concentration Detected Min Aroclor 1260 2.60 n.oooiKMs: o.nnnm 1 Frequency of Detection Exposure Point Concentration Exposure Point Concentration Units statistical Measure mg/kg 12/12 1.64 mg/kg 9 5 % UCL mg/kg 12/12 0.000024 mg/kg 9 5 % UCL Max 0.22 Units Fish PCB Congener TEQ^ Key: mg/kg: milligrams per kilogram UCL: Upper Confidence Limit s^ 25 ^ ^ ' Table 12 - Lake Crabtree Chemicals of Concern (Fish) - • ..'/-v ,•<; SUMMARY-OEGlffiK^^ 'J J ^'; • •: ] ^ Scenario Timeframe: CURRENT AND FUTURE Medium: FISH Exposure Medium: FISH FILLET Concentration Chemical Exposure Detected Units of Concem Point Min Max Fish Aroclor 1260 PCB Congener TEQ ••'•'"^-;•'•'.•.'';•'• • ExpostjRE P O I N T C O N C E N T R A T I O N S • • ^ • Frequency of Detection Exposure Point Concentration Exposure Point Concentration Units • • • ' • • " ' : . ' ; : ' Statistical Measure 95% UCL 0.100 1.70 mg/kg 10/10 0.99 mg/kg n.nonoisi n.oooo.iii mg/kg 10/10 0.000030 mg/kg 95% UCL Key: mg/kg: milligrams per kilogram UCL: Upper Confidence Limit "y^ Table 13 - Crabtree Creek Chemicals of Concern (Fish) .-•'"-/"y. •'}•::''::-\yl'-:- • ]'.•''-['/•'•'•' S U M M A R Y . O T : C H E M I C / ^ S O F C O N C E I W A N D : ^ :'; •I'-'-' •.-•;; i'^•••-';:;•:•• ^'•"MEbiuM-SPEciFieExp6suRE:powTCo>iGEN Scenario Timeframe: CURRENT AND FUTURE Medium: FISH Exposure Medium: FISH FILLET Concentration Units Exposure Point Exposure Chemical Detected Frequency Concentration of Concem of Detection Point Max Min Fish Aroclor 1260 PCB Congener TEQ Exposure Point Concentration Units statistical Measure 0.033 0.34 mg/kg 9/12 0.18 mg/kg 95% UCL 0.000(10103 0.00000683 mg/kg 11/11 0.0000068 mg/kg MAXIMUM Key: mg/kg: milligrams per kilogram UCL; Upper Confidence Limit w ''^•^r-'::''^r':'::i : i't^..'.:':-1=^,: ;:•• 26 ^ 8.1.2 Exposure Assessment The goal of the exposure assessment is to determine the extent of potential exposure of susceptible populations. PCB contamination as a result of past operational practices at the Ward Transformer facility is the primary source of concem at the study areas. A summary of the exposure assessment results is presented below. Section 5.3 ofthe Rl report presents the complete exposure assessment conducted as part of the risk assessment process. 8.1.2.1 Characterization of current and future land and water uses ofthe study areas PCBs migrating from the Ward Transformer facility have been detected in soil, sediment, surface water, and fish in various segments of the study area. Land and surface water extending from the Ward Transformer facility to the Neuse River have a number of cunent and potential future uses. Figure 1-5 illustrates the locations ofthe areas described below. • • Reaches B, C, and D - Reaches B and C are part of the unnamed tributary. Reach D is the Little Brier Creek, prior to its entrance into Brier Creek Reservoir. These reaches are not zoned for residential development. These areas do not support recreational fishing or swimming due to the small size of the stream therefore, fish filet data was not collected here. It was assumed that resident children may wade in these areas. • Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree - Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree contain significant numbers of sport fish including catfish species, largemouth bass, and bluegill sunfishes. Recreational fishing occurs currently and will likely continue to occur in the future. Fish samples collected during the RI contain PCBs. Fish advisory signs are in place in the Brier Creek Reservoir area and Lake Crabtree waming fishermen of the detection of dangerous levels of PCBs in recreationally caught fish. In addition to fishing activities, publicly accessible swimming areas at Lake Crabtree may expose families to contaminants in surface water and sediment while swimming. Residential development is possible near Brier Creek Reservoir; thus, a future resident wader scenario was considered for this area. Bicycle paths and ball fields are present at Lake Crabtree therefore, bikers/joggers and ball players could potentially be exposed to contaminated soil. Children in areas adjacent to Reaches B, C, and D could potentially wade in sediment and surface water of Brier Creek Reservoir. Because the swimming exposure pathway was evaluated at Lake Crabtree, a wader scenario was not considered in Lake Crabtree. • w Reach A - Reach A does not suppon recreational fishing or swimming due to its small size and intermittent flow, and most likely, will not be developed in the future for residential use. However, the area along the unnamed tributary to Little Brier Creek can be accessed by cunent or future trespassers and contact with surface water and sediment could occur during wading or other similar activities. Lower Brier Creek - This area is between Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree. This portion of the creek does not support recreational fishing or swimming, and no fish filet < ^ 27 '^^^^ tissue data are available for evaluation. A child resident could wade in sediment and surface water. • Crabtree Creek - This area is between Lake Crabtree and the Neuse River. This area supports recreational fishing. 8.1.2.2 Exposure Pathway Analysis An exposure pathways analysis depicts the contaminated media, potential exposure routes and pathways, and potentially susceptible known or potential human populations. A key function of the analysis is to identify complete exposure pathways and to assist in the development of exposure scenarios and dose estimation models. Exposure Scenarios There are several susceptible populations in the study areas. The following exposure scenarios were considered in the risk assessment: • • Future Resident in Reaches B, C, and D - Based on zoning restrictions and the improbability of development in these areas, residential risks were not quantitatively evaluated. • Future Resident Wader in Reaches B, C, and D, Brier Creek Reservoir, and Brier Creek Evaluated. • Cunent/Future Recreational Fisher in Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree, and Crabtree Creek - Evaluated. • Cunent/Future Swimmer in Lake Crabtree - Evaluated. • Current/Future BLker/Jogger at Lake Crabtree Park - PCB Aroclors were not detected in any of the soil samples and the TEQ for the detected PCB congeners was less than EPA screening value. • ^ Cunent/Future Trespasser in Reach A - Evaluated. Cunent/Future Ball Player at Lake Crabtree Park - PCB Aroclors were not detected in any of the soil samples and the TEQ for the detected PCB congeners was less than the EPA screening value. Exposure Pathways V J Exposure pathways evaluated for each scenario are presented in Table 8-1 (Appendix B). A simplified chart summarizing these exposures is presented in Table 14 below. 28 ^ 1 ^ Table 14 - Summary of Complete Exposure Pathways Evaluated "REACHES:' EXPOSURE; DESCRiFlION PATHWAY. • - 1 • '•• • R E A C H ; A : > ' B, C,AND-; • ' \ ' ' ' - ' ^ y ' ' • • • ' "'-.^'•BRIER^::? ; ; . : / B R I E R ; - , ;••• •;•; CREEK' RESERVOIR ' ^ • • • ' • C R E E K '••••:. Soil Contact Incidental ingestion, dermal contact, dust inhalation Adolescent trespasser Child and adult resident waders Child and adult resident waders Incidental ingestion, dermal contact Adolescent trespasser Child and adult resident waders Child and adult resident waders Incidental ingestion, dermal contact Fish Ingestion Consumption of recreationally caught fish CREEK- Child and adult resident waders Surface Water Contact CRABTREE Child and adult resident waders Sediment Contact w •"•.•'.'L\kE..:,:-i ; C R A B T R E E ' • Child and adult swimmers Child and adult recreational fishermen Child and adult recreational fishermen Child and adult recreational fishermen 8.1.3 Toxicity Assessment The toxicity assessment will identify and define the toxicity values for the evaluation of COPCs at the Ward Transformer Superfund Site. These toxicity values are applied to the estimated exposure doses in order to calculate potential cancer risks and noncancer health effects. Chemicals that have evidence of carcinogenicity are referred to as carcinogens. Excessive exposure to all chemicals potentially can produce adverse noncancer health effects, while the potential for causing cancer is limited to carcinogens. Therefore, noncancer toxicity values can be developed for all chemicals, while cancer toxicity values can be developed only for carcinogens. The noncancer toxicity values used in this risk assessment are termed reference doses (RfDs), and the cancer toxicity values are termed cancer slope factors (CSFs). RfDs and CSFs are expressed in units of milligrams of chemical per kilogram of body weight per day (mg/kg-day), or cancer risk per mg/kg-day, respectively. Inhalation reference concentrations (RfCs) and unit risk factors (URFs) are converted to RfDs and CSFs, respectively, according to EPA guidance. \ ^ See Tables 8-2 through 8-5 (Appendix B) for cancer slope factors and RFDs used in the BHHRA. 29 Carcinogenic Effects Weight-of-Evidence Categorization EPA has assigned each chemical a weight-of-evidence, which represents the likelihood of it being a human carcinogen. Six weight-of-evidence categories exist: • • • • • • A Human carcinogen,, based on sufficient evidence from human data. Bl Probable human carcinogen, limited human data are available. B2 Probable human carcinogen, sufficient evidence in animals and inadequate or no evidence in humans. C Possible human carcinogen, limited evidence of carcinogenicity in animals and evidence in humans is inadequate. D Not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity, based on inadequate data in humans and animals. E No evidence of carcinogenicity in humans in at least two adequate animal tests in different species or in both adequate epidemiological and animal studies. The Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk Assessment recommends a different scheme for weighting evidence of carcinogenicity than has been traditionally used in risk assessments. The new guidelines recommend replacing these classifications with descriptions of known likely, cannot be determined, or not likely. However, the COPCs in this BHHRA are still classified by the old system in the IRIS database. The oral, inhalation, and dermal CSFs used in this risk assessment are expressed as an inverse dose, in units of mg/kg-day'. When EPA develops inhalation toxicity values to express carcinogenic potency through the inhalation exposure route, the values are usually developed as an inhalation URE. The URF is expressed as an inverse concentration in air in units of micrograms of chemical per cubic meter of air (jig/m"^)'. The inhalation unit risks are converted to slope factors in accordance with EPA guidance. Dermal Slope Factors Although EPA has developed oral and/or inhalation slope factors for a number of carcinogens, dermal slope factors have not been derived for any chemicals. EPA has published guidance, however, for calculating dermal slope factors for chemicals for which an oral slope factor is available. In accordance with EPA guidance, a dermal slope factor is derived for PCBs by dividing its oral slope factor by an appropriate absorption factor. This results in the conversion of the oral slope factor, which represents the carcinogenic potency of the administered dose, to a dermal slope factor, which represents the carcinogenic potency of the absorbed dose. The conversion is necessary to be able to calculate risk through the dermal pathway. The dermal slope factors must be consistent with the dermal doses, which are calculated in the exposure assessment as absorbed doses. The oral and inhalation doses, by contrast, are calculated as \ ^ 30 ^^^^ administered doses and are evaluated using CSFs based on the administered dose. EPA has recommended a PCB gastrointestinal (GI) tract absorption factor of 100%. Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) PCBs are sometimes refened to by their commercial name, Aroclors. Aroclors are complex mixtures of varying amounts of PCB congeners. There are 209 known PCB congeners consisting of varying numbers of chlorine atoms. Each specific Aroclor mixture has a unique congener profile. Congeners are classified according to 10 homologue groups, depending on the number of chlorines (i.e., monochlorinated to decachlorinated homologues) attached to the biphenyl molecule. The congener content of each homologue group is dependent on the manufacturing method used to prepare the mixture. Lower numbered Aroclors (e.g., Aroclor 1016, Aroclor 1221) tend to be mixtures of congeners with lower chlorine content than the higher numbered Aroclors (e.g., Aroclor 1254, Aroclor 1260). Non-cancer Health Effects W Derivation of Reference Doses (RfDs) The toxicity values that are used in this risk assessment to estimate the potential for adverse noncancer health effects are termed RfDs. The term RfD refers to the daily intake of a chemical to which an individual can be exposed without any expectation of noncancer health effects (e.g., organ damage, biochemical alterations) occurring during a given exposure duration. As the RfD decreases in value, the chemical is more toxic in producing noncancer health effects. EPA has derived RfDs for two different exposure periods. Chronic RfDs have been developed to evaluate human exposures of greater than 7 years. Subchronic RfDs have been provisionally developed to evaluate exposure periods in humans of 2 weeks to 7 years. Unlike the approach used in deriving CSFs, it is assumed when deriving RfDs that a threshold dose exists below which there is no potential for systemic toxicity. RfDs are expressed as a dose in units of mg/kg-day. When deriving noncancer toxicity values for the inhalation exposure route, EPA expresses the value as a reference concentration (RfC) in units of milligrams of chemical per cubic meter of air (mg/m"). Because exposure doses for all pathways, including the inhalation pathway, are conventionally calculated in units of mg/kg-day, the RfCs are converted to inhalation RfDs, in accordance with EPA guidance. The conversion assumes an adult body weight of 70 kg and an inhalation rate of 20 m"'/day. Dermal Reference Doses EPA has not derived dermal RfDs for any chemicals, but has provided guidance for deriving these values for chemicals for which an oral RfD is available. In accordance with EPA guidance, dermal RfDs are derived by multiplying each oral RfD by an appropriate absorption factor. The absorption factor for PCBs was selected as 100%. " ^ 31 ^J Reference Doses for PCBs The primary PCB mixtures found at the site are Aroclor 1254 and Aroclor 1260. The Aroclor 1254 RfD was used as a sunogate because there is no cunent RfD for Aroclor 1260, the predominant PCB mixture believed to be present at the site. 8.1.4 Risk Charactenzation In the baseline risk characterization, the results of the toxicity and exposure assessments are summarized and integrated into quantitative and qualitative expressions of potential risk for carcinogenic compounds and into a HI for non-carcinogenic compounds. The baseline risk characterization presents Reasonable Maximum Exposure (RME) and average/central tendency exposures to baseline site conditions in the absence of additional site controls or remediation. w Non-carcinogenic Hazard The potential for non-carcinogenic effects is evaluated by comparing an exposure level over a specified time period (e.g., life-time) with a reference dose (RfD) derived for a similar exposure period. A RfD represents a level that an individual may be exposed to that is not expected to cause any deleterious effect. The ratio of exposure to toxicity is called a hazard quotient (HQ). An HQ<1 indicates that a receptor's dose of a single contaminant is less than the RfD, and that toxic non- carcinogenic effects from that chemical are unlikely. The Hazard Index (HI) is generated by adding the HQs for all chemicals of concem that affect the same target organ (e.g., liver) or that act through the same mechanism of action within a medium or across all media to which a given individual may reasonably be exposed. An H1<1 indicates that, based on the sum of all HQs from different contaminants and exposure routes, toxic non-carcinogenic effects from all contaminants are unlikely. An HI >1 indicates that site-related exposures may present a risk to human health. The HQ is calculated as follows: Non-cancer HQ = CDI/RfD Where: CDl = chronic daily intake RfD = reference dose CDl and RfD are expressed in the same units and represent the same exposure period (e.g., chronic, sub-chronic, or short-term). Carcinogenic Risk For carcinogens, risks are generally expressed as the incremental probability of an individual developing cancer over a lifetime as a result of exposure to the carcinogen. Excess lifetime cancer risk is calculated from the following equation: ILCR = CDl X SF ^ 32 "^J Where: ILCR (Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk) Cancer Risk = a unit-less probability (e.g., 2 x 10"^) of an individual developing cancer CDl = chronic daily intake averaged over 70 years (mg/kg-day) SF = slope factor, expressed as (mg/kg-day)-1. These risks are probabilities that are expressed in scientific notation (e.g., 10'^). An excess lifetime cancer risk of 1 x 10'^ indicates that an individual experiencing the reasonable maximum exposure estimate has a 1 in 1,000,000 chance of developing cancer as a result of site-related exposure. This is refened to as an "excess lifetime cancer risk" because it would be in addition to the risks of cancer individuals face from other causes such as smoking or exposure to too much sun. The chances of an individual developing cancer from all other causes have been estimated to be as high as one in three. EPA's acceptable risk range for excess lifetime cancer risk from site-related exposure is 10"^ to 10"^. Risk Characterization Results Table 8-6 (Appendix 2) summarizes the cancer and non-cancer risk calculated for each study area and exposure scenario by exposure pathway and medium. The five study areas evaluated include: '\J • • • • Reach A Combined Reaches B, C, and D, Brier Creek Reservoir, and Brier Creek Lake Crabtree Crabtree Creek Media are designated SS (surface soil), SD (sediment), SW (surface water), and FT (fish filet).Where appropriate, the cancer and non-caner risk from each medium were subtotaled separately, as well as combined to calculate a cancer and non-cancer risk (Hazard Index (HI)) for the total site (all media). Total risks were expressed either in terms of Aroclors or PCB congeners for scenarios that had both types of data available because adding risks for Aroclors and PCB congener TEQs within a given exposure pathway or scenario could potentially result in double counting of PCB exposure since it is known that commercial Aroclor mixtures contain various proportions of these congeners. Risks from any other chemicals were incorporated into the total for both. The Reach A trespasser scenario exceeded EPA's risk management range of IxlOE"^ to 1x10" cancer risk. The HI (based on Aroclors) was also greater than the noncancer HI management level of one. Cancer risk and HI were dominated by exposure to floodplain surface soils. The fishermen scenarios had the highest risks (based on PCB congeners) and His (based on Aroclors) of all scenarios evaluated. ^ ^ 33 ^ ^ The swimmer scenarios (Lake Crabtree) had the lowest risks of all scenarios evaluated. Both ELCRs and His were consistent with EPA's acceptable risk management range (i.e., ILCR, 1x10"^ to 1x10"^; HI, <1). The wader scenarios (combined Reaches B, C, and D, Brier Creek Reservoir, and Brier Creek) were also consistent with EPA's acceptable risk management range for ILCR and HI. 8.1.4.1 Risk Characterization Summary EPA's acceptable cancer risk range for contaminated waste sites is 1x10"^ (1 in 1 million) to 1x10 (1 in 10,000), and the acceptable site HI is one. Based on these criteria, the resident wader is within this acceptable range even if surface water dermal exposure is considered. The swimmer scenario for Lake Crabtree was also within the acceptable risk limits. The largest cancer and non-cancer risks were associated with the consumption of fish filets in the fishing scenarios farther downstream in Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree, and Crabtree Creek. These risks, which are summarized in the Table 15, were in general unacceptable, with the possible exception of Crabtree Creek, which had marginal cancer risk and HI excursions. Table 15 - Carcinogenic Risk Results CARCINOGENIC •: PERCENT OF; . RISK SCENARIO :'V vr'-:;t' 'U;- "RECEPTOR "• •.-;•; •• ;-:'.:^J;'CHiEMICAL/'-|;'.:f" Younger Child Recreational Fisherman Dioxin T t Q PCB Aroclor/Congener 3.97 E-06 1.10 E-04 4 96 Adult Recreational Fisherman Dioxin TEQ PCB Aroclor/Congener 1.89 E-05 5.25 E-04 4 96 Younger Child Recreational Fisherman Dioxin TEQ PCB Aroclor/Congener 6.81 E-06 1.38 E-04 5 95 Adolescent Child Recreational Fisherman Dioxin TEQ PCB Aroclor/Congener 5.47 E-06 I.IOE-04 5 95 Adult Recreational Fisherman Dioxin TEQ PCB Aroclor/Congener 3.24 E-05 6.54 E-04 10 90 Adult Recreational Fisherman Dioxin TEQ PCB Congener 1.50 E-04 Brier Creek Reser\'oir Eating Fish Filets Lake Crabtree Eating Fish Filets Crabtree Creek Eating Fish Fillets .•:::;;.•!•'• Rikk*';'•:,'j::;- - .• Risk. A;.. IOO For PCB risks, the larger of the Aroclor or congener TEQ risks was selected. - No dioxin/furan samples were collected from fish caught in Crabtree Creek Although some of the risks were associated with exposure to dioxins and furans, over 90% of the risks were associated with PCBs. Because of the high uncertainty levels associated with Aroclors and PCB congeners, it is difficult to determine if risks were overestimated or underestimated. However, the fishing scenarios were associated with high risk levels from PCB contamination, and justify the North Carolina fishing advisories cunently in place in Brier Creek Reservoir, Brier Creek, Lake Crabtree, and Crabtree Creek, regardless of the uncertainties. ^ ^ 34 ^ 8.2 Baseline Ecological Risk Assessment (BERA) A Screening Level Ecological Risk Assessment (SLERA) was prepared and included in the Rl report. The Scientific Management Decision Point (SMDP) for the SLERA recommended that a BERA be prepared for this Site. The results ofthe RI and SLERA indicate that contaminants have migrated from the Ward Transformer facility and that the maximum concentrations detected in a variety of media, including sediments, soil, and water, are at levels that are likely to pose risk to ecological receptors utilizing the affected areas. Thus, the scope ofthe BERA is to evaluate impacts of site-related contaminants (i.e., PCB and dioxin-like congeners) on off-site surface waters from Reach A to Crabtree Creek. 8.2.1 Objectives The primary objectives of the BERA are to: • • w Evaluate contaminant levels [primarily polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dioxin-like PCB congeners] in sediment, floodplain soil, surface water, and fish and invertebrate tissue. Assess the potential for adverse impact to ecological receptors, focusing on exposures to avian and terrestrial piscivores and aquatic insectivores. • Develop conclusions and recommendations for additional investigation or no further action, as appropriate, based on the findings from the BERA. 8.2.2 Problem Formulation The problem formation establishes the goals, breadth, and focus of the BERA. The problem formulation also establishes assessment endpoints or specific ecological values to be protected. The questions that need to be addressed are defined based on potentially complete exposure pathways and ecological effects. The conceptual exposure model shows the complete exposure pathways evaluated in the BERA and the relationship ofthe measurement endpoints and the assessment endpoints. The problem formulation for this site involves identifying the exposure pathways by which the contaminants of ecological concern (COEC), which are primarily PCBs and dioxin-like PCB congeners, have migrated or may migrate from the Ward Transformer facility and ultimately to link these routes of migration to receptors and habitat in, on, and around the Site. Vi^v' 8.2.3 Conceptual Exposure Model A conceptual site model defines how exposure to constituents might affect an ecosystem. The general taxonomic groups (i.e., tenestrial and aquatic organisms) potentially at risk from exposure at the Ward Transformer Superfund Site and the associated fate and transport mechanisms have been summarized in a conceptual exposure pathway model (Figure 13). This 35 ^ figure provides a simple graphical representation of the movement of stressors through aquatic/wetland and terrestrial environments and identifies the key ecological components (i.e., target receptor species) and exposure routes that will be evaluated in the BERA. For the Ward Transformer Superfund Site, it is assumed that complete exposure pathways exist for receptors exposed to both aquatic (surface water, sediment, organisms) and terrestrial (surface soil and organisms) media. The concentrations of PCBs and dioxin-like PCB congeners in sediment, crayfish, and fish tissue samples confirm a complete surface water pathway downstream of the Ward Transformer facility. During sampling and habitat delineation activities, signs of omnivorous mammals such as raccoons were noted and direct observations were made of piscivorous avian receptors including belted kingfisher, great blue heron, and osprey in the riparian area of the unnamed tributary to Little Brier Creek, Brier Creek Reservoir, and Lake Crabtree. The bald eagle, a listed species, is known to nest along Lake Crabtree and to forage in Lake Crabtree and Brier Creek Reservoir. These receptors are expected to forage on invertebrates and/or fish in the impacted reaches. Given the pronounced tendency of PCBs to bioaccumulate, these receptors may be adversely impacted by dietary uptake of contaminants contained in prey. w 8.2.4 Assessment Endpoints Assessment endpoints are defined as explicit expressions of the environmental value that is to be protected. The primary contaminants of concem at this site are PCBs and dioxin-like PCB congeners. Given the presence of PCBs in sediment and soil and the potential for ecological exposure to occur from sediment and soil, a set of assessment endpoints were developed for the purpose of achieving the specific goals of the BERA. The assessment endpoints represent potentially significant impacts to the Ward Transformer Superfund Site ecosystem and are based on their ability to integrate modeled, field, or laboratory data with the individual assessment endpoint. Elevated levels of PCBs in sediment and surface water are known to be toxic to fish and benthic organisms; thus, toxicity to aquatic organisms and benthic invertebrates is proposed as an assessment endpoint for PCBs. The primary ecological threat of PCBs in ecosystems is not through direct exposure or acute toxicity. Instead, PCBs bioaccumulate in food chains and PCBs have been implicated as a cause of reduced reproductive success in piscivorous birds and mammals. Therefore, reduced reproductive success in high trophic level species exposed to contaminants, especially PCBs, in soil and sediment and directly through their diet is another proposed assessment endpoint for the contaminants of concem. 8.2.5 Identification of Target Receptors The target receptors were selected based on the concept that it is neither feasible nor costeffective to measure constituent effects on all species inhabiting the aquatic and terrestrial habitat associated with the Ward Transformer Superfund Site. Consequently, target receptors have been selected and are evaluated as sunogate species with a high level of sensitivity and exposure to the constituents of concem at the site. These target receptors were selected to provide the most conservative estimation of exposure for similar species within the same feeding guild. Habitat characterization data, including direct and indirect observations of target receptors in the watershed, were considered in the selection process. Even though the specific target receptors ^ 36 ^ 1 ^ were selected for evaluation in the BERA, these species are selected to represent exposures that other (similar) species with comparable feeding guilds may be receiving, and thus, serve as "sunogate" receptors. The target receptors are: • Benthic Organisms - Contamination, especially from PCBs, will adversely impact benthic organisms. Thus, the benthic organism population was selected as a receptor group in this BERA. • Plants and Soil - Dwelling Organisms - Contamination, especially from PCBs, can be taken up and bioaccumulated by plants and soil-dwelling organisms. PCBs can also have an adverse impact on soil-dwelling organisms. Thus, the plant and soil-dwelling organism populations were selected as receptor groups in this BERA. • Fish Populations - The effects of PCBs on fish health has been the focus of numerous scientific studies. Thus, the resident fish population was selected as a receptor group in this BERA. Bald Eagle - The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), our national symbol, is a federally designated threatened species (though the bald eagle is proposed for delisting). Bald eagles have been observed along Lake Crabtree and have nested in the immediate vicinity of the lake. They may also be foraging within their home range in Brier Creek Reservoir. The bald eagle was selected as a receptor species because of its status as a threatened species, its position at the top ofthe food chain, and its piscivorous feeding habits. Great Blue Heron - The great blue heron (Ardea herodias) is a large aquatic bird with a long neck and spear-like bill. Great blue heron inhabit a variety of freshwater and marine habitats, and they have been observed near the site. The blue heron's main prey items are fish and amphibians, but it will also eat small mammals, reptiles, cmstaceans, insects, and birds. The great blue heron was selected as a target receptor species based on its presence at the site and its diet, which may include fish and crayfish. Mink - The mink (Mustela vison) is the most abundant and widespread carnivorous mammal in Nonh America, primarily feeding on fish and cmstaceans. Mink are associated with aquatic habitats of all kinds, including rivers, streams, lakes, ditches, swamps, marshes, and backwater areas. Numerous studies have demonstrated that mink are among the most sensitive of the tested mammalian species to the toxic effects of PCBs. The mink was selected as a receptor species because of its PCB sensitivity, its position at the top of the food chain, and its piscivorous feeding habits. • V V Raccoon - The common raccoon (Procyon lotor) is an omnivore, feeding on whatever is most available during a given season. Its diet includes fmits, benies, nuts, acoms, insects, small mammals, birds and their eggs, crayfish, crabs, frogs, turtle eggs, and fish. The raccoon is found throughout the United States, and has been observed at the Site. The raccoon is seldom 37 w found far from water, a fact which influences the local distribution ofthis species. The raccoon was selected as a receptor species because of its presence at the site and its omnivorous feeding habits, which include consumption of both aquatic and terrestrial plants. • • w American Robin - Omnivorous birds such as the American robin (Turdus migratorius) are an important prey item for higher trophic level predators, and also play an important role in seed dispersal and pollination for many types of terrestrial vegetation. Robins occur throughout most of the continental United States. They are common medium-sized birds that eat worms, insects, and fmits, depending on the season and availability. Although robins are often migratory, some individuals may remain in the same territory throughout the year. The American robin was selected as a receptor species to represent the effects of the site contaminants on an omnivorous bird. Deer Mouse - The deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) is omnivorous and feeds primarily on seeds, arthropods, some green vegetation, roots and fmits, and fungi as available. It lives in a wide variety of habitats. The mouse is noctumal and is preyed upon by owls, hawks, snakes, and camivorous mammals. The deer mouse was selected as a receptor species because of its feeding habits and because small omnivorous mammals are an important prey item for higher trophic level predators. They also play an important role in seed dispersal for many types of terrestrial vegetation. 8.2.6 Development of Exposure Point Concentrations EPCs were developed by environmental medium and by habitat type. Separate EPCs were developed for each environmental medium based on habitat type, with the data grouped into the following habitats: Little Brier Creek and Tributaries Banks of Little Brier Creek and Tributaries Brier Creek Reservoir Brier Creek (Below Brier Creek Reservoir) Lake Crabtree Crabtree Creek Locations of these habitats are shown in Figure 1. 's^ The maximum detected concentration or a representative average concentration was evaluated as the EPC in quantifying exposure of ecological receptors to each environmental medium (i.e.. tissue, surface water, sediment, and bank soil). The representative average EPC is the 95 percent upper confidence limit (95% UCL) on the arithmetic mean. The 95% UCL was calculated using EPA's ProUCL (Version 3.0) software. Data reduction methods were the same as described in the Human Health Risk Assessment. If a chemical was reported as a nondetect in a sample set 38 (i.e., medium) containing at least one positive identification, it was assumed to be present at onehalf the sample quantitation limit (SQL) in all nondetected samples in the calculation ofthe 95% UCL concentration of the arithmetic mean. For dioxins and furans and for dioxin-like PCB congeners, a 2,3,7,8-TCDD toxic equivalent quotient (TEQ) was calculated using World Health Organization (WHO) toxic equivalency factors (TEFs), as described in the Human Health Risk Assessment. If a given congener was not detected in any samples for that medium, a TEQ was not calculated. If the congener was detected at least once in that medium, the TEQ for samples where it was not detected was determined by multiplying one-half its SQL with its TEF. For a given sample location, the individual congener TEQs were added to obtain a total 2,3,7,8-TCDD TEQ for that sample. ^ The maximum detected concentrations in whole-body tissue were selected as the EPC for fish and crayfish. The EPCs for tissue are summarized in Table 8-7 (Little Brier Creek and tributaries). Table 8-8 (Brier Creek Reservoir), Table 8-9 (Brier Creek [below Brier Creek Reservoir]), Table 8-10 (Lake Crabtree), and Table 8-11 (Crabtree Creek). Tables are included in Appendix B. ^ ^ The same fish species were not collected from each reach. Sunfish and bullhead were collected from Little Brier Creek and tributaries; sunfish, bass, and bullhead were collected from Brier Creek Reservoir; sunfish and bullhead were collected from Brier Creek (below Brier Creek Reservoir); sunfish, bass, and catfish were collected from Lake Crabtree; and sunfish, bass, and catfish were collected from Crabtree Creek. Crayfish tissue was collected only from Little Brier Creek and its unnamed tributary, and Brier Creek (below Brier Creek Reservoir). To account for wildlife consuming fish of varying trophic levels, EPCs were selected for both bottomfeeders (represented by bullhead and catfish) and predators (represented by sunfish and bass). If whole body samples were not available for a grouping or concentration in the filet was greater than in the whole body sample in a reach, filet tissue results were used as the EPC. Catfish and bass filet sample results for PCBs (as Aroclors) and PCB congener TEQs were used for Crabtree Creek and bullhead filet results for PCBs (as Aroclors) were used for Brier Creek Reservoir. The maximum detected concentration in surface water was selected as the EPC. Surface water EPCs are provided in Table 8-12 (Appendix B). Surface water samples were collected only from the Little Brier Creek and tributaries and from Lake Crabtree. PCBs (as Aroclors) were detected in Little Brier Creek; PCBs (as congeners) were not detected in surface water from Lake Crabtree. For sediment, the maximum detected concentration was used for Brier Creek Reservoir, Brier Creek (below Brier Creek Reservoir), Lake Crabtree, and Crabtree Creek. A maximum and a representative average EPC was used for both the instream sediments from Little Brier Creek and tributaries and for sediment samples collected from the banks. The bank samples included sediment samples collected from the banks of Reaches A, B, and C of Little Brier Creek and tributaries (i.e., not within the main channel). The EPCs for instream sediment and bank sediment are presented in Table 8-13 (Little Brier Creek and Tributaries), Table 8-14 (bank ^ ^ 39 w samples from Little Brier Creek and tributaries), Table 8-15 (Brier Creek Reservoir), Table 8-16 (Brier Creek [below Brier Creek Reservoir]), Table 8-17 (Lake Crabtree), and Table 8-18 (Crabtree Creek). Low level analytical methods were used to analyze PCB congeners in sediments collected in 2005 and 2006; thus, 2005 and 2006 PCB TEQ concentrations were generally lower than PCB TEQ concentrations measured in samples collected in 2003 and 2004. The maximum detected concentration in floodplain soil was selected as the EPC. The maximum detected floodplain soil samples were collected near Little Brier Creek Reaches A and D, Brier Creek Reservoir, Crabtree Creek, and Lake Crabtree. PCBs (as Aroclors) were not detected in floodplain soil near Crabtree Creek. The EPCs for floodplain soil are presented in Table 8-19. 8.2.7 Estimation of Potential Risks Wildlife may be exposed to PCBs and dioxins directly or through the food chain. The potential risk lo the target ecological receptors is characterized in this subsection. \ ^ Benthic Organisms To assess the potential for adverse effects on benthic organisms from exposure to potentially toxic sediment, the range of detected sediment concentrations was compared to sediment screening benchmarks (Table 8-20, Appendix B). For Little Brier Creek and tributaries. Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree, and Crabtree Creek, the HQs exceeded one for PCBs and dioxins. The HQ for dioxins in samples from Brier Creek (below Brier Creek Reservoir) was 1.5; PCBs were not detected in this reach. The 95% UCL concentration of PCBs in sediments of Little Brier Creek and tributaries (17.6 mg/kg) exceeded the highest ofthe sediment benchmarks [5.3 mg/kg severe effect level]. Although these results show a potential for adverse impacts to benthic organisms from sediment exposure, these risks may be localized at particular "hotspots," rather than distributed throughout the habitats. In addition, although congener PCB concentrations in sediment samples from farther downstream reaches (e.g., Crabtree Creek and Brier Creek [below Brier Creek Reservoir]) were all below their respective SQLs, the congener PCB TEQs were calculated using one-half the detection limit for those congeners detected in upstream sediment samples. Sediment samples collected in 2005 and 2006 were analyzed using low level methods, resulting in detection limits that were up to two orders of magnitude lower than the detection limits for the 2003 and 2004 samples. In Crabtree Creek, the maximum PCB TEQ for the 2006 samples was 8.5x10"^ nig/kg. In Brier Creek (below Brier Creek Reservoir), the maximum PCB TEQ was 1.1x10"^ for the 2006 samples. These concentrations are below the benthic invertebrate screening level of 2.5x10" mg/kg for dioxins. ' \ ^ Fish and Crayfish Exposure of fish and crayfish to potentially deleterious concentrations of PCBs and dioxins is evaluated based on a comparison of tissue residues to residue effects concentrations (Table 8-21, 40 \^^ Appendix B). The maximum concentration of PCBs and dioxin TEQs in the whole body tissue for the target species collected were compared to the "tissue no observed effect doses" (NOEDs) and "low observed effect doses" (LOEDs) for similar fish and aquatic invertebrate species. For the bottom-dweller (i.e., omnivorous) fish species, the HQs for PCBs based on the NOED and LOED exceeded one for tissue collected from Little Brier Creek and tributaries. The HQ for PCBs based on the NOED was equal to one for omnivorous fish in Brier Creek Reservoir. For the other habitats, the HQs were less than one, and therefore do not indicate excess risk to orrmivorous fish species. For the predator (i.e., camivorous) fish species, the HQs for PCBs based on the NOED and LOED for Aroclor 1260 exceeded one in Little Brier Creek and Brier Creek Reservoir. HQs based only on the NOED exceeded one for fish collected from Brier Creek (below Brier Creek Reservoir), Lake Crabtree, and Crabtree Creek. For the predatory fish species, the HQs for dioxins and combined PCB congener and dioxin TEQs were less than one and therefore do not indicate excess risk to camivorous fish species. ^ For the crayfish (i.e., aquatic invertebrate), the HQs for PCBs based on the NOED and LOED exceeded one in Little Brier Creek and tributaries. HQs for PCBs based on the NOED exceeded one for crayfish collected from Brier Creek (below Brier Creek Reservoir) and from Crabtree Creek. For the aquatic invertebrate species, the HQs for dioxins and PCB congeners were less than 1.0 and therefore do not indicate excess risk to aquatic invertebrate species. Crayfish were not collected from Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree, or Crabtree Creek. Plants and Soil-Dwelling Organisms To assess the potential for adverse effects on plants and other soil-dwelling organisms from exposure to potentially toxic soil, the maximum and 95% UCL soil concentrations were compared to soil screening benchmarks (Table 8-22). The HQs for maximum concentration of PCBs in soil on the banks of Little Brier Creek and tributaries exceeded one for plants and other soil-dwelling organisms. For plants, the HQ for the 95% UCL concentration of PCBs in soil did not exceed one, while for other soil-dwelling organisms the HQ exceeded one. For floodplain soils along Little Brier Creek, the HQs for maximum and 95% UCL concentrations of PCBs exceeded one for soil-dwelling organisms but did not exceed one for plants. The single Brier Creek Reservoir floodplain soil sample had a HQ above one for soil-dwelling organisms. PCBs were not detected in Lake Crabtree floodplain soil. A plant and other-soil dwelling organism benchmark was not available for dioxins. Other Wildlife Species The potential risks to other wildlife species within each habitat are summarized in this subsection. \ ^ Little Brier Creek and Tributaries and Floodplain The wildlife target receptors evaluated for Little Brier Creek and tributaries were the mink, the heron, the raccoon, the deer mouse, and the robin. The mink may be exposed to contaminants 41 w through the ingestion of fish, sediment, and surface water. The great blue heron may be exposed to contaminants through ingestion of fish and crayfish as well as through incidental ingestion of sediment and surface water. The raccoon may be exposed to contaminants through the ingestion of crayfish, sediment and surface water, as well as through the consumption of plants and soil along the banks of the creek. The deer mouse and robin may be exposed through the ingestion of plants, invertebrates, and floodplain soil. The potential risks to the mink, heron, raccoon, deer mouse, and robin are summarized in Table 8-23(Appendix B). The no effect and low effect HQs for PCBs exceeded one for the mink, heron, and raccoon using both the maximum and average (i.e., 95% UCL) exposure point concentrations (EPCs) for sediment. For the maximum sediment EPC, the HQ ranged from 43 to 8.8 for the mink, 38 to 3.8 for the heron, and 10 to 2.7 for the raccoon. For the average sediment EPC, the HQ ranged from 43 to 8.8 for the mink, 36 to 3.6 for the heron, and 9.7 to 2.6 for the raccoon. This risk is primarily associated with the consumption of contaminated prey. For the maximum sediment EPC, the no effect and low effect HQs for the PCB congener TEQ exceeded one, ranging from 100 to 10 for the mink, from 56 to 5.6 for the heron, and from 350 to 35 for the raccoon. For the average sediment EPC, the no effect HQs for the PCB congener TEQ exceeded one for the mink, heron, and raccoon, while the low effect HQs exceeded one only for the mink and raccoon. The PCB congener no effect HQs were 51 for the mink, 9.1 for the heron, and 210 for the raccoon, and the low effect HQs were 5.1 for the mink, 0.91 for the heron, and 21 for the raccoon. These risks from PCB congener TEQs are also primarily through food consumption. For the maximum EPC, the no effect HQ for the dioxin TEQ exceeded one only for the mink (1.7). Thus, PCBs and dioxin-like PCB congeners pose a risk to wildlife species along the Little Brier Creek and tributaries, especially through the consumption of contaminated prey and sediment. ^ The no effect and low effect HQs exceeded one for the deer mouse and robin inhabiting floodplain soils and are primarily associated with the consumption of contaminated prey. Thus, PCBs pose a risk to the deer mouse and robin inhabiting the floodplain along Little Brier Creek. Banks of Little Brier Creek and Tributaries The wildlife target receptors evaluated for the riparian area along the banks of Little Brier Creek and tributaries were the robin and deer mouse. The robin and deer mouse may be exposed to contaminants through the ingestion of plants, earthworms, and soil along the banks of the creek. They may also consume surface water from the creek. The potential risks to the robin and deer mouse are summarized in Table 8-24 (Appendix B). The no effect and low effect HQs for PCBs exceeded one for both the robin and the deer mouse using both the maximum and average soil concentrations. For the maximum soil EPC, the HQ ranged from 8,700 to 870 for the robin and from 4,400 to 880 for the deer mouse. For the average soil EPC, the HQ ranged from 4,200 to 420 for the robin and from 2,100 to 430 for the deer mouse. These risks are primarily associated with the consumption of contaminated earthworms ^ ^ 42 ^ that have bioaccumulated PCBs. The no effect and low effect HQs for the PCB congener TEQ and the dioxin/furan TEQ also exceeded one for the robin and deer mouse, again primarily through food consumption. For the maximum soil EPC, the PCB-congener TEQ HQs ranged from 190,000 to 19,000 for the robin and from 1,000,000 to 100,000 for the deer mouse. For the average soil EPC, the PCB-congener TEQ HQs ranged from 47,000 to 4,700 for the robin and 610,000 to 61,000 for the deer mouse. For the maximum soil EPC, the dioxin/furan TEQ HQs ranged from 250 to 25 for the robin and from 970 to 97 for the deer mouse. For the average soil EPC, the dioxin/furan TEQ HQs ranged from 120 to 12 for the robin and from 460 to 46 for the deer mouse. Thus, PCBs, dioxin-like PCB congeners, and dioxin/furans pose a risk to tenestrial wildlife species which may consume contaminated prey along the banks of Little Brier Creek and tributaries. Brier Creek Reservoir and Floodplain The wildlife target receptors evaluated for Brier Creek Reservoir and the associated floodplain were the mink, the heron, the eagle, the deer mouse, and the robin. The mink, heron, and eagle may be exposed to contaminants through the ingestion of fish and sediment. The deer mouse and robin may be exposed through the ingestion of plants, invertebrates, and soil. The potential risks to the mink, heron, eagle, deer mouse, and robin are summarized in Table 8-25. ^ The no effect HQs for the mink exceeded one for PCB (3.8) and the PCB congener TEQ (18). This risk is primarily associated with the consumption of contaminated prey. The low effect HQs for the mink did not exceed one for PCBs but did exceed one for PCB congener TEQ (1.8). Thus, dioxin-like PCB congeners pose a risk to the mink and PCBs pose a potential risk to the mink. The no effect HQs for the heron and the eagle equal one, indicating little to no risk to these species. The no effect HQs exceeded one for the deer mouse and robin inhabiting floodplain soils and is primarily associated with the consumption of contaminated prey. The low effect HQs for these two receptors did not exceed one, indicating a potential risk from PCBs in floodplain soil. Brier Creek (Below Brier Creek Reservoir) The wildlife target receptors evaluated for Brier Creek (below Brier Creek Reservoir) were the mink, the heron, and the raccoon. The mink may be exposed to contaminants through the ingestion of fish and sediment. The great blue heron may be exposed to contaminants through ingestion of fish and crayfish as well as through incidental ingestion of sediment. The raccoon may be exposed to contaminants through the ingestion of crayfish and sediment. The potential risks to the mink, heron, and raccoon are summarized in Table 8-26 (Appendix B). The no effect HQs for the mink (6.8) and the raccoon (3.8) exceeded one for the PCB congener TEQ. This risk is primarily associated with the consumption of contaminated prey. The low effect HQs for the mink and raccoon did not exceed one. Thus, dioxin-like PCB congeners pose a potential risk to the mink and raccoon. The no effect HQs for the heron do not exceed one, indicating little to no risk to Uiis species. The no-effect HQs for PCBs (as Aroclors) did not exceed one for any species. w 43 w Lake Crabtree and Floodplain The wildlife target receptors evaluated for Lake Crabtree were mink, heron, eagle, deer mouse, and robin. The mink, heron, and eagle may be exposed to contaminants through the ingestion of fish and sediment. The deer mouse and robin may be exposed through the ingestion of plants, invertebrates, and soil. The potential risks to the mink, heron, eagle, deer mouse, and robin are summarized in Table 8-27. (Appendix B) The no effect HQs for the mink exceeded one for the PCB congener TEQ (5.4 for congener TEQ and 1.2 for Aroclor 1260). This risk is primarily associated with the consumption of contaminated prey. The low effect HQs for the mink did not exceed one. The no effect and low effect HQs exceeded one for the deer mouse inhabiting floodplain soils and is primarily associated with the consumption of contaminated prey. Thus, PCBs and dioxin-like PCB congeners pose a potential risk to the mink and dioxin-like PCBs pose a potential risk to the deer mouse. The no effect HQs for the heron, eagle, and robin do not exceed one, indicating little to no risk to these species. Crabtree Creek The wildlife target receptors evaluated for Crabtree Creek were the mink, the heron, and the raccoon. The mink may be exposed to contaminants through the ingestion of fish and sediment. The great blue heron may be exposed to contaminants through ingestion of fish and crayfish as well as through incidental ingestion of sediment. The raccoon may be exposed to contaminants through the ingestion of crayfish and sediment. The potential risks to the mink, heron, and raccoon are summarized in Table 8-28. The no effect HQs for the mink (1.6) and heron (1.9) exceeded one for the PCB congener TEQ. The no effect HQ for the heron (2.2) exceeded one for PCBs. This risk is primarily associated with the consumption of PCB-contaminated prey by the mink and heron and consumption of Sediment by the heron. The low effect HQs for the mink and heron did not exceed one. Thus, dioxin-like PCB congeners pose a potential risk to the mink and heron, and PCBs pose a potential risk to the heron. The no effect HQs for the raccoon do not exceed one, indicating little to no risk to this species. While sediment samples collected from Crabtree Creek in 2003/2004 were all below their respective SQLs, the congener PCB TEQs were calculated using one-half the detection limit for those congeners detected in upstream sediment samples. Sediment samples collected in 2005 and 2006 were analyzed using low level methods, resulting in detection limits that were up to two orders of magnitude lower than the detection limits for the 2003 and 2004 samples. In Crabtree Creek, the maximum PCB TEQ for the 2006 samples was 0.02 ng/kg while the maximum concentration for the 2003/2004 samples was 250 ng/kg. Thus, the actual concentrations of PCB congeners in Crabtree Creek sediments may be lower, resulting in lower risk from sediment ingestion by the heron. ^ ^ 44 \^^ 8.2.8 Conclusion Summary The BERA was prepared to evaluate the ecological risks associated with site-related contamination in off-site surface water bodies downstream ofthe Ward Transformer facility. Results of the BERA indicate that the maximum concentrations detected in a variety of environmental media are at levels that are likely to pose risk to ecological receptors utilizing the affected areas. Potentially unacceptable levels of risk to benthic organisms, fish, and aquatic organisms were estimated in Little Brier Creek and tributaries. The impacted bank sediments also pose a risk to tenestrial receptors that forage along the creek. Although PCB concentrations in fish and crayfish in the upper reaches of the Little Brier Creek watershed are higher, whole body samples of fish from the Lake Crabtree and Crabtree Creek also indicate uptake of PCBs; demonstrating that the surface water/sediment exposure pathway is complete and cunent contaminant concentration may pose risk to fish-eating mammals and/or birds. The BERA concluded that there is a limited potential for risk to camivorous birds and mammals foraging in Brier Creek Reservoir, Brier Creek, Lake Crabtree, and Crabtree Creek due predominantly to the consumption of aquatic biota containing PCBs. The hazard quotient (HQ) analysis also indicated limited risk to benthic organisms, fish, and aquatic invenebrates in these water bodies. The documented and potential presence of threatened and/or endangered species within the impacted watershed requires additional consideration. The state endangered Atlantic pigtoe mussel and the state threatened squawfoot mussel have been reported in the nearby Umstead State Park, which is part of the Crabtree Creek watershed. These species could potentially be present in the unnamed tributary to Little Brier Creek. In addition, endangered bald eagles are nesting at Lake Crabtree and foraging at Lake Crabtree and Brier Creek Reservoir. The presence of threatened or endangered species could affect potential remedial altematives considered for the Site. If remedial actions are planned for stream sediments, a mussel survey should be conducted to determine if endangered mussel species are present in the unnamed tributary to Little Brier Creek. If endangered species are present, potential impacts associated with remediation will require evaluation for measures to minimize or eliminate such impacts. ^ 9.0 REMEDIAL ACTION OBJECTIVES Based upon the findings ofthe RI, community and stakeholder input, and associated human health and ecological baseline risk assessments, the following Remedial RAOs were identified for OUl: • • " Minimize potential downstream migration of PCB-contaminated soil and sediment. Reduce PCB levels in fish tissue to levels that allow for unlimited consumption. ^ 45 ^^^ Human Exposure: Eliminate or minimize potential risks to human health due to consumption of contaminated fish from Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree, and Lower Crabtree Creek. • Eliminate or minimize human exposure to consumption of contaminated fish from Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree, and Lower Crabtree Creek, by reducing PCB concentrations in fish tissue to levels that allow for unlimited consumption. Eliminate or minimize potential human exposure from direct contact with contaminated sediment and floodplain soil in Reaches B, C, and D, and lower Brier Creek by reducing the PCB concentrations to a protective level. Ecological Exposure: • Eliminate or minimize potential risks to ecological receptors due to consumption of contaminated fish from Reach B, Reach C, Reach D, lower Brier Creek, Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree, and Lower Crabtree Creek, by reducing PCB concentrations in fish tissue to levels that allow for unlimited consumption. • Eliminate or minimize potential risks to ecological receptors due to direct contact with contaminated sediment and floodplain soil in Reaches B, C, and D, and lower Brier Creek y reducing the PCB concentration to a protective level. In the ecological risk assessment, risk-based remediation goals for ecological receptors were calculated for the tributary to Little Brier Creek, Little Brier Creek, and Brier Creek Reservoir; the areas where most ofthe ecological risks were identified. Based on these ecological goals, it was determined that the human health RAOs for direct contact with sediment and fish consumption would also be protective of the primary ecological receptors (i.e., bald eagles, herons, raccoons, and mink). Therefore, once the PCB concentrations protective of human health are attained in sediment and fish tissue, the ecological risk goals should also be met. Consequently, from this point forward the primary factors driving the OU 1 remediation is the human health risks associated with fish consumption and dermal contact with PCB contaminated sediment. 9.1 Remediation Goals Based on the risk assessment conclusions, there are two distinct risks to humans from PCBs within OUl. The first is the exposure to PCBs in sediments and flood plain soil through direct human contact in Reaches B, C, and D, and lower Brier Creek. The second risk is associated with consumption offish from Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree, and lower Crabtree Creek. The State of North Carolina is expected to lift cunent fish consumption advisories in the future once PCB concentrations in fish drop to acceptable levels. Because attaining PCB levels acceptable ^ ^ 46 ^^^^ for fish consumption is typically more stringent and much more difficult to achieve than PCB levels in sediments, fish consumption was considered as the primary driving factor for developing Remediation Goals (RG) and remedial action altematives for OUl. During the development of cleanup goals for OUl, two distinct areas were addressed separately because of their use scenarios and physical nature. The first area consists of Reaches B, C, and D, and lower Brier Creek (between the Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree). These are streams with dimensions varying from 8 to 30 ft in width and from 3 to 6.5 ft in bank height. The small size and depth ofthe streams (Reaches B, C, and D) located upstream ofthe impoundment by the Brier Creek Reservoir Dam limit their use as a recreational fishery. The water bodies in the second area consist of lower Crabtree Creek and the surface water impoundments within OUl (located downstream of Reach D), Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree. These areas suppon fishing activities. Remediation Goal for Sediment and Floodplain Soil along Reaches B, C, and D and Lower Brier Creek Potential OUl remedial action cleanup goals for PCB-contaminated sediments in Reaches B, C, and D and in lower Brier Creek were evaluated as part of the Feasibility Study. Of the potential sediment/soil cleanup goals evaluated, 1 mg/kg was selected as the final sediment/soil cleanup goal for these areas of OUl, based on the following reasons: L^ J • 1 mg/kg was determined to be protective for risk scenarios involving human contact with sediment and flood plain soil in B, C, D, and lower Brier Creek. • A Geographic hiformation System (GIS) computer model, EPA's Pollutant Load Application (PLOAD) model, was employed to estimate sediment loads and PCB sediment concentrations entering Lake Crabtree and Brier Creek Reservoir from their respective watersheds. Results from model scenarios indicated that a I mg/kg cleanup goal for sediment in Reaches B, C, D, and lower Brier Creek combined with clean (no detected PCBs) sediment from upstream portions of the upper Brier Creek and Little Brier Creek watersheds would result in sediment loads entering Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree at a PCB concentration in the low ppb range (less than 10 ppb). As discussed below, PCB concentrations in sediments at both the Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree would need to be reduced to less than 10 ppb to reach the North Carolina riskbased fish tissue goal of 0.05 mg/kg for unlimited fish consumption. • 1 mg/kg was previously selected as the sediment and floodplain soil cleanup goal for Reach A under the ongoing removal action. Remediation Goal for Fish at Reaches B, C, and D, Brier Creek Reservoir, Lower Brier Creek Lake Crabtree and Crabtree Creek The goal is to attain edible fish tissue concentrations that would allow cunent fish consumption advisories for these water bodies to be lifted in the future. There are no established regulatory criteria or standards for PCBs in sediments associated with fish consumption. However, the " ^ Ari \ ^ North Carolina Division of Public Health has established fish consumption advisory levels for contaminants found in fish tissue. For PCBs, the maximum allowable PCB concentration in fish tissue is 0.05 mg/kg. At levels greater than 0.05 mg/kg, fish consumption advisories that limit consumption of fish may be issued by the State. Biota-to-Sediment Accumulation Factors (BSAFs) calculations were employed to estimate the maximum allowable PCB concentrations in sediments at the Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree necessary to achieve the North Carolina fish consumption advisory level of 0.05 mg/kg in fish for unlimited fish consumption. Using this target value as an input parameter in conjunction with the site-specific BSAFs derived from fish tissue PCB and lipid data and sediment PCB and total organic carbon data, maximum allowable sediment concentrations were estimated for several different fish species, including largemouth bass, catfish, and sunfish. The results indicated that PCB concentrations in sediments at both the Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree would need to be reduced to the low-ppb range (i.e., less than 10 ppb) to reach the risk-based fish goal. But, regardless of low the sediment concentration would get, the risk-based fish goal for PCB is 0.05 mg/kg. 10.0 DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVES As required in the NCP, remedial altematives were developed and remedial technologies were screened for effectiveness, implementability and cost. After screening, the remedial altematives described in this section were retained for evaluation. More details about the altematives and evaluation process are described in the Feasibility Study (FS) report. The FS report is part ofthe administrative record for the Site. Altemative 1 - No Action • Assumes no action to be taken. • Conduct five-year reviews. The No Action altemative is evaluated as required by law to serve as a baseline for other altematives. Under the No Action altemative, no remedial actions would be implemented at the Site. The existing site conditions would continue to remain in place without any active remediation technologies or institutional controls. Risks posed by PCB contamination under future scenarios would likely remain for an extended period of time. Although the State of North Carolina has already issued fish consumption advisories, and EPA, the State of North Carolina, and Wake County, have fish consumption signs already in place; for the purpose of this evaluation, it is assumed that the fish advisories and signs are not part of the No Action altemative. The No Action altemative would only include a review of the remedy every 5 years for 30 years (five year reviews). The cost included is for conducting the five year reviews. ' \ ^ 48 ^^^ Capital Costs: O & M Costs (Present Worth): Contingency Costs: Total Present Worth Costs: Duration to Finish Constmction: $ 0 $ 280,000 $ 42,000 $ 322.000 Immediate Alternative 2 - Institutional Controls • Continue or enhance existing North Carolina fish consumption advisories and signs. Under this altemative, the North Carolina fish consumption advisories and signs would continue to remain in effect. The continued implementation of fish advisories and signs would reduce the potential risks to humans through fish consumption. • Implement educational and community outreach programs. Community outreach and public educational programs would be developed and implemented to inform the public of the risks associated with fish consumption. This would include posting fish advisories signs, conducting meetings, distributing pamphlets, etc. These efforts would focus on groups such as sports fisherman and local communities that rely on fish consumption for part of their diet. ^ ^ • Conduct five-year reviews. Five-year reviews will also be conducted as required by CERCLA. Capital Costs: O & M Costs (Present Worth): Contingency Costs: Total Present Worth Costs: $ 0 $ 414,000 $ 62,000 $ 476,000 Duration to Finish Constmction: Immediate Alternative 3 - Monitored Natural Recovery (MNR) and Institutional Controls • Continue or enhance existing North Carolina fish consumption advisories and signs. • Implement educational and community outreach programs. • Conduct five-year reviews. Under Altemative 3 the components of Altemative 2 would be implemented in addition to MNR would be used to document achievement of the RAOs for OU 1. ' \ ^ 49 \ ^ • MNR and periodic monitoring of sediment and aquatic biota. MNR is a sediment remedy that uses ongoing naturally occuning processes to contain, destroy, or reduce the bioavailability or toxicity of contaminants in sediment, thereby reducing potential risks to human and/or ecological receptors. MNR is especially effective at sites such as this where the main source of contamination would be removed (on-going removal action at Reach A and the Ward Transformer facility). Cunent levels of PCBs in sediment samples within OUl are low enough that continued burial, dispersion, and mixing-in-place alone would reduce the PCB concentrations in sediment significantly, even without the destmction or transformation of PCBs. An MNR sampling program would be developed and implemented in accordance with EPA sediment guidance for evaluating Natural Recovery remedies, to document lines of evidence of natural recovery at this Site. Periodic monitoring of sediment would be conducted to enable assessment of PCB concentrations in sediment over time. In addition, monitoring of aquatic biota (fish sampling) would be conducted to suppon future decisions regarding fish consumption advisories, and protection to ecological receptors. $ 0 $ 1,954,000 $ 293,128 $ 2,247,000 Duration to Finish Constmction: Estimated Time to Achieve RAOs: <0^ Capital Costs: O & M Costs (Present Worth): Contingency Costs: Total Present Worth Costs: Immediate More than 30 years Alternative 4 - Excavation and Off-Site Disposal of Sediment from Reaches B, C, D, and Lower Brier Creek; MNR ih Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree and Lower Crabtree Creek; and Institutional Controls • Continue or enhance existing North Carolina fish consumption advisories and signs. • Implement educational and community outreach programs, • Conduct Five-year reviews. Under Altemative 4, the components,of Altemative 2 would be implemented in addition to MNR of sediments in Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree and Lower Crabtree Creek; excavation and off-site disposal of PCB contaminated sediment from Reaches B, C, D and Lower Brier Creek; conduct a pre-excavation sampling program and an endangered mussel study; excavation and offsite disposal of PCB contaminated sediment from Reaches B, C, D, and Lower Brier Creek; and, conduct periodic monitoring of sediment and aquatic biota. ^w' 50 ^00f • MNR in Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree and Lower Crabtree Creek Like Altemative 3 MNR would be a component of this altemative to reduce PCB levels in sediment. However, it would only apply to sediment in Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree and Lower Crabtree Creek. • Conduct pre-excavation sampling of sediment and endangered mussel study. A pre-excavation sediment sampling program would be conducted to more accurately define the limits of excavation areas along Reaches B, C, D, and lower Brier Creek. In addition a mussel survey would also be conducted to determine if threatened/endangered mussel species are present in the selected excavation areas. • Excavate sediment from Reaches B, C, D and lower Brier Creek, and transport sediments off-site for appropriate disposal. Based on the results of the pre-excavation sampling program, sediment with PCB concentrations above 1 mg/kg would be excavated from Reaches B, C, D, and lower Brier Creek. Sediment would be disposed off-site in the appropriate landfill. iii^^J Precautions will be taken to minimize any impact on identified local endangered and threatened species. Also, activities will be conducted in accordance with the laws and regulations associated with floodplain management, protection of wetlands, preservation of historic and archaeological landmarks, constmction, and erosion and sediment control. • Restore site and stream to pre-remediation conditions. Stream restoration would be performed once the contaminated sediment is removed. • Conduct periodic monitoring of sediment and aquatic biota. Periodic monitoring of sediment would be conducted to enable assessment of PCB concentrations in sediment over time. In addition, monitoring of aquatic biota (fish sampling) would support future decisions regarding fish consumption advisories and protection of ecological receptors. Capital Costs: O & M Costs (Present Worth): Contingency Costs: Total Present Worth Costs: $ 3,080,000 $ 1,258,000 $ 651,000 $ 4,989,000 Estimated Constmction Timeframe: 5 months Estimated Time to Achieve RAOs: 14 years after constmction is completed ^^^' 51 ^ Alternative 5 - Excavation of Sediment in Reaches B, C, D, and Lower Brier Creek; Excavation/Dredging of Sediment from Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree; Off-Site Disposal of Sediment/Soil; MNR in Lower Crabtree Creek and Institutional Controls • • • • • • Continue or enhance existing North Carolina fish consumption advisories and signs. Implement educational and community outreach programs. Conduct Five-year reviews. Conduct periodic monitoring of sediment and aquatic biota. Conduct pre-excavation sampling of sediment and endangered mussel study. Excavate sediment from Reaches B, C, D, and lower Brier Creek, and transport sediment offsite for appropriate disposal. • Restore site and stream to pre-remediation conditions. • MNR in Lower Crabtree Creek Altemative 5 includes all the components of Altemative 4 in addition to dredging sediment from Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree, and transport sediment off-site for appropriate disposal. MNR in this altemative would only be implemented in Lower Crabtree Creek. • Dredge sediment from Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree, and transport sediment off-site for appropriate disposal. ^ In this altemative sediment in the Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree would be dredged and transported off-site for disposal. PCB levels detected in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree are already in the low part per million (ppm) ranges. Therefore, for the purpose of this altemative, it is it is assumed that all of the sediment in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree would have to be removed to ensure that the availability of very low PCB levels is completely eliminated for ecological receptors. Precautions will be taken to minimize any impact on identified local endangered and threatened species. Also, activities will be conducted in accordance with the laws and regulations associated with floodplain management, protection of wetlands, preservation of historic and archaeological landmarks, constmction, and erosion and sediment control. Capital Costs: O & M Costs (Present Worth): Contingency Costs: Total Present Worth Costs: $ 468,910,000 $ 1,509,000 $ 70,563,000 $ 540,982,000 Estimated Constmction Timeframe: 3 years Estimated Time to Achieve RAOs: 12 years after constmction is completed ^ w ^ ' 52 \J 11.0 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES In this section, each altemative is assessed using nine evaluation criteria required under the NCP (NCP§300.430 (f)(5)(i)). Comparison of the altematives with respect to these evaluation criteria is presented in summary form in the text of this section. The NCP Criteria Each altemative is evaluated using the nine criteria below: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Overall protection of human health and the environment Compliance with Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements Long-term effectiveness and permanence Reduction of toxicity, mobility, or volume through treatment Short-term effectiveness Implementability. Cost. State/support agency acceptance Community acceptance. The required nine evaluation criteria above serve as the basis for conducting a comparative detailed analysis and selecting the remedy. The comparison is summarized by evaluation criteria in the next paragraphs. 1. Overall Protection of Human Health and the Environment - Overall protection of human health and the environment addresses whether each altemative provides adequate protection of human health and the environment and describes how risks posed through exposure pathway are eliminated, reduced, or controlled through treatment, engineering controls, and/or institutional controls. Altemative 1 would not be protective of human health or the environment because there are no actions to reduce or prevent exposure to contamination at OU 1. As such Altemative 1 is eliminated from consideration under the remaining eight criteria. Altemative 2 and 3 would be more protective than Altemative 1 because implementation offish advisories and signs reduce human exposure to contaminated fish. In addition through educational and community outreach programs the public is informed about the fish consumption advisories and the risks of consuming PCB-contaminated fish. Altematives 4 and 5 are more protective of the human health and the environment than Altemative 3, because these altematives remove contaminated sediment with concentrations above 1 mg/kg from Reaches B, C, D, and lower Brier Creek, therefore reducing potential exposure to sediments with concentrations above this level. Modeling results show that ^ ^ 53 w excavating sediment with PCB concentrations above 1 mg/kg from Reaches B, C, D, and lower Brier Creek will accelerate the natural recovery processes in sediment at Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree. Altemative 5 provides the greatest overall protection to human health and the environment because it would also remove contaminated sediment in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree. As a result, the time required to achieve the fish tissue PCB concentrations after completion of planning and constmction activities may be less than the timeframe required in Altemative 4. However, due to the complexity of Altemative 5, the total time required for planning, design and implementation of this altemative would be considerable greater than Altemative 4. With regards to protection of the environment, Altemative 3 may take a long time to achieve clean up goals. Altematives 4 and 5 will achieve clean up goals in a shorter period of time than Altemative 3, but would destroy/disturb the habitat and aquatic biota in segments ofthe remediated streams in Altematives 4 and 5. and the reservoir and lake areas in Altemative 5. Altemative 5 could also adversely impact threatened bald eagles foraging and breeding in the reservoir and lake areas. Therefore, the benefits of removing sediments must be weighed against the dismption or destmction of aquatic and biota habitats in and around the streams. 2. Compliance with ARARs - Section 121(d) of CERCLA and NCP section 300.430(f)(l)(ii)(B) require that remedial actions at CERCLA sites at least attain legally applicable or relevant and appropriate Federal and State requirements, standards, criteria, and limitations which are collectively refened to as "ARARs," unless such ARARs are waived under CERCLA section 121(d)(4). Altemative 2 would not meet the Chemical-specific ARARs because institutional controls prevent or minimize exposure, however, they do not reduce contamination to remediation goals In Altemative 3, the chemical-specific ARAR of 1 mg/kg for PCBs may be met in the long-term for sediments in Reaches B, C, D, and lower Brier Creek through natural recovery processes. In Altematives 4 and 5, chemical-specific ARARs of 1 mg/kg for sediments in Reaches B, C, D and lower Brier Creek will be met after excavation activities are completed. Action-specific ARARs are not relevant for Altematives, 2, and 3 because there are no active remedial actions associated with these altematives. In Altematives 4 and 5, all applicable actionspecific ARARs would be met during the remedial actions. Measures will be taken to minimize any dust during excavation activities. In addition, for Altemative 5, any NPDES permit requirements will be met, if water from dewatering operations requires treatment prior to being discharged. Location-specific ARARs are not relevant for Altematives, 2, and 3 because there are no active remedial actions associated with these altematives. In Altematives 4 and 5, applicable location- ^ 54 ^ specific ARARs would be met. Precautions will be taken to minimize any impact on identified local endangered and threatened species. Also, activities will be conducted in accordance with the laws and regulations associated with floodplain management, protection of wetlands, preservation of historic and archaeological landmarks (Umstead Park), constmction, and erosion and sediment control. 3. Long-term Effectiveness and Permanence - Long-term effectiveness and permanence refers to expected residual risk and the ability of a remedy to maintain reliable protection of human health and the environment over time, once clean-up levels have been met. This criterion includes the consideration of residual risk that will remain on site following remediation and the adequacy and reliability of controls. In Altematives 2, 3, 4 and 5, potential risks associated with fish consumption are expected to be lower because of the fish consumption advisories and signs. In Altemative 3, risks to humans and the environment are expected to gradually decrease over time with the reduction of PCB concentrations in sediment through natural processes and will be documented by a long term monitoring program. PCB concentrations in fish are also expected to decline with the decrease of PCB concentrations in sediment. ^ In Altematives 4 and 5, the removal of sediments to levels below 1 mg/kg PCB from Reaches B, C, D, and lower Brier Creek will reduce any potential risks associated with sediment exposure. In Altemative 4, once the sediments with PCB concentrations above 1 mg/kg are removed from these areas, the natural recovery process of Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree, and beyond would speed up. In addition to sediment removal from the streams, Altemative 5 would also remove sediments in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree. As a result, the time required to achieve acceptable fish tissue PCB concentrations after completion activities may be less than the timeframe required in Altemative 4. However, due to the complexity of Altemative 5, the total time required for planning, design and implementation of this altemative would be considerable greater than Altemative 4 I. In Altemative 5, if dredging is used, due to technology limitations, some dredging residuals levels will remain in the reservoir and lake, including low levels of PCB contamination in the biologically active sediment zone. PCBs in dredging residuals could impact fish concentrations in the reservoir and lake for many years after completion of the dredging operations. w In addition, the large-scale excavation/dredging operations in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree in Altemative 5 will disturb or destroy benthic and other aquatic biota and habitats in the reservoir and the lake. The dredging/excavation activities of Altemative 5 could adversely impact threatened bald eagles within the reservoir and lake areas for foraging and breeding. Over the long term, re-establishments of these habitats may be difficult. 55 \ ^ 4. Reduction of Toxicity, Mobility, or Volume of Contaminants through Treatment refers to the anticipated performance of the treatment technologies that may be included as part of the remedy. EPA will use treatment to address site contaminants wherever practicable; however, because of the relatively low levels of PCBs in the sediments within OUl, treatment is not proposed for any ofthe altematives. Therefore the statutory preference for treatment is not met. 5. Short-term Effectiveness addresses the period of time needed to implement the remedy and any adverse impacts that may be posed to workers, the community and the environment during constmction and operation of the remedy until cleanup levels are achieved. Altematives 2 and 3 do not involve any active remedial action; therefore, they would not pose any additional risks to the community or workers during implementation, nor would they result in any adverse environmental impacts. <0^ In Altemative 3, under current conditions (assuming that the Removal Action at the Ward Transformer facility and Reach A is completed before commencement of OU 1 activities), modeling indicates that PCB concentrations in sediments at Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree may take more than 30 years to decline to levels that conespond to acceptable PCB levels in fish. In Altematives 4 and 5, the potential for additional risks to the community may exist due to dust and excessive noise from the constmction of access roads, constmction equipment, and vehicular traffic to the off-site disposal facility. Risks to the community will be minimized by establishing buffer zones around the work areas, limiting work hours, and using dust-suppressing techniques. Risks to the environment may include clearing of vegetation and trees for access roads and excavation/dredging equipment. Measures will be taken to minimize the impact on the environment by avoiding the wetlands and floodplain areas to the extent possible. There will be adverse impacts to the stream and lake habitats due to the sediment removal activities, especially for benthic and other aquatic organisms. Many of these organisms may be disturbed or destroyed during the excavation/dredging activities. The presence or absence of threatened or endangered mussel species needs to be established prior to commencing intmsive activities. If threatened or endangered mussel species are identified, additional safeguards will need to be put into place to protect these species. In addition, the potential for adverse impacts to threatened bald eagles utilizing areas within OUl as foraging and breeding habitat exists and precautions would be required to minimize these potential impacts. Due to the larger extent and complexity of excavation/dredging activities associated with Altemative 5, all the above-mentioned impacts will be much greater for Altemative 5 than Altemative 4. In Altemative 4, the estimated time required to complete the remediation work is 3 to 5 months. The estimated time required to attain acceptable PCB concentrations in fish tissue at the Brier ^ 56 ^ Creek Reservoir is approximately 14 years. The time required to attain acceptable PCB concentrations in fish tissue at Lake Crabtree is approximately 9 years. Due to the complexity of Altemative 5, it is estimated that planning, design and implementation ofthis altemative would require a considerably greater amount of time than Altemative 4. In addition, it is estimated that any dredging activities associated with Altemative 5 would take at least 3 years to complete after all design and planning documents are completed. In Altemative 5, the estimated time required to attain acceptable PCB concentrations in fish tissue at the Brier Creek Reservoir is approximately 12 years after the completion of excavation/dredging. The time required to attain acceptable PCB concentrations in fish tissue at Lake Crabtree is expected to be 8 years. As a result, removing larger amounts of sediments in Altemative 5 does not necessarily conespond to a shorter amount of time to achieve clean up goals than in Altemative 4. 6. Implementability addresses the technical and administrative feasibility of the remedy from design to constmction and operation. Factors such as the relative availability of services and materials, administrative feasibility, and coordination with other govemment entities are also considered. Altematives 1, 2, and 3 can be easily implemented because there is no constmction, involved. Altematives 1 and 2 can be easily implemented because there are no monitoring activities. hi Altematives 2, 3, 4 and 5, the North Carolina fish consumption advisories and signs are already in place although additional advisories and signs may be necessary. In Altematives 3, 4 and 5, reduction in PCB concentrations in sediment and fish will be determined through the periodic monitoring program, which can be easily implemented. Altemative 4 is technically feasible to implement. Contractors are readily available for constmction of access roads, excavation, and off-site disposal. Coordination with other agencies and obtaining approvals and permit equivalencies for excavation, transport of excavated materials, etc. will be required. The implementation of Altemative 5 is much more complex and difficult than Altemative 4, and it will require much more time. In addition to all the components that are included in Altemative 4, dredging of sediments at Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree is included in Altemative 5. Dredging is a specialized technology, which requires advanced planning, selection of the proper dredging method, and detailed remedial design.;, Dewatering and treatment of water are also significant design and cost components of the dredging altemative. s^ During the implementation of Altematives 4 and 5, a pre-remediation mussel study will be conducted to determine ifthe endangered/threatened species exists in the streams to be 57 \ ^ excavated. Consultation with the respective federal and state agencies will be required prior to the commencement of the excavation activities. Some portions of OUl consist of wetlands and floodplains. Coordination with federal agencies will be required to ensure that the impact on these areas will be minimal. Threatened bald eagles nest at Lake Crabtree and forage at Lake Crabtree and Brier Creek Reservoir. State endangered/threatened mussel species have been reported in the nearby Umstead State Park, which is part of the Crabtree Creek watershed. The Crabtree Creek Recreational Demonstration Area (Umstead State Park) is a historical site listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Precautionary measures will be taken to minimize harm to historic property to the extent practicable during remedial actions conducted in this area and in the vicinity. Consultation with federal and state historic and archeological agencies will be necessary before initiating any activities in the vicinity of this area. 7. Costs include estimated capital and annual operations and maintenance (O&M) costs, as well as present worth cost. Present worth cost is the total cost of an altemative over time in terms of today's dollar value. A discount rate of 4 % was assumed for O&M cost. W There are no capital costs associated with Altemative 1. However, 5-year reviews will be conducted, as required by CERCLA. For costing purposes, it is assumed that 5-year reviews would be conducted for 30 years. For Altemative 2, in addition to the 5-year review, yearly operation and maintenance costs for community outreach and educational programs are included for 30 years. The estimated cost of implementing new advisories and signs and maintaining existing or new advisories and signs has also been included. For Altemative 3, all the costs in Altemative 2 plus yearly MNR monitoring costs are included for 30 years. Altemative 4 includes the same costs associated with Altemative 3 plus the capital costs associated with excavation and off-site disposal of sediment from Reaches B, C, D, and lower Brier Creek (because remedial actions would last for less than 6 months, there are no recurring costs associated with this altemative). Capital costs of remediation include pre-remediation sampling, mobilization/demobilization, constmction of access roads, temporary staging areas, excavation, off-site transport and disposal, and site restoration. For Altemative 5, in addition to the costs associated with Altemative 4, dredging and off-site disposal of sediments in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree are included. There are additional components related to dredging operations, for example, dewatering and effluent treatment. <y For Altematives 4 and 5, the MNR monitoring costs were included for only 15 years, because it is expected that the clean up levels would be met in less than 15 years. 58 <J The estimated present-worth costs for the remedial altematives are summarized below: Altemative 1:$ 332,000 Altemative 2: $ 476,000 Altemative 3: $ 2,247,000 Altemative 4: $ 4,989,000 Altemative 5: $ 540,982,000 Altemative 5 would be extremely expensive, considering the large volume of sediments to be removed. According to modeling results, the time difference in achieving the clean up levels associated with fish consumption in Altemative 4 and 5 is only a few years. But due to the complexity of Altemative 5, it is estimated that planning, design, and implementation of this altemative would require a considerably greater amount of time than Altemative 4. Therefore, removing a larger amount of sediments does not necessarily correspond to a shorter amount of time to achieve clean up goals. Based on the foregoing, it would be far more cost-effective to consider Altemative 4 over Altemative 5, The detailed costs estimates are presented in the OUl Feasibility Study report. ^ 8. State/Support Agency Acceptance considers whether the State agrees with the EPA's analyses and recommendations, as described in the RI/FS and Proposed Plan. The Superfund Division of NC DENR (North Carolina Depanment of Environment and Natural Resources) reviewed all site-related documents and provided EPA with comments. NC DENR reviewed the Proposed Plan Fact Sheet, attended the Proposed Plan public meeting that was held in Raleigh on August 14, 2007, and reviewed a draft version of this ROD. The State concurs with the Selected Remedy. A copy of the concunence letter is included in Appendix C. 9. Community Acceptance The Rl/FS report and Proposed Plan for the Ward Transformer Superfund Site were made available to the public in August 2007. They can be found in the Administrative Record file and the information repository maintained in the EPA Docket Room at EPA Region 4 in Atlanta, Georgia, and at the North Regional Public Library in Raleigh, North Carolina. The notice of availability of these two documents was published in the Durham Herald on August 6, 2007, and the Raleigh News and Observer on August 8, 2007. A public comment period was held from August 6, 2007, to September 4, 2007. An extension to the public comment period was requested. As a result, the coniment period was extended to October 4, 2007. In addition, a public meeting was held on August 14, 2007, to present the proposed plan to a broader community audience than those that had already been involved at the site. At this meeting, representatives from the EPA and NC DENR answered questions about the Site and the remedial \ ^ 59 ^ altematives. EPA's response to the comments received during this period is included in the Responsiveness Summary. 12.0 PRINCIPAL THREAT WASTE The NCP establishes an expectation that EPA will use treatment to address the principal threats posed by a site wherever practicable (NCP §300.430(a)(l)(iii)(A)). The "principal threat" concept is applied to the characterization of "source materials" at a Superfund site. A source material is material that includes or contains hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants that act as a reservoir for migration of contamination to ground water, surface water, or air, or acts as source for direct exposure. Principal threat wastes are those source materials considered to be highly toxic or highly mobile that generally cannot be reliably contained, or would present a significant risk to human health or the environment should exposure occur. While PCBs are considered to be toxic, the main source material or principal threat waste (contaminated soil at the Ward Transformer facility) is being addressed under a time-critical removal using excavation and on-site thermal desorption treatment. Principal threat wastes are not present in this OU and therefore are not addressed by this action. w 13.0 SELECTED REMEDY 13.1 Remedy Description The Selected Remedy is a modified Altemative 4. Altemative 4 was modified as described in Section 15 of this ROD. The Selected Remedy includes the following components: • • • • • • • • • • Continue or enhance existing North Carolina fish consumption advisories and signs. Implement educational and community outreach programs. Conduct pre-excavation sampling of sediment and floodplain soil. Conduct a pre-excavation endangered mussel evaluation study. Excavate sediment/soil from Reaches B, C, D, and lower Brier Creek, and transport sediment/soil off-site for appropriate disposal. Restore site and stream to pre-remediation conditions. Implement Monitor Natural Recovery (MNR) in Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree and Lower Crabtree Creek. Conduct periodic monitoring of sediment and aquatic biota. Implement Institutional Controls. Conduct Five-year reviews. A description of each component is provided below: 60 o • Continue or enhance existing fish consumption advisories and signs. Fish consumption advisories and signs would continue to be in place until PCB concentrations in fish are below the remediation goal (0.05 mg/kg). This component of the remedy would also include the implementation and posting of additional fish consumption advisories and signs, or any modifications to the existing ones, as needed. The continuance or enhancement of fish advisories and signs would help reduce the potential risks to humans through fish consumption. • Implement educational and community outreach programs. Educational and community outreach programs would be developed and implemented to inform the public ofthe fish consumption advisories. These activities would include conducting meetings, interviews, surveys, etc.; and distribution of pamphlets or any other information material, etc. These activities should be focused on groups such as sports fishermen and local communities that commonly rely on fish consumption for part of their diets. ^J As part of the remedial design, an implementation plan to comply with this component of the remedy would be developed. Coordination between the appropriate stakeholders would be necessary to develop and implement this plan. The plan would define the goals, roles, duties and responsibilities ofthe parties involved and the means used to achieve or enforce the intended goals. Educational and community outreach programs would continue until remediation goals are achieved. • Conduct pre-excavation sampling of sediment and floodplain soil. A pre-excavation floodplain soil and sediment sampling program would be developed and implemented. The PCB concentrations of sediment/soil samples collected at specific locations in prior years may not represent the PCB concentrations at the time when remediation commences due to the dynamic nature of stream sediments/soil and due to naturally occuning processes. In addition, floodplain soil and sediment samples would be required to accurately delineate the extent of PCB contamination prior to the commencement of remedial actions. Floodplain soil and sediment sampling for PCBs may be conducted along transects (three locations per transect) at 50-foot intervals along the length of Reaches B, C, and D, and at 100-foot intervals along the lower Brier Creek. Based on the results of this sampling program, excavation areas would be defined. • Conduct a pre-excavation endangered mussel evaluation study. A mussel survey and evaluation study would be conducted to determine if threatened/endangered mussel species are present in the areas selected for remediation. " ^ 61 w • Excavate sediment/soil from Reaches B, C, D, and lower Brier Creek, and transport sediment/soil off-site for appropriate disposal. Based on the results ofthe pre-excavation sampling program, sediments and flood plain soil from Reaches B, C, D, and lower Brier Creek will be excavated to levels below 1 mg/kg. Excavated sediments/soil will be transported and properly disposed of off-site. An excavation verification plan will be developed as part of the Remedial Design. Verification samples will be collected to ensure the 1 mg/kg remediation goal is achieved. Prior to the excavation of stream sediments, sections of the stream flow could be blocked off and water could be bypassed through pipes mnning parallel to the blocked stream section. Major activities associated with this altemative would include stream diversion, constmction of access roads to transport equipment and haul excavated material, excavation of sediments/soil, constmction of temporary staging areas, transport excavated sediment/soil off-site to be disposed properly, and conduct verification sampling. Precautions would be taken to minimize any impact on identified local endangered and threatened species. Also, activities would be conducted in accordance with the laws and regulations associated with floodplain management, protection of wetlands, preservation of historic and archaeological landmarks, constmction, and erosion and sediment control. w • Restore site and stream to pre-remediation conditions. All disturbed areas would be restored to pre-remediation conditions. This includes replenishment of areas where sediment and soil was removed, restoration of areas that were disturbed during remediation activities, including temporary staging areas, and areas cleared for access roads. • Implement Monitor Natural Recovery (MNR) in Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree and Lower Crabtree Creek. Monitor Natural Recovery, which allows natural processes to achieve remediation goals would be implemented in Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree and Lower Crabtree Creek. MNR is a sediment remedy that uses ongoing naturally occurring processes to contain, destroy, or reduce the bioavailability or toxicity of contaminants in sediment, thereby reducing potential risks to human and/or ecological receptors. Periodic monitoring of sediment would be conducted to assess PCB concentrations in sediment over time. In addition, monitoring of aquatic biota (fish sampling) would be conducted to support future decisions regarding fish consumption advisories. An MNR sampling program would be developed and implemented in accordance with EPA sediment guidance for evaluating Natural Recovery remedies to document lines of evidience of natural recovery in sediment. MNR would be conducted until remediation goals are achieved. s^ 62 ^^^ • Conduct periodic monitoring of sediment and aquatic biota. Periodic monitoring of sediment and aquatic biota (fish sampling) would be conducted. A monitoring program would be developed to assess the remedy and support future decisions regarding fish consumption advisories and protection of ecological receptors. Periodic monitoring would be conducted until remediation goals are achieved. • Implement Institutional Controls. Institutional Controls would be implemented to ensure the integrity and protectiveness of the remedy. Continue or enhance existing fish consumption advisories and signs was identified as an institutional control measure appropriate for the Site. Other institutional control measures might be identified and implemented. • Conduct Five-year reviews. Five-year reviews would be conducted to evaluate the implementation and performance of the Selected Remedy, and in order to determine if the remedy continues to be protective of human health and the environment. Five year reviews would be conducted as required under CERCLA. 13.2 Summary of the Rationale for the Selected Remedy ^ The Selected Remedy is protective of the human health and the environment because removes PCB contaminated sediment with concentrations above 1 mg/kg from Reaches B, C, D, and lower Brier Creek, therefore reducing potential exposure to contaminated sediment. In addition the Selected Remedy would remove any flood plain soil with PCB concentrations above 1 mg/kg along Reaches B, C, D, and lower Brier Creek, which would reduce potential exposure to contaminated soil, and would eliminate another potential source of PCB. The Selected Remedy uses Monitor Natural Recovery (MNR) which would allow natural processes to achieve remediation goals in Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree and Lower Crabtree Creek. The remedy would reduce the bioavailability of contaminants in sediment, thereby reducing potential risks to ecological receptors. MNR is especially effective at sites such as this one where the main source of contamination would be removed and current levels of PCBs in sediment are low enough. The on-going time-critical removal action would accomplish source removal; and remediation of sediment and flood plain soil along Reaches B, C, D, and lower Brier Creek would reduce the amount of PCBs moving downstream. These actions would support MNR, and eventually reduce sediment PCB concentrations within the biologically active zone in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree to levels which will support the reduction of PCB concentrations in fish and other aquatic biota. V^ 63 ^^^ Institutional controls, like the continuance or enhancement of fish advisories and signs, and the implementation of educational and community outreach programs, would help reduce the potential risks to humans through fish consumption. The estimated time required to achieve the remediation goal in fish tissue (0.05 mg/kg) at the Brier Creek Reservoir would be approximately 14 years; and in Lake Crabtree would be approximately 9 years. The Selected Remedy would comply with all Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements (ARARs). 13.3 Summary of the Estimated Remedy Costs A summary of the estimated costs of the Selected Remedy is: Capital Costs: O & M Costs (Present Worth): Contingency Costs: Total Present Worth Costs: W $ 4.072.000 $ 1,258,000 $ 800,000 $6,130,000 A more detailed breakdown of the estimated costs is presented in Table 16. 13.4 Expected Outcomes of the Selected Remedy The removal of sediments and floodplain soil with PCB concentrations above 1 mg/kg from Reaches B, C, D, and lower Brier Creek will eliminate the risks to humans and ecological receptors through direct exposure to soil/sediments and these areas should available for unrestricted use. Risks associated with fish consumption would not be eliminated immediately after the remedial actions, but modeling results indicate that once the removal action is completed at the facility and the sediments and floodplain soil with PCB concentrations above 1 mg/kg are removed from the streams (Reaches B, C, D, and lower Brier Creek), the PCB concentrations in the sediments that migrate downstream to Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree, and lower Crabtree Creek would be low enough to support natural recovery of the sediments and reduce even more the bioavailability of PCBs to fish. Once PCB concentrations in fish tissue achieve levels below the fish tissue cleanup goal of 0.05mg/kg, all OUl areas would be available for unrestricted use and within acceptable risk levels for unlimited exposure for human and ecological receptors. ^ ^ 64 Table 16 ' ^ i ^ SELECTED REMEDY COST ESTLVLVTE Task Quantity- Uuits Unit Cost .4. Capital Costs (1) Pre-remediatiou Sainpllug Sediment, soil, biota & suiface watei- sampling (lalxir & travel) Sampling eqviipmeiit, contaiuers, sliippins.. etc. Sampling aud .Analysis PCB (sediment) PCB (soil) Data •Validation Report Preparation Report pioductiou (word processing, giaphics, priutiiie) 600 1 HR LS S60 S3.000 536,000 53,000 SOO 1,600 640 1 EA EA EA HR LS $100 SlOO 520 .SlOO .S 5.000 580,000 580,000 532.000 564,000 55.000 5300.000 1 1 1 1 1 LS LS LS LS LS S3.S00 S7.400 S9.600 SI2,250 S27..';00 _ 53.800 57,400 59,600 512.2.50 52-^-^OO 560,550 1 1 1 LS LS LS S5,5O0 $13,200 525,000 55.500 513.200 525.000 543,700 1 1.740 1 1,966 1,966 0 2,949 LS LF LS CY CY AC TN S3.S00 57,400 522 535 520,000 590 S3,S00 560,900 57,400 543,252 568,810 58,000 5265,410 5457,572 1 2,300 I 2,021 2,021 1 3.032 LS LF LS CY CY AC TN 55,000 535 59.000 .522 535 520.000 590 soo Subtotal (2) Plans Health and Safetv- Plan Q.VQC Plan Coordiuation and meftiiigs Final report Permits Subtotal (3) Mobilizatioii/demobilization Mobilization/demobilization Sm^ey aud stake-cur Facilities senip and Temporaiy Stockpile .Ajea w Total Cost Subtotal (4) Reach B Reinediatiou Stabilized constnKtion entrances Gravel haul road Stieam divei^sion Excavation BackfiU Site Restoration Transport and disposal Hi Subtotal (5) Reach C Remediahou Stabilized constniction cntr.inces Gravel haul road Stieam diversion E.xcavation BackfiU Site Restoration Transport and disposal Subtotal < ^ 65 55,000 580,500 59,000 544,462 570,735 510,600 5272,835 5493.132 " Table 16 (con't) ^ Task (6) Reach D Remediatiou Stabilized constiiiction entrances Cn-avel h.iiil road Stream diversion Excavation Backfill Sire Restoration Transport and disposal Qnnutlty linits Unit Cost Totnl Cost 1 4,400 1 6.076 6.076 1.01 9,114 LS LF LS CY CY AC TN 55,0(X) 535 59.500 525 535 S20.000 590 55.000 Sl.M.OCiO 59.500 5151,900 5212,660 520,200 5820.260 51.373.520 1 9,200 1 3.046 3.046 2.11 4,.';69 LS LF LS CY CY AC TN 55.000 5.^5 510,600 525 535 520.000 590 Subtotal 55.000 5322.000 510,600 576,150 5106.610 542,200 5411,210 5973.770 Totnl S3.702.244 Subiotal (7) Lower Biier Creek Reinedintiou St.ibilized construction entiances Gravel haul road Sti-eam diversion Excavation Backfill Site Restoration Transport and disposal B. OAM Costs ^ (1) Fish ad>-i5ories (auunaUy for 15 years) Lnplcnicntation of Fish .Advisories (abeady in place) Yeaily partial leplaceinait of tlsh advisory sign posts NA 10 Subtotal (2) Educational aud roinmunity progi-ams (nearly) Pam]3hlets, newspaper advertisements, public meetings, comraiuiirv' outreach piogi-ams. etc. (3) 5-Venr Review (cost per event) Note; Stparate cost for 5-year sampling has not b«n included. Sampling tttutii f:oni .MNR will be used instead. Report Preparation Report |3ioduciion (word processing, graphics, printing) (4) Periodic Sainpliug Yearly (\INR: Sedimrut aud .\quntic Biota) Sediment, biota & siuface water samphng (labor & travel) Samplins equipment, containers, shipping, etc. Sampling and Analvsis PCB and TOC (sediment) - normal detection limit* PCB and TOC (sediment) - low detection limit*" PCB and Lipid (biota) PCB (surface water) Data Validation Report Pleparaiiou Report production (word processing, graphics, printing) Subtotal (pei- event) * Reaches B. C. aad D. and Lower Brier Creek • • Brier Cieelc Reservoir and Lake Crabtree "^.J 66 NA E.\ 50 5200 50 52,000 52.000 55.000 55.000 1 LS 160 1 HR LS SlOO 55.000 516.000 S5.000 521.000 300 1 HR LS 560 55,000 518.000 55.000 30 51 122 10 213 200 1 E,-\ EA EA EA EA HR LS 5100 5200 5200 5200 520 SlOO 53,000 53.000 510.200 524.400 S2.000 54.260 520.000 53,000 589.860 Table 16 (con't) w SELECTED REMEDY COST SUM^LVRY Tasks Trem Cost Total Cost A. Capital Costs (1) Pie-reniediation Sampling (2) Plans (3) Mobilizafioii'demobilization (4) Reach B Remediation (5) Reach C Remediation (6) Reach D Remediation (7) Lowei- Brier Creek Rjemediation 5300.000 560.550 543.700 5457.572 5493.132 51,373,520 5973,770 S3.702.244 B. O&M Costs Note: .A discoiuit rate of 4% was assumed for O&M. (1) FLsh advisories (yeaily, for 15 yeai-s) (2) Educational and community progiams (yearly, for 15 years) (3) 5-Year Review ( conducted in years 5, 10, 15. 20, 25, aud 30) (4) Periodic Sampling (MMR; Sediment and Aquatic Biota, yearly for 15 yeare) 522.237 555,592 567,044 $999,098 Total O&M Cost 51,143,971 Subtotal of Capital and O&M Costs 54.846.215 Subtotal 5484,622 55.330.837 5799,625 TOTAL PRESENT WORTH COST OF SELECTED REMEDY 56.130,462 W Engineeiing and Administiative Costs (10%) Contingency (15%) W^ 67 -w" 14.0 S T A T U T A T O R Y DETERMINATIONS The Selected Remedy satisfies the requirement of Section 121 ofCERCLA, 42 U.S.C. § 9621, and to the extent practicable, the NCP § 300.430, 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 300.430. The Selected Remedy is protective of human health and the environment, will comply with the identified ARARs of other environmental statutes, will be cost effective, and will utilize permanent solutions and altemative treatment technologies or resource recovery technologies to the maximum extent practicable. 14.1 Protection of Human Health and the Environment The remedy for this Site will adequately protect human health and the environment by eliminating, reducing, or controlling exposures to human health and environmental receptors through excavation of contaminated sediments and soil, monitored natural recovery and institutional controls. Fish consumption advisories issued by the State of North Carolina will remain in effect until contaminant concentrations in fish are below remediation goals. 14.2 Compliance with Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements (ARARs) ^ ^ The remedy would be designed to comply with all ARARs under federal and state laws. Chemical-, location-, and action-specific ARARs are listed in Tables 17, 18 and 19. 14.3 Cost Effectiveness The Selected Remedy is cost effective and represents a reasonable value for the money to be spent. In making this determination, the following definition was used: "A remedy shall be costeffective if its costs are proportional to its overall effectiveness" (NCP §300.430(f)(l)(ii)(D)). This was accomplish by evaluating the "overall effectiveness" of those altematives that satisfy the threshold criteria (i.e., were protective of human health and the environment and ARAR compliance) Overall effectiveness was evaluated by assessing three ofthe five balancing criteria in combination: (1) Long-term effectiveness and permanence; (2) Reduction in toxicity, mobility and volume (TMV) through treatment; and, (3) Short-term effectiveness. Overall effectiveness was then compared to costs to determine cost-effectiveness. The relationship ofthe overall effectiveness of the Selected Remedy was determine to be proportional to its costs and hence represent a reasonable value for the money to be spent. The estimated present worth costs for the Selected Remedy is $6,130,462. ^ ^ 68 ' \ ^ w ^ ^ H cr < CJ < "3 a i © < e V e « I/: •2 a •o e cs o (J B .© r- 0 0 0 u U z < IT) TSCA regulates several chemical constituents (including PCBs) at levels that represent a significant risk to human health or the environment. Specifically, PCB regulations that regulate the disposal of material (such as soil and sediment) that contain PCBs at levels >50 ppm or have resulted from a known spill of PCB liquid containing >50 ppm PCB. 0 U 0 North Carolina Health-Based Soil Remediation Goals 2 U B OS Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Applicability/ Appropriateness Applicable. PCBs found in soils and sediments within OU 1 are an order of magnitude less than 50 ppm. However, additional sampling will be conducted, and PCB with levels above 50 ppm may exist. TSCA regulations are applicable to the Selected Remedy because it involves removal of PCB-contaminated sediment/soil. Remedial actions will be conducted in accordance with applicable portions of TSCA requirements for PCBs. Sediments/soil with PCB concentrations above 1 ppm will be excavated and transported off-site in accordance with TSCA regulations. The State of North Carolina has developed health-based remediation goals for the inactive sites for selected chemicals. The PCB soil remediation goal is based on the EPA policy for cleanup of PCBs at Superfund sites. The soil remediation goal for PCBs is 1 ppm. Applicable. The Selected Remedy involves removal of PCB-contaminated sediments. Sediments/soil with PCB concentrations above 1 ppm will be excavated and transported off-site. 0^ " ^ ^ '^J X Si 3 Z « a CZ3 a a B 4^ < 2 o i ,© < CA es •2 5 1 s •c u .© E _© '•S cs •3 U) 11 TSCA Regulations for PCB Remediation Waste Applicability/ Appropriateness Decontamination activities will be conducted in accordance with the specified requirements. Air quality requirements are specified for sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, lead, and particulate matter. Measures will be taken to minimize du.st emissions (e.g., spraying water) m 0 Establishes decontamination standards and Applicable, procedures for removing PCBs from non-porous surfaces. U TSCA regulates the disposal of PCB remediation waste by methods including containing, transporting, destroying, degrading, or confining PCBs. 40 CFR 761.79 The Clean Air Act (CAA) 40 CFR 761.61(c) Applicable. PCBs found in Applicable portions of the soils and sediments within regulations will be met. OU 1 are an order of magnitude less than 50 ppm. However, additional sampling will be conducted, and PCB with levels above 50 ppm may exist. TSCA regulations are applicable to the Selected Remedy because it involves removal of PCBcontaminated sedimentysoil. Potentially applicable to activities that involve dust emissions (e.g., excavation, road construction). a c aj U 40 CFR 403 Establishes effluent standards for direct and non- Potentially applicable if Appropriate effluent standards will direct point source discharges. treated water from dewatered be met. sediments is discharged to surface water. National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) (40 CFR 122, 125) Establishes NPDES discharge limitations based on Best Available Technology (BAT), and Best Management Practices (BMP). Potentially applicable if treated water from dewatered sediments is discharged to surface water. BAT and BMP requirements will be met. o \ ^ ^ ^w' ao < Oi < u 5 C/J £i ea H I a s u .s cs o o < ^ as ^< .2 < "2 cs 3 _o 'u 4^ 'u U B .© 2 U B _© 3 on Otf E *c u u < < < < North Carolina Water Pollution Control Regulations Applicability/ Appropriateness fl •o c c fl ^ D 3' D fl ^ o c D E fl i> 00 fl c E I o t£ D t^ t? m c 5 E -o 3 1) -X .fc -n u! N fl X CT i n ^ g in IU in -X X O c c U3 2 UJ CJ a-l < O m c/5 8 z Applicable to transport and disposal of excavation or dredging materials Si Applicable to access road construction, excavation, or dredging activities. O li Q. E 15ANCGS 113A, Article 4 15 NCAC 2B Precautionary measures will be Potenlially applicable for alternatives that involve dust taken to minimize dust emissions. emissions (e.g., excavation, temporary road construction). CL CN to tj North Carolina Sedimentation Control Act of 1973 Applicable to discharge of treated water to ground or surface water. Specifies requirements associated with activities that involve land disturbance activities and activities in lakes and natural water courses. DQ X (N 1/5 1- IU 2 < > .11 ^ o u fl Oi ^ u .fc • ^1 Chapter 15A Section 02L.0202 ofthe NCAC specifies groundwater quality standards for the protection of groundwater of the state through maximum allowable concentrations resulting from any discharge of contaminants to the land or waters. NCG.S.Ch 143, Articles 21, 2IB. 15ANCAC2L.0202 Applicable to treated water from dewatered sediments is discharged to surface water. Chapter I5A Section 2D.0540of the NCAC establishes requirements for fugitive nonprocess dust emissions. North Carolina Solid Waste Management Regulations State version of the federal NPDES program. Establishes requirements for wastewater discharge to surface water and wastewater treatment. Maximum allowable concentrations will be met if water is discharged to ground or surface water. An erosion and sedimentation control plan will be submitted. Appropriate measures will be taken to minimize the impact on the environment as required. ^ ^ w \J < I -B a. a (/3 e « o 2 2 B CA Applicable. Bald eagle has been recorded within 1 to 2 miles from the site. V etf cn 1/ c/5 Si T3 1) DO P fl Under this act, federal agencies are prohibited from jeopardizing threatened or endangered species or adversely modifying habitats essential to their survival. iS * ^< 2 B « 2 Q. •s £ a a a. 1 "a. < B i 3 2" Qtf B .© B .© DC V "3 Qt: 16 USC 1531 etseq. 40 CFR 6.302(h) Remediation activities will be conducted in accordance with the Endangered Species Act requirements. Endangered bald eagles are nesting at Lake Crabtree and foraging at Lake Crabtree and Brier Creek Reservoir. The state endangered Atlantic pigtoe mussel and the state threatened squawfoot mussel have been reported in the nearby Umstead State Park, which is part of the same Crabtree Creek watershed. These species could potentially be present in the unnamed tributary to Little Brier Creek. Potentially applicable. HJ X fl CJ D. "5. fl _>• •fl C 11 Requires federal agencies involved in actions that will result in the control or structural modification of any natural stream or body of water for any purpose, to take action to protect thefishand wildlife resources which may be affected by the action. 1 il fl-O X O .i£ o U- U 16 USC 661 etseq. 40 CFR 6.302(g) Remediation activities will be in consultation with appropriate wildiife agencies. " ^ ^ ' \ ^ "X. < < '^ s a CJ o £ < 2 B V (A © *^ B ,© u < B D •fcrf .2 a £• a Q. < .s "S, a < B E lb '3 Qtf B 2 U CA 4-* B _© .2 eo IU •3 atf cn •a c _fl t^ 1 Measures will be taken to minimize and mitigate any adverse impacts. Erosion and sedimentation control measures will be adopted during remediation activities. Floodplain Management Executive Order 11988 40 CFR 6.302(b) Requires federal agencies to evaluate the potential effects of actions they may take in a floodplain to avoid, to the extent possible, adverse effects associated with direct and indirect development ofa floodplain. Potentially applicable. Parts ofthe Ward Measures will be taken to minimize adverse effects Transformer Site (OU 1) consist of associated with direct and floodplains. indirect development o f a floodplain. Preservation of Historical and Archaeological Data Act and National Historic Preservation Act 16 USC 469 36 CFR Part 16 USC 470 36 CFR Pan Recovery and preservation of historical and archaeological data. Also requires measures to minimize harm to historic resources. Crabtree Creek Recreational Demonstration Area (also known as Umstead State Park) is a historical site listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Potentially applicable to activities at or in the vicinity ofthe historic location. D Potentially applicable. Portions ofthe Ward Transformer Site (OU 1) are classified as wetlands. ,-» Requires federal agencies conducting certain activities to avoid, to the extent po.ssible, the adverse impacts associated with the destruction or loss of wetlands and to avoid support of new construction in wetlands if a practicable alternative exists. 0 C 0 Executive Order 11990 40 CFR 6.302(a) etseq. 65 etseq. 800 Precautionary measures will be taken to minimize harm to the historic property to the extent practicable. c^ " ^ ^ ^ W^ ON c/i < ,^ Qi < r5 C/l « o N:I 1 ,c 2 < 2 lotf ^ etf ^< 2 i .2 ' • ^ aJ Appropriate measures will be taken as required to minimize the impact from land-disturbing activities and comply with the requirement. X fl CJ _aj Appropriate erosion and sedimentation control measures will be taken during excavation and removal activities as required. Q. fl "a. >-. X fl CJ "a. Q. fl _^ c "fl D I o i u < u D X fl CJ 1 fl 3 D ."2 1 < X o <-^ < Z This rule pertains to the di.sposilion of dredged orfillmaterial in isolated wetlands or waters of the State c • This rule establishes the sedimentation and erosion control pertaining to: • Protection of property (04B.0105). • Basic control objectives (04B.0I06). • Mandatory standards for land-disturbing activity (04B.0107). • Design and performance standards (04B.0108). • Stormwater outlet protection (04B.0109). ."fl D O DU oo § y o U in < u z !2p North Carolina Management of Isolated Wetlands and Waters < cn North Carolina Sedimentation/Erosion Control Regulations This rule sets out the general and specific minimum criteria for construction activities. Construction and land-disturbing activities fall under both the general minimum criteria and any specific minimum criteria applicable to the project. 4J «^ .2 a Q< CL < cs •"a B D J2 E S" Qtf B cs .2 U s .2 — *4-* "3 eo u Q« North Carolina Requirements During Minor Construction Activities < ^ 14.4 Utilization of Permanent Solutions and Alternative Treatnient Technologies or Resource Recovery Technologies to the Maximum Extent Practicable EPA and NC DENR have determined that the Selected Remedy represents the maximum extent to which permanent solutions and treatment technologies can be utilized in a cost-effective manner, given the specific conditions at the Site. Of those altematives that are protective of human health and the environment and comply with ARARs, EPA and NC DENR have determined that the Selected Remedy provides the best balance of trade-offs in terms of longterm effectiveness and permanence, reduction of toxicity, mobility, or volume, short-term effectiveness, implementability, and cost, while also considering State and community acceptance. 14.5 Preference for Treatment as a Principal w While the Selected Remedy for OUl does not meet this criterion, the low PCB levels in the sediment and floodplain soil would require excavation but may not require treatment prior to disposal. In addition, this OU does not address the main source material. The main source material or principal threat waste (PCB contaminated soil at the Ward Transformer Facility) at the Site is being addressed through a time critical removal action using thermal desorption. For this OU the combination of excavation and offsite disposal, together with natural processes should effectively achieve remediation goals without the need for treatment. 14.6 Five Year Review Requirements NCP §300.430(f)(4)(ii) requires a five-year review jf a remedial action results in hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants remaining onsite above levels that allow for unlimited use and unrestricted exposure. The remedy for OU 1 at the Ward Transformer Superfund Site will not result in contaminants remaining on site above levels that allow for unlimited use and unrestricted exposure. However, the remedy will take longer than five years to achieve unlimited use and unrestricted exposure. As such, as a matter of policy EPA will conduct a Five-year review until levels that allow for unlimited use and unrestricted exposure are achieved. The first Five-Year Report should be completed five years from the date the Preliminary Close-Out Report (PCOR) is issued. 15.0 DOCUMENTATION OF SIGNIFICANT CHANGES Section 117(b) of CERCLA requires an explanation of any significant changes from the preferred altemative presented to the public. The Proposed Plan Fact Sheet was released to the public in August 2007. Altemative 4 was presented to the public as EPA preferred altemative. The components of Altemative 4, as presented to the public, are described in Section 10 ofthis ROD. Based on the comments received during the comment period, the following changes were made \ ^ 75 " ^ to Altemative 4. The Selected Remedy as described in Section 13 of this ROD includes these changes. 1. During the public comment period new information indicated the need for additional actions to address concems regarding floodplain soil along Reaches B, C, D and Lower Brier Creek. These additional actions would address any contaminated flood plain soil with PCB concentrations above 1 mg/kg that may be present at these areas; and if present and not remove, exposure to this material would present unacceptable risk to humans and ecological receptors. In addition, contaminated soil from flood plain areas would be a source of PCB. After evaluating public comments EPA decided to modify Altemative 4 to include: • • w Additional sampling of floodplain soil along Reaches B, C, D, and Lower Brier Creek as part ofthe pre-excavation sediment sampling program from Reaches B, C, D, and Lower Brier Creek, already included in Altemative 4. Excavation and disposal of floodplain soil along Reaches B, C, D, and Lower Brier Creek, to levels below the 1 mg/kg remediation goal, as part of the sediment excavation/disposal from Reaches B, C, D, and Lower Brier Creek, to levels below the 1 mg/kg remediation goal already included in Altemative 4. 2. The cost estimate for Altemative 4 was revised to include: • Cost for floodplain pre-excavation sampling, excavation, and disposal. • Cost for excavation-verification sampling, inadvertently not included in the original estimate. 76 v_v APPENDIX A ^ © o W iiiDMr< FIGURE 2 ROD OUl SITE MAP V c L C O a n4 1^ "I A -" ffi 5 .!• FIGURE 3 ROD OUl SITE LOCATION MAP V,. O o c o Of <u I If I ^'s <5S ll « So p. Is •" Ti5 ^« <A , ! Irt F t§ .i -X F m m cn II 1 .1 8*• II rt* e E ^ " LJJ O 111 III u ' # FIGURE 5 REACHB ROD OUl c/i •a cn < fc] Qi -J H •A Z V c c UJ •P E •F.O l g l Z- E ? <> ^1 iia s8 I)?" 5 g s s 41 CO g-8 go uf- 41 t 1^ l l I t E € lis y a)-™ 5 a, in in l i a, in O 3 J I^t 1 '1 III ra O c 5 ll FIGURE 6 REACH C ROD OUl cn cn fc] OS -J jH -J z I I © o o 7^^^^ n '^ - .-^x-- in *-' ^ " • . - I - • i I' - *; " .- ,; ^£ .r n .1 li 1 p t li v* J? 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S § J§ § p^ »^ rs ^h TS r^- ^ s Si a $ s g |§§ i z a a a a ) a ) < d a i a i £ ^ < tu hi UJ UJ til fc.'i(-i^»^+.H • a o UJ a eu 2 Z Z Z Z < < < < < Z Z Z Z Z M 5S 5I 2? in."< ^ a I f I 11 11 . I I ... 1 EU f 2 ? ? ? ? ? u + ll a E 3 £ 'D 3 £ •w tf a I1 ^ 3 - a TABLE 8-6 •flFard Transfonner Risk Summanr Site Health Effects Exposure Scenario by Exposure Subunit Medium Perceirt of Total Site Risk' ^'-*=« D HI Percent of Total Site Risk' ^J J. .^ Current/Future Trespasser (See Tables 5-32 & 5-^2-.\joelors)" SS 4.62E-06 !iiEe.5aon 16 (IS) 71 (82) 2.10E-05 Deraia! Contact SS Inhalisnon 6.30E-11 2.!E-04(2.5E-04) Z.S7E-0J SoaSitt>total 7.65E-07 SD Ineestion 2.6 (21) 10 (79) SD 2.96E-06 Demial Contact 3.7iE-06 Sf diluent Subtotal 1.96E-0? 0.66 (92) SW Ingestion 1.79E-0S 6.0E-02 (8.3) Dermal Comact 2.14E-07 Siiijhce Water Subtotal SS+SCKSW 2.96E-05 S/te Total ss sw 0.78 3.84 2.20E-06 4.63 0.11 0.61 0.71 0.29 1.61 :.9i S.26 Current/Future Trespasser (See Tables 5-33 & 5-63-PCB Congeners)" 0.87 (18) 8.31E-06 0.010 Insestion Dermal Contact 4.0 (82) 3.84E-05 0.20 Inhalanon !.09E-iO 1.15E-05 (2.3E-04) 8.i5E-07 4.67E-0J 0.20 Soil Subtotal 1.59E-04 Ingestion SD 17 (18) 0.0031 7.47E-04 O.B Dennal Contact SD 78 (82) 9.06E-04 O.IS Sedinunt Subtotal 0.29 Insestion SW 0.021 (92) 1.96E-07 1.79E-08 2.62 0.002 (8,3) Dennal Contact 2.14E-07 >.9t S m f a u \Vatf.r Subtotal SS+ST>SW 9.53E-04 3.25 Site Total Combined Reac'nes S/C/D, Brier Civek Resen-oir., and Brier Creek ss ss ss sw uture Child Resident/Wader (See Tables 5-34 & 5-64-Aioclors)" Ingestion SD 57 7.09E-O7 4.43E-08 SD Dennal Contact 3.6 7.7SE-07 Sedituent Subtotal SW 27 Ingestion 3.29E-07 SW l..i9E-07 Deimal Contact 13 4.SSE-07 Sulfate Wafer Subtotal 1.24E-06 Site Total SD+SW (94) (5.9) (67) (33) F u n u e Child Resident/Wader (See Tables 5-35 & 5-65-PCB Congeners)" 2.20E-05 InEe.;don SD 89 (9i) Demiai Contact 2.28E-06 9.2 (9) SD 2.4iE-0} Sediment Subtotal SW 3.29E-07 Ingestion i.3 (67) i.59E-07 Dermal Contact SW 0.64 (33) Sulfate Water Subtotal 4.SSE-07 Site Total SI>SW 2.48E-05 Future Adult Resident/Wader (See Tables 5-36 & 5-66-.4roclors)" 3.80E-07 Insestion 14 SD Deiiiial Contact 1.46E-06 53 SD Sediment Subtotal 1.S4E-06 3.52E-07 Ineestion SW 13 20 5.55E-07 Deimal Contact SW 9.0SE-07 Suiface Water Subtotal 2.75E-06 Site Total SD-rSW (21) (79) 09) (6i) 9.5 (17) 47 (83) 2.7E-05 (4.7E-05) 13 (15) 7.4 (85) 3.5 (iO) 32 (90) 0.30 (4.7) 6.0 (95) 2.5E-05 (4.0E-04) 0.10 (2.4) 3.9 (98) 9.0 tiO) 81 (90) ^ 0.14 0.045 0.1$ 0.090 0.21 O.JO 0.49 29(76) 9.1 (24) 0.073 0.037 0.11 0.090 0,21 0.30 0.41 IS (66) 9.0 C34) 0.015 0.29 0.31 0.019 0.15 0.17 3.2 (5.0) 62 (9-^) IS (30) 43 (70) 22 (SO) 52 (70) 4.0(H) 31 (89) 0.48 v_; TABLE 8-6 (continued) Exposure Scenario v^ v^ v_^ by Exposure Subunit Site Health Effects Medium ILCR Percent of Total Site Risk' HI Percent df Total Site Risk' 'Combined Reaches B/C//D. Bier Creek Reservoir, and Brier Creek {continued). Future Aduh Resident/Wader (See Tables 5-37 & 5-67-PCB Congeners)" 13(14) SD Ingestion 0.0078 I.I8E-05 1.9(3.1) 86 (86) 0.24 SD Dermal Contact 58 (97) 7.49E-05 Sediment Subtotal 0.25 8.67E-0S SW 0.40 (39) Ingesiion 0.019 3.52E-07 4.6(11) SW 0.63(61) Dermal Contact 35 (89) 0.15 5.55E-07 0.17 9.08E-07 Surface Water Subtotal SD+SW 0.42 Site Total 8.76E-05 Brier Creek Reservoir Current/Future Younger Child Recreational Fisheonan (See Tables 5-38 & 5-68-Arodors i' 1.05 E-04 Fish Ingestion FT IOO 30.7 100 1.05E-04 Total FT 30.7 Current/Future Younger Child Recreational Fisherman (See Tables 5-39 & S^9-PCB Congeners)" FT I.I4E-04 IOO Fish Ingestion I.I8 IOO FT 1.18 Total 1.14E-04 Current/Future Adolescent Child Recreational Fisherman (See Tables 5-40 & 5-70-Aroclors)" IOO 14.8 Fish Ingestion FT 8.46E-05 IOO FT Total 8.46E-05 14.8 Current/Future Adolescent Child Recreational Fisherman (See Tables S41 & 5-71-PCB Congeners)" IOO 0.57 FT Fish Ingestion 9.18E-05 IOO 9.18E-05 Total FT 0.57 Current/Future Adult Recreational Fisherman (See Tables 5-42 & S-72-Aroclors)" FT 5.01 E-04 100 29.2 IOO Fish Ingestion Total FT 29.2 5.01E-04 Current/Future Adult Recreational Fisherman (See Tables S43 & 5-73-PCB Congeners" 5.44E-04 1.12 100 Fish Ingestion FT IOO FT 1.12 Total 5.44E-04 Lake Crabtree sa Current/Future Younger Child Recreational Fisherman (See Tables 544 & 5-74-Aroclors)" IOO FT 17.8 IOO Fish Ingestion 6.78E-05 FT Total 17.8 6.7SE-0S Current/Future Younger Child Recreational Fisherman (See Tables 5-45 & 5-75-PCB Congeners)" — I.44E-04 IOO NC Fish Ingestion FT FT 1.44E-04 ... Tola! Cunent/Future Adolescent Child Recreational Fisherman (See Tables S46 & 5-76-Aroclors)" IOO 8.57 IOO FT 5.44E-05 Fish Ingestion FT 8.57 Total 5.44EM)= Current/Future Adolescent CMd Recreational Fisheonan (See Tables 547 & 5-75-PCB Congeners)" — NC FT I.I6E-04 IOO Fish Ingestion — FT Total 1.16E-04 Current/Fumre Aduh Recreational Fisherman (See Tables 548 & 5-78-ArDclors)" 100 FT 3.22E-04 100 16.9 Fish Ingestion FT 16.9 Total 3.22E-04 Current/Future Adult Recreational Fisherman (See Tables 549 & 5-79-PCB Congeners» ... IOO NC FT 6.87E-04 Fish Ingestion ... FT .6.87E-04 Total TABLE 8-6 (continued) Ward Transformef Risk Summary Exposure Scenario bv Exposure Subunit Site Health Efifeas Mediiun ILCR Percent of Total Site Risle Hi Percent of Total Site Risle Lak( Crabtreefcxin-tmiiedl Current/Futtire Younger Child Swimmer (See Tables 5-56 & 5-86-Aroclors • = Insestion SD 3.16E-08 0.067 91 69 Dermal Contact SD9.5 3.31E-09 31 0.030 Site Total SD 3.49E-08 0.10 Current/Future Yoimger Child Swimmer (See Tables 5-57 & 5-87-PCB Congeners)" Ingestion SD 8.27E-06 91 67 0.058 Dermal Contact 8.6€E-07 SD 9.5 0.029 33 Site Total SD - 9.13E-06 0.087 Current/Future Adolescent Child Swimmer (See Tables 5-58 & 5-38-Arodors)" luHeEtion SD 9.39E-09 IS 0.012 4.8 Dermal Conlact SD 4.42E-08 0.24 82 95 Site Total SD 5.36E-0S 0.25 Cuirent/Future Adolescent Child Swimmer (See Tables 5-59 & 5-S9-PCB Congeners)" Insertion 2,46E-06 SD IS 0.010 4.3 Dermal Coinaa L16E-05 SD 82 0J3 96 Site Total L40E-05 SD 0.24 Cunrent/Fumre Adull Swimmer (See Tables 5-60 & 5-90-.\roclor3)" Ingestion 1,4!E-0S SD 0,0072 !l 3.5 Demial Contact 1.09E-07 SD 89 0.20 96 Site Total L23E-07 SD 0.20 Cunent/Future Adult Swinomet See Tables 5-61 & 5-91-PCB Congeners)" Ingestion 3.69E-06 SD 11 0.0062 3.1 Dennal Contact SD 2.S6E-05 89 97 0.19 Site Total SD 3.23E-05 0.20 Crczbiree > £ £ * Current/Fumre Younger Child Recreational Fisherman (See Tables 5-50 & 5-80-Arodor8)" Fish Ineesiion FT 1.13E-05 •00 3.29 100 Total FT L13E-05 3.29 Currem/Furure Younger Child Recreational Fisherman (See Tables 5-51 & 5-81-PCB Congeners)" Fish Ingestion -. FT 3.16E-05 100 NC FT Totai 3.16E-05 Cturem/Funire Adolescent Child Recreational Fisherman (See Tables 5-52 & 5-82-.4roclors)" Fish Dieestion FT 9.07E-061 100 1,59 100 Total FT 9.07E-06 1.59 Cunent/Funire Adolescent Child Recreational Fisherman (See Tables 5-53 & 5-83-PCB Congeners)" .... 2.54E-05 Fish Ingestion FT 100 NC Total FT 2.54E-05 — /Current/Future Adult Recreational Fisherman (See Tables 5-54 & 5-34-Aroclors)" Fi^h Insestiou 100 FT 5.37E-05 100 3.13 FT Total 537E-05 3.D Current/Future .-^dult Recreational Fishemian (See Tables 5-55 & 5-85-PCB Congeners)" L50E-04 Fish Ingestion FT ICO NC Total 1.50E-04 FT ~ ~ rsucab»» :a p ' " " * * ' " " • t«0£*««jst ^sazckax oa m s c i s a u i s t l — r ^ u r£^c. H I = K u n J UAma. N C = N'a4 eouu^tas. Lc tlm ca*af3ca aoa f aala, rji^E* T^C* a o ttsaojjasno?«n^ C'v^FCt. SS' - S-.u^* t : i i . {& to t h). | KJ 'KJ TABLE 8-7 Exposure Point Concentration for Tissue Little Brier Creek and Tributaries PCBs/Dioiins PCB-1260 (.A.roclor 1260) PCB Congener TEQ (Birds) PCB Congener TEQ (Fish) PCB Convener TEQ (Humans'Mammals) Dioxinv'ftirans TEQ (Birds) Dioxins/furans TEQ (Fish) Dio.xms/fiirans TEQ (Humans/Mammals) D/F & PCB TEQ (Birds) D;F & PCB TEQ (Fish) D/F & PCB TEQ (Humans/NIamnials) KJ KJ Units mg'ke na-kg agike ng/tg ng.'kg ug.'kg ng/kg ng,'kg ng/kg U2.'kg Indiudual Whole Body Tissue Samples Sunfish Cravfish Bullhead 1! 75 22 99.8 428 98.0 5 05 5.74 233 147 591 115 21.9 15.7 15.5 7.07 6.04 4.55 7.15 6.57 4.92 115 450 114 12.8 29.4 9.61 154 598 120 Tissue data for all species coUected within the reach are presented. The same species u^re not fdundiu each reach. TEQ = ToxiC eqiiivalen; quctient calaibied usmg 1/2 ofthe detectioD limir of non-detect concentrations. PCB = Pol^xhlorinated biphenyl D/F = Dioxin'fiiran | 1 QO I 00 3 > o I. .«) V eo 'ZZ o ro IU u o u o a. ifi O Q. X 4^ "a ri eo i n o i~- •3 Ov r i r-l ^~" OQ O o c-l a 1 •S3 m OL a '^ W3 1 1 I j ! , 1 [ : , 1 1 1 1 1 rH 1 >o c^i vo Ov CO ' 1 1 , d Ov ri >r —' —' r - l * • ^ ^ 3 3 ^ ™ ••n r*-v o Ov CO 0 0 • ^ d r-; d iv", o CQ a O u* o to k-4 ^^ ^^ sa a OJj 01) 1^1 O ^1 •a a Of .Ul a n ^ c> © fe w. ao q S t^ S \^ u« CQ C O Q Q O • i ^ g ^ • Q ^ a 0 . 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Ov <--! _ r-i " ^ od r-; r-i c n rTi ' O *"* C-J c>p bl) bo bl) on OJ) tu) b« bl) oQ ^ Ad ^ ^ JJ ^ ^ r ^ i M ^ 2J' bb tJ) tQ) ^ ^"0 bl) bl) & i ^ j S a a a f f a c f a a a o ta a a o a o a a Cl •c 3 T3 rt •—* f-\ O •a -d a 1 •§ «u •1^ !a JU ct ta (V •fl •s -y o S l l o H II a. Q o ^^ 00 § H c o 'S V s ^^ c 0 4j 'S p. V b- 3 l/l O a tn rS .£ .c tf fC u tfl S 3 CQ c/:i t5 q pa CI tfV 1 n £ ^ 1 in ^ "? <::i g c-^ O O. r f ^ f ^ (j^: t-t o T-l p : CO r i r?S ^ -^r O i r i 1 ! j c<a ( > ! ' ^ «t^ O ' r i O »v V ! -rf " ^ c n T-1 o *-^ I r t - + o 1 r! i."i CO ' I 1 -M •>! p " ^ * ^ 1- ' a\ -^ O ("- v o 1"^ piO r^l l O r f O •'"» r-i " ^ c 6 t < o i rir-S ^^55 ^ ^ r 1 o <::» o *^ "^ '^' C-1 T-H O a -1 3 in o J5 > o - " o c i o ' « - " ^ ' ••<> S ^! ' « I ^ ?^ "• «S "^ O "T if*» r?! r i ' ^ "^ r i C O Ml ov r--. I/l ri J3 1 t/J M .^jfjr.jii'.j£fjeM'jyj? >>9*>»&^'5*3' 1r > > 4 a a * * (1-3-3 ^ 11 1 ^ o la :-3 H i ' " i«M I'.. ^^^^^cSpaaQQ H B £» 2< 9«.-2 . J --S ( J O t J m ^, ^, ^.tc tc fdj.4,5;,-| a- i ^ 'Z c f c y o ' O f O ' c y & i ^ C3 o § :<.,:<, S q 1 g 3 * S CH ca r o (Q t o f p OQ KJ KJ v_^ KJ KJ KJ 00 5 c o 15 £ o •« o p. o a. X 1— •" Ol •c • !•£ « kJ [a R r ^ (J J9 p <J u I/) "c (/) tfl <C1 l^ n u tfl c t> IO t-l o Uj '"" ^ ^ 'O r* ^o <N l O I-T o Ul T *N i n r^ ir iTl He 1 F= ^^ — ' o q ^ o o 1 1 ov in o u s y s '^ •« i n r-l -o o Ul 1 lO f<^ '•O 4^ s ? m •o a !i^ a Ift Hf i n in Ul irj sii &S r •< ^e vo <? «? 9 H s C0 •=? U ) IL] =• t - i n t o T e^j tri k I O o u-1 o i#i B 1 _ _ , bi c- •JO f-H 1 u 4J IU Ul i I ,g f § ,3 1-. I Ji a •9 -fl •£1 3 S El s-i " a Pl s .tr- -o o ja •^ g II I I ^ n -y "2 flu s •a § -^ . II. II 3 a •§ I ^ 1 ^ 9 "ii a o u __ ^ s p .—N 1 1.14 vo ^ 9 ^ * U P &i ~ U il •a2 ss£ S o a a t li P l^ J <ss r- •a oo u .2 a ;3 C Q U 0. n. 0 •a o d d ai l s o n .o Q o ^ U o p -^ CQ m O U n n c i u o '^ »o ^^ r^ ^ ^ ^ 'A m 9 s Ul •" w -o i» n » ci in ^ 1s .a ^ i 'I 3 i ? ^ ii^ i? 1 CB u *_ _ 5 « tfl tf) s -c n cl t n ca S 1 in 1 b 1 ;3 t-1 .-H . / - ^ 1—1 ^H •-1 1—1 . ' ^ .—• •—« .—-K y — \ ^r^ "O vO •—I r^ _ ; 00 • # r^ - ^ O O O O . ^H «n o o v v o v o v o oo CS ^ ir~i r^i O l r-\ f r \ l-l 1/-! m p 1-^ (-"* C3 cr> vo r-l ^^ Ul ^ U U Ul <-) U i U . U U . b H .2 .2 .2 .2 ^ ^ O OH PU 8 OH U OQ r-l1 ,— o u O o o o o o ^.^.^.^.^, V w ' -w./ * ^ / ^ . . ^ >_.- |9H O H O C C c6 P^ Q Q Q O (J U O PH vo vo IO o i «3 r-l r-l r-l v o if-i o o o o o 1 u 5 s ci •a r* FS rr. ^^^ </? r-H v 4 .-H pS & O O CD c^ ca rA r f lA O — < Q O p .-H ^ «^ "o p : ^ : pS 5: ps: v/l c n C/O c/1 c ^ CO PQ U PH Q ^-^ _j) "5 fl o C/J i^ ^ 4> li n jQ a e ?3 gg 2 t^ S iS ss (j O OH OH « H M bj) bTj bU u § §g 4.) O ( J O O CQ CQ Q t j .-^ •r, vo OH H * E=:ES .—1 r l ^ Crt i O CO CO •s J M K ^ Vw^ v_^ TABLE 8-13 KJ Exposure Point Concentrations for Sediment: Little Brier Creek and Tributaries Otpth (f«t) Lotatlon R<3ch 3 3 0 0 0.5 i 1.5 1 } 0 0.5 i !5 2 2.5 0 0,5 0 0.5 0 0,5 0 0.5 0.5 i 1,5 2 0,5 05 i 1.5 2 2,:' 3 0,5 1 0,5 : 0,5 ! 0,5 A l-l 0 5 .\ SDO> 5D04 0 0 0 0 0,5 1 1,5 0 0 0 0 0,5 0 0.5 1 2,5 0 0,5 0 0 0,5 ! !,5 0 0,5 0 0,5 0 0,5 0 0 0 0,5 1 !.5 0 0 0 0,5 0,5 li,3 0,5 1 !,5 2 0,5 05 0.5 0.5 ! 0,5 1 !,5 2 0,5 ! 0,5 0,3 ; !,5 1,9 0,5 1 0.5 i 0,5 ! 0,5 0.5 05 • 1,5 2 0,5 0,5 0,5 .\ .\ .\ SDOJ 3305 SD07 K . SDOE .\ SD09 .A SDIO SDII SD!2 .\ iDU <D14 B 3 KJ SDI 5 iD16 SDi7 SDI3 5 3 5 B SDlSi 5 SD20 B C SD21 5D15 c SD2J !!U24 5D2; SD:6 iD:5D3 bD29 SDJO JiJ3! KJ • c c c c c c D D D Dionns'farans TEO HanuDs/ Fish Bird'. Mainnuls nfflts iiglts nsks rilr " T ^ 17 125 •t,7& 42! 4.:; 3,3 144 1.47 , 524 224 1„S5 1.67 6.15 r.i 2.06 2 7! 5.17 -1.J6 72.8 123 1,63 3,27 3,37 4S.9 - - 1:52 54,7 • > - 1 57 2.03 6,08 93,9 _ 129 !,S 3,41 j,j 49.5 - i.6 5,66 5.7! - 41,3 _ S9.1 - 1S,3 24 4 14„3 16,5 1.4 3.01 _ 3,36 il4 711 3,26 t,!3 1.69 !,» 42,7 _ ParauMter PCBConsfnerTEO Bumanv' MammaU FIth Birds n|'k| ne'ke r-rao 60,5 3.37 150 1!£ 2910 230O 2600 2970 13! 36.7 !!30 70! 1100 :3 1790 393 ilOOO 7520 !05«K) 1lOCOO 5230 •fff" - 6300 3500 32SOO 4710 79900 - 1730O IMOO _ 8,65 11,7 ^29 8,47 1.99 1,97 564iD 5540 14600 79100 9S3 4570 _ _ S2.7 151 13i 49,3 3;^0 - lU _ V.iO 2660 27000 "67 75000 - | );T&Pa ns'ke Fish D2/kE RoO 152 XI30 2970 !!30 1*00 ilOOO liOCOO 62,7 4,S3 170 !33 3S,6 59,8 399 5370 63i» S?i}0 32300 4710 799O0 94 l.y 1380 5JJ 3S20 Bii'ds _ 16500 173CO 335 - - _ _ 615 _ 2!7 223 563 3770 26.9 2!6 - 12IXX) .- 4210 4310 !!iX» -sico 4*1 4303 - 15100 .. 5650 5860 !47t:0 79100 934 4570 - r.To r>... 2,9 1,0? Ij 0,213 0.9-9 2010 1630 1350 460 533 7S.6 75,6 47,2 !39 222 1500 1550 1500 SOI 370 436 1730 2010 1630 1360 4600 534 3,66 1,91 2.17 1300 7g,6 1550 - .. - - - 3,85 liJI 2,62 2,19 4,29 !31 2,27 5 1.58 1310 2130 665 67 1 95.7 28.1 1300 o,s: - - _ _ io.i - 1,83 2.5« 1.04 „ 2.72 - 0.7S3 - 3,33 0.306 3.03 ;.0i3 3.96 - »:6i 0.259 0.245 0,361 634 0,395 • 655 0903 0,933 S60 1,33 0,432 l,i3 0,541 !!C0 540 _ _ _ 1.46 256 2010 .- 1.41 0,433 1,34 2,75 126 1.64 0.486 1.55 2.97 155 - :y- - 0.546 0.197 0.195 0,194 590 61-10 1,75 0.54 - - 0.!95 0,139 0,197 .. ^^6 234 iij 3760 23 213 -. 1550 _ 551 69,3 !C0 29,4 _ _ _ 25,7 362 l!i» 5i\ 93,2 18;iO _ _ 2010 94 7 _ .. _ S05 415 2450 2310 86S 35,4 16,6 IM C ,49.9 26,5 - - 3,65 337 3,65 441 _ _ 4220 4320 11'300 75100 493 4300 30,5 741 •371 331 - _ !210£i _ 37,4 44,4 19,7 - 16500 1-SOO 1310 2150 688 im _ 1560 2660 270'» 770 75100 19.1 23,1 •18,5 523 _ 70! 326 2050 903 496 30S 416 2450 2310 S92 65,5 60,5 65,5 163 150 153 - •262 .\rodor i:60 72 U -51.7 2360 2610 704 liOO 7520 105000 1;*0 1550 1500 902 37] 437 76,8 31,5 76.7 591 6150 523 _ 657 501 5000 22.3 !6.i 150 143 _ 329 1,3 2.96 1.13 1,5! 02:3 1,03 1.52 4.27 2. IB 2,6! 0,JS5 1.7 _ TEQ Humaas' Mammals _ 1300 1910 •jji .. .501 5010 •16 HCO i2i;o 560 ilOC 550: 4-1000 62000 17M 3500 lOOCO 2000 40000 53000 IOOOO 7400 75CO 26000 2900 2900 7100 34000 310 2100 690 730 iSW 950 460 230 270 680 930 2600 3(102 IJ-JO 290 910 330 261X1 _ 2300 270 m 33! 4t;.-i 20.2 _ _ _ 38,4 45.7 742 1350 _ 22.9 441 36 3 17.1 306 527 28.7 702 326 2050 906 499 „ _ 3,85 3,56 3,84 _ 65 7 607 65.7 240 15.1 !2C0 760 220 9Sn 4!n 20n 13C0 15C0 1400 7,^-1 •20 •ri 23 KJ TABLE 8-13 (con't) Exposure Point Concentrations for Sediment: Little Brier Creek and Tributaries ivpdi - (fr") 1 Locanon 5D32 SD33 .'!D34 SD35 SD36 SD5SD50A iD51A iD5IB SD51C SD51\ SD53A SD54A SD54B iD54C 5D55A SD56A SD57A SD57B SD57C SD5SA S,D59A 5D60A SD603 SD«C SD61A 5D61\ 5D32 SD37 bDJ4 Diauss'fDrans F E O Hiimans/ Mammals Fish Birds ag'kc R«ach D D D D D D A A A A A 0,5 ! 0 0,5 0 0,5 0 0,25 0 066 1,25 1.66 0 0 ; 2 2 3 0 1 0 1 0 ! 3 1 A A A -1 i i _ _ _ - 11.6 0,612 0,214 0,238 0,74 1,47 12,6 0,652 0.206 0i23 0,971 !,32 3260 ISO 163 163 250 603 127 5 365 3.{j 7,91 •9,5 2500 92.5 65,5 65..-' 151 -vl .- _ _ - - 443 1610 _ _ 3,6 73,3 109 2000 -1 A A A A A D D 0 0 fl 1.5 .. .. - 0 0 0 i •> 1 1 i ! 2.5 D 'loqawiCT .^jTiirrrwn 95^^UCL' 3.1.1 _ _ - _ * * _ - _ - _ - +43 1610 36 73.3 •20C0 - ' 209 „ _ " " - ~ - - .. _ .. - - 52/52 55/55 0 245 !44 36.0 0194 97,4 21,5 0.189 9S.9 10.5 b 1:« IIMOO 12936 b 590 I _ - _ — .\rodor 1240 utk? i200 25 36 29 no 360 1500 360 24 14 25CiO IIOOO 6400 - - 0 _ .. I D/F A PCB TEO Homini' Mammals Fhb Birds og'kj 2520 139 3230 9.V2 5.61 191 65,7 366 163 655 3,89 1«3 !52 3,63 25! 373 21 510 - :: I : 3 0 0 21.4 1.45 0.293 0.285 1.4 2.56 Param»Tff PCB Conzenn- TEO Homansi Fish Mammals Birds ns'ke *II offks 29 700 3,37 5280 532 < > 60,5 1050130 12640 b _. 590 ;;/55 •50 IICCOO 13411 t 1600 •2300 3=00 20COO - — 6900 2700 360 27CO0 ~ ~ .'9 55/55 3 56 5370 639 b _ 70O 5:/:-5 27(» 780 330 350 3500 KJ 25COQ 45 310 44 67 •'59 60,7 14 105000 *2000 12654 16456 S t TZQ = T(ndc equh-slecn qucniei:. c a k u l s r u l m : o g 1 0 of i h c d e t c c n o c l i c u o f o o D - d e a a c o i i c . e c T a i i c i u . * 95 perctm oppw ccafitfcoce lisiii f P f l X L ) n-a^ c i k u U i t d uiiag ProUCL. Veriiaa 3 0. a = P7.5*i CtrtrysiiB- ( M M Q , SD) UCL b = 9 i t i K'VCL The e x p n t s e pomi c o Q c e m i t t o c is &fl 9 S S L X L c o m n P i r i o u L PCB = P o l y d i l o n : a » d Uptienj-l. D ' 7 - Dia:diL'£imi KJ KJ TABLE 8-14 Exposure Point Concentrations for Sedinwnt; Banks of Little B r t v Creek and Tributaries PsrnmetCT P C B C o n ' t D f r -fEQ Dtpth Dioriavfunni TEO Humans/ (f«<) Birdi \ nrU Ijnalion SMS 0 0,5 0,5 1 ; i.i ;,E 2 : :,; iU Fi:h "''''l 47,1 D F » PCB-TEQ Hninaiii/ HoiDao;'' Mamuub Bird! Tub Mammah Birds n.'Kt «,V Jlj^ ••..br 110000 • ^ ^ •05000 y2,7 _ 1560 151 2660 Maiomals '^"'ii •;e,5 Fhh 2.06 :,7i i,:a 1,25 .. 6300 iX 1,8 S5C(i .\r«lor i:60 a?/ks 1lOCCO 105000 440OO 62000 6500 5500 _ 54 _ •560 152 2660 3500 ICCOC i;co SD12 SD14 SD16 SDIS SD26 l.i\ 52800 15a 270i:O 32iOO USO 2700O J,17 5,5 4710 45 8 767 4710 51,2 770 2000 S,6 5,66 5,71 i75«0 625 16500 17300 835 16500 ICOOO 0,5 0 0 i 0,5 03 _ _ _ „ 0 0,5 ! SDiO 3 27 ^56 0 5DC3 5 17 ; 0,5 25 0 56-10 217 4210 =650 226 4->20 _ 7iC0 250O 14600 56£ ncoo 14700 575 3770 7510O 7 } 100 3730 1,65, 197 79 I M •1570 11000 75 I'M 7100 5,2-5 7,29 p i7 216 430O 4570 218 4300 1,09 2,; 1.5 2,96 3,35 7.11 0,5 15,5 0.; ^01 1,5 ; 0: 1.32 4.27 0 •:',5 0,5 0.5 0 • 0 5 0,5 - 2 61 :; i,;'. ;.: :,« 0.879 :,08 _ 1,3; - :,5S 1730 2010 76.S IMC 730 2010 1500 1550 - 690 75.7 76,6 81.5 1550 953 4",2 22,2 SOI 1160 534 48,5 23,1 1550 "fiyi 437 13C0 460 270 i75C , _ 665 - - a!,i - 436 - 551 .. 6S- - 6S0 552 250 SIC 2600 2300 6:50 262 5010 BK. 562 _ 32,4 743 270 llOO 444 071 HOC- 45,7 372 •2010 53,2 1550 2010 54,7 1350 40O 12CC 7,6^3 1,64 1,55 355 2450 35,4 104 701 203C 303 24 Kl i6.B 106 702 2050 410 2,75 2,97 2310 903 2 26 2,55 888 49.3 26,5 496 2310 ,!92 52,T 28,7 906 459 1500 1400 730 2;/l! I 52 i44 n/-i ll/lI 0.53 11,11 535 11,1! 22 2 Hill 456 ii.'i: 5J-« 11/11 23,1 11/11 ;3/J3 110000 5:M 27364 !050 5370 3158 270 6200C 46,5 a 62525 2;}6» b 3 lOSOCO 62524 i ucw» e},42 a ;9.9 47.1 a 437 105000 :,; 1,5 0 1) 0,5 2.56 l.i3 2.72 I..16 0,5 0 0 0,5 0,5 J.33 5.08 ;.ii 1,34 1 . 15 2 5,CJ 2,-56 C?l 57 27363 a TEQ = Twic ftuiiveient fluatiem, caicutitM uavg 1/2 ot t(« oetecoon limit o( (ton-oeteci con«fnrauftfts ' 95 percent u p p v CDnfidnce limit ((}SUCl) H U catct]ldf«d uitog PrcUCL, Vef^icvi 1,0. e t ^ % crifbYHie* (Hwn, SO) u a 6 = 9 9 % OwbysJwv KVUC IXL PCB % Po^cnloilnated btpNertyl. D/F = OipKlrVftifarv Tb«ffiCBostif*p«\Kt ctHknntratiOft is (tw K ^ UCL cooUhtratlMi. Tha tilQher cd OipUcau u i n p l u usad; uaed k m a ddecUDn bpll ;/ Dotn noci-ati«ss ot » t a a « l csneaiitiation J IMI* M u c t and oM nan-fleiaa.. KJ - 25,2 741 _ CJi; -..» 1,75 iSHvJC!.ElsiJ KJ SS2D J4000 2100 :->30 6,55 .. 0 903 ?:*;•;«::>• .zi D t t t c t i i n hHiassuzr. Mavrmic: SE-26 _ 57,4 6 34 ;.S! 0,5 1 • ,; SD24 _ 256 lil 0 .. _ 1140 0,5 OS 1 SDii; .. 5,65 1S.3 ;4,j a _ i 1300 > v ^ TABLE 8-15 Exposure Point Concentrations for Sediment Brier Creek Reservoir Pflramctcr Birds Lstari'ni RSOl P.S02 SSOS SD63A SD63B SD64A SD64B SD6:A SD65B 318 238 383 0O645 _ _ — PCB C o n s m t r TTQ Fish HnnunlAfammab ms'kr • ns'lis :!i n.4 115 6 16 • S.7 156 5 15 1,5.6 _ _ - _ Birds nsiks Dioxins/foraiLS TEQ Fish Hiimaiii/Mimnuili 0.565 6.83 3.13 0,764 6.36 7.4 1.01 6.97 3.22 _ _ _ - .. ~ _ Birds nri'k;! 318 •294 396 .. _ ~ - D'F & PCB TEQ Fish Rumana.'Mamliiali 112 12.S 16,1 223 123 IM _ _ _ „ - .\roclor l : 6 0 94 110 310 45 0 47 42 U 42 U 42 0 = Net An&t7Z£d TEQ ~ TeWa • i ^ a l \\\n^ IM ^>oU :. ill. . KJ KJ KJ TABLE 8-16 Exposure Point Concentrations for Sediment Brier Creeic (Below Brier Creek Reservoir) Paraineter I Location SD3S SD66A |SD66B KJ Birds ng/kg 163 0.028 - PCB Congener TEQ Fish Hum.-uis/Mauuiials ng/kg ng/^ 65.5 3.65 0.589 i.06 ~ Aroclor 1260 ug/kg 43 U 280 59 U = Not detected. TEQ = Toxic equivalent quotient, calculated using h i of the detection limit of non-detect concentrations. PCB = Polychlorinated biphenyl. Value in bold i? the exposure point concentration, which is maximum detected concentration for the chemical v_y TABLE 8-17 Exposure Point Concentrations for Sediment Lake Crabtree Loci tion SD39 5D40 SD41 SD67A SD67B SD68A SD6SB SD69A SD69B SD70A SD70B SD71A SD71B SD72A SD73A SD74A SD75A SD76A 1 SD77A SD78A PCB Congener TEQ (Birds) ng/kg 1360 208 62.0 0.049 0.00006 .. — — 0.023 -.. — — -- PaiaDieter PCB Congener TEQ PCB Congener fHuman3/Mamm.ils) TEQ (Fish) ng/kg ng/kg 55.9 4.46 1.30 2.60 — 0.0041 1.02 ~ ~ -. ~ — 1100 79.7 23.2 1.1 --~ 0.0014 ~ 046 ~ ~ ~ — | PCB-1260 (Arocior 1260) ug/1^ 480 1.6 5.7 150 19 120 U 42 U 120 110 180 99 17 41 U 39 U 43 U 42 U 40U 41 U 40U KJ 46U TEQ = Tone equivalent qiiotieot, caiciiiicea using 1/2 or tne aefecticn Limit of iioii-aetect conceotritious. viiue in Doia ii tee espojure point couceutaticu, ^.lijcn !s masmum aetectea concentration ror oie ciieniiciL PCB = Poivciucnnatea Dipnenvi. - Not anah-zed. KJ KJ TABLE 8-18 Exposure Point Concentrations for Sediment Crabtree Creek Location Buds SD46 SD47 SD49 SD80A SD81A SD82A SD83A SD84A SD84B SD85A SD86A KJ 230 PCB Congener TEQ fug/kg) FLsh Hamaas.'MnDunah 92.8 57.9 250 5.17 5.45 5.62 — — — — 0.020 _ 0.35 _ _ 0,41 _ _ _. - ~ - •243 101 Arodor 1260 (ug/kg) 58 U 60 U 63 U 41 U 41 U • 43 U 43 U 40 U 39 U 49 U 42 U TEQ = Toxic equivalent qiMtient, calculated using 1/2 of the detection limit of non-detect concentraticns. Value in bold is the exposure point concentratJoiL which is maximum detected concentration foi the chemical. PCB = Polychloiinated biphenyl= Not analyzed. The higher of dupUcate samples used; -jsed lower detection limit if both nondetects or detected concenti ation if one detect and one non-detect. KJ T A B L E 8-19 Exposure Point Concentrations for Ftoodplain Surface Soil KJ Location Parameter (iia/ke) PCB Congener Congener PCB Congener l E Q Aroclor lEQ TEQ (Humans/Mamniiils) 1260 (Pish) (;Birds) L'ttle Biier Creek Reach A & Reach D 1 — _ _ SS117A 1100 II -' — SS118A 640 _ _ ._ ssn9A 4S 1 Brier Creek Reservoir - Widdle & Lower _ SS120A 38 U _ _ _ 48 SSI21A ... .38 U 1 SSl^M Crabtree Creek SS13QA _ . _ [ I 39U Lake Crabtree - Sector A B & C 39 UT SS123A 2.32E-05 0.00102 SS124A 0.000456 39 U 0.00116 0.0005-23 39 U SSlJ7AiT>upl24Ai 2.66E-05 _ 37 U SSi25A „ — 39U S5126-A _ _ _ _ 38U SSI27A _ _ _ — 41U SS128A -_ — _ SS129A 38 U __ _ 39 U SS131A _ _ _ 55 U S5132A _ — — 44 U SS133A „ _ _ 47 U SS134A -_ -. 44 U SS 138A (Dnp 134A) — — _ 41 U SS135A SS136A 41 U ~ - PCB „ „ KJ „ T L Q = l o s i c c-qiMTalatit 4^ior±6J3:, rAJciil.l.toc u n u i ^ 1 ,''4: o t t k » csTBCtiOfi LmiT o r aOA-abCssi coi30fti3Tf3.itonv. T k « o r p o i u f c ooiAC c o i i c ^ i i c c a s o n vi m. DOLC. U I C l i ^ c m . ^ m i m t n ?oii?CAtrin-SA rrLtkisi a a c k H c o c p L u i i xcea. P C B = For7onloc3ciaT»a bLpiiAUTl. = N o t actilTlfic. L^ • N O T a c t f r c t a d l o o r a oGiocTioa limit. J - i l s t i c i a t c G rail**. The highef of duplicate samples used used Icfwei detection limit if bodi non-detects or iieteaea conceutrauou i oue aeiecT ?jia oae uou-<letectX KJ o • QO Cfi 0) a • ^ ^ JS V t: ^ c > y c 0) 09 S • M < » u CQ O cS < 0) B 4H « / •c 0 (^ » -o u o. lO 3 5? H ^ X a O r i r-l ri ? ? ? ? ^n 'rl UJ U-) UJ UJ r o r**i \ q —t < ? CO r - i r^i •—( r o r.i uq U UJ r n r'l r i M JS 1? »«5 r-l cp c p uj uJ w UJ 9 9^* ? ON r^ iri r r 'ri i n fM vo W y H tJj •y-i r o <-n r r ' UJ W W UJ O l <-*-! -rt* \ o <Ni i n v d —^ oSSS I/-1 i n i<-i O fvi o i r-i r n cp o vo taH J l/l 4> >0 I O W"e<l ffl g leg Sio. M Q u CUM s 2 o •3 rm |S 1 sg a 3 •o u. a N . cs X 'ii <J.3 Kfl j3 o tii lii S- •a r ^ ^ •c H -9 -g •a « « cxcy,! 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C Q 1 p b 1 W o tri l « Ul 9 t» CA o w l I u. • 1 1 o 5 .2 u Cl I w r-l 9 o W w -1- —' <?v r1 Cl CJ ci Cl — * Cl o —1 9 W c-\ to _ ._, \' v/ 1 O 9 9 vo b -f 8 r-i 9 : Cw l , CO 1 ui ci "•i Ut b 1 w l^- rn W I--- CO ri O S W W W vo 0 , 9 W o b VO tn o ' Ov w ..J 1 y in cl ci Ul ^ o W 1 .-'. Cl Ov —• MJ •1' + U] r 1 r,j vo o w w r-l Q i i O .a "S ....,• 3 g .2 o VH •is •I ^" ._,' Cl s 1 11^-1 ri ci b W vq vq .§, C Q Ul w V u; 1 ^1 1 vo 1 r-l r-l vp ^^ 9 ; w — * in W W • r.j 9 tri •1 o o W vo g W r-i vo C 1 O irt % tr, 1 W ' , -1- _, vo ._i 1 U4 lO i.ri w 9 1 mw rn vq .—i _ 9 p w W Cl —. , 1 v/ o W "^. iri s -1- w O' 1f l .n iri W ui ^ in — to , -H Cl VH u S PH t3 fil 5 ra v^ APPENDIX C KJ KJ NCDENR North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources .Dexter R. Matthews, Difector Division of Waste Management 30 September 2008 Michael F. Easley, Governor William G. Ross Jr., Secretary Mr. Luis Flores Siiperiiind Branch, Waste Management Division US EPA Region IV 61 Forsyth Street. SW Atlanta, Georgia 30303 SUBJECT: Concurrence with Record of Decision Ward Transformer Site Operable Unit #1 (Downstream Reaches) Raieijgh, Wake County Dear Mr. Flores: The State bf North Carolina byand through its Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Waste Management (herein after referred to as'the.state"), reviewed the Record of Decision (ROD) received by the Divisipn on 29 September 2008 for the Ward Transformer Site Operable Unit #1 (Downstream Reaches) and concurs with the selected remedy, subject tothe following conditions: 1. 2. State cohcurrehce on this ROD in no way binds the State to concur in iuture decisions or commits the State to participate, financialiy or otherwise,.io the clean up of the site.. The State reserves the right to review, overview comment, and make independent assessment ofall future work relating to this site. 3. w State concurrence on the ROD for this site is based solely on the.information contained in the ROD received by the State on 29 Sept^nber 2008: Should the State receive, new or additional information which significantly affects the conclusions or amended remedy contained in the ROD, it may modify or withdraw this concurrence with written notice to EPA Region TV. If, after remediation is complete, the.total residual risk level exceeds 10'^, the State may require deed recordation/restrictiph to document the presence of residual contamination and possibly limit future use ofthe property as specified in NCOS 130A-310.8 The State of North Carolina appreciates the opportunity to comment on the ROD ahd looks fofward to working with EPA on the remedy for the subject site., If you have any questions of comments, please call Mr. Nile Testerman at 919 508-'8482. Dexter R:. Matthews, Director Division of Waste Management cc: Jack Butler, Chief, NC Siiperfuhd Siection David Lowii, NC Superfund Nile Testerman, NG Superftmd 1646 MailServiceCenter, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1646 Phone 919-508-8400 \ FAX 919-715-3605 \ Intemet http://wastenotnc.org An Equal Opportimity / Alfiimative Action Einptoyer - Printed on Dual Purpose Recycled Paper \ j ^ c RESPONSIVENESS SUMMARY WARD TRANSFORMER SUPERFUND SITE Operable Unit 1 Raleigh, Wake County North Carolina U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION 4 ATLANTA, GEORGIA September 2008 TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page \ ^ /. INTRODUCTION 1 II. COMMON CONCERNS EXPRESSED BY MULTIPLE COMMENTERS 1 IIL SPECIFIC AND MORE SCIENTIFICALLY-BASED COMMENTS 3 A. Responses to Comments submitted by Environmental Stewardship Concepts on Behalf of the Upper Neuse River Keeper, Neuse River Foundation 3 B. Responses to Comments submitted by Golder Associates, Inc. on behalf of Consolidation Coal Company 22 C. Responses to Comments submitted by Wake County Board of Commissioners 27 D. Responses to Comments submitted by The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority 30 E. Responses to Comments submitted by The North Carolina Wildlife Federation 31 F. Responses to Comments submitted by The North Carolina Wildlife Federation Capital Chapter 32 G. Responses to Comments submitted by James H. Sherman 33 H. Responses to Comments submitted by the North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers' Land Loss Prevention Project ^ L Responses to Comments submitted by The Town of Cary 38 J. " 35 Responses to Comments submitted by The City of Raleigh 38 K. Responses to Comments submitted by Carolina Power & Light Company d/b/a Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc. 41 IV. W^ TRANSCRIPT OF THE AUGUST 14, 2007 PUBLIC HEARING 50 I. INTRODUCTION ^ This Responsiveness Summary summarizes the written comments received by USEPA on the Proposed Plan for Operable Unit 1 (OUl) ofthe Ward Transformer Site, during the public comment period, and responses to those comments. This Responsiveness Summary also includes the transcript from the August 14, 2007, public hearing. The RI/FS report and Proposed Plan for OUl were made available to the public in August 2007. These and other documents can be found in the Administrative Record file and the information repository maintain at the USEPA Docket Room in Region 4 and at the North Regional Public Library in Raleigh, North Carolina. The notice of availability of these two documents was published in the Durham Herald on August 6, 2007, and the Raleigh News and Observer on August 8, 2007. A public comment period was held from August 6, 2007 to September 4, 2007. An extension to the public comment period was requested. As a result, it was extended to October 4, 2007. A public meeting was held on August 14, 2007 to present the proposed plan for OU 1 to a broader community audience than those that had already been involved at the Site. This meeting was attended by approximately 40 citizens. This Responsiveness Summary has three sections: Section I summarizes and responds to common concems expressed by multiple commenters; Section II presents and responds to certain specific and more scientifically-based comments; and Section III includes a transcript of the August 14, 2007 public hearing. II. KJ COMMON CONCERNS EXPRESSED BY MULTIPLE COMMENTERS EPA received letters and emails some supporting and others expressing concems regarding the Preferred Altemative. The following is a summary of the common concems received by multiple commenters and USEPA response to those concems. 1. Additional floodplain soil samples area needed along Reaches B, C, D, and Lower Brier Creek. EPA Response: EPA agrees that additional floodplain soil samples are needed. The preferred alternative (Alternative 4) was modified to require floodplain soil samples to be collected along Reaches B, C, D and lower Brier Creek aspart of the pre-excavation sampling program. Floodplain soil from the above-mentioned areas with PCB concentrations above 1 mg/kg will be excavated and properly disposed off-site. Sections 13 and 15 ofthe ROD document these additional requirements. 2. Additional sediment samples from Lake Crabtree and Brier Creek Reservoir need to be collected. EPA Response: EPA agrees that additional sediment samples from Lake Crabtree and Brier Creek Reservoir need to be collected. Additional samples will be collected from these areas aspart ofthe MNR component ofthe Selected Remedy as documented in Section 13 ofthe ROD. KJ KJ 3. Evaluate impact of the any remedial activities on any sensitive or endangered species such as mussels. EPA Response: EPA agrees with the comment. The Selected Remedy requires that an endangered mussel evaluation be conducted prior to excavation as documented in Section 13 ofthe ROD. 4. Data should be provided to citizens of Wake county and downstream communities. EPA Response: EPA agrees with the comment. All data and reports will be made available to citizens and stakeholders. Site documents will be available at the Site Information Repository located at the North Raleigh Public Library. 5. EPA is only relying on Monitor Natural Recovery (MNR). KJ EPA Response: The Selected Remedy does not rely on MNR only. The Selected Remedy includes a component that requires excavation of contaminated soil and sediments with PCB concentrations above 1 mg/kg along Reaches B, C, D, and Lower Brier Creek. In addition, the Selected Remedy takes into consideration the removal activities being conducted at the Ward Transformer facility, at Reach A and at some other immediate areas. Under the removal action more than 150,000 tons of PCB contaminated soil and sediment will be cleaned up. Section 13 ofthe ROD provides a complete description ofall the components ofthe Selected Remedy, 6. Direct contact with PCBs from the bottom of the Lake while conducting boating/sailing activities. EPA Response: PCB concentrations in the sediments from Lake Crabtree are very low. Most sediment samples collected from the Lake show non-detectable levels of PCBs. The highest detectable PCB concentration from a single sample point from Lake Crabtree is 0.48 mg/kg. Sediment with PCB levels this low; do not pose unacceptable risk due to exposure while conducting boating/sailing activities at Lake Crabtree. 7. Make sure that Ward Transfonner and the appropriate parties are held accountable for cleanup costs. EPA Response: EPA has been working towards identifying the Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs) for this Site. Once the Record of Decision (ROD) is issued, these PRPs will be noticed to participate and fund the clean up actions for this Operable Unit. EPA will negotiate the terms ofa consent decree with the PRPs. Successful negotiations will end with a signed consent decree between the parties and the PRPs agreeing to fund the clean up actions. If negotiations fail, EPA will conduct the clean up using federal funds and pursue reimbursement under a cost recovery action suit. w III. SPECIFIC AND MORE SCIENTIFICALLY-BASED COMMENTS \ , i ^ A. Responses to Comments submitted by Environmental Stewardship Concepts on Behalf of the Upper Neuse River Keeper, Neuse River Foundation Comments on the Proposed Plan 8. The Proposed Plan inevitably shares many of the same weaknesses as the Remedial Investigation (RI) and Feasibility Study (FS). Sampling associated with the Remedial Investigation (RI) did not adequately characterize deeper sediments or floodplain soils in upper Brier Creek. Inadequate sampling has failed to accurately describe the linkage between PCB contamination in sediments in Brier Creek Reservoir and Crabtree Creek to the levels recorded in fish tissues. "Hotspots" of contamination are likely the source of PCB's, but sediment sampling has been cursory and has not been complete enough to locate any hot spots. The strength of the Plan's proposed altematives suffered as a result of the underestimation of risks in the Remedial Investigation. The Plan's focus on altematives involving Monitored Natural Recovery (MNR) is primarily the result of a combination of flawed assumptions in the Feasibility Study. ^ EPA Response: The sampling conducted during the Remedial Investigation (RI) was sufficient to identify the environmental problems associated with the release of PCBs downstream from the Ward Transformer facility. Additional sampling, which is specified in the Selected Remedy, will be required to provide the current and more detailed delineation ofthe PCBs contained in downstream sediment and floodplain soils to support remedial actions. EPA agrees with the observation that additional floodplain soil characterization is needed. Additional floodplain soil characterization will be conducted prior to remedial actions in Reaches B, C and D and Lower Brier Creek. Sediment sampling was conducted to sampler refusal in Reaches B, C and D plus Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree. The depth of sampler refusal was considered the bottom ofthe sediment column, which is standard practice in the environmental industry. The link between PCB concentrations in sediments and fish tissue has been established in the technical literature and is supported by EPA. Additional sampling is not required to establish this link in Lake Crabtree and Brier Creek Reservoir. The Feasibility Study (FS) presented site-specific Biota Sediment Accumulation Factor (BSAF) calculations to help quantify this relationship. Local area of Reaches B, C and D may contain higher concentrations of contaminants ("hot spots"), but these "hot spots" will be identified during sampling proposed in the preexcavation sampling program. Contamination "hot spots" are unlikely in the lake and reservoir, due to the mechanisms that determine the spread offine sediments (containing sorbed PCBs) across the water bodies. Two areas where higher contaminant concentrations might be anticipated are the locations where the creeks empty into the reservoir and lake. Sediment samples collected in these areas showed slightly higher PCB concentrations, but not concentrations which would be considered "hot spots." Given that the site-specific BSAF values are consistent with those developed for other PCB sites and that fish integrate ^ exposure throughout their respective home ranges, "hot spots" are not expected to be present in the two reservoirs. Additional sampling has been proposed for the lake and reservoir aspart ofthe MNR component ofthe Selected Remedy. This additional sampling will help verify the distribution of PCBs across Lake Crabtree and Brier Creek Reservoir. 9. The Feasibility Study inaccurately concluded that the decrease in PCB concentrations further away from the Ward Transformer site are the result of a natural "recovery," when it is more a function of the persistence of PCBs and the time sediments have had to travel downstream. The final factor skewing the plan towards Monitored Natural Recovery (MNR) is the assumption used in the Feasibility Study that actions protective of human health would also protect wildlife. This assumption is not the case as the Monitored Natural Recovery (MNR) altemative leaves contamination at current levels in some areas that is high enough to affect wildlife, and institutional controls such as fish consumption advisories do nothing to lower PCB concentrations in fish. As noted in the Feasibility Study and below in our comments on the same document, Monitored Natural Recovery (MNR) has a mixed track record at best and should be dropped as an altemative for areas with PCB's levels above 0.5 ppm. Several species of fish and mammals are known to be more sensitive to PCBs than are humans, and the cleanup needs to protect these species as well. w EPA Response: EPA fully understands the persistence of PCBs in the environment and knows the historical timeline of PCB use at the Ward Transformer facility. PCBs in sediment have had ample time to travel downstream to the Neuse River. Time is not a primary factor determining PCB distribution at this site. The current distribution of PCBs is primarily related to the erosional and depositional processes at work on the sediment in the Crabtree Creek watershed. The persistence of PCBs in the environment was assumed when the preferred remedial alternative was selected. One ofthe remedial goals for the project is to reduce PCB concentrations in aquatic biota (primarily fish) to levels that are safe for human consumption. Achievement ofthis goal will also help protect sensitive fish, birds, and mammals. EPA proposed Monitored Natural Recovery (MNR) for Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree and the lower portion of Crabtree Creek. No sediment samples collected from these three water bodies has exceeded 0.5 ppm for total PCBs. MNR is a viable alternative for these three water bodies, based on the criteria presented in the comment. 10. The plan's failure to address floodplain soils is also a major flaw. These soils act as both sources and sinks for PCBs in aquatic systems. Severe weather and associated flash flooding actively transport contaminated sediments from flood banks downstream. Any gains made from removing contaminated sediments from within the stream itself will be lost over time as PCBs slowly migrate from floodplain soils back into stream sediments. The proposed removal actions in reaches B, C, and D (Brier Creek and its unnamed tributary) should be expanded to include contaminated floodplain soils. EPA Response: EPA agrees that floodplain soils in Reaches B, C and D need to be addressed to ensure that all potential sources of PCB contamination have been remediated v^ along the creeks downstream ofthe Ward Transformer facility. Additional sampling associated with the Remedial Design and the pre-excavation sampling program component ofthe Selected Remedy will be conducted. Floodplain soil will be cleaned up to meet the 1 mg/kg remedial goal for PCBs. Sections 13 and 15 document the requirement for floodplain soil sampling and remediation. 11. It is also important to include discussions of remedial actions at the Ward Site itself (OUO) when considering contamination farther downstream. The contamination in downstream waters below the Ward Site (OUl) is the direct result of PCB mnoff from the original Ward Transformer site. The effectiveness ofthe cleanup ofthe Ward Site itself will have direct implications on the success of any efforts in Brier Creek Reservoir, Crabtree Lake and other waters. This part of the cleanup represents a critical element of source control for Brier Creek Reservoir and Crabtree Lake (OUl) and cannot be ignored. EPA Response: EPA agrees that cleanup ofthe Ward facility itself and all other areas being address under the Time-Critical Removal Action are critical in controlling the primary source of PCBs to the Crabtree Creek watershed. EPA is coordinating all Site response actions to ensure success. KJ 12. Recent publications (Lehmann 2006 and Lehmann et al., 2007) present alarming results of bioassays on clams exposed to low levels of PCB's or to waters in the Crabtree/Brier Creek watershed system. Lehmann and co-workers perfonned a series of biological assays on Asiatic clams as test animals for the water quality of Brier Creek Reservoir. One series of assays involved placing clams in bags into the creeks and sampling them after 21 days. The lab phase of the work involved exposing clams to three concentrations of PCB's in controlled conditions. In both experiments, the clams suffered damage at the cellular and molecular level. The major inipact on the clams was reproductive failure because the gonads were damaged by the PCB's. Clams exposed to water without PCB's, or in the reference creek not downstream from the Ward site, showed no such responses. The remarkable result was that the field assay gave fairly clear results in terms of damage to the clams, but little variation from upstream to downstream, as occurred in the lab experiment with increasing concentrations of PCB's. The damage caused by PCB's in the lab mimicked the results observed in the field, despite the obvious inability to control the field conditions. Additionally, estimated water concentrations in the field (0.05 - 0.18 ppt) were consistent with those measured in the Remedial Investigation (RI), but were lower than the levels to which clams were exposed in the lab (1, 10 100 ppb). The significance of the clam bioassays is that cunent conditions are causing biological impairment in the downstream segments of the Brier Creek system, even where sediment and water concentrations are less than action levels. Clams, as filter feeders that live in the sediment, are exposed to both dissolved PCBs and PCBs bound to sediment that is suspended or on the immediate surface ofthe bottom. These waters and sediments as now sufficiently toxic to impair the reproductive system of the test clams and surely any resident clams. KJ K^j^jjjJ These results also provide cause for concem over any rare and endangered freshwater bivalves (mussels) that may have occuned in the Brier Creek system or that may be introduced as immature mussels. Under present conditions, one can expect such mussels to die in the Brier Creek system. Coupled with the elevated fish tissue PCB levels, the clam reproductive impairment data indicate the necessity of cleaning up the PCB sources in the Brier Creek system. Ifthe present results are an accurate and complete characterization of the PCB contamination, then the seemingly low levels in Brier Creek Reservoir and downstream waters are far more harmful than assumed in the Remedial Investigation and Ecological Risk Assessment. On the other hand, the downstream waters may not be accurately and completely characterized and higher levels of PCBs in sediments are yet to be identified and these sediments are the source of the toxicity to clams and PCBs in fish. The clam bioassay investigations by Lehmann (2006) and Lehmann et al. (2007) provide compelling evidence that the Brier Creek system contains PCBs in concentrations that impair the animals living there. The source investigation and cleanup need to thoroughly delineate the PCB levels throughout Brier Creek Reservoir and Crabtree Lake and in sunounding areas. KJ EPA Response: The published results of these clam bioassay investigations are recent. EPA will review the results to determine the relevance of the findings to the Ward Transformer Site. It should be noted that the Asiatic clam is present in abundance in the Brier Creek system based on visual observations during fish and crayfish collections performed during the Remedial Investigation sampling. While no macrobenthic invertebrate community surveys or mollusk studies were conducted, sufficient quantities of Asiatic clams are present to support foraging by raccoons based on the shell piles observed along the stream banks and the presence of shells as a component ofthe stream substrate. Consequently, reproductive impairment either may not be occurring in wild specimens or is not sufficient to result in their elimination from the benthic macroinvertebrate community. In addition, it is not clear whether Asiatic clams are a suitable surrogate for assessing potential effects on native macrobenthic invertebrates (including native mussel populations, if present). Comments on the Remedial Investigation General Issues 13. The Remedial Investigation (RI) does not give any soil sampling data for the Ward Transformer Site itself (OUO). This omission is curious because contamination in these areas have a direct effect on the contaminated tributaries and water bodies draining into the Neuse River Tributaries (OUl). The two problems are inseparable and cannot be discussed without mentioning the other. The great concem is that remedial options for each site will be developed in a vacuum. EPA Response: The results ofthe soil sampling data for the Ward Transformer site are presented in separate reports, as is typical when a site is divided into different operable units. These results were utilized when preparing the OU-1 RI/FS Reports and these results v^ are available in the local document repository for the site located in the North Raleigh Public Library. 14. While not directly related to OUl, the RI notes frequently in its background discussions that after 1979 only transformers with lower concentrations (< 50 ppm) were processed at the site. These transformers still contained PCBs, and plans at OUO should be reviewed to make sure that the assumption that the reconditioning of these transformers canied no risk. Contamination from PCB oil at a level of 50 ppm can easily result in contaminated soils with PCB levels well in excess of remedial targets,, and even near 50 PPM. therefore the fact that PCb's were at 45 ppm in the processed equipment is no assurance that contamination is below action levels. Indeed, 50 ppm PCB is a serious contamination problem. Please see the attachment "TEQ Methodology" for a more complete explanation of how risks from PCBs and dioxins are evaluated EPA Response: EPA agrees that transformers containing dielectric fluids with less than 50 ppm of PCBs still contain significant quantities of PCBs. However, transformers containing fiuids with more than 50 ppm of PCBs obviously pose a greater risk if the fluids are released to the environment. Some common PCB-containing dielectric fluids used in transformers contain 60% PCBs by volume. Risk was characterized for OU-0 using soil data that reflected past releases from all PCB-containing materials at the Ward Transformer Site. Consequently, the ultimate sources of contamination, whether greater than or less than 50 ppm PCBs, have little relevance to the current or post-remediation risk. KJ Sampling 15. While the site has more fish tissue data than a number of other sites we have worked on, there is a dearth of data on soils, and sediment composition in Reach B (Little Brier Creek). A total of 20 soil samples were taken over the entire study area, hardly enough to characterize the entire floodplain. That is a mere 5 samples per reach, and most were focused on human health endpoints around Crabtree Lake and to identify continuing sources to the watershed. This is hardly enough to characterize contamination in floodplain soils. Obtaining more complete data on these soils is critical to controlling PCB contamination in the Neuse River. Floodplain soils act as both sources and sinks for PCB contaminated sediments in waterways. The RI contains no real discussion of major weather events and how they may affect contamination at the site, and this is reflected in the low number of samples taken from floodplain soils. Small streams like the unnamed tributaries to Brier and Crabtree Creeks as well as Brier and Crabtree Creeks themselves are prone to flash flooding. These floods can bring PCB and dioxin contaminated sediments far from established stream banks. EPA Response: Additional floodplain soil samples will be collected as part ofthe preremediation sampling program. See response to comment number 10. Climate, major storm events, and flash flooding are all discussed in the RI Report (Sections 1.4.1, 1.4.2 and 4.5) along with their signiflcance relative to PCB migration downstream of the Ward Transformer facility. \^^/ Ksmf^ 16. Stream sediments are also insufficiently characterized. Only four sample locations examined sediments greater than 24 inches beneath the surface. The highest levels of contamination in stream sediments will conespond to peak loadings, considering the delay between spill, introduction into the waters and transport down the creek. The deepest sediments are not likely to be as contaminated as those on the surface, but it is important to characterize them in order define the depth of maximum contamination, the maximum depth of contarnination and to better evaluate remedial options. Even low levels ofcontamination at these depths could affect dredging depths or other actions. EPA Response: Sediment sampling was conducted to sampler refusal in Reaches B, C and D plus Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree. The depth of sampler refusal was considered the bottom ofthe sediment column, which is standard practice in the environmental industry. 17. As noted above, there are an adequate number of fish tissue samples to characterize the site. However, the RI notes that catfish had their skins removed before they were analyzed. The reason for this is not stated. Wildlife that consume catfish and many fishermen do not remove these tissues before eating the fish, so it is unacceptable to evaluate whole body concentrations for the purposes of risk assessments without them. Other fish samples appear to have been handled properly. O EPA Response: Catflsh skins are extremely tough and are traditionally removed by recreational and commercial flsherman prior to consumption. It is standard practice in flsh tissue assessments to skin scalelessfish (catflsh) prior to filleting. Skins were removed only from those catfish samples collected for evaluating human risk. After removing the skin from the catfish specimens, filets were obtained including the lipid-rich belly flap portion for subsequent analysis. Whole body flsh samples collected for evaluating ecological risk were submitted whole (skin-on) for analysis. Consequently, the fish sample preparation procedures that were employed were appropriate for evaluating human health and ecological risk and are not expected to result in low biased estimates. 18. The Mayor of Raleigh created a scientific panel to evaluate the adequacy of sampling associated with the cleanup of the Ward Transformer site. Many of the sites recommended by the panel were not included in the RI. No explanation for not taking these samples was given in the report. EPA needs to address why they did not include these in the investigation. EPA Response: EPA conducted a community stakeholder meeting which included Task Force members, City, County and State officials, as well as interested community members among others, to put together a sampling plan designed to fill any data gaps and address any other community concern regarding potential exposure and nature and extent of contamination. Input was received regarding the number of additional samples, their locations and depths, including fioodplain soil samples from recreational areas in the vicinity of Lake Crabtree, and surface and subsurface sediment concentrations in Lake Crabtree and Brier Creek Reservoir. After the meeting, EPA prepared a draft Sampling Plan describing the proposed sampling activities and sent it out for further review and input X^^ygjj/ from the group prior to finalizing the plan. The resulting data from the sampling is contained in the Remedial Investigation Report. Human Health Risk Assessment 19. After reviewing the Remedial Investigation (RI) portion of the document, the most disconcerting problem was not with the document, but with changes or specific mles proposed by the regulatory agencies. In particular, the soil screening values of two toxic metals (arsenic and lead) were set dangerously high at the request of NCDENR or EPA Region 4. The residential screening value for lead was set to 400 mg/kg. This value is almost twice that used in many superfund cleanups around the country. Lead is highly toxic with no lower threshold for adverse effects, particularly in children. In other words, there is no "safe" dose of lead, and any dose will result in measurable health effects (see CDC website). After the initial draft of the RI was released, EPA Region 4 sent out a bulletin setting a PRG based on noncancer-based endpoints. The resulting chronic reference dose for children was 20 mg/kg and 160 mg/kg for adults. The 20 mg/kg concentration can be considered dangerous to adults based on risks associated with cancer, and would be highly toxic for the stated endpoint of a child's health. It is highly disconcerting that regulatory agencies would exert their influence to establish such unprotective screening levels, particularly since the result effectively prevents lead and arsenic from becoming COPCs in future investigations. ^ EPA Response: The reported maximum lead level in soils or sediments ofthe entire site was 25 mg/kg. This is far less than 200 to 400 mg/kg, and in fact is in the background range. There is no valid reason to clean up lead. The COPC screening level used for arsenic in the human health risk assessment was 0.39 mg/kg, which is based on a residential soil cancer risk oflE-06 (not the PRGs recommended for cleanup in the EPA Region 4 Bulletin). In this risk assessment, arsenic was selected as a COPC. Cancer risks and hazard quotients were calculated based on the conservative procedures recommended in national EPA risk assessment guidance (RAGS and related guidance documents). Arsenic cancer risks and hazard quotients in all scenarios did not exceed the trigger levels of concern for arsenic cleanup (the highest arsenic risk was 3.8E-07 and the highest arsenic hazard quotient was less than 0.01). The reason that the EPA Region 4 Technical Bulletin was cited in the Uncertainty Analysis was to determine ifthe calculated risk assessment results and detected soil/sediment levels in the risk assessment were consistent with cleanup policy in EPA Region4. The PRGs that are discussed by EPA Region 4 and NCDENR (i.e., 20 mg/kg and 160 mg/kg) are not screening levels, but rather are cleanup levels. Note that the maximum arsenic concentration detected in soils or sediments at any location was 5.0 mg/kg. These values are significantly less than the 20 mg/kg EPA Region 4 PRG recommended for children (the most conservative cleanup value), and are in fact well within reported background levels. \^^jy 20. The Baseline Human Health Risk Assessment (BHHRA) fails to examine an important and likely scenario: intmsive operations into the soil by constmction workers in the future in the area immediately downstream from the Ward Site, Reach A. This area. Reach A, is the most contaminated Reach examined by the BHHRA, and is directly adjacent to the Ward KJ Transformer Site and the Ward stormwater treatment outfall. Given the pace and extent of residential development in the area, and the demand for open or green space in residential areas, the plan must envision residential use of all areas covered by the Proposed Plan. EPA Response: Reach A is not part of OU-1, however, the ongoing removal action will remove all Reach A sediments to levels below 1 ppm. Therefore, future construction workers will not be exposed to the levels ofcontamination that exist today at the Ward Transformer facility and Reach A, 21. The report enoneously concludes that there is no risk in many ofthe scenarios outlined in the BHHRA. This enor occurs primarily because the BHHRA uses a less protective screening value of E-04 (1 in 10,000) instead ofthe more appropriate E-06 (1 in 1,000,000). For many of the Chemicals of Potential Concem (COPCs), particularly PCBs and dioxins, additional health effects are routinely found at lower and lower doses. The 1 in 1,000,000 screening level was designed to provide a margin of safety for these types of pollutants. The fact that the proposed Superfund plan is based around the higher risk threshold should call into question the effectiveness ofthe overall plan. KJ EPA Response: The conservative and health protective screening cancer risk level oflE-06 level was used to select COPCs (not a screening level of 1 E-04 as stated in the comment). The lE-04 risk level discussed in the risk assessment relates to the risk level of concern that triggers remediation ofa site. Note that it was never stated in the risk assessment that there was "no risk"from any chemical. Cancer risks may have been "insignificant" with respect to regulatory risk levels set for cleanup action. Ecological Risk Assessment 22. The most significant problem of the Baseline Ecological Risk Assessment (BERA) is that the focus is on PCBs, while metals and other toxic compounds are completely ignored. Other compounds weren't even screened despite the sensitivity of wildlife to many of the pollutants present such as aluminum. While PCBs and dioxins are by far the most toxic compounds released by Ward Transformer, they are not the only source of risk to wildlife. The omission of these other contaminants had a profound effect on risk estimates for wildlife. EPA Response: Not all contaminants warrant equal attention with regard to risk. The site managers have targeted the investigation of OUl to the most relevant concerns. Thus, the scope ofthe BERA was restricted to evaluate impacts of site-related contaminants (i.e., PCB and dioxin-like congeners) on off-site surface waters, from the Ward Transformer's facility's NPDES outfall to the unnamed tributary to Little Brier Creek (Reaches A, B, and C), Little Brier Creek proper (Reach D), Brier Creek Reservoir, Brier Creek, Lake Crabtree, upper and lower Crabtree Creek, and the Neuse River. Please note that aluminum toxicity is associated with soluble aluminum. Aluminum is identified as a COPC only at sites where the soilpH is less than 5.5 (EPA, 2003. Ecological Soil Screening Level for Aluminum, OSWER Directive 9285.7-60). Low pH levels were not found at this site. W 23. The recent results of clam bioassays by Lehmann (2006) and Lehmann et al. (2007) indicate that cunent conditions cause reproductive impairment to at least some aquatic species. These ; SaiH^' results were apparently not included in the ecological risk assessment, thereby omitting important toxicological information on risks to aquatic animals. EPA Response: The documents cited were not available during the planning stages ofthe BERA and, consequently, are not included. The extent of impairment to the Asiatic clam (Corbicula fiuminea) populations in the Crabtree Creek watershed associated with PCB contamination is not known at present. During RIfish sampling efforts, Corbicula shells were observed to be a significant component ofthe substrate in some areas and shell middens from raccoon foraging were also present. While no quantitative sampling to characterize the macrobenthic invertebrate communities relative to control streams was performed in the RI, the observations indicate that there are viable populations ofthis species in affected reaches. The extent to which the non-native and invasive Corbicula clam is a good surrogate for evaluating potential impacts to native mollusk species, which are mussels rather than clams, is uncertain. KJ 24. In addition, risks to wildlife are significantly underestimated based on the way that Toxicity Reference Values (TRVs) were calculated. No safety factors for increased species sensitivity were incorporated into these calculations when the species used in the laboratory were different than the target wildlife species. The report attempts to dismiss the significance of safety factors by enoneously claiming that laboratory species tend to be more sensitive than wildlife species. Such a generalization is not true, particularly for avian receptors. Bald eagles are certainly more sensitive to PCBs than pheasants or chickens. Among mammals, mink are among the most sensitive and are not often used in lab tests. EPA Response: Allometric modeling from Sample and Arenal (1999) was used for interspecies extrapolations ofthe TRVs (Le., when the test species is different from the wildlife or target receptor species). TRVs are not available for eagles due to their special status; thus, a surrogate species is used for this receptor. TRVs for mink were used in the BERA. Risk to sensitive species is considered by evaluating risks using a no-effect TRV. 25. The report admittedly underestimates risks from PCBs to raccoons and mink by ignoring some pathways such as oysters and mussels. A study was originally planned to characterize mussel tissues but was cancelled. Given the amount of sediment that bivalves take up, it is likely that they are a significant pathway for PCB uptake to their predators. It is encouraging to see the RI openly admit this flaw in their design, but unfortunately these omissions simply compound the flaws noted above. KJ EPA Response: The BERA used the fish wholebody tissue concentrations to evaluate risk to mink and crayfish whole body tissue concentrations to evaluate risk to raccoons. The uncertainty analysis discusses that because tissue concentrations of all prey species consumed by the raccoon and mink were not characterized, it is not known whether dietary exposure results in lower or higher risks than those based on fish and crayfish ingestion. Comparisons of crayfish concentration data with fish tissue concentration data from the sampling reaches where both were collected indicated that fish tissue concentrations were higher than crayfish tissue. Thus, it is likely that fish tissue concentrations would be 11 ^ higher than mollusk concentrations, and the resulting dietary exposure may over-estimate risk. While there may be mussels in the watershed, oysters would not occur in this watershed prior to estuarine conditions near the mouth ofthe Neuse River, 26. Despite the fact that Lake Crabtree cunently has fish advisories in place based on the concentration of PCBs and dioxins found in fish tissues, the BERA found no risks to fish and crayfish at the Lowest Observed Effect Dose (LOED). Besides the obvious problem with combining toxicity data for two species of completely different phylogenic groups, this finding contradicts all available evidence. The body burdens reported in the RI could be high enough to cause reproductive problems in sensitive fish and developmental problems in fish fry (Rice et al 2003). Both of these endpoints are critical to the ongoing health and survival of fish populations, and neither appears to have been considered. ^ EPA Response: To evaluate the risks to fish and crayfish, tissue residues were compared to tissue residues presented in the USACE/EPA (2004) Environmental Residue-Effects Database (ERED), which is a compilation of data, taken from the literature, where biological effects (e.g,, reduced survival, growth, etc.) and tissue contaminant concentrations were simultaneously measured in the same organism. This database was searched for PCB and dioxin effects on fish and aquatic invertebrates, focusing on effects concentrations in whole body samples and focusing on effects on reproduction, growth, and survival. A NOED and a LOED was selected for each receptor group (i,e,, omnivorous fish, carnivorous fish, and aquatic invertebrates). The Rice et al 2003 study was not listed in the ERED database. Also of note is that fish communities in the reaches sampled including the reservoirs do not appear to refiect impacts associated with contaminant toxicity. While fish sampling in the Remedial Investigation targeted specific fish species for chemical analyses, presence of additional non-target species indicates that the stream sections and the reservoirs support reasonably diverse communities and adequate abundance. Few DELTs (deformities, erosion, lesions or tumors) where observed in fish preparedfor analyses. The principal threat to the fish community appears to be rapid commercial development in the Crabtree Creek watershed and the attendant changes to the hydrology. Flashy conditions have lead to moderate to heavy bank erosion and the resultant habitat loss or impairment, higher turbidity, and siltation. These are significant stressors to fish and macrobenthic invertebrate communities. ^ 27. In addition to the above, there are a number of other issues with the BERA: Bald eagles were not examined in all reaches, a gap in crayfish sampling resulted in the omission of risk assessments in one reach, the use of maximum detected values when 95% upper confidence limits were exceeded, and the assumption that rriink and bald eagles do not accidentally ingest soils or sediments. All of the above issues, though small in comparison to others, result in the underestimation of risks to wildlife. Any one of these issues could potentially be enough to make the difference between a target species exceeding acceptable risk levels. Serious flaws 12 KJ such as these and others noted above represent serious issues that should be considered when determining the acceptability of the proposed Superfund plan. EPA Response: Bald eagles were evaluated as a piscivorous avian receptor of concern in reaches providing the appropriate foraging habitat. Because bald eagles are unlikely to forage in stream reaches with closed canopies, that habitat was evaluated using the great blue heron as the piscivorous avian receptor. No crayfish samples were collected from Brier Creek Reservoir or Lake Crabtree, so raccoons as a target receptor group that ingests aquatic invertebrates were not evaluated. Rather, the primary mammalian receptor of interest for the open waters downstream ofthe Site was the mink. Comparisons of crayfish concentration data with fish tissue concentration data from the sampling reaches where both were collected indicated that fish tissue concentrations were higher than crayfish tissue. Consequently, evaluating risks to a fish-consuming mammal (i.e., mink) would likely result in over-estimated risk to a crayfishconsuming mammal (i.e., raccoon).. The use ofthe maximum concentration as the exposure point concentration for data sets where the 95% UCL is greater than the maximum is a common convention for small data sets. The 95% UCL on the mean is used in risk assessment as the representative average concentration within an exposure area. It is inappropriate to use a statistical estimate ofthe average concentration that is greater than the maximum concentration in a dataset. KJ Incidental sediment ingestion rates for mink and bald eagles are negligible. One percent of the dry tissue ingestion rate was assumed in calculating contaminant intake for these species. Comments on the Feasibility Study 28. The Feasibility Study (FS) is substantially lacking compared to the Remedial Investigation (RI). Some of these shortcomings are a direct result of inaccuracies in both the ecological and human health risk assessments. However, these flaws are insignificant compared to one supremely flawed assumption in the FS regarding Reach A, just downstream from the Ward Site. Reach A is defined as the unnamed tributary to Brier Creek directly adjacent to the Ward Transformer property. This Reach contains the highest concentrations of PCBs of any of the water bodies in Operable Unit 1 (OUl). Though this Reach was investigated under the RI for OUl, remedial options for this area will be selected and performed under the cleanup for OUO, the Ward Transformer property itself. Though odd, there is nothing wrong with this approach in practice if handled properly. However, one passage in Section 4.1.1 indicates that the cleanup of this Reach is being approached in a manner that is not consistent with the protection of downstream locations: KJ "The drainage area around the Ward Transformer property is approximately 120 acres, and Reach A is a tiny tributary (2 feet wide and less than 1 foot deep) to Little Brier Creek. As a 13 KJ result, the contaminated sediment loading from soil and sediment erosion around the Ward Transformer Site is relatively small compared to the uncontaminated sediment loading from other segments of the Little Brier Creek watershed (5200 acres) and downstream watersheds (e.g.. Brier Creek). The practical result of this mixing of relatively small amounts of contaminated sediments with larger amounts of uncontaminated sediments is that the PCB contamination from Ward Transformer is diluted by these "clean" sediments. This form of natural recovery is occuning, as evidenced by the drop in PCB concentrations in downstream sediments as each new stream with uncontaminated sediments empties into Little Brier Creek and Crabtree Creek." There are a number of problems with the concept in this paragraph. The first problem is the disturbing failure to incorporate accurate scientific information regarding the nature of PCBs and their fate in the environment. Because PCBs are so persistent in the environment (they can remain for hundreds of years under some conditions), the "dilution" of these sediments with "clean" sediments downstream is inelevant. The fact that over time the contamination in these sediments has made its way all the way down to Crabtree Lake to deposit in concentrations high enough to justify fish consumption advisories for PCBs is evidence that dilution does not play a significant role in the long term compared to other factors. The above approach addresses the contamination in an outdated "dilution is the solution to pollution" mindset, and assumes that all Reaches of OUl were contaminated at the same time. U EPA Response: Reach A is not included within OU-1. Reach A is being addressed separately under the on-going Time- Critical Removal Action, which is appropriate, due to its proximity to the Ward Transformer facility and the higher levels of detected PCB concentrations. The EPA is describing a natural surface water and sediment process that helps explain the distribution of PCBs in the watershed. The EPA is well aware ofthe long term persistence of PCBs in the environment. The remediation ofthe PCB contamination at the Ward Transformer facility. Reach A, Reach B, Reach C, Reach D and lower Brier Creek will help reduce the amount of PCBs moving downstream to levels which will support MNR and eventually help reduce sediment PCB concentrations within the biologically active zone in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree to levels which will support the reduction of PCB concentrations in fish and other aquatic biota. The EPA clearly presents its conceptual model of PCB fate and transport in the RI and ii does not assume that the downstream reaches were contaminated at the same time, but rather over many years. The sedimentation rates in the Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree are significant. Since construction ofthe dams forming these impoundments, sediment depths have increased considerably. Source control in the form ofthe on-going removal action and the proposed action for OUl will remove contaminated soil and sediment and will result in cleaner sediments entering these impoundments and, by mixing and burial, will become over time not bioavailable to the macrobenthic invertebrate, fish and higher trophic level receptors, including humans. W 14 ^ Regardless ofthe extent of removal of the primary source (Removal Action areas) and secondary source (OU-1 stream sections with >1 ppm PCB removal), this is not just a dilution-based mechanism, rather a hydrologic process that will continue to occur in this watershed. 29. The concept that "dilution is the solution to pollution" has been applied in the Clean Water Act for decades and is based on the chemical, physical and biological interactions of "conventional" pollutants in water. "Conventional" pollutants are nutrients (nitrates and phosphates), bacteria, heat, acidity, sediment and organic matter (carbon material from the breakdown of plant and animal matter). In the case of these pollutants, estimates of allowable releases assume that degradation, breakdown, biological absorption and/or other natural processes cause reductions in the amount ofthe pollutant in the water body. In other words, these pollutants are not conserved, but are processed in a way to be removed from the system. Sediment is the exception; the assumption is that sediment is a natural part of the benthos and can be incorporated into the benthos upon settling. PCB's and other persistent organic pollutants do not have the properties that permit degradation, breakdown, transformation or other removal from the system in appreciable levels. PCB's are conserved and persist in the aquatic environment, hence the assumptions necessary to apply the "dilution" approach are simply not met. ^ Furthermore, the impacts of conventional pollutants are short term from a toxicological extent. These conventional pollutants cause fairly rapid impacts to the system in the area of the release. Not so with PCB's and other persistent organic pollutants. PCB's exert their effects over long periods for as long as they remain in the system and subject to uptake by biological receptors. PCB's have no short term (i.e. acute) effects at the concentrations found in aquatic systems at contaminated sites. An examination of the basic properties of small (low order) streams completely discredits this assumption when combined with the fact that PCBs are incredibly persistent in the environment. Streams are dynamic environments with a wide variety of flow regimes both temporally and spatially. Sediments will be deposited in some areas with lower water velocities that may change depending on the current discharge rate ofthe stream. During periods of higher than average discharge, these deposition pattems can change significantly. Areas that at one time were depositional can be subject to water velocities that scour and move sediments downstream. Flash flood events (common in these small order streams) interact with floodplain soils, depositing or transporting soils from these areas in unpredictable fashion. The assumption that sediment loadings can be accurately estimated from drainage areas is also scientifically unsound. The statistics cited in the text apply only to water discharges and not sediment. Sediment transport is a factor of many variables, including water velocity, sediment particle size, and land use that are not addressed in either the RI or theFS. EPA Response: EPA agrees that flash flood events are one of the primary mechanisms for the downstream migration ofPCBS in sediment, as stated in the RL KJ 15 KJ Because of the flashy nature ofthe sediment loading and the lack of data for sediment loading during flash flood events, EPA's sediment loading calculations employed a GISbased model (PLOAD) to estimate annual averages for sediment and PCB loading. The model takes into account land use in the watershed, which is addressed in both the RI and FS, EPA understands the complexity of determining sediment transport loading under widely varying flow conditions, EPA purposely utilized conservative model inputs to provide conservative sediment and PCB loading estimates and calibrated the results against the measured sediment thickness in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree. 30. Another major problem with the quoted passage is that decreasing PCB concentrations in sediments further from the site are not evidence of any sort of "recovery." These reductions are a function of distance from the Ward Transformer site and the titne that these contaminated sediments have had to travel downstream. In no way, shape, or form should these lower concentrations be constmed as "recovery," as the contamination in these downstream areas is likely composed of sediments originally contaminated in Reach A when Ward Transformer first began to process PCB contaminated transformers in the I960's. Properly cleaning up the waterways downstream from Ward Transformer requires the basic understanding of these facts. Unfortunately, it appears the approach demonstrated in the quoted passage is applied to the rest of the FS as well. KJ EPA Response: The decreasing PCB concentrations have little to do with the time that the sediments have had to travel downstream. The decreasing PCB concentrations are related to distance from the site and the mixing of contaminated sediments (originating from the Ward site) with uncontaminated sediments from multiple streams and creeks emptying into the creeks, reservoir and lake below the site. As pointed out earlier in these comments, flash floods can carry sediments. 31. Another major problem with the plan to let the downstream waters "recover naturally" is that the reservoir and the lake will have to be dredged one day to prevent sediment from filling in each water body. When the dredging is conducted, the buried PCB-laden sediments will be uncovered, resuspended and once again serve as a contaminant to the aquatic system. A more complete description of MNR and its effectiveness can be found in the attachment "Monitored Natural Recovery in Aquatic Systems". EPA Response: See response to comment number 36 below. 32. As previously noted in comments on the RI, there is a significant dearth of data on floodplain soils around the various reaches. Perhaps related to this, there is no proposed remedy for floodplain soils within the FS. Data have shown that at least portions of these stream banks exceed the remedial goal of 1 ppm of PCBs. It is critical to clean up these areas as they serve of both sources and sinks for PCBs in and out of the waterways. A failure to act in these areas will only result in the continued addition of PCBs to sediments downstream. EPA Response: EPA agrees that floodplain soils require further evaluation prior to remediation and responded to this issue earlier. See response to comment number 10. \^-jgg^ 16 JJ ^ 33. The FS evaluates in a number of different altematives using "monitored natural recovery" (MNR) as a remedial option. MNR is essentially the act of doing nothing and watching nothing happen. The Feasibility Study notes the lack of long-term data on MNR, and this observation is exactly right. Past experiences with MNR on the James River, Virginia have shown that even as overall sediment concentrations ofthe toxin Kepone decreased with new deposition over time, Kepone concentrations in fish have remained steady at levels high enough to wanant continued fish consumption advisories more than thirty years after the toxin was originally dumped into the watershed. The Hudson River (NY) offers another example of MNR's poor record. After more than 25 years following the decision to do nothing, the contaminated sediments have to be removed from the river because fish tissue PCB levels remain unacceptable with insufficient decline for the foreseeable future. Newark Bay and the Passaic River in New Jersey are additional places where PCB's, dioxins and pesticides from the 1960's are still present and causing problems. The buried sediments from decades ago are still presenting risks to human health and the environment. This altemative is better described as "No Action with Monitoring." EPA Response: The removal and treatment of PCB contaminated soil and sediment is currently ongoing at the Ward Transformer facility and Reach A. EPA is proposing sediment and floodplain soil removal actions in Reaches B, C and D plus lower Brier Creek. This combination of active remediation ofthe contaminant source areas together with MNR in Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree and lower Crabtree Creek is more than "no action with monitoring." MNR is an accepted remedial technology that EPA considers appropriate for the conditions found in OU-1, The examples quoted for sites with much higher contaminant concentrations, river environments and/or limited contaminant source controls are not comparable to the conditions in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree. The PCB concentrations detected in some areas ofthe Hudson River sediments are 100 to 10,000 tinies higher than the highest sediment concentrations detected in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree (Data Summary Report for Candidate Phase 1 Areas Hudson River, GE, 2004). The river environments mentioned in the comment (including the Hudson River) are dynamic and some buried sediments containing contaminants are likely to be disturbed during high flow events. Therefore, EPA believes that the listed examples are not appropriate comparisons to the conditions found in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree. KJ 34. Sediment sampling in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree detected low PCB concentrations, seemingly less than action levels, but PCB concentrations in aquatic biota are high enough to present risks to both human and wildlife: The PCBs have to be entering the food chain from somewhere, and the most likely place is sediments in the two water bodies. Sediment sampling in these two water bodies was relatively sparse (particularly in Brier Creek Reservoir), and did not look at deep enough sediments in many locations. "Hot spots" of contamination can have significant effects on biota, and need to be identified. Previous sampling efforts have obviously missed something, and need to be revisited. It is unclear if major depositional areas at the mouth of Brier Creek leading into the Reservoir were sampled, but these areas could be a potential source of PCBs for wildlife in the Reservoir and points downstream. 17 ^ EPA Response: Local area of Reaches B, C and D may contain higher concentrations of contaminants ("hot spots"), but these "hot spots" should be identified during the preexcavation sampling program component of the Selected Remedy. Contamination "hot spots" are unlikely in the lake and reservoir, due to the mechanisms that determine the spread and deposition of fine sediments (containing sorbed PCBs) across the water bodies. Two areas where higher contaminant concentrations might be anticipated are the locations where the creeks empty into the reservoir and lake. Sediment samples collected in these areas showed slightly higher PCB concentrations, but not concentrations which would be considered "hot spots."Additional sampling in Lake Crabtree and Brier Creek reservoir will be conducted aspart ofthe MNR component ofthe Selected Remedy. This sampling program will evaluate the effectiveness ofthe MNR part ofthe remedy and will help verify the distribution of PCBs across Lake Crabtree and Brier Creek Reservoir. Section 13 ofthe ROD documents the components ofthe Selected Remedy. Given the nature ofthe sediment-mediated transport and deposition of PCBs in the reservoirs, it is difficult to envision a mechanism that would result in the formation of "hot spots" in the reservoirs, PCB concentrations in deeper sediments below the maximum depth of bioturbation have little relevance to biota. KJ 35. The natural recovery (MNR) altemative has been offered as the prefened remedy in Brier Creek Reservoir, Crabtree Lake, and Crabtree Creek in combination with institutional controls (fish consumption advisories) that are already in place. Again, this altemative is not a substantive change from the status quo. Fish tissues would have to continue to be monitored because of the advisory. The only change is that monitoring and review will occur more often. This action is not protective of human health because it allows for continued long-term risks related to the primary risk driver to humans over the entire site- fish consumption. This approach also does not address risks to ecological receptors. The Bald Eagles nesting near Lake Crabtree cannot not read warning signs and do not count how many meals offish a month they have eaten from these water bodies. EPA Response: Not only will the monitoring offish tissue concentrations be more frequent than they would under a state program intended to re-evaluate consumption advisories, but the tissue data and co-located sediment data that will be collected at yearly intervals will be used to determine the extent to which the remediation goals are attained aspart ofthe CERCLA 5-year review process, EPA recognizes that institutional controls such as fish consumption advisories have no bearing on ecological risk. However, this does not invalidate the MNR alternative. As previously stated, MNR is intended to reduce fish tissue concentrations and, to the extent that this is achieved by primary and secondary source removal in the upgradient streams and the sequestration of contaminated sediments by mixing and burial, risk to all piscivorous fauna will be reduced. 36. Both Crabtree Lake and Brier Creek Reservoir are used recreationally by virtue of proximity to the population, even if they were originally intended for flood control. The consequence of the recreational uses is that human and ecological uses and health must be protected for the entire system, from the Ward Site proper to Crabtree Creek, below the lake. In order to 18 ^ maintain the lake and reservoir as open water bodies that can fulfill their role in flood control, each will have to be dredged to remove the accumulated sediment, and maintain depth. Therefore, the proposed plan must account for: 1. continued recreational use, 2. protection of stable and viable populations of indigenous plants and animals in the waters and nearby tenestrial areas, and 3. dredging to maintain the water bodies as open waters. The Feasibility Study and the Proposed Plan does not account for these factors. In particular, the effect of the accumulation of sediment in Brier Creek Reservoir and Crabtree Lake on their ability to control flood events is overlooked. The prefened altemative would effectively bar future dredging operations indefinitely. The EPA needs to evaluate whether the minimal long-term gains provided by MNR are outweighed by the risks of degrading the two water bodies' ability to perform their original function. EPA Response: EPA anticipates no restrictions on the recreational use of Lake Crabtree for boating, swimming, field sports, running/hiking, or "catch and release" fishing, based on the results ofthe BHHRA, w EPA also believes that the Proposed Plan properly balances the need to protect the environment from contaminants against the potential disruption or destruction of aquatic and terrestrial habitats during large-scale excavation-dredging operations in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree. The potential for future dredging of Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree to maintain flood storage capacity is a difficult issue that requires additional study and evaluation by all stakeholders. If dredging is necessary in the future, it can be conducted in accordance with environmental dredging "bestpractices" to reduce the impact on the aquatic habitats and downstream water bodies. Future dredging activities in the reservoir(s) would need to be conducted in a manner that would not prevent or delay attainment ofthe remedial goals in the ROD. 37. One ofthe major flaws ofthe FS was the limited scope ofthe remedial options considered. Because of the small scale of much of the cleanup, it offers an excellent opportunity to evaluate new treatment technologies such as bioremedial techniques like the enhanced microbial decomposition that have been explored by researchers like Bedard et al (2007). The FS also only evaluates dredging the entirety of Brier Creek Reservoir and Crabtree Lake. It is possible that with increased sampling hotspots of contamination could be located, and these limited areas could be dredged at a far reduced cost. The EPA should thoroughly explore these options. \J EPA Response: The Feasibility Study considered multiple technologies and process options, however, bioremedial techniques were not evaluated. The research conducted by 19 • J \ i ^ Dr. Bedard with sediments from the Housatonic River sounds very promising, but it appears that the technology is still in the developmental stage. As noted in earlier comments, PCBs are highly resistant to breakdown by physical, chemical or biological processes. While bench- or pilot-scale testing could be considered, no currently available microbial technology exists with demonstrated suitability for full-scale remediation of lake (or stream) sediments. When considering treatment technologies for any FS, it is important to evaluate options based on site-specific conditions and the size of the project. For a project such as the Ward Site stream remediation with delicate environmental conditions, treatment options considered must have some proven track record. Furthermore, this is a $5 million project, which is not a proper circumstance to try new treatment methods such as the one that was mentioned in the comment (Bedard et al, 2007), This particular research was conducted under controlled laboratory conditions using 50-ml vials. This level ofproof is absolutely insufficient to consider it as a treatment option for the FS. Even ifa non-proven treatment method is included for consideration, it will be screened out due to lack of information on evaluation criteria, such as, implementability, cost, etc. w A vast majority ofthe tests proven to be successful under laboratory conditions fail under actual site conditions for multiple reasons, and they never elevate to the level of "treatment technology" nor will they ever enter the EPA Innovative Technology Program. For a technology to be considered in any FS, at least a pilot-scale test must have been completed, unless it is a very small site with very little or no environmental impact, in which case, the remediation itself can be used as a pilot-scale study with EPA's approval, EPA intends to conduct additional sediment sampling in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree as part ofthe MNR component ofthe Selected Remedy, however, the identification of sediment "hot spots" is unlikely, because ofthe reasons identified in EPA Response No. 34. 38. The focus on human health in the FS creates another significant problem. The document makes the assumption that if the human health endpoint is protected, then wildlife receptors will also be protected. Unfortunately, many of the assumptions used in the human health risk assessment such as limited amounts of exposure tirnes are inappropriate for wildlife that spend their entire lives in the exposure area and consuming PCB contaminated biota. CERCLA demands that remedial actions be protective of wildlife, particularly endangered species. The focus on the human health endpoint to the exclusion of all else has resulted in "institutional controls" being a significant component of the prefened altemative. As noted above, since these controls are based on the knowledge and voluntary adherence to fish consumption advisories, they have no bearing on wildlife that cannot make rational decisions regarding diet outside their own instinctual needs. By focusing on human health, the document marginalizes the findings of the Remedial Investigation risk assessments. KJ EPA Response: Please understand that the EPA cannot remediate contaminated biota. Rather, the FS focuses on the environmental medium that can be remediated, i.e., sediment. The use of institutional controls (i.e.,fish consumption advisories) is standard 20 w practice in the implementation ofthe MNR alternative; thus, it is a significant component ofthe alternative. Reductions in fish tissue concentrations to the remedial goals that are expected to be achieved under the MNR alternative will result in reduced risk to bald eagles and all other piscivorous receptors. Fish tissue monitoring is included in the MNR alternative, and will include both fillet samples for human health and whole body samples for ecological health. Note that while fish tissue monitoring frequency may be reduced upon attainment ofthe remedial goals, the recovery process will continue to result in lowering PCB concentrations and provide further reduction in risks to wildlife. Summarv and Recommendations 39. The Proposed Plan is built upon a number of poor assumptions that were canied through from the RI/FS. The one with the most significance to the cleanup of OUl is that water bodies downstream from the most contaminated areas are recovering. There is absolutely no evidence of this occuning, but this "recovery" was cited in the recommendation of the MNR altemative in Brier Creek Reservoir, Crabtree Lake, and Crabtree Creek. This assumption also allowed Ward Transformer to avoid answering difficult questions regarding the contamination in these areas. Dilution is not the solution to persistent organic pollutants. If sediment concentrations across the two major water bodies were so low, then how are PCB concentrations in fish so high as to require consumption advisories? The failure to sample these reaches more substantially is a major data gap, and additional sampling is required to establish the source of PCBs in these fish. EPA Response: The PCB concentrations detected in the Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree sediments correspond with the PCB concentrations detected in the fish samples, based on the BSAF calculations presented in the Feasibility Study. Additional "hot spots" are not required to explain the RI results. As noted earlier in the responses, the site-specific BSAFs appear to be consistent with those obtained at other PCB sites with low-level contamination of sediments. Were the sediment concentrations an order of magnitude lower than those measured in surface sediment samples and some mechanism present for highly variable contamination, concerns might be raised regarding the existence of unsampled "hot spots." ^ 40. The assumption in the Feasibility Study that actions protective of human health would also be protective of the environment also affected the recommendations in the Proposed Plan. Dangerous levels of PCBs remain in fi.sh that present a direct risk to endangered wildlife such as Bald Eagles, however the prefened remedial altemative of MNR will do nothing to address these risks. The selection ofthis altemative in points downstream of Reach D would mean that the proposed plan would not meet all Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements (ARARs), particularly regarding the protection of endangered species. Voluntary Institutional Controls like fish consumption advisories do not benefit wildlife. ^ ^ EPA Response: As stated above, reductions in fish tissue concentrations that are expected to be achieved under the MNR component ofthe Selected Remedy will result in reduced risk to bald eagles and all other piscivorous receptors. While monitoring frequency may be reduced upon attainment ofthe remedial goals, the process will continue to result in lowering PCB concentrations and provide further reduction in risks to wildlife. 21 ^ 41. Even if the Proposed Plan did not make these assumptions, it would still be unacceptable because it lacks any measure of future source control. The plan makes no mention of cleanup activities at OUO or the need to excavate contaminated soils in the floodplain Floodplain soils act as both sources and sinks for persistent organic pollutants, and therefore must be addressed. While we understand that remedial actions have already been selected and begun to be implemented at the Ward Transformer property, they must be discussed when evaluating OUl. Ifthe cleanup of OUO is inadequate, it will affect the cleanup of OUl as well. Therefore future documents regarding sites downstream of the Ward Transformer property should include discussions of the remedial actions at OUO as well. EPA Response: The cleanup at the Ward Facility and areas upgradient of Reach B are ongoing and progressing well. Clean up levels selected for those areas are consistent with the OUl Selected Remedy. The issue concerning characterization of floodplain soils in Reaches B, C, and D is valid and EPA has modified Alternative 4 to address this issue by adding fioodplain soil sampling to the pre-excavation sampling program. See response to comment number 10. ^ 42. Based on the above problems, we recommend that the Proposed Plan be modified to provide greater and more immediate protection to wildlife in addition to eliminating all potential sources of PCBs to OUI. This would require that Monitored Natural Recovery (MNR) be dropped as the prefened altemative downstream from Reach D. The wildlife in these areas does not have fifty years or (likely) more to wait for PCBs to degrade to acceptable levels. Instead, Brier Creek Reservoir and Crabtree Lake need to be sampled more thoroughly to identify any hotspots of contamination and locate the source of the PCBs bioaccumulating in fish. The additional sampling proposed in Reaches B, C, and D should also include floodplain soils, and contaminated areas should be excavated. If these areas of contamination are not addressed, it will not matter how thorough the rest of the cleanup is because PCBs will continue to be added to the streams and lakes every time there is a major rain event as sediments are transported from the floodplain downstream. EPA Response: The proposed plan was modified to address the concerns about floodplain soils and the protection of ecological receptors. The ROD for the Ward Transformer OU-1 will include these provisions, EPA believes that the MNR component ofthe Selected Remedy is appropriate, B. Responses to Comments submitted by Golder Associates, Inc. on behalf of Consolidation Coal Company 43. EPA has included the reach of Lower Brier Creek (the portion of Brier Creek that extends from the Brier Creek Reservoir to Lake Crabtree) for remedial action on the basis of a maximum detected PCB concentration of 0.28 ppm in the sediment samples, which is well below the EPA's remedial goal of 1.0 ppm PCBs. This level of PCB concentration does not support EPA's decision to include this reach for remedial action. <J 22 w EPA Response: A conservative decision was made when EPA decided to include Lower Brier Creek as part ofthe Alternative 4 remedial action. Only a limited number of samples were collected along Lower Brier Creek. Ifthe results ofthe additional sampling for Lower Brier Creek are all below the LOppm remedial goal, no excavation will be needed along Lower Brier Creek. 44. EPA should clarify whether the remediation is to be focused along the stream itself (e.g., from bank to bank) or whether it would include the many acres of wetlands adjacent to the stream. This could impact the remedial approach. EPA Response: Additional floodplain soil sampling will be required as part ofthe preexcavation sampling program component ofthe Selected Remedy. Ifthe soil concentrations are above the 1 ppm remedial goal, these areas will also require excavation. Potential impacts to wetland areas will need to be assessed aspart ofthe Remedial Design. 45. Would the gravel access roads in each reach be left in place, or covered with backfill soil, to facilitate the yearly MNR sampling for 15 years? Also, would EPA consider leaving the access road between the Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree in place to be developed into a nature trail extension from Lake Crabtree Park, pending community and regulatory approval? w EPA Response: EPA believes that the access roads are temporary and should be removed after the remedial actions are completed. Ifthe access roads are left in place there could be a corresponding loss offloodwater storage volume, which may not be desirable. During the RI multiple sampling rounds along these reaches were conducted without using access roads, so MNR sampling could be conducted without the roads. Final determination regarding this issue will be made during the remedial design stage ofthe process. 46. EPA estimates the amount of backfill to be equal to the amount of excavation. Does EPA intend that the stream bottoms be backfilled to replicate the sediment covered bottoms? This would seem illogical since the backfill would, in due course, most likely be transported into the reservoir and/or lake. EPA Response: Yes, EPA intends to restore the excavated stream bottom with similar materials to the same topography that existed before excavation. The ecological habitats need to be restored. Prior to implementing the remedial action, a stream and riparian zone restoration work plan will need to be prepared and reviewed by State and Federal agencies. The current bottom topography has been stabilized to its current elevations as a result of years of erosion/accumulation. Altering the bottom topography could lead to excessive erosion at some places and accumulation of sediments at undesirable locations. It is inevitable that some ofthe backflll will be transported downstream over time; however, the lost sediments will be replenished by the incoming upstream sediments, thereby, maintaining the natural balance and topography. ^ 23 47. A reconnaissance of the OUl area indicates that many of the trees are valuable, old growth, hardwood. Some of the wooded areas are designated as "Tree Protection Areas". The proposed remedial action would certainly require many such areas to be cleared. EPA Response: This is an important consideration that will need to be addressed during the remedial design stage. All remedial actions will be conducted in such a manner that impacts to the environment would be minimized to the extent possible. 48. It should be expected that the excavated sediment will be too wet for direct landfill disposal, and will need to be drained prior to transport. Can the sediment be stockpiled along the streams with the decanted water drained back into the stream? EPA Response: The Feasibility Study planned these activities assuming that prior to removing sediments from the streams, portions ofthe stream will be blocked off and the flow will be diverted through pipes running parallel to the stream. Therefore, the moisture content in the sediments will be less than if underwater dredging was performed. The actual moisture content ofthe sediment will depend on the sediment characteristics. w Excavated sediments could be placed in temporary storage areas where some ofthe remaining moisture will also evaporate. Any remaining water may be drained back to the stream, in accordance with state requirements after proper treatment (i,e,, flltration and/or activated carbon treatment), or transported offsite for disposal. Final determination regarding this issue will be made during the remedial design stage of the process, 49. The FS indicates that mussel surveys are to be conducted to determine if there are threatened/endangered mussel species in those areas to be remediated and that if they are found the "remedial activities may need to be modified to reduce potential adverse impacts to the threatened/endangered species." (FS p. 4-19) What remedial action modification does the EPA contemplate for this situation? EPA Response: Sediment removal in specific areas ofthe creek where threatened/endangered mussels have been identified may or may not be perfonned, even if the PCB concentrations in the sediment exceed t ppm. Also, excavation work will need to be conducted in such a manner as to avoid burial ofthe mussels with sediments released during excavation and/or the drying out ofthe stream segments where threatened/endangered mussels have been identified. 50. The FS states (p. 4-21) that "There could be adverse impacts to the stream habitats due to stream excavation activities, especially for benthic and other aquatic organisms." Given that the goal of the remedial action is, in fact, to remove the stream sediment, it would seem that EPA should acknowledge that the habitat in question would be completely destroyed and should comment on other impacts that such destmction might have. KJ EPA Response: The habitat will be destroyed in areas where sediment excavation is conducted, but by restoring the stream bed these communities should be able to reestablish themselves. Only portions ofthe creek bed are expected to be disturbed, so the habitats that 24 KJ are destroyed should be repopulated relatively quickly by recolonization from nearby and upstream sources. 51. The FS notes that sediment distribution along the stream reaches is dynamic and that sampling to determine the need for remediation of specific areas should be accomplished as part of the remediation. EPA is not clear on whether such sampling should be done prior to beginning remediation or contemporaneously with the remediation. EPA should clarify this because it would impact the approach. EPA Response: Details of the pre-excavation sampling program will be worked out aspart of the Remedial Design. EPA anticipates that iYit pre-excavation sampling program will be implemented just prior to the start of remedial activities. Additional verification sampling will need to be conducted contemporaneously with the remediation. 52. Would sediment sampling have to be repeated after excavation to verify that any remaining sediment is at a concentration less than 1 ppm? EPA Response: Yes, EPA anticipates the need for verification sampling. 53. Would the PCB analyses have to be done by laboratory methods or could immunoassay methods be used? ^ EPA Response: EPA may consider the use of PCB immunoassay methods for the preremediation and verification sampling. A sufficient number of duplicate samples would need to be collected and analyzed at off-site laboratories to support the PCB immunoassay results. 54. The FS appears to underestimate the number of samples to detemiine whether a segment of a reach requires remediation. The FS (p. 4-16) indicates that sediment samples for PCB analysis would be taken along transects that are spaced 50 feet apart along Reaches B, C and D and 100 feet apart along Lower Brier Creek, with three samples taken per transect. The EPA's estimate (FS Table B-4) provides for 800 samples, while using the spacing provided in the text, it is estimated that 1,071 samples would be required. If samples are taken at multiple depths, then this estimate could double to 2,142 samples. If post-remediation verification samples are also required, the number of samples would be even higher. EPA should clarify its sampling strategy. EPA Response: The 800 sample estimate was based on 30 transects in Reach B, 42 transects in Reach C, 84 transects in Reach D and 95 transects in lower Brier Creek. Each transect included 3 locations with one sample collected at each location for a total of 753 samples. KJ Due to public comments, EPA intends to increase the number ofpre-remediation samples collected to cover an additional depth interval and fioodplain soil samples. The additional samples will increase the number of pre-remediation samples to approximately 1600 samples. 25 KJ \J Post-remediation verification sampling was considered in the cost estimate ofthe Selected Remedy. 55. The FS indicates that a temporary gravel access road will be needed to accomplish the remediation, but appears to have underestimated the difficulty and impact of access to accomplish the remediation. Because ofthe limited number of entrance/exit locations along the reaches and the amount and size of equipment needed for remediation, the temporary access road would likely destroy larger areas of forest and wetlands than EPA appears to have estimated. It appears that the restoration acreage included in the FS Table B-4 is only enough for stream restoration and does not include access area restoration. Golder's estimate ofthe combined stream and access restoration areas is more than three times greater than EPA's allotted restoration area. Reach B is the most accessible, potentially from the north end (shopping/commercial area), south end (Lumley Road), and possibly from areas along the west side of the reach (shopping area). Access to Reach C is likely limited to the north end, from Lumley Road. Access to Reach D would be from the southem end, from Globe Road or private properties just off of Globe Road. Access to the upper end of Lower Brier Creek could be from Airport Road or the Reservoir Dam area, but access to the lower end (south of 1-40) is likely limited to a few commercial properties. Because of access restriction, even though only part of a reach might require remediation, even a very small part, the access road will have to be constmcted along the full length of the reach, especially if sampling is done contemporaneously with remediation. If sampling is done prior to remediation, there may be reaches were the access road would be less than full length depending on the location of the specific segment to be remediated. The equipment that would need to be used in the remediation will have large tuming radii and even a single lane access road would likely have to be about 20 feet wide with enlarged areas for tumaround, pull-off and equipment staging. -EPA Response: During the costing, it has been assumed that the access roads are constructed along the entire length ofthe stream. The details such as entry points, width of the roads can be incorporated during the detailed remedial design. During the detailed remedial design, there is provision to make justifiable modifications within reason, in consultation with an approval from EPA. 56. The ability to temporarily divert stream flow during the remedial action appears to be understated. The volume of water for a 2-year storm event (3.7 inches of rainfall in a 24-hour period) would range from about 170,000 gallons per minute (gpm) to 0.75 million gpm for individual reaches. The 25-year event (6.6 inches of rainfall ih a 24-hour period) would range from about 0.5 million gpm to over 2 million gpm. To divert a 2-year or 5-year event within a reach would, by itself, involve relatively major constiHaction and require even m6re land to be disturbed than included in EPA's estimate (see comment 13). Given the description in the FS in comparison to these flows, it is appears that EPA has presumed that only low flows could be reasonably diverted and that the remedial action constmction would be halted during all but small rainfall events. If so, temporary standby or partial demobilization of the contractor should be expected. Is this what EPA anticipates? KJ 26 ^ EPA Response: The duration ofthe stream restoration alternative should only be 3 to 5 months. It can easily be scheduled during the months with lowest precipitation. If storm events occur during remediation, most ofthe extra water will overfiow and flood the wetland areas. It is impossible to perform any remediation activities under these conditions. Therefore, diversion will not be an issue. In the event that a 2-yr storm occurs during the remedial activities, work will be immediately suspended until conditions revert back to normal. A judgment call can be made at that point whether a temporary demobilization is necessary. This is how storm events have been handled during the contaminated sediment removal actions conducted at other Sites. C. Responses to Comments submitted by Wake County Board of Commissioners Brier Creek Reservoir Sampling 57. The sampling conducted to define extent of horizontal and vertical impacts in the Brier Creek Reservoir may be inadequate to justify the cunent remedy. The USEPA's prefened plan is to remediate lower Brier Creek, but not Brier Creek Reservoir, which is upstream of the creek. Wake County does not believe that a sufficient number of samples have been collected in the Brier Creek Reservoir (where only six samples were collected) to conclude that no removal of sediments is needed. Wake County requests that additional sampling and laboratory analyses be conducted in Brier Creek Reservoir to better define the vertical and horizontal extent of PCB contamination in the reservoir. ^ EPA Response; EPA believes that the data collected during the multiple phases ofthe remedial investigation is adequate to justify the Selected Remedy, A conservative decision was made when EPA decided to include sediment excavation along Lower Brier Creek as part ofthe proposed alternative. The Selected Remedy requires additional sampling along Lower Brier Creek prior to any excavation activities. Excavation along Lower Brier Creek will be required only if results from the pre-excavation sampling program show PCB concentrations in sediment and floodplain soil above 1 ppm. The Selected Remedy includes a MNA component. As part ofthis monitoring program, samples from Brier Creek Reservoir will be collected to support the MNA component ofthe remedy.. 58. A Backup Remedial Plan is needed if Monitored Natural Recovery is ineffective Wake County is concemed about the long-term effectiveness of Monitored Natural Recovery as a remedy for a large portion of Operable Unit-1. KJ Wake County is concemed that remedial goals will be not be achieved through MNR in the proposed timeframe. It is important that Wake County continue to receive data regarding the effectiveness of the proposed remediation plan. We therefore request that the USEPA provide a schedule indicating the timeframe it will use to monitor the effectiveness of the proposed remediation plan and develop a plan for additional remedial measures in the event that MNR proves ineffective. The proposed plan should not be allowed to proceed indefinitely if its 27 KJ effectiveness is limited and PCBs continue to present a health and environmental risk to Wake County citizens. We propose that the PRPs provide a monitoring program, at no cost to Wake County, for sediment, water quality and aquatic species. The geographic extent ofthe monitoring program should include locations in the lakes, locations upstream of the lakes (control stations), and locations downstream of the lakes (migration stations). If the remediation plan is not successful in reducing the healdi risks, as indicated by the monitoring data, additional measures should be implemented, at no cost to Wake County, to address the impacts to these watersheds. In the event that the sampling shows that MNR is not effective, the USEPA should agree to modify the remedy. EPA Response: Aspart ofthe Remedial Design, a monitoring program plan will be developed. The monitoring program plan will discuss sample locations, media and frequency. The monitoring program plan will be made available to Wake County and its citizens. As required under the Superfund program, flve years after construction completion ofthe remedy, and every five years thereafter, remedy reviews will be conducted, Aspart of these reviews, EPA will evaluate the remedy to ensure it continues to be protective of human health and the environment. In addition, a technical assessment ofthe remedy will be conducted to determine ifthe remedy continues to function as intended by the decision documents. If these evaluations show that the remedy is not protective or not performing at expected, additional response actions could be recommended. KJ 59. The O&M of the Flood Control Stmctures will be more costly Wake County's required maintenance of the flood-control stmctures may involve the contact with and potential generation of impacted sediments. The altemative chosen by the USEPA may cause Wake County to commit resources and fiscal obligations that it believes should be home by the Potentially Responsible Parties (PRP's). Wake County owns, operates and maintains the flood control stmctures associated with Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree. Future maintenance of these structures will likely involve contact with contaminated sediments and potentially the removal of contaminated sediments from these reservoirs. It is not clear whether or not the USEPA contemplated these activities in the development of its Remedial Action Plan for OU-1. However, it is clear to Wake County that the cost of conducting maintenance, inspection, rehabilitation and replacement activities for the flood control stmctures will increase if disturbance of the contaminated soils require specialized worker health and safety protective measures, or ifthe disturbed or dredged sediments are classified as a hazardous material. 'KJ Wake County believes that the additional costs to implement measures to address the handling and disposal of contaminated sediments should not be home by Wake County. We request that the PRP's establish a fund, bond, or line-of-credit to address the incremental costs incuned by Wake County relative to HAZWOPER training and personal protective equipment, sampling and laboratory analyses for sediment characterization, and potentially the management and disposal of contaminated sediments should dredging be required in 28 w either Brier Creek Reservoir or Lake Crabtree for flood control stmcture maintenance, inspection, rehabilitation and replacement activities. EPA Response: The potential for future dredging of Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree to maintain flood storage capacity is a difflcult issue that requires additional study and evaluation by all stakeholders. EPA agrees that any future dredging of these reservoir(s) may involve disturbance ofpotentially contaminated sediment. Dealing with contaminated sediments when dredging these types of reservoirs is common, because they are likely to collect contamination from a variety of urban and industrial sources within the watershed. If dredging is necessary in the future, it could be conducted in accordance with environmental dredging "best practices" to reduce the impact on the aquatic habitats and downstream water bodies Coordination between the appropriate stakeholders would be necessary to ensure that future dredging activities in the reservoir(s) are conducted in accordance with the appropriate regulations / \J At this time, and based on the available information, EPA does not believe adequate justiflcation exist for establishing a funding mechanism to address the potential incremental costs that Wake County may incur relative to HAZWOPER training and personal protective equipment, sampling and laboratory analyses for sediment characterization, and potentially the management and disposal of contaminated sediments should dredging be required in either Brier Creek Reservoir or Lake Crabtree for flood control structure maintenance, inspection, rehabilitation and replacement activities. Contaminated sediments from a variety of urban and industrial sources within the watershed is expected to accumulate in structures like this, and should dredging be performed, Wake County may incur these costs due to contamination from a variety of other sources within the watershed. In addition, due to the relatively low PCB levels detected in sediments from these reservoirs it is not clear at this time what additional cost, if any. Wake County may incur. 60. Funding is needed for supporting the State's restrictions on fish consumption Wake County continues to incur costs to enforce the State's restrictions on fish consumption and should be compensated for this work. The USEPA is relying on MNR to address impacted sediments in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree (clean sediment deposited over contaminated sediment over time). However, fish contamination is the primary concem relative to human health exposure and impacts on the ecosystem continuing even at low levels of sediment contamination. This is evidenced by State fish consumption advisories extending to the Neuse River. The County will be burdened for many years to monitor fishing activities in these watersheds to minimize the exposure of contaminated fish to the public in order to comply with the State's restrictions on fish consumption. Funding should be provided to Wake County annually for the production, placement, rehabilitation, maintenance and replacement of postings and signs, and other public notification requirements. •\J EPA Response: EPA appreciates the effort and support provided by Wake County officials on this project, and their commitment to monitor fishing activities in these watersheds to minimize the exposure of contaminated fish to the public in order to protect Wake County's 29 KJ citizens. The Selected Remedy includes components to continue or enhance existing North Carolina fish consumption advisories and signs, and to develop and implement educational and community outreach programs. Aspart ofthe remedial design, an implementation plan to comply with these two components ofthe remedy will be developed. Coordination between the appropriate stakeholders would be necessary to develop this plan. Theplan will define the goals, roles, duties and responsibilities of the parties involved and the means used to achieve the intended goals. 61. Response Planning is needed for Postulated Natural Disasters Response Planning is needed for postulated natural disasters. Wake County lies in an area of the southeastem United States that is prone to severe weather events, including severe thunderstorms, tomadoes and hunicanes resulting in significant rainfall and excessive winds. The County is concemed that a significant storm event could cause the potential release of contaminated sediments to downstream locations, an event for which the County is unprepared to mitigate. We request that the USEPA prepare an Emergency Response Plan to address how the County might respond to the sudden release of contaminated sediments to downstream locations in the event of a natural disaster. W EPA Response: EPA together with the appropriate federal and State entities could assist Wake County in developing the appropriate plan to address how the County might respond to a potential and sudden release of contaminated sediments in the event ofa natural disaster. D. Responses to Comments submitted by The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority ("Authority") 62. After careful review of the Plan, it is the opinion of the Authority that the Plan's "SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE', which lists the prefened altemative as being Altemative 4, represents the best approach for remedying the PCB contamination. Since much ofthe investigation and subsequent work related to Operable Unit I is on or adjacent Authority property the Authority requests joint review and update, as necessary, of Access and/or Entry Authorization Agreement documents regarding study/investigation and constmction access, to include means and methods of remediation and other work, prior to either such activity being initiated. These aforementioned documents specify the responsibilities and requirements of all parties involved in past and cunent investigation and/or remediation activity. While these previous Agreements are relevant to past and ongoing activity at the Ward Site and Reach A they may not present a complete and viable description of requirements and responsibilities for work anticipated for Operable Unit I. EPA Response: EPA appreciates the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority comment supporting the Selected Remedy. KJ EPA agrees with the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority regarding the need to update existing and/or obtain a new access agreement, so that the agreement reflects the 30 KJ requirements and responsibilities for work anticipated to be conducted on airport property aspart ofthe selected remedy for Operable Unit 1. E. Responses to Comments submitted by The North Carolina Wildlife Federation (NCWF) 63. The North Carolina Wildlife Federation is a non-govemmental organization with the mission of "being the leading advocate for all North Carolina wildlife and its habitat". The organization was founded in 1945 and is the state affiliate to the National Wildlife Federation. We number over 50,000 members, supporters and affiliate club constituents across the state. NCWF and its supporters recognize the relationship of healthy habitats and the opportunities these places afford outdoor recreation activities including, but not limited to, hunting, fishing, birding and paddling. Upon review of the Superfund Proposed Plan for the impending clean up of the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) — contaminated soils and sediment, NCWF concurs with EPA and North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR) that of the remediation altematives under consideration, altemative 4 is the prefened altemative. KJ The comparative analysis ofthe altemative is thorough in its evaluation ofthe criteria used for Superfund project feasibility studies. Altematives 1, 2, and 3 are not sufficient for the criteria of overall protection of human health and the environment nor short-term effectiveness. In addition, all the pro-active components of those altematives are included in the other two altematives. In comparison of Altemative 4 and 5, the difference is that Altemative 5 would include either dredging or excavating the sediments in Briar Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree with the understanding that this would be a total, in full removal project. NCWF is concemed with the complexity, duration, and habitat impacts that are associated with Altemative 5. As the Comparative Analysis points out, the large scale sediment removal project called for in Altemative 5 could have far reaching negative impacts on benthic and other aquatic biota in the habitats in the reservoir and lake. NCWF is also concemed with impacts said project may have on documented Bald Eagle populations within the ecosystem in question. A further concem NCWF has is on the potential removal of present woody debris. A variety of aquatic species depends on natural accumulations of trees, branches, and root wads, which comprises woody debris, as this is the biological keystone of any river or lake system. No altemative that would allow removal of woody debris from the reservoir and lake is acceptable to NCWF, and NCWF is concemed that Altemative 5 would compromise any present woody debris. KJ The timeframe comparisons between Altematives 4 and 5 are considerably different. Due to the complexity ofthe large scale removal components of Altemative 5 including planning, designing and implementation, the project duration will be significantly longer than for the 31 w excavation and off-site disposal efforts outlined in altemative 4. The longer time period would also mean that access to the reservoir for outdoor recreation would be curtailed during the duration of the project. Since the time period for completing Altemative 5 is significantly longer than for 4, the attainment of acceptable PCB concentration levels in fish would be a difference in approximately 5 years. However the planning and implementation durations associated with 5 are significantly greater which lessens the period for achieving the final desired outcome. Having stated these facts, NCWF realizes the cost differential between 4 and 5 is $535,993,000. This a monumental cost associated with a minimal gain in attained goals in comparison with the time frame gains. In summation, NCWF restates its support for EPA and NCDENR's prefened Altemative 4. This altemative would include: continue existing North Carolina fish consumption advisories and signs, conduct educational and community outreach programs, conduct pre-excavation sampling and endangered mussel study, excavate sediments in Reaches B, C, D and lower Brier Creek, and transport sediments offsite for appropriate disposal, site and stream restoration, MNR — periodic monitoring of sediments and aquatic biota in the Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree and Lower Crabtree Creek, and Conduct 5- year review. Altemative 4 is the best habitat altemative when degradation, costs and dismption of outdoor recreation activities are factored. w KJ EPA Response: EPA appreciates the North Carolina Wildlife Federation's (NCWF) comments supporting the Selected Remedy. F. Responses to Comments submitted by The North Carolina Wildlife Federation Capital Chapter (NCWF CC) 64. The NCWF CC is a local chapter of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation. Our chapter has recently formed as a non-governmental organization to protect and enhance the natural resources and wildlife habitats of the NC Capital Area for all to enjoy. According to the Superfund Proposed Plan Fact Sheet for cleaning up the areas down gradient of the Ward Transformer facility there are five altematives. The NCWF CC supports Altemative 4: Excavation and Off-Site Disposal of Sediments in Reaches B, C, and D, and Lower Brier Creek: Monitored Natural Recovery in Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree and Lower Crabtree Creek; and Institutional Controls. Altemative 1 —No Action and Altemate 2 — Institutional Controls do not meet industry standard to treat the damage caused by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The fact sheet states, "Altemative 1 does not offer protection to human health or the environment in the short or long—term basis." Altemative 2 does not require monitoring, thus the "long-term reduction of risks would not be known." Neither of these Altematives is acceptable. Altemate 3 — Monitored Natural Recovery (MNR) and Institutional Controls is not know to meet the goals of a Superfund cleanup and if implemented "may take a long time to achieve." Altemative 4 and Altemative 5 — Excavation of Sediments in Reaches B, C, D, and Lower Brier Creek; Excavation/Dredging of Sediments in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree; Off-Site Disposal of Sediments; MNR in Lower Crabtree Creek and Institutional Controls will meet the goals according to the Fact Sheet; however, the NCWF CC is 32 KJ concemed with the vast expense, potential degradation of existing habitat, and length of time to implement restoration proposed within Altemative 5. EPA Response: EPA appreciates the North Carolina Wildlife Federation Capital Chapter's (NCWF CC) comments supporting the Selected Remedy. G. \J Responses to Comments submitted by James H. Sherman 65. The USEPA failed to understand that future dredging of Lake Crabtree and Briar Creek Reservoir may be necessary to ensure their continued function in flood control. If these lakes are dredged in the future, as is probable to restore their original design function, the sediment disturbed by unqualified companies could create an ecological disaster in the lakes and distribute large quantities of contaminated sediment to downstream areas. The USEPA must ensure that future dredging of Lake Crabtree and/or Briar Creek Reservoir is performed by qualified individuals and the sediments are disposed of appropriately. There is a long history of contaminated sediments being removed from the watershed, without anyone being able to identify their disposal location. That history must not be repeated. Institutional Controls against dredging Lake Crabtree and Briar Creek Reservoir must be required, or those lakes must be dredged now. Without resolving the issue of future dredging and disposal of contaminated sediments, there can be no MNR, there will be no "Reduction of Toxicity, Mobility, or Volume of Contaminants through Treatment," and the "Overall Protectiveness of Human Health and the Environment" will not be attained (and could be made worse). EPA Response: See response to comment number 59 regarding dredging. EPA believes that between the on-going removal action; and the OUl additional creek excavation and MNR, the overall Site remedy will successfully achieve "Reduction of Toxicity, Mobility, or Volume of Contaminants through Treatment" and "Overall Protectiveness of Human Health and the Environment 66. Data contained in the Remedial Investigation led to the USEPA conclusion that the concentrations of PCBs in sediment were not increasing with depth. Because available data indicate that the PCBs are not being buried by new sedimentation, but instead are evenly distributed in the sediments, the data indicate that MNR alone will not be successful in attaining the cleanup goals. Any MNR should be quantified in a demonstration project before being selected as a final remedy. ' \ ^ EPA Response: EPA believes that source control in the form ofthe on-going removal action and the proposed action for OUl will remove contaminated soil and sediment and will result in cleaner sediments entering these impoundments. EPA believes that enough data is available at this time to select the remedy and continue source removal by excavating Reach B, Reach C, Reach D and lower Brier Creek together with MNR. A monitoring program will be developed to evaluate the effectiveness of MNR and the overall Selected Remedy for OUl. 33 67. Data contained in the Remedial Investigation clearly show that concentrations in fish have not decreased, and may have even increased, during the last five years. As such, the data indicate MNR is not restoring the fishery. Some degree of dredging Lake Crabtree should be used in combination with MNR to restore the fishery and ecological habitat. EPA Response: EPA believes that the flrst step on MNR is source removal. After source removal activities are completed, as proposed in the Selected Remedy, it will be more appropriate to start evaluating the effectiveness ofthe MNR component ofthe remedy. 68. Overall, the sediment data demonstrate MNR has not worked over the past 20 years and will not resolve this problem within 9 years, as is assumed in the Proposed Plan. Some combination of "Reduction of Toxicity, Mobility, or Volume of Contaminants through Treatment" is necessary to compliment MNR in downstream areas. EPA Response: The overall Site remedy does not rely on MNR only. Section 13 ofthe ROD documents all the components ofthe Selected Remedy. The on-going removal action (which include soil treatment) together with the excavation component ofthe Selected Remedy will achieve source removal. EPA believes that source removal together with MNR will successfully achieve "Reduction of Toxicity, Mobility, or Volume of Contaminants through Treatment." KJ 69.1 believe the USEPA has vastly overestimated the costs dredging operations at Lake Crabtree and Briar Creek Reservoirs. While I have not reviewed the longterm maintenance plans for those reservoirs, I believe there are estimates ofthe cost of dredging those reservoirs in their long-range budgets. Those estimates are certainly lower than $250 Million/reservoir. USEPA should work with the County and the Airport Authority to better understand their estimated future dredging needs and costs and revise the cost estimates in the Proposed Plan accordingly. EPA Response: EPA believes that the cost estimates developed for the Proposed Plan are appropriate for the intended use. 70. The EPA should work much closer with Wake County, the city of Raleigh, the Airport Authority, the Town of Monisville, and the Town of Cary to develop an irmovative solution to the dredging issue. The current proposed Plan lacks creativity and should have presented remedial options somewhere in between Altemative 4 ($5 Million) and Altemative 5 ($540 Million). EPA Response: EPA believes that the Selected Remedy will adequately protect human health and the environment and will achieve remediation goals. EPA looks forward to continuing to work with Wake County, the city of Raleigh, the Airport Authority, the Town of Morrisville, and the Town of Cary, as this clean up project moves forward. KJ 34 , , ^•r H. Responses to Comments submitted by the North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers' Land Loss Prevention Project (LLPP) Please find below comments on behalf of the North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers' Land Loss Prevention Project (LLPP). LLPP was founded in 1982 to address the loss of land by African-American landowners. The mission later was expanded and the organization provides free legal services to all low- income landowners throughout North Carolina in an effort to protect their property from loss or harm, including environmental harm. Although the submitted plan only deals with Operable Unit One, it is not clear when or whether the public has the opportunity to comment on outreach actually being planned. "Outreach" is not clearly laid out or defined, although there are references to the fact that "outreach" will be done, and this plan is only highlighted in bullet form. We are offering comments to the agency to express our concem with the apparent lack of involvement by community members and community-based organizations in this process. The comments include suggestions for the design and implementation phases of Remedial Altemative 4. 71. Fish consumption advisories and signs should contain clear, consistent language and be more widely posted. 'KJ At the public meeting on August 14, 2007, Wake County officials indicated that there are 30 bilingual signs posted around Lake Crabtree. Given that Lake Crabtree is a 520-acre lake, this number should be increased to ensure that people are actually informed. There should be increased posting at commonly-used fishing locations. Additionally, it is of concem that no mention was made of signs around water bodies besides Lake Crabtree. Of course, signage is needed at common fishing spots along Brier Creek Reservoir, Brier Creek, Little Brier Creek, Crabtree Creek, and any other contaminated creeks or tributaries, especially since there have been higher PCB levels in fish caught in some of these water bodies than in Lake Crabtree. As of 9/18/07, the Wake County website for Lake Crabtree contains a fish advisory page, at http://www.wakegov.com/envirohealtli/fish/defaulthtm, that states, "DO NOT take any fish from Lake Crabtree, or Crabtree Creek, just above or below the lake. Later in this page, as well as in the Fish Advisory Fact Sheet http://www.wakegov/envifohealth/fi.sli/factsheethtm. it recommends eating only one meal per month of fish other than carp or catfish. Of the pamphlets and advisories available, only the pamphlet "Lake Crabtree and PCBs: What you should know," Summer 2007, indicates that only one meal per month should be eaten of carp, catfish, and largemouth bass from Crabtree Creek, including upstream of Lake Crabtree. In addition, the links on the Wake County site lead to the Summer 2006 pamphlet, which does not include the advisory against eating fish upstream of Lake Crabtree. I found the Summer 2007 pamphlet only through a link from the Neuse Riverkeeper page. 'KJ The information in these publicly-available materials needs to be made simple, clear, and consistent. The likelihood that fishermen will be interested in comparing and parsing the various advisories and pamphlets is small at best. If Wake County is pursuing a catch-and- 35 KJ release-only policy, then even the once-a month allowed consumption for certain fish in certain areas is not totally consistent with this policy. The danger is that fishermen will see contradictory information and disregard all of it, assuming it is out-of-date or otherwise not to be taken seriously. Please work for maximum consistency and clarity in all materials, in English and Spanish, especially in the posted signage. EPA Response: Signs were installed at common flshing spots along all OUl areas where flsh advisories were issued by the State of North Carolina. Table 6 and 7 ofthe ROD (see Section 6.6.2) describe the areas within OUl, where flsh advisories were issued and the criteria for limiting fish consumption. All signs provided by EPA followed the State fish consumption advisory recommendations for no-fish consumption or limited consumption depending on the PCB levels for each location, EPA agrees that the all materials should be simple and clear. EPA will work toward that goal. The "catch and release" policy implemented at Lake Crabtree County Park was the county's answer to a simpler and easier to follow and enforce fish consumption advisory at the county park. 72. Community outreach programs should include face-to-face communication with fishermen, targeted mailings, and information about altemative fishing locations. The Proposed Plan states that "community outreach and public educational programs would also be conducted to inform the public of the fish consumption advisories and signs." There has also been no explanation by the Agency as to how it determined which language(s) the signs should be posted in, and how it was determined who is actually fishing in the lake. The agency and county should utilize community-based organizations that are actually engaged in community work with the individuals most likely to be using the lake or streams for fishing. This outreach should include face-to-face communications with fishermen by county park rangers or health department employees. Outreach materials should also include targeted mailings to residents and businesses nearest to the affected water bodies. Address information can be obtained from Wake County's tax office and from online GIS maps. Materials should offer suggestions as to altemate fishing locations that are known to have safe levels of PCBs and other contaminants. Fishermen who are given other choices of where to fish would probably be more likely to forego eating contaminated fish. KJ EPA Response: The Selected Remedy includes components to continue or enhance existing North Carolina fish consumption advisories and signs, and to develop and implement educational and community outreach programs See Section 13 ofthe ROD. As part ofthe remedial design, an implementation plan to comply with these two components ofthe remedy will be developed. Coordination between the appropriate stakeholders would be necessary to develop this plan. The plan will define the goals, roles, duties and responsibilities ofthe parties involved and the means used to achieve the intended goals. 36 \ft0f EPA appreciates and recognizes the suggestions and welcomes NC LLPP future input when developing the plan. 73. Transportation of sediments off-site for "appropriate disposal" must be done in such a way as to protect the health of nearby residents and the health of residents at the ultimate disposal site. The Proposed Plan does not indicate where the excavated sediment will be taken for disposal, only that the disposal will be "off-site" and "appropriate." This leaves very large gaps left for the design and implementation phases regarding whether the health of the residents near the transport and disposal sites will be taken fully into account no matter their race or income level. ^w As is well-known in North Carolina and in the national environmental justice movement, a PCB landfill was sited in the early 1980s in a small, low- income, mostly African American community in Wanen County. The site was chosen despite community protest, and despite a very shallow water table in an area where residents relied on well water. As lead agency, and in accordance with Administrator Steven L. Johnson's reaffirmed commitment to environmental justice in his November 4, 2005 letter, the EPA should take the responsibility to ensure that, through all phases of excavation, transport, interim storage, and final disposal, the health of the nearby residents is given full attention, regardless of whether the community is small, low-income, and/or primarily a community of color. As you appreciate, disposal should not occur in a community that already bears a disproportionately large number of undesirable land uses. Disposal should occur where it is safest to do so, not where the community is viewed as least powerful or least likely to protest. Choosing an altemative that involves off-site disposal rather than on-site treatment requires a commitment to the health of those living and working near the disposal site. While site determinations will presumably be made mostly in the design and implementation phases, the commitment should be made explicit in the Plan, rather than merely asserting that the off-site disposal will be "appropriate." EPA Response: EPA agrees that the disposal ofthe excavated material should occur "where it is safe to do so". Characterization and disposal ofthe excavated material will be conducted in accordance with all applicable relevant and appropriate requirements (ARARs). Additional sampling ofthe material will be necessary prior to determining the specific requirements that would apply, and the qualified facilities that are permitted by the State and/or Federal government to receive the material. 74. The Plan should include safety measures regarding human contact with sediment before and during excavation KJ According to the Proposed Plan the "main risks associated with contaminants at the Operable Unit 1 study area are due to human consumption of contaminated fish; and the potential exposure to sediments with PCB concentrations above 1 mg/kg" (emphasis added) While the Plan includes fish consumption advisories and signs to safeguard the public, it does not 37 w include measures to safeguard the public from potential exposure to sediment prior to and during excavation. Ways to address this could include incorporating information about sediment exposure in the "educational and community outreach" programs; posting sediment exposure signs in areas of concem; ensuring excavation workers will have proper apparel and equipment to protect them from PCB exposure; and restricting public access to areas with high PCB levels in sediment. EPA Response: EPA will take measures to prevent potential exposure to contaminated sediments at unacceptable levels. EPA will ensure cleanup crews wear the appropriate personal protective equipment. I. Responses to Comments submitted by The Town of Cary 75. The Town of Cary owns property adjacent to Crabtree Lake which is owned by Wake County. The presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) has been confirmed in the lake. The property owned by the Town of Cary serves as a part of the Town's greenway system and is used by hundreds of citizens. During and after significant rain events, water and sediment from Crabtree Lake and its tributaries affect this adjacent greenway. The cleanup and monitoring of Crabtree Lake is of vital importance to the health of citizens of Cary. I am writing this letter in support of the comments and recommendations made by Tony Gurley, Chairman of the Wake County Board of Commissioners in his letter dated October 1, 2007 addressed to you. KJ EPA response: EPA recognizes the importance of Lake Crabtree to the Town of Cary and its citizens, PCBs were not detected in Lake surface water samples or soil samples collected from the greenway areas. Unacceptable risks exist due to consumption of contaminated fish from the Lake. The selected remedy requires that sediment and fish will be monitored until remediation goals are achieved. J. Responses to Comments submitted by The City of Raleigh The City of Raleigh has carefully examined the EPA Proposed Remedial Action Plan for OUl at the Ward Transformer Site. The City of Raleigh is appreciative of the substantial progress now being made in the removal action. It appears that the threat of continued pollution to the Crabtree Creek and Brier Creek systems from the site will soon be eliminated. The City also appreciates the work done to move forward the final Remedial Action Plan for the Site and the waterways contaminated by PCBs and other toxic and hazardous wastes released from the Ward Transformer Site. The presentation of the Proposed Remedial Action Plan for OUl is a significant benchmark. The City has previously expressed its concems about the adverse impact the Site and its contamination has had on the quality of life for the citizens of Raleigh and Wake County. i J \a^ The City has reviewed the comments being submitted by the Environmental Stewardship Concepts (the consultant to the Technical Advisory Group), Wake County 38 w w and Dr. Jim Sherman. The City commends those comments to USEPA for its careful consideration. The comments reflect several of the City Council's findings consequent to the report from the PCB Task Force created by the most impacted local governments in Wake County. Inadequate Sampling Data: 76. The City shares the concerns expressed as to adequacy of the sampling information upon which decisions are proposed to be made on the remedial action in Brier Creek Reservoir. The City concurs with their comments that too few samples have been taken to conclude the area is without sufficient concentrations to require removal of the contaminants. Accordingly, the City requests that the Proposed Remedial Action Plan be modified at a minimum, to include more extensive sampling of the sediments in Brier Creek Reservoir before a final decision is made on sediment removal. The nature of sediment accumulation would strongly suggest that Brier Creek Reservoir should be one of the main repositories of contaminated sediments from the Site. Since the primary contaminants of concern bind to soil particles and thus move, or stay fixed in place, according to sediment transport. Brier Creek Reservoir should have functioned as a collection point for the Ward Transformer Site contaminants of concem for many years. Given the actionable concentrations in Brier Creek between the Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree and the high PCB levels in the Reach D immediately upstream of the Reservoir, the potential for high PCB and other toxic or hazardous concentrations in the sediment deposits in Brier Creek Reservoir requires more study to conform to the Recommendations in the PCB Task Force Findings and Recommendations adopted by the Raleigh City Council. In particular the Following determinations support such a request: II. 5. The local governments should request that EPA and NCDENR develop a remedial plan to prevent further spread of the PCB contamination downstream of Lake Crabtree and to restore the natural resources already impacted, including Lake Crabtree. In the development of the remedial plan and its implementation, EPA and NCDENR should be requested to consult with representatives of local governments. II. 10. Complete removal of contaminated sediments from Lake Crabtree and the waterways leading to and from Lake Crabtree should be evaluated as a remedial option in any remediation plan, as without removal of the sediments the fishery will not he restored, contamination will continue to migrate, and risks from exposure to impacted soils and sediments will remain unchanged. In the development of the remediation plan for the natural resources and its implementation, EPA and NCDENR should be requested to consult with representatives of local govemments. \J II. 16. EPA and the local governments should assemble maps providing current and potential land uses/zoning restrictions for the impacted waterways and adjacent properties and ensure that current and potential future uses are thoroughly evaluated by the PA,and do not resujt in unacceptable risks to the community from exposure to contaminated soils and sediments. Local governments and park officials should also consider contamination and health risks when approving any project 39 KJ that will bring more people into contact with the contamination or increase current exposures to the contamination. EPA Response: EPA believes that enough data is available to select the remedy and continue source removal activities along Reaches B,C, and D. A conservative decision was made when EPA decided to include excavation along Lower Brier Creek aspart ofthe Alternative 4 remedial action. The selected remedy requires additional sampling from lower Brier Creek prior to any excavation activities. Ifthe results from the additional sampling along Lower Brier Creek show results below the LOppm remedial goal, no excavation will be required along Lower Brier Creek. The selected remedy also includes a monitoring program component. Aspart ofthis monitoring program, samples from Brier Creek Reservoir will be collected. KJ Unmitigated Impacts to Wake County: 77. The City also joins in the comments previously cited which seek a revision of the Proposed Remedial Action Plan to address the burdens left with Wake County should the reservoirs not be cleaned of PCBs in the Remedial Action. The impoundments were created as flood control impoundments. The continued deposition of sediment limits the value of the impoundments and will ultimately require sediment removal to restore the appropriate level of flood control. The impoundments are a critical source of protection to heavily populated and developed areas in the City, including the Crabtree Valley Shopping Mall. When the sediment removal occurs, the County will be confronted with substantial additional costs because ofthe PCBs and other toxic and hazardous substances in the sediment. The Proposed Plan does not address a means to compensate the County for those costs which arise exclusively from the Ward Site. See response to comment number 59 above regarding potential dredging. Prompt Restoration of Lost Uses of Crabtree Creek: 78. As the above cited provisions and other sections of the PCB Task Force Findings and Recommendations show, the City is concerned with the adverse impacts its citizens have suffered in their use of natural resources, in particular fishing and other uses of the Crabtree Creek system. The City continues to urge that a Final Remedial Action Plan be adopted expeditiously, but that the plans also assure the most prompt restoration of Crabtree Creek to the full panoply of uses that it supports under the Clean Water Act. EPA Response: EPA plans to implement the Selected Remedy as expeditiously as possible while complying with the requirements of CERCLA and the National Contingency Plan (NCP). KJ Conclusion 79. The City of Raleigh is appreciative of the courtesy extended by USEPA throughout the process. The City is hopeful that relationship will continue and that this set of comnients, along with the comments of the TAG and Wake County will be given strong consideration by USEPA in its Final Remedial Action Plan. While the costs of Alternative 5 are high. 40 KJ the further information in the Proposed Remedial Action Plan shows that sediment removal from Brier Creek Reservoir would be approximately $102 million of the $541 million in total costs for Alternative 5. As with other comments, the City questions whether that cost estimate is excessive. The City urges USEPA, in consultation with the PRP's if necessary, to seek less expensive means to remove the sediment from Brier Creek Reservoir as it likely contains an unacceptable level of pollution which will continue to further degrade Lake Crabtree. EPA Response: Based on the information available to date, EPA is not recommending excavation of Brier Creek Reservoir as part of the Selected Remedy. K. Responses to Comments submitted by Carolina Power & Light Company d/b/a Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc. ("PEC" or the "Companv") Carolina Power & Light Company d/b/a Progress Energy Carolinas, Inc. ("PEC" or the "Companv") has been actively engaged with the United States Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources ("NCDENR") on the cleanup of the Ward Transformer site. The Company appreciates the opportunity to comment on the EPA's Superfund Proposed Plan for the OUl Site issued in August 2007 (the "OUl Proposed Plan"). W KJ Summary of PECs Comments on OUl Proposed Plan The Company and its environmental consultants have carefully reviewed and considered the OUl Proposed Plan and recommendations conceming how to address polychlorinated biphenyl ("PCB") contamination at the OUl Site, which is comprised of various areas located downstream from the Ward Transformer site and Reach A, including Reaches B and C (unnamed tributaries to Little Brier Creek); Reach D (Little Brier Creek); Brier Creek Reservoir; Lower Brier Creek; Lake Crabtree; and Crabtree Creek. PEC has been actively involved and assisting with the contaminated soil/sediment removal action at the source areas ofthe PCB contamination—specifically, the Ward Transformer facility. Reach A and certain other immediate sunounding areas (collectively, the "Facilitv"). This EPA-approved removal action, which began in August 2007, is a complete excavation and cleansing of soil and sediments at the Facility that not only will eliminate the original sources of PCB contamination, but also prevent future down-gradient migration of PCB contamination from these source areas into the waterways constituting the OU 1 Site. PEC believes that virtually all source contaminants will be removed by the ongoing removal action at the Facility. The Company understands that EPA and NCDENR are proceeding to ensure that remaining adverse environmental and ecological impacts, if any, to the OUl Site from past business operations of the Ward Transformer Company ("Ward") are addressed in an appropriate manner. After considering the five (5) Remedial Altematives set forth in the OW Proposed Plan, PEC supports implementation of Altemative 4 as modified below ("Modified Altemative 4"). PEC agrees with EPA's position that Monitored Natural Recovery ("MNR") and institutional controls are especially suitable for the OUl Site, where the 41 w KJ primary, original source of PCB contamination at the upgradient Facility and Reach A already is being removed. PEC understands EPA's reasoning to include additional excavation and offsite sediment disposal of PCB constituents in Reaches B C and D under Altemative 4 because sediment sampling data shows PCB concentrations in Reaches B, C, and D above EPA's remedial goal and cleanup level of 1.0 parts per million ("ppm"). PEC believes that EPA's proposal to require additional pre-excavation sampling and excavation/dredging removal actions in Lower Brier Creek (that portion of Brier Creek located between Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree) is unwananted because sediment sampling in Lower Brier Creek does not show PCB concentrations above EPA's remedial goal of 1.0 ppm. Instead, PEC believes that appropriate MNR with institutional controls should be implemented for Lower Brier Creek. I. Introduction PEC was one of hundreds of companies that did business with Ward during Ward's 40- plus years of operations at the Ward Transformer site located along Mount Herman Road in a predominantly industrial area of northwestem Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina. From approximately 1964 to 2005, Ward built, repaired, sold, and reconditioned electrical transformers at the Ward Transformer site. As a result of Ward's business operations, PCBs were released into the environment. Because PEC did business with Ward, it was one of approximately forty (40) companies EPA initially contacted when the Ward Transformer site was added to the Superfund National Priorities List in 2003. Ultimately, in September 2005 and despite its limited and infrequent dealings with Ward, PEC, along with three (3) other companies, entered into an Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent with EPA to implement and shoulder the full cost of the PCB cleanup and removal action at the Facility. II. EPA's Remedial Action Objectives and Remedial Altematives for OUl Site Generally, in selecting a remedy at Superfund sites, EPA's goal is to "eliminate, reduce, or control risks to human health and the environment."^ In the OUl Proposed Plan EPA articulated the following three (3) Remedial Action Objectives: Eliminate or minimize any potential risks to human health or the environment due to consumption of contaminated fish from Brier Creek, Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree, and Lower Crabtree Creek, by reducing PCB concentrations in fish to regulatory or risk-based levels; Eliminate or minimize any potential risks to human health or the environment due to direct contact with contaminated sediments in Reaches B, C, and D and Lower Brier Creek by reducing PCB concentrations in sediments to regulatory or risk-based levels; and Minimize any potential downstream migration of PCB-contaminated sediments. In order to achieve these Remedial Action Objectives, EPA considered five (5) Remedial Altematives in its OUl Proposed Plan The following is a brief summary of each Remedial Altemative: KJ Altemative 1 — No Action. EPA is required to consider the No Action altemative pursuant to the remedy evaluation and selection process set forth in 40 C.F.R. § 300.430. Under the No 42 \^^ Action altemative, no remedial actions would be implemented at the OUl Site and existing site conditions would not be subjected to any active remediation or institutional controls. As would be the case for all of the Remedial Altematives, the No Action altemative would include a review of the remedy every five (5) years for thirty (30) years, as required by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act ("CERCLA" or Sunerfund").^ Altemative 2 — Institutional Controls. Under this altemative, fish consumption advisories and appropriate signage would continue in effect with additional and related public outreach efforts to reduce the potential risks to human health through fish consumption. Altemative 3 — MNR and Institutional Controls. In addition to implementing the institutional controls set forth in Altemative 2. periodic monitoring of sediments and fish sampling would be conducted over time while allowing naturally occuning processes to contain and/or reduce the bioavailability or toxicity of contaminants in media, thereby reducing any potential risk to human health and/or ecological receptors. Altemative 4 — Excavation and Off-Site Disposal of Sediments in Reaches B C D , and Lower Brier Creek and MNR in Brier Creek Reservoir. Lake Crabtree and Lower Crabtree Creek; and Institutional Controls. This altemative generally involves implementation of KJ Altemative 3 plus (i) conducting pre-excavation sampling to accurately delineate the limits of excavation areas in Reaches B, C, D and Lower Brier Creek; (ii) conducting a mussel survey to detemiine if threatened or endangered species of mussel are present in areas selected for excavation; (iii) excavation and appropriate off-site disposal of sediments from Reaches B, C, D, and Lower Brier Creek; and (iv) post-excavation site and stream restoration work. Altemative 5 — Excavation and Off-Site Disposal of Sediments in Reaches B. C, D, and Lower Brier Creek; Excavation/Dredging of Sediments in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree; Off-Site Disposal of Sediments; MNR in Lower Crabtree Creek and Institutional Controls. This altemative generally involves implementation of Altemative 4 plus dredging and/or excavating sediments in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree with appropriate offsite disposal. The EPA must consider nine (9) criteria when evaluating these Remedial Altematives for the OUI Site. These evaluation criteria include the following: 1. 2. KJ 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Overall protection of human health and the environment; Compliance with Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements ("ARARs"); Long-term effectiveness and permanence; Reduction of toxicity, mobility, or volume of contaminants through treatment; Short-term effectiveness; Implementability; Cost; State acceptance; and 43 w 9. Community acceptance Based upon its comparative analysis ofthe five (5) Remedial Altematives using the abovereferenced criteria, EPA concluded in the OUI Proposed Plan that its prefened altemative for the OUI Site is Altemative 4. III. Discussion of Altemative 1 Altemative 2 and Altemative 3 PEC understands that EPA believes Altemative 1 (No Action) should not be implemented because it does not provide adequate protection to human health and the environment and would do little to address the environmental concems in our community over PCB contamination from the Ward Transformer site. The Company further understands that EPA feels Altemative 2 (Institutional Controls), while it includes important institutional controls that must be continued and augmented as necessary (i.e., fish consumption advisories, posting of signs and educational/community outreach programs, etc.), does not go far enough toward protecting human health and the environment because without implementation of any overall monitoring program, it will be nearly impossible to determine if and when any of the Remedial Action Goals for the OUl Site are achieved. KJ PEC agrees with EPA that implementation of Altemative 3 (MNR) likely would reduce any potential risk to human health and the environment over time through naturally occuning processes to contain and/or reduce the bioavailability or toxicity of PCB contaminated sediments along the OUl Site. The OUI Proposed Plan recognizes that MNR especially suitable for a site such as this where the main source ofcontamination will be removed." The implementation of an appropriate periodic monitoring program of sediments and fish sampling conducted over time will provide EPA, NCDENR, local govemments and interested citizens with the technical data needed to determine when the Remedial Action Goals for the OUI Site are achieved, as well as when changes might be needed with respect to fish consumption advisories and other institutional controls, so as to eliminate or minimize potential risks to human health due to consumption of contaminated fish. There are also benefits to the environment and ecological systems within the OUl Site by pursuing MNR, instead of undertaking the significant land-disturbing activities, dewatering and wetland/streambed/habitat dismptions associated with not only the excavation and dredging removal actions contemplated by Altemative 4 and Altemative 5 but also the constmction of access roads and equipment storage and "lay down" areas needed to accomplish such removal actions. "MNR typically involves no man-made physical dismption to the existing biological community, which may be an important advantage for some wetlands or sensitive environments where the harm to the ecological community due to sediment disturbance may outweigh the risk reduction of an active cleanup." KJ IV. PEC Agrees with EPA that Altemative 5 Should Not Be Implemented Altemative 5 generally involves the complete implementation of Altemative 4 (discussed in more detail below), plus dredging and/or excavating sediments in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree with appropriate off-site disposal. PEC fully agrees with EPA's assessment that Altemative 5 is not appropriate for the OW Site for several reasons. 44 KJ KJ First and foremost, the significant and widespread environmental impacts resulting from large-scale dredging and excavation operations in and around Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree far outweigh the minimal additional environmental benefits Altemative 5 may present. "The [EPA] project manager should consider the impact of habitat loss or alteration in evaluating a dredging or excavation altemative. . . . [i]t is important to determine whether the loss of a contaminated habitat is a greater impact than the benefit of providing a new, modified but less contaminated habitat."^ EPA conectly finds in the OUl Proposed Plan that large-scale excavation/dredging operations in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree "will disturb or destrol benthic and other aquatic biota [and avian biota] and habitats in the reservoir and the lake". The adverse impacts to the environment and existing ecosystems associated with implementation of Altemative 5 are not simply confined to the beds of Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree. Excavation, dredging and necessary dewatering work would require that large sections of wooded areas and wetlands be completely destroyed and/or filled. Neighboring wetlands, floodplains, old-growth timber, riparian buffers. Lake Crabtree County Park, and other nearby properties also likely will be destroyed, disturbed, or otherwise adversely impacted either by dewatering activities, constmction activities (including constmction of access roads and utilization of temporary constmction easement areas for tmck/vehicle parking and equipment storage areas etc ), land-clearing activities, increased tmck traffic, dust, and noise. EPA also has conectly noted that the dredging/excavation activities of Altemative 5 could adversely impact threatened bald eagles within the Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree for foraging and breeding." Re-establishing these sensitive habitats to pre-existing conditions over the long term may be extremely difficult with no guarantee that the threatened bald eagle population will retum even after restoration work is completed. The degree and extent of impacts on adjacent and nearby wetlands are unknown in the event Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree were completely drained in order to perform the remedial excavation and dredging work contemplated under Altemative 5 (i.e. would significant wetlands and other sensitive water-dependent habitats also be drained and lost?). The environmental benefits from excavation and dredging of Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree appear to be very minimal because no sediment sampling in the reservoir and lake has revealed PCB concentrations above EPA's cleanup level and remedial goal. EPA has determined that the chemical-specific ARAR for PCB concentrations in sediment for the OUl Site is 1.0 milligram per kilogram or 1.0 ppm. This level of cleanup is intended to protect human health from "direct exposure to PCBs in soil and sediment." The PCB sampling data collected for sediments in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree has not revealed any PCB levels exceeding EPA's remedial goal of 1.0 ppm. 1 , \m^ Surface water samples collected at Lake Crabtree and Brier Creek Reservoir and soil samples collected at recreational areas within the Lake Crabtree floodplain have not detected PCBs in any of the samples collected:" Moreover, the maximum PCB concentration detected in sediments in Lower Brier Creek (extending from the Brier Creek Reservoir to Lake Crabtree) is 0.28 ppm, well below EPA's remedial goal. For purposes of Altemative 5. due to the fact 45 \ ^ that PCB levels detected in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree "already are in the low ppm range," it is assumed in the OUI Proposed Plan that all of the sediments in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree would have to be removed to ensure that the availability of very low PCB levels is completely eliminated for ecological receptors:'' PEC believes that the low levels of PCB concentrations found in Brier Creek Reservoir, the floodplain around Lake Crabtree and Lower Brier Creek (that feeds into Lake Crabtree) does not support implementation of such an invasive and physically destructive remedy as is proposed in Altemative 5 (or as discussed more fully below in Section V, EPA's proposal to include excavation and dredging of Lower Brier Creek in Altemative 4). Excavation and dredging work in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree could mobilize and spread the low levels of PCB contamination through re-suspension:^ EPA also has acknowledged that if dredging is used, due to technological limitations, residuals will remain, "including low levels of PCB contamination in the biologically active sediment zone" and that "dredging residuals could impact fish concentrations in the reservoir and lake for many years after completion of the dredging operations."" There is always a level of uncertainty about the ability of excavation and dredging techniques to achieve their goals because it is difficult to estimate not only the possible impacts from re-suspension, but also the residual contamination that will inevitably remain following removal. KJ Second, completion of the EPA-approved source removal action at the Facility (including Reach A), together with the implementation and completion of the remedial actions contemplated in Altemative 4 for Reaches B, C, and D, should effectively eliminate human health risks from contaminated sediment and prevent any future down-gradient migration of PCBs from the Ward Transformer site into the Brier Creek Reservoir, Lower Brier Creek, and Lake Crabtree. Thus, it can reasonably be expected that the low levels of PCBs in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree will continue to decrease after the PCB contamination source has been addressed at the Facility and in Reaches B, C, and D. MNR is especially suitable for these down-gradient areas of the OW Site, where the main source of PCB contamination at the up- gradient Facility and Reach A is already being removed. As discussed in further detail in Section V below, some periodic monitoring of aquatic biota in Lower Brier Creek, Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree, and Lower Crabtree Creek is appropriate and will provide EPA, NCDENR, local govemments, and interested citizens with the assurance and technical data needed to determine when changes may be needed with respect to fish consumption advisories and other appropriate institutional controls so as to eliminate or minimize any potential risks to human health. Potential risks to human health at the OUI Site are based, in part, on the consumption of fish from Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree, and, to a lesser extent, Crabtree Creek. To minimize these risks, since Deceniber 2003, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has issued several fish consumption advisories regarding certain waterways along the OUl Site. In November 2005, Wake County adopted a policy of "catch and release only" fishing for Lake Crabtree and Crabtree Creek (below Lake Crabtree) and has conducted other outreach efforts advising the public to conduct catch-and-release fishing . KJ Third, the implementation of Altemative 5 is much more complex and difficult than 46 KJ W. Altemative 4 and will require considerably more time. Due to the sheer complexity, scope and increased permitting and consultation efforts necessitated by Altemative 5 it would do very little in terms of decreasing the actual amount of time required for fish tissues to attain acceptable health-based concentrations of PCBs-one of EPA's Remedial Action Goals for the OUl Site. Under Altemative 4. EPA projects that fish in Lake Crabtree would attain acceptable PCB concentrations in approximately nine (9) years and fish in Brier Creek Reservoir would attain acceptable PCB concentrations in approximately fourteen (14) years. Under Altemative 5 EPA projects that fish in Lake Crabtree would attain acceptable PCB concentrations in approximately eight (8) years after excavation and dredging work, and fish in Brier Creek Reservoir would attain acceptable PCB concentrations in approximately twelve (12) years after excavation and dredging was completed. When compared with Altemative 4 implementation of Altemative 5 at best, would reduce the projected period of time for fish tissue in Lake Crabtree to attain acceptable concentrations by only one (1) year and for fish tissue in Brier Creek Reservoir by only two (2) years. Therefore, EPA conectly noted in its comparative analysis of the short-term effectiveness of Altemative 4 and Altemative 5 that the removal of a larger amount of sediments does not necessarily conespond to a shorter amount of time to achieve cleanup goals. Given the many variables with respect to the planning, design, constmction, permitting and consultation (including endangerecUthreatened species identification) associated with Altemative 5 it is reasonably conceivable that implementation and completion of Altemative 5 could actually result in it taking longer to achieve acceptable health-based fish tissue concentrations than what EPA projects under Altemative 4 through MNR implementation at Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree. Fourth, implementation of the excavation and dredging work under Altemative 5 will significantly compromise the natural flood control features afforded by the existing Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree, and connected wetlands for several years. Without this natural flood control, stormwater mnoff from significant rain events could cause or contribute to unanticipated flooding in neighboring areas, roads, and infrastmcture. Lastly, Lake Crabtree probably would not be available for public recreational use (or subject to limited uses) for significant periods of time during the sediment removal process. Access and use of Lake Crabtree County Park also could be adversely impacted or curtailed. V. PEC Requests EPA to Select Modified Altemative 4—Excluding Sampling and Excavation of Lower Brier Creek—As the Prefened Altemative for the OUl Site PEC requests that EPA select as the prefened altemative for the OUl Site the following Modified Altemative 4. PECs support of Modified Altemative 4 is predicated upon the fact that the ongoing EPA-approved removal action at the Facility (including Reach A) is removing virtually all of the PCB contamination. Together with future implementation of selective sediment removal actions in Reaches B, C, and D, these actions will address the human health risks associated with exposure to contaminated sediment and minimize any potential downstream migration of PCB-contaminated sediment. Thus, two of the three Remedial Action Objectives for the OUl Site (Le., eliminating or minimizing human health risks due to direct contact with contaminated sediment and minimizing potential downstream migrations of PCB-contaminated sediment) will be achieved upon successful completion of the removal actions at the Facility and Reaches B, C, and D. 47 KJ KJ KJ The data collected from 2003-2007 during the EPA-led Remedial Investigation shows that no excavation or other dismptive sediment removal actions are wananted downstream of Reach D. Consequently, the significant, adverse ecological and environmental impacts generated by certain aspects of Altemative 4 can be minimized by eliminating Lower Brier Creek from Altemative 4. Although sediment samples in Reaches B C and D have shown PCB concentrations in excess ofthe 1.0 ppm cleanup level and remedial goal, no sample collected downstream of the Reaches is above the 1.0 ppm cleanup level. Furthermore, PCB concentrations in the OUI Site generally decrease as one moves further downstream. On the basis of this data, EPA should modify Altemative 4 such that no sediment removal actions will be required in Lower Brier Creek, which is downstream from Reach D. Sufficient representative sampling work already has been conducted in the OUl Site areas located downstream from Reach D. For example, in Brier Creek Reservoir, there has been a sample collected approximately every 25 acres. In Lake Crabtree, a sample has been collected approximately every 23 acres. Neither area has shown any PCB concentrations that exceed the EPA's 1.0 ppm cleanup level and remedial goal. As stated previously, in light of this data, the EPA has appropriately determined that excavation and dredging activities in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree are not wananted. That same approach and reasoning is equally applicable to Lower Brier Creek. At Lower Brier Creek, even though the sampling density has been much higher than that in the reservoir or lake, the sampling results have shown lower PCB concentrations. In Lower Brier Creek, there has been a sample collected approximately every 2.25 acres, with the highest PCB concentration detected being 0.28 ppm, well below the 1.0 ppm EPA cleanup standard. With particular regard to dredging or excavation altematives, EPA policy directs its project managers to "consider the impact of habitat loss or alteration in evaluating a dredging or excavation altemative." Therefore, the benefits of reducing contamination along Lower Brier Creek (which already is at levels below EPA's remedial goal) must be weighed against the potential harm to the environment and the alteration or loss of habitat, including habitat for endangered or threatened species. The environmental benefits to be gained from excavation and dredging of Lower Brier Creek appear very minimal because no sediment sampling in Brier Creek Reservoir or Lower Brier Creek has revealed concentrations of PCBs above EPA's remedial goal of 1.0 ppm. Excavation, dredging, and dewatering activities to remove sediments from Lower Brier Creek will disturb or destroy benthic and other aquatic biota and habitats in Lower Brier Creek and cause sections of wooded areas and wetlands to be completely destroyed and/or filled. Neighboring wetlands, floodplains, old-growth timber, and riparian conditions will also likely be destroyed, disturbed, or otherwise adversely impacted either by dewatering activities, constmction activities (including constmction of access roads, tmck/vehicle turnarounds and parking, equipment storage areas, etc.), landclearing activities, increased tmck traffic, dust, and noise. It is not known what impacts would occur on wetlands adjacent to Lower Brier Creek if the streambed has to be re-routed to complete the removal work.^ EPA policy counsels leaving a wetland intact when it is "functioning properly and is not acting as a contaminant source to the biota and the sunounding area." 48 w w Additionally, the scope ofthe sampling associated with MNR in Altemative 4 should be modified to exclude additional sediment sampling once all sediment at the Facility and the OUI Site is remediated to the 1.0 ppm cleanup level. The OUI Proposed Plan states that "Mike Altemative 3 Altemative 4 includes periodic monitoring of sediments and aquatic biota (fish sampling) associated with MNR." While PEC agrees that MNR is an important element of Altemative 4 the scope of MNR activities should be modified from that proposed in Altemative 3 to account for the active removal of sediments at concentrations greater than 1.0 ppm. Sediment sampling for PCB analysis, as part of the MNR activities following implementation of Altemative 4 is unnecessary and inconsistent with the Remedial Action Objectives for the OUI Site. Upon removal of all sediments with PCB concentrations greater than 1.0 ppm, the remaining risk is associated with the consumption of contaminated fish. The best way to assess the degree of contamination in fish is to sample fish tissue. To continue to test sediment samples for PCBs will not provide appropriate data for the purpose of monitoring the natural recovery of the fish. VI. Conclusion 80. After careful review, PEC believes that EPA should implement a modified version of Altemative 4. Specifically, the Company believes that the best approach is a remedy that includes the beneficial aspects of Altemative 3 and the selective sediment excavation in Reaches B, C, and D The data does not support sediment excavation in Lower Brier Creek. PECs view is based primarily on the absence of PCB contamination in Lower Brier Creek above the 1.0 ppm cleanup level and remediation goal. Given that there is no basis for removing soils in that section of the OUI Site, it is not worth the harm to these sensitive environmental areas that would inevitably result from such dismptive activity. There also will be no need for additional sediment sampling in the OUl Site once all residual contamination is removed. Because the implementation of a modified Altemative 4 will achieve two of the three Remedial Action Objectives, the only remaining objective will be to eliminate or minimize human health risks associated with consumption of contaminated fish. To this end, PEC agrees with EPA's position that MNR and institutional controls are especially suitable and will be effective in monitoring PCB concentrations in fish tissue. Once this remedy is complete, we anticipate that all risks to human health and the environment resulting from Ward's operations will have been fully addressed. EPA Response: EPA does not agree with P E C s request to modify the proposed alternative and reduce monitoring requirements. In fact, based on other comments received and further analysis ofthe existing data, EPA has decided to require that floodplain soil samples be collected aspart of the pre-excavation sampling program component ofthe Selected Remedy. Ifthe soil sample results show PCB concentration above the 1 ppm remedial goal, these areas will also require excavation. KJ A conservative decision was made when EPA decided to include excavation along Lower Brier Creek as part ofthe Alternative 4 actions. The Selected Remedy requires additional sampling from lower Brier Creek prior to ahy excavation activities. If results from the preremediation sampling activities along Lower Brier Creek conflrm that sediment and floodplain soil levels are below the 1 ppm remedial goal, no excavation will be required along Lower Brier Creek. 49 w During the remedial design, specific details ofthe sampling requirements for the preexcavation activities, MNR program, and the periodic monitoring of sediment and aquatic biota will be finalized. Monitoring will be required in all areas where fish advisories exist and fish data show PCB concentrations in fish above the remediation goal of 0.05 ppm. IV. TRANSCRIPT OF THE AUGUST 14, 2007 PUBLIC HEARING Attachment 1 of this report includes a copy of the transcript. ^ W 50 ^ ATTACHMENT 1 KJ KJ 1 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 2 SUPERFUND PROPOSED PLAN 3 WARD TRANSFORMER SITE OPERABLE UNIT 1 4 5 6 7 8 9 TRANSCRIPT OF PUBLIC MEETING 10 11 w 12 13 14 15 16 17 DATE: August 14, 2 007 18 TIME: 7:03 p.m. - 8:16 p.m. 19 PLACE: Raleigh, North Carolina 20 21 22 23 24 \jg)J 25 A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 1 MR. CAMPBELL: I think we're about ready to 2 get started if everyone wants to take a seat. 3 name is Rich Campbell. 4 Environmental Protection Agency. 5 many of you at our meetings before, but I wanted to 6 open the meeting up and kind of give you a little 7 bit of information about what we're going to do 8 here. 9 My I'm a section chief of the I think I've met This is a more formal meeting than I think 10 11 in that we're actually taking comments for the 12 record. 13 taking a transcript of comments that are made. 14 will try to respond to any kinds of questions you 15 have while we're here, but there will also be a 16 formal responsiveness summary that will come out 17 later. 18 w just about all the meetings we've had in the past issues that are raised at this meeting. 19 We have a court reporter who will be We So there will be a written response to Let me now introduce Angela Miller, who is our 20 community involvement coordinator. 21 probably met her before. 22 more words about the logistics of the meeting. 23 MS. MILLER: I think you've She's going to say a few I don't really need a microphone, 24 KJ but, as Rich mentioned, there is a comment period 25 that's in effect right now. . It actually started A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 1 August the 6th and it originally was supposed to 2 end on September the 4th, but the Neuse Riverkeeper 3 Foundation has asked for an extension. 4 giving a 3 0-day extension on the comment period. 5 So we will close that out on October 4th. 6 can either e-mail your comments to Luis or you can 7 mail them. 8 October the 4th. So we're So you They just have to be postmarked by Luis is going to start out with a presentation 9 10 11 question and answers or comments. 12 do have a court reporter that's transcribing. 13 at the end of the Q and A, I'm going to walk around 14 with the mie. 15 If it's unusual, if you will spell it so we can 16 w and then after his presentation, we will have have that on record. As Rich said, we So If you will state your name first. The other thing that we ask is if you have a 17 18 question, if you could just hold it to the end, 19 that way Luis can get through the presentation and 20 then we will definitely have a question and answer 21 period. And now I'll turn it over to Luis Flores, 22 23 KJ project manager of the Ward Site. MR. FLORES: 24 25 me? Can you hear me? Can you hear Higher, okay. A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 1 Well, welcome, everybody. I guess first I 2 just want to say thank you for taking the time to 3 come here tonight. 4 presenting the proposed plan for the Ward 5 Transformer Site, Operable Unit 1, Operable Unit 1. 6 Tonight we're going to be Let me start by giving you an outline of my 7 presentation. I'm going to start by giving a brief 8 overview of the Ward Transformer Site. 9 going to talk about the scope and role of this Then I'm 10 proposed plan that we're presenting tonight. 11 That's where I'm going to explain to you why we're 12 calling it Operable Unit 1 and what Operable Unit 1 13 includes. 14 findings about the remedial investigation, mainly 15 the main conclusions of the investigation. 16 Then I'm going to give you some general This was a very complicated and long 17 investigation, a lot of samples were collected. 18 There is a whole remedial investigation report with 19 all the information. 20 the site repository located at the North Raleigh 21 library here in Raleigh. 22 over there and look at the whole report. 23 'w^ And that report is housed in So you're welcome to go Then I'm going to talk about remedial action 24 objectives or the goals that we're planning to 25 achieve with this clean-up plan that we're A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 1 proposing tonight. 2 remedial action alternatives that we developed to 3 address those or trying to achieve those remedial 4 action objectives and the evaluation criteria that 5 we use in the Superfund program to look at those 6 alternatives. 7 EPA's preferred alternative to clean up the Ward 8 Transformer Site Operable Unit 1. 9 Then I'm going to present the Then I'm going to present to you Then next steps I will let you know what to 10 expect after this meeting and then we'll get into 11 the questions. 12 notes of your questions, we'll try to address them 13 at the end of the presentation. 14 And, like Angela said, if you take The facility, as many of you know, is located 15 very close to the Raleigh-Durham Airport here in 16 Raleigh, North Carolina. 17 It's owned by Ward Transformer Company. 18 facility, they've been in operation since the '60s. 19 Actually they stopped operation in 2005. 20 there in that facility, they rebuilt, repaired, 21 reconditioned and sold electrical transformers. 22 It's about 11 acres. The Over We conducted, EPA conducted a very complicated 23 remedial investigation. A lot of samples were 24 collected. 25 sediment samples, surface water samples, The samples included soil samples, A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 1 groundwater samples and fish. 2 covered a very wide area, which includes the Ward 3 Transformer facility itself, some properties around 4 the Ward Transformer facility and about 30 miles of 5 waterways down gradient from the facility. 6 The investigation These maps show what I'm calling the study 7 area, the areas where we collected samples. If you 8 look up here, that's the Ward Transformer Site, 9 Lake Crabtree, the Neuse River over here, Crabtree 10 11 we're using in this project. 12 in different sections to be able to identify the 13 areas that we were going to collect samples. 14 know, the Ward Transformer facility itself, I guess 15 that's pretty clear. 16 gradient from the Ward Transformer facility, we get 17 into the different water bodies dovm gradient. 18 first one that we encounter is a tributary to 19 V Creek. Little Brier Creek. 20 Let me give you a few definitions that We divided the site You As we start going down For study purposes, we divided the tributary 21 in three sections: We called the first section 22 Reach A, second section Reach B, and the third 23 KJ The section Reach C. 24 section that we call Reach D. 25 actually Brier Creek -- I'm sorry. Little Brier After Reach C there is another That Reach D is A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 1 Creek itself. So we got the tributary here divided in three 2 3 sections and then Brier Creek here. As we go down, 4 we found the Brier Creek Reservoir, then Lower 5 Brier Creek, Lake Crabtree and then all this is 6 Crabtree Creek all the way discharging into the 7 Neuse River. 8 were collected out of the study area. So those were the areas where samples So that was the whole picture, the study area. 9 10 11 are addressing, like I said earlier. Operable Unit 12 1. 13 basically everything down gradient from Reach B, 14 including Reach B. 15 gradient, B, C, D, reservoir, the lake, and 16 w But in terms of what we're addressing tonight, we Crabtree Creek. 17 And what Operable Unit 1 includes, it's Reach B and everything dovm Operable Unit 2 is actually the areas up 18 gradient of Reach B and Reach A and the Ward 19 Transformer facility. 20 of the ongoing removal action. 21 be discussing tonight is Operable Unit 1 and the 22 proposed plan, or the clean-up plan for Operable 23 Unit 1. 24 \ ^ 25 Those areas are the subject What we're going to As expected, the main contaminants of concern were PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls. A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES They were 1 detected in relatively low concentrations in the 2 Operable Unit 1 areas. 3 concentrations," I guess I want to define what that 4 means. 5 determined that for human exposure -- for human 6 exposure having direct contact with sediment, one 7 part per million or one milligram per kilogram will 8 be a protective number for sediment. 9 above could be considered having an unacceptable 10 11 When I say "relatively low As part of our risk assessment, we Anything risk. So one part per million is kind of like a nuinber that has also been used many times in other 13 site clean-up goals and, like our risk assessment 14 says, is the number we're going to use here for 15 direct contact or human exposure. 16 "relatively low," it's because in the study -- in 17 the Operable Unit 1 areas, most concentrations are 18 below one part per million. 19 of all the samples that were collected, the average 20 w 12 concentrations will be below one part per million. 21 And when I say If we make an average There is some of those reaches that has sample 22 23 ^ higher one in the Operable Unit 1 area is 4.2 parts 24 " points above one part per million. I think the per million in Reach D. 25 reservoir, and some of the other -- well. Lake But Lake Crabtree, the A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 1 Crabtree actually has all the concentrations below 2 one part per million, the same in the reservoir. 3 And, like I said. Reach D has the highest one, 4 which is 4.2. 5 results so we can look at those. 6 I'll have a map later showing the Also, PCBs were not detected in any of the 7 sediments down gradient from Lake Crabtree. So 8 Crabtree Creek all the sediments were non-detected 9 for PCBs. 10 11 12 surface water, we had a meeting with a group of 13 stakeholders here in Raleigh and we put together a sampling plan. 15 to address some specific concerns from the 16 community. 17 sediment samples, we also collected soil samples 18 from areas around the Lake Crabtree and Cedar Fork 19 athletic fields. 20 those samples were non-detect. 21 show any PCBs. 22 Lake Crabtree showed no PCBs. 23 with the surface water in Lake Crabtree. 24 v ^ collected, sediment and fish and groundwater and 14 V In addition to all the samples that we no PCBs detected in surface water. 25 And we collected additional samples Those samples -- in addition to more None of those samples -- all of None of the samples So the recreational areas around These are the same There was This map -- I'm going to now show the sample A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 10 1 locations, sediment sample locations- in the areas 2 that are part of Operable Unit 1. 3 start from the further down gradient part from the 4 side, like the Neuse River. 5 River over here. 6 getting closer to the site. 7 basically shows Crabtree Creek. 8 where we collected samples, I don't know if maybe 9 the people in the back can see that, but all those I'm going to This is the Neuse And I'm going to start going up, This first map And the places 10 samples points show non-detect PCBs in the 11 sediments. 12 The next figure is going to move further up 13 gradient for Crabtree Creek and is going to get 14 into Lake Crabtree. 15 here, we collected a lot of sediment samples from 16 the lake. 17 the highest level that we detected at the lake and 18 it's .48 parts per million. 19 numbers in the back? 20 Point 48 is the highest number. 21 of non-detects. 22 When we look at Lake Crabtree This sample over here is the highest, And can you see those Should I make it bigger? There is a bunch We got here .18, .12. As we move further up 23 24 KJ into Brier Creek, Brier Creek is over here. that we see over here is the down gradient part of 25 Brier Creek Reservoir. This We got on Brier Creek a A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 11 1 non-detect, .28. And as we move further into Brier 2 Creek reservoir, .11, .094. 3 of the sediments are -- the concentrations are, 4 like I said, relatively low. 5 for human exposure, but they might not be low 6 enough for ecological receptors and that's where it 7 becomes a bigger concern is the ecological 8 receptors and the fish. 9 exposure, they're relatively low. 10 So, as you see, a lot They're low enough But in terms of human Actually, they are low. 11 As we keep moving further up, these three 12 squares here are Reach D, C and B and my next 13 figure is going to give us a closeup of Reach D. 14 Let's see if I can make it a little bigger. 15 big enough. 16 Reach D. 17 sediment concentration in the whole Operable Unit 18 1, which is this point SD-32 with 4.2 parts per 19 million PCBs. As we go up, .38, .11, .029. Not This is This is where we have the highest As we keep going up, .023. The next figure will be Reach C and here they 20 21 are higher than one part per million, also 1.9 -- 22 I'm sorry, 1.3, .043, but in general, they are 23 below one. 24 especially in the reaches as we get closer to the 25 site. ^ ^ ^ There is some hits above one, A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 12 Reach C and Reach B, which is where Operable 1 2 Unit 1 starts, .93, there is a .26 here, .31, .36, 3 2.1. 4 sediments that were detected in the Operable Unit 1 5 area. So those are sediment concentrations, PCBs in In addition to sediments, we also collected 6 7 fish samples, like I said. And we used those 8 samples to determine ecological risk and human 9 health risk due to ingestion of fish. All those 10 11 and they did calculations and issued fish 12 advisories that are in place right now. 13 advisories are for Little Brier Creek, Brier Creek 14 Reservoir, Lake Crabtree and Crabtree Creek. 15 the Little Brier Creek and all the way to Brier 16 Creek Reservoir, they are for no consumption of 17 fish. 18 gradient they are for limited consumption, no more 19 than one meal a month. 20 County have worked together and all those areas are 21 w samples were sent to the State for them to review posted with signs showing advisories. 22 The fish For The dov/n gradient at Lake Crabtree and down EPA, the State and Wake So let me talk now about what are the 23 KJ objectives or the goals that we're trying to 24 achieve with this proposed plan. 25 will be to eliminate or minimize any potential The first goal A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 13 1 risks to human health or the environment due to 2 consumption of contaminated fish from some of these 3 areas by reducing PCB concentrations in fish to 4 regulatory or risk-based levels. 5 action can we take so that we can get 6 concentrations in fish low enough so that we don't 7 have to have fish advisories. 8 first objective. 9 Basically, what That will be the The second objective would be eliminate or 10 11 environment due to direct contact with contaminated 12 sediments in Reaches B, C, D, Lower Brier Creek by 13 reducing PCB concentrations in sediments to 14 regulatory or risk-based levels. 15 said earlier that the risk assessment shows that 16 one part per million is a level that shows as a 17 clean-up goal for preventing hioman exposure from 18 W^ minimize any potential risks to human health or the direct contact to contaminated sediment. 19 That is what I And the third objective will be minimize any 20 21 sediments. 22 developed alternatives to try to address those 23 KJ potential downstream migration of PCB contaminated objectives. 24 25 So those are the objectives and then we The first alternative that was developed is a no action alternative. Basically assumes no A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 14 1 action. It doesn't even assiime that there are fish 2 advisories in place. 3 like a baseline alternative.. 4 that the Superfund law requires that we evaluate. 5 So that serves as a comparison with all the other 6 alternatives. 7 done in this alternative is to conduct a five-year 8 review. 9 needs to conduct as part of the Superfund law also This no action alternative is It's an alternative The only thing that is going to be Five-year review is a review that EPA 10 11 no action, the determination is, you know, it's 12 going to be left on site. 13 to do reviews every five years. 14 estimated cost is $332,000. 15 w when contamination is left on site. the five-year review every five years for 30 years. 16 So if there is So we're going to have And then the And that's the cost of The second alternative is institutional 17 18 continue the existing North Carolina fish 19 consumption advisories and signs, together with 20 educational and community outreach program to 21 inform the community about the fish advisories and 22 give them all that information. 23 the five-year review. 24 ^ controls. that alternative is $476,000. 25 Institutional controls will include It also includes And the estimated cost for Alternative 3 includes the same institutional A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 15 1 controls that the previous alternative did. 2 Alternative 2, but in addition this alternative 3 includes a very important component that 4 Alternative 2 did not have, which was monitor 5 natural recovery. 6 consist of monitoring sediments and fish to get an 7 understanding of how nature is taking care of that 8 contamination and is preventing for the 9 contamination to be available for the ecological Monitor natural recovery will 10 11 because the main source of the contamination, which 12 is the Ward Transformer facility and Reach A, have 13 been cleaned up and they're going to be cleaned up, 14 this alternative assumes that eventually, probably 15 in a long period of time, nature is going to take 16 care of that low level contamination that is in 17 place now and it's going to be remediated by 18 itself. 19 w receptors. $2,247,000. 20 I guess this alternative assumes that The estimated cost of that alternative is Alternative 4 -- there are five alternatives 21 by the way, so just one more after this one. 22 Alternative 4 has the same components of 23 Alternative 3, but in addition the Scime components, 24 the fish advisories, the community outreach 25 programs, five-year reviews and monitor natural ^ ^ A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 16 1 attenuation, but in addition it includes excavation 2 on Reaches B, C, D and Lower Brier Creek. 3 that does is that those were -- especially B, C and 4 D were the reaches that had contamination above one 5 part per million. 6 taking out the sediments with above one part per 7 million, we will expedite -- that could be 8 considered a minor source than the Ward Transformer 9 facility and Reach A. And what So by excavating those and And by excavating those and 10 removing those from there, it will expedite the 11 natural recovery of all the other areas. 12 Based on modeling that has been conducted, if 13 those reaches are excavated, we believe that Brier 14 Creek Reservoir, that the fish in Brier Creek 15 Reservoir will achieve a clean-up goal that will 16 allow the State and EPA to remove the fish . 17 advisories. And for Lake Crabtree it will take 18 about nine years for the fish to reach PCB 19 concentrations that will be low enough that will 20 not require fish advisories. 21 for this alternative is $4,989,000. The estimated cost 22 23 KJ Alternative 5 includes all the components of Alternative 4, but in addition -- oh, I forgot to 24 mention -- can we go back to Alternative 4? 25 forgot to mention that before the excavation of A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES I 17 1 Reaches B, C, D and Lower Brier Creek, there is 2 going to be -- we're going to have to conduct 3 sampling to define what are the areas that need to 4 be excavated, where the sediments with 5 concentrations above one part per million are. 6 also we're going to have to do an endangered 7 mussels study to determine if there are endangered 8 mussels in that area. 9 And So Alternative 5 includes everything, all the 10 11 it has dredging or excavation of sediments in Brier 12 y^^ components that Alternative 4 has and in addition Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree. 13 very complicated alternative. 14 not say if those sediments will be dredged or 15 excavated dry. 16 dredging and excavation is one is dry, the other 17 one is done wet. 18 additional studies to determine if any of those is 19 appropriate for the specific conditions of those 20 areas. 21 This will be a At this point we can I guess the difference between We would have to conduct Let's say that excavation is not -- is not 22 feasible. Dredging, you know, it's also pretty 23 complicated. 24 low concentrations already in this area, Brier 25 Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree, it will be very And in this case that we have really A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 18 1 difficult to determine success that we will get the 2 specific areas that need to be excavated. 3 be a very complicated operation. 4 It will So after all that excavation is done, there 5 will be a site and stream restoration. 6 alternative estimates that the fish in these areas 7 will achieve the levels for -- the levels that 8 there is not going to be any need for fish 9 advisories 12 years in the Brier Creek Reservoir 10 11 This and eight years in Lake Crabtree. If we go back one slide, Alternative 4 was for 14 for Brier Creek Reservoir and nine for Lake 13 Crabtree. 14 modeling, shows one year more for Lake Crabtree and 15 two years more for Brier Creek Reservoir than 16 Alternative 5. 17 take a lot of planning and coordination between 18 many agencies, the county, a lot of agencies. 19 the planning will -- could take a lot longer than 20 w 12 Alternative 4. 21 So this alternative, based on the But, of course. Alternative 5 will So The estimated cost for this alternative is 22 23 ^J $540 million -- almost $541 million. This is an estimate, you know. 24 change after some of the studies that I mentioned 25 are conducted and some of the decisions are made. That cost most likely will A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 19 1 Those decisions would be made -- if this 2 alternative is selected, those decisions would be 3 made in the remedial design, which would be after 4 the regular decision. 5 forty million dollars. 6 Five hundred and After we develop those alternatives, we use 7 the Superfund evaluation criteria, which basically 8 takes every alternative and looks at all these nine 9 points. Overall protectiveness of human health and 10 11 human health and the environment? 12 with appropriate regulations? 13 the long-term? 14 reduction of the toxicity, mobility or volume using 15 treatment? 16 it possible to be implemented? 17 w the environment. Does the alternative protect acceptance and community acceptance. Does it comply Is it effective in Is it permanent? Does it achieve Is it effective in the short term? Is The cost. State 18 19 evaluation of this alternative, but the proposed 20 plan basically -- which we mailed to the people in 21 the mailing list and there is also copies outside 22 at the table in front of the room -- basically has 23 KJ I'm not going to go into the specific a summary of that evaluation of each alternative on 24 page eight and on. 25 proposed plan is a summary. And this is, again, this The feasibility study A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 20 1 report includes the whole -- all the information 2 regarding this evaluation. 3 available in the information repository at the 4 North Raleigh library. 5 And that report is also So based on the information that we have at 6 7 believe that Alternative 4 provides the best 8 balance and trade-off of all the alternatives with 9 respect to the criteria that we have to look at. 10 And that's the criteria that is explained in the 11 proposed plan and the FS. 12 Alternative 4 as the proposed plan to be used to 13 clean up contamination at Operable Unit 1 for the 14 Ward Transformer Site. 15 estimated cost is $4,989,000. 16 can achieve levels in the fish in Brier Creek 17 Reservoir in nine years -- I'm sorry, in Lake 18 Crabtree in nine years and Brier Creek Reservoir in 19 w this time, EPA and the State of North Carolina 14 years. 20 So EPA is proposing Like I mentioned, the So what's to expect next? We believe that we Tonight we 21 22 alternative that EPA is proposing. 23 KJ presented the proposed plan that's the preferred alternative that is out for comment period -- for 24 comments during this comment period, together with 25 all the other documents that are housed in the It is the A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 21 1 information repository. 2 FS, but there are a lot of other documents there. 3 You're welcome to visit the library and look at 4 those and send comments. 5 I mentioned the RI and the As Angela mentioned, the comment period was 6 extended and now ends October 4th. We encourage 7 everybody to send comments. 8 are received, together with the comments that we 9 get here tonight, we'll put together a After those comments 10 11 W responsiveness summary with comments or questions and answers. 12 evaluated, we use the responsiveness summary to 13 evaluate community acceptance. 14 After those comments are received and If the agency believes that there is community 15 acceptance to this plan, we'll move forward and 16 issue the record of decision. 17 decision is the document that will describe what 18 the proposed clean-up action that we want to take 19 at this site, specifically for Operable Unit 1. 20 There will be a record of decision for Operable 21 Unit 1. 22 with potentially responsible parties to see if they 23 will get into an agreement with EPA to implement 24 this plan and do this clean-up and pay for it. 25 After the agreement is reached, if an The record of And after that we will start negotiation ^ ^ A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 22 1 agreement is reached, we start the remedial design. 2 If there is an agreement, the PRPs will do the 3 design with EPA and the State and other agencies' 4 oversight. 5 have approval. 6 action will be implemented after that. And, of course, they will require to And then the action, the clean-up 7 Questions? 8 MR. JENKINS: 9 Hello, my name is Matt Jenkins. I'm with the Triangle Off-Road Cyclists. I have 10 two questions for you. 11 part per million. 12 acceptable for human exposure to the sediment. 13 for what level exposure? 14 exposure or would that be a yearly exposure? 15 MR. FLORES: The first one is the one You mentioned that that's But Is that daily or weekly That is, actually, the ten to 16 minus six nximber is actually a little higher than 17 one. 18 That would be -MR. YOUNG: Generally, one PPM is generally 19 20 where you have daily contact with sediment. 21 typical number used in soil clean-up, pretty well 22 established, it would be far and above any type of 23 KJ protective of even a residential-type exposure reasonable upper bounds exposure that you would 24 receive, even in say a reed gatherer or something 25 like that. A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES A 23 1 MR. JENKINS: 2 MR. FLORES: Thank you. He's Charlie Young. He's with 3 Weston Solutions. He helped putting together the 4 risk assessment and some other documents. 5 MR. JENKINS: 6 is with Alternative 5. 7 recreation at Lake Crabtree Park and downstream 8 areas? 9 MR. FLORES: Thank you. My second question What would be the impact to Yeah, I guess that level of 10 11 the things that we will look at during the remedial 12 design. 13 of disruption to whatever activities that go on at 14 the park. 15 around it. 16 big -- there will be a lot of activity going on 17 there. 18 w detail really have not been looked at. whole area. Those are But you can imagine that it will be a lot And not only the park, just the areas I mean, this is -- it will be a big, a So yeah, it would disrupt pretty much the 19 MR. JENKINS: 20 MS. ROBERTSON: Thank you. I'm Deborah Robertson. And I 21 had a question about the monitoring natural 22 recovery. 23 that in there it said that there is a periodic 24 monitoring of the sediments. 25 Does that mean yearly or every five years with the ^ It said in the alternatives that have What does that mean? A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 24 1 2 plan? MR. FLORES: Yeah, I guess the details of that 3 will also be part of the remedial design. 4 I would say that probably we will do yearly. 5 MR. MORAN: 6 MR. FLORES: I guess As I understand, yearly. Yeah, yearly. Of course, to be 7 refined, you know, as needed depending on what, you 8 know, maybe for the first certain number of years 9 will be done with certain frequency. 10 11 And then depending on what we see, you know, it can change. MR. deFUR: My name is Peter deFur. I'm the 12 technical advisor for the Neuse Riverkeeper on this 13 project and I have several questions. 14 has to do with a couple of alternatives that 15 weren't discussed. 16 the sediments in place, referred to as in situ 17 treatment. 18 procedures that have been developed recently and I 19 didn't see any discussion of those. 20 One of them One of them being treatment of There is some new technologies and new And then the other alternative would be a 21 22 doing something active in terms of dredging or 23 KJ hybrid between four and five or a consideration of excavation in Brier Creek Reservoir and not 24 Crabtree Lake. 25 MR. FLORES: Lake Crabtree, uh-huh. A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 25 1 2 3 MR. deFUR: Could you comment on those before I ask two other questions? MR. FLORES: I guess the first, the first 4 question would be that we really didn't look into 5 any other -- any other alternative that looked into 6 in situ treatment. 7 alternative. 8 of these creeks probably would be maybe just easier 9 to excavate. 10 11 We didn't look into any other I think that may be due to the size But yeah, we didn't look at alternatives that considers that. MR. deFUR: Okay. And I guess the same thing 12 ^ goes for dredging Brier Creek Reservoir, but not 13 the lake? 14 MR. FLORES: Right. Well, we -- well, on 15 Alternative 4 we're looking at dredging about -- 16 Alternative 4 we're looking at dredging or 17 excavating anything above one part per million and 18 the reservoir doesn't have anything above one part 19 per million. 20 MR. YOUNG: This is Charles Young from Weston. 21 22 Brier Creek Reservoir is a very limited fishery. 23 The intent of the remediation is one that's largely 24 ^»«^ I think one of the other considerations is that driven with human risk associated with fish 25 consumption, ecological risk with respect to A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 26 1 high-level Piciformes like bald eagles and so forth 2 is not considered to be a driving risk. 3 fact, remediation might in fact cause more problems 4 with respect to affecting their breeding, habitat 5 and their foraging range in those two water bodies. And, in 6 So given that Brier Creek Reservoir is a lot 7 more inaccessible with respect to fishing because 8 of its proximity to the airport, the ownership of 9 the land around that, the focus really in our minds 10 11 w should be to achieving remedial goals for Lake Crabtree because it is such a widely used 12 recreational resource. 13 MR. deFUR: Yeah, the other two questions, one 14 of them has to do with other contaminants. 15 mentioned that there was some other conteiminants 16 and the documentation gives a list of some of the 17 other contaminants that were identified. 18 assume, and I'll be checking this in the documents 19 in my review, that there is a one-to-one 20 correspondence between the occurrence of PCBs and 21 the other contaminants because you wouldn't want to 22 remove a PCB laden sediment and leave in place one 23 that's laden with dioxins or heavy metals? 24 ^s^ 25 MR. YOUNG: You And I Charles Young once again. What we found, and you'll probably see this in your review A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 27 1 of the RI documentation, that the concentrations of 2 PCB congeners and dioxins were essentially 3 co-located, which is not surprising in that they 4 would both have the same affinity for absorption of 5 fine sediments and would be expected to be found if 6 they derived from the same source, i.e. the Ward 7 Transformer facility. 8 the PCB laden sediment, it would be expected to 9 pull the dioxins out. So, in essence, going after Metals did not pose a 10 significant risk to either human or ecological 11 receptors. 12 ^^JgF MR. deFUR: I have one more question that has 13 to do with monitored natural recovery. 14 a brief period to look at the feasibility study. 15 There isn't a lot of documentation on the 16 effectiveness of monitored natural recovery in 17 sites throughout the country. 18 subject is that there isn't comprehensive 19 documentation for that procedure at any site around 20 the country, 21 how well it works. 22 or both of two processes. 23 sedimentation that covers it up. 24 estimate that the sedimentation is sufficient to 25 cover it up, or some other biological process or \ ^ I only had And my review of the "irhere is very limited description of And it depends upon either one One of them is So is there an A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 28 1 physical process that's going to cause PCBs to 2 break down? 3 I guess we're back to Charlie. MR. YOUNG: In our evaluation, the modeling 4 that was done with respect to the time it would 5 take to achieve -- monitor the natural recovery was 6 predicated on only the sedimentation, the burial 7 and accounted for bioturbation and other physical 8 processes that would cycle some of the PCBs 9 currently in sediments up into the upper 10 biologically active sediment layer. 11 take any credit for any reductions due to microbial 12 decay or weathering of PCBs in place. 13 MS. BACKUS: We did not Hi, my name is Pat Backus. 14 worked a little bit with PCBs. 15 presentation you made a distinction between 16 dredging and excavation in the streams you're 17 talking about. 18 going to just reroute that for a while? 19 I've you determine when they're clean I guess? 20 21 In your During this excavating, are you MR. FLORES: How will The Alternative 4 considers excavation -- 22 MS. BACKUS: No, I mean three -- I'm sorry. 23 MR. FLORES: Dry excavation, rerouting the 24 sections of the streams and excavating dry. \ ^ 25 MS. BACKUS: Also, when in relationship to the A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 29 1 Operable Unit 2 will that be done? 2 that with my experience with them, you have a 3 potential of adding more into the system even 4 though you're doing the best you can in removing 5 them at the site. 6 •7 8 9 10 11 12 MR. FLORES: My concern is You mean like what's going on right now? MS. BACKUS: Will that be finished by the t ime -MR. FLORES: I think by the time this kicks in, that's going to be done. MS. BACKUS: Okay. And just kind of on the 13 comment, I know that the degradation of PCBs by 14 degradation is a really slow process. 15 just dredging them you're going to change the 16 environment so much that you're going to mess up 17 what's already in place. 18 MR. HUTCHINSON: And by even Luis, can you tell us about 19 stream restoration, once you get through the 20 dredging whether that will be done in an 21 environmentally friendly way?. 22 MR. FLORES: I guess the State of North 23 24 \ Carolina will regulate how that restoration is conducted. 25 regulations depending on that area. And I guess there are a lot of ^ And those A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 30 1 areas will have specific regulations that will 2 dictate how those streams are restorated. 3 MS. MILLER: Should have worn my Heelys. 4 MR. CADE: 5 Lake Crabtree. 6 mentioned kind of the nine-year target for natural 7 recovery at Lake Crabtree given option four. 8 there actual precedents to indicate that that's 9 more than just a model, that that's actually Drew Cade, I'm the park manager at Just a couple questions, Luis. 10 12 MR. CADE: 13 MR. FLORES: 14 w MR. FLORES: MR. YOUNG: Are happened in the past? 11 You It's a model. And it's only a model? It's a model. That's really what the monitored 15 16 taking a sampling, we'll be able to develop 17 real-world data in terms of declines in fish tissue 18 concentrations. 19 site-specific bioaccumulation factor that accounts 20 for the concentrations in fish fillet tissue 21 relative to the sediment samples. 22 site specific, it's based on limited dataset and 23 only over time will you be able to actually see 24 ^ natural recovery will be intended to achieve. that rate of decay. 25 MR. FLORES: By The current model is based on a So while it is The alternative, like all the A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 31 1 alternatives, include the five-year review for the 2 alternative. 3 gets looked at every five years. 4 at that data, you know, after the first five years, 5 we will look at all the available data and then 6 determine, okay, how is it working, is there 7 anything else that needs to be done and those kind 8 of things. 9 The effectiveness of the alternative MR. CADE: So we will look My other question is in regard to 10 11 Obviously, that's our function. 12 aspect of the park, I feel like it's essential, 13 but, obviously, it was only a result of it being 14 created as flood control. 15 that it is filling up with sediment, the county may 16 one day need to dredge the lake for increasing its 17 flood control volume. 18 ^85^ Lake Crabtree being a flood control device. into that grand scheme? 19 MR. FLORES: Recreational Given that and the fact How will the EPA's plans fit I will say that there is going to 20 21 are not -- I mean, they're not by any means 23 considered hazardous waste because they're so low, 24 ^ just given that the concentrations in the sediments 22 " have to be some kind of coordination, but I guess you know. 25 coordination with EPA. There will have to be some kind of A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 32 1 MS. ALLEN: Hi, my neime is Betsy Allen. I'm 2 concerned about the greater Raleigh area as a 3 native of Wake County and Raleigh. 4 concerned particularly about neighborhoods above 5 the Ward Transformer area, particularly the 6 Harrington Grove neighborhood. 7 I have anecdotal reason to believe that there are 8 children being born in that neighborhood with birth 9 defects and with a higher incidence of And I'm I have reason to -- 10 11 pregnancies being terminated early. 12 about have you all looked in that area? 13 possibility that the PCBs could just be lying 14 there? 15 really have a great tributary and doesn't feed like 16 Brier Creek, it doesn't feed into any reservoirs. 17 V malformations and a higher incidence of preterm I'm just wondering could it be staying in the land? 18 19 Wondering Is there a That's off of Barton Creek, which doesn't Is that what might happen? MR. FLORES: In relation to the contamination 20 for the Ward facility itself, which is what we were 21 looking at, you know, the way it got into all these 22 areas I guess the presumption is that it was 23 carried by runoff, you know, guiding to all of 24 these creeks and keep going down gradient. \ ^ 25 MS. ALLEN: We remember the evidence of them A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 33 1 dumping on roadways. 2 any kind of history in the newspapers or somewhere 3 where those locations could be relocated and looked 4 at for sampling of the sediments and so forth as a 5 potential hazard to human beings? 6 MR. FLORES: And I'm wondering if there is I guess I will suggest to maybe 7 make a recommendation to the State of North 8 Carolina to look at that. 9 at least as part of this specific remedy or I don't know -- I mean, 10 11 looking at the facility itself and how contaminants 12 are moving from that facility. 13 years ago when they sprayed the PCBs around the 14 counties in North Carolina, I don't have -- I don't 15 w proposed plan or investigation, it basically is have information about that. 16 MS. BACKUS: Pat Backus. What Mr. Ward did I don't know. If you wanted to 17 speak, it looked like you were edging that way. I 18 think it was in Wake County. 19 of the counties if I remember correctly. 20 cleaned up to the one part per million and did an 21 awful lot of sampling there. 22 can look at the records and see that. 23 have every mile identified and there were thousands 24 of samples taken when they removed the soil. I think Wake was one And they So I don't see -- you But they \ ^ 25 MR. WINBERRY: Jerry Winberry with Envirotech A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 34 1 Solutions. In your presentation you talked about 2 looking at protecting the environment and, of 3 course, the population with fish sampling and soil 4 sampling. 5 have fluffing of soil into the air. 6 North Carolina does have reference levels by which 7 PCBs are not to be exceeded. 8 then, is there a consideration to protect the 9 public against air emissions during this Whenever you excavate, naturally you The State of Within this program 10 remediation, both pre-remediation, during the 11 remediation and post-remediation? 12 MR. FLORES: Yeah, I would think those 13 decisions will be considered during the remedial 14 design, but it seems like every site that we do 15 excavation of PCBs, we also do some kind of air 16 monitoring. 17 MR. McLAWHORN: I'm Dan McLawhorn with the 18 19 Alternative 4 and understanding that you're talking 20 about dry-bed excavation of the streams, has there 21 been any consideration given to the City of 22 Raleigh's infrastructure that, runs along and 23 KJ City Attorney's Office in Raleigh. Looking at parallel to those streams and whether or not it's 24 actually feasible to shift the bed to another 25 location for dry-bed excavation? A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 35 1 MR. FLORES: We haven't really looked at that, 2 those kind of details. 3 at in more details in the design phase. 4 this point the way that the alternative -- the cost 5 was estimated was based on dry excavation. 6 not to say that it could change due to -- due to, 7 you know, additional information that we receive 8 during the remedial design like, you know, like 9 making it totally unfeasible to do it because of 10 MR. McLAWHORN: I guess at That's the infrastructure. 11 Again, that will be looked But I thought feasibility was an issue you had to achieve when choosing an 13 alternative, not moving past that and then find a 14 w 12 block in the design phase? 15 MR. FLORES: I'm sorry, say that again. 16 MR. McLAWHORN: You had nine criteria up 17 there. 18 answer in choosing the alternative. 19 postpone that until design. 20 Feasibility is one of them that you have to MR. FLORES: You can't Implementability, yeah. There is 21 certainly going to be a lot of details that we 22 probably learn during the RD. 23 KJ MR. CAMPBELL: I can respond to that in part. 24 I don't think what we contemplate would be 25 rerouting the streams. You misunderstand that. A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 36 1 Another site we're cleaning up that you 2 probably aren't familiar with, but there is a site 3 called Chattanooga Creek up in Tennessee. 4 larger stream than Brier Creek. 5 done there is we have built an earthen dam in the 6 stream and then pumped the water around the area 7 that's being excavated through a flexible line and 8 then move that dovm. 9 it. It's a And what we've So that's one way of doing But I think the important thing to know is 10 11 sediments above that one part per million level 12 W' that the decision is that we would remove the through either a dry excavation method or if it 13 turns out that it would be a more appropriate way 14 of doing a wet dredging, we could potentially do 15 that. 16 would be going after the sediments that are above 17 the one part per million. 18 So the main thing to understand is that we MR. MORAN: Chris Moran from Weston. When we 19 did the costing for the feasibility study, that's 20 exactly the technique that we costed. 21 MR. JOHNSON: Keith Johnson. Can you give us 22 any sense of what your cost may be beyond what 23 you've presented here? 24 through the broad stage, I assume you will be 25 seeking recovery of those costs from responsible Your cost for the RI, FS, A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 37 1 parties. 2 along. 3 incurred so far, are you able to give us any sense 4 of how much money that may be at that point in 5 time? 6 Presumably you're tracking them as you go Based on other projects or what you have MR. FLORES: Yeah, I do not have that kind of 7 8 different. 9 much cost has been spent to date, but in order to 10 determine how much cost will be spent, you know, 11 w information. preparing the record of decision or doing 12 negotiations or with the PRPs, I wouldn't be able 13 to say. 14 And every site is certainly I guess we can get information on how MR. deFUR: This is Peter deFur again. Luis, 15 I wondered -- you referred to several alternatives 16 requiring a survey for freshwater mussels. 17 MR. FLORES: 18 MR. deFUR: Right. I would have thought that EPA 19 20 ecological risk assessment phase. 21 then is there any reason to wait on that? 22 shouldn't that proceed ahead immediately if it 23 w would have directed that to occur during the hasn't been done? 24 done already. 25 MR. YOUNG: And if not then, Why I'm not clear why it hasn't been Charles Young responding. A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES It was 38 1 a recoirmendation that came out of the ecological 2 risk assessment. 3 repairing area associated with the stream and there 4 was fish and crayfish collections from the reaches 5 of stream up ,above that, the potential presence of 6 mussel populations was a concern, but was not 7 determined by any formal survey. 8 they have been present in this watershed means that 9 we felt that a professional malacologist should go 10 While there was a survey of the But the fact that through and determine that. 11 12 dredging locations in that you might end up having 13 to avoid a spot in order to be able not to, you 14 know, damage an existing mussel population. 15 would also mean that any changes in water flow, 16 turbidity levels associated with dredging 17 activities would need to be addressed in order not 18 to impact any populations there. 19 that would be expected to be a necessary component 20 prior to the completion of the remedial design, but 21 V It could potentially have impacts on the it hasn't been performed yet. MR. deFUR: 22 It So it's something I guess for all those reasons is 23 24 " K ^ why I'm wondering why EPA hasn't said go forth and do? 25 The other question is that EPA is proposing A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 39 1 here, and this feeds back on one of the other 2 questions about the sources, and source control is 3 a critical element in cleaning up any sort of site. 4 And I know that the nature of the specific source 5 at the Ward Transformer has changed in recent 6 years, so it turned out that the contamination is 7 deeper, for example. 8 until this evening to wonder whether or not there 9 is a further upstream source. And it hadn't occurred to me And there are ways 10 11 W to look at it. evaluation with, you know, pictures over time. 12 You can do a cut and fill So has that been done? And if not, how will 13 it affect the remediation when something turns out 14 to be different at the source? 15 a Superfund site, we can expect to find new things. 16 17 18 MR. FLORES: understand it. I mean, this being I didn't -- I didn't quite So are you saying -- MR. deFUR: Are you sure that you've got the 19 source? Does there need to be a further source 20 control or source identification analysis? 21 MR. FLORES: 22 MR. YOUNG: I think we got the source. Pretty much at the head of the 23 24 v ^ watershed. see a potential -- 25 It's right at the divide. MR. MORAN: You don't Mount Herman Road is actually a A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 40 1 divide for the watershed. 2 MR. deFUR: You're right. 3 MR. MORAN: There would be no -- they sampled 4 all the way up and even across Mount Herman Road. 5 So I'm not sure what your question is. 6 MR. deFUR: And there is no evidence that 7 there is groundwater coming in -- coming in through 8 groundwater up at the site itself? 9 10 MR. MORAN: There are concentrations in the groundwater, but they're -- 11 MR. YOUNG: Low in mass perspective. 12 MR. deFUR: They're low in the groundwater. 13 The final question may be one the State has the 14 answer to. 15 consumption advisories are working? That is whether or not the fish 16 MR. FLORES: 17 MR. deFUR: I'm sorry? Do you know if the fish 18 consumption advisories are working? 19 be a question for the State. 20 MR. FLORES: 21 MR. deFUR: 22 23 And that might We hope they are. Is the State keeping an eye on that? MS. WILLIAMS: Yes. Drew, you want to come up 24 here too? Luanne Williams, a State toxicologist 25 for the North Carolina Department of Health and ^ ^ A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 41 1 Human Services. I work for this gentleman here in 2 determining -- this is -- we've determined if 3 people are following advice or not. 4 Health Director's decision to issue advisories. 5 And, as you know, we have issued advisories from 6 Little Brier Creek, Brier Creek Reservoir, Brier 7 Creek, no consumption of any fish. 8 Crabtree is no consumption of carp or cats, and a 9 meal a month for everything else. It's the State And then Lake And then for 10 11 the Lake Crabtree levels. 12 advisory for carp, cats and large mouth bass of one 13 meal a month. 14 carp and cats. 15 most people follow advice, but then there were some 16 that you discovered that would take some cats home 17 at Lake Crabtree. 18 w Crabtree Creek, the levels have gotten lower than that. 19 MR. CADE: And so we issued an So they are still elevated in the And we have noticed that people -- I'll let Drew talk to you about Fishing activity in general has 20 21 the programs the park offers. 22 certain populations that fish, you know, some of 23 the social trails, not the park proper. 24 KJ been reduced dramatically because of the signage, you know, our job is to make sure that the signs 25 are very effective. There are still And so, They have 3 0 of them around A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 42 1 the lake itself. They are all bilingual. 2 think the message is finally getting out based on 3 the fact that, you know, I'm seeing much less 4 fishing, obviously, out there than we have in the 5 past. It's sad. And I I mean, I'd love to see it. 6 But the county incorporated the State 7 language, which was an advisory, into a county 8 policy of catch and release only. 9 that the task force noticed several people still Due to the fact 10 11 W fishing in the lake and the surrounding waters, the county felt like the appropriate step to properly 12 manage the situation with signs was to go ahead and 13 make it a catch and release only situation. 14 incorporated the State language that Luanne came up 15 with, but the county policy in county-managed lands 16 is catch and release only. 17 So we have the enforcement capability. We If we 18 see someone with a bucket of fish, they may not 19 like it, but I have the ability to dump that bucket 20 out into the water for their own protection. 21 That's a big step in this I think. 22 MS. WILLIAMS: Yes. The park management has 23 done a really good job of enforcing that and making 24 sure that the signs provide useful information that 25 people can understand what the message is. A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 43 1 And, also, I would like to share with you that 2 through a grant through CDC Agency for Toxic 3 Substance and Disease Registry, the North Carolina 4 Department of Health has been able to obtain 5 additional fish tissue samples along tributaries, 6 other tributaries that flow into the Neuse River. 7 We did -- EPA helped us out like 30 miles 8 downstream from Ward. 9 they collected fish tissue samples. And we appreciate that. And And the 10 11 samples for us and EPA's lab in Atlanta analyzed 12 them, but we were still finding elevated levels 13 30 miles downstream from Ward. 14 is responsible, but it was 3 0 miles downstream 15 where Crabtree Creek enters the Neuse. 16 a few catfish, one bass and the levels were in 17 those fish at a point where we would issue a one 18 meal per month still. 19 cats and one large mouth bass where Crabtree Creek 20 ^ Division of Water Quality collected fish tissue enters the Neuse. 21 I'm not saying Ward And we had But, again, it was only two So I know we've got Neuse River folks here. I 22 23 KJ wanted you'to know about that. But two weeks ago the Division of Water Quality collected more tissue 24 samples for us, bottom feeders, bass, sunfish along 25 Walnut Creek and Rocky Branch, which are A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 44 1 tributaries that flow into the Neuse River. 2 about seven miles, for those of you that are 3 interested, to the Neuse. 4 locations because we had some reports provided to 5 us by the Division of Waste Management that there 6 may have been transformer facilities located along 7 those surface water bodies. Rocky Branch and Walnut 8 Creek. 9 So time will tell. It's And so we selected those In two weeks we should 10 11 certainly let folks in the Division of Waste 12 Management, Drew, the Riverkeeper Foundation and 13 others, I've got a long list of contacts, know what 14 we found. 15 but I don't know. 16 J^ have those fish sample results. And I will MR. JENKINS: And we may be issuing more advisories, If I could just ask a quick 17 18 wondering if the costing for the alternatives 19 include the community outreach? 20 include increased funding for actual people to go 21 out and talk to the fishermen and explain the issue 22 to them? 23 dramatically, but I see people out there every time 24 " S ^ follow up to that? I bike. 25 Matt Jenkins again. I was Did that also I know fishing may have decreased MR. FLORES: Yeah, the outreach programs will A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 45 1 be -- I guess we will develop those and come up 2 with different ideas, maybe look at other sites 3 where things have been done and they have been 4 effective and try to implement them here. 5 MR. JENKINS: 6 MR. FLORES: Thank you. Any other questions? All right. 7 Well, the comment period ends October 4th. 8 you think of other questions or have any additional 9 comments, please send those to me. So if My information 10 is in the back of that proposed plan fact sheet, my 11 e-mail and my telephone. 12 e-mail or call, please feel welcome to. 13 14 So if you want to send an Thank you. (Whereupon, at 8:16 p.m., the proceedings concluded.) 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 K ^ 25 A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES 46 1 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA ) 2 COUNTY OF WAKE ) 3 CERTIFICATE OF REPORTER 4 I, MAREN M. FAWCETT, Registered Professional Report and Notary Public in and for the State of North Carolina, duly commissioned and authorized to administer oaths and to take and certify depositions, certify that the foregoing is a true and correct transcript of said proceedings to the best of my ability and understanding; that I am not related to any of the parties to this action; that I am not interested in the outcome of this case; that I am not of counsel nor in the employ of any of the parties to this action. 5 6 7 8 9 10 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereto set my hand, this the FJlJ^ day of August, 2007. 11 12 ^ff 13 14 15 - )'? ^ - W 7U. , W-^ Maren M. Fawcett, RPR Notary Public - North Carolina Certificate No.: 200621500068 My Commission Expires: 7/31/2011 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 ^ ^ 25 A. WILLIAM ROBERTS, JR., & ASSOCIATES w SUPERTUND PROPOSED PLAN FACT SHEET WARD TRANSFOMER SITE OPERABLE UNIT 1 RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA August 2007 INTRODUCTION This Proposed Plan identifies the prefened alternative for remedial action at the Ward Transformer Site (the Site) Operable Unit 1 (OUl). OUl deals with areas downgradient fi-om the Ward Transformer facility. y "v KJ * > * * ' • The Proposed Plan presents EPA's recommendation conceming how best to address contamiaation at the Ward Transformer Site OUl. It presents the altematives that were evaluated, and explains the reasons EPA recommends the prefened altemative. It solicits public review of and comment on all altematives described, and provides information on how the public can be involved in the remedy selection process. This document is issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the lead agency for site activities, and the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NC DENR), the support agency. EPA, in consultation with the NC DENR, will select a final remedy for the Site after reviewing and considering all information submitted during the 30-day public comment period. The final remedy decision will be documented in a Record of Decision (ROD). A ROD is a public document that explains which cleanup altemative will be used at a Superfiind site and the reasons for selecting the alternative. DATES TO REMEMBER PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: August 6, 2007 to September 4, 2007 U.S. EPA will accept written and oral comments on this Proposed Plan during the public comment period. PUBLIC MEETING: Augast 14, 2007, 7:00 pm U.S. EPA will hold a public meeting to explain this Proposed Plan and all ofthe altematives considered. Oral and written comments will also be accepted at the meeting. The meeting will be held at: Hilton North Raleigh 3415 Wake Forest Road Raleigh, North Carolina, 27609-7330 Phone (919)-872-2323 For more information regarding the Site, see the Administrative Riecord at the following locations: EPA Records North Raleigh Library Center 7009 Harps Mill 61 Forsyth Street Road SW Atlanta, GA 30303 Rileigh,NC 27615 (404)562-8946 (919)870-4000 V EPA, in consultation with the NC DENR, may modify the prefened altemative or select another response action presented in this Proposed Plan based on new infonnation or public comments. Therefore, the public is encouraged to review and comment on all the altematives presented in this Proposed Plan. EPA is issuing this Proposed Plan as part of its public participation responsibilities under Section 117(a) ofthe Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund; Pub. L. No. 96-510), as amended at Pub. L. No. 99499, and Sections 300.430(f)(2) and f(3) ofthe National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). EPA relies on public input to ensure the concems ofthe commuiuty are considered in the selection of an effective remedy for each Superfund site. <J This Proposed Plan summarizes information that can be found in greater detail in the Remedial Investigation (RI) and Feasibility Study (FS) Reports and other docmnents contained in fhe Administrative Record file for this Site. RDU Airport proper (i.e., terminals) is located approximately 2 miles south of the Site, with airport runways located less than 1 mile south. The Ward Transformer facility is owned by Ward Transformer Company, Inc. The facility was built on approximately 11 acres of previously undeveloped land in 1964 and electrical transformers were built, repaired, sold, and reconditioned at the Site until around 2005. As a result of Ward's operations, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were released into the environment. An EPA-lead phased remedial investigation was conducted fi-om April 2003 to April 2007. As part ofthe investigation, soil, sediment, surface water, groundwater, and fish samples were collected. The investigation covered the facility property and sunounding properties, together with more than 30 miles of waterways including unnamed tributaries to Little Brier Creek (Reach A, B and C), Little Brier Creek (Reach D), Brier Greek Reservoir, Brier Creek, Lake Crabtree and some tributaries, Crabtree Creek and some tributaries, and a 0.5 mile segment ofthe Neuse River (See attached figure 1-5). EPA and the NC DENR encourage the public to review these documents to g£iin a more comprehensive understanding ofthe Site and In September 2005, EPA signed an Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent with a group of potentially responsible parties (PRPs) to implement a Superfiind activities that have been conducted removal action. The removal action is at the Site. SITE BACKGROUND The Ward Transformer Site is located along Mount Herman Road, in a predominantly industrial area of northwestern Raleigh, Wake County, NC. The Ward Transformer facility is located 600 feet (ft) south-southeast ofthe Northem Wake Expressway/Interstate-540 (I540), 1,000 ft southwest of US highway 70, and is adjacent to property owned by the Raleigh-Durham Intemational (RDU) Airport. 'Kj underway and includes contaminated soil/sediment removal at the Ward Transformer facility and some immediate surrounding areas, including Reach A. Operable Unit 1, the subject ofthis proposed plan, iricludes Reaches B, C and D; Brier Creek Reservoir; Brier Creek; Lake Crabtree; and Crabtree Creek. These areas are all downgradientfi-omReach A and the facility. o Community Relation Activities The Ward Transfonner Superfund Site was included on the National Priorities List (NPL) or Superfund list in April 2003. EPA has conducted community relations activities to inform and involve the community about site activities. Commumty relations activities conducted include mailing information fact sheets and e-mails, press releases, availability sessions, sampling plans development meeting, presentations and public meetings. The following is a summary of community meetings conducted in Raleigh: Length of Reach (miles) Surface Water Body Unnamed Tributary to Little Brier Reach B Creek Reach C 0.3 Little Brier Creek proper 0.8 Reach D Brier Creek Reservoir 0.4 • 1.7 KJ Samphng Plan Development meeting Public Availability Session Public Meeting Public Availability Session January 19, 2006 June 21,2006 March 17, 2007 For the purpose ofthis Proposed Plan, the study area begins with Reach B. Reach A and the Ward facility are being addressed under a removal action and, as a result, these areas are not discussed in this Proposed Plan. L ; Lake Crabtree Tributaries include Stirmp Iron Creek, Upper Crabtree Creek, Black Creek, and Haleys Branch 1.5 Crabtree Creek (entire watershed) Tributaries include Reedy Creek, Sycamore Creek, Turkey Creek, Haresnipe Creek, Richland Creek, Mine Creek, Beaverdam Creek, Big Branch, Pigeon House, and Marsh Creek 21.5 0.5 October 27, 2005 Study Area Characteristics The Study Area included: 1.8 Neuse River Date Event Remedial Investigation March 13, 2003 (RI) " Kick-off' Public meeting November 16,2004 RI findings meeting Task Force Presentation August 4, 2005 Brier Creek Summary of RI Findings An EPA-lead Remedial Investigation (RI) was conductedfi-omApril 2003 to April 2007. As part ofthe investigation, soil, sediment, surface water, grotmdwater, and fish samples were collected. The following is a summary ofthe findings of the investigation for OUl. For more specific details, please refer to the Remedial Investigation report located in the information repository. Sediments/Soil PCBs were detected above the 1 mg/kg level in at least one sediment sample collected from Reaches B, C and D. Sediment samples collected downgradient fi'om each of Reach D did not exceed 1 mg/kg. The following list summarizes the sediment results for PCB analyses for Reach B and areas downgradient: KJ Location Number of Samples Reach B Reach C Reach D Brier Creek Reservoir Brier Creek Lake Crabtree 20 18 13 Max PCB Aroclor concentration mg/kg 3.0 2.6 4.2 6 2 0.31 0.28 20 13 0.48 Not detected 1 Not detected Crabtree Creek Neuse River Soil samples collected downgradient from Reach A did not exceeded 1 mg/kg. recommends that fish should not be consumed. The Lake Crabtree advisory recommends that catfish and carp should not be eaten and that no more than one meal per month of other fish species should be eaten. The advisory for Crabtree Creek recommends that consumption of carp, catfish, and largemouth bass be limited to no more than one meal per month. Fish tissue datafi-omCrabtree Creek shows PCBs in fish below Lake Crabtree. Although the sediment samplesfi-omCrabtree Creek did not contain detectable concentrations of PCBs, their presence in fish samples indicates uptake and bioaccumulation of PCBs via the food chain. Fish Tissue EPA, the State of North Carolina, and Wake County have posted signs for the areas subjected to the fish advisories. Whole body fish samples were collected and analyzed to assess ecological risks, and fish filet tissue samples were prepared and analyzed to assess human health risks; Lake Crabtree Soil and Surface Water Samples The following are fish action levels recommerfded by the State of North Carolina: Soil samples were collected at recreational areas around Lake Crabtree and at the Cedar Fork athletic fields. No PCBs were detected in any ofthe samples collected. PCB concentration <0.05 mg/kg NC Recommendation Unlimited consumption Surface water samples were collected at Lake Crabtree. No PCBs were detected in any ofthe 0.05-0.10 mg/kg 0.10-0.50 mg/kg One meal per week. samples collected. >0.5 One meal per month Do not eat Based on the analytical results ofthe fish tissue samples and the above-mentioned action levels, the State of North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services issued fish consumption advisories for Little Brier Creek (downstream of Brier Creek Parkway), Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree, and Crabtree Creek. The Little Brier Creek and Brier Creek Reservoir fish consumption advisory ^ SCOPE AND ROLE OF REPONSE ACTION The Ward Transformer Site has been divided in two areas for remediation purposes: Operable Unit l(OUl) - This operable unit is the subject ofthis Proposed Plan. It includes the following areas downgradientfi-omthe Ward Transformer facility: Reaches B, C and ^ ^ ' ^ n^^ D; Brier Creek Reservoir; Brier Creek; Lake Crabtree; and Lower Crabtree Creek. specific details, please refer to the risk assessments included in the Remedial Investigation report located in the information Removal Action Area - the area imdergoing the repository. removail action includes the Ward Transforraer Facility and immediate surrounding areas Human Health Risk Assessment including Reach A. Based on the results ofthe human health risk Operable Unit 2 (OU2) - OU2 will include the assessment, the main risks associated with final remedy for the areas subjected to the on- containinants at the Operable Unit 1 study area going removal action, and any groimdwater are due to human consumption of contaminated fish; and the potential exposure issues. to sediments with PCB concentirations above 1 REMEDLU. ACTION OBJECHVES FOR mg/kg. OUl Ecological Risk Assessment The Remedial Action Objectives for OUl Based on the results of the ecological risk include: assessment, the main risk associated with Eliminate or minimize any potential risks to contaminants at the Operable Unit 1 study area human health or the environment due to is due to ecological receptor exposure to consumption of contaminated fish from contaminated fish. Brier Creek, Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree, and Lower Crabtree Creek, by REMEDIAL ALTERNATIVES reducing PCB concentrations in fish to The following Remedial Altematives were regulatory pr risk-based levels. developed and documented in the Feasibility Eliminate or minimize any potential risks to Study for the Site. human health or the environment due to direct contact -with contaminated sediments Alternative 1 - No Action in Reaches B, C, and D, and lower Brier Creek by reducing PCB concentrations in • Assumes no action to be taken. sediments to regulatory or risk-based levels. • Conduct five-year reviews. Minimize any potential do-wnstream migration ofPCB-contaminated sediments: The No Action altemative is evaluated as required by law to serve as a baseline for other altematives. Under the No Action altemative. no remedial actions would be implemented at the Site. The existing site conditions would continue to remain in place without any active remediation technologies or institutional controls. Risks posed by PCBs under hypothetical future scenarios would likely remain for an extended period of time. Any SUMMARY OF RISKS ASSESSMENTS Risk assessments were conducted to determine the potential risk of any current and fiiture exposure of human and ecological receptors to contaminants. Provided below are the main conclusions ofthe risk assessments. For more t ^ f^ 5 w contaminant reduction would be due to naturally occurring processes. Although the State of North Carolina has already issued fish consumption advisories and EPA, the State of North Carolina and Wake County have fish consumption signs ahready in place, for the purpose ofthis evaluation, it is assumed that the fish advisories and signs are not part ofthe No Action alternative. The No Action alternative would only include a review ofthe remedy every 5 years for 30 years (five year reviews). Altemative 2 - Institutional Controls • Continue existing North Carolina fish consumption advisories and signs. • Conduct educational and community outreach programs. • Conduct five-year reviews. Under this altemative. North Carolina fish consumption advisories and signs would continue to remain in effect. Additionally, community outreach and public educational programs would also be conducted to inform the public of the fish consumption advisories and signs. The continued implementation of fish advisories and signs would reduce the potential risks to humans through'fish consumption. Fish advisories and signs would remain in place until such time as the PCB concentrations in aquatic biota decline to less than 0.05 mg/kg. Because this altemative does not include any monitoring of PCB levels, attainment of these levels will not be known. Five-year reviews will also be conducted as required by CERCLA. Alternative 3 - Monitored Natural Recovery (MNR) and Institutional Controls • Continue existing North Carolina fish consumption advisories and signs. • Conduct educational and community outreach programs. • MNR; periodic monitoring of sediments and aquatic biota. • Conduct five-year reviews. MNR is a remedy for contaminated media that typically uses a wide range of ongoing naturally occurring processes to contain, destroy, or reduce the bioavailability or toxicity of contaminants in inedia, thereby reducing any potential risk to human and/or ecological receptors. MNR is especially suitable for a Site such as this where the main source of containination will be removed (Ongoing Removal Action at Reach A and the Ward Transformer facility). Current levels of PCBs in sediment samples within OUl are low enough that continued burial, dispersion, and mixing-in-place of sediments alone would reduce the PCB concentrations significantly even without the destmction or transformation of PCBs. MNR would involve the periodic monitoring of sediments which would enable assessment of variations in PCB concentrations in sediments over time. In addition, monitoring of aquatic biota (fish sampling) would support decisions for continuance and/or justify modifications to existing North Carolina fish consumption advisories and signs. Like Altemative 2, Altemative 3 includes the continuance ofthe North Carolina fish consumption advisory and signs, the educational and community outreach programs, and the 5 year reviews. Altemative 4 - Excavation and Off-Site Disposal of Sediments in Reaches B, C, D, KJ ^ • and Lower Brier Creek; MNR in Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree and Lower Crabtree Creek; and Institutional Controls • Continue existing North Carolina fish consumption advisories and signs. • Conduct educational and community outreach programs. • Conduct pre-excavation sampling and endangered mussel study. • Excavate sediments in Reaches B, C, D and lower Brier Creek, and transport sediments off-site for appropriate disposal. • Site and stream restoration. • MNR; periodic monitoring of sediments and aquatic biota. • Conduct Five-year review. l J ^ ^ and community outreach programs, and the 5 year reviews. Altemative 5 - Excavation of Sediments in Reaches B, C, D, and Lower Brier Creek; Excavation/Dredging of Sediments in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree; OffSite Disposal of Sediments; MNR in Lower Crabtree Creek and Institutional Controls • Continue existing North Carolina fish consumption advisories and signs. • Conduct educational and commiinity outreach programs. • Conduct pre-excavation sampling and endangered mussel study. • Excavate sediments in Reaches B, C, D, and lower Brier Creek, and transport sedinients off-site for appropriate disposal. • Dredge or excavate sediments in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree, and transport sediments off-site for appropriate disposal. • Site and stream restoration • MNR; periodic monitoring of sediments and aquatic biota. , • Conduct Five-year review. Under this altemative, a pre-excavation sediment sampling program will be implemented. This sampling program will be conducted to more accurately define the limits of excavation areas in Reaches B, C,D, and lower Brier Creek. A mussel survey will also be conducted to determine if threatened/endangered mussel species are present in the areas selected for excavation. Like Altemative 4, Altemative 5 includes excavation of sediments from Reaches B, C, D, and lower Brier Creek, periodic monitoring of sediments and aquatic biota (fish sampling) Based on the results ofthe pre-excavation sampling program, sediments with PCB associated with MNR, the continuance ofthe concentrations above 1 mg/kg will be excavatedfiromReaches B, C, D, and lower Brier Creek. Sediments will be disposed offsite in an appropriate landfill. Stiream restoration would be performed once the contaminated sediments are removed. North Carolina fish consumption advisory and signs, educational ahd community outreach programs, and the 5 year reviews. In additiori, sediments in the Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree will be dredged or excavated and transported off-site for disposal. The choic.e of dredging or excavation Like Altemative 3, Altemative 4 includes periodic monitoring of sediments and aquatic technologies to be implemented in the Lake biota (fish sampling) associated with MNR, the and the Reservoir will be detemiined in the remedial design phase. continuance ofthe North Carolina fish consumptiori advisory and signs, educational ^ ^ • . 7 w PCB levels detected in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree are already in the low parf per million (ppm) ranges. Therefore, for the purpose ofthis altemative, it is it is assumed that all ofthe sediments in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree would have to be removed to ensure that the availability of very low PCB levels is completely eliminated for ecological receptors. State Acceptance Community Acceptance Overall Protection of Human Health and the Environment determines whether an altemative eliminates, reduces, or controls threats to public health.and the environment through institutional controls, engineering controls, or treatment. Excavated/dredged areas will be restored once the sediments are removed. Altemative 1 would not be protective of human health or the environment because there are no actions associated with this altemative. COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES KJ The altematives were compared to one another using various criteria and guidelines. The comparative analysis considered potential positive, negative, or neutral aspects ofthe various altematives. EPA has also developed factors or principles specifically for sediment sites such as this Site. Consideration of these principles and more specific details about the nine criteria evaluation can be found in the Feasibility 5tudy (FS) report located in the information repository. The nine evaluation criteria are discussed below. Altemative 2 and 3 will be more protective than Altemative 1 because ofthe fish advisories and signs, and the educational and community outreach programs to inform the public about the fish consumption advisories and the risks of consuming PCB-contaminated fish. Altematives 1 and 2 may eventually achieve clean up goals, but without monitoring, it would not be possible to detennine when those goals are reached. Altemative 3 may also eventually achieve clean up goals, and the monitoring program will document achievement. Evaluation Criteria for Superfund Remedial Altematives Overall Protectiveness of Human Health and the Environment Altematives 4 and 5 are more protective ofthe human health and the environment than Altemative 3, because these altematives remove contaminated sediments with concentrations above 1 mg/kg from Reaches B, C, D, and lower Brier Creek, therefore limiting any potential exposure to sediments above this level. Modeling results show that excavating sediments with PCB concentrations above 1 mg/kg from Reaches B, C, D, and lower Brier Creek will accelerate the natural recovery processes in sediments at Brier Creek Compliance with ARARs Long-term Effectiveness and Permanence Reduction of Toxicity, Mobility, or Volume of Contaminants through Treatment Short-term Effectiveness Implementability Cost W 8 KJ Reservoir and Lake Crabtree. Therefore, in Altemative 4, PCB levels in sediments in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree would gradually decrease through natural processes at a much faster pace than in Altemative 3. As a result, PCB concentrations in fish would also gradually decrease to levels below the threshold for fish consumption advisories and signs. In addition to sediment removal from the streams, Altemative 5 would also remove sediments in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtiee. As a result, the time required to achieve acceptable fish tissue PCB concentrations after completion activities may be less than the timeframe required in Altemative 4. However, due to the complexity of Altemative 5, the total time required for planning, design and implementation ofthis altemative would be considerable greater than Altemative 4. With regards to protection ofthe environment, Altemative 3 may take a long time to achieve clean up goals. Altematives 4 and 5 will achieve clean up goals in a shorter period of time than Altemative 3, but \yould destroy/disturb the habitat and aquatic biota in segments ofthe remediated streams. Therefore, the benefits of removing sediments must be weighed against the disruption or destruction of aquatic and biota habitats in and around the streams. In addition, the large-scale excavation/dredging operations in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree in Alternative 5 will disturb or destroy benthic and other aquatic biota and habitats in the reservoir and the lake. The dredging/excavation activities of Altemative 5 could also adversely impact threatened bald eagles within the reservoir and lake areas for foraging and breeding. Thus, for W Altemative 5, the benefits of removing sediments from the reservoir and the lake must be weighed against the dismption or destmction of aquatic and avian biota and habitats during excavation/dredging. Compliance with ARARs evaluates whether the altemative meets Federal and State environmental statutes, regulations, and other requirements that pertain to the site. (ARARs = Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements) Chemical-specific ARARs may not be met in Alternatives 1 and 2. Because monitoring is not included as part of these altematives, achieving cleanup goals would be unknown. In Altemative 3, the chemical-specific ARAR of 1 mg/kg for PCBs may be met ih the longteim for sediments in Reaches B, C, D, and lower Brier Creek through natural recovery processes. In Altematives 4 and 5, chemicalspecific ARARs of 1 mg/kg for sediments in Reaches B, C, D and lower Brier Creek will be met after excavation activities are completed. Action-specific ARARs are not relevant for Altematives 1, 2, and 3 because there are no active remedial actions associated with these altematives. In Altematives 4 and 5, all applicable action-specific ARARs would be met during the remedial actions. Measures will be taken to minimize any dust during excavation activities. In addition, for Altemative 5, any NPDES permit requirements will be met, if water from dewatering operations requires treatment prior to being discharged. Location-specific ARARs are not relevant for Altematives 1, 2, and 3 because there are no active remedial actions associated with these altematives. In Altematives 4 and 5, applicable K^ location-specific ARARs would be met. Precautions will be taken to minimize any impact on identified local endangered and threatened species. Also, activities will be conducted in accordance with the laws and regulations associated with floodplain management, protection of wetiands, preservation of historic and archaeological landmarks (Umstead Park), constmction, and erosion and sediment control. Long-term Effectiveness and Permanence considers the ability ofan altemative to maintain protection of human health and the environment over time. W Altemative 1 does not offer protection to human health or the environment in the short or long-term basis. In Alternatives 2, 3, 4 and 5, potential risks associated with fish consumption are expected to be lower because ofthe fish consumption advisories and signs. Due to the absence of monitoring programs in Altematives 1 and 2, the long-term reduction of risks would not be known. Also, without monitoring, the continuing need for Instimtional Controls in Altemative 2 could not be evaluated. In Altemative 3, risks to humans and the environment are expected to gradually decrease over time with the reduction of PCB concenti-ations in sediinent through natural processes and will be documented by a long term monitoring program. PCB concenfrations in fish are expected to decline with the decrease of PCB concentrations in sediment. In Altematives 4 and 5, the removal of sediments to levels below 1 mg/kg PCB from Reaches B, C, D, and lower Brier Creek will reduce any potential risks associated with sediment exposure. In Altemative 4, once the Kj sediments with PCB concentrations above 1 mg/kg are removed from these areas, the natural recovery process of Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabfree, and beyond would speed up. In addition to sediment removal from the sfreams, Altemative 5 would also remove sediments in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabfree. As a result, the time required to achieve acceptable fish tissue PCB concentrations after completion activities may be less than the timeframe required in Altemative 4. However, due to the complexity of Altemative 5, the total time required for planning, design and implementation ofthis altemative would be considerable greater than Altemative 4 In Alternative 5, if dredging is used, due to technology limitations, some dredging residuals levels will remain in the reservoir and lake, including low levels of PCB contamination in the biologically active sediment zone. PCBs in dredging residuals could impact fish concenfrations in the reservoir and lake for many years after completion ofthe dredging operations. In addition, the large-scale excavation/dredging operations in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree in Altemative 5 wiU disturb or destroy benthic and other aquatic biota and habitats in the reservofr and the lake. The dredging/excavation activities of Altemative 5 could adversely impact threatened bald eagles within the reservoir and lake areas for foraging and breeding. Over the long term, re-establishments of these habitats may be difficult: Reduction of Toxicity, Mobility, or Volume of Contaminants through Treatment evaluates an alternative's use of treatment to 10 KJ reduce the harmfiil effects of principal contaminants, their ability to move in the environment, and the amount of containination present. EPA will use treatment to address site contaminants wherever practicable; however, because ofthe relatively low levels of PCBs in the sediments, treatment is not proposed for any ofthe altematives. Therefore the statutory preference for treatment is not met. Short-term Effectiveness considers the length of time needed to implement an altemative and the risks the alternative poses to workers, residents, and the environment during implementation. W Altematives 1, 2, and 3 do not involve any active remedial action; therefore, they would not pose any additional risks to the community or workers during implementation, nor would they result in any adverse envfronmental impacts. In Altemative 3, under current conditions (assuming that the Removal Action at the Ward Transformer facility and Reach A is completed before commencement of OUl activities), modeling indicates that PCB concenfrations in sediments at Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree may take more than 30 years to decline to levels that correspond to acceptable PCB levels in fish. In Altematives 4 and 5, the potential for additional risks to the community may exist due to dust and excessive noise from the constiruction of access roads, constmction equipment, and vehicular fraffic to the off-site disposal facility. Risks to the community will be minimized by establishing buffer zones around the work areas, limiting work hours, and using dust-suppressing techniques. Risks \J to the envfronment may include clearing of vegetation and trees for access roads and excavation/dredging equipment. Measures will be taken to minimize the impact on the envfronment by avoiding the wetlands and floodplain areas to the extent possible. There will be adverse impacts to the sfream and lake habitats due to the sediment removal activities, especially for benthic and other aquatic organisms. Many of these organisms maybe disturbed or desfroyed during the excavation/dredging activities. The presence or absence of threatened or endangered mussel species iieeds to be established prior to commencing intmsive activities. If threatened or endangered mussel species are identified, additional safeguards will need to be put into place to protect these species. In addition, the potential for adverse impacts to threatened bald eagles utilizing areas within OUl as foraging and breeding habitat exists and precautions would be requfred to minimize these potential impacts. Due to the larger extent and complexity of excavation/dredging activities associated with Alternative 5, all the abovementioned impacts will be much greater for Altemative 5 than Altemative 4. In Altemative 4, the estimated time reqmred to complete the remediation work is 3 to 5 months. The estimated time requfred to attain acceptable PCB concentrations in fish tissue at the Brier Creek Reservoir is approximately 14 years. The time requfred to attain acceptable PCB concentrations in fish tissue at Lake Crabfree is approximately 9 years. Due to the complexity of Altemative 5, it is estimated that planning, design and implementation'of this altemative would requfre a considerable greater amount of time than Altemative 4. In addition, it is estimated that any dredging activities associated with Altemative 5 would take at least 3 years to 11 KJ complete after all design and planning documents are completed. In Altemative 5, the estimated time required to attain acceptable PCB concenfrations in fish tissue at the Brier Creek Reservoir is approximately 12 years after the completion of excavation/dredging. The time required to attain acceptable PCB concentrations in fish tissue at Lake Crabfree is expected to be 8 years. Therefore, between Alternatives 4 and 5, removing a larger amount of sediments int Altemative 5 does not necessarily correspond to a shorter amount of time to achieve clean up goals than in Altemative 4. W Implementability considers the technical and administrative feasibility of implementing the altemative, including factors such as the relative availability of goods and services. Altematives 1, 2, and 3 can be easily implemented because there is no constmction, involved. Altematives 1 arid 2 can be easily implemented because there are no monitoring activities. In Altematives 2, 3, 4 arid 5, the North Carolina fish consumption advisories and signs are afready in place. In Altematives 3, 4 and 5 reduction in PCB concentrations in sediment and fish will be determined through the periodic monitoring program, which can be easily implemented. Altemative 4 is technically feasible to implement. Confractors are readily available for constmction of access roads, excavation, and off-site disposal. Coordination with other agencies and obtaining approvals and permit equivalencies for excavation, fransport of excavated materials, etc. will be requfred. KJ The implementation of Altemative 5 is much more complex and difficult than Altemative 4, and it will requfre much more time. In addition to all the components that are included in Altemative 4, excavation/dredging of sediments at Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabfree is included in Altemative 5. Dredging is a specialized technology, which requfres advanced planning, selection ofthe proper dredging method, and detailed remedial design. Dewatering and treatment of water are also significant design and cost components of the dredging altemative. During the implementation of Altematives 4 and 5 a pre-remediation mussel study will be conducted to determine ifthe endangered/threatened species exists in the sfreams to be excavated. Consultation with the respective federd and state agencies will be required prior to the commencement ofthe excavation activities. Some portions of OUl consist of wetiands and floodplains. Coordination with federal agencies will be requfred to ensure that the impact on these areas will be minimal. Threatened bald eagles nest at the Lake Crabtree and forage at Lake Crabtree and Brier Creek Reservofr. State endangered/threatened mussel species have been reported in the nearby Umstead State Park, which is part of the Crabtree Creek watershed. The Crabfree Creek Recreational Demonstration Area (Umstead State Park) is a historical site listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Precautionary measures will be taken to minimize harm to historic property to the extent practicable during remedial actions conducted in this area and in the vicinity. Consultation with federal and state historic and archeological agencies will be 12 w necessary before initiating any activities in the vicinity ofthis area. Costs include estimated capital and aimual operations and maintenance (0«feM) costs, as well as present worth cost. Present worth cost is the total cost ofan altemative over time in terms of today's dollar value. There are no capital costs associated with Altemative 1. However, 5-year reviews will be conducted, as requfred by CERCLA. For costing purposes, it is assumed that 5-year reviews would be conducted for 30 years. ^ For Altematives 4 and 5, the MNR monitoring costs were included for only 15 years, because it is expected that the clean up levels would be met in less than 15 years. The present-worth costs for the remedial alternatives are summarized below: Altemative 1:$ 332,000 Altemative 2: $ 476,000 Altemative 3: $ 2,247,000 Altemative 4: $ 4,989,000 Altemative 5: $ 540,982,000 Altemative 5 would be extremely expensive, For Altemative 2, in addition to the 5-year considering the large volume of sediments to review, yearly operation and maintenance costs be removed. According to modeling results, for community outreach and educational the time difference in achieving the clean up programs are included for 30 years. For levels associated with fish consumption in Altemative 3, all the costs in Altemative 2 plus Altemative 4 and 5 is only a few years. But yearly MNR monitoring costs are included for due to the complexity of Altemative 5, it is 30 years. estimated that planning, design and implementation ofthis altemative would require a considerably greater amount of time Altemative 4 includes the same costs than Altemative 4. Therefore, removing a associated with Altemative 3 plus the capital larger amount of sediments does not costs associated with excavation and off-site disposal bf sediment from Reaches B, C, D, necessarily correspond to a shorter amount of and lower Brier Creek (because remedial time to achieve clean up goals. Based on the actions would last for less than 6 months, there foregoing, it would be far more cost-effective are no recurring costs associated with this to consider Altemative 4 over Altemative 5. altemative). Capital costs of remediation include pre-remediation sampling, S t a t e / S u p p o r t Agency Acceptance considers mobilization/demobilization, constmction of access roads, temporary staging areas, excavation, off-site transport and disposal, and site restoration. whether the State agrees with the EPA's analyses and recommendations, as described in the RI/FS and Proposed Plan. The Waste Management Division and the NCDENR (North Carolina Deparhnent of Environment and Natural Resources) agree with the preferred altemative. Community Acceptance Community acceptance ofthe preferred altemative will be evaluated after the public cominent period and will be described in the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Site. For Altemative 5, in addition to the costs associated with Altemative 4, dredging and off-site disposal of sediments in Brier Creek Reservoir and Lake Crabtree are included. There are additional components related to dredging operations, for example, dewatering and effluent treatment. KJ 13 KJ SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE The preferred altemative is Altemative 4: Excavation and Off-Site Disposal of Sediments in Reaches B, C, and D, and Lower Brier Creek; Monitored Natural Recovery (MNR) iri Brier Creek Reservofr, Lake Crabtree and Lower Crabfree Creek; and Institutional Confrols. The preferred altemative includes: • • • • • • • KJ Continue existing North Carolina fish consumption advisories and signs. Conduct educational and community oufreach programs. Conduct pre-excavation sampling and endangered mussel study. Excavate sediments in Reaches B, C, and D and lower Brier Creek, and transport sediments off-site for appropriate disposal. Site and stream restoration. MNR - Periodic monitoring of sediments and aquatic biota in the Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabfree, and Lower Crabtree Creek. Conduct Five-year review. Based on the information available at this time, EPA and the NC DENR believe the preferred altemative provides the best balance of tradeoffs ofall the altematives with respect to the balancing and modifying criteria. EPA expects the preferred altemative to satisfy the statutory requfrements ofCERCLA § 121(b), which include that the altemative would be protective of human health and the environment, would comply with ARARs, would be cost-effective, and would utilize permanent solutions. The preferred altemative can change in response to public comment or new information. EPA provides information regarding the cleanup ofthe Ward Transformer Site to the public through Emails, Fact Sheets, public meetings, and the Administrative Record file for the Site. EPA and the State encourage the public to gain a more comprehensive understanding ofthe Site and the Superfiind activities that have been conducted at the Site. Information regarding the public comment period, public meeting and the locations ofthe Administrative Record files, are provided on the front page ofthis Proposed Plan. For further information on the Ward Transformer Site, please contact: Luis E. Flores, Remedial Project Manager (404) 562-8807 or E-mail: flores.luis@epa.gov Or Angela Miller, Community Involvement Coordinator (404) 562-8561 or E-mail: miller.angela(^epa.gov USEPA 61 Forsyth Sti-eet, SW Atlanta, GA 30303-8960 W 14 KJ USE THIS SPACE TO WRITE YOUR COMMENTS Your input on this Proposed Plan for the Ward Transformer Site OUl is important to EPA. Comments provided by the public are valuable in helping EPA select a final cleanup remedy for the Site. You may use the space below to write your comments. Comments must be postmarked by September 4, 2007. If you have any questions about the comment period, please contact Luis E. Flores at (404) 562-8807. Those with elecfronic communication capabilities may submit their comments to EPA via the intemet to flores.luis(^epa.gov. Comments may also be mailed to: Luis E. Flores Superfiind Division-SRSEB US Envfronmental Protection Agency 61 Forsyth Sfreet, SW Atianta, GA 30303 KJ ^ 15 " ^ SJ KJ k "-^...i. ^"^^•""^i \ 7 • .'^ (iV JJJ;:''\ ^"^i V" c-- i i ' - • '-'• A '--1 .. - f ^^ --^-:-" ; ^.-, - ^ ' ., ^ ' 7 1 ^ ^ . / . •• . ^ , ^ ~'•^^• 1/^ '- .y ra raS in ra o u c .c — -c '^ f§ II ra Q: E D M < < OT K Ui IU (K a H OT |2 a: lO t u *, i I 15 ^ I i i D 01 < cn O o a . (/] S •J • = S £ ri s o CJ ]p:-.-.'p.-.:^.^i.f.m.:-.ZL-.:-.. - ii^^Ei^^^? :;:ijVx:;i';::::.S:i::',p.;^:;:',:*:::;-4:'.i u C o ..r 1" IU CO to z _^ .0 I/) s 1) 0 IU LO _cu ID 2^ re (U IU CO (U CO ^~ t/5 C IU 3 2£ C/^ IU OJ u Z gj CO cn — V) CO o ci W t/5 in CD In *- c 0 re COi C O O r-1 IU C 5 -a u CO C 0. p •" 4) •^ O a. <" c^ o "3 = o O — — cc ^ >, u 00 ir. 0 O LO CO IU IU u •..;: .s .3 CL — IT. 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IU ro •a re LL. ro > •5 c o 4-> •— ^ 4J re rr U o CO . 1 : _ _ •— rv3 "1= C ^ O — « "* ••5 . « _ re U LU < ei £ Meet Avail 3 u i?5 re ;i o y j ' ' ' " Z •^ a. c _re 1' re 2 U -a IU crt 0 0 (U D CO cn >^^ -I = O CS o .11 la "to tc < C Q> O Issue 1 KJ ^ W Diaio Contact and Dialog »J IJ ^ c; ^ 0 > = o a. c= 00 o T.. 1> '-J "-^ . — ~ IU — •^ 1 -^ - < '^ -rz CJ IT, 3 _ Ci ^ JZ, CL Ll. 0 >^ u •- — - 0 F 0 U LO ^ ' -./ . = • — -^ OJ = tj 5 J What is a Remedial Investigation? A Remedial. Investigation (Rl) is an intensive study of a Supertund site. It is carried out by an EPA team of health and •environmental specialists such as hydrogeologists, engineers, and biologists to determine the exact nature of the hazardous wastes, the nature of threat, if any, that may be posed to human health or the environment, and Ihe extent of any contamination present at a site. Typically, the Rl report will describe the type and extent of on-site and off-site contamination, effects of contamination on surface water and groundwater, and the degree of contamination in the soil. To achieve these findings, EPA personnel or the Potenfially Responsible Party (PRP) contractor, supervised by EPA, will take numerous samples of the soil, stream sediment, and surtaee water at various locations at the site. In addition, monitoring wells will be installed to sample groundwater, and where necessary an ecological study will be conducted. These samples are sent to laboratories to be analyzed for various contaminants, i.e., metals, minerals, organics, inorganics, etc.. Sampling data also will be used to determine whether or not the contaminants are moving from the site, where they might go, and what sensitive areas may be affected. Based on this information, a Risk Assessment is conducted to estimate the potential impact of the contaminants on human health and the environment. All of the data gathered through this investigation is compiled into an Rl report. EPA determines from this report what the contaminants of concern at a siteare and how they will be addressed. What Is a Feasibility Study? The Feasibility Study (FS) is the portion of the process where EPA environmental engineers and other technical staff consider, describe, and evaluate options for cleaning up the site based on the Rl information. KJ As required by the Superfund program, the possible treatment options under consideration need to meet nine specific criteria in order to be acceptable. These criteria are: Overall protection of human heallh and the environment; adequate elimination, reduction or control of all current and likely potential risks posed by the site. Compliance with applicable and/or relevant Federal or State public health or environmental standards, unless a waiver is warranted where protection is ensured. Long-term effectiveness and permanence of the remedy. Reduction of the toxicity (harmfulness), mobility (potential to move), or volume of hazardous substances or contaminants. Short-term effectiveness, or the Impacts a remedy might have on the community, workers, or the environment during the course of implementing it. implementability, the capability to carry out the remedy selected. Cost-.effectiveness, considering the cost of construction, operatioh, and maintenance of it over the life of the project. Including remedial costs should the remedy fail. Acceptance by the Stale. Acceptance by the community. \^#/ -. , The nine criteria for selecting an alternative will vary in importance depending upon site-specific conditions. Appendix G Statement of Work STATEMENT OF WORK FOR THE REMEDIAL DESIGN AND REMEDIAL ACTION FOR OPERABLE UNIT 1 AT THE WARD TRANSFORMER SUPERFUND SITE I. INTRODUCTION This Statement of Work (SOW) outlines the remaining work to be performed for Operable Unit 1 (OU-1) of the remedy at the Ward Transformer Superfund Site in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina (Site). The work outlined is intended to complete the full implementation of the remedy as described in the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Site, dated September 29, 2008, and to achieve the Performance Standards set forth in the ROD and this SOW. The requirements of this SOW will be further detailed in work plans and other documents to be submitted for approval as set forth in this SOW. It is not the intent of this document to provide task specific engineering or geological guidance. The definitions set forth in Section IV of the Consent Decree (CD) shall also apply to this SOW unless expressly provided otherwise herein. The OU-1 work completed to date was performed from 2011-2016 by a group of parties that are Settling Defendants under the CD. This work included completion of the Remedial Design Work Plan, Phase I Pre-Design Investigation Work Plan; Phase II Pre-Design Investigation Work Plan, Phase II Pre-Design Investigation Initial Sampling Report, and Delineation Refinement Sampling Plan. The sampling results from these activities will provide the basis of the Remedial Design to be completed under this SOW. Pursuant to the CD, the Performing Settling Defendants (PSDs) are responsible for performing the remaining work to implement the selected remedy. EPA shall conduct oversight of PSDs’ activities throughout the performance of the Work. PSDs shall assist EPA in conducting oversight activities. EPA review or approval of a task or deliverable shall not be construed as a guarantee as to the adequacy of such task or deliverable. If EPA modifies a deliverable pursuant to Paragraph 13 of the CD, such deliverable as modified shall be deemed approved by EPA for purposes of this SOW. A summary of the major deliverables to be submitted for the Work is attached. II. OVERVIEW OF THE REMEDY The Remedial Action Objectives (RAO) are to: Minimize potential downstream migration of PCB-contaminated soil and sediment. Reduce PCB levels in fish tissue to levels that allow for unlimited consumption. III. SELECTED REMEDY The remedy includes: Excavate sediment/soil from Reaches B, C, D, and lower Brier Creek, and transport sediment/soil off-site for appropriate disposal. Restore site and stream to pre-remediation conditions. Implement Monitored Natural Recovery (MNR) in Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree and Lower Crabtree Creek. Conduct periodic monitoring of sediment and aquatic biota. Implement Institutional Controls. A. Continue or enhance existing North Carolina fish consumption advisories and signs. Conduct Five-year reviews. Components A description of each component is provided below: Continue or enhance existing fish consumption advisories and signs. Fish consumption advisories and signs would continue to be in place until PCB concentrations in fish are below the remediation goal (0.05 mg/kg). This component of the remedy would also include the implementation and posting of additional fish consumption advisories and signs, or any modifications to the existing ones, as needed. The continuance or enhancement of fish advisories and signs would help reduce the potential risks to humans through fish consumption. Excavate sediment/soil from Reaches B, C, D, and lower Brier Creek, and transport sediment/soil off-site for appropriate disposal. Based on the results of the pre-excavation sampling program, sediments and flood plain soil from Reaches B, C, D, and lower Brier Creek will be excavated to PCB levels below 1 mg/kg. Excavated sediments/soil will be transported and properly disposed of off-site. An excavation verification plan will be developed as part of the Remedial Design. Verification samples will be collected to ensure the 1 mg/kg remediation goal is achieved. Prior to the excavation of stream sediments, sections of the stream flow could be blocked off and water could be bypassed through pipes running parallel to the blocked stream section. Major activities associated with this alternative would include stream diversion, construction of access roads to transport equipment and haul excavated material, excavation of sediments/soil, 2 construction of temporary staging areas, transport excavated sediment/soil off-site to be disposed properly, and conduct verification sampling. Precautions would be taken to minimize any impact on identified local endangered and threatened species. Also, activities would be conducted in accordance with the laws and regulations associated with floodplain management, protection of wetlands, preservation of historic and archaeological landmarks, construction, and erosion and sediment control. Restore site and stream to pre-remediation conditions. To the extent feasible, all disturbed areas would be restored to pre-remediation conditions. This includes replenishment and revegetation of areas where sediment and soil was removed, and restoration of areas that were disturbed during remediation activities, including temporary staging areas, and areas cleared for access roads. Implement Monitored Natural Recovery (MNR) in Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree and Lower Crabtree Creek. Monitored Natural Recovery, which allows natural processes to achieve remediation goals would be implemented in Brier Creek Reservoir, Lake Crabtree and Lower Crabtree Creek. MNR is a sediment remedy that uses ongoing naturally occurring processes to contain, destroy, or reduce the bioavailability or toxicity of contaminants in sediment, thereby reducing potential risks to human and/or ecological receptors. Periodic monitoring of sediment would be conducted to assess PCB concentrations in sediment over time. In addition, monitoring of aquatic biota (fish sampling) would be conducted to support future decisions regarding fish consumption advisories. An MNR sampling program would be developed and implemented, in accordance with EPA sediment guidance for evaluating Natural Recovery remedies, to document lines of evidence of natural recovery in sediment. MNR would be conducted until remediation goals are achieved. Conduct periodic monitoring of sediment and aquatic biota. Periodic monitoring of sediment and aquatic biota (fish sampling) would be conducted. A monitoring program would be developed to assess the remedy and support future decisions regarding fish consumption advisories and protection of ecological receptors. Periodic monitoring would be conducted until remediation goals are achieved. Implement Institutional Controls. As appropriate and necessary, Institutional Controls would be implemented to ensure short and long term protection of human health and the environment. Continue or enhance existing fish consumption advisories and signs was identified as an Institutional Control measure appropriate for the Site. Other Institutional Control measures might be identified and implemented. 3 Conduct five-year reviews. Five-year reviews would be conducted to evaluate the implementation and performance of the selected remedy, and in order to determine if the remedy continues to be protective of human health and the environment. Five-year reviews would be conducted as required under CERCLA. B. Performance Standards PSDs shall meet all Performance Standards, as defined in the attached Record of Decision. PSDs shall implement the remedy and all its components until they have demonstrated compliance with the respective Performance Standards, in accordance with the Performance Standards Verification Plan. C. Compliance Testing PSDs shall perform compliance testing to ensure that all Performance Standards are met. The excavations and disposal material shall be tested in accordance with the Performance Standard Verification Plan developed pursuant to Task III of this SOW. IV. A. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Community Involvement Responsibilities 1. EPA has the lead responsibility for developing and implementing community involvement activities at the Site. Previously [during the RI/FS phase], EPA developed a Community Involvement Plan (CIP) for the Site. Pursuant to 40 C.F.R. § 300.435(c), EPA shall review the existing CIP and determine whether it should be revised to describe further public involvement activities during the Work that are not already addressed or provided for in the existing CIP, including, if applicable, any Technical Assistance Grant (TAG), any use of the Technical Assistance Services for Communities (TASC) contract, and/or any Technical Assistance Plan (TAP). 2. If requested by EPA, PSDs shall participate in community involvement activities, including participation in (1) the preparation of information regarding the Work for dissemination to the public, with consideration given to including mass media and/or Internet notification, and (2) public meetings that may be held or sponsored by EPA to explain activities at or relating to the Site. PSDs’ support of EPA’s community involvement activities may include providing online access to initial submissions and updates of deliverables to (1) any Community Advisory Groups, (2) any Technical Assistance Grant recipients and their advisors, and (3) other entities to provide them with a reasonable opportunity for review and comment. EPA may describe in its CIP PSDs’ responsibilities for community involvement activities. All community involvement activities conducted by PSDs at EPA’s request are subject to EPA’s oversight. 4 Upon EPA’s request, PSDs shall establish a community information repository at or near the Site to house one copy of the administrative record. 3. PSDs’ CI Coordinator. If requested by EPA, PSDs shall, within 15 days, designate and notify EPA of PSDs’ Community Involvement Coordinator (PSDs’ CI Coordinator). PSDs may hire a contractor for this purpose. PSDs’ notice must include the name, title, and qualifications of the PSDs’ CI Coordinator. PSDs’ CI Coordinator is responsible for providing support regarding EPA’s community involvement activities, including coordinating with EPA’s CI Coordinator regarding responses to the public’s inquiries about the Site. V. PLANNING AND DELIVERABLES The specific scope of this work shall be documented by PSDs in a Remedial Design (RD) Work Plan and a Remedial Action (RA) Work Plan. Plans, specifications, submittals, and other deliverables shall be subject to EPA review and approval in accordance with Section VI of the CD. PSDs shall submit a technical memorandum documenting any need for additional data along with the proposed Data Quality Objectives (DQOs) whenever such requirements are identified. PSDs are responsible for fulfilling additional data and analysis needs identified by EPA during the RD/RA process consistent with the general scope and objectives of this SOW. PSDs shall perform the following tasks: TASK I - REMEDIAL DESIGN The Remedial Design shall provide the technical details for implementation of the Remedial Action in accordance with currently accepted environmental protection technologies and standard professional engineering and construction practices. The design shall include clear and comprehensive design plans and specifications. A. Remedial Design Planning PSDs shall implement the RD Work Plan approved by EPA in June 2012 in accordance with the design management schedule contained therein. Plans, specifications, submittals, and other deliverables shall be subject to EPA review and approval in accordance with Section VI of the CD. Review and/or approval of design submittals only allow PSDs to proceed to the next step of the design process. It does not imply acceptance of later design submittals that have not been reviewed, nor that the remedy, when constructed, will meet Performance Standards. B. Preliminary Design Preliminary Design shall begin with initial design and shall end with the completion of approximately 30 percent of the design effort. At this stage, PSDs shall field verify, as necessary, the existing conditions of the Site. The technical requirements of the Remedial Action shall be addressed and outlined so that they may be reviewed to determine if the final design will provide 5 an effective remedy. Supporting data and documentation shall be provided with the design documents defining the functional aspects of the project. EPA approval of the Preliminary Design is required before proceeding with further design work, unless specifically authorized by EPA. In accordance with the design management schedule established in the approved Remedial Design Work Plan, PSDs shall submit to EPA the Preliminary Design submittal which shall consist of the following: 1. Results of Data Acquisition Activities Data gathered during the project planning phase shall be compiled, summarized, and submitted along with an analysis of the impact of the results on design activities. In addition, surveys conducted to establish topography, rights-of-way, easements, and utility lines shall be documented. Utility requirements and acquisition of access, through purchases or easements that are necessary to implement the RA shall also be discussed. 2. Design Criteria Report The concepts supporting the technical aspects of the design shall be defined in detail and presented in this report. Specifically, the Design Criteria Report shall include the preliminary design assumptions and parameters, including: Waste characterization Pretreatment requirements Volume of each media requiring treatment Treatment schemes (including all media and by-products) Input/output rates Influent and effluent qualities Materials and equipment Performance Standards Long-term monitoring requirements 3. Preliminary Plans and Specifications PSDs shall submit an outline of the required drawings, including preliminary sketches and layouts, describing conceptual aspects of the design, unit processes, etc. In addition, an outline of the required specifications, including Performance Standards, shall be submitted. Construction drawings shall reflect organization and clarity, and the scope of the technical specifications shall be outlined in a manner reflecting the final specifications. 4. Plan for Satisfying Permitting Requirements All activities must be performed in accordance with the requirements of all applicable federal and state laws and regulations. Any off-site disposal shall be in compliance with Section 121(d)(3) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9621(d)(3), with the U.S. EPA “Off-Site Policy,” 40 CFR § 300.440 (50 Fed. Reg. 49200, September 22, 1993), and with all other applicable Federal, State and local requirements. The plan shall identify the off-site disposal/discharge permits that are 6 required, the time required to process the permit applications, and a schedule for submittal of the permit applications. C. Prefinal/Final Design PSDs shall submit the Prefinal Design when the design work is approximately 90 percent complete in accordance with the approved design management schedule. PSDs shall address comments generated from the Intermediate Design Review and clearly show any modification of the design as a result of incorporation of the comments. Essentially, the Prefinal Design shall function as the draft version of the Final Design. After EPA review and comment on the Prefinal Design, the Final Design shall be submitted along with a memorandum indicating how the Prefinal Design comments were incorporated into the Final Design. All Final Design documents shall be certified by a Professional Engineer registered in the State of North Carolina. EPA written approval of the Final Design is required before initiating the RA, unless specifically authorized by EPA. The following items shall be submitted with or as part of the Prefinal/Final Design: 1. Complete Design Analyses - The selected design shall be presented along with an analysis supporting the design approach. Design calculations shall be included. 2. Final Plans and Specifications - A complete set of construction drawings and specifications shall be submitted which describe the selected design. 3. Final Construction Schedule - PSDs shall submit a final construction schedule to EPA for approval. 4. Construction Cost Estimate - An estimate within +15 percent to -10 percent of actual construction costs shall be submitted. D. Institutional Controls Implementation and Assurance Plan Concurrent with the Pre-Final Design, PSDs shall submit the Institutional Controls Implementation and Assurance Plan (ICIAP). The ICIAP will be a plan to implement the Institutional Controls set forth in the ROD. The ICIAP shall include, but not be limited to: a description of the areas where human activities should be restricted, including legal descriptions for such areas, sample maps, and a plan for preparing final survey maps; a description of the pathways for potential human exposure to Waste Materials that may remain during and/or after completion of construction of the RA; a list of properties where Proprietary Controls are needed; a description of the proposed Institutional Controls and their purpose; a description of the proposed duration of each Institutional Control and an explanation for such duration; a schedule for implementing each Institutional Control; a schedule for completing title work; 7 draft Proprietary Controls enforceable under state law to implement the proposed land/water use restrictions; a description of the authority of each affected property owner to implement each Proprietary Control, including title insurance commitments or other title evidence acceptable to EPA for proposed Proprietary Controls; a description of all prior liens and encumbrances existing on any real property that may affect the Proprietary Controls or the protectiveness of the remedy, and a plan for the release or subordination of any such liens and encumbrances (unless EPA waives the release or subordination of such liens or encumbrances); a plan for monitoring, maintaining, reporting on, and insuring the continued efficacy of the Institutional Controls and a contingency plan in the event ICs are ineffective; and a schedule for annual certifications regarding whether the Institutional Controls remain in place, regarding whether the Institutional Controls have been complied with, and regarding enforcement of the Institutional Controls. The ICIAP will be effective upon EPA’s approval. TASK II - REMEDIAL ACTION Remedial Action shall be performed by PSDs to implement the response actions selected in the ROD. A. Remedial Action Planning Concurrent with the submittal of the Prefinal/Final Design, PSDs shall submit a draft Remedial Action (RA) Work Plan, Project Delivery Strategy, a Construction Management Plan, a Construction Quality Assurance Plan, and a Construction Health and Safety Plan/Contingency Plan. The RA Work Plan, Project Delivery Strategy, Construction Management Plan, and Construction Quality Assurance Plan must be reviewed and approved by EPA and the Construction Health and Safety Plan/Contingency Plan reviewed by EPA prior to the initiation of the Remedial Action. Upon approval of the Final Design and the RA Work Plan, PSDs shall implement the RA Work Plan in accordance with the construction management schedule. Significant field changes to the RA as set forth in the RA Work Plan and Final Design shall not be undertaken without the approval of EPA. The RA shall be documented in enough detail to produce as-built construction drawings after the RA is complete. Deliverables shall be submitted to EPA for review and approval. Review and/or approval of submittals does not imply acceptance of later submittals that have not been reviewed, nor that the remedy, when constructed, will meet Performance Standards. 1. RA Work Plan A Work Plan which provides a detailed plan of action for completing the RA activities shall be submitted to EPA for review and approval. The objective of this work plan is to provide for the safe and efficient completion of the RA. The Work Plan shall be developed in 8 conjunction with the Project Delivery Strategy, Construction Management Plan, the Construction Quality Assurance Plan, and the Construction Health and Safety Plan/Contingency Plan, although each plan may be delivered under separate cover. The Work Plan shall include a comprehensive description of the work to be performed and the Final Construction schedule for completion of each major activity and submission of each deliverable. Specifically, the RA Work Plan shall present the following: A detailed description of the tasks to be performed and a description of the work products to be submitted to EPA. This includes the deliverables set forth in the remainder of Task III. A schedule for completion of each required activity and submission of each deliverable required by this SOW. A project management plan, including provision for monthly reports to EPA and meetings and presentations to EPA at the conclusion of each major phase of the RA. EPA’s Project Coordinator and the PSDs’ Project Coordinator will meet, at a minimum, on a quarterly basis, unless EPA determines that such meeting is unnecessary. At EPA’s request, PSDs shall assist EPA in preparing and disseminating information to the public regarding the RA work to be performed. 2. Project Delivery Strategy PSDs shall submit a document to EPA for review and approval describing the strategy for delivering the project. This document shall address the management approach for implementing the Remedial Action, including procurement methods and contracting strategy, phasing alternatives, and contractor and equipment availability concerns. If the construction of the remedy is to be accomplished by PSDs’ “in-house” resources, the document shall identify those resources. 3. Construction Management Plan A Construction Management Plan shall be developed to indicate how the construction activities are to be implemented and coordinated with EPA during the RA. PSDs shall designate a person to be a Remedial Action Coordinator and its representative on-site during the Remedial Action, and identify this person in the Plan. This Plan shall also identify other key project management personnel and lines of authority, and provide descriptions of the duties of the key personnel along with an organizational chart. In addition, a plan for the administration of construction changes and EPA review and approval of those changes shall be included. 4. Construction Quality Assurance Plan PSDs shall develop and implement a Construction Quality Assurance Program to ensure, with a reasonable degree of certainty, that the completed Remedial Action meets or exceeds all design criteria, plans and specifications, and Performance Standards. The Construction Quality Assurance Plan shall incorporate relevant provisions of the Performance Standards Verification 9 Plan (see Task III). At a minimum, the Construction Quality Assurance Plan shall include the following elements: A description of the quality control organization, including a chart showing lines of authority, identification of the members of the Independent Quality Assurance Team (IQAT), and acknowledgment that the IQAT will implement the control system for all aspects of the work specified and shall report to the project coordinator and EPA. The IQAT members shall be representatives from testing and inspection organizations and/or the Supervising Contractor and shall be responsible for the QA/QC of the Remedial Action. The members of the IQAT shall have a good professional and ethical reputation, previous experience in the type of QA/QC activities to be implemented and demonstrated capability to perform the required activities. They shall also be independent of the construction contractor. The name, qualifications, duties, authorities, and responsibilities of each person assigned a QC function. Description of the observations and control testing that will be used to monitor the construction and/or installation of the components of the Remedial Action. This includes information which certifies that personnel and laboratories performing the tests are qualified and the equipment and procedures to be used comply with applicable standards. Any laboratories to be used shall be specified. Acceptance/Rejection criteria and plans for implementing corrective measures shall be addressed. A schedule for managing submittals, testing, inspections, and any other QA function (including those of contractors, subcontractors, fabricators, suppliers, purchasing agents, etc.) that involve assuring quality workmanship, verifying compliance with the plans and specifications, or any other QC objectives. Inspections shall verify compliance with all environmental requirements and include, but not be limited to, air quality and emissions monitoring records and waste disposal records, etc. Reporting procedures and reporting format for QA/QC activities including such items as daily summary reports, schedule of data submissions, inspection data sheets, problem identification and corrective measures reports, evaluation reports, acceptance reports, and final documentation. A list of definable features of the work to be performed. A definable feature of work is a task which is separate and distinct from other tasks and has separate control requirements. 5. Construction Health and Safety Plan/Contingency Plan PSDs shall prepare a Construction Health and Safety Plan/Contingency Plan in conformance with PSDs’ health and safety program, and in compliance with OSHA regulations and protocols. The Construction Health and Safety Plan shall include a health and safety risk analysis, a description of monitoring and personal protective equipment, medical monitoring, and site control. EPA will not approve PSDs’ Construction Health and Safety Plan/Contingency Plan, but rather EPA will review it to ensure that all necessary elements are included, and that the plan provides for the protection of human health and the environment. This plan shall include a 10 Contingency Plan and incorporate Air Monitoring and Spill Control and Countermeasures Plans if determined by EPA to be applicable for the Site. The Contingency Plan is to be written for the onsite construction workers and the local affected population. It shall include the following items: Name of person who will be responsible in the event of an emergency incident. Plan for initial site safety indoctrination and training for all employees, name of the person who will give the training and the topics to be covered. Plan and date for meeting with the local community, including local, state and federal agencies involved in the cleanup, as well as the local emergency squads and the local hospitals. A list of the first aid and medical facilities including, location of first aid kits, names of personnel trained in first aid, a clearly marked map with the route to the nearest medical facility, all necessary emergency phone numbers conspicuously posted at the job site (i.e., fire, rescue, local hazardous material teams, National Emergency Response Team, etc.) Plans for protection of public and visitors to the job site. A Spill Control and Countermeasures Plan which shall include the following: Contingency measures for potential spills and discharges from materials handling and/or transportation. A description of the methods, means, and facilities required to prevent contamination of soil, water, atmosphere, and uncontaminated structures, equipment, or material by spills or discharges. A description of the equipment and personnel necessary to perform emergency measures required to contain any spillage and to remove spilled materials and soils or liquids that become contaminated due to spillage. This collected spill material must be properly disposed of. A description of the equipment and personnel to perform decontamination measures that may be required for previously uncontaminated structures, equipment, or material. 6. Emergency Response and Reporting a. Emergency Response and Reporting. If any event occurs during performance of the Work that causes or threatens to cause a release of Waste Material on, at, or from the Site and that either constitutes an emergency situation or that may present an immediate threat to public health or welfare or the environment, PSDs shall: (1) immediately take all appropriate action to prevent, abate, or minimize such release or threat of release; (2) immediately notify the authorized EPA officer (as specified in ¶ 6.b) orally; and (3) take such actions in consultation with the authorized EPA officer and in accordance with all applicable provisions of the Health 11 and Safety Plan, the Emergency Response Plan, and any other deliverable approved by EPA under the SOW. b. Release Reporting. Upon the occurrence of any event during performance of the Work that PSDs are required to report pursuant to Section 103 of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. § 9603, or Section 304 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-know Act (EPCRA), 42 U.S.C. § 11004, PSDs shall immediately notify the authorized EPA officer orally. c. The “authorized EPA officer” for purposes of immediate oral notifications and consultations under ¶ 6.a and ¶ 6.b is the EPA Project Coordinator, the EPA Alternate Project Coordinator (if the EPA Project Coordinator is unavailable), or the Director of the Superfund Division, EPA Region 4 (if neither EPA Project Coordinator is available). d. For any event covered by ¶ 6.a and ¶ 6.b, PSDs shall: (1) within 14 days after the onset of such event, submit a report to EPA describing the actions or events that occurred and the measures taken, and to be taken, in response thereto; and (2) within 30 days after the conclusion of such event, submit a report to EPA describing all actions taken in response to such event. e. The reporting requirements under ¶ 6 are in addition to the reporting required by CERCLA § 103 or EPCRA § 304. B. Prefinal Construction Inspection Upon preliminary project completion PSDs shall notify EPA for the purpose of conducting a Prefinal Construction Inspection. Participants should include the Project Coordinators, Supervising Contractor, and Construction Contractor. The Prefinal Inspection shall consist of a walk-through inspection of the entire project site. The objective of the inspection is to determine whether the construction is complete and consistent with the SOW. Any outstanding construction items discovered during the inspection shall be identified and noted on a punch list. A Prefinal Construction Inspection Report shall be submitted by PSDs which outlines any outstanding construction items, actions required to resolve the items, completion date for the items, and an anticipated date for the Final Inspection. C. Final Construction Inspection Upon completion of all outstanding construction items, PSDs shall notify EPA for the purpose of conducting a Final Construction Inspection. The Final Construction Inspection shall consist of a walk-through inspection of the entire project site. The Prefinal Construction Inspection Report shall be used as a check list with the Final Construction Inspection focusing on the outstanding construction items identified in the Prefinal Construction Inspection. Confirmation shall be made during the Final Construction Inspection that all outstanding items have been resolved. Any outstanding construction items discovered during the inspection still requiring correction shall be identified and noted on a punch list. If any items are still unresolved, the inspection shall be considered to be a Prefinal Construction Inspection requiring another Prefinal Construction Inspection Report and subsequent Final Construction Inspection. 12 D. Final Construction Report Within thirty (30) days following the conclusion of the Final Construction Inspection, PSDs shall submit a Final Construction Report. EPA will review the draft report and will provide comments to PSDs. The Final Construction Report shall include the following: Brief description of how outstanding items noted in the Prefinal Inspection were resolved; Explanation of modifications made during the RA to the original RD and RA Work Plans and why these changes were made; Synopsis of the construction work defined in the SOW and certification that the construction work has been completed. 1. Remedial Action Report Within 30 days after PSDs conclude that the Remedial Action has been fully performed and the Performance Standards have been attained, PSDs shall so certify to the United States and shall schedule and conduct a pre-certification inspection to be attended by EPA and PSDs. If after the pre-certification inspection PSDs still believe that the Remedial Action has been fully performed and the Performance Standards have been attained, PSDs shall submit a Remedial Action (RA) Report in accordance with EPA guidance “Closeout Procedures for NPL Sites” OERR 540-R-98-016. The RA Report shall include the following: A copy of the Final Construction Report; Synopsis of the work defined in this SOW and a demonstration in accordance with the Performance Standards Verification Plan that Performance Standards have been achieved; Certification that the Remedial Action has been completed in full satisfaction of the requirements of this SOW, and; A description of how PSDs will implement any remaining part of the EPA approved Operation and Maintenance Plan. After EPA review, PSDs shall address any comments and submit a revised report, if needed. The Remedial Action shall not be considered complete until EPA approves the RA Report. TASK III - PERFORMANCE MONITORING Performance monitoring shall be conducted to ensure that all Performance Standards are met. A. Performance Standards Verification Plan The purpose of the Performance Standards Verification Plan is to provide a mechanism to ensure that both short-term and long-term Performance Standards for the Remedial Action are 13 met. Guidance documents used in developing the Sampling and Analysis Plan during the Remedial Design phase shall be used. PSDs shall submit a Performance Standards Verification Plan with the Preliminary Design. Once approved, PSDs shall implement the Performance Standards Verification Plan on the approved schedule. The Performance Standards Verification Plan shall include: The Performance Standards Verification Field Sampling and Analysis Plan that provides guidance for all fieldwork by defining in detail the sampling and data gathering methods to be used. The Performance Standards Verification Field Sampling and Analysis Plan shall be written so that a field sampling team unfamiliar with the Site would be able to gather the samples and field information required. The Performance Standards Verification Quality Assurance/Quality Control plan that describes the quality assurance and quality control protocols which will be followed in demonstrating compliance with Performance standards. Specification of those tasks to be performed by PSDs to demonstrate compliance with the Performance Standards and a schedule for the performance of these tasks. VI. SCHEDULES Applicability and Revisions. All deliverables and tasks required under this SOW must be submitted or completed by the deadlines or within the time durations listed in the RD and RA Schedules set forth below. PSDs may submit proposed revised RD Schedules or RA Schedules for EPA approval. Upon EPA’s approval, the revised RD and/or RA Schedules supersede the RD and RA Schedules set forth below, and any previously-approved RD and/or RA Schedules. RD Schedule 1 Description of Deliverable, Task Preliminary (30%) RD 2 Intermediate (60%) RD 3 Pre-final (90%) RD Task I-C 4 Final (100%) RD Task I-C ¶ Ref. Task I-B 14 Deadline 90 days after EPA approval of Final PreDesign Investigation Report (PDIR) 120 days after EPA approval of Preliminary (30%) RD 90 days after EPA comments on Intermediate RD 60 days after EPA comments on Prefinal RD RA Schedule Description of Deliverable / Task 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Award RA contract Remedial Action Work Plan (RAWP) Permitting Pre-Construction Conference Start of Construction Completion of Construction Prefinal Construction Inspection Prefinal Construction Inspection Report Final Construction Inspection RA Final Inspection Report Work Completion Report ¶ Ref. Task II-A Task II-A Task II-A Task II-A Task II-A Task II-A Task II-B Task II-B Task II-C Task II-D Task III Deadline 60 days after EPA Notice of Authorization to Proceed with RA 120 days after Award of RA contract 90 days after Approval of RAWP 90 days after Approval of RAWP 45 days after Pre-Construction Conference 30 days after completion of construction 60 days after completion of Prefinal Inspection 30 days after Completion of Work identified in Prefinal Inspection Report 30 days after Final Inspection At any time PSDs send a deliverable to EPA, they shall send a courtesy copy of such deliverable to the State: Project Manager, Ward Transformer Site NC Department of Environmental Quality Division of Waste Management - Superfund Section 1646 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-1646 15 REFERENCES The following list, although not comprehensive, comprises many of the regulations and guidance documents that apply to the RD/RA process. PSDs shall review these guidance documents and shall use the information provided therein in performing the RD/RA and preparing all deliverables under this SOW. 1. “National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan, Final Rule,” Federal Register 40 C.F.R. Part 300, March 8, 1990. 2. “Remedial Design and Remedial Action Guidance,” U.S. EPA, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response, June 1995, OSWER Directive No. 9355.004B, EPA 540/R-95/059. 3. “EPA Oversight of Remedial Designs and Remedial Actions Performed by Potentially Responsible Parties — Interim Final” U.S. EPA, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response, April 1990, OSWER Directive No. 9355.501. 4. “Guidance for Conducting Remedial Investigations and Feasibility Studies Under CERCLA, Interim Final,” U.S. EPA, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response, October 1988, OSWER Directive No. 355.3-01. 5. “A Compendium of Superfund Field Operations Methods,” Two Volumes, U.S. EPA, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response, EPA/540/P-87/001a, August 1987, OSWER Directive No. 9355.0-14. 6. “EPA NEIC Policies and Procedures Manual,” EPA-330/9-78-001-R, May 1978, revised November 1984. 7. “Guidance for Quality Assurance Project Plans,” EPA/240/R-02/009, December 2002. 8. “EPA Requirements for Quality Assurance Project Plans,” EPA/240/B-01/003, March 2001. 9. “Guidance on Systematic Planning Using the Data Quality Objectives Process,” EPA/240/B-06/001, February 2006. 10. “Systematic Planning: A Case Study for Hazardous Waste Site Investigations,” EPA/240/B-06/004, February 2006. 11. “Guidance for Labeling Externally Validated Laboratory Analytical Data for Superfund Use,” OSWER No. 9200.1-85, EPA 540-R-08-005, January 13, 2009. 12. “Contract Laboratory Program Guidance for Field Samplers,” OSWER 9240.047, EPA 540-R-09-03, January 2011. 16 13. “USEPA Contract Laboratory Program Statement of Work for Organic Analysis,” SOM01.2, May 2005. 14. “U.S. EPA Contract Laboratory Program Statement of Work for Inorganic Superfund Methods,” ISM01.2, January 2010. 15. “Quality in the Constructed Project: A Guideline for Owners, Designers, and Constructors, Volume 1, Preliminary Edition for Trial Use and Comment,” American Society of Civil Engineers, May 1988. 16. “ARARs Q’s and A’s: General Policy, RCRA, CWA, SDWA, Post-ROD Information and Contingent Waivers,” OSWER 9234.2-01 FSA, June 1991. 17. “CERCLA Compliance with Other Laws Manual,” Two Volumes, U.S. EPA, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response, August 1988 (Draft), OSWER Directive No. 9234.1-01 and -02. 18. “Guidance on Remedial Actions for Contaminated Ground Water at Superfund Sites,” U.S. EPA, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response, (Draft), OSWER Directive No. 9283.1-2. 19. “Guide for Conducting Treatability Studies Under CERCLA,” U.S. EPA, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response, Pre-publication Version. 20. “Health and Safety Requirements of Employees Employed in Field Activities,” U.S. EPA, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response, July 12, 1981, EPA Order No. 1440.2. 21. “Standard Operating Safety Guides,” U.S. EPA, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response, November 1984. 22. “Standards for General Industry,” 29 C.F.R. Part 1910, Occupational Health and Safety Administration. 23. “Standards for the Construction Industry,” 29 C.F.R. 1926, Occupational Health and Safety Administration. 24. “NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods,” 2d edition. Volumes I - VII, or the 3rd edition, Volumes I and II, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. 25. “Occupational Safety and Health Guidance Manual for Hazardous Waste Site Activities,” National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health/Occupational Health and Safety Administration/United States Coast Guard/ Environmental Protection Agency, October 1985. 26. “TLVs - Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices for 1987 88,” American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. 17 27. “American National Standards Practices for Respiratory Protection,” American National Standards Institute Z88.2-1980, March 11, 1981. 28. “Quality in the Constructed Project - Volume 1,” American Society of Civil Engineers, 1990. 29. “Closeout Procedures for National Priorities List Sites,” OSWER Directive 9320.2-09A-P, EPA 540-R-98-016, January 2000. 30. “Memorandum, Region 4 Data Management and Electronic Data Deliverables,” U.S. EPA, Region 4, Superfund Division, April 23, 2010. 31. Field Branches Quality System and Technical Procedures (http://www.epa.gov/region4/sesd/fbotp/index.html 32. Other guidances referenced in the UAO that are not listed above (i.e., QA, Sample and Data Analysis, etc.). 18 SUMMARY OF THE MAJOR DELIVERABLES FOR THE REMEDIAL DESIGN AND REMEDIAL ACTION AT THE WARD TRANSFORMER SUPERFUND SITE OPERABLE UNIT NUMBER 1 DELIVERABLE TASK I EPA RESPONSE REMEDIAL DESIGN Preliminary Design Results of Data Acquisition Activities (5) Review and Approve Design Criteria Report (5) Review and Approve Preliminary Plans and Specifications (5) Review and Approve Plan for Satisfying Permitting Requirements (5) Review and Approve Prefinal/Final Design Complete Design Analyses (5) Review and Approve Final Plans and Specifications (5) Review and Approve Final Construction Schedule (5) Review and Approve Construction Cost Estimate (5) Review and Comment Institutional Controls Implementation and Assurance Plan (ICIAP) (5) Review and Approve TASK II REMEDIAL ACTION RA Work Plan (5) Review and Approve Project Delivery Strategy (5) Review and Approve 19 Construction Management Plan (5) Review and Approve Construction Quality Assurance Plan (5) Review and Approve Construction Health and Safety Plan/Contingency Plan (5) Review and Comment Prefinal Construction Inspection Report (5) Review and Approve Final Construction Report (5) Review and Approve Remedial Action Report (5) Review and Approve TASK III Monitoring Performance Standards Verification Plan (5), **to be submitted within the Preliminary Design Review and Approve *NOTE: The number in parenthesis indicates the number of copies to be submitted by the PSDs. One copy shall be unbound, the remainder shall be bound 20

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