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Fact Sheet
November 2006
Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis Report Available - Former Nebraska Ordnance Plant, Mead, Nebraska
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 is seeking comment on the Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) Report which proposes cleanup actions for four waste burial areas at the University of Nebraska's (University) Agricultural Research and Development Center (ARDC) located on the Former Nebraska Ordnance Plant (NOP) Superfund Site in Mead, Nebraska.
The EE/CA is the first step in the Non-Time-Critical (NTC) Removal Action process, and evaluates two options to address buried waste at the ARDC areas near the Former NOP Load Line 1, near Former NOP Load Line 2, at Burial Site “A”, and at Burial Site “D”. The two options considered in the EE/CA include: 1) covering the waste in place; and 2) excavating and disposing the waste offsite at a permitted facility.
EPA is proposing Alternative 2, excavating and disposing of waste offsite, as its preferred cleanup alternative. EPA is soliciting the public's comments about the EE/CA and the preferred alternative. The public comment period will run from November 7, 2006 to December 7, 2006.
BACKGROUND
In February 2005, the EPA and the University signed an agreement under the Superfund law referred to as an Administrative Order on Consent (AOC). The AOC requires the University to conduct a comprehensive investigation of past waste disposal activities, commonly referred to as a Remedial Investigation (RI), and to cleanup several areas of known disposal, commonly referred to as a Removal Action. Based on the RI results, the University may be responsible for additional cleanup beyond what is identified as part of this Removal Action.
The former NOP was placed on the Superfund National Priorities List in 1990. In addition to the University's disposals at the Site, past Department of Defense activities resulted in contamination of soil, groundwater, and surface water at the Site.
In 1962, the University obtained and began to develop approximately 9,000 acres of the former NOP to conduct agricultural, animal, climatology, and energy research, on what is now the ARDC. The University used portions of the ARDC/NOP Site for disposal of various wastes.
The majority of the University disposal activities occurred during the late 1970s and into the 1980s. University wastes included chemical wastes, low-level radiological wastes, and biological tissue wastes.
Historical records indicate that the trenches at Load Line 1, the trench at Load Line 2, and Burial Site “D” contain low-level radiological waste.
There are two trenches at Load Line 1, which is located on the west side of the Site. Wastes that were buried include, radioactive liquid vials, solid radioactive wastes and other wastes. The fluids contain solvents such as toluene, xylene, and 1,4-dioxane. The estimated volumes of the trenches is approximately 120 cubic yards.
The trench at Load Line 2 is located east of the Load Line 1 trenches and has a volume of approximately 30 cubic yards. Radioactive animal carcasses and solid radioactive wastes are buried in the Load Line 2 trench.
Burial Site “D” is located south of the Former ARDC/NOP landfill and sewage treatment plant, on the southeast portion of the Site. Four burial trenches are present at Site “D”. Wastes at Site “D” are believed to be similar to those at Load Line 1, but may include additional chemical wastes, such as solvents, phenol, and pesticides.
Burial Site “A” is a trench of approximately 40 cubic yards located west of the Natural Resource District Reservoir on the east side of the Site. Records do not indicate that radiological wastes were buried at Site “A”. Wastes at Site “A” are described as chemical wastes, including flammable, corrosive, toxic, and reactive wastes.
REMOVAL ACTION ALTERNATIVES
Removal Action Objectives established in this EE/CA include: 1) Eliminating potential human exposures to waste materials and associated contaminated soils at levels exceeding the respective remediation goals; and 2) Eliminating the potential for releases of contaminants to groundwater and surface water at levels not protective of human health. The EE/CA evaluates two alternatives to address the four buried waste sites at the ARDC.
Alternative 1 - Waste Containment, Access Restrictions, and Long-Term Groundwater Monitoring.
This alternative would leave the buried wastes in place, covered by a composite synthetic cap to isolate the waste from human contact. This would also prevent moisture from seeping into the waste. The sites would also be fenced, and warning signs would be posted identifying the buried hazards. Finally, a long-term groundwater monitoring program would be implemented to evaluate whether wastes from the sites are leaching into the groundwater.
Capital costs associated with implementing Alternative 1 are estimated to be $2,242,000. Due to costs associated with significant long-term groundwater monitoring, the Net Present Value for Alternative 1 is estimated to be $7,539,000.
Alternative 2 - Excavation and Segregation of Wastes above Cleanup Goals and Offsite Disposal.
Under this alternative, wastes from the sites exceeding cleanup levels would be excavated and disposed at an approved offsite facility. The cleanup levels are discussed in the EE/CA, and are intended to be protective of potential residential exposures and possible leaching of contaminants from soil to groundwater. Wastes from the burials would be segregated into a similar waste stream prior to shipment for disposal. An air monitoring and corrective action process would be implemented to insure safe conditions during intrusive excavation work. Short-term monitoring would also be implemented to verify that wastes are removed and not posing a threat to groundwater.
Capital costs associated with implementing Alternative 2 are estimated to be $4,856,000. The Net Present Value for Alternative 2 is estimated to be $5,697,000.
EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVES
EPA requires that removal alternatives be evaluated based on criteria established in Superfund regulations. These criteria are:
Effectiveness – Evaluates the degree to which an alternative: 1) provides protection of human health and the environment; 2) complies with Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements; 3) affords long-term protection by minimizing residual risk; 4) provides reduction of toxicity, mobility or volume of hazardous material; and 5) minimizes short-term effects.
Implementability – Evaluates the technical and administrative feasibility of implementing each alternative, the availability of required services and materials during implementation, and stakeholder acceptance.
Cost – Evaluates capital cost, long-term operation and maintenance costs, and present value.
RECOMMENDED ALTERNATIVE
Based on the above-cited criteria, EPA recommends that Alternative 2, Excavation, Segregation, and Off-site Disposal should be implemented to address the ARDC burial sites.
EPA believes that Alternative 2 affords better long-term protection than Alternative 1, as the wastes will be removed from the Site and managed in a facility that is designed to handle such material. In addition, Alternative 2 is a permanent solution and requires limited long-term maintenance or monitoring to be protective. Finally, Alternative 2 has a lower Net Present Value due to significantly-reduced monitoring costs.
REMOVAL ACTION PROCESS
The first step in the Removal Action process is the EE/CA, which evaluates alternatives for performing the cleanups, and identifies a Recommended Alternative. Following the EE/CA and public comment period, EPA will select the removal action alternative and document the selection in an “Action Memorandum”.
The University will then develop work plans to specify the details of how the selected removal action will be performed.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
EPA will hold a public meeting to provide information and accept comments on the EE/CA Report. The public meeting will be held:
Wednesday, November 8,
2006
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Auditorium, University of Nebraska
Agricultural Research and
Development Center
1071 County Road G
Ithaca, Nebraska
Written comments may be submitted at any time during the public comment period and mailed to the contact below. For more information, please contact:
Debbie
Kring
Community Involvement Coordinator
Office of External Programs
U.S. EPA – Region 7
901 North Fifth Street
Kansas City, Kansas 66101
Toll free: 800-223-0425
kring.debbie@epa.gov
INFORMATION REPOSITORIES
Information about this Site can be found at the following locations:
Mead Public Library
316 S. Vine Street
Mead, Nebraska
Phone: (402) 624-6605
Wahoo Public Library
637 N. Maple
Wahoo, Nebraska
Phone: (402) 443-3871
EPA Record Center
901 N. Fifth Street
Kansas City, Kans
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
If you have questions or wish to submit comments on the EE/CA, please contact:
Debbie Kring
Community Involvement Coordinator
U.S. EPA – Region 7
901 North Fifth Street
Kansas City, Kansas 66101
Phone: (913) 551-7725 or
Toll Free: 800-223-0425
Fax: (913) 551-7066
e-mail: kring.debbie@epa.gov
Scott Marquess
Project Manager
U.S. EPA – Region 7
901 North Fifth Street
Kansas City, Kansas 66101
Phone: (913) 551-7131
Toll Free: 800-223-0425
Fax: (913) 551-7063
e-mail: marquess.scott@epa.gov
