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Fact Sheet
March 2005
EPA TO HOLD PUBLIC AVAILABILITY MEETING
Chemplex Superfund Site, Clinton, Iowa
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this fact sheet is to announce that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public availability meeting on April 12, 2005, at the Camanche Fire Station, 720 Ninth Avenue. The meeting will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. EPA personnel will make a short presentation and be available to answer questions pertaining to activities at the Chemplex Site in Clinton, Iowa.
In the June 2004 Second Five Year Review, EPA concluded that, although the remedy remained protective, a plan was needed to address the inability of the current ground water pump and treat system to contain contaminated ground water in the designated area.
EPA has been working with Citigroup and ChevronTexaco (known as ACC/GCC), the parties conducting the Chemplex Site cleanup, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to develop such a plan.
SITE BACKGROUND
The Chemplex facility was constructed in 1967, and is still in operation. Equistar LP is the current operator. The facility manufactures high- and low-density polyethylene plastics from chemical stock. Due to past waste disposal practices, ground water and soil at the site were contaminated. The contaminants of concern are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
EPA TO HOLD PUBLIC AVAILABILITY MEETING
EPA will hold a public availability meeting on Tuesday, April 12, 2005, at the Fire Station, 720 Ninth Avenue, Camanche, Iowa. The meeting will be from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. EPA staff will give a short presentation and be available to answer questions. For more information about the meeting, please contact:
Beckie Himes
Community Involvement Coordinator
U.S. EPA
Phone: 913-551-7003
1-800-223-0425
________________________________________
CURRENT ACTIVITIES
EPA has reviewed and commented on preliminary proposals by ACC/GCC to modify the ground water extraction and treatment system, in a manner that would meet the cleanup objectives of the Superfund program.
One of the preliminary alternatives suggested by ACC/GCC was shutting down the existing pump and treat system, extending the municipal water line to provide drinking water to residences in the area potentially affected by ground water contamination, and limiting the use of the ground water in the area.
EPA has requested that ACC/GCC prepare a focused feasibility study (Focused FS), looking at potential alternatives to the existing extraction and treatment system. The Focused FS will include an evaluation of how the contaminated ground water would migrate if the extraction system were to be turned off; possible contingency measures that could be implemented if the ground water did not migrate as anticipated; and recommended institutional controls to limit ground water use.
IDNR has proposed a Chapter 53 restriction on installation of new wells in this area as one such limitation on ground water use. Extending the City water service to residences in this area with private wells would provide an additional level of protectiveness. EPA expects to receive a proposed Focused FS this summer. EPA may ask ACC/GCC to make further modifications of the proposed Focused FS after review.
EPA’S REMEDY SELECTION PROCESS
If changes are made in the remedy similar to those discussed above, EPA would consider them to be significant changes from the existing remedy. In the case of significant changes, EPA would amend the existing remedial action decision using a formal decision-making process EPA calls a ROD amendment. The basic steps in a ROD amendment process for this site would be:
• ACC/GCC will submit a final Focused FS, which addresses all of EPA’s comments;
• EPA will then prepare a Proposed Plan which will summarize the information from the Focused FS and describe EPA’s preferred alternative;
• EPA will make the Proposed Plan available to the public for review and comment for a period of at least 30 days;
• After EPA reviews comments from the public and consults with the IDNR, it will decide on the revised remedy in what is called an amended Record of Decision.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If you have questions or need further information, please contact:
Beckie Himes
Community Involvement Coordinator
EPA Region 7
Office of External Programs
901 N. 5th Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
1-913-551-7003
Toll-free-1-800-223-0425
E-mail address: himes.beckie@epa.gov
