PB99-964002
                              EPA541-R99-020
                              1999
EPA Superfund
      Record of Decision:
      Savannah River Site (USDOE)
      C Area Burning/Rubble Pit (131-C) (U)
      Aiken, SC
      12/23/1998

-------

-------
                               Department of Energy
                             Savannah River Operations Office
                                      P.O. Box A
                               Aiken, South Carolina 29802
                                           01999
  Mr. K. A. Collinsworth, Manager
  Federal Facility Agreement Section
  Division of Site Assessment and Remediation
  Bureau of Land and Waste Management
  South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
  2600 Bull Street
  Columbia, SC 29201

  Mr. J. L. Crane, Manager
  SRS Remedial Project
  Waste Management Division
  United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV
  61 Forsyth Street, SW
 Atlanta, GA 30303

 Dear Mr. Collinsworth and Mr. Crane:

 SUBJECT:   Submittal of the Record Copy of the Signed Interim Record Of Decision for
             the C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit (131-C), WSRC-RP-98-4039, Revision. 1

 Enclosed, please  find a signed copy  of the C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Interim Record
 of Decision for your records.  SRS  will make the distribution  of the  Administrative
 Kecord file(s) and publish the notice of availability.

 Please contact me at (803) 725-7032 if you have any questions.

                                     Sincerely,
                                     Brian T. Hennessey
                                     Environmental Restoration Division
                                     SRS Remedial Project Manager

BTH/HMH:kbs
OD-99-244
Enclosures
    1. Interim Record of Decision  for  the C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit (131-C),
      WSRC-RP-98-4039, Revision. 1

-------
           MS/? 30
                w -

c:     A. B. Gould, DOE-ECD, 703-A
      C. V. Anderson, DOE-ERD, 703-A
      C. B. Warren, US EPA-IV
      K. B. Feely, US EPA-IV*
      J. K. Lindler, SCDHEC-Columbia
      J. T. Litton, SCDHEC-Columbia
      M. D. Sherritt, SCDHEC-Columbia
      G. K. Taylor, SCDHEC-Columbia
      SRS Administrative Record Files (Palmer, 730-2B, 1000)*
      *w/enclosures

-------
 c:     A. B. Gould, DOE-ECD, 703-A
       C. V. Anderson, DOE-ERD, 703-A
       C. B. Warren, US EPA-IV
       K. B. Feely, US EPA-IV*
       J. K. Lindler, SCDHEC-Columbia
       J. T. Litton, SCDHEC-Columbia
       M. D. Sherritt, SCDHEC-Columbia
       G. K. Taylor, SCDHEC-Columbia
       SRS Administrative Record Files (Palmer, 730-2B, 1000)*
       *w/enclosures

be:    T. F. Heenan, 703-A
      H. Thron, EM-421, DOE HQ
      C. V. Anderson, 703-A
      T. J. Temples, 703-A
      J. J. Nelsen, 703-A
      R. K. Cauthen, 730-2B
      M. D. Dukes, 742-A
      R. J. Steve, 730-2B
      R. H. Sentelle, 730-2B
      F. R. Falise, 730-2B
      G. C. Blount, 730-2B
      J. M. Bradley, 730-2B
      M. R. Morgenstern, 730-2B
      H. M. Hickey, 730-2B
      T. W. Mickley, 730-2B
      D. R. Earnhart, 730-2B
      M. P. Wilson, 742-A
      ERD Files, 730-2B, Rm. 1000*
     EPD Files, 742-A (A. Odom)
      *w/enclosures

-------

-------
 United States Department of Energy
 Savannah River Site
 00-31
Interim Record of Decision
Remedial Alternative Selection for the C-Area
Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C)(U)
WSRC-RP-98-4039
Revision 1
September 1998
                                                     SV
Westinghouse Savannah River Company                           *-^ =
Savannah River Site            "                         SAVANNAH «1VE« SITE
Aiken, SC 29808
Prepared for U.S. Department of Energy Under Contract No. DE-AC09-96SK18500

-------
Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the
C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site
September 1998
WSRC-RP-98-4039
            Rev. 1
                                          DISCLAIMER
          TTiis repon was prepared for the United States Department of Energy under Contract No.
          DE-AC09-96SR18500 and is an account of work  performed  under that  contract.
          Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trademark,
          name, manufacturer or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement,'
          recommendation, or favoring of same by Westinghouse Savannah River Company or by
          the United States Government or any agency thereof.
                               Printed in the United States of America

                                         Prepared for the
                                    U. S. Department of Energy
                                              by
                              Westinghouse Savannah River Company
                                      Aiken, South Carolina

-------
                    INTERIM RECORD OF DECISION
              REMEDIAL ALTERNATIVE SELECTION (U)
           C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U)

                            WSRC-RP-98-4039
                                Revision 1
                             September 1998
                           Savannah River Site
                          Aiken, South Carolina
                                Prepared by:

                       Westinghouse Savannah River Company
                                  for the
              U.S. Department of Energy Under Contract DE-AC09-96SR18500
                         Savannah River Operations Office
                             Aiken, South Carolina
tOOOerwp doc MM/blb 09/18/98

-------
  Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the               WSRC-RP-98-4039
  C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                         Rev. 1
  September 1998
                            (This page was intentionally left blank)
iOOOtrwp *>C MM/btb taiivn

-------
 Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the                WSRC-RP-98-4039
 C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                          Rev. i
 September 1998	          Declaration -' 1

 DECLARATION FOR THE RECORD OF DECISION

 Unit Name and Location

 C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit 131-C (CBRP)
 Savannah River Site
 Aiken, South Carolina

 The CBRP source control and groundwater operable unit (OU) is listed as a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
 (RCRA) 3004(u) Solid Waste  Management Unit/Comprehensive Environmental  Response,  Compensation, and
 Liability Act (CERCLA) unit in Appendix C of the Federal Facility Agreement (FFA) (FFA 1993) for the Savannah
 River Site (SRS).

 Statement of Basis and Purpose

 This decision document presents the selected interim remedial action for the CBRP located at the SRS  in Aiken. South
 Carolina. The interim action was selected in accordance with CERCLA, as amended and, to the extent practicable, the
 National Oil and Hazardous  Substances Pollution Contingency  Plan  (KCP).   This decision  is  based  on the
 Administrative Record File that includes all basis documents for this specific RCRA/CERCLA unit.

 The proposed interim action will consist of a native soil  over the  CBRP pit and a vadose zone and groundwater
 treatment system. The treatment system will be operated and evaluated for approximately 1 year with incorporation of
 the results integrated into the final Corrective Measures Study/Feasibility Study (CMS/FS) which will include a detailed
 review of remediation technologies for the final remedial action. A complete description of the action is provided in the
 following sections.

This interim action, for the CBRP, is not a final action  but is justified to minimize the impact of the CBRP on the
Fourmiie Branch watershed.  It will be consistent with any planned future actions. A final Record of Decision (ROD)
will follow additional study by SRS, regulator approval, and public involvement and will document the final CERCLA
decision for the OU.   Further, upon agreement among the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE),  Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC), on the
disposition of all source control and groundwater operable units within this watershed, a final comprehensive Record of
Decision (ROD) for the watershed will be pursued with further public  involvement.
lOOOerwp doc MM. bib OVJ 8-98

-------
    Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the                WSRr-RP-98-4039
    C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (I31-C)(U) Savannah River Site                   "    " R(,v i
    September 1998	Declaration-'2

    Assessment of the Site

   Actual or threatened releases of hazardous substances from-this site, if not addressed by  implementing the interim
   response action scrected in this Intetfin Record* of Decision (IROD), may present an imminenl  and substantial
   endangcrment to public health, welfare, or the environment.

   Description of the Selected Remedy

   The DOE, EPA and SCDHEC have determined that an interim action principally designed to control the migration of
   high concentrations of solvents, in the saturated zone, is appropriate for the CBRP. Specifically, this interim action has
   two main objectives:

   •   Prevent direct contact with  COC contaminated soils and reduce  infiltration to minimize further migration of
       CMCOCs to the groundwater from soils within and beneath the CBRP; and

   •  Treat the area in the vicinity of the pit, within  the 25,000 ug/L VOC isoconcentration contour within  the
      groundwater, with an objective to reduce concentrations and control the migration of VOCs within the 25,000 ug/L
      VOC contour.

  The remedial action objectives for the interim action will be achieved by
      •  installing a soil cover over the source;
      •  performing soil vapor extraction (SVE) in the vadose zone beneath the pit; and
     •  performing air sparging (coupled with SVE) in the 25,000 ug/L contour of the groundwater plume

 Specifically, the preferred alternatives for the Pit area at the CBRP OU arc: Alternative S-3: Native Soil Cover and
 Alternative GW-3:  In-Situ Air Sparging with Soil Vapor Extraction (AS/SVE). No final COCs were identified for the
 Mounded Area and sofl adjacent to the-Drainage Ditch, therefore, no alternatives were developed for these areas.

 The Native  Soil Cover will  address surficial  exposure to low level threat wastes (i.e.,  low conceniration dioxin
 contamination in the near surface pit soil and organic contamination in the deep soil) in the pit area. The alternative will
 meet the sofl Interim Remedial Action Objectives (IRAOs) to prevent direct contact with final constituents of concern
• (COCs) in contaminated soils and reduce infiltration to minimize further migration of contaminant migration COCs (CMCOC)
 IDOOnwp doc MM.trt> OW1ITO

-------
 Interim Record or Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the                 WSRC-RP-98-4039
 C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (I31-C) (U) Savannah River Site                            Rev. 1
 September 1998                                          	Declaration - 3

 to the groundwater from soils within and beneath the CHRP.  As part of the final ROD, the native soil cover would be
 maintained and institutional controls will remain in place in perpetuity or until the waste no longer poses a threat to human
 health or the environment.

 AS/SVE will address principal threat wastes (i.e., highly concentrated TCE in the aquifer sediments immediately
 adjacent to the pit in the upper zone of the water table aquifer) and VOC vadose zone contamination. AS/SVE will meet
 the groundwater IRAOs to treat the principal threat area in the vicinity of the pit, within the 25,000 ug/L VOC isoconcentration
 contour, with an objective to reduce concentrations and control the migration of VOCs within the 25,000 ug/L VOC contour.

 Implementation of the preferred alternatives will require both near- and long-term actions. For the near term, surface
 and subsurface soil contamination will be addressed by the installation of a native soil cover over the CHRP source unit.
 The soil cover will be compacted to reduce infiltration, sloped to promote runoff, and will  have a layer of vegetation to
 prevent erosion.  The soil cover will prevent future contact by workers, residents,  and ecological receptors with the
 dioxin contamination in the soil. The soil cover will also minimize further migration of contaminants from the soil  to
 the groundwater by reducing infiltration. In addition to continued inspection and maintenance of the cover, signs will be
 posted at the CBRP to indicate that the area was used for the disposal of hazardous substances and existing  SRS access
 controls will be used to maintain the site for industrial use only.

 Over  a longer period of time, groundwater contamination will be addressed through  controlled sparging of air into the
 groundwater. The injected air will volatilize  the organic compounds in the groundwater that will move into the vadose
 zone and also volatilize the organic contaminants in the deep soil. Organic vapors from both the groundwater and deep
 soil will be extracted from the soil above the shallow groundwater aquifer using vacuum wells connected to a soil vapor
 extraction (SVE) system.  The  extracted soil  vapors will be processed  through a  liquid-phase  separator to remove
 condensate. The offgas will then either be released into the atmosphere or  treated to meet release requirements. Until
 the IRAOs are achieved, groundwater monitoring will be performed.

 The CBRP Corrective Measures Implementation/Remedial Design/Remedial  Design Report/Remedial Action Work
 Plan (CMI/RD/RDR/RAWP) post-IROD document was submitted to the regulatory agencies on June 19,  1998. The
 CMI/RD/RDR/RAWP details the actions to be taken for implementing the soil cover and AS/SVE remedies including a
summary  description of the scope  of work for  the remedial action design, monitoring requirements, a detailed
 implementation/'submittal schedule for subsequent post-IROD documents, and an anticipated field activities start date.
lOOOerwp doc MWblb 09.'I8"J8

-------
 Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the                WSRC-RP-98-4039
 C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                           Rev. 1
 September 1998	Declaration - 4

 Statutory Determinations

 This interim action is protective of human health, and the environment and will reduce the principal threats posed by
 the CBRP. Relative to its overall effectiveness with respect to the nine selection criteria established by the NCP, the
 selected alternatives  are cost effective.  This interim action will not identify  final remedial goals; but the selected
 interim alternatives are consistent with the interim remedial action objectives and any final action. Pursuant to the EPA
 IROD guidance (EPA 1989) and checklists, the alternative selection focused upon the key ARARs listed below which
 apply to the limited scope of the interim action. The alternative selection also considered final action ARARs to ensure
 the interim  action is compatible.  The final action will comply with Federal and State applicable or relevant and
 appropriate  requirements.  Although this interim action is not  intended to fully address the statutory mandate for
 permanence and treatment to the maximum extent practicable, this interim action does utilize treatment and thus is a
 furtherance of that statutory mandate.

     •   Fugitive Paniculate Emissions (40 CFR 50.6 and SC R61 -62.6, Section III)
     •   SCToxicAirPollutantregulations(SCR6I-62.1,SeaionII,paragraph3)                                 IMl
     •   SC Well Construction regulations (SC R61-71)

 Because this action does not constitute the final remedy for the CBRP, the statutory preference of remedies that employ
 treatment that reduces toxicity, mobility, or volume as a principal element, although partially addressed in this remedy,
 will be addressed by the final response action. Subsequent actions are planned to fully address the threats posed by the
 conditions at the CBRP. This interim action is not designed or expected to be a final action for the groundwater, but the
 selected remedy represents the best balance of tradeoffs among alternatives with respect of pertinent criteria, given the
 limited scope of the action. The soil cover will likely be acceptable for the final action for soils at the unit.

 SCHWMR R.61-79.124  and Section  117(a) of CERCLA, as amended, require advertisement of the draft permit
 modification and the proposed plan, respectively. Because this is an interim remedial action, a permit modification is
 not required to be included  with this IROD. A final permit modification will include the final selection of remedial
alternatives under RCRA, will be sought for the entire CBRP OU with the final SB/PP and will include the necessary
public  involvement and  regulatory approvals. This  IROD also satisfies the RCRA requirements for an Interim
Measures Work Plan.
IOOOrr«j>
-------
 Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the
 C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site
 September 1998
                                                          WSRC-RP-98-4039
                                                                     Rev. 1
                                                             Declaration - 5
 Section 300.430 (f)(4)(ii) of the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Contingency Plan (NCP) requires that a five-
 year review of a ROD be performed if hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants remain in the waste unit. The
 SRS RCRA permit (SRS 1995 RCRA Renewal Permit, SCI 890 008 989) is reviewed every five years and was most
 recently reviewed on September 5, 1995.  Because this remedy will result in hazardous substances remaining on site
 above  health-based  levels, a  review will be conducted to ensure that  the remedy continues to provide  adequate
 protection of human health and the environment within 5 years after commencement of the remedial action.  Because
 this is an interim action ROD, review of this site and of this remedy will be ongoing as SRS continues to develop final
 remedial alternatives for the CBRP.
Date
Date
Date
Thomas F. Heenan
Assistant Manager for Environmental Quality
                                              ergy, Savannah River Operations Office
Richard D. Green
Division Director
Waste Management Division
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency - Region IV.
R. Lewis Shaw
Deputy Commissioner
Environmental Quality Control
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
lOOOerwpdoc MM1)lb 09/I8/9S

-------
 Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the                          .»-,UJ .
 C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                         Rev. 1
 September 1998  	.^___	                    Declaration - 6
                            (This page was intentionally left blank)
lOOOcrwp doe MMtjlb 09/igroe

-------
                   INTERIM DECISION SUMMARY
             REMEDIAL ALTERNATIVE SELECTION (U)
          C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U)

                           WSRC-RP-98-4039
                               Revision 1
                            September 1998
                          Savannah River Site
                         Aiken, South Carolina
                               Prepared by:

                      Westinghouse Savannah River Company
                                 for the
             U.S. Department of Energy Under Contract DE-AC09-96SR18500
                        Savannah River Operations Office
                            Aiken, South Carolina
ICOOerwpdoc MM/blb 09/18/98

-------
  Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the            WSRC-RP-98-40.su
  C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                     ncv i
  September 1998
                           (This page was intentionally left blank)
lOOOcrwp doc MM.fib W:l8<9i

-------
  Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the          WSRC-RP 98-4039

  C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                   n»v i

  September 1998                                                            _   .„
  	                                                                 	Page in of vi
                                    Table of Conten^

  Section                                                                        _,
                                                                                Page




  DECLARATION FOR THE RECORD OF DECISION	                l



  LIST OF FIGURES	



  LIST OF TABLES		



  LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABREVIATIONS	



  I.      SAVANNAH RIVER SITE AND OPERABLE UNIT NAME, LOCATION DESCRIPTION

        AND PROCESS HISTORY	     '   ^"^ *""'



  II.     SITE AND OPERABLE UNIT COMPLIANCE HISTORY	      3



  III.    HIGHLIGHTS OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION	             6



  IV.    SCOPE AND ROLE OF THE OPERABLE UNIT WITHIN THE SITE STRATEGY	8



 V.      INTERIM ACTION OPERABLE UNIT CHARACTERISTICS	13



 VI.    SUMMARY OF INTERIM ACTION OPERABLE UNIT RISKS	-.	    22



 VII.    INTERIM REMEDIAL ACTION OBJECTIVES (IRAOS) AND DESCRIPTION OF THE

        CONSIDERED ALTERNATIVES FOR THE CBRP OPERABLE	30



 VIII.    SUMMARY OF COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE INTERIM ALTERNATIVES	41



 IX.     THE SELECTED INTERIM REMEDY	                           >,
                                                  """"**"**"""*"""""""••**•"••""••••""••«-•••••»•••••«•••• 43


 X.      STATUTORY DETERMINATIONS	                            c,
                                               	"""•••••"••«-•••	•	*..........	 51


 XI.     EXPLANATION OF SIGNIFICANT CHANGES	   S2



 XII.   RESPONSIVENESS SUMMARY	             52



 XIII.   POST-IROD DOCUMENT SCHEDULE	        S2



 XIV.   REFERENCES	
                                     	"	 56


 APPENDIX A	
                      	•	58
lOOOtrwpdoc MM/blb09/18<98

-------
  Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the
  C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (I31-C) (U) Savannah River Site
  September 1998
WSRC-RP-98-4039
            Rev. 1
	Page iv of vi
                                    LIST OF FIGURES

 Figure 1.   Map of Savannah River Site Showing the Location of C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit	.	2
 Figure 2.   Location of C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit	4
 Figure 3.   RCRA/CERCLA Logic and Documentation for the CBRP Interim Action	9
 Figure 4.   Revised Conceptual Site Model for the CBRP	14
 Figure 5.   CBRP Groundwater and Soil Sampling Locations	~	.	j 6
 Figure 6.   CBRP TCE Plume in the Upper Water Table Aquifer	,	...™ 19
 Figure 7.   C-Area Tritium and CBRP VOC Plumes in the Upper Water Table	.	23
 Figure 8.   Conceptual CBRP Groundwater Remediation System	.	33
 Figure 9.   CBRP AS/SVE Well locations and the Upper Water Table TCE Contours (ug/L)^	47
 Figure 10.  CBRP Site Map Illustrating locations of Current and Proposed Monitoring Wells with
            Respect to the 25,000 ug/L Contour and SVE/AS Treatment Zone	.	48
 Figure 11.  CBRP Cross Section A-A.~	„„„...........	.	„.„	...........	.	.	........... 49
 Figure 12.  Integrated Interim and Final Action Implementation Schedule	53
                                    LIST OF TABLES

 Table 1.    Final Human Health and Ecological COCs and CMCOCs..
 Table 2.    Soil and Groundwater Interim Action Alternatives and Capital and Operations and
            Maintenance (O&M) <"«»«*?*.,-.,........	.	
           .— 27

           —.32
IOOCcn>pdoc MM/blbOWIftt

-------
 Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the
 C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site
 September 1998	
                                                    WSRC-RP-98-4039
                                                               Rev. 1
                                                         ' Page v of vi
 ARAR
 AS
 AS/SVE
 bis
 BRA
 CBRP
 CERCLA

 cfm
 CFR
 CMCOC
 CMI/RD/RDR/
 RAWP
 CMS/FS
 coc
 COPC
 CPT
 CRSB
 CSM
 DOE
 DQO
 EPA
 FFA
 FR
 Ft
 HpCDD
 HQ
 IAPP
 IRAOs
 IROD
 M
 MCL
 NCP
 NEPA
'NPDES
 NPL
 OCDD
      LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABREVIATIONS

 applicable or relevant and appropriate requirement
 Air Sparging
 In-Situ Air Sparging/Soil Vapor Extraction
 below land surface
 Baseline Risk Assessment
 C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C)
 Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
 Act
 cubic feet per minute
 Code of Federal Regulations
 contaminant migration constituent of concern
 Corrective Measures Implementation/Remedial Design/Remedial Design
 Report/Remedial Action Work Plan
 Corrective Measures Study/Feasibility Study
 constituent of concern
 constituent of potential concern
 cone penetrometer technology
 C-Reactor Seepage Basin
 conceptual site model
 U. S. Department of Energy
 data quality objective
 U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
 Federal Facility Agreement
 Federal Register
 Feet
 1,2,3,4,6,7,8 heptachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
 Hazard Quotient
 Interim Action Proposed Plan
 Interim Remedial Action Objectives
 Interim Record of Decision
Meters
Maximum Contaminant Level
National Oil and Hazardous Substances Contingency Plan
National Environmental Policy Act
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
National Priorities List
octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
 IGGOerwpdoc MM/b!b09/18/98

-------
   Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the
   C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site
   September 1998
                                                     WSRC-RP-98-4039
                                                                Rev. 1
                                                           Pageviofyj
   OSHA
   OU
   PAA
   PCS
   PCE
   pCi/L
.  pp
   ppb
  ppmv
  RBC
  RCRA
  RFI
  RPI/RJ/BRA

  RGO
  RI
  ROD
  SB
  SCDHEC
  SCHWMR
  SRS
 SVE
 SVOC
 TCDD
 TCDF
 TCE
 TOHI
 TMR
 ug/Kg
 «g/L
use
USSL
VOC
WSRC
                        LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABRE VIATIONS
  Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  operable unit
  Preliminary Alternatives Analysis
  polychlorinated biphenyl
  Tetrachlorpethylene
  pico curies per liter
  Proposed Plan
  parts per billion
  parts per million (by volume basis)
  risk-based concentration
  Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
  RCRA Facility Investigation
  RCRA  Facility  Investigation/Remedial   Investigation  Report   with
  Baseline Risk Assessment
  Remedial Goal Option
  Remedial Investigation
 Record of Decision
 Statement of Basis
 South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
 South Carolina Hazardous Waste Management Regulation
 Savannah River Site
 soil vapor extraction
 semivolatile organic compound
 2,3,7,8 Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
 2,3,7,8 Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-furan
 Trichloroethylene
 total organ hazard index
 Total Medium Risk
 microgram per kilogram
 microgram per liter
 unit-specific constituent
 unit-specific soil screening level
volatile organic compound
Westinghouse Savannah River Company
lOOOcrwpdoc MUMbM/IMI

-------
Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the           WSRC-RP-98-4039
C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                      Rev. 1
September 1998	   	Page 1 of 59
I.      SAVANNAH  RIVER  SITE  AND  OPERABLE UNIT NAME, LOCATION,
        DESCRIPTION, AND PROCESS HISTORY

Savannah River Site Location, Description, and Process History

The Savannah River Site (SRS) occupies approximately 310 square miles of land adjacent to the Savannah River,
principally in Aiken and Bamwell counties of western South Carolina. SRS  is a secured U.S. Government facility
with no permanent residents and is located approximately 25 miles southeast of Augusta, Georgia, and 20 miles
south of Aiken, South Carolina (Figure 1).
                                                a
The Savannah River Site is owned by  the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). SRS has historically produced
tritium, plutonium, and other special nuclear materials for national defense and the space program. Chemical and
radioactive wastes are byproducts of nuclear material production processes.

Operable Unit Name, Location, Description, and Process History

The Federal Facility Agreement  (FFA)  (FFA 1993) for the SRS lists the C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit (CBRP),
131-C, as a Resource Conservation  and Recovery Act  (RCRA)/Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation,  and Liability Act (CERCLA) unit.  Consequently, the unit  requires further evaluation, using an
investigation/assessment process that integrates and combines the RCRA Facility Investigation (RFI) process with
the CERCLA Remedial Investigation (RI), to determine the actual or potential impact  to human health and the
environment.

DOE is issuing this Interim Record of Decision (IROD). The DOE functions as the lead agency for SRS remedial
activities, with concurrence by  the U.S. Environmental  Protection Agency (EPA)  and the  South Carolina
Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC). The purpose of this IROD is to document the
preferred interim remedial actions for the CBRP which will consist of a native soil cover over the CBRP pit and a
vadose zone and groundwater treatment system.  The cover and treatment system are detailed in Section IX.

The CBRP is located in the central pan of SRS. It is west of C-Area Reactor and north of Road A-7. Adjacent to
the road, there is a concrete Drainage Ditch. CBRP is in the Founmile Branch watershed on a ridge between two
unnamed tributaries of Fourmile Branch. At its closest point, one  tributary is approximately 900 feet away.
lOOOcropdoc MMrt>lb
-------
Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the
C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-Q (U) Savannah River Site
September 1998
                                                             WSRC-RP-98-4039
                                                                        Rev. 1
                                                             	Page 2 of 59
Figure 1.      Map of Savannah River Site Showing the Location of C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit
                     SRSBOWARt
         SOUTH
       CAROLINA
                         SOUTH
                       CAROLINA
GEORGIA
             1. Map of Savannah  River Site Showing the Location of the CBRP

-------
  Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the            WSRC-RP-98-4039
  C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                       RCV i
  September 1998		Page 3 of 59
 Fourmile Branch stream is located approximately 3,200 feet northwest of the CBRP and discharges into the
 Savannah River fioodplain and associated swamps. Figure 1 shows the location of the CBRP in relation to other
 facilities at SRS. Figure 2 shows the location of the CBRP in relation to C-Area reactor.

 The CBRP was a shallow, unlined excavation (approximately 25 feet wide and 350 feet long) with depths of
 approximately 8 to 12 feet.  It had a volume of approximately 3,240 cubic yards. The CBRP was constructed in
 1951 for use as a burning pit. During the operation of the pit, it served as a repository for organic materials (i.e.,
 waste oils, wood, paper, plastics, and rubber) of unknown use or origin. Disposal records, including the chemical
 composition, origin, use and volume of the disposed wastes, were  not kept for  this unit during its period of
 operation. Disposal of combustible wastes in the pit was discontinued in 1973. At that time, the pit contents were
 covered with a thin  layer of soil.  The pit was then used for the disposal  of inert rubble and, when  full, was
 backfilled with soil and sediments to grade level. The pit is presently inactive (WSRC 1997a).

 A Mounded Area, approximately 30 feet high, 270 feet wide, and 525 feet long, is located directly north of the
 CBRP.  This man-made mound contains soil and debris from the initial construction of the C-Area Reactor. It is
 covered with native soils excavated to construct a large retention basin to the east of the CBRP. This Mounded
 Area was not used for burning, and no known hazardous materials were disposed in this area.  A Drainage Ditch
 occurs to the south of the pit, paralleling Road A-7.

 II.      SITE AND OPERABLE UNIT COMPLIANCE HISTORY

 SRS Operational History

 The primary mission  of SRS was to produce  tritium, plutonium-239, and other special  nuclear materials  for U.S.
 defense  programs.  Production of nuclear materials for the defense programs was discontinued in 1988.  SRS has
 provided nuclear materials for the space program as well  as for medical,  industrial, and research efforts to the
 present.  Chemical and radioactive wastes are byproducts of nuclear material production processes. These wastes
have been treated, stored, and in some cases, disposed at SRS.  Past disposal practices have resulted in soil and
groundwater contamination.
I000cm-p.doc MM/blb 09/18/98

-------
Interim Record oIDeoaoa for the Remedial Alternative SelectiaB far the
C-Area Bornint/Rnbble Pit Operable Unit (131-Q (U) Savannah River Site
September 1998
 WSRC-RP-S8-403*
            Rev.l
	Page 4 of 5?
Fi jure 2.       Location of C-Area Burnine/Rubble Fit

-------
 Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the            WSRC-RP-98-4039
 C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                      Rev. 1
 September 1998	-    	|	Page 5 of 59
 SRS Compliance History

 Waste materials handled at SRS are regulated and managed under RCRA, a comprehensive  law requiring
 responsible management of hazardous waste.   Certain  SRS activities have required federal  operating or post-
 closure permits under RCRA.  SRS received a hazardous waste permit from the SCDHEC; the permit was most
 recently renewed on September 5, 1995.  Part IV of the permit mandates corrective action requirements for
 nonregulated solid waste management units subject to the requirements specified in Section 3004(u) of RCRA.

 On December 21, 1989, SRS was included on the National Priorities List (NPL).  This inclusion created a need to
 integrate the established RFI Program with CERCLA   requirements to provide for a focused environmental
 program.  In accordance with Section 120 of CERCLA, DOE has negotiated a FFA (FFA, 1993) with EPA and
 SCDHEC to coordinate remedial activities at SRS into a single comprehensive strategy which fulfills  these dual
 regulatory requirements.

 Operable Unit Compliance History

 As previously stated, the CBRP is listed  in the FFA as a RCRA/CERCLA unit requiring further evaluation  to
 determine the actual or potential impact to human health and the environment. An RFI/RI characterization and a
 Baseline Risk Assessment (BRA) were conducted for the unit berween 1994 and 1997 and the results presented  in
 the RFMRJ/BRA report. The RFI/RI/BRA, Rev. 1.1 (WSRC 1997a) report was submitted in accordance with the
 FFA and the approved implementation schedule in December  1997. A final revision (Rev 1.3) is scheduled for
 submittal in April 1999.  Sufficient data has been collected to identify a high concentration (hot spot) source of
 contamination under and  adjacent the CBRP.  Per EPA guidance,  on  presumptive  response strategies for
 ground water (EPA 1996), groundwater response actions  should be implemented in a phased approach with
 provisions for monitoring and evaluating their performance. Subsequently, SRS developed an SRS Early'Action
 Strategy (10/21/97).  Consistent with this EPA guidance and SRS's Early Action strategy, a CBRP interim action  is
 documented herein to install a soil cover and an In-Situ Air Sparging/Soil Vapor Extraction (AS/SVE)  system to
remove principal threat wastes (i.e., high concentrations of trichloroethylene (TCE)).

An Interim Action Proposed Plan (IAPP) (WSRC 1998a) was submitted in accordance with the FFA and the
approved implementation schedule, and was approved by EPA and SCDHEC in April 1998. A presentation was
made to the Citizens Advisory Board  at an open public  meeting in May 1998, and the public comment period
lOOOcrwp dx MM/blb 09/18/98

-------
  Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the           WSRC-RP-98-4039   iflh
  C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (I31-C) (U) Savannah River Site                      Rev. i   ^•^
  September 1998	         Page 6 of 59


  ended in May 1998. The implementation of this interim action will be conducted concurrently with the pursuit of a
  final remedial action.

  HI.     HIGHLIGHTS OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION


  Both RCRA and CERCLA require that the public be given an opportunity to review and comment on the draft
  permit modification and proposed remedial alternative.   Public participation requirements are listed in South
  Carolina Hazardous Waste Management Regulation (SCHWMR) R.61-79.124 and Sections  113 and 117 of
  CERCLA.  These requirements include establishment of an Administrative Record File that documents the
  investigation and selection  of the remedial alternatives for  addressing the CBRP soils and groundwater. The
  Administrative Record File must be established at or near the facility at issue.


  The SRS Public Involvement Plan POE  1994) is designed to facilitate public involvement in the decision-making
  process for permitting, closure, and the  selection  of remedial alternatives.  The SRS Public Involvement Plan
  addresses the requirements of RCRA, CERCLA, and die National Environmental Policy Act, (NEPA 1969).  The
 lAPPfor the C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit (131-CJ (WSRC 1998a), which is pan of the Administrative Record File,
 highlights key aspects of the investigation and identifies the preferred action for addressing the CBRP.

 The FFA Administrative Record File, which contains the information pertaining to the selection of the response
•action, is available at the Atlanta EPA office and at the following locations:

 U.S. Department of Energy
 Public Reading Room
 Gregg-Graniteville Library
 University of South Carolina-Aiken
 171 University Parkway
Aiken, South Carolina 29801
(803)641-3465

Thomas Cooper Library
Government Documents Department
University of South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina 29208 "
(803) 777-4866
Similar information is available through the repositories listed below:
lOOOcrwpdoc MM/UbOWIIrtl

-------
  Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the           WSRC-RP-98-4039
  C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                      Rev  1
  September 1998	Page 7 of 59

  Reese Library
  Augusta State University
  2500 Walton Way
  Augusta, Georgia 30910
  (706)737-1744                                                   .    .

  Asa H. Gordon Library
  Savannah State University
  Tompkins Road
  Savannah, Georgia 31404
  (912)356-2183

  SCHWMR R 61-79.124 and Section 117(a) of CERCLA, as amended, require advertisement of the draft permit
 modification and any proposed remedial or interim action and an opportunity for the public to participate in the
 selection of a remedial or interim action.  Because this is an interim remedial action, a permit modification is
 not required to be included with this IROD. The final permit modification will (1) include the final selection of
 remedial alternatives under RCRA, (2) be sought for the entire CBRP Operable Unit with the final Statement of
 Basis/Proposed Plan (SB/PP) and (3) will  include  the necessary public involvement and regulatory approvals.
 This IROD also satisfies the RCRA requirements for an Interim Measures Work Plan.

 The RCRA Administrative  Record File for SCDHEC is available for review by the public at the  following
 locations:

 The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
 Bureau of Land and Waste Management
 8901 Farrow Road
 Columbia, South Carolina 29203
 (803)896-4000

 Lower Savannah District Environmental Quality Control Office
 215 Beaufort Street, Northeast
 Aiken, South Carolina 29802
 (803) 648-9561

The public was notified of the public comment period through mailings of the SRS Environmental Bulletin,  a
newsletter sent to citizens in South Carolina and Georgia, and through notices in \heAiken.Standard,  the Allendale
Citizen Leader, the Augusta  Chronicle,  the Barnwell People-Sentinel,  and The State newspapers.  The public
comment period was also announced on local radio stations.
lOOOerwp doc MM/blb 09ntl9S

-------
 interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the           WSRC-RP-98-4039
 C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                      Rev. 1
 September 1998	   	        Page 8 of 59
 The lAPP 30-day public comment period began on 4/17/98 and ended on 5/16/98. The lAPP was presented to the
 Citizen Advisory Board  in an open public meeting on 5/6/98.  A Responsiveness Summary was prepared to
 address comments  received during the  public  comment period and the open public meeting on 5/6/98.  The
 Responsiveness Summary is provided in Appendix A of this Interim Record of Decision (IROD). It will also be
 available in the final RCRA permit

 IV.    SCOPE  AND  ROLE  OF THE OPERABLE  UNIT WITHIN  THE  SITE
        STRATEGY

 RCRA/CERCLA Programs at SRS

 RCRA/CERCLA units (including die CBRP) at SRS are subject to a multi-phase remedial investigation process
 that integrates the requirements of RCRA and CERCLA as outlined in the RFI/RI Program Plan (WSRC  1993).
 The RCRA/CERCLA processes are generically summarized in Figure 3.  Figure 3 is consistent with the SRS ER
 RI/FS Early Action Strategy (10/21/97) which was developed with regulatory concurrence.

 The generic phases include (1) the investigation and characterization of potentially impacted environmental media
 (such as soil, groundwater, and surface water) comprising the waste-site and surrounding areas; (2) the evaluation
 of risk to human health and to the local ecological community; (3) the screening of possible remedial actions to
 identify die selected technology which will protect human health and the environment; (4) implementation  of die
 selected alternative;  (5) documentation  that the  remediation  has  been performed  competently; and (6) the
 evaluation of the effectiveness of the technology.  The steps of this process are iterative in nature, and include
 decision points which involve concurrence among the  DOE (as owner/manager), the EPA and SCDHEC (as
 regulatory oversight), and the public.

 As outlined in Figure 3, and consistent with the above generic phases, the overall strategy for addressing the CBRP
 is to (1) perform a RFI/RI to characterize the waste unit  that will identify die nature and extent of contamination
 and die media of concern; (2) perform a baseline risk assessment (BRA) to evaluate media of concern, constituents
 of concern (COC), exposure  pathways  and characterize potential  risks; (3) evaluate the possible remedial
 alternatives and acquire community involvement  in the remedial selection and  document the process in die
Corrective Measures Study/Fcasibflity Study (CMS/FS) and  Proposed Plan (PP); and (4) evaluate and perform a
 final action to remediate, as needed, die identified media.
KOOerwpiioc MMtlbWIMI

-------
   Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the
   C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site
   September 1998
                                                                                   WSRC-RP-98-4039
                                                                                               Rev. 1
                                                                                          Page 9 of59
   Figure 3.        RCRA/CERCLA Logic and Documentation for the CBRP Interim Action
NO
          Preliminary Evaluation '•"?•
           *Unit Recorinaisarice1;?^-
            .  . RFI/RI Work Plan ,
           ',"•'.:.:'DevelopCSMvBffev.
            •Develop Data Needs and \$
              Quality Objective* <>«^1.
            •Develop Sampling and  ;J.
                Analysis Plan  '•'"-'
                                                                       Corrective
                                                                 Measures/Remedial
                                                                         Action
                                                                 Unit Closure/Remediation
                                                                        per ROD
       Unit Characterization
          "Implement Work Plan  .
                                       • • Additional
                                      Characterization
                                        Characterization
                                        > - Complete?
                                                            POST ROD DOCUMENTS
                                                   •Corrective Measures Design/Remedial Design Work Plan Report
                                                       •Corrective-Measures Design/Remedial Design Report
                                                  •Corrective Measures Implementation/Remedial Action Work Plan
                                                                  •Post-Construction Report
                                                                           I
                                                                    RECORD OF
                                                                     DECISION
                                                                     •Select Remedy
                                                                'Document RI/FS Information
                                                                 •Responsiveness Summary
                                                                   •Final Permit Mods
                                                               No
                                                             Action
                                                            Remedy
                Early
               Action •".''
               Needed?
               PerSRS
                           RFI/RI Report
                              •Nature
                              •Extent
                               *Risk
                            *RGO/RAQ
Trealability Stud}
   (If Needed)
^ Perform Early Action
•^•Interim Action Proposed Plan
**>>%-.•' 'Public Comment  • .
     •Interim Action ROD
    •Interim Action Design
        •Construction
        'Operation
                                                                   Statement of Basis/
                                                                      Proposed Plan
                                                                     •Preferred Alternative
                                                                     •Draft Permit Mods.
                                                                      •Public Comment
                                                                  CMS/FS Report
                                                                  • Identify: Response Actions,
                                                                  •Technologies, Alternatives
                                                   Baseline Risk

-------
   Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the            WSRC-RP-98-4039
   C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                       Rev  j
   September 1998	Page 10 of 59
  The interim action described in this IROD was developed and planned concurrently with RFI/R1 process. Ficure 3
  Slustrates the general decisions related to the recognition that an early action was appropriate. The following
  sections succinctly describe the steps of the RFI/RI process. To date, the interim action has progressed through the
  shaded areas of Figure 3 concluding with the "Perform Early Action" block.

  RFI/RI Work Plan

  Based on the data reviewed and collected during the unit'preliminary screening and process knowledge,  a
  conceptual site model (CSM) was developed to determine the contaminated media sources release mechanisms,
  migration pathways, exposure routes, and potential human and ecological receptors. Section V provides the unit-
  specific CSM for the  CHRP OU and a summary of the characteristics of the primary and secondary sources and
  release mechanisms for the units, consistent with RFI/RI Work Plan. The approved RFI/RI  Work Plan for the
  CBRP (WSRC 1994, WSRC 1998b) outlined the specific characterization activities for the CHRP.

  Unit /Site Characterization (RFI/RI)

  The primary need for the RFI/RI unit characterization is to establish unit-specific constituents (USCs) that pose
 potential risk through various exposure routes and determine their distribution in source media associated with the
 unit These characterization data provide the contaminant profile and mass information necessary to determine the
 potential for contaminant migration to off-unit receptors. Even though characterization activities are ongoing at
 CBRP, a good general understanding of the contamination is  available.  For a more complete discussion of the
 present characterization, see Section V, and the latest revision to the RFI/RI/BRA (WSRC 1997a).

 Baseline Risk Assessment
                                                                                            •
 The intent of the  BRA is  to develop risk information  necessary to assist in the decision-making process for
 remedial sites. Because characterization is ongoing, a final risk assessment has not been completed.  However, risk
 can be quantified  based upon known data, coupled with potential scenarios for current and future human and
 ecological receptors through multiple exposure routes as identified in the CSM.  A summary of the preliminary
 findings of the latest revision of the BRA (WSRC 1997a) for the CBRP are presented in more detail in Section VI.
lOOOnwpiioc MM/Wb«/IW£

-------
  Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the            WSRC-RP-98-4039
  C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                      Rev 1
  September 1998	Page 11 of 59

  Preliminary Alternatives Analysis (PAA)

  A Preliminary Alternative Analysis (PAA) was conducted to support the development of a Corrective Measures
  Study/Feasibility Study (CMS/FS) for the CBRP, which will be submitted in early  2001.,  The preliminary
  alternative analysis was developed to eventually document the alternative selection process for a final remedial
  remedy.   Consequently, the preliminary  alternative  analysis  is very complete with  respect  to the range of
  alternatives and their consistency with final alternatives.  The  IAPP used the PAA  as a basis  for selecting
  appropriate interim action alternatives for CBRP contaminated soil and groundwater. A summary of the results of
  the PAA conducted for the CBRP is provided in Section VII, and a summary of the comparative analysis of the
 alternatives is provided in more detail in Section VIII.

 Interim Action Proposed Plan (IAPP)

 The culmination of the interim response action selection process is the Interim Action Proposed Plan (IAPP). The
 purpose of die IAPP is to facilitate public participation in the remedy selection process through the solicitation of
 public review and comment on all the remedial alternatives described. The IAPP describes all remedial options
 that were considered in detail in the PAA and explicitly identifies DOE's preliminary preferred alternative(s) for
 remedial action  and the rationale  for the  selection. The  IAPP was subsequently  approved by  the regulatory
 agencies.   The basis for the selection and additional design and operational details for the approved remedy are
 provided in Section IX.

 Interim Record of Decision

 The Interim Record of Decision (IROD) documents the interim remedial action plan for a unit and consists of three
 basic components: a Declaration, the Decision Summary, and the Responsiveness Summary.  The purpose of the
 Declaration is to certify that the remedy selection process was carried out in accordance with the requirements of
 CERCLA and, to the extent practicable, the NCP.

 The Decision Summary is a technical and  information document that provides the public with a consolidated
 source   of  information  about the  history,  characteristics,  and  risks  posed  by a  unit, followed  by  a
summary/evaluation  of the cleanup alternatives considered.  The Responsiveness Summary presents comments
received during the  public  comment period (4/17/98  through 5/16/98) on the IAPP and a response to each
comment or criticism,  whether submitted in writing or orally.  The Responsiveness  Summary for the CBRP is
lOOOerwpdoc MM.'blbOS'lS'Sg

-------
    Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the           WSRC-RP-98-4039
    C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (I31-C)(U) Savannah River Site                      D-..  ,
    September 1998	            •             	_Pagel2of59

    provided in Appendix A and an explanation of significant changes resulting from public comment is provided in
    Section XI.

   Records of Decision are typically accompanied with RCRA Permit modifications for SRS waste units.  SRS has a
   hazardous waste permit from SCDHEC (SRS 1995 RCRA Renewal Permit, SCI 890 008 989), which includes all
   SRS RCRA waste units and is  renewed every five years. The final ROD for the CBRP will include a RCRA
   permit modification.

   IROD Documentation

   The post-IROD documentation consists primarily of the design documents required  prior to initiating a remedial
   action.    Specific  post-IROD documents  include  the   Corrective  Measure  Implementation/Remedial
   Design/Remedial Design Report/Remedial Action Work Plan, and the Post-Construction Report. A discussion of
   the schedules that apply to these documents is provided in the IAPP and Section XIII of this IROD.

   C-Area Interim Remedial Strategy

  The CBRP is one of the OUs located within the Fourmile Branch watershed (Figure 2). Several source units within
  this watershed will be evaluated to detennine impacts, if any, to associated streams and wetlands. It is the intent of
  SRS, EPA, and the SCDHEC to manage these sources of contamination to minimize impact to the watershed.

  During the CBRP characterization process, it was recognized that the highest concentrations of contaminants and
  the contaminants with  the highest risk  were primarily associated  with  volatile organic  compound (VOC)
  groundwater contamination. However, it was also recognized that the full extent of the groundwater contamination
  had not been completely characterized during the latest revision of the RCRA Facility Investigation/Remedial
- Investigation (RFI/RI) . Further, tritium groundwater contamination has also been identified in the vicinity" of the
  CBRP but appears to be sourced from the C-Area Reactor Seepage Basin based  on historical groundwater
 monitoring of the C-Area Reactor Seepage Basin and the latest revision of the CBRP RFI/RI/BRA. Due to the
 complexity of this unit and the current uncertainties with the hydrogeology (known tritium and VOC plumes),
 farther characterization will be conducted concurrently with this interim action.  In addition to the groundwater
 characterization activities the potential impact to Fourmile Branch and Twin Lakes surface water and sediments
 from the current release of unit contaminants is being investigated. The characterization results associated with the
 CBRP will be included in the final RFI/RI/BRA Report.
 IOOO«v.p^>C MM%lt>09/II/9t

-------
  Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the             WSRC-RP-98-4039
  C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                      Rev i
  September 1998	           Page 13 of 59

  Concurrent with the final RFI/RI/BRA and final remedial selection remedial process, an interim action is planned
  and is the subject of this document.   The interim action is concordant  with the SRS Early  Action  Strategy
  (10/21/97), regulatory guidance on presumptive response strategies for groundwater (EPA 1996), and a preference
  for treatment of principal threat waste.

  The interim action will include the installation of an AS/SVE treatment system.  The system will  be operated and
  evaluated for  approximately  1  year  with incorporation  of the  results  into the final  Corrective Measures
  Study/Feasibility Study (CMS/FS) which wiil include a detailed review of remediation technologies for the final
 .remedial action.  A native soil cover will also be  installed to act as a barrier to prevent soil exposure to future
 human and ecological receptors and will also reduce precipitation infiltration to minimize  the further migration of
 TCE from the CBRP soils to the groundwater.

 This interim action for the CBRP is not a final action but will be pursued to minimize the  impact of the CBRP on
 the Fourmile Branch watershed. The interim action will however be consistent with any planned future action. A
 final ROD will  follow additional study by SRS, regulator approval, and public involvement and will document the
 final remedial decision for the OU.  Further, upon agreement between the DOE, EPA,  and SCDHEC, on the
 disposition of all source control and groundwater operable units within this watershed, a final comprehensive ROD
 for the watershed will be pursued with further public involvement.

 V.      INTERIM ACTION OPERABLE UNIT CHARACTERISTICS

 A CSM was developed for the CBRP that identifies the primary sources, primary contaminated media, migration
 pathways, exposure pathways, and potential receptors. The CSM for the CBRP is presented-in Figure 4 and is
 based on the data presented in the RCRA/CERCLA documentation for these units and the latest characterization
 data.

 The  Data  Summary Reports  (WSRC  1996,  WSRC 1997b, WSRC 1997c) and the  latest revision  of the
 RFI/RI/BRA Report (WSRC 1997a) contain detailed analytical data and interpretation of environmental impact for
 all media samples  taken  in the  characterization of the  CBRP. The  RFI/RI/BRA also includes the specific
lOOOcrwp doc MM/blb O9.'18">8

-------
Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the
C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site
September 1998
WSRC-RP-98-4039
             Rev. 1
             4 of 59
Figure 4.        Revised Conceptual Site Model for the CBRP
TRIMARY
SOURCE
C-Ait» Burning/
RubbtaNtml
MoumM
AiiifOutikfe »t
HI

•

••
RELEASE
MECHANISM

•~



-
Inl,
fa
IM
SECONDARY
SOURCE
SuifKt and
CubtuifK*
Srt"1
P«
.01
iti
an
Sub
0
Saill
lUllM
•IP S
SECONDARY
REl.tASF.
MECHANISM

Cl IUf
vitbil
lonion
I
Kl.
o» '"
-*•
-»
-*
— *•
FuBldvt Dull
Ctniiillon
VattOtHta,


HoUc
Runoll
Luchlng
- P«lhwiyi. both ewnnl md hisioricil
- Pliltcvil PHhwiyi It, qumtilitivt ivilultnn
° • Pllhntrl Iw ourtmiv. tvihillion
• Incompfetf pntmevt



PATII\VAVS
-»-


— *•
— +.

AMD..,,
Ak



— ^>

mou
Dialnagi Ditch
Gioundwai*f
, 	 i— ,

Cm! Sgilict
Wiltl
i it
Cittk Sedhnents

-


ROUTE

CURRENT
O....K
5

Ox.H




TrrrcKdrf
r^
•







p=—
1 ~ 1

_
— I

1-5-1
L=J
rn
•
ii=[

i :
i — i
i — * —
-•-i







A^nk








    111 SubiuilKi toil tvHuiud l« Mini iKipuit only

    (21 Shontling icxtdio ncKxMl botfl Mulllion Ml dtinill coniKI p«hwly»

-------
  Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the            WSRC-RP-98-4039
  C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                       Rev  i
  September 1998	   Page 15 of 59
 methodologies for determining: Unit Specific Constituents (USCs) for nature and extent evaluations; preliminary
 Contaminant Migration Constituents of Concern (CMCOCs) important for contaminant migration evaluations;
 preliminary Constituents of Concern (COCs) for human health and ecological risk evaluations; and final COCs.
 The data summary reports and RFI/RI/BRA are available in the Administrative Record File (See Section III).

 The following  sections provide a  detailed discussion of the primary  and secondary sources and release
 mechanisms, the nature of contamination, and the extent of contamination  in the vicinity of the pit. Section VI
 provides a detailed discussion of operable unit risks.

 Primary Sources and Release Mechanisms

 The primary sources were organic liquids of unknown use and origin, waste oils, paper, plastics, and rubber
 disposed in the pit during its operational history. Residual liquids are no longer present and the CBRP  has been
 filled  to grade  with nati\'e soils.   The primary release  mechanisms  are deposition inside the CBRP and
 infiltration/percolation to surface, subsurface and deep soil.  There  are no documented occurrences of CBRP
 overflow.  Disposal records, including composition, origin, and use of materials disposed were not kept for this
 unit during its period of operation. These disposed materials are consistent with the constituents identified in pit
 samples and visual observations made during die investigation.

 Secondary Sources and Release Mechanisms

 Secondary sources include surface and subsurface soil in the Pit Area. As illustrated in Figure 4, secondary release
 mechanisms associated with these sources include volatilization from soil and water within the pit, fugitive dust
 generation from exposed surface soil, bioric uptake, runoff and leaching to groundwater.

 A detailed sampling and analysis plan was prepared and implemented to investigate these secondary sources. The
 field investigations conducted  from  September 1994 to July  1997 included soil, groundwater, and associated
 background sampling activities and provided  data on the nature and  extent of constituents present in soils and
 groundwater. Soil and groundwater sample locations are illustrated in Figure 5.  The sample analysis information
was grouped into Pit Area Soil and Groundwater (upper zone of the water table aquifer, and  lower zone of the
water table aquifer). These characterization results are summarized below.
lOOOenvpdoc MM/blbW/18/58

-------
Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the
C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (13I-Q (U) Savannah River Site
September 1998
Figure 5.       CBRP Groundwater and Soil Sampling Locations
WSRC-RP-98-403
            Rev. I
      Pagel6of59
                                                                  ^RETENTION BASIN
                                                                * 9      * 90^-890
                            MOUNDED-v
                            AREA     >^
                         CM ICROJNDVATER SA»«.EI
                                   SOIL BCWIHC
                               ELECTRICAL LINES
                                                                   SAV«HN/tN * IVEK S ITE
                                                             C-AREA BORN1WG/RUBBLE  PIT
                                                                   LOCATION  WAP
                                            SCALE IN FEET

-------
  Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the            WSRC-RP-98-4039
  C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C)(U) Savannah River Site                       Rev 1
  September 1998	Page 17 of 59
  Pit Area Soil
  To evaluate the potential effect of runoff from the CHRP, soil samples were collected from soil adjacent to the
  Drainage  Ditch that parallels  RoadA-7 (See Figure 2).   No  significant contamination was  identified in the
  Mounded Area or the soil adjacent to the Drainage Ditch in the vicinity of the CBRP.  Within the Pit Area, three
  soil intervals were selected for analysis: the upper 1 foot (surface soil), the uppermost 4 feet (subsurface soil), and
  from the surface to the depth of the deepest soil boring (all depths). The conclusions of these analyses indicate
  soils within and beneath the pit are primarily contaminated with  VOCs (principally TCE) and low concentrations
  of dioxins and metals. A complete discussion of the final COCs for soils is provided in Section VI.
 The  pit contains  a total of approximately  1,300  cubic  yards of soils that  are  contaminated  with  varying
 concentrations of VOCs, dioxins and metals. However, characterization data indicates that the western half of the
 pit (approximately 650 cubic yards)  is the area of highest TCE contamination.  The maximum concentration of
 TCE identified within the pit soils is 4.01 ug/L.  The maximum concentration of TCE identified in soils beneath the
 western portion  of the pit is 286 ug/L.

 The presence of TCE at higher concentration in the soils beneath the pit (compared to pit soils)  indicates that
 sampling did not intercept the highest concentration of TCE in pit soils.  This situation is not unusual in highly
 heterogeneous waste units like burning rubble pits. The presence of relatively high concentrations of TCE in the
 vadose  zone  soils indicates that these soils may be a source of contaminants to the groundwater and should be
 considered in contaminant migration  modeling  and probably the alternatives analysis. Because concentrations of
 TCE in the vadose zone are likely to be highly variable it is difficult to estimate a volume of TCE laden soils within
 the vadose zone.

 Groundwater

 The water table in the C Reactor Area can be subdivided into the upper and lower water table.  The lower water
 table is  separated from the upper water table by a thin discontinuous stratigraphic unit of interbedded  sands and
 clayey sands. The upper water table in the vicinity of the CBRP is located approximately 60 feet below the land
 surface and is approximately 20 feet thick.  Sediments of the upper water table consist principally of interbedded
sand, silty sands, and clayey sands. The lower water table aquifer consists principally of less muddy sands with
higher potential rates of water flow (higher hydraulic permeabilities).
lOOOcrwpdoc MM/blb09/lg/98

-------
    Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the            WSRC-RP 98-4(m
    C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                      •>„. ,
    September 1998                                                                       .,     „   •1
   —*-	,	                    Page 18 of 59

   Based on  the results of seven groundwater sampling events between December 1995 and July 1997, several
   constituents in the lower zone and the upper zone of the water table aquifer had a maximum concentration greater
   than two times the average background concentration or equivalent to the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL).
   A complete list of these constituents are provided in the RFI/RI/BRA (WSRC 1997a).  The characterization of the
   groundwatcr in the vicinity of the pit indicates that the principal contaminants are PCE, TCE and tritium.

   Figure 6 illustrates the contour of the TCE plume in the upper zone of the water table aquifer based on known well
   and Cone Penetrometcr Techniques (CPT) data collected after the latest revision of the RFI/RI/BRA. The extent of
   Ac plume to the  northwest has not been fully characterized but is estimated based on hydraulic conductivity and
   the groundwater gradients of the area. Assuming an average porosity of 0.2, the volume of impacted groundwater
   depicted in Figure 6 is estimated to be 6.0 X 107gallons.

  Among the contaminants in the upper zone of the water table aquifer, TCE is the most pervasive. It was measured
  at a concentration of 1,660 ug/L in a monitoring well adjacent to the pit, and at concentrations as high as 130,000
  ug.1. in CPT sampling locations adjacent to the pit The CPT data zn the upper zone of the xvater aquifer indicates
  that maximum TCE concentrations are high enough to suggest a high probability of free phase (undissolved) TCE
  in the upper water table aquifer. The free phase is likely present in the  form of micro-droplets within the pore
  spaces of the aquifer. In addition, the free phase TCE can be absorbed onto aquifer panicles.

  Although the downgradiem extent has not been completely defined, sufficient data has however, been collected
  identifying the hot spot source of contamination (e. g., >25,000 ug/L VOC).  The volume of impacted >25.000
  ug/L VOC groundwater is estimated to be 3.0 X Itfgallons.  The hot spot source  is driving an interim action while
 characterization is finalized for the selection  of a final ROD.  The low  concentrations of TCE  measured
 downgradiem in the lower water table aquifer well, in the vicinity of the pit, suggest that TCE has not migrated into
 Hie lower zone of the water table aquifer.

 The presence of a TCE plume beneath the CBRP is consistent with the soil sampling results. The presence of TCE
 indicated by the elevated concentration in the vadose zone beneath the pit (at approximately 30 feet bis) indicates a
 continuing potential  source  for TCE to migrate to the groundwater.   Characterization information  on the
 froundwater VOC hotspot and distal plume is summarized as follows:
tOOOcnrpdoc MWblb CWII/9J

-------

-------
  Interim Record ofDecfsion for the Remedial Alternative Selection for fne       '.    WSRC-RP-98-4039
  C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                       Rev. I
  September 1998	Page 2i Of 59
           __   .              ^WMWMM.                 ^.^_»__.i    	  .^—^^^
      •  Groundwatcr in the upper water table is contaminated with high concentrations  of TCE, and lesser
         amounts of tetrachlorocthylenc (PCE), dichloromcthane and tritium.  TCE concentrations are hieh
         enough to suggest a high probability of free-phase (undissolved) TCE in the upper water table.

      •  Figure 6 illustrates the distribution of TCE emanating from the Pit Area.  The high concentrations arc
         consistent with the presence of elevated TCE concentrations in vadose zone soils beneath the pit, as
         described above.

     •   High groundwater TCE  concentrations compared to the vadose zone maximum of 286 ug/1 indicates
         free phase TCE is likely to be present in the vadose zone beneath the western end of the pit.

     •  Vertical migration of free-phase TCE to the lower water table is hindered by only a thin layer  of
        interbedded sands and clayey sands.

     •  Groundwater in the lower' water table is slightly contaminated with VOCs. However, the lower water
        table is contaminated with relatively high activities of tritium from an upgradient source.

     •  Vinyl chloride (23 ug/L maximum) and chloroform (1.6 ug/L maximum) have been detected on a very
        limited basis as part of ongoing CPT characterization of the distal portion of the plume. Vinyl chloride
        and chloroform have not been identified in the groundwater adjacent to the pit  and are therefore
        probably the product of naturally occurring reductive dechlorination of TCE within the  distal portion of
        the plume.

Tritium detected in the groundwater at the CBRP is not consistent with contaminants found in CBRP soils above
the water table or the CSM (Figure 4). Therefore, other sources in the vicinity, such as the industrial activities in
C-Area, are thought to be contributing to groundwater contamination at the CBRP. Tritium is present at 19,400
picocuries per liter (pCi/L) in the upper zone of the water table aquifer upgradient to the Pit Area  and at
significantly higher levels (94,400 pCi/L) in the lower zone of the water table aquifer at the same location.  It is
also present at significantly higher levels upgradient of the Pit Area (94.400 pCi/L) than it is down-gradient of the
Pit Area, (52,800 pCi/L) in the lower zone of the water table aquifer. Side gradient (south) of the Pit  Area, the
tritium concentration is 215,000 pCi/L. This indicates the tritium is from a source other than the CBRP, since the
IMOawpdoc MM/blbOWICVS

-------
  Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the           WSRC-RP-98-4039
  C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                      Rev 1
  September 1998	.	Page 22 of 59

  concentrations generally decrease along the flow path and are higher in the deeper aquifer. Figure 7 illustrates the
  known tritium and VOC contamination in the upper water table in the C Reactor Area.

  Groundwater  analytical data in general indicate an upgradient source of the tritium within the upper and lower
  zones of the water table aquifer, such as the C-Arca Reactor Seepage Basin (CRSB) or C-Area industrial facilities.
  Tritium activities are as high as 22,500,000 pCi/L immediately adjacent to the CRSB. As depicted in Figure 7, the
 tritium plume  emanating from the CRSB appears to migrate parallel to the CBRP VOC plume with a small lateral
 separation between the two plumes in the vicinity of the CBRP. The two plumes converge approximately 400 feet
 downgradient  from the CBRP and ultimately overlap. Based on these observations, tritium in the groundwater is
 not believed to be a result of past activities at the CBRP and, therefore, will not be addressed hereafter within this
 IROD.  The  source of the tritium and its  impact on  the environment is, however, the  subject of ongoing
 characterizations (RFI/RI/BRA) of the C-Area Reactor and CBRP areas.  A work plan to conduct  additional
 characterization of this source has been submitted. Field investigations at this unit are scheduled to begin on
 June 30, 1998.

 Fate  and Transport Analysis

 Predictive modeling techniques (i. e., SESOIL model) were used to determine  whether chemicals present in the
 soils of the waste unit could migrate to the groundwater at concentrations greater than the MCL or the risk-based
 concentration (RBC) if no MCL is available. The predictive modeling runs were performed to simulate a potential
 migration period of 1,000 years. If the potential contaminant was predicted to exceed the MCL or RBC, the
 contaminant was considered a preliminary Contaminant Migration COC (CMCOC).  Only TCE was retained as a
 final CMCOC.

 VI.     SUMMARY OF INTERIM ACTION OPERABLE UNIT RISKS

As part of the unit investigation/assessment process a baseline risk assessment (BRA) was performed using data
generated during the assessment. The risk assessment was performed to:  1) systematically identify constituents of
potential concern (COPC), preliminary constituents of concern (PCOC), and final constituents of concern (COC);
and 2)  assess the potential for adverse human health and ecological effects to occur from exposure to constituents
at the waste unit (without any institutional controls or remedial actions).
lOOOcrwpdoc MM/b!b09;iB'9S

-------
          Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the
          C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site
          September 1998	
                                           WSRC-RP-98-4039
                                                      Rev. 1
                                          	Page 23 of 59
          Figure 7.      C-Area Tritium and CHRP VOC Plumes in the Upper Water Table
 WIOOO
N70SOO
N70000
M«00
W9000
WSSOO
N&JOCO
N67500  „
M57COO
KCSOO
WMOO
      C-AREA  TRITIUM  AND  CHRP  VOC  PLUMES IN  THE UPPER WATER  TABLE AQUIFER
  LEGEND
  VOC
  —»oo	 100 ppb VOC

  —**— 20,000 ppb VOC
  	 STREAM
  -- :»— TOPOGRAPHIC CONTOUR
  	 SEEP LINE
Tritium

—20— 20 pCi/ml Tritium

«<.ooo— 4.QOO pCi/ml Tritium

—20.000— 20.000 pCi/ml Tritium
                                       0   TOO  <00   600  BOO  BOO
                                       ^  "'"•    '  "'•>•*!    i ~3>Z9?n
                                                                                   SCALE FEET
                                                                                              CAflVUl

-------
 Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the             WSRC-RP-98-4039
 C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                      Rev. 1
 September 1998                 	^	   Page 24 of 59
 Detailed information regarding the COC screening process, fate and  transport constituents of concern (i.e.,
 CMCOC), and the risk assessment process can be found in the latest revision of the RFI/RI/BRA report (WSRC
 1997a). The latest version of the BRA does provide a realistic risk assessment with respect to most impacted
 media; however, recent groundwater characterization data and  surface water and sediment evaluations  from
 Fourmile Branch and Twin Lakes has not been assessed in the report.  Sufficient characterization data and risk
 information is, however, available to support this interim action. The human health and ecological risks for current
 and future land use scenarios were evaluated and are presented below.

 Human Health Risk Assessment

 The human health risk assessment  considered both current and future  land uses  and individuals  likely to  be
 exposed.  Current exposures were evaluated  for an on-unit worker who may occasionally be in the area. Future
 exposures were evaluated for a hypothetical industrial worker and residents. The resident scenario is the most
 sensitive land use. The CBRP is located in an area that has been recommended for future industrial (nuclear) use.
 (DOE 1996) Currently, .the industrial area nearest to the CBRP is the C-Area Reactor, located approximately 2,500
 feet to the southeast.

 Exposure parameters were based on unit-specific data and  default values published by EPA. EPA methods were
 used in conducting the risk assessment Soil was evaluated for ingestion, inhalation, dermal and external radiation.
 Groundwater was evaluated for inhalation, ingestion and dermal contact, and produce was evaluated for ingestion.
 Risks were quantified for adverse noncancer and cancer effects.

 As part of the RI evaluation, if the level of a constituent in a given medium exceeds a state or federal chemical-
 specific ARAR, that constituent is also included as a COC.  For drinking water obtained from groundwater or
surface water, the MCL is the controlling ARAR. The preliminary COCs generated from the results of the human
health risk assessment for the Pit Area and the CBRP groundwater are detailed in the RFI/RI/BRA (WSRC 1997a).

Land Use

Current exposure was considered for the on-unit worker  who may occasionally be in the area. Groundwater
exposures were not evaluated because the CBRP and surrounding area are undeveloped, and there are no drinking
water wells currently located in the surrounding area. Therefore, the risk assessment for current land  use focused

lOOOcrwp doc MM/blb09/I8/9B

-------
    Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the            wsnr »P
    C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C)(U) Savannah River Site            **i--Kr-
    jeptember 1998   	                                                         Kev- *

    only on soil at the Pit Area. There are no unacceptable risks for the on-unit worker. Risks for all exposure routes
    are less than 1 x 10*. indicating that under current conditions carcinogenic risk from chemicals and rad,onuclides is
    insignificant at the unit.

   Future Use

   Furore exposures were evaluated for the hypothetical industrial worker and resident. The resident scenario is the
   most sensitive land use. The CBRP is located in an area that has been recommended for ruture industrial (nuclear)
   use. Currently, the industrial area nearest to the CBRP is the C-Area Reactor, located approximately 2 500 feet to
   the southeast Groundwater was included as pan of the risk assessment for the future land use seen,™, Soil and
   the upper and lower zones of the water table aquifer were evaluated individually and are detailed below.

   fit Area Snil

  The characterization of the primary and  secondary sources associated with the  CBRP indicates  the soils are
  contaminated with inorganics, SVOCs, VOCs,  pesticides, PCBs and  radionuclides.  Prelirninary COCs  were
  identified by comparing USCs with applicable or relevant and appropriate  requirements (ARARs). analyzing for
  fate and transport in the environmental setting, and assessing the human health and ecological risk.  Details are
  provided in the BRA portion of the latest revision of the RFI/R1-BRA (WSRC 1997a).

  Upon completion of an analysis of uncertainties in the RFI/R1BRA, only the two dioxins (HpCDD and OCDD)
  were retained as final COCs, for the unit resident scenario, at the Pit Area. TCE is not a risk-based COC in the
  shallow soils  (0 to 4 ft), but was  detected in deeper soils as a contaminant  migration constituent of concern
 (CMCOC) (i.e.. soils contaminated with TCE at sufficient concentrations to continue to  be a migration  threat ,o
 groundwater via precipitation infiltration). Those constituents retained as final COCs and CMCOCs and their risks
 are listed in Table 1  and are detailed in the latest revision of the RFI/RI/BRA (WSRC 1997a).

 Upper Zone of the Wa^r Tahle Aq»,-frr

 The ongoing RFI/RI investigation determined the groundwater in both the upper and lower zones of the water table
 aquifer at the  CBRP is  contaminated.  For the upper zone of the  water table aquifer,  the human  health risk
 evaluation identified preliminary COCs for the hypothetica, ton on.Unit resident and for the hypothetical future
on-un,t mdustria. worker. Those groundwater constituents wh.ch were retard as preliminary COCs are detailed
lOMxnp doc MM/blb W.'| J*jj

-------
 Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the            WSRC-RP-98-4039
 C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                      Rev. 1
 September 1998	Page 26 of 59
 in the latest revision of the RFI/RI/BRA (WSRC 1997a). In the uncertainty analysis, PCE and TCE were retained
 as final COCs for the future resident scenario. TCE was retained as a final COC for the future industrial worker
 scenario.  Dichloromethane was not identified as a human health COC but was retained as a  final  COC for
 exceedance of the MCL. These final human health COCs and their risks are listed in Table 1.

 Lower Zone of the Water Table Aquifer

 The ongoing RFI/RI investigation determined the groundwater in both the upper and lower zones of the water table
 aquifer  at the CBRP is contaminated.  For the lower zone of the water table aquifer, the human health risk
 evaluation identified preliminary COCs for the hypothetical future on-unit resident  and for the hypothetical future
 on-unit industrial worker.  Those groundwater constituents which were retained as preliminary COCs are detailed
 in the latest revision of the RFI/RI/BRA (WSRC 1997a). Upon completion of the uncertainty analysis, only tritium
 was retained as a final COC for the lower zone of the water table aquifer. However, as discussed in Section V, the
 source of the tritium is upgradient of the CBRP and is believed to be from the C-Reactor Seepage Basins  (CRSB).
 Because tritium is not sourced from the CBRP, it is not a final COC for the CBRP.  As no final COCs are sourced
 from the CBRP. no remedial actions for the lower zone of the water table aquifer were recommended by the CBRP
 Interim Action Proposed Plan (WSRC 1998a).

 Ecological Risk Assessment

 The ecological risk assessment defined the likelihood of harmful effects or the risk to ecological receptors from
 exposure to contaminants at the CBRP.  Receptors include both terrestrial  plants and animals and their  habitats.
 Constituents  in the upper 4 feet of soil  were screened because this medium  was  the principal one resulting in
 exposures to plants and animals.  Based on characterization of the environmental setting and identification of
 potential receptor organisms, a CSM was developed to determine the complete exposure pathways through which
 ecological receptors could be exposed to COPCs.

 The ecological risk assessment was completed for two scenarios. The current land use evaluated potential effects
 only from exposure to the top 1-foot of soil in CBRP. Evaluation of the effects of the future  land use  scenario
 considered the soil interval from the surface to a depth of 4 feet. Upon completion of the uncertainty analysis, only
HpCDD in the Pit Area was retained as a  final ecological COC for shrews in surface soils.
lOOOcrwpdoc MM/blb CWI8/98

-------
 Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the
 C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site
 September 1998	
WSRC-RP-98-403S
              Rev. 1
      Page 27 of 59
   TABLE 1.   FINAL HUMAN HEALTH AND ECOLOGICAL COCS AND CMCOCS
Media
Soil
Groundwater
Unit
Pit Area
Mounded Area
Soil adjacent to
Drainage Ditch
Jpper zone of the
water table aquifer
.o%verzone of the
water table aquifer
COCs*
TCE
OCDD ***
1,2,3,4,6,7,8-
HpCDD ***
None
None
TCE
PCE
Dichloromethane
^Jone
Basis/Receptor
Migration to groundwater
Risk to future resident
Risk to future resident
Ecological risk to small
burrowing animals (i.e., shrew)
NA
NA
R.isk to future resident;
risk to future worker;
exceedance of MCL
lisk to future resident;
exceedance of MCLs
Exceedance of MCL
NA
Risk/Hazard
Quotient
**
4x10-*
3xlO-6
NA/14.3
NA
NA
4x1 (r1 — /20
6x1 0-5 72.7
IxlO'6
*****
NA
 NA « Not Applicable
 •Note: Tritium was identified as a contaminant in the upper water table (up and sidegradient of the CBRPl but is not considered a COC
 because it is not sourccd from the CBRP. Tritium and PCE were identified as contaminants in the lower water table (upgradient of the
 CBRP) but are not considered COCs because they are not sourced from the CBRP.
 "CMCOC. based upon exceedance of MCL. not risk-based.
 •••Risk tor future industrial worker does not exceed 1 x 10"". The highest residential risk from either the surface of the subsurface soils is
 listed above in Table 1. Risk for HpCDD in the subsurface soils (0-T) is 1.7 x 1Q-*. Risk for OCDD in the surface soils (0-1') is 3.4 x 10"

 •—This table is based upon 1997 monitoring well data only.  1998 CPT data indicates maximum TCE concentrations are at 130,000
 ug/L. Assuming this preliminary unvalidated CPT data would not be screened from risk protocols, a risk Of 3 x 10:: would be projected.


 *»***COC due to exceedance of MCL, but not a risk-based COC.
IOOOcr*p doc MM-blb M/1B.9S

-------
 Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the            WSRC-RP-98-4039
 C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                       Rev. 1
 September 1998	Page 28 of 59
 Risk Conclusions

 The overall conclusions of the BRA include the following:

     •  Mounded Area  soils and the soil adjacent to the  Drainage Ditch do  not pose  a significant risk to
        hypothetical human or ecological receptors, and, therefore, do not require remedial action. These areas
        are, therefore, dropped from further discussion within this IROD.

     •  Low concentrations of dioxins in soils within and beneath the pit pose minimal human health  and
        ecological risks. Dioxin is a risk-based COC.

     •  TCE is not  a risk-based COC in the shallow soils (0 to 4 feet), but was detected in deeper soils as a
        contaminant migration constituent of concern (CMCOC) (i.e., soils contaminated with TCE at sufficient
        concentrations which allow them to  continue to be a migration threat to groundwater via precipitation
        infiltration).

     •  Groundwater in  the upper water table is sufficiently contaminated with VOCs so that it represents a
        significant risk to human health, with TCE concentrations over 5,000-times the drinking water standard
        andMCLof5ug/L.

Contaminant Threat Review

A review of the final human and ecological COCs present within the soils and groundwater at the CBRP indicate
that the wastes represent low-level and principal threat wastes. The contaminants within the soils and groundwater
can be categorized as follows:

    •  Low concentrations of  dioxins and metals in surface soils are thought to be a low level threat waste
       because the material represents relatively low risks to humans and moderate risks to the ecology, has a
       low potential for migration, and is easily contained
JOOOerwpdoc MM/bIb09.'IS;98

-------
   Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the            WSRC RJP 98-4039
   C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                       »„,.  i
   September 1998	     Page 29 of 59

       •   Based on current data presented in Table  1, the relatively low concentrations of VOCs in soils within
           and beneath the pit appear to be low-level threat waste because they do not pose a risk to human or
           ecological receptors, have a low potential for significant migration (based upon contaminant migration
          modeling) and are easily contained.  However, based upon high groundwater concentrations, principal
          threat waste is probably present in the vadose zone which the proposed interim action should address.

       •   The highly concentrated TCE in the aquifer sediments immediately adjacent to the pit in the upper zone
          of the water table aquifer arc thought to represent a principal threat. The risk to humans from TCE in
          the groundwater is thought to be significantly higher than those presented in Table 1, which were based
          on the then available 1997 monitoring well data.   Preliminary unvalidated 1998 CPT data indicates
          maximum TCE concentrations are at 130,000 ug/L versus the 1997 monitoring well data of 1,660 ug/L.
          Assuming  this preliminary  unvalidated CPT data would  not be screened from risk  protocols, a
          Significantly higher risk  would be projected.  The high concentrations of TCE (130,000 ug/L) are
         thought to suggest the presence of free-phase TCE which is potentially mobile.

  In conclusion, SRS believes that interim remedial actions should be considered  for the >25,000 ug/L VOC areas of
  the groundwater plume and vadose zone in an effort to minimize the further migration of this principal  threat.  A
  thorough discussion of the specific remedial action objectives is provided in Section VII.

 The actions suggested in this IROD (Section IX) are consistent with a bias for treatment of principal threat
 materials because

     •  treatment technologies are feasible and available in a reasonable time frame;

     •  the small volume and simplicity of the site  make implementation  technically and economically
        practicable;

     •   implementation of the treatment does not increase  the risks to humans (includ.ng workers and the
       surrounding  community) or the environment; and

    •  implementation win not result in severe effects across environmental media.
ICOOnxpdoc MW>It>09/IWJ

-------
 Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the            WSRC-RP-98-4039
 C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                      Rev. 1
 September 1998	Page 30 of 59
VII.   INTERIM    REMEDIAL     ACTION    OBJECTIVES     (IRAOS)     AND
        DESCRIPTION OF THE CONSIDERED ALTERNATIVES FOR THE CBRP
        OPERABLE

Interim Remedial Action Objectives

The IRAOs are specific early action goals developed to reduce risk to human health and the environment.  These
interim goals are used to ensure that the selected interim remedial alternatives will impact exposure pathways and
media in a fashion that will reduce risk to human health and the environment.  This  IROD uses the interim
remedial action objectives to initially evaluate the applicability of the remedial alternatives. IRAOs specify unit-
specific  contaminants,  media of concern, potential exposure pathways, and remediation goals. The IRAOs are
based on  the nature and extent  of contamination, threatened resources,  and the  potential  for human  and
environmental exposure.

Based upon the human health, ecological, and contaminant migration risks (see Table  1) posed by the dioxins in
the subsurface soil and the TCE in the deep soil of the Pit Area, the general soil IRAQ is to:
    •  prevent  direct contact with COC contaminated soils and reduce infiltration to  minimize further
       migration of CMCOCs to the groundwater from soils within and beneath the CBRP.

The largest contribution to groundwater hazards is  from TCE in both the future resident and future industrial
worker scenarios (see  Table 1).  PCE poses significant risk in the  future resident  scenario only.  Although
dichloromethane poses no significant risk to human health, it is a COC to be remediated because concentrations
in the shallow groundwater exceed the MCL.  Based on the  risks  posed by these  VOCs in  the  shallow
groundwater, the general groundwater IRAQ is  to:

    •  treat the area in the vicinity of the pit,  within the 25,000 ug/L VOC isoconcentration contour, with an
       objective to  reduce concentrations and control the migration of VOCs within  the 25,000 ug/L VOC
       contour.

As previously stated, this IROD is tailored to the limited scope and purpose of the interim action and does not
specify the final acceptable exposure levels for  the site.  Specifically, this IROD will  not identify final remedial
goals; but the selected interim alternatives.will  be consistent with the IRAOs and any final action.  The interim

tOOOenrpdoc MM/blb(WI8/9S

-------
    Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the            WSRC RP
    C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                ' *r~
    September 1998                                                                              Rev- J
   ~ - — -- . _        _ __ Page 31  of 59

   action RAOs will be used to develop the final action RAOs as more information from the ongoing RF1/R1/BRA
   and planned interim action operations concerning the unit and potential remedial technologies becomes available.
   Remediation goals  will ultimately be determiaed as part of  the final remedial action determination and will
   establish acceptable exposure levels that  are  protective  of  human  health and  the  environment (CERCLA
   300.430
-------
  Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the
  C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-Q (U) Savannah River Site
  September 1998
WSRC-RP-98-4039
            Rev.l
     Page 32 of S9
  TABLE 2.  SOIL AND GROUNDWATER INTERIM ACTION ALTERNATIVES AND CAPITAL
             AND OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (O&M) COSTS*


S-l
S-2
S-3
S-4
S-5

GW-1
GW-2
GW-3
GWJ
GW-5
ALTERNATIVES
CAPITAL COST
(SK)
O&MCOST
(SK)
SOIL
No Action
Institutional Controls
Native Soil Cover**
Thermal Desorption/Incineration
OfTsite Disposal
0
0
175
548
785
0
61
20
200
0
GROUNDWATER
No Acrion
Institutional Controls
In-Situ Air Sparging** (w«h SVE)
In-Sim Methane Biocegradarion (with SVE)
Ex Situ Air Snipping (pump and treat)
0
347
800
UOOO
500
0
60
UQO
1.500
700
TOTAL COST

-------
  Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the             WSRC-RP-98-4039
  C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                       Rev j
  September 1998	Page 33 of ^
  The No Action alternative would not be protective of human health or the environment,  would not eliminate
  potential future routes for human exposure, and would not be protective of human health because of the potential
  for soil exposure to a worker, and would not provide control of leaching of contaminants to ground water. The No
  Action alternative would  require no construction and could, therefore, be implemented immediately.  The
  estimated cost associated with the No Action alternative is SO.

  Alternative S-2:  Institutional Controls

  Institutional controls  are  administrative measures taken to minimize the potential  for human  exposure.
  Administrative institutional controls consist of filing deed restrictions or notifications and performing  5-ycar
  remedy reviews.  Deed restrictions and notifications inform potential future buyers or developers of the hazardous
  waste disposal activities previously conducted at the unit  and limit the types of future activities that could be
  conducted on the property (e.g., restrictions on excavation and land use).

  Institutional controls arc effective in further minimizing the potential for human exposure to CBRP contaminants
  and arc relatively easy to implement.  In  addition, costs associated with institutional  controls  are considered low
 relative to other  remedial responses.   Institutional control costs include surveying, filing deed restrictions  or
 notifications, and preparation of 5-year remedy reviews. Five-year remedy reviews are required for any waste site
 that has provisions that prevent unrestricted land use or leaves wastes  in place.  Under the alternative, the soils
 within and below the pit would continue to be an ecological risk and a source of TCE groundwater contamination.
 The estimated cost associated with the alternative is 561,300.

 Alternative S-3: Native Soil Cover

 This alternative consists of placing a layer of clean soil over the entire surface area of the CBRP. This additional
 byer of soil will act as a barrier to prevent soil exposure to future human and ecological receptors and will also
 reduce precipitation infiltration to minimize further migration of TCE from the CBRP soils to the groundwater.
 Therefore, this alternative satisfies the remedial action objectives and would be protective of human health and the
environment by forming a physical barrier to prevent ingestion and direct exposure to contaminated soil.

A low permeability engineered cover would be sufficient to minimize infiltration,  intrusion, and surface erosion.
"Re cover design would be approved by both EPA and SCDHEC prior to construction. The cover would include
•OObcntpdnc MMMbOWIIW

-------
   Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the            WSRC-RP-98-4039
   C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                       Rev  1
   September 1998	Page 34 of 59

   an area of approximately 0.6 acres (27,000 square feet). A soil cover is a performance-based engineering approach
   since it does not reduce the total mass of COCs.

   The thickness of the soil cover is determined by the contaminants present in the waste unit, the potential impact to
   groundwater, and the future land use  proposed for the waste unit.   Subject to final design development and
   approval, the soil cover will be a two-layer system consisting of a compacted sandy clay layer and a vegetative
   layer placed on top.  The vegetative layer would be maintained to prevent erosion from wind or rain. Thickness of
   the sandy clay layer will be a minimum thickness of 2 feet.

   Hydraulic conductivity will be approximately 1.0 x  10'5 cm/sec. The surface slope of the cover will be a minimum
  of 3 percent and a maximum of 5 percent  Side  slopes will be no steeper than 4:1 (H:V).  A  minimum 6-in
  vegetative layer will be added to minimize soil erosion of cover. Infiltration will be reduced by no less than 60
  percent. The cover would greatly reduce the leaching of soil contaminants to the groundwater, where MCLs would
  be exceeded; but the deep soils (4 to 60 feet) below the pit would continue to  be a source of TCE groundwater
  contamination. As part of the final ROD, the native soil cover would be maintained and institutional controls will
  remain in place in perpetuity or until the %vaste no longer poses a threat to human  health or the environment.

  Costs associated with Alternative S-3 include labor and  materials to install the earthen cover and to implement
  institutional controls common to all soil alternatives.  Costs  also include operation and maintenance costs of the
  cover and institutional controls. The estimated cost associated with this alternative is $ 194,800.

  Alternative S-4;  Thermal Desorption/Incinerarjon (with Compacted Backfill  Covert

  Dioxin risks were shown for the 0 to  1.2 m (0 to 4  feet) soil layer; thus, this layer would need to be remediated.
  This option consists of removing the upper 1.2 m  (4 feet) of soil, passing it through a rotary kiln to vaporize
'  (desorb) the dioxins present.  The vapor stream is sent through an incinerator that decomposes dioxins to harmless
  materials. The remediated soil can be returned to the CBRP and the unit can be released for unrestricted use.

  The compacted backfill would be sufficiently impervious to mitigate infiltration and promote runoff of surface
  water. Two feet of native soil would be loosely placed over the compacted backfill. The Pit Area would be seeded
 to revegetate the unit.  Erosion control  measures would be implemented until vegetation became established.
 Administrative controls similar to those of Alternative S-3 would be implemented.
 lOOOcrwp doc MM/blb W/18/98

-------
     Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the
      "
    »"•»•"
            .„
                            i— » of to. to» and
                            n
   - to. Imh.
   » the human hrallh risk assessment and fm.cn, gtoimdwater from exceeding MCU.

   The
                 and
                                                     „
                                                              avai,ab,. The
                 excavated a,ea and
                                            n of tne cove, „«„„ «,„« teadjly
                                                                                 WSRC-RP-98-4039
                                                                                             Rev. 1
                                                                                       Page 35 of 59
                                                                                           d * ^
                                                                                          ^
                                                                                              „„,,
   Altemanve S-5 wouM invo,ve exc^vaSon of con^-eo surf,,, and subsurfilce soi,s wnM, ,he Pi, Area and
   Sh,pn,e»t oflsite to a ,ic™sed d.sposa, facfli^. The excavated soil »ou,d cite be phced di«c«v inK limi and
   eovered hau, mcks or inu, hned »d seated c^taine. fo, ™spon.  Tne soi, ma „ racarace(1 „ . „
   fat The excavated a™ v^H be baited «* »a,ive soi, fton, a  ,oca, bomiv pit  C.nmrtn.^ „
  »»n the e.xc,va«d , fee, depths . insipnHcan, „ „„,»„ ^ ana eco,ogica, .sfe howeve,. u«v do presen, a
  leac U.S concern.  To p«ven, sig.if.can, .caching of ^nunams  ,o fte g™™,^, fte »ave soi, backfi,,
.*.
                                                       be
                                                                       Land use resoicnom
                                                                                              a,
                     stolar .

                     K
                    ,, „ and beneaft to backm, cove, cou,d be disnrted.  Deed notions TOuld SCTO „
                     and indus^es ta g. « ^ rac       „         ^^^
                    would
rooOe^wp dx MM bib O9'l S«8

-------
 Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the            WSRC-RP-98-4039
 C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                       Rev. 1
 September 1998	       '	^	Page 36 of 59
 Alternative S-5 would be protective of human health and the environment.  Virtually all of the contamination
 present in Pit Area surface and subsurface soils to a depth of 4 feet would be permanently removed from the unit.
 Removal of the Pit Area soil would eliminate the hazardous source material, thereby eliminating risk to future
 residents and ecological receptors.  Tne deep soils (4 to 60  feet) below the pit would continue to be a source of
 TCE groundwater contamination.

 Alternative  S-5 is implementable.  Construction would involve the use of available materials and conventional
 earth-moving equipment. The cost for this alternative includes excavation, transportation, and waste disposal of
 the  contaminated soil (i.e., top 4  feet).  Estimated present worth cost  associated with  Alternative S-5 is
 prohibitively expensive at $785,400.

 Groundwater Alternatives

 Alternative  GW-1; No Action

 Under this alternative, no remedial efforts would be conducted to remove, treat, or otherwise  lessen the toxicity,
 mobility, or affected volume of contaminated media. This alternative assumes that the unit would potentially be
 released  for  unrestricted  use.  The  No  Action  alternative  would not be protective of human  health  or the
 environment and would not eliminate potential future routes for human exposure.  Potential future releases are not
 reduced or eliminated. The unit would  continue to be  a source of contaminated groundwater and would not
 provide protection of the environment at points of exposure.  The No Action alternative  would require no
 construction and could, therefore, be implemented immediately. The estimated cost associated with the No Action
 alternative is SO.

 Alternative GW-2:  Institutional Controls

 Under this alternative, a monitoring program for groundwater would be implemented.  The monitoring program
 would monitor the rate of attenuation of contamination at the site from natural processes such as degradation and
 dispersion. The nearest point of exposure is determined to  be at the nearest point of discharge to the surface
streams (a tributary of the Fourmile Branch).  Monitoring would continue until contaminant concentrations reach
acceptable levels as defined by remediation goals.
tOOOcrwp doc MM/blb 09/18/98

-------
  Interim Record of Decision for tbe Remedial Alternative Selection for the             WSRC-RP-98-4039
  C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                      Rev. i
  September 1998	Page 37 of 59

  Existing SRS institutional controls would prevent exposure of environmental or human receptors to contaminants
  by enforcing land use and groundxvater use restrictions. The existing SRS institutional controls would also restrict
  access by the public to the area affected by the waste unit contamination.

  Alternative GW-2 would be protective of human health and the environment.  Over rime, as the VOCs decay and
  concentrations lessen through dispersion, the risk to human health and the environment would decrease. However
  as  a  stand-alone alternative, biodegradation, volatilization, and dispersion would potentially not decrease
  contaminant levels to acceptable levels in a reasonable amount of time.

  Alternative GW-2 would require no construction of groundwatcr monitoring wells other than the installation of the
  six "point of compliance" wells.   No specialized equipment or technical specialists would be required for
  installation, and  laboratories are readily available to perform the required analyses.   The remedy coald be
  implemented immediately. Costs associated with Alternative GW-2 include labor and materials to install the six
 monitoring  wells and conduct the required groundwater monitoring and  associated  administrative controls.
 Although this alternative would be performed indefinitely, the costs arc estimated for 30 years.  A 5-year remedy
 review is required. The estimated cost associated with the alternative is S406.600.

 Alternative GW-3: In-Situ Air Sparging (with Soil Vapor Extraction^

 In-Situ Air Sparging (with Soil Vapor Extraction), conceptually depicted in Figure 8, would involve operation of
 an air sparging system  that  -would inject air into the bottom of  the contaminated groundwater plume.  The
 contaminants would then pass into the injected air, as it moves upward through the plume and,  in turn, would flow
 into the relatively dry sofl (vadose zone) above  the water table. These volatilized groundwater VOCs would be
extracted via vacuum wells by a sofl vapor  extraction  (SVE) system as they rise  into the vadose zone.
Additionally, VOCs residing in the vadose zone (see Figure 8) would also be extracted via these same vacuum
wells.  The extracted soil vapors would be processed through a liquid-phase separator to remove condensate.  The
offgas would then either be treated or released into the atmosphere in accordance with release requirements.
KXXkrwp doc MM.bibOT IMI

-------
Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the
C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site
September 1998	
 WSRC-RP-98^039
            Rev. 1
	Page 38 of 59
Figure 8.      Conceptual CBRP Groundwater Remediation System

  g
CD
O
"S
I
 o
 o
 o
O

-------
 Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the            WSRC-RP-98-4039
 C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                      Rev. I
 September 1998	 Page 39 of 59
 Institutional  controls would  involve the installation and maintenance of long-term monitoring systems for
 groundwatcr to monitor the rate of attenuation of organic contamination at the site. Monitoring would be similar to
 that described for Alternative GW-2, except that soil vapor monitoring would be conducted as part of the SVE
 system operation.

 Alternative GW-3 would be protective of human health and the environment by removing VOCs from the shallow
 groundwater.   The  estimate for this alternative assumes  a 5-year period  of operation of the in-Situ  Air
 Sparging/Soil Vapor Extraction (AS/SVE) system.   Installation  would involve straightforward  construction
 processes readily implementable in a relatively short time frame. Construction would involve the use of available
 materials from commercial vendors and the use of conventional equipment In-situ AS/SVE has been commonly
 used at other hazardous and mixed waste sites.

 Installation of the AS/SVE system is targeted to remove high concentrations of TCE that could be in a free phase,
 in the upper water table. The AS/SVE system will prevent rapid migration from the upper water table to the lower
 table and will be consistent with the IRAOs.  The use of AS/SVE to volatilize and extract the VOCs in the upper
 water table will not result in significant releases  of tritium to the environment or radiological hazards to workers
 because the tritium activities are very low.  The relatively high activities of tritium associated with me CRSB are
 principally sidegradient of the CBRP and will not effect remedial operations.

 Costs associated with Alternative GW-3 include labor and materials to install the extraction wells and  injection
 points, blowers, and an offgas control system.  Also included is the cost for the operation and maintenance of the
 AS'SVE system for a 5-year operation and maintenance period. The estimated cost associated with the alternative
 is 52,000,000. A more thorough discussion of this alternative with respect to the interim action  is provided in
 Section IX.

 Alternative GW-4; In-Situ Methane Biodegradation with fSoii Vapor Extraction!

Alternative GW-4 would involve operation of a faioremediatioa'SVE system and the installation of associated wells
 in the Pit Area.  Alternative GW-4 would be similar to Alternative GW-3 in that it would involve installing air
sparging points and SVE wells. The primary difference between the alternatives is that GW-4 would introduce a
methane and  oxygen (air) mixture  into the ground to enhance methanotrophic biological degradation of the
lOOCmpdoc MMIblbO<»'l8<9B

-------
   Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the            WSRC-RP-98-4039
   C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River SUe                      R.V ,
   September 1998                                                                       .,     .„  ,'J
   —f-		;	Page 40 of 59

   chlorinated solvents by co-metabolism. This enhanced biodcgradation would accelerate remediation over natural
   attenuation and AS/SVE by themselves.

   Institutional controk would  involve the installation and maintenance  of long-term monitoring systems for
   groundwater to monitor the rate of attenuation of organic contamination at the site.  Monitoring would be similar to
   that described for Alternative GW-2, except that soil vapor monitoring would be conducted as pan of the SVE
   system operation.

  Alternative GW-4  would protect human health  by substantially reducing  the volume  of contaminants  in
  groundwater by degrading and removing fte VOCs.  In-Situ Methane Biodegradation'SVE would involve
  straightfom-ard construction processes leadfly implementable in a relatively shon time frame. Construction would
  involve to use of avauable materials from commercial vendors and the use of conventional equipment (e.g, drill
  rigs). The alternative may not be well soiled for an interim action. Specifically, In-Situ Methane Biodegradation
  with SVE may not be effective on the free phase TCE, which is thought to be present in the upper water able.  In
  addition, the time required for  biodegradation of the solvents is likely to be long (10 years) for an interim action.
  Costs associated with Alternative GW-4 include labor and materials to install the extraction and injection wells.
  blowers, and an ofigas control  system. Also included in the cost for methane biodeeradatioa'SVE system is a 5-
 year operation and maintenance period. The estimated cost associated with the ahemative is 32.500,000.

 Alternative  GW-S • Ev-Sir., Air Stripping

 Alternative GW-5 would  include a groundwater extraction system designed to capture VOC contaminated
 groundwater between the pit and Fourmile Branch. Once extracted, the groundwater would be treated onsite using
 air stripping follow,* by gianidar activated carbon adsor^                             Oner treated, the
 residual groundwater would be discharged directly to local surface water.

 Alternative GW-5 would be protective of human health and the environment with respect to VOCs. and would
 reduce the volume of VOCs in groundwater. If Ahemative GW-5 is employed, its groundwater extraction would
 create a significant cone of depression (ie., lower the water table around each pumping  well), which would
eventually cause migration of tritium bearing groundwater from the CRSB plume. Alternative GW-5 would
essentially cause mixing of VOCs and tritium in the upper water table.  The operation of the air stripper would

-------
  Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the            WSRC-RP-9S-403 P
  C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                     Rev~ j
  September 1998	•	         Page 41  of 59

  result in significant atmospheric releases of tritium to the environment and potentially pose unnecessary health
  risks to workers.  Estimated present worth costs associated with Alternative GW-5 is S1.200,000.

  VIII.   SUMMARY   OF   COMPARATIVE   ANALYSIS    OF   THE   INTERIM
          ALTERNATIVES

  The previous section detailed the five alternatives for soils and five alternatives for groundwater.  In the 1APP
  (WSRC 1998a), each of these remedial alternatives was evaluated using nine criteria established by the NCP.  The
  criteria were derived from the  statutory requirements of CERCLA Section 121. The NCP (40 CFR & 300.430 (e)
  (9» sets forth nine evaluation criteria that provide the basis for evaluating alternatives and selecting a remedy.  The
  criteria are as follows:

     •  overall protection of human health and the environment
     •  compliance with ARARs
     *  long-term effectiveness and permanence
     •  reduction of toxicity, mobility, or volume through treatment  '
     • short-term effectiveness
    • inplememabiliry
    • cost
    • state acceptance
    • community acceptance

In selecting the preferred alternative, the above criteria are used to evaluate the alternatives developed.  Seven of
Ac criteria are used to evaluate  all the alternatives based on human health and environmental protection, cpst, and
feasibility issues. Comparative  evaluations of all the remedial action alternatives against these seven criteria  are
detailed in the IAPP and briefly  summarized in the Comparative Alternative Analysis section below. The preferred
alternatives are further evaluated in the subsequent state acceptance and community acceptance sections below.
lOOOcnrpdoc MM/ttb 09/11*1!

-------
 Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the            WSRC-RP-98-4039
 C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                      Rev. 1
 September 1998	          Page 42 of 59

 Comparative Alternative Analysis

 Alternative GW-3 would be protective of human health and the environment by removing VOCs from the shallow
 groundwater. The removal of contamination would significantly reduce the risk from groundwater ingestion and
 contact to future residents and workers. Alternative GW-3 involves active treatment commonly used at  other
 hazardous and mixed waste sites to volatilize the contaminants  and remove them  from the groundwater.
 Installation, operation, and maintenance of the AS/SVE system could be readily implemented within a short time
 period. Installation, operation, and maintenance of the system would present minor risk to the remedial worker,
 which would be mitigated through the use of proper protective equipment and adherence to approved health and
 safety procedures.

 Alternative GW-3 is selected as the preferred alternative over Alternative GW-2 because in Alternative GW-2 it is
 uncertain that groundwater concentrations would decrease below MCLs before reaching a  point of exposure.
 Alternative GW-3 is selected over Alternative GW-4 because it is less expensive with comparable results.  Further,
 Alternative GW-4 was not selected because "hot spot" concentrations of TCE in the groundwater beneath the Pit
 Area are presently at levels that would likely poison the biological degradation process. Alternative GW-5 was not
 selected because it would likely cause mixing of VOCs and the relatively high activities of tritium sidegradient of
 the unit.

 Pursuant to the EPA IROD guidance (EPA 1989) and checklists, the alternative selection focused upon the key
 ARARs listed below which  apply to the  limited scope  of  the interim  action.  The alternative selection  also
 considered final action ARARs to ensure the interim action would be compatible.

    •  Fugitive Paniculate Emissions (40 CFR 50.6 and SC R61 -62.6, Section III)
    •  SC Toxic Air Pollutant regulations (SC R61-62.1,  Section II, paragraph 3)
    •  SC Well Construction regulations (SC R61 -71)
lOOOctwp doc MM/blb 09/18/98

-------
   Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the            WSRC RP 98-4039
   C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                "      n«.  T
   September 1998                                                                       -,    ,,  ,  *
   -  e                                                                                   Page 43 of 59
   State Acceptance

   Per EPA guidance on presumptive response strategics for groundwatcr (EPA 1996), groundwater response actions
   should be implemented in a phased approach with provisions for monitoring and evaluating their performance.
   Consistent with this guidance, an interim action is documented herein to remove high concentrations of TCE from
   » known source of VOC contamination.

  State of South Carolina and EPA concurrence with the proposed interim action, detailed in Section IX,  has been
  received. Both alternatives are effective in protecting human health, are readily implementable, and are reasonably
  priced for the benefit received.

  Community Acceptance

  Community acceptance of the preferred alternative is assessed by giving the public an opportunity to comment on
  the IAPP.  The public was notified of a public comment period through mailings of the SRS Environmental
  Bulletin,  the Aiken Standard, the AHendale Citizen Leader, the Bamwell People Sentine'., The State, and Augusta
  Chronicle newspapers, and through announcements on local radio stations.  In addition, the IAPP was presented to
  the SRS  Citizen Advisory Board in an open public meeting (May 6, 1998) during the public comment period.
  Public comments concerning the proposed remedy are addressed in the Responsiveness Summary of this IROD.

 IX.    THE SELECTED INTERIM REMEDY

 Based on the risks identified in Section VI, the CBRP Pit Area soil poses.a significant risk to human health.
 Significant carcinogenic risks to the potential future worker or resident are driven by exposure from the Pit Area
 soils contaminated with organic chemicals and shallow  groundwater contaminated with VOCs.  Significant
 potential for contamination of groundwater exists from leaching of VOCs caused by rainwater infiltration.  '

 Based on the CERCLA evaluation criteria, the preferred alternatives that successfully address the IRAOs to prevent
 or mitigate these hazards are Alternative S-3, Native Soil Cover, for Pit Area soils and Alternative GW-3,  In-Situ
 Air Sparging with SVE, for unit groundwater.  Capital and O&M costs are listed in Table 2. The selected remedial
 alternatives are consistent with EPA guidance and the NCP for sites that have relatively  large volumes of waste
 with low levels of contamination. They effectively represent  the integration of IRAOs and risk management
principles.
WOOnwp Oex MMfelb OT/U/98

-------
 Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the             WSRC-RP-98-4039
 C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                       Rev. 1
 September 1998      	  Page 44 of 59
 Native Soil Cover

 The preferred alternative for Pit Area soil, Alternative S-3, consists of placing a layer of clean soil over the entire
 surface area of the CBRP. This additional layer of soil will act as a barrier to prevent soil exposure to future human
 and ecological receptors and will also reduce precipitation infiltration to minimize the further migration of TCE from the
 CBRP soils to the groundwater.  Therefore, this alternative satisfies the remedial action objectives and reduces the
 risk to humans and the environment.

 The soil cover is consistent with present and future land use expectations, because the CBRP is located in an area
 that has been recommended for industrial use by the SRS Citizens Advisory Board, and it is so designated by DOE.
 In addition, the Savannah River Site Future Use Report Stakeholder Recommendations for SRS Land and Facilities
 (DOE 1996) includes the recommendation that "residential uses of SRS land should be prohibited."  Existing SRS
 institutional controls would prevent exposure to the industrial worker by limiting activities in the vicinity of the
 CBRP if the recommendations are upheld. However, in the event the property was ever transferred to nonfederal
 ownership, land use restrictions and notifications would be filed as pan of the final ROD.

 In conclusion, Alternative  S-3  is selected as the preferred soil alternative because  it is the  least expensive
 alternative that satisfies the IRAOs with comparable protection  of  human health, the ecosystem,  and the
 groundwater. Alternative S-3 is easily and quickly implementable because commercial,  experienced resources are
 readily available.  The hazards to ,the workers are slight. Positive  health and safety practices would minimize
 inhalation of fugitive dust and standard industrial accidents.

 AS/SVE

The  selected  groundwater remedy, In-Situ Air Sparging (with Soil  Vapor Extraction), conceptually depicted in
Figure 8, would involve operation  of an air  sparging system that would inject  air into  die  bottom of the
contaminated groundwater plume. The contaminants would then pass  into the injected air, as it moves upward
through the plume and, in turn, would flow into the unsaturated soil (vadose zone) above the  water table.  These
volatilized groundwater VOCs would be extracted via vacuum wells by a soil vapor extraction (SVE) system as
they rise  into the vadose zone.  Additionally, VOCs residing in the vadose zone (see Figure 8) would also be
extracted via  these same vacuum  wells.  The extracted soil vapors would be processed through a liquid-phase
IOOOcrwp doc MM/blb 09.18'98

-------
    Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the            WSRC «P
    C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-Q (U) Savannah River Site          wSRC-RP-
    September 1998                                                                                Kev- J
   —•	.	.	Page 45 of 59

   separator to remove condensate.  The olfgas would then either be treated or released into the atmosphere in
   accordance with release requirements.

   Insolation of the AS/SVE system is targeted to remove high concentrations of TCE in the upper water table that could be
   in a free phase. Tne AS/SVE system, will prevent rapid migration from the upper water table to the lower water table and
   wfll be consistent with the IRAOs.

   As discussed in Section Vn, the primary difference between this alternative (GW-3) and biodegradation (GW-4) is
   the injection of methane along with air. As the design and capnal costs are relatively low, the proposed Alternative
   GW-3 will be designed, where cost effective, to allow the addition of methane or other nutrients as an injection
   option.

  Simultaneous institutional controls  would involve the installation and maintenance  of long-term  monitoring
  systems for groundwater, surface water, and biota to monitor the rate of attenuation of organic contamination at the
  site.  Monitoring would continue for an indefinite period until sampling indicated remediation is successful in
  reducing groundwater contaminant levels below ARARs.  Existing SRS access controls will be used to restrict the
  public and limit utilization of the site to industrial workers.

  The preferred alternative (GW-3: air sparging in conjunction with SVE) offers the following advantages:

     •   Air sparging  induces volatilization of VOCs  in the groundwater and also provides oxygen to  the
         groundwater, which is necessary for biodegradation and

     •  The injection points in the saturated zone could be used to introduce reagents that would assist in  the
        degradation of the solvent plume;

     •  SVE increases the volatility  of Ac VOCs in the vadose zone and also ventilates the  vadose zone to
        facilitate removal of volatilized VOCs.

A groundwater concentration of 11,000 ug/L is typically thought to be reqmred to suspect a high probability for the
presence of free phase TCE. Figure 6 illustrates the area adjacent to the CHRP thought to have the highest
potential for free phase TCE in the upper water table (i.e, 25,000 ug/L contour).  This IROD proposes treatment  of
the 25.000 and  20,000  ug/L  areas adjacent to the pit illustrated in the current contaminant contours depicted  in
KOdcropdoc MNfblbOT |J Q£

-------
  Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the            WSRC-RP-98-4039
  C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                      Rev i
  September 1998	Page 46 of 59

  Figure 6. As shown in Figure 9, sparging and extraction cells will be concentrated within the 25,000 ug/L TCE
  zone, with fewer cells in the 20,000 to 25,000 ug/L'interval. The total AS design flow rate is 300 cfrn. To ensure
  complete recovery of the sparged air, the total SVE design flow rate is slightly greater at 500 cfm.  Catalytic
  oxidation would be used for control of the SVE offgas because it is more cost-effective than carbon adsorption.

  Per EPA guidance on presumptive response strategies for groundwater (EPA 1996), groundwater response actions
  should be implemented in a phased approach with provisions for monitoring* and evaluating their performance.  In
  accordance with the phased approach provisions in this guidance, this interim action is documented herein to allow
  the treatment system design to be evaluated and optimized. The  goal of the interim system will be to treat the area
 in the vicinity of the pit within the 25,000 ug/L VOC isoconcentration contour to  reduce concentrations and
 stabilize the migration of TCE within the 25,000 ug/L VOC contour.  The criteria used to calibrate and evaluate the
 remedial action will include, at a  minimum, the following  monitoring: groundwater VOC concentrations within
 and adjacent to the treatment zone, AS radius of influence and SVE VOC air emissions rates.

 Proposed monitoring  well locations from the Corrective Measures Implementation/Remedial Design/Remedial
 Design Report/Remedial Action Work Plan (CMI/RD/RDR/RAWP) Rev. 0 (WSRC-RP-98-4058) are illustrated in
 Figure 10. Associated geologic, hydrogeologic, and hydraulic features are provided as Figure 11. The information
 depicted in Figure 11 is described in the Phase IIRFI/RI Work Plan (WSRC 1998b).

 Performance  of the interim action  will be assessed continuously.  If it is determined during annual performance
 reviews that the interim action is not effective, a decision will be made, in consultation with EPA and SCDHEC, on
 whether to continue, modify, expand or discontinue this interim action. System modifications may include

    •  number, location and configuration of the cells may be  changed to  improve the performance of the
       system;

    •  positive and negative air flow rates,  temperatures,  and pressures may be modified  to  improve
       performance;  and after  the  higher  concentration areas  targeted  by  this  interim action become
       remediated to  concentrations amenable  to bioremediation, nutrients may be added to the air sparging
       system to enhance biodegradation.

    •  Air injection may be utilized in the vadose zone extraction points to  promote VOC volatilization and
       create pathway for extraction.
lOOOerwp doc MM/blb W/IS'SB

-------
           Interim Record ofDecision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the
           C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (I31-C) (U) Savannah River Site
           September 1998
           Figure 9.
                                                            WSRC-RP-9S-4039
                                                                        Rev. i
                                                                  Page 47 of 59
CBRP AS/SVE Well locations and the Upper Water Table TCE Contours (ug/L)
 tfCflO
                   CBRP AS/SVE Well Locations and Upper Water Table TCE Contours (ppb)
                                 re nut gam
— - - - «tt mm amu M •••«••> •«.

-------
 Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the
 C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site
 September 1998
                   WSRC-RP-98-4039
                               Rev. 1
                   	  Page 48 of 59
 Figure 10.      CBRP Site Map Illustrating locations of Current and Proposed Monitoring Wells with
                Respect to the 25,000 ug/L Contour and SVE/AS Treatment Zone
           68300
           69200
           0100
                                          44100   44200  44300  44400   44500   44600  44700
	Pit CERCLA Maricere

•  Primary Wells

A  Lateral Wells

e  Up/Side Gradient Wells

+ Power Line ROW

• Proposed Monitoring Wells
             43600   43700   43800  41800
lOOOenvpdoc MM/blb 09/18/98

-------



•<•



- . . 5
J
rf^
il'
I pi
:t4 -
<*vAfcA
B • ' i II {
^4^^-^
•" i '• i d !' '!
• '; JsJ r4
?•» ' '\
ii

i
cm
UA>
^
!

1
•w*
I *

|{
t


-------
  Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the            WSRC-RP 98-4039
  C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C)(U) Savannah River Site                       Bpv i
  September 1998                                                                        „     -,  "l*
     f                                                    	_______	foge 51 of 59
  The  AS/SVE flow rates;  monitoring criteria; system performance modifications; and  soil cover specifications
  provided in section V.B will be finalized with the approval of SCDHEC and EPA via  the Corrective Measures
  Implementation/Remedial  Design/Remedial Design Report/Remedial Action Work Plan (CMI/RD/RDR/RAWP)
  scheduled for December 22, 1998.

  X.      STATUTORY DETERMINATIONS
 This interim action is protective of human health, and the environment and will reduce the principal threats posed by
 the CHRP. Relative to its overall effectiveness with respect to the nine selection criteria established by the NCP, the
 selected alternatives are cost effective.  This interim action  will not identify final remedial goals; but the selected
 interim alternatives are consistent with the interim remedial  action objectives and any final action. Pursuant to the
 EPA IROD guidance (EPA 1989) and checklists, the alternative selection focused upon the key ARARs listed below
 which apply to the limited scope of the interim action. The alternative selection also considered final action ARARs
 to ensure the interim action and any final action is compatible. The final action will comply with Federal and State
 applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements. Although this interim action is not intended to fully address the
 statutory mandate for permanence and treatment to the maximum extent practicable, this interim action does utilize
 treatment and thus is a furtherance of that statutory mandate.
                                                                                            /
 Because this action does not constitute the final remedy for  the CBRP, the statutory preference of remedies that
 employ treatment that reduces toxicity, mobility, or volume as a principal element, although partially addressed in
 this  remedy, will be addressed by the final response action.  Subsequent actions are planned to fully address the
 threats posed by the conditions at the CBRP. This interim action is not designed or expected to be a final action for
 the groundwater, but the selected remedy represents the best  balance of tradeoffs among alternatives with respect
 of pertinent criteria, given the limited scope of the action. The soil  cover will  likely be acceptable for the final
 action for soils at the unit. The native soil cover will address low level threat wastes (i.e., low concentration dioxin
 contamination in the Pit Area soil and organic contamination in the deep soil).  In-Situ Air Sparging with  Soil
 Vapor  Extraction  will address principal   threat  wastes (i.e.,  highly concentrated TCE in the aquifer sediments
 immediately adjacent to the pit in the upper zone of the water table aquifer) and VOC vadose zone contamination.
ICOOerap doc MM-1jlb09.'l8.">S

-------
   Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the           WSRC-RP-98-4039
   C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-Q(U) Savannah River Site                     R.V i
   September 1998	^Page52ofS9

      •  Fugitive Paniculate Emissions (40 CFR 50.6 and SCR61-62.6, Section III)
      •  SC Toxic Air Pollutant regulations (SC R61 -62.1, Section II, paragraph 3)
      •  SC Well Construction regulations (SC R61 -71)

  SCHWMR R.61-79.124 and Section 117(a) of CERCLA, as amended, require advertisement of the draft permit
  modification and the proposed plan, respectively. Because this is an interim remedial action, a permit modification
  is not required to be included with this IROD. A final permit modification will include the fina'J selection of
  remedial alternatives under RCRA, will be sought for the entire CBRP OU with the final SB/PP and will include
  the necessary public involvement and regulatory approvals.  This IROD also satisfies the RCRA requirements for
  an Interim Measures Work Plan.

  XI.    EXPLANATION OF SIGNIFICANT CHANGES

  The IAPP provided for involvement with the community through a document review  process and a public
  comment period from April 17,  1998 through May 16, 1998. The IAPP was presented to the SRS Citizens
  Advisory Board in an open public meeting which was advertised and held on May 6, 199S. Comments received
  during the 30-day public comment period and the May 6. 1998 public meeting are addressed in Appendix A of this
 IROD. No significant changes to the selected remedy resulted from public comments.

 XII.    RESPONSIVENESS SUMMARY

 Comments received during the public  comment period are discussed in the Responsiveness Summary (see
 Appendix A) of this IROD.

 XIII.  POST-IROD DOCUMENT SCHEDULE

 An integrated interim and final action implementation schedule is illustrated  in Figure 12. A signed IROD is
 scheduled for September 30,  1998.  The  interim CMI/RD/RDR/RAWP was submitted  on June 19, 1998.
 Construction  of the interim action is scheduled to begin by January 22, 1999.  A performance evaluation of the
 interim action will be prepared and submitted to EPA and SCDHEC by October 27,2000.
lOOOCTwpdocMM/WbOWIMS

-------
Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the           WSRC-RP-98-4039
C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (I3I-C)(U) Savannah River Site                    Rev 1
September 1998	Page S3 of 59


Figure 12.      Integrated Interim and Final Action Implementation Schedule


























'•• a
( o
' i
£
i

ACT I V I TY
>•

-
4.


0
*"


J
«-


-
^


£
U.


-
£


a:
o
X
/J
C

] DESCRIPTION























1

0 U
22AUG9S 0
.22AUG95 1?"*R?6 I 4?..
12JAN98 14AUG9I 151
|
CHARACTER I ZAT lOt
FIELD START
CHARACTERIZATION
CW CHARACTERIZATION SUPPOR















•





- V




19MAR96 16SEP96 126
16SEP9C 0
! i
. 1
1
i
I
I
CO '•
f~l 1. K
^ 1 I
RFI/RI/BRA REPOF
DEVELOP REV.O RFI/RI/BRA
SRS SUBMITTAL OF REV.O RFI




















n





o
01
u
£
•n
\B
«7l
fi*
U
ftl
S




















a






2
a
COMMEBTS
SRS INCORPORATE EPA/SCDHEC



















O






0 U83JS
I
1
1
1
f-*
z
O
m
u
te.
X
s
to
K
tc


















n







10MAR97 . 0
11HRR97 13MAY97 64
/Rt/IRA
I/RI/BRA
IJ55. SUBM ITTAL OJ REV_._L Rf»
EPA/SCDHEC REVIEH REV.l RF
	 	 ;=_=; 	










||
n



ii"

o L'







13MA<97 0
14MAY97 19NOV97 190
19NOV97 0
??5°.V?.7 'Wfi!!?! ?°
20JAN98 J6HOV98 210
16NOV98 0
	 17NOV98_ 15FEB99 j»_
16FEB99 16APR99 60
I6APR99 0
1 COMMENTS
COMMEHTS
M/BRA
l_ JIFI/RI/BRA
CHJIATA_ FOR REV. 1.2
ri/Rl/BRA
2 RFI/RI/BRA
3fl REV. 1.3
ri/Rt/BRA
RECIEPT OF EPA/SCDHEC REV.
SRS INCORPORATE EPA/SCDHEC
SRS SUBMITTAL REV 1.1 RFI/
tfA/SCpHEC REVIEW OF REV. 1
SRS INCORPORATE COMMENTS t
SBS SUBMITTAL OF REV . 1 . 2 R
EPA/SCOHEC REVIEH OF REV.l
SRS INCORPORATE COMMENTS F(
SflS SUBMITTAL OF REV. 1.3 R


i
!

!




oO-








i






	 19APR99 18MAY99 	 30
	 !?!!*I?2. $
REV. 1.3 Rfl/RI/BRA
JVAL
PROPOSED PLAN
EPA/SCDHCC FINAL REVIEM OF
RECIEPT OF EPA/SCDHEC APPRt
INTERIM ACTION /


























m
i
«M
CL



























3APK98 0




























ID
1
r-
1
5
u
1 NOTIFICATION OF PUBLIC COMd














a
-










18APR98 1JUN9B 4S
I
i
i
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD 	 	
:S'T~
;a>s
igN
:Sss»
i3S
=hti
t:1 '^
s|  vi «t o
B U U -C
WWW?
h. a o *i
•» C
*f • wt l-
_. * — —
-> -^ O O
-C o *C o!
-•

1 •
















;

i






C
e

-------
Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the
C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site
September 1998
Figure 12.      Integrated Interim and Final Action implementation Schedule
WSRC-RP-98-4039
            Rev. 1
     Page 54 of 59












C
i
s
£
s
£
i
i
rACTivirr
t;»i*rimt

=


C


]— 	

	
i
a 0-«='
S ; •"• • ! j 1
• ! ' : i
| : f! ill's |'| i|!
x PJ =>f 5 o 5 S wl
•» —1 tfti «nt oi •» « ^|
* i —I -*i *•»! *si m r»| J
I =l| If'I 1
' "i *"! : 2i S -
: ? 1 ! ,' i
c I • i ' "
2 : ; 1 ll
0 . J | 1 S
*-• : SI : i ; : -
W • S! ; ' ! •' >'
r-j =i i I s i s «,
8 1 *l a j i !
Q . -! 1 - 1 > J
a ! alls
Cu | Mi 1 0 K i £ S
0 . °; i § £ ^ ! < "
g : S J o' ; |j J 25 c
| ; Ml § s f j :! 1 1
x . si si si s I! * c s
r^r X w. M O *.| ^*t u t*
c£. • tH* '•i * o* z. x ac
5 s 1 s! si g| §, s s
f- ri £ "' 5 -: •" 5' «
2 S' S1 51 2 2! £• Si £
_ o K mi u> n= n S' S

=





1



O 	
1
I
-J 	
_( 	
•1
rt<
bl
hll
4
I
*
3
1 Cb
• ac
CM/RD/RDR/RA WOR
INTERIM ACTION
DEVELOP CH/nnmnt/Hi unm*











r-u-
r»( «x «i. •
11:5:1
"» *>• ••> c
NI «^i 4^1 n
K • s; s
i i'S
D •). ON MOBILIIATION










D.o_

22JAHM a
	 22JAHM lIJULti 1I«
tJJULI* a
MJUI.JJ JIJULOO 141
1 1
! !
i .
; «
!
i
i
CONSTRUCTION START
CjOHSTRUCTIOILACTIVITirS 	
STAM UP OPERATIONS
SVE_ OPERATIONS
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION. PR

i
1





I



1
t
D
«
i
|
:
:
i
i
0
0
a:
JCMS/FS/PP/DRAFT












i
c
r
o
*n
e
i
**
n
I DEVELOP CH3/r3/prVD*Arr RO


- ^...
O'o"^*0'
^ oD
D'o- 	






oi o! oi .: o, oi o o; =|
: i • '
I '
JJjJ- j. j-j
ol o oi o o oi 5 e' o>
§ 5 £ g 5 SI 1 i{ ll
| Sj S 2 S 2! 2 2J Sj
i • !
1 _ i _,
oo o : o>
II 'I il
i
> i '
1 • • :
i . ' .
j-i u 2:1 >
E I ' » £ •* -
*• Oil.. .». <: zi
CHS/rS_SCpPIHC HEETINS
SRS SVtHlTTAI. Or MV...O.CH
EPA/SCDHEC REVIEW
SRS JHCORPORATE EPA/SCOHEC
COHMCHT RESOLUTION MEETING
S»S SUBHITTAL Or REV. 1 CH.
CP»/SCDHfC riNAL REVIEM « /
RICCIPT Or tPA/SCOHrC APPRC
HoTiricATiON or VUHI.IC COM»


S& i-
,p5 !
, » i ' '• • I
:S5 1
- !S^* ! : 1
~ !2p?" ' 1
s ' 52
^.."53 .
*-^J
1 ~\
: i
ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION
SOB/1218 C-AREA BRP (131-C)
INTEGRATED INTERIHtFINAL ACT IMP SC
If I
nil
'"'•> I"U (ViiBSi
b«« l'»l» HUtC»l
Ul Pii»iv«r4 SyitfAi. Inc.

-------
Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the
C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site
September 1998
WSRC-RP-98-4039
            Rev. 1
     Page 55 of 59
Figure 12.      Integrated Interim and Final Action Implementation Schedule




S

—
C


o
E


„
C


—
C


„
r


..
c


ACTIVITY CARL* CAKLY OHIO
DCSCMfTION "AM Ft«SH OU\,
•
- 	 D







_ — =.
r-i na °

°











• -
<
• *
"5












f
S
i •

s
j


S.
0 21
i


!
1




i

i

CMS/FS/PP/DRAFT ROD
i
— i
i
|
.1
S
• z §
: °
(J
'. u,
-.! o '
ECORD
tSfOMSIVtm

o
1
o
K
b.
O
KS SUMlTTJ
*t; 01 01 o|
- = =1 2
o
KOCTOl 29HOV1
/JCOHtC COHMtHT? 	 JOMOVOI .. iHDECI
.! ODD 	 	 110E?.!
IW 1 AffHOVAL 2JAH02 3UANI
UrC.ULATQM 3IJAH(
A. U U
* " " "
•4 «l t-« J
MSI
?
C
C
«
c
I
;
I
t
t
; f«i
O' »-' I C-.
O *••*-• Wl O W
u «Ci — ' w* -- CJ
glSi £i 2! "" 2 '
Si1 5 » t: f-
< «, « 5 r °
a. K &• &

J O
1 Lt.
I mijHl wjTO-f" • -^^ -vffifga fvr
-------
  Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the           WSRC-RP-98-4039
  C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                      Rev. 1
  September 1998	      Page 56 of 59
 Concurrent with the above interim action, a final acdon is scheduled. A detailed alternative screening process will
 be conducted for the final action in the CMS/FS.  The CMS/FS will be scoped after the nature and extent of the
 plume is known and a performance evaluation has been completed on the Interim Action.  A SB/PP will be
 submitted at the same time as the CMS/FS on January 30,2001. Upon approval of the SB/PP, the public comment
 period will start and the final ROD will be submitted within 14 days after the completion of the public comment
 period.

 XIV.  REFERENCES

 DOE 1994. Public Involvement. A Plan for Savannah River Site, Savannah River Operations Office, Aiken. South
 Carolina, 1994.                                                ,

 DOE  1996.  Savannah River Site Future Use Project Report Stakeholder Recommendations for SRS Land and
 Facilities (U), Savannah River Operations Office, Aiken, South Carolina, January 1996.

 EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), 1989.  Guidance on Preparing Superfund Decision Documents:
 The Proposed Plan. The Record of Decision, Explanation of Significant Differences. The Record of Decision
 Amendment. EPA/540/G89/007, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response, Washington, DC (July).

 EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency), 1996. Final Guidance: Presumptive Response Strategy and Ex-
 Situ  Treatment  Technologies for Contaminated Ground Water at CERLA Sites.  Directive  9283.1-12, EPA
 540/R-96/023, PB96-963508, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, Washington, DC (October).

 Federal Facility Agreement (FFA), 1993. Federal Facility Agreement for the Savannah River Site, Admiraistrative
 Docket Number 89-05-FF, Effective Date:  August 16,1993, WSRC-OS-94-42

 WSRC 1993. RFI/RI Program Plan

WSRC 1994.  Phase U RCRA Facility Investigation/Remedial Investigation Work Plan for the C-Area Burning
Rubble Pit (131-C). WSRC-RP-91-1122, Rev. 2, Westinghouse Savannah River Company, Savannah River Site,
Aiken SC.
IOOocr.

-------
  Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the           WSRC-RP-98-4039
  C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                      Rev i
  September 1998                  	            Page 57 of 59

  WSRC 1995. C-Area Burning Rubble Pit (131-C) Field Investigation Report (U). WSRC-RP-96-310,
  Westinghouse Savannah River Company, Savannah Rjver Site, Aiken, SC. WSRC.

  WSRC 1996.  Quality Control Summary Report. C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit. Phase II Groundwater Sampling
  Events. ESH-EMS-960003, Westinghouse Savannah River Company, Savannah River Site, Aiken, SC.

  WSRC 1997a.  RCRA Facility Investigation/Remedial Investigation Report with Baseline Risk Assessment for the
  C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit (U), (WSRC-RP-96-170)  Revision 1.1, Westinghouse Savannah River Company,
  Savannah River Site, Aiken, South Carolina, 1997.

 WSRC  1997b.  Data  Summary Report for the C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit,  Phase. 2.   ESH-EMS-970020,
 Westinghouse Savannah River Company, Savannah River Site, Aiken, SC.

 WSRC  1997c. Data Summary Report for the  C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit. Phase 3.   ESH-EMS-970019,
 Westinghouse Savannah River Company, Savannah River Site, Aiken, SC.

 WSRC 1998a. Interim Action Proposed Plan for the C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (U), Rev. 1.1,
 WSRC-RP-97-437 Westinghouse Savannah River Company, Savannah River Site, Aiken. South Carolina.

 WSRC 1998b.   Phase  II RFI/RI  Work Plan for the CBRP Appendix  K. WSRC-RP-91-1122,  Rev. 2.4
 Westinghouse Savannah River Company, Savannah River Site, Aiken, South Carolina.
lOOOcrwp doc MM'blb 09/18«B

-------
   Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the            WSRC-RP-98-4039
   C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                      Rev  l
   September 1998	p,lge 5g of ^
                                              APPENDIX A

                                     RESPONSIVENESS SUMMARY

   The 30-day public comment period for the CBRPIAPP began on April 17, 1998 and ended on May 16, 1998. The
 •. IAPP was also presented to the Citizens Advisory Board during the public comment period on May 6, 199S at an
   open public meeting.

   Comments from the Citizens Advisory Board Meeting

   The following comments were taken from the May 6, 1998 Citizens Advisory Board meeting transcript.  The
   following comments are paraphrased from the public meeting transcript during the presentation of the proposed
  remedy for this waste unit.

  DOE presented the proposed Interim Action for the C-Area Burning/Rubble Pits.  This presentation was requested
  by the Subcommittee in order to determine if the Subcommittee would pursue a morion. After the presentation, a
  suggestion was made for the use of horizontal  wells;  however, it was determined that because of the close
  proximity to the water table and the relatively small size of the hotspot, the horizontal well approach to remediating
  the site was not economically viable. A suggestion for the use of the Plug-in ROD approach to remediating the site
  was mads.  This suggestion was discussed but it was determined to not be consistent with the timing of this interim
  action. There was discussion on whether the Plug-in-ROD approach would be acceptable for other burning rubble
  pits, and it was decided  that  it could be  useful if they were similar  in nature and  extent of contamination.
  Therefore, it appears the path forward will be that proposed in the presentation, which for soils is the use of a
  native soil cover and for the groundwater, In-Situ Air Sparging/SVE. In conclusion, the interim action  objectives
. revolve around controlling solvent migration in the soils beneath the pit and the groundwater."

 Comments from the audience at the Citizens Advisory Board Meeting {as recorded by SRS.)

 Comment I: Is tritium mixed within the VOC plume?

 Response 1: Yes, but at low activities.  Additional information  was provided within the  IAPP (WSRC 1998a)
 Section IV. A, page 6.
 100C*rwpdocMM/blbO
-------
Interim Record of Decision for the Remedial Alternative Selection for the            WSRC-RP-98-4039
C-Area Burning/Rubble Pit Operable Unit (131-C) (U) Savannah River Site                      Rev. 1
September 1998	^	Page 59 of 59
Comment 2: How much VOC is expected to be recovered and how long will it take?

Response 2: Recovery rates were not modeled, but one purpose of LAPP is to determine actual recovery rates to
evaluate AS/SVE as a final remedial alternative.

Comment 3:  Why  is  SRS concerned about tritium mixing with the  VOC plume which would result from
alternative GW-5?

Response 3: The operation of alternative GW-5's air stripper would result in significant tritium releases which
would potentially pose unnecessary health risks to workers.

Comment 4: Why didn't we choose to dig up the contamination?

Response 4: Alternative S-5 considered digging up the top 4 feet, but at $785,400 versus the selected native soil
cover (S-5) at $194,800, S-5 was prohibitively expensive. In addition, removal of the contaminated vadose zone
soils is not a viable alternative because the depth of the excavation would have to be in excess of 60 feet and when
safe slopes are considered the volume of soils ultimately removed would be very large.

Comment 5: Are operations and maintenance costs included in the estimates and for what period?

Response 5: They are included for the planned 5-year operations period.

Comment 6: Why are we doing an interim action?

Response 6: Per EPA guidance, on presumptive  response strategies for groundwater (EPA, 1996), groundwater
response actions should be implemented in a phased approach with  provisions for monitoring and evaluating their
performance.  Consistent with this guidance, this interim action is proposed to remove high concentrations of TCE
from a known source of VOC contamination which will assist in limiting the spread of contamination from the pit
area to the down-gradient areas.
 lOOOcrwpdoc MMfelb'OW 18/98

-------

-------
                  Reproduced by NTIS
 »-
-------

-------