NEPA Process
In addition to the EDDP process, the EPA follows the procedures of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 United States Code 4321) and EPA's regulations for Implementing
NEPA (40 Code of Federal Regulations fart 6). NEPA establishes the national environmental
policy and goals for the protection, maintenance, and enhancement of the environment. NEPA
also mandates that EPA produce a document that evaluates potential Impacts on the
environment before making decisions on major federal actions that may significantly affect the
environment. For these documents, EPA uses a multidisciplinary process to provide environmental
Impact Information to federal, state, local, and tribal officials, as well as citizens.
EPA's decision to vacate the previously noted seven facilities Is considered a major federal
action under the purview of NEPA. Therefore, EPA initiated NEPA reviews for these facilities while
completing the EDDP and relocation schedule. EPA completed and published In-depth NEPA
documents for activities at the EML and the ERC on March 31, 2000. Under the regulatory
requirements of NEPA, the public had 30 days to review and comment these NEPA documents.
EPA recently completed NEPA documents for the ERC Annex and these documents are available
?r public review and comment at the locations listed below. The public has until July 10, 2000,
submit comments to EPA.
US EPA Environmental Research Center Library
86 TW Alexander Drive, Room C-1OO
Research Triangle Park, NC 277O9
US EPA Mutual Building Library
NC Mutual Life Building, Room 621
411 West Chapel Hill Street
Durham, NC 277O1
Cameron Village Regional Library
Cameron Village Shopping Center
193O Clark Avenue
Raleigh, NC 276O5
Durham County Public Library
3OO North Roxboro Street
Durham, NC 27701
Telephone: (919)541-2777
Telephone: (919) 541-5514
Telephone: (919) &56-671O
Telephone: (919) 56O-O1OO
For information from EPA Public Affairs contact: DEBBIE JANES (919)541-4577
For additional information on EDDP activities contact: RUSS KULP (919) 541-2130
For additional information on NEPA activities contact: LANCE SWANHORST (202)564-2160
oEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Air & Radiation
Office of Administration & Resources Management EPA 202-F-00-01a
Office of Research & Development May 2000
Sampling Activities at EPA's
Environmental Research Center,
Environmental Research Center Annex, and
Emissions Measurement Laboratory
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
Information for EPA Employees and others working and living in the
Research Triangle Park Area—
How the EPA la making certain that the Agency's move to its new quarters
is not leaving behind any hazardous problems
Printed on Recycled Paper
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EPA Mission:
The mission of the Environmental Pro-
tection Agency is to protect human
health and to safeguard the natural
environment—air, water, and land—
upon which life depends.
Purpose
The purpose of this notice Is to inform EPA's
employees and contractors, and the local com-
munity, of planned environmental sampling ac-
tivities in Research Triangle Park (RTP), North
Carolina, which will begin In summer 2000 and
may continue through 2001. This sampling will
fulfill federal, state, and local environmental
regulatory requirements associated with relo-
cating facility employees and operations.
Background
To consolidate its facilities and reduce costs,
EPA is planning to relocate from seven buildings
in RTF and Durham, N.C., to one new facility also
located in RTP Due to the nature of EPA's op-
erations, various chemicals, hazardous materials,
and radiological materials are used in environ-
mental research. Though EPA has been diligent
In the proper storage, handling and disposal of
such materials, EPA takes proper procedures to
ensure that environmental hazards do not exist
upon vacating Its properties. Consequently, EPA
is following its own environmental protocol through
an Environmental Due Diligence Process (EDDP)
to identify, document, manage, remove, and miti-
gate any environmental contamination or risks
to health caused by EPA activities at the follow-
ing properties:
1. Environmental Research Center (ERC), RTP
2. ERC Annex, RTP
3. Emissions Measurement Laboratory (EML),
RTP
4. Annex Administration building, RTP
5. Building 4201, RTP
6. Catawba Building, RTP
7. North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Building,
Durham
EPA's EDDP is a three-phase approach, including
site assessment (Phase I), confirmatory sam-
pling (Phase II), and cleanup and decontamina-
tion (Phase III). EPA is performing the EDDP in
accordance with the Community Environmental
Response Facilitation Act (CERFA), American
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) stan-
dard E 1527, and EPA's EDDP guidelines. Pres-
ently, the EPA has completed Phase I. Phase II
and III EDDP activities will begin in summer 2000
and will continue through 2001.
EPA is required under CERFA to notify present
and future property owners of possible environ-
mental contamination.
Findings from Phase I
The Phase I Site Assessment for the seven fa-
cilities listed at left, and shown on the map of
RTP, was completed In July 1999. The Phase I
report Indicates that no suspect areas of con-
tamination exist at the administration buildings,
including the Annex Administration Building,
Building 4201, the Catawba Building, and the
North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Building.
Consequently, EPA has not scheduled any
Phase II sampling or Phase III cleanup activities
at these facilities.
Although hazardous conditions were not evident
at the ERC, the ERC Annex, and the EML, find-
ings Indicate that some areas of potential envi-
ronmental concern may exist at these facilities
and warrant further Investigation through the
Phase II sampling process. Working conditions In
and around the sample sites, however, are con-
sidered to be safe If personnel follow safety pro-
cedures. The areas of potential environmental
concern at these facilities are related to past
EPA laboratory operations, including the use and
storage of hazardous and radiological materials
and waste management practices and activi-
ties; and the closeout of environmental permits
and a Nuclear Regulatory Commission license.
What to Expect
Contractors will be on site collecting and analyz-
ing samples at the ERC, the ERC Annex, and the
EML. Contractors will comply with, or conform
to, all applicable regulations and protocols to
ensure their own safety as well as the safety of
facility employees and the general public. Do not
be alarmed If you see people In hazardous chemi-
cal safety gear working around your area. Even
though conditions are not considered hazardous,
occupational safety and health regulations may
require sampling personnel to wear personal
safety equipment, such as protective suits,
safety goggles, and respirators. Access to Iden-
tified sites will be restricted during sampling and
clean-up activities.
Next Steps
EPA will perform Phase II sampling from summer
2000 through 2001. Based on the results of
the sampling, clean-up, and decontamination of
the sites may be required.
Seven EPA facilities in KTR NC. (See list under Background)
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