PB96-964404
EPA/ROD/R08-96/116
October 1996
EPA Superfund
Record of Decision:
Ellsworth Air Force Base,
Operable Unit 10, Rapid City, SD
5/10/1996
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Final
Record of Decision for
Remedial Action at Operable Unit 10
Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota
United States Air Force
Air Combat Command
Ellsworth Air Force Base
April 1996
Air Force Project No. FXBM 94-7002
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Final Record of Decision Operable Unit 10
Ellsworth A ir Force Ease, South Dakota
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter . Page
1.0'DECLARATION FOR THE RECORD OF DECISION 1-1
1.1 SITE NAME AND LOCATION 1-1
1.2 STATEMENT OF BASIS AND PURPOSE.... 1-1
1.3 DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED REMEDY 1-1
1.4 DECLARATION STATEMENT 1-1
1.5 SIGNATURE AND AGENCY CONCURRENCE ON THE REMEDY 1-2
2.0 DECISION SUMMARY 2-1
2.1 SITE NAME AND LOCATION 2-1
2.2 OPERABLE UNIT 10 (OU-10) DESCRIPTION/HISTORY AND
REGULATORY OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES 2-1
2.2.1 Description/History 2-1
2.2.2 Regulatory Oversight Activities 2-2
2.3 HIGHLIGHTS OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION 2-2
2.4 SCOPE AND ROLE OF RESPONSE ACTION 2-4
2.5 SITE CHARACTERISTICS..., 2-4
2.5.1 Soils 2-4
2.6 SITE RISK SUMMARY 2-5
2.7 STATUTORY DETERMINATIONS 2-7
2.8 DOCUMENTATION OF SIGNIFICANT CHANGES 2-7
3.0 LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS 3-1
APPENDICES
Appendix A Figures
Appendix B Responsiveness Summary
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 2-1 Area Location Map
Figure 2-2 OU-10 Location Map
Figure 2-3 Operable Unit 10
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Final Record of Decision Operable Unit 10
Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota
1.0 DECLARATION FOR THE RECORD OF DECISION
1.1 SITE NAME AND LOCATION
Operable Unit 10 (OU-10), North Hangar Complex, Ellsworth Air Force Base (EAFB),
National Priorities List Site.
Meade and Pennington Counties, South Dakota
1.2 STATEMENT OF BASIS AND PURPOSE
This decision document describes EAFB's selected remedial action for Operable Unit 10
(OU-10), in accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), as amended by the Superfund Amendments and
Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA), and the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution
Contingency Plan (NCP).
This decision is based on the contents of the Administrative Record for OU-10, EAFB. The
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the South Dakota Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (SDDENR) concur with the selected remedial action.
1.3 DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED REMEDY
The selected alternative for OU-10 is No Action. Media affected solely by petroleum
hydrocarbon contamination will be addressed through State of South Dakota programs for
Underground Storage Tank removal and/or petroleum contaminated soils. Ground-water cleanup
will be addressed as part of the Basewide ground-water operable unit, OU-11.
1.4 DECLARATION STATEMENT
Based on the findings of no unacceptable risk to human health and the environment, remediation
is not warrranted for OU-10. Remediation of soils and/or ground water contaminated by
petroleum will be performed under the State of South Dakota regulations.
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Final Record of Decision Operable L'mt 10
Ellsworth Air Force Base. South Dakota
1.5 SIGNATURE AND AGENCY CONCURRENCE ON THE REMEDY
BRETT M. DULA
Lieutenant General, USAF
Vice Commander
Date
JApC W. MCGRAW
Acting Regional Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 8
Date
NETTIE H. MYERS, Se/retary
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
State of South Dakota
Date
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Final Record of Decision Operable Unit 10
Ellworth Air Force Base, South Dakota
1.5 SIGNATURE AND AGENCY CONCURRENCE ON THE REMEDY
BRETf M. DULA Date
Lieutenant General, USAF
Vice Commander
JACK W. MCGRAW Date
Acting Regional Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 8
NETTIE H. MYERS, Secretary Date
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
State of South Dakota
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Final Record of Decision Operable Unit 10
Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota
2.0 DECISION SUMMARY
2.1 SITE NAME AND LOCATION
EAFB is a U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command (ACC) installation located 12 miles east of
Rapid City, South Dakota, and adjacent to the small community of Box Elder (Figure 2-1).
EAFB covers approximately 4,858 acres within Meade and Pennington counties and includes
runways and airfield operations, industrial areas, and housing and recreational facilities (Figure 2-
2). Open land, containing a few private residences, lies adjacent to EAFB on the north, south,
and west, while residential and commercial areas lie to the east of the Base.
2.2 OPERABLE UNIT 10 (OU-10) DESCRIPTION/HISTORY AND REGULATORY
OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
2.2.1 Description/History
Ellsworth Air Force Base (EAFB) was officially activated in July 1942 as the Rapid City Army
Air Base, a training facility for B-17 bomber crews. It became a permanent facility in 1948 with
the 28th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing as its host unit. Historically, EAFB has been the
headquarters of operations for a variety of aircraft, as well as the Titan I Intercontinental Ballistic
Missile, and the Minuteman I and Minuteman II missile systems. The Air Force has provided
support, training, maintenance, and/or testing facilities. Presently, the 28th Bombardment Wing
(B-1B bombers) is the host unit of EAFB.
OU-10 is the North Hangar Complex, a 75-acre site located in the central portion of the Base,
northeast of the primary instrument runway (Figure 2-3). The North Hangar Complex was
constructed in the 1950s and is composed of five rows of aircraft repair and maintenance hangars.
Most of OU-10 is paved with concrete with some grassy areas between the hanger rows. No
surface water is present at OU-10: The area contains a system of underground jet-fuel hydrant
lines that deliver fuel to docking aircraft. The primary source of contamination at OU-10 is the
fuel distribution system. Additional contaminant, source areas include the aircraft maintenance
areas and underground industrial waste lines. It was reported that waste products used for
aircraft maintenance may have been washed down floor drains in the maintenance buildings. The
remedial investigation focused on determining if these waste products were then discharged into
the soil beneath the maintenance area and to determine if contaminants had leaked from the
underground industrial waste lines.
Soil contamination addressed under this investigation, found near the fuel distribution system
were below concentrations posing a risk to human health or the environment.
A shallow aquifer has been identified at depths of 10 feet to 50 feet beneath the ground surface.
This ground water is classified as having a beneficial use as a drinking water supply suitable for
human consumption (ARSD Chapter 74:03:15, Groundwater Quality Standards). The shallow
aquifer may also discharge to the surface.
Deeper bedrock aquifers also exist beneath EAFB. These deeper aquifers are separated from the
shallow aquifer by 800 feet of low-permeability clays and silts. In the past, EAFB utilized these
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Final Record of Decision Operable Unit 10
Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota
deeper aquifers for its water supply. Presently, EAFB obtains its potable water from the Rapid
City Municipal Distribution System.
2.2.2 Regulatory Oversight Activities
Environmental investigation activities at EAFB were initiated by the Air Force in 1985 through an
Installation Restoration Program (IRP) Phase I Installation Assessment/Records Search and Phase
II, Confirmation/Quantification. The Phase I study, dated September, 1985, identified a total of
17 locations at EAFB where releases involving hazardous substances potentially occurred.
In Phase II of the IRP investigation, field activities included soil vapor surveys, geophysical
surveys, surface and subsurface soil sampling, ground-water sampling, ground-water hydrologic
testing, and ecological investigations.
On August 30, 1990 (55 Federal Register 35509), EAFB was listed on the U.S. EPA's National
Priorities List (NPL). A Federal Facilities Agreement (FFA) was signed in January 1992 by the
Air Force, EPA, and the State of South Dakota (State) and went into effect on April 1, 1992. The
FFA establishes a procedural framework and schedule for developing, implementing, and
monitoring appropriate response actions for EAFB in accordance with the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), as amended by
the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA), and the National Oil and
Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). It also states the oversight procedures
for EPA and the State to ensure Air Force compliance with the specific requirements. The FFA
identified 11 site-specific operable units (OUs) and a Base-wide ground-water OU. The Base-
wide ground-water OU is primarily used to address contaminated ground water that was not
addressed during the investigation of a site-specific OU.
Listing on the NPL and execution of the FFA required the U.S. Air Force to perform a remedial
investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS) to investigate the 12 OUs. In 1993 and 1994, an extensive
RI field program was conducted to characterize conditions at OU-10. The program included
drilling and sampling of boreholes, installation of ground-water monitoring wells, ground-water
sampling, geotechnical analysis of soil samples, ecological evaluation, assessment of human health
risks, and review and compilation of previous IRP investigations. Collection and laboratory
analysis of soil and ground-water samples were included in the RI field program.
2.3 HIGHLIGHTS OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
Community relations activities that have taken place at EAFB to date include:
FFA process. After preparation of the FFA by the USAF, EPA, and SDDENR, the
document was published for comment. The FFA became effective April 1, 1992.
Administrative Record. An Administrative Record for information was established in
Building 8203 at EAFB. The Administrative Record contains information used to
support USAF decision-making. All the documents in the Administrative Record are
available to the public.
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Information repositories. An Administrative Record outline is located at the Rapid City
Library (public repository).
Community Relations Plan (CRP). The CRP was prepared and has been accepted by
EPA and the State of South Dakota and is currently being carried out. An update to this
plan will be prepared in 1996.
Restoration Advisory Board (RAB). The RAB has been formed to facilitate public
input in the cleanup and meets quarterly. In addition to USAF, EPA, and South Dakota
oversight personnel, the RAB includes community leaders and local representatives from
the surrounding area.
Mailing list. A mailing list of all interested parties in the community is maintained by
EAFB and updated regularly.
Fact sheet. A fact sheet describing the status of the IRP at EAFB was distributed to the
mailing list addressees in 1992.
Open house. An informational meeting on the status of the IRP and other environmental
efforts at EAFB was held on May 6, 1993. An open house was held November 16, 1995
in conjunction with the Restoration Advisory Board meeting. Information on the status
of environmental efforts at EAFB was provided.
Newspaper articles. Articles have been written for the base newspaper regarding IRP
activity.
Proposed Plan. The proposed plan on this action was distributed to the mailing list
addressees for their comments.
A public comment period was held from December 28, 1995 to January 27, 1996, and a public
meeting was held on January 11, 1996. At this meeting, representatives from EAFB answered
questions about the remedial action. A response to the comments received during this period is
included in the Responsiveness Summary, which is part of this Record of Decision (ROD).
This ROD is based on the contents of the Administrative Record for OU-10, in accordance with
the CERCLA, as amended by SARA, and the NCP. The RI/FS reports and the Proposed Plan for
OU-10 provide information about OU-10 and the selected remedy. These documents are available
at the Information Repositories at EAFB and the Rapid City Public Library.
2.4 SCOPE AND ROLE OF RESPONSE ACTION
The FFA identified 11 potential source area operable units (OUs) as well as a Base-wide ground-
water operable unit. The 12 operable units are identified as follows:
OU-1 Fire Protection Training Area
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Final Record of Decision Operable Unit 10
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OU-2 Landfills Nos. 1 and 6
. OU-3 Landfill No. 2
OU-4 Landfill No. 3
OU-5 ' Landfill No. 4
OU-6 Landfill No. 5
OU-7 Weapons Storage Area
OU-8 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Area (Pramitol Spill)
OU-9 Old Auto Hobby Shop Area
OU-10 North Hangar Complex
OU-11 Base-wide Ground Water
OU-12 HardfillNo. 1
This ROD is to document the selected remedy for the preferred remedial action (RA) at OU-10.
The ground water at OU-10 will be addressed as part of OU-11, the Base-wide ground-water
OU. Ground-water contamination extends beyond the boundaries of OU-10 and would be more
efficiently handled in a remediation scheme concurrently addressing the contamination of OU-11.
The "No Action" alternative is being proposed for the remaining media of concern, soil. No
action is warranted when a site poses no unacceptable current or future threat to people or the
environment, when CERCLA does not provide cleanup authority, or when a previous cleanup
activity eliminates the need for future cleanup. The low levels of contamination in the soil at OU-
10, which are discussed in the following section entitled Summary of Site Risks, do not pose an
unacceptable current or future threat to people or the environment. Cleanup of petroleum-type
chemicals will be addressed by State of South Dakota Petroleum-Contaminated Soils regulations.
Given the above conditions, no action is warranted for soil cleanup at OU-10 under CERCLA.
2.5 SITE CHARACTERISTICS
This section describes the presence and distribution of contaminants in environmental media
retained as part of OU-10.
2.5.1 Soils
Organic Compounds
Organics reported in soil samples from OU-10 include volatile organic compounds (VOCs),
semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs), and jet fuel. The predominant VOCs were benzene,
toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene (BTEX) associated with fuels. Maximum concentrations ranged
from greater than 5,000 ug/kg near Row 90 to greater than 15,000 ug/kg near Row 60. Fifteen
SVOCs were also reported in OU-10 samples. The majority of the reported SVOCs occurred in
samples near Rows 60 and 80. Jet fuel was reported in 16 of the 25 soil boring samples collected
from OU-10. Jet fuel was reported at a maximum concentration of 8,100,000 ug/kg.
Inorganic Contaminants
Fifteen inorganics were reported in soil samples from OU-10. These reported inorganics are
considered to be naturally occurring.
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2.6 SITE RISK SUMMARY
Human Health Risks
The assessment of human health risks for this OU considered the following topics:
(1) Chemicals of concern (COCs) in ground-water and soil samples taken at OU-10;
(2) Current and future land-use conditions;
(3) Potential environmental pathways by which populations might be exposed;
(4) Estimated exposure point concentrations of COCs;
(5) Estimated intake levels of the COCs;
(6) Toxicity of the COCs; and
(7) Uncertainties in the assessments of exposure, toxicity, and general risks.
t
Noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were calculated for the following five potential exposure
groups:
(1) Current EAFB maintenance personnel mowing grass on-site;
(2) The future child/adult living on-site who ingests surface soil;
(3) The future adult living on-site who ingests and showers with shallow ground water;
(4) Future adolescents who are exposed to surface water and sediment through wading;.
and,
(5) Future adult construction workers who excavate on-site for building residences.
A quantitative risk assessment was performed for the ground water, surface water, soil, sediment,
and air. The risk assessment evaluated potential effects on human health posed by exposure to
contaminants within OU-10. Carcinogenic risks were estimated as the incremental probability of
an individual developing cancer over a lifetime as a result of exposure to a potential cancer-
causing chemical. The acceptable risk range expressed as a probability is one cancer incident in
ten thousand people to one cancer incident in a million people. This level of risk is also denoted
by 1 x 10"4 to 1 x 10"*. Risks within the acceptable risk range may or may not warrant remedial
action depending upon site-specific circumstances. Risks below this range cannot be differentiated
from the background occurrence of cancer in human populations. Risks calculated in a risk
assessment are potential risks and are excess (i.e., over background) cancer risks due to exposure
from contaminants at the OU.
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The risk assessment for OU-10 indicated that the risk for the future industrial land-use, which is
similar to its current use, is. within the acceptable risk range. For noncarcinogenic risk, the HI was
0.006, which is acceptable. For carcinogenic risk, the calculated risk value was 2 X 10"6, which
indicates the risk is.within the acceptable risk range. Potential risks posed by exposure to shallow
ground water are being addressed as part of OU-11 and are not being addressed as part of OU-
10. Because of these conclusions, remediation is not warranted under CERCLA for soil at
OU-10.
Ecological Risks
An ecological risk evaluation of OU-10 was based on a combination of data and literature
reviews, field and laboratory analyses, analyte evaluation and screening, and preliminary risk
screening. The pertinent findings are summarized below.
Various types of invertebrates, amphibians, birds, and mammals may live, forage, or nest in OU-
10 habitats. These species, along with terrestrial vegetation and soil faunal communities, do not
reveal characteristics that indicate chemical-related impacts. This finding is consistent with the
relatively low levels of contaminants in the soil.
Because of the altered natural environment at OU-10, rare, threatened, or endangered species are
unlikely to utilize the area for more than brief, periodic habitat. Due to the low levels of
contaminant concentrations, the contaminants do not pose an unacceptable risk to these species.
In addition, the limited contact these species would have with the OU-10 area ensures
unacceptable risk to a single individual will not occur.
Findings of the RI indicate that the contaminants at OU-10 are not altering the ecology to
noticeable levels. A Base-wide ecological risk assessment will be conducted as part of OU-11, and
OU-10 will be included in this Base-wide evaluation (ARSD Article 74:03).
2.7 STATUTORY DETERMINATIONS
Based on the findings of the remedial investigation and the risk assessment, remedial action for
OU-10 is not warranted at this time. Remediation of-soils and/or ground water contaminated by
petroleum will be performed under State of South Dakota regulations.
2.8 DOCUMENTATION OF SIGNIFICANT CHANGES
The-selected action is the same as the preferred alternative presented in the Proposed Plan for
OU-10 remedial action. There have been no changes relative to the Proposed Plan.
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3.0 LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
ACC: Air Combat Command
ARARs: Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements
CERCLA: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
CFR: Code of Federal Regulations
COC: Chemicals of Concern
CRP: Community Relations Plan
EAFB: Ellsworth Air Force Base
EPA: Environmental Protection Agency
FFA: Federal Facilities Agreement
FS: Feasibility Study
IRP: Installation Restoration Program
ug/kg: Micrograms per kilogram
NCP: National Oil and Hazardous Substances Contingency Plan
NPL: National Priorities List
OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OU: Operable Unit
RA: Remedial Action
RAB: Restoration Advisory Board
RI/FS: Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study
ROD: Record of Decision
SARA: Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act
SDDENR: South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources
SVOC: Semivolatile Organic Compound
USAF: United States Air Force
VOC: Volatile Organic Compound
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Final Record of Decision Operable Unit 10
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APPENDIX A
FIGURES
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N
MINNESOTA
SOUTH DAKOTA
ELLSWORTH AFB
Rapid Ctty
Scale in Mllet
APPROXIMATE
ELLSWORTH
AIR FORCE BASE
ELLSWORTH AFB
RAPID arr. SOUTH DAKOTA
AREA LOCATION MAP
RQJECT UCR
DESIGNED BY
DRAWN BY
MRG
CHECKED BY
SCALE
AS SHOWN
DATE
NOV 95
PROJECT NO
60378.85
FIGURE:
2-1
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a.
a
WASTEWATER,
TREATMENT '
PLANT
0 1200 24QO
SCALE IN FEET
LEGEND
OPERABLE UNITS
OU-1 FIRE PROTECTION TRAINING AREA
OU-2 LANDFILLS 1 & 6
OU-.3 LANDFILL 2
OU-4 LANDFILL 3
OU-5 LANDRLL 4
OU-6 LANDFILL 5
OU-7 LOW LEVEL RADIATION WASTE BURIAL AREA
OU-B EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL AREA k PRAMITOL SPILL
OU-9 OLD AUTO HOBBY' SHOP AREA
OU-10 NORTH HANGAR COMPLEX
OU-11 BASEWIDE GROUND WATER
OU-12 HARDFIU. NO. 1
o-
a
a.
EL.L.SWORTH
AIR FORCE BASE
ELLSWORTH AFB
RAPID arr, SOUTH DAKOTA
OU-10 LOCATION MAP
30JECT MCR
DESIGNED BY
DRAWN BY
STAFF
CHECKED BY
SCALE
AS SHOWN
DATE
NOV 95
PROJECT NO
60378.85
FIGURE:
2-2
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33
LEGEND:
SURFACE DRAJNAGE
-*« TOPOGRAPHIC ELEVATION
ABOVE MSL
CONTOUR INTERVAL = 10'
600'
600*
EUUSWORTH
AIR FORCE BASE
ELLSWORTH AFB
RAPID CITY. SOUTH DAKOTA
OPERABLE UNIT 10
ROJECT MCR
DESIGNED
DRAWN Br
STAFF
CHECKED BY
SCALE
AS SHOWN
DATE
NOV 95
PROJECT NO
60378.85
rICURE
2-3
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Final Record of Decision Operable Unit 10
Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota
APPENDIX B
RESPONSIVENESS SUMMARY
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Final Record of Decision Operable Unit 10
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Responsiveness Summary
- Remedial Action at Operable Unit Ten
Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota
1. Overview
The United States Air Force (USAF) established a public comment period from December 28,
1995 to January 27, 1996 for interested parties to review and comment on remedial alternatives
considered and described in the Proposed Plan for Operable Unit 10 (OU-10). The Proposed
Plan was prepared by the USAF in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(USEPA) and the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (SDDENR).
The USAF also held a public meeting at 7:30 p.m. on January 11, 1996 in the 28th Bomb Wing
Auditorium at Ellsworth Air Force Base (EAFB) to outline the proposed remedy to reduce risk
and control potential hazards at the Operable Unit (OU).
The Responsiveness Summary provides a summary of comments and questions received from the
community at the public meeting and during the public comment period as well as the USAF's
responses to public comments.
The Responsiveness Summary is organized into the following sections:
Background on Community Involvement
Summary of Comments and Questions Received During the Public Comment Period and
USAF Responses
Remaining Concerns
The ground water at OU-10 will be addressed as part of OU-11, the Base-wide ground-water
OU. Ground-water contamination extends beyond the boundaries of OU-10 and would be more
efficiently handled in a remediation scheme concurrently addressing the contamination of OU-11.
The "No Action" alternative is being proposed for the remaining media of concern, soil. No
action is warranted when a site poses no unacceptable current or future threat to people or the
environment, when CERCLA does not provide cleanup authority, or when a previous cleanup
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activity eliminates the need for future cleanup. The low levels of contamination in the soil at OU-
10 do not pose an unacceptable current or future threat to people or the environment. Cleanup of
petroleum-type chemicals will be addressed by State of South Dakota Petroleum-Contaminated
Soils regulations. Given the above conditions, no action is warranted for soil cleanup at OU-10
under CERCLA.
2. Background on Community Involvement
On August 30, 1990 EAFB was listed on the USEPA's National Priorities List (NPL). A Federal
Facilities Agreement (FFA) was signed in January 1992 by the Air Force, EPA, and the State and
went into effect on April 1, 1992. The FFA establishes a procedural framework and schedule for
developing, implementing, and monitoring appropriate response actions for EAFB.
Community relations activities that have taken place at EAFB to date include:
FFA process. After preparation of the FFA by the USAF, EPA, and SDDENR, the
document was published for comment. The FFA became effective April 1, 1992.
Administrative Record. An Administrative Record for information was established in
Building 8203 at EAFB. The Administrative Record contains information used to
support USAF decision-making. All the documents in the Administrative Record are
available to the public.
Information repositories. An Administrative Record outline is located at the Rapid
City Library (public repository).
Community Relations Plan (CRP). The CRP was prepared and has been accepted by
EPA and the State of South Dakota and is currently being carried out. An update to this
plan will be prepared in 1996.
Restoration Advisory Board (RAB). The RAB has been formed to facilitate public
input in the cleanup and meets quarterly. In addition to USAF, EPA, and South Dakota
oversight personnel, the RAB includes community leaders and local representatives from
the surrounding area.
Mailing list. A mailing list of all interested parties in the community is maintained by
. EAFB and updated regularly.
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Fact sheet. A fact sheet describing the status of the IRP at EAFB was distributed to
the mailing list addressees in 1992.
Open house. An informational meeting on the status of the IRP and other
environmental efforts at EAFB was held on May 6, 1993. An open house was held
November 16, 1995 in conjunction with the Restoration Advisory Board meeting.
Information on the status of environmental efforts at EAFB was provided.
Newspaper articles. Articles have been written for the base newspaper regarding IRP
activity.
Proposed Plan.The Proposed Plan for this remedial action was distributed to the mailing
list addressees for their comments.
Additional copies of the Proposed Plan were available at the January 11, 1996 public meeting. A
transcript of comments, questions and responses provided during the public meeting was
prepared.
3. Summary of Comments and Questions Received During the Public Comment Period
and USAF Responses
Part I - Summary and Response to Local Community Concerns
Review of the written transcript of the public meeting did not indicate community objections to
the proposed remedial action. No written comments were received during the public comment
period.
The two comments received during the public meeting were questions about funding of cleanup
under State corrective action plans and the risk of contaminated soils beneath concrete slabs.
Representatives of the USAF were available to provide answers to the questions and also
provided an overview presentation during the meeting to describe the proposed actions.
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Part n - Comprehensive Response to Specific Technical, Legal and Miscellaneous
Questions
The comments and question below are in the order they appear in'the written transcript of the
January 11, 1996 public meeting.
Comment 1. Janice Deming
Asked if the corrective action plans were part of the Base cleanup even if they aren't under
Superfund and whether there was funding available for these corrective action plans.
Response: The corrective action plans are being pursued as aggressively and in parallel with the
designated Superfund sites. State corrective action plans at EAFB are fully funded
through the Installation Restoration Program. Addressing certain areas under state
corrective action plans is generally more cost effective because cleanup.can begin
sooner. Also, the type of contaminants addressed under corrective action plans are
generally easier to deal with.
Comment 2. Gary Stuard
Asked whether the contaminants (jet fuel) present in the soil beneath concrete slabs were
above risk levels or were risk levels low because of the presence of the concrete above the
contamination.
Response: When calculating health risks, both the contaminated media and the potential for
exposure to the contaminated media are considered. Since the contaminated media
are beneath two feet of concrete, the likelihood of human contact with these soils is
low. Consequently, the calculated human health risk from these soils is low and
action under CERCLA is not required. There are soils at OU-10 contaminated with
jet fuel above state cleanup levels and these soils will be addressed through a
corrective action plan.
F:\PROJ\603788S\FSWOD.IO\F1NAL\10FNLROD.WPD B-4 April 1996
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