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Fact Sheet
June 2005
Comment Period for Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis
Murdock Groundwater Contamination Site, Murdock, NE
INTRODUCTION
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is asking for comments on an Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) and EPA's Recommended Removal Action Alternative to address contamination at the Murdock Groundwater Contamination Site, Murdock, Nebraska. The public comment period runs July 1 - August 1, 2005. The result of past fumigation practices at the former U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grain storage facility located in Murdock has resulted in the release of contaminants to groundwater and surface water.
The EE/CA evaluated three removal action alternatives to address exposure to surface water and groundwater. The USDA recommends phytoremediation, with partial removal/containment of the plume by seasonal groundwater extraction and spray irrigation as the removal action alternative for the Murdock Groundwater Contamination Site.
SITE DESCRIPTION
The Murdock Groundwater Contamination Site is located in Murdock, Nebraska. Murdock is an agricultural community in the western section of Cass.
County, approximately 22 miles east-northeast of Lincoln, Nebraska. The Village of Murdock occupies approximately 80 acres and is 80% residential. The population of the community is approximately 260. Murdock is a service center for the surrounding agricultural area, and provides a cooperative grain storage facility, churches, homes, schools, and a post office.
Public Comment Period EPA is asking for your comments on the Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) for the Murdock Groundwater Contamination Site, Murdock, Nebraska. The comment period runs from July 1 – August 1, 2005. Please send your comments to: Beckie Himes
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SITE ACTIVITIES
In 1991, the USDA/Chemical Commodities Corporation (CCC) took responsibility for investigating the contamination at Murdock under the Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) with EPA. Initial field studies in 1991-1993 found a carbon tetrachloride plume in the shallow groundwater aquifer beneath Murdock.
The upper surface of this aquifer is approximately 55 feet below ground level across most of town, and the aquifer is generally 20-30 feet thick. From the location of the former USDA/CCC grain storage facility at the southern corner of the town, the plume extended to the northeast, in the flow direction of the shallow aquifer. Carbon tetrachloride concentrations exceeding 1000 ppb – as high as 6500 ppb – were identified along the center line of the plume.
Just northwest of Murdock, low concentrations of carbon tetrachloride in seepage at the headwaters of Pawnee Creek indicated that contamination was flowing to the surface. Subsequent investigations revealed a natural spring was introducing carbon tetrachloride contaminated water into a tributary of Pawnee Creek.
Pursuant to the AOC, the USDA has conducted numerous investigations at the Site and recently submitted a draft Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) to the EPA. The draft EE/CA sets forth USDA’s preferred alternative (phytoremediation in conjunction with plume source removal and containment by seasonal groundwater extraction and spray irrigation treatment).
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
The 30-day public comment period begins July 1, 2005 and ends August 1, 2005. The Administrative Record file (including the EE/CA) is available for public review during normal business hours at the -
Village of Murdock Library
321 Nebraska Street
Murdock, Nebraska
EPA encourages members of the public to review and provide comments on the EE/CA and the recommended removal action alternative. EPA will select a final removal action alternative after all comments received during the public comment period have been considered. Written comments must be postmarked no later than August 1, 2005, and should be directed to:
Beckie Himes
Community Involvement Coordinator
Office of External Programs
U.S. EPA Region 7
901 N. 5th Street
Kansas City, Kansas 66101
913-551-7003 or toll-free 1-800-223-0425
