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Fact Sheet
August 2006
Proposed Cleanup Plan Released for Public Comment - BP Products North America, Inc., Sugar Creek, Missouri
INTRODUCTION
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 invites the public to comment on the proposed cleanup plan for the Norledge Area of a BP Products North America, Inc. site, the former Amoco Refinery in Sugar Creek, Missouri. The public comment period will start August 3, 2006 and end on September 18, 2006.
Also, EPA will hold a public meeting so the public can learn about the proposal. EPA, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), and BP representatives will share information and be available to answer questions. See box below for details. This work is addressed under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
PROPOSED CLEANUP PLAN
EPA's proposal includes a cleanup plan for the Norledge Area of the former refinery. The Norledge Area is the residential area south of the former refinery. Proposed remedies for additional areas of the former refinery will be addressed separately at a later date.
Norledge Phase 1 and Phase 2 Areas
EPA divided the Norledge Area into two parts due to differences in groundwater
contaminant concentrations, differences in soil permeability and in
the predominance of residential properties in the Phase 2 Area. Thus,
there are separate proposed cleanup plans for the two areas.
For Norledge Phase 1 Area:
Continued Operation of Interceptor Trench and Biosparging
Systems: The interceptor trench, in operation since
1967, captures contaminated groundwater and petroleum hydrocarbons
that float atop water. These liquids are known as light non-aqueous
phase liquids (LNAPLs). EPA proposes to convert the nine horizontal
wells that were used for an enhanced fluid recovery system to a biosparging
system. Biosparging is the process of injecting air below the water
table to increase biodegradation of contamination.
For Norledge Phase 2 Area:
Use Phytoremediation: Phytoremediation uses
plants and grasses to contain, capture, and degrade contaminants in
groundwater. Phytoremediation should be effective with shallow
groundwater contamination.
Use Oxygen Release Compound (ORC): ORC is a substance that releases oxygen into groundwater when the substance is injected beneath the water table. The dissolved oxygen enhances the degradation of dissolved phase contaminants. ORC will be used to address deeper groundwater contamination which will not be affected by phytoremediation.
Also, EPA proposes monitored natural attenuation and long-term groundwater monitoring for both areas. Monitored natural attenuation is the monitoring of natural processes that reduce contaminant concentrations by adsorption, degradation, dilution, and/or transformation.
Institutional Controls (ICs) for Norledge Phase 1 and Phase 2 Areas: ICs will be used in conjunction with the engineered controls to minimize the potential for human exposure to contamination and to restrict other actions to protect the integrity of the remedies. ICs are non-engineered instruments, such as administrative or legal controls. ICs will be used to restrict access to contaminated groundwater for domestic purposes and restrict excavation and construction activities which might interfere with the operation of the remedial actions. Also, ICs will ensure that the design and construction of future buildings is suitable for human occupancy, control potential vapor intrusion in areas where contaminated groundwater exceeds the proposed cleanup goals, and require that appropriate steps be taken to insure that subsequent property owners are notified that groundwater contamination exists in the subsurface.
THE CONTAMINATION
BP operated a petroleum refinery in Sugar Creek from approximately 1904 to 1982. Refinery operations contaminated soil and groundwater with contaminants such as benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, and xylene. This contamination has migrated in the subsurface beneath the Norledge Area.
BACKGROUND
In June 1989, EPA issued a consent order to BP about the former refinery. The Consent Order requires BP to:
- Conduct short-term cleanup actions, called Interim Measures, to address potential threats to human health and the environment
- Conduct a comprehensive investigation, called a RCRA Facility Investigation to determine the nature and extent of contaminant releases from the facility
- Identify and evaluate alternatives for the corrective action necessary to prevent or control migration or releases of contaminants from the facility.
In February 1990, BP entered into an Administrative Order on Consent with MDNR that specified procedures and a schedule for closure of former hazardous waste surface impoundments. The former surface impoundments consisted of a sludge pit, sludge pond, and wastewater lagoon located on the northeast portion of the facility.
In October 1997, MDNR assumed the lead from EPA on technical issues regarding the facility. EPA continues to provide oversight and technical assistance to MDNR.
The proposed remedy for the Norledge Area will be enforced under a Corrective Action Abatement Order on Consent between BP and MDNR which was signed on April 6, 2005.
How to Submit Your Comments
Please submit your written comments on the proposed cleanup plan to:
Robert Aston
EPA Region 7 ARTD/RCAP
901 N. Fifth St.
Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone: 913-551-7392
or
Toll free: 800-223-0425
Brian McCurren
MDNR Hazardous Waste Program
PO
Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: 573-522-9080
Written comments will be accepted from August
3, 2006 to September 18, 2006.
How to Learn More
Please attend the public meeting to learn more about the proposed cleanup plan:
Sugar Creek community and other members
of
the public
August 17, 2006, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Mike Onka Memorial Building
11520 Putnam
Sugar Creek, Mo
EPA, MDNR, and BP representatives will share information and be available to answer questions.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
EPA encourages the public to review the Administrative Record and comment on the proposed cleanup plan. Comments or requests should be submitted by September 18, 2006. The administrative record is available at the following locations:
Sugar Creek Branch Public Library
102 S. Sterling Ave.
Sugar Creek, MO 64054
(816) 701-3489
Hours of Operation:
Mon. – Thurs., 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Fri.- Sun. 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
EPA Region 7 Records Center
901 N. Fifth St.
Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 551-7166
Hours of Operation:
Mon. – Fri., 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.
A formal public hearing has not been scheduled but will be held if there is sufficient public interest. Requests for a public hearing must be made in writing to the EPA contact on Page 1 and must state the nature of issues to be raised at the hearing. EPA will evaluate any request and hold a formal hearing if it finds that a hearing will contribute to the decision-making process by clarifying significant issues affecting the cleanup remedy.
Individuals may also write to the EPA contact on page 1 to join the mailing list. Joining the mailing list entitles an individual to receive any updated information directly throughout the cleanup process.
EPA will make a final cleanup decision only after the public comment period ends and all comments are reviewed. EPA may modify the proposed remedy or choose another one based on any new information and comments from the public.
If you have questions or want to receive further information, please contact:
Shawntell Martin
Office of External Programs
U.S. EPA Region 7
901 N. Fifth St.
Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone: 913-551-7003
Toll free: 1-800-223-0425
martin.shawntell@epa.gov
