&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Solid Waste And
Emergency Response
(5201 G)
EPA/540/R-95/120
PB95-962952
9200.5-749C
May 1995
SUPERFUND:
Progress at
National
Priority
List Sites
WYOMING
1995 UP DATE
Printed on Recycled Paper
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How to Use the NPL Book
The site fact sheets presented in this book
are comprehensive summaries that cover a
broad range of information. The fact sheets
describe hazardous waste sites on the NPL and
their locations, as well as the conditions
leading to their listing ("Site Description").
The summaries list the types of contaminants
that have been discovered and related threats
to public and ecological health ("Threats and
Contaminants"). "Cleanup Approach" pres-
ents an overview of the cleanup activities
completed, underway, or planned. The fact
sheets conclude with a brief synopsis of how
much progress has been made in protecting
public health and the environment. The
summaries also pinpoint other actions, such as
legal efforts to involve polluters responsible
for site contamination and community con-
cerns.
The fact sheets are arranged in alphabetical
order by site name. Because site cleanup is a
dynamic and gradual process, all site informa-
tion is accurate as of the date shown on the
bottom of each page. Progress is always being
made at NPL sites, and the EPA periodically
will update the site fact sheets to reflect recent
actions. The following two pages show a
generic fact sheet and briefly describe the
information under each section.
How Can You Use
This State Book?
You can use this book to keep informed
about the sites that concern you, particu-
larly ones close to home. The EPA is commit-
ted to involving the public in the decision
making process associated with hazardous
waste cleanup. The Agency solicits input from
area residents in communities affected by
Superfund sites. Citizens are likely to be
affected not only by hazardous site conditions,
but also by the remedies that combat them.
Site cleanups take many forms and can affect
communities in different ways. Local traffic
may be rerouted, residents may be relocated,
temporary water supplies may be necessary.
Definitive information on a site can help
citizens sift through alternatives and make
decisions. To make good choices, you must
know what the threats are and how the EPA
intends to clean up the site. You must under-
stand the cleanup alternatives being proposed
for site cleanup and how residents may be
affected by each one. You also need to have
some idea of how your community intends to
use the site in the future, and you need to know
what the community can realistically expect
once the cleanup is complete.
The EPA wants to develop cleanup methods
that meet community needs, but the Agency
only can take local concerns into account if it
understands what they are. Information must
travel both ways in order for cleanups to be
effective and satisfactory. Please take this
opportunity to learn more, become involved,
and assure that hazardous waste cleanup at
"your" site considers your community's
concerns.
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NPL LISTING HISTORY
Provides the dates when the
site was Proposed, made Final,
and Deleted from the NPL.
SITE RESPONSIBILITY
Identifies the Federal, State,
and/or potentially responsible
parties taking responsibility
for cleanup actions at the site.
ENVIRONMENTAL
PROGRESS
Summarizes the actions to
reduce the threats to nearby
residents and the surrounding
environment and the progress
towards cleaning up the site.
SITE NAME
STATE
EPA ID# ABCOOOOOOO
Site Description
EPA REGION XX
COUNTY NAME
LOCATION
Other Names:
I
, XXX XXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX :
; xxxxxxxxxx xxxx xxxxxxxx xxxx xx xxxxxxxxx xx xxxxxx xxxxxxxx \
: xxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx xx xxxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxx x xxx :
xxxxxxx xxx xxxjtX*^xxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxx xxxxxxxxxx :
xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx^fcwq^x xxx xx xxxxxxxxx xxxxx xxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxxxx :
XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXJ^OBtJSXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXX XXXX XXXXX XXX XXX XXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX XX XXXXXXX XXX XXXXX XXX*^XXX XXXXXX XX XXXX XXX XXXXX XXX XXXXX XXX XXXXX
Site Responsibility:
xxx
xxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx
NPL Listing History
Proposed: XXttX/XX
Final XX/XX/XX
Threats and Contaminants
xxxxxx xxx xxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx
XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XX XXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX XXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX XXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX XX XXXXXX XXXX
xxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx
XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX XXXX X XXX XX
xxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxx
xxxxxxxxx
Cleanup Approach
XXXXXX XXX XXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XX XXXXXXXXX XX XXXXXX XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX XXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX XX XXXXXX XXXX XXXXX XXXX X XXX XXXXXXXX
Response Action Status
XXXXXX XXX XXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX :
XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XX XXXXXXXXX XX XXXXXX\
XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX XXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX XX XXXXXX XXXX XXXXX XXXX X :
xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx :
XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX XXXX X XXX XX XXXXXXXXX XXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXX
XXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXX XXXX XXXXX XXX
XXX XXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XX XXXXXXX XXX XXXXXX XX XXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXX :
rSCTSl xxxxxx xxx xxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx
XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XX XXXXXXXXX XX XXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX XXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX XX XXXXXX XXXX XXXXX XXXX X XXX
[XXXXX XXX XXXXXX
Environmental Progress
XXXXXX XXX XXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XX XXXXXXXXX XX XXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXX
XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX XXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX XX XXXXXX XXXX XXXXX XXXX X XXX XXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXX XXXXXXX XXX XXXXXX XXXXXX XXX XXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX
Site Repository
XXXXXX XXX XXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX
\
SITE REPOSITORY
Lists the location of the primary site repository. The site
repository may include community relations plans, public
meeting announcements and minutes, fact sheets, press
releases, and other site-related documents.
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SITE DESCRIPTION
This section describes the location and history of the site. It includes descrip-
tions of the most recent activities and past actions at the site that have con-
tributed to the contamination. Population estimates, land usages, and nearby
resources give readers background on the local setting surrounding the site.
THREATS AND CONTAMINANTS
The major chemical categories of site contamination are noted, as well as
which environmental resources are affected. Icons representing each of the
affected resources (may include air, groundwater, surface water, soil, and
contamination to environmentally sensitive areas) are included in the margins
of this section. Potential threats to residents and the surrounding environ-
ments arising from the site contamination also are described.
CLEANUP APPROACH
This section contains a brief overview of how the site is being cleaned up.
RESPONSE ACTION STATUS
Specific actions that have been accomplished or will be undertaken to clean
up the site are described here. Cleanup activities at NPL sites are divided
into separate phases, depending on the complexity and required actions at the
site. Two major types of cleanup activities often are described: initial,
immediate, or emergency actions to quickly remove or reduce imminent
threats to the community and surrounding areas; and long-term remedial
phases directed at final cleanup at the site. Each stage of the cleanup strategy
is presented in this section of the summary. Icons representing the stage of
the cleanup process (initial actions, site investigations, EPA selection of the
cleanup remedy, engineering design phase, cleanup activities underway, and
completed cleanup) are located in the margin next to each activity descrip-
tion.
SITE FACTS
Additional information on activities and events at the site are included in this
section. Often details on legal or administrative actions taken by the EPA to
achieve site cleanup or other facts pertaining to community involvement with
the site cleanup process are reported here. '
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Guide to the NPL Book Icons
The "icons," or symbols, accompanying the text allow the reader to see at a glance which envi-
ronmental resources are affected and the status of cleanup activities at the site.
Icons in the Threats
and Contaminants
Section
Icons in the Response
Action Status Section
Contaminated Groundwater re-
sources in the vicinity or underlying
the site. (Groundwater is often used
as a drinking water source.)
Contaminated Surface Water and
Sediments on or near the site.
(These include lakes, ponds,
streams, and rivers.)
Contaminated Air in the vicinity of
the site. (Air pollution usually is
periodic and involves contaminated
dust particles or hazardous gas
emissions.)
Contaminated Soil and Sludges on
or near the site. (This contamination
category may include bulk or other
• surface hazardous wastes found on
the site.)
Threatened or contaminated Envi-
ronmentally Sensitive Areas in the
vicinity of the site. (Examples
include wetlands and coastal areas
or critical habitats.)
Initial, Immediate, or Emergency
Actions have been taken or are
underway to eliminate immediate
threats, at the site.
Site Studies at the site to determine
the nature and extent of contamina-
tion are planned or underway.
Remedy Selected indicates that site
investigations have been concluded,
and the EPA has selected a final
cleanup remedy for the site or part
of the site.
Remedy Design means that engi-
neers are preparing specifications
and drawings for the selected
cleanup technologies.
Cleanup Ongoing indicates that the
selected cleanup remedies for the
contaminated site, or part of the site,
currently are underway.
Cleanup Complete shows that all
cleanup goals have been achieved
for the contaminated site or part of
the site.
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EPA ID
Number Site Name
WYD061112470 BAXTER/UNION PACIFIC TIE TREATING
WY5571924179 F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE
WYD981546005 MYSTERY BRIDGE RD/U.S. HIGHWAY 20
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BAXTER/UNI
PACIFIC
TIE TREATIN
WYOMING
EPA ID# WYD06111 2470
EPA REGION 8
Albany County
3/4 miles southwest of Laramie
Site Description
The Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR), or its contractor, treated railroad ties at the Baxter/Union
Pacific Tie Treating site between 1886 and 1983, using various chemicals including zinc chloride,
a mixture of creosote oil and an asphalt-based oil, and pentachlorophenol (PCP). During the
operation's first 70 years, workers disposed of process wastes on site in waste collection ponds.
Contamination outside these ponds was discovered in 1981 during groundwater monitoring
required by the EPA. The groundwater beneath approximately 140 of the property's 700 acres
currently is polluted with oils and wood treating chemicals. The railroad voluntarily ceased
operations at the site in 1983. The City of Laramie has a population of 24,000. The public
water supply for Laramie is affected by the site; the city uses a reservoir fed by the Laramie
River several miles upriver. Contaminated water beneath the site is not used for drinking, and
domestic private wells near the site were sampled and found clean.
Site Responsibility:
This site is being addressed through
Federal and potentially responsible
parties' actions.
NPL LISTING HISTORY
Proposed Date: 12/30/82
Final Date: 09/08/83
Threats and Contaminants
Groundwater, soil, and sediments contained numerous polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs) including PCP. PCP levels are higher downgradient, indicating
movement of contaminants from the site. The public drinking water supply is
protected, as it is drawn from a river above the contaminated area; however, direct
contact with site contaminants is a possible health threat.
April 1995
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Cleanup Approach
This site is being addressed in two long-term remedial phases focusing on source control and
groundwater cleanup, and the recovery of creosote oil and containment of residual contamination.
This site has been transferred out of the EPA's Superfund program and is now being addressed
under EPA's Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
Response Action Status
Source Control and Groundwater Cleanup: The EPA selected an interim
remedy in 1986 to control the source of contamination and its effect on the
groundwater. The remedy features an isolation system designed to keep
contaminated groundwater and soil from moving off site while more permanent remedies are
planned. This remedy also includes: realigning the Laramie River Channel 150 feet farther west
from the site to reduce the chance of contamination; building a slurry wall through the soil and
bedrock around contaminated areas; draining and pumping groundwater against its natural flow to
keep it from seeping off site and through the slurry wall; treating withdrawn groundwater with
activated carbon to decontaminate it; discharging this cleaned water into the Laramie River,
under State and Federal permits; and monitoring the groundwater to track the effectiveness of the
system. All site isolation activities have been completed. Operation and maintenance, as well as
monitoring of the remedies, are taking place to ensure that site isolation activities continue to be
effective.
Recovery and Containment: In 1990, Union Pacific began treatability studies,
under EPA oversight, to determine if on-site recovery of creosote oil and
bioremediation of contaminated soil and groundwater would be an effective remedy.
These studies were completed in 1991. In 1992, Union Pacific conducted an investigation into the
potential for the release of contaminants from the isolation system installed in 1986. The
investigation showed the isolation system was effectively preventing the release of contaminants.
A final remedy was selected for the site in 1991, which called for the use of a hydraulic slurry
wall to contain contaminated materials, and the recovery of hundreds of thousands of gallons of
creosote oil is being sent to other wood treating facilities around the country. This recovery
process is expected to continue until 1998. In late 1994, a corrective action agreement was
signed, whereby RCRA assumed control of future creosote oil recovery and agreed to cap the
contaminated areas at the completion of the recovery process. In addition, RCRA will review the
site every five years to ensure the effectiveness of the cleanup actions taken at this site.
Environmental Progress
The cleanup actions to contain the source of contamination have been completed at the
Baxter/Union Pacific Tie Treating site. Creosote oil recovery operations began in 1991 and are
expected to continue until 1998. The creosote oil recovery process is now being addressed under
the EPA's RCRA program. The site will be monitored every five years to ensure the
effectiveness of the cleanup actions.
April 1995 2 BAXTER/UNION PACIFIC TIE TREATING
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F.E. WARREN
FORCE BASE
WYOMING
EPA ID# WY5571 9241 79
Site Description
EPA REGION 8
Laramie County
Cheyenne
The 5,866-acre F.E. Warren Air Force Base site initially began as a U.S. Army cavalry outpost
in 1867 and has since served a number of military functions. In 1947, control of the facility was
transferred to the U.S. Air Force; it became a Strategic Air Command base in 1958. Waste
generation at the facility has consisted primarily of spent solvents from equipment cleaning and
various maintenance operations. The Air Force also maintained an acid well for spent battery
acid disposal. While 12 landfills are located at the facility and hold various wastes, only one
landfill is presently in operation. Two fire protection training areas involved extensive use of
various fuels and combustible materials for fire training exercises. Initially, 25 areas were
identified where hazardous materials might have been used, stored, treated, or disposed of.
Agricultural lands and industrial and residential developments surround the base. The City of
Cheyenne borders the base on the east. Approximately 2,400 people draw drinking water from
private deep aquifer wells. These wells are located within a 3 mile radius of hazardous substances
on the base.
Site Responsibility:
This site is being addressed through
Federal actions.
NPL LISTING HISTORY
Proposed Date: 07/14/89
Final Date: 02/21/90
Threats and Contaminants
Contamination from trichloroethylene (TCE), gasoline, oils, hydraulic fluid, ethylene
glycol, and battery acid was found in shallow groundwater zones and soils. TCE was
found in surface water samples at various locations. Contaminated groundwater,
discharging to surface waters (Crow and Diamond Creeks), is believed to be the TCE
contamination source. Direct contact with contaminated groundwater, surface water,
and soil may adversely affect human health.
March 1995
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Cleanup Approach
This site is being addressed in two stages: initial actions and a long-term remedial phase focusing
on cleanup of the entire site.
Response Action Status
Initial Actions: In 1986, the Air Force removed an acid disposal well system and
an unknown amount of contaminated soil. In 1989, the Air Force removed a
building drain sump, 3,000 gallons of contaminated liquid, 300 gallons of
contaminated sludge, and 300,000 pounds of contaminated soil from an area known as Spill
Site 7.
Entire Site: In 1993, a Federal Facility Agreement divided the entire site into ten
cleanup areas. These consist of shallow and deep groundwater zones, the acid dry
well area, four landfills, the fire training areas, the base firing range, and a
munitions detonation area. A draft report from a site investigation conducted under the
Installation Restoration Program (IRP) was completed and reviewed by the EPA and the State of
Wyoming. Further investigations are needed to determine the extent of contamination in deeper
groundwater zones. Also, the extent of potential or suspected surface contamination sources needs
to be investigated further. The Air Force is currently preparing plans to conduct further site
investigations of surface sources and to determine the extent of deeper groundwater
contamination. Investigation activities at the acid dry well area were completed in 1992.
Site Facts: A Federal Facility Agreement was signed September 26, 1991, defining EPA and
State involvement in future site investigations and cleanup actions. The Agreement divides the
site into ten cleanup areas. F.E. Warren Air Force Base is participating in the IRP, a specially
funded program developed in 1978 by the Department of Defense (DOD) to identify, investigate,
and control the migration of hazardous contaminants at military and other DOD facilities.
Environmental Progress
The initial actions to remove contaminated soil, sludge, and liquids have reduced the potential for
exposure to hazardous substances at the F.E. Warren Air Force Base site while further studies
are taking place and cleanup activities are being planned.
Site Repository
Laramie County Public Library, 2800 Central Avenue, Cheyenne, WY 82001
March 1995
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE
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MYSTERY BR
ROAD/HIGHW
WYOMING
EPA ID# WYD981546005
AY 20
EPA REGION 8
Natrona County
mile east of Evansville
Other Names:
Brookhurst
Site Description
The 450-acre Mystery Bridge Road/Highway 20 site is located adjacent to an oil refinery and
other industries in the Brookhurst and Mystery Bridge Subdivisions. One area of the site, the
KN Energy facility, serves as a natural gas processing operation. An unlined waste pond on this
area was used from 1965 until 1984. Another area of the site operated as an oil field service and
includes a former toluene storage area, a truck wash drain system, and an abandoned sump. In
1986, studies started in response to citizen complaints identified the presence of volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) in area wells and drinking water. The Brookhurst Subdivision was
developed during the mid-1970s and consists of about 100 homes, 90 of which were affected by
contamination of drinking water wells. Domestic wells in the area tap into shallow ground water.
In 1988, a separate contaminated groundwater plume moving from the Little America Refining
Co. (LARCO), an area adjacent to the Brookhurst property, was also identified.
Site Responsibility:
This site is being addressed through
Federal and potentially responsible
parties' actions.
NPL LISTING HISTORY
Proposed Date: 06/24/88
Final Date: 08/30/90
Threats and Contaminants
Groundwater and soil are contaminated with VOCs, hydrocarbons, and other
hazardous substances. Drinking or coming into direct contact with contaminated
groundwater is the greatest health threat to Brookhurst residents.
April 1 995
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Cleanup Approach
Response Action Status
Initial Actions: In 1987, the EPA provided bottled water to 45 residences as an
interim measure until the water distribution system was installed later in the year.
Hookups to the drinking water system between Evansville and Brookhurst were
completed in 1988. A sedimentation pond and intake structure modifications were built at the
Evansville water treatment plant. In 1988, KN Energy removed 35 drums of liquid and sludge
from the flare pit area and sent the drums off site to a disposal facility. KN Energy also installed
a pump and treat system and soil vapor extraction system to control the release of contaminants
into the groundwater. In 1988, The Dow Chemical Company and Dowell-Schlumberger removed
420 cubic yards of contaminated soil from the facility and installed a soil vapor extraction system
to remove remaining contaminants in the soil.
Groundwater: In 1990, Dow, Dowell-Schlumberger, and KN Energy completed an
investigation into the nature and extent of contamination at the site. Work performed
during the investigation, including the installation of monitoring wells, soil vapor
analysis, surface and sediment sampling, and the collection of water samples from monitoring
wells, was completed in 1989. Three containment plumes were identified in the groundwater. In
1990, the EPA selected remedies to cleanup the groundwater that included: pumping of the first
plume, which contains benzene, ethylbenzene, xylenes and toluene, and treatment using air
stripping; and limited pumping of the second plume, which contains VOCs, and treatment using
air stripping and reinjection of clean water into the aquifer. The third plume, from the LARCO
area, is being addressed under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Both
KN's and Dow/Dowell-Schlumberger's groundwater pump and treatment systems have been built
and are in operation. Treatment will continue until established cleanup levels have been met.
Remaining Subsurface Contamination: To ensure that sources of further
groundwater contamination in the form of highly contaminated soils do not remain,
KN Energy and Dow/Dowell-Schlumberger conducted investigations of subsurface
contamination. As a result, KN implemented a sparging program that enhanced the removal of
the subsurface contaminants through the existing soil vapor extraction system. No additional
actions beyond the sparging program are required to address the contamination.
Site Facts: In 1988, the EPA issued Consent Orders to three potentially responsible parties, KN
Energy, Inc., Dow Chemical Co., and Dowell Schlumberger, Inc., requiring them to clean up
two separate suspected sources of groundwater contamination and site contamination.
April 1995 2 MYSTERY BRIDGE ROAD/HIGHWAY 20
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Environmental Progress
Construction of all cleanup activities is complete. The provision of a municipal water supply and
the removal of accessible surface contaminants have reduced the potential for exposure to
hazardous substances at the Mystery Bridge Road/Highway 20 site. The operation of the two
groundwater pump and treatment remedies is removing contaminants from the groundwater.
Progress is further enhanced by operation of the air sparging and soil vapor extraction system at
the KN Energy, Inc. property. It is anticipated that groundwater cleanup standards will be
achieved through these operations.
MYSTERY BRIDGE ROAD/HIGHWAY 20
April 1995
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