![[logo] US EPA](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090515073442im_/http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Fact Sheet
December 2006
Draft Final Focused Feasibility Study Available - Chemplex Superfund Site, Clinton, Iowa
INTRODUCTION
The draft final Focused Feasibility Report for the Chemplex Superfund Site (“Draft Final FFS”) is now available for review. The Draft Final FFS evaluates potential changes to the Chemplex ground water remediation system. Although EPA welcomes your comments on the Draft Final FFS, this is not a formal public comment period.
EPA will not make any decisions regarding the Chemplex Site remedy based on comments received at this time. Rather, EPA will use your comments and recommendations to make sure the community’s concerns are addressed in the final Focused Feasibility Study. We ask that you send your comments to EPA no later than January 31, 2007.
Three remedial action alternatives are evaluated in the Draft Final FFS. They are (1) no action, which is required for all remedy decisions; (2) continuing the current pump and treat system; and (3) exposure control, which includes treating hot spots and extending the municipal water supply.
Copies of the Draft Final FFS have been placed with the Chemplex Site Administrative Record in the following locations, and can be viewed during normal business hours:
Clinton Public Library
306 8th Ave. S.
Clinton, Iowa
Camanche Public Library
102 12th Ave.
Camanche, Iowa
CURRENT ACTIVITIES
EPA has been working with Citigroup and ChevronTexaco (known as ACC/GCC), the parties conducting the Chemplex Site cleanup, and IDNR to develop a plan to address the ground water remedy. EPA requested that ACC/GCC prepare a Focused Feasibility Study to evaluate potential alternatives to the existing extraction and treatment system. ACC/GCC previously prepared the Technology Evaluation Report to review cleanup technologies which might be components of a remedial action.
NEXT STEPS
When the Focused Feasibility Study is final, EPA will decide whether it believes modification of the current remedy is appropriate. To amend the remedy EPA would go through a formal process, called a ROD (Record of Decision) amendment, which is very similar to the process used to select the current remedy. The basic steps in a ROD amendment process are:
- ACC/GCC submits a final Focused Feasibility Study Report
- EPA then prepares a Proposed Plan which describes EPA’s preferred alternative and summarizes the reasons why EPA prefers this alternative over others
- EPA makes 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 whether to change the remedy. This change would be made in a document called an amended Record of Decision.
SITE BACKGROUND
Due to past waste disposal practices, ground water and soil at the Chemplex Site were contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). EPA divided cleanup activities at the Site into two phases, called operable units. Operable unit (OU) 1 addressed ground water on a site-wide basis and OU2 addressed sources of ground water contamination in the Landfill Area.
The OU1 remedy included a ground water extraction and treatment system, which was intended to contain contaminated ground water within a defined area. The ground water extraction and treatment system has been in operation for over 12 years but it has not contained the ground water plume within this area.
The OU2 remedy included capping the landfill and installing and operating a soil vapor extraction (SVE) system to remove contaminants from soils in the Landfill Area. Construction activities for the OU2 remedy were completed in 1998 and the SVE system operated until 2003, when the specified performance standards were met.
EPA periodically reviews remedies to make sure they remain protective. In a review completed in June 2004, 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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
EPA welcomes your comments on the Draft Final FFS and requests that they be received by EPA no later than January 31, 2007.
To provide written comments on the draft final FFS, or if you have any other questions or comments, 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
E-mail address: himes.beckie@epa.gov
