United States
           Environmental Protection
           Agency
              Office of
              Emergency and
              Remedial Response
EPA/ROD/R02-89/095
September 1989
&EPA
Superfund
Record of Decision
            Ewan Property, NJ

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16.  Abstract (Continued)

EPA/ROD/R02-89/095
Ewan Property, NJ

 The selected remedial action for this site includes excavating and treating 22,000
cubic yards of soil using solvent extraction and soil washing,  followed by redepositing
treated soil onsite as clean fill; treating and disposing of spent solvent offsite;
treating spent wash water onsite using the ground water treatment system; regrading and
revegetating disposal areas; pumping and treatment of ground water followed by
reinjecting treated ground water into.the underlying aquifer; and environmental
monitoring.  The estimated present worth cost for this remedial action is $35,152,447
which includes annual O&M costs of $1,903,980.

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50272-101
"REPORT DOCUMENTATION
        PAGE
                        1. REPORT NO.
                            EPA/ROD/R02-89/095
                                                                   X Recipient:* Acoaaion No.
 4. Tide and Subtitle
   SUPERFUND RECORD OF DECISION
   Ewan  Property, NJ
   Second Remedial Action - Final
                                                                   5. Report Date
                                                                            09/29/89
 7. Author(s)
                                                                   8. Performing Organization Rept No.
 9. Peffoimlng Organization Nam and Addreu
                                                                     10. ProjectfTaak/Work Unit No.
                                                                     11. Contract(C) or Grant(G) No.

                                                                     (C)

                                                                     (G)
 12. Sponaoring Organization Nam and Addrea*
   U.S.  Environmental Protection Agency
   401 M Street,  S.W.
   Washington, D.C.   20460
                                                                   13. Type ol Report ft Period Covered

                                                                        800/000
                                                                     14.
 15. Supplementary Notea
 16. Abatract (Limit: 200 word*)

   The  43-acre Ewan Property site  is  in the New  Jersey Pinelands in Shamong Township,
 Burlington County,  New  Jersey.  The  site neighbors  forests and forested wetlands,
 farmland,  and residences.   An aquifer underlying the site contains a plume contaminated
 by  onsite disposal practices.  Between 1974 and  1975 the site  owner reportedly buried
   ncontained  and drummed hazardous wastes in an onsite disposal area.  In  1982 the county
   as informed of the possible hazardous waste dumping and initiated ground water
 monitoring and soil sampling programs the following year.  Both the ground water and
 soil within  the disposal area were  found to be contaminated with VOCs and metals.  This
 remedial action represents  the second of two operable units for the site.   The 1988
 Record of Decision addressed the treatment of  4,500 cubic yards of source waste
 including buried drums  and  other heavily contaminated materials.   This second operable
 unit addresses the remediation of the residual soil which will remain after
 implementation of the first operable unit and  the treatment of the contaminated ground
 water.  The  primary contaminants of  concern affecting the soil and ground water are VOCs
 including benzene,  PCE,  TCE,  toluene,  and xylenes;  and metals  including chromium and
 lead.   (Continued on next page).
                                          NJ
17. Document Analyse a. Descriptor*
  Record of Decision -  Ewan Property,
  Second Remedial Action - Final
  Contaminated Media:   soil, gw
  Key Contaminants:  VOCs (benzene,  PCE,  TCE, toluene, xylenes),  metals  (lead,
    e. COSATI Held/Group
    Availability Statement
                                                      19. Security Ctaa* (Thla Report)
                                                             None
                                                      20. Security Claa* (Thla Page)
                                                      	None	
                                                                               21. No.olPagea
                                                                                    114
                                                                               22. Price
 (See ANSI-Z39.18)
                                       SM Instruction* on fterarw
                                                                              OPTIONAL FORM 272 (4-77)
                                                                              (Formerly NTIS-3S)
                                                                              Department of Commerce

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                   DO NOT PRINT THESE INSTRUCTIONS AS A  PAGE IN A REPORT


                                                     INSTRUCTIONS
Optional Form 272, Report Documentation Page Is based on Guidelines for Format and Production of Scientific and Technical Reports,
ANSI Z39.18-1974 available from American National Standards Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, New York 10018. Each separately
bound report—for example, each volume In a multlvolume set—shall have Its unique Report Documentation Page.

 1.  Report Number. Each individually bound report shall carry a unique alphanumeric designation assigned by the performing orga-
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     the performing organization.

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 9.  Performing Organization Name and Mailing Address. Give name, street, city, state, and ZIP code. List no  more than two levels of
     an organizational hierachy. Display the name of the organization exactly as It should appear in Government indexes such as
     Government Reports Announcements & Index (GRA & I).

 10.  Project/Task/Work Unit Number. Use the project,  task and work unit numbers under which the report was prepared.

 11.  Contract/Grant Number. Insert contract or grant number under which report was prepared.
 12.  Sponsoring Agency Name and Mailing Address. Include ZIP code. Cite main sponsors.

 13.  Type of Report and Period Covered. State Interim, final, etc., and, if applicable, Inclusive dates.

 14.  Performing Organization Code. Leave blank;

 15.  Supplementary Notes.  Enter Information noi; Inc uded elsewhere but useful, such as: Prepared In cooperation with ... Translation
     of... Presented at conference of... To be p ubli )hed in... When a report is revised, include a statement whether  the new
     report  supersedes or supplements the older report.

 16.  Abstract. Include a brief (200 words or less) factual summary of the most significant information contained in the report.  If the
     report contains a significant bibliography or literature survey, mention It here.

 17.  Document  Analysis, (a). Descriptors. Select from the Thesaurus of Engineering and Scientific Terms the proper authorized terms
     that identify the major concept of the research and are sufficiently specific and precise to be used as Index entries  for cataloging.

     (b). Identifiers and Open-Ended Terms. Use identifiers for project names, code names, equipment designators, etc.  Use  open-
     ended terms written In descriptor form for those subjects for which no descriptor exists.

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     majority of documents are multidlscipllnary In nature, the primary Reid/Group asslgnment(s) will be the specific discipline,
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     assignments that will follow the primary postings).

 18.  Distribution Statement.  Denote public releasatillty, for example "Release unlimited'', or limitation for reasons other than
     security. Cite any availability to the public, with address, order number and price, If known.

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 21.  Number of pages.  Insert the total number of pages, including introductory pages, but excluding distribution list, If any.

22.  Price.  Enter price in paper copy (PC) an'i/or microfiche (MF) If known.

 A GPO:  19830-381-526(8393)                                                                       OPTIONAL FORM 272 BACK
                                                                                                   (4-77)

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                      DECLARATION STATEMENT

                       RECORD OF DECISION

                BWAN PROPERTY (OPERABLE UNIT TWO)



Site Name and Location

Evan Property, Shamong Township, Burlington County,  New Jersey


Statement of Basis 
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    • Collection and treatment  of  the  contaminated ground water,
     and reinjection  of  the  treated ground  water into the
     underlying aquifer;

    • Recontouring and restoration of  the  disposal areas; and

    • Appropriate environmental monitoring to ensure the
     effectiveness of the remedy.


Statutory Determinations

The selected remedy is protective of  human  health and the
environment, complies with Federal and  State requirements that
are legally applicable or relevant and  appropriate to the remed-
ial action, and is cost-effective.  The remedy utilizes permanent
solutions and alternative treatment technologies to the maximum
extent practicable and satisfies  the  statutory preference for
remedies that employ  treatment that reduces toxicity, mobility,
and/or volume as a principal element.   At the conclusion of this
remedy, there will be no hazardous substances remaining on the
site above health-based  levels.   However, because the remedial
goals will not be attained within five  years,  the five year
review will apply to  this remedial action.
 'w*' sts~*-^^,\.\-   »  j  j^**~*fl~zrr~ y^—tf                 S  ^K '   * *
William J. MHszYJfeJdrV/.E.                I>ate
Acting Regional Administrator

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                        DECISION SUMMARY

                       RECORD OF DECISION

                EWAN PROPERTY (OPERABLE UNIT TWO)


Site Location and Description

The Evan Property consists of forty-three heavily wooded acres in
Shamong Township, New Jersey.  The New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has concluded that the site,
which includes the contaminated groundwater plume, is located
within the Central Pine Barrens portion of the New Jersey
Pinelands.  The site is approximately 4,000 feet south of
Tuckerton Road and 5,000 feet east-northeast of Indian Mills Lake
in Shamong Township, New Jersey.  Land use within 1.25 miles of
the property is generally forests,  forested wetlands, agri-
cultural land, and single family residential areas.  Wharton
State Forest is approximately two miles south of the site.
Upper-middle income residential developments are located both to
the north and east.  The nearest resident is located approx-
imately 1500 feet from the site.

Domestic water within one mile of the site is obtained from
individual private wells developed within the Cohansey Sand
hydrogeologic unit, a water table aquifer.  Domestic sewage is
disposed of through individual private septic systems.  Area
agricultural water usage is dependent upon the water table
aquifer.  Ground water within the Cohansey Sand has been de-
termined to flow in a southerly direction.  The nearest ground
water user downgradient from the site is located approximately
one mile away.

Two areas of industrial waste disposal were initially studied
during the preliminary site investigation, and were the focus of
the Remedial Investigation.  The two areas were identified as
Area A (approximately nine acres) and Area B (approximately five
acres).  Both Area A and Area B are identified on Figure 1.  No
indication of industrial waste disposal was encountered in the
remaining portions of the property.

The significant findings of the Remedial Investigation and the
Operable Unit Two Feasibility Study are noted below:

   • Area B was not identified as containing industrial-type
     wastes.  Therefore, Area B will not be addressed by the
     Superfund program.

   • Approximately 4500 cubic yards of source waste material
     (i.e., drums and heavily contaminated materials) were buried
     in the four acre tract of Area A (see Figure 2).  These
     materials will be addressed during the Operable Unit One
     Remedial Action.

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                    APPROXIMATE EWAN
                    PROPERTY  BOUNDARY
                                    SCALf IN HIT
BASE MAP IS A PORTION cr THE US.O.S. SOUTHWEST INDIAN MILLS, NJOUOORAMOUEI 7.9 MINUTE SERIES, 1997.
PHOTOINSPECTEO 1972, CONTOUR INTEHVKL 10 FEET). EWAN  PROPERTY LOCATION a APPROXIMATE.	


                                                                 FIGURE  I
                                                                     RESIDENTIAL
                                                                     DEVELOPMENT
                 SITE LOCATION MAP
      EWAN PROPERTY SITE. SHAMONG TWR. NJ

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                              STUDY AREA'A1
      ESTIMATED EXTENT OF CONTAMINATED SOIL
      REQUIRING REMEDIATION (OUI AND OU2)
_    (AS REFMD UJUNG ES CLC)
      AREA OF MAGNETIC ANOMALY
      TEST PIT

      SOIL BORING

      VISUAL OBSERVATION
MKJM LCVCLI v ret COMPOUNDS oertc
UO (M CVOCNCC Of (MUMS oaSCnvCO
A   TEST PIT

 O   SOIL BORING
COMPOUNOS otrtcrco»r
NO VISIiLt f VIOCNCC OF OMUMS
      NJOEP MONITORING WELL

      ESTIMATED EXTENT OF AFFECTED AREA
                                                                                                                                                 FIGURE  2
                                  APPROXIMATE EXTENT OF CONTAMINATED SOIL
                                     EWAN PROPERTY SITE. SHAMONG TWR. NJ

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    • The Remedial Investigation had estimated that 29,500 cubic
     yards of contaminated soil exist within the burial trenches.
     The Operable Unit Two Feasibility study further refined this
     estimate to 22,000 cubic yards of soil which will require
     treatment during implementation of the Operable Unit Two
     Remedial Action.

    • The principal source contaminants are largely chlorinated
     aliphatic organic compounds (1,2-dichloroethane, tetra-
     chloroethene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, methylene chloride,
     trichloroethene, carbon tetrachloride, 1,1-dichloroethane,
     chloroform) and aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, ethyl-
     benzene, naphthalene, xylenes, toluene)  as well as lead,
     barium, copper and chromium.

    • The ground water contaminant plume originating from Area A
     continues to migrate.  This plume is contained within the
     Cohansey Sand aquifer.  As presented in various geological
     references and confirmed during the Remedial Investigation,
     exposed portions of the Cohansey Sand geologic unit are
     recharge areas for the aquifer.  The sampling of ground
     water in January, 1989 indicates that the contaminant plume
     is approximately 760 feet long, 600 feet wide, and 30 feet
     deep (see Figure 3).


Site History and Enforcement Activities

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
notified six potentially responsible parties of their possible
liability associated with the hazardous substances at the Ewan
Property.  These potentially responsible parties are:

     Chrysler Motors Corporation

     A & B Drum Company

     Lightman Drum Company

     State Steel Drum Company

     Ms. Verna Evan Donnelly

     Mr. Francis Block

EPA has information to show that Mr. Herbert Evan conducted waste
disposal on his property within Area A in 1974 and 1975.  His
general method of operation was to excavate one trench per truck-
load of drummed waste.  The waste was deposited into the trench
and buried.

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                                                                                                      HACHURES INDICATE HORIZONTAL EXTENT
                                                                                                      OF PLUME (ONLY TOP OF COHANSEY FOR-
                                                                                                            MATION IS AFFECTED)
             omccTiOMOf     ••.  i;
           GMOIMOWATEII FLOW      II.
' s         wioumiwm11» rmw      ,1
'                            \\
       	   	       \>
    -      -•     -	^-
                                                                                                                    K-IO»0»COM»*mr

                                                                                                                    K • (OTTOM Of (OHAMM r

                                                                                                                    U. I O» O» UU1MOOO
                                                                                                                               FIGURE J
       ESTIMATED CONTAMINATED GROUNDWATER  PLUME (BASED ON 1989 DATA)

                     EWAN PROPERTY SITE. SHAMONG TWR. NJ
1011 Mill I

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Mr. Evan reportedly tried bulk uncontainerized disposal within
Area A.  After incompatible wastes were mixed together, there was
a small fire on the site.  Mr. Ewan did not attempt uncontain-
erized disposal after that incident.  After Mr. Evan's death, his
wife, formerly Ms. Verna Dale Ewan, became the sole owner of the
Ewan Property.

In September, 1982 the Burlington County Health Department ob-
tained information that the dumping of possible hazardous waste
had occurred at the site.

In 1983, the NJDEP conducted a geophysical survey and installed
five monitoring wells in the Cohansey Sand aquifer within Area A.
The geophysical survey concluded that a significant magnetic an-
omaly existed within Area A.  Sample results from these monitor-
ing wells indicated the presence of contaminants such as meth-
ylene chloride, toluene, chloroform, 2,4-dichlorophenol, n-butyl-
benzene, o-dichlorobenzene, p-dichlorobenzene, 1,2,4-trichloro-
benzene, arsenic, chromium, and lead.

NJDEP further attempted to characterize the site by bulk sampling
one drum and collecting soil samples from three areas of apparent
spillage.  The contaminants detected in these four samples were
similar to the chemical compounds detected in the ground water.

EPA performed a Preliminary Assessment/Site Investigation in
1984.  As part of this action, EPA conducted more geophysical
investigations within Area A including on-site and residential
well sampling.  The geophysical investigation and on-site mon-
itoring veil results confirmed the earlier NJDEP ground water
findings.  EPA determined that the nearby residential wells were
not impacted by on-site contamination.

The Ewan Property was originally proposed for inclusion on the
National Priorities List in March, 1985.  The site was formally
added to the National Priorities List in June, 1986.

EPA began the Remedial Investigation in September, 1986.  During
these investigation activities, domestic refuse was found in Area
B.  However, there was no evidence of industrial waste disposal.
Therefora,  Area B was not addressed further by the Superfund
program.

EPA decided to divide the site remediation into two operable
units.  Operable Unit One was developed to address the treatment
of the 4500 cubic yards of source waste.  The Operable Unit One
Feasibility Study was completed concurrently with the overall
Remedial Investigation.  Both documents were presented to the
public during August, 1988.  The Operable Unit One Record of
Decision (ROD) was signed in September, 1988.

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In December, 1988, Chrysler Motors Corporation,  a potentially
responsible party, completed the installation of a site security
fence around Area A.  The action was conducted under the terms of
a Consent Order issued by EPA.

EPA is pursuing enforcement actions against potentially respons-
ible parties to conduct the Operable Unit One Remedial Design and
Remedial Action.

The Operable Unit Two Feasibility Study was designed to address
the remediation of the residually contaminated soils which will
remain after the Operable Unit One Remedial Action is implemented
and also the treatment of the contaminated ground water.

As part of the Operable Unit Two Feasibility Study, additional
ground water and soil samples were taken, and additional geo-
physical activities were conducted to better refine the contam-
inated soil volume.  The soil samples were also used for a treat-
ability study to examine the potential use of two innovative
technologies: soil washing and solidification.  The treatability
study determined the effectiveness and permanence of these tech-
nologies in reducing toxicity, mobility, or volume of contamin-
ants in the residual site soils.  This additional study was con-
ducted from January, 1989 to July, 1989.


Highlights of Community Participation

The Operable Unit Two Feasibility Study and the Operable Unit Two
Proposed Plan for the Ewan Property were released to the public
on August 7, 1989.  These documents were made available to the
public in both the administrative record of September 13, 1989
and an information repository maintained with Mr. Lynn Heinhold,
Shamong Township Clerk, Shamong Township Municipal Building,
Vincentown, New Jersey.  The notice of availability for these
documents was published in the Burlington County Times on August
7, 1989.  A public comment period was held from August 7, 1989
through September 11, 1989 (the public comment period was extend-
ed from September 6, 1989 to September 11, 1989 in response to a
public request).  In addition, a public meeting was held on
August 17, 1989.  At this meeting, representatives from the EPA
answered questions about problems at the site and the remedial
alternatives under consideration.  A response to the comments
received during this period is included in the Responsiveness
Summary, which is a part of this ROD.

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                                8


This decision document presents the selected remedial action for
the Evan Property, in Shamong, New Jersey, chosen in accordance
with the Comprehensive Environmental Responsibility, Liability,
and Compensation Act of 1980  (CERCLA) as amended by the Superfund
Amendments and Re-Authorization Act of 1986 (SARA), and to the
extent applicable, the National Contingency Plan.  The decision
for this site is based on the administrative record.


Scop* and Role of Operable Unit Two

The problems at the Evan Property site are complex.  Therefore,
as noted previously, EPA separated the site remediation into tvo
phases or operable units.  Operable Unit One vas designed to ad-
dress buried drums and heavily contaminated materials.  Operable
Unit Two addresses residual contaminated soils and contaminated
ground vater.

EPA has already selected cleanup remedies for the buried drums
and heavily contaminated material.  This "source material" is a
principal threat at the site because of the possibility of direct
contact and the impact of the material on the ground vater.  The
remedies vere selected, after a public meeting and a 30-day pub-
lic comment period, in the Operable Unit One Record of Decision
signed on September 29, 1988.  The 1988 Record of Decision called
for excavation and off-site thermal destruction and/or treatment
of approximately 4500 cubic yards of source material (i.e., bur-
ied drums and heavily contaminated materials).  The source mat-
erial vill be separated into materials vhich are appropriate for
thermal destruction and materials vhich are not appropriate for
thermal destruction.  Each source material classification vill be
treated accordingly.

Operable Unit Tvo vill address the remediation of the 22,000
cubic yards of less contaminated soils and the ground vater
contaminant plume remaining after the completion of the Operable
Unit One Remedial Action.  The residual contaminated soil is a
principal threat at the site because of direct contact and the
impact of the soil corttaninants on ground vater.  The contam-
inated ground vater vas also determined to be a principal threat
at this site because of the future potential for direct ingestion
of contamination through drinking vater veils.

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Summary of Site characteristic*

The Remedial Investigation established that approximately 4500
cubic yards of source waste material (i.e., drums and heavily
contaminated materials) were buried in the five acre tract of
Area A.  These materials present a threat to public health and
the environment and will be addressed during the Operable Unit
One Remedial Action.  After review of site records and waste
analysis, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) listed
wastes were not identified.

An estimated 22,000 cubic yards of residually contaminated soil
may exist on-site following the Operable Unit One Remedial
Action.

The primary source contaminants are largely chlorinated aliphatic
organic compounds (1,2-dichloroethane, tetrachloroethene, 1,1,1-
trichloroethane, methylene chloride, trichloroethene, carbon tet-
rachloride, 1,1-dichloroethane, chloroform) and aromatic hydro-
carbons (benzene, ethylbenzene, naphthalene, xylenes, toluene) as
well as lead, barium, copper and chromium.

The ground water contaminant plume originating from Area A
continues to migrate.  The Operable Unit Two Feasibility Study
ground water sampling conducted in January, 1989 indicated that
this contaminant plume was approximately 760 feet long, 600 feet
wide, and 30 feet deep.


Summary of sit* Risks

The Operable Unit Two Feasibility Study concluded that actual or
threatened releases of hazardous substances from this site, if
not addressed by the preferred alternative or one of the other
active measures considered, may present an imminent and substan-
tial endangerment to public health, welfare, or the environment.

     Human Health Risks

During the Remedial Investigation, an analysis was conducted to
estimate the health or environmental problems that could result
if the soil contamination and the ground water at the Ewan
Property site were not cleaned up.  This analysis is commonly
referred to as a baseline risk assessment.  In conducting this
assessment, the focus was on the health effects that could result
from direct exposure to the contaminants due to the soil coming
into contact with the skin, or from direct ingestion of the soil
by a child playing in the area, or by direct ingestion of the
ground water.  The Remedial Investigation contains the complete
risk analysis for the Ewan Property site.

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                                10


Cancer potency factors have been developed by EPA's Carcinogenic
Assessment Group for estimating lifetime cancer risks associated
with exposure to potentially carcinogenic chemicals.  Cancer po-
tency factors, which are expressed in units of (mg/kg-day)"1, are
multiplied by the estimated intake of a potential carcinogen in
mg/kg-day, to provide an upper-bound estimate of the excess life-
time cancer risk associated with exposure at that intake level.
The term "upper-bound" reflects the conservative estimate of the
risks calculated from the cancer potency factor.  Use of this
approach makes underestimation of the actual cancer risk highly
unlikely.  Cancer potency factors are derived from the results of
human epidemiological studies or chronic animal bioassays to
which animal-to-human extrapolation and uncertainty factors have
been applied.

Reference doses have been developed by EPA for indicating the
potential adverse health effects from exposure to chemicals
exhibiting noncarcinogenic effects.  Reference doses, which are
expressed in units of mg/kg-day, are estimates of lifetime daily
exposure levels for humans, including sensitive individuals.
Estimated intakes of chemicals from environmental media (e.g.,
the amount of a chemical ingested from contaminated drinking
water)  can be compared to the reference dose.  Reference doses
are derived from human epidemiological studies or animal studies
to which uncertainty factors have been applied (e.g., to account
for the use of animal data to predict effects on humans).  These
uncertainty factors help ensure that the reference doses will not
underestimate the potential for adverse noncarcinogenic effects
to occur.

Excess lifetime cancer risks are determined by multiplying the
intake level with the cancer potency factor.  These risks are
probabilities that are generally expressed in scientific notation
(e.g.,  IxlO*6 or 1E-6).  An excess lifetime cancer risk of IxlO'6
indicates that, as a plausible upper bound, an individual has a
one in one million chance of developing cancer as a result of
site-related exposure to a carcinogen over a 70-year lifetime
under the specific exposure conditions at a site.

Potential concern for noncarcinogenic effects of a single
contaminant in a single medium is expressed as a hazard quotient
(or the ratio of the estimated intake derived from the contam-
inant's reference dose).  By adding the hazard quotients for all
contaminants within a medium or across all media to which a given
population may reasonably be exposed, the Hazard Index can be
generated.  The Hazard Index provides a useful reference point
for gauging the potential significance of multiple contaminant
exposures within a single medium or across media.

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                               11


The major public health risk posed by the Evan Property is the
potential ingestion of contaminated ground water.   The ground
water on-site is contaminated with toluene, methylene chloride,
ethylbenzene, chromium, lead, and arsenic.  EPA's  sampling of the
ground water at the site found that the organic contamination
ranged from non-detectable concentrations to 5300  parts per bil-
lion.  Inorganic contaminant concentrations ranged from 1 part
per billion to 1800 parts per billion.  This concentration level
is associated with an excess lifetime cancer risk  of 10 .  This
means that if no cleanup action is taken by EPA, one additional
person per one thousand would have a chance of contracting cancer
as a result of exposure to the contaminated ground water.  The
total Hazard Index for ingestion of the on-site contaminated
ground water is 1.9, where Hazard Index values below 1.0 are con-
sidered as no significant noncarcinogenic risks.  At the present
time, no one uses the contaminated ground water for drinking or
other purposes.  This risk analysis was performed  to evaluate
potential site risks associated with potential domestic use of
the ground water.

     Environmental Health Risks

The environmental risk present at the Evan Property site is the
continued degradation of ground water in the New Jersey Pinelands
(an especially sensitive ecosystem).  EPA proposes to remediate
soil contamination and ground water contamination to levels which
will restore this valued natural resource.

EPA's sampling of the lesser contaminated soils shows that
without remediation the contaminant concentrations present will
allow continued leaching into the ground water, resulting in
concentrations in the ground water above cleanup goals.  The
Operable Unit Two Feasibility Study contains a complete analysis
of soil remedial action goals to prevent ground water
degradation.


Description of Remedial Alternatives

The alternatives analyzed for Operable Unit Two are presented
below.  These alternatives are numbered to correspond with those
in the Operable Unit Two Feasibility Study report.

Numerous remedial technologies were initially screened on the
basis of effectiveness, implementability, and cost.  Following
the remedial technology screening, eight remedial alternatives
for Operable Unit Two were retained for consideration.

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                                12


The alternatives for the ground water cleanup were the following:

• Alternative 1G:   No Action with Administrative Controls.

• Alternative 4G:   Collection and Ten Year Treatment with
                    Reverse Osmosis and On-Site Reinjection of
                    Ground Water.

• Alternative 4Ga:  Collection and Ten Year Treatment with On-
                    Site Reinjection of Ground Water.

• Alternative 4Gb:  Collection and Three Year Treatment with On-
                    site Reinjection of Ground Water.


The alternatives for the soil cleanup were the following:

• Alternative IS:   No Action with Administrative Controls.

• Alternative 3S:   Excavation Followed by Solvent Extraction/
                    Solidification.

• Alternative 4S:   Excavation Followed by Solvent Extraction/
                    Soil Washing.

• Alternative 55:   Off-site Incineration of Less Contaminated
                    Soils.


     Ground Water Remedial Alternatives

The NJDEP has determined that the site, which includes the
contaminated groundwater plume, is located within the Central
Pine Barrens portion of the New Jersey Pinelands.  As a result of
ground water sampling in 1989, plume dimensions are estimated to
be 760 feet long by 600 feet wide by 30 feet deep.  The "Draft
Guidelines for Ground Water Classification under the EPA Ground
Water Protection Strategy" identifies the on-site Cohansey Sand
aquifer as IIA because this is a potential drinking water source.
The ground water remedial alternatives were conceptually designed
to remediate the contaminated ground water plume.

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                               13
     Alternative 1G:
     No Action With Administrative Controls

Estimated Capital Cost:            $0
Estimated Annual Operation and
 Maintenance (O&M) Costs:          $0
Estimated Present Worth:           $0
Estimated Time to Implement:       None

The National Contingency Plan requires that the "No Action"
alternative be evaluated at every site to establish a baseline
for comparison.  Under this alternative, EPA would take no fur-
ther action at the site to prevent exposure to ground water con-
tamination.  Instead, the contaminated ground water plume would
be allowed to continue to migrate off.-site.  EPA has predicted
that the nearest ground water user (approximately 2000 feet down
gradient of the site) will be impacted in approximately 22 years.
Administrative controls would have to be enacted to prevent use
of the contaminated ground water.

     Alternative 4G:
     Collection and Ten Year Treatment With Reverse Osmosis and
     On-Site Reinjection of Ground Water

Estimated Capital Cost:       $11,000,000
Estimated Annual O&M Costs:   $ 4,100,000
Estimated Present Worth:      $42,300,000
Estimated Time to Implement:  10 years

This alternative utilizes an on-site ground water treatment
system.  Contaminated ground water would be removed from the
aquifer by on-site extraction wells.  The water would then be
passed through a succession of treatment steps which could
include the following processes:

   • Chemical precipitation for metals and solids removal,

   • Sedimentation to further remove metals and solids,
                                                   *ii
   • Air stripping and activated sludge, ultraviolet light or
     ozone addition to destroy or alter organic materials,

   • Filtration to remove solids,

   • Activated carbon adsorption to collect remaining organic
     compounds,

   • Reverse osmosis to remove residual solids and biochemical
     oxygen demand

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                                14


The ground water will be reinjected within the contaminated
ground water plume following treatment.  The remedial goal of
this alternative is to attain the Maximum Contaminant Levels
(MCLs) established pursuant to the Federal Safe Drinking Water
Act, and the State of New Jersey Safe Drinking Water Act; and New
Jersey Administrative Code Title 7, Chapter 9, Subchapter 6,
Section 6, Subsection (a) (N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.6(a)) criteria in the
treated effluent.  The MCLs were developed to protect human
health and the N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.6 (a) criteria were developed to
protect the ground water in the Central Pine Barrens region of
the New Jersey Pinelands.

The ten year time term is an estimation used for costing pur-
poses.  The objective of this alternative is to attain the pre-
viously discussed regulatory goal.    I

     Alternative 4Ga:
     Collection and Ten Year Treatment With On-Site Reinfection
     of Ground Water

Estimated Capital Cost:       $ 6,700/000
Estimated Annual O&M Costs:   $ 1,910,000
Estimated Present Worth:      $21,400,000
Estimated Time to Implement:  10 years

This alternative is identical to Alternative 4G, except that
Reverse Osmosis is not included.  The final remedial goal is to
attain the published N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.6(a) criteria, and the MCLs
established pursuant to the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act and
State Safe Drinking Water Act in the ground water at the end of
the remediation.  The N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.6(a) standards were devel-
oped to protect the ground water in the Central Pine Barrens
region of the New Jersey Pinelands.  The Federal and State Safe
Drinking Act MCLs were developed to provide protection of drink-
ing water supplies.
                                    i
The treatment process to remove metals will cause an increase in
the level of total dissolved solids (TDS) in the effluent above
the standard established in N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.6(a).  However, this
higher level of TDS is expected to be present only while the
metals precipitation unit is in operation.  After treatment to
remove metals has been completed and the operation of the pre-
cipitation unit has been reduced or ceased, the concentration of
TDS in the aquifer is expected to revert to low levels consistent
with natural ground water conditions.

The ten year term is an estimation used for costing purposes.
The objective of this alternative is to attain the previously
discussed regulatory goal.

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                               15
     Alternative 4Gb:
     Collection and Three Year Treatment With On-Site Reinfection
     of Ground Water

Estimated Capital Cost:       $ 6,700,000
Estimated Annual O&M Costs:   $ 1,910,000
Estimated Present Worth:      $11,900,000
Estimated Time to Implement:  3 years

This remedial alternative is operationally identical to
Alternative 4Ga.  The final remedial goal of the ground water
remedy is to attain the MCLs established pursuant to the Federal
and State Safe Drinking Water Acts.

The objective of this alternative is to attain the previously
discussed regulatory goal.           :.


     soil Remedial Alternatives

The goal of the soil remediation and redeposition alternatives
will be to maintain the ground water remedial goals.  This will
be accomplished by removing the soil contaminants to concen-
trations which will not permit a leachate to pollute the ground
water above the specified ground water remedial objectives.

     Alternative IS:
     No Action With Administration Controls

Estimated Capital Cost:       $0
Estimated Annual;O&M Costs:   $0
Estimated Present Worth:      $0
Estimated Time to Implement   None

As stated in the No Action alternative for ground water above,
the no action alternative is evaluated as a baseline for com-
parison.  Under this alternative, no further action would be
taken to clean up the residual soil at the site.  Instead, ad-
ministrative controls would be instituted to prevent contact with
the contaminated soils.

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                                16


     Alternative 3S:
     Excavation Followed bv Solvent Extraction/Solidification

Estimated Capital Cost:       $15,400,000
Estimated Annual O&M Costs:   $    43,200
Estimated Present Worth:      $15,800,000
Estimated Time to Implement:  2 years

EPA conducted treatability studies for both solvent extraction
and solidification.  The solvent extraction process readily
removed most organic contaminants in the soil.  Inorganic con-
taminants which were not removed from the soil became leachable.
The results of the solidification tests indicated that semi-
volatile and inorganic contaminants would continue to leach at
rates which would cause the site ground water to remain con-
taminated above the Operable Unit Two remedial goals.

This remedial alternative proposes to excavate approximately
22,000 cubic yards of contaminated soils and treat them on-site
by extracting organic contaminants in the soil using solvent
extraction, and then chemically to stabilize any remaining soil
contaminants through solidification.  The solvent used for
solvent extraction can be recycled for a time.  After the solvent
has become unusable, it would be sent off-site for treatment
and/or disposal.  It is expected that the solvent extraction
process will reduce the organic contamination in the soil to
concentrations which will not permit degradation of the ground
water.

Some soil contaminants, such as inorganics which will not ex-
tract easily from soil, may remain after solvent extraction.
Further .studies would have to indicate the degree to which the
soil would have to be solidified to bind these contaminants into
the soil matrix so they can not leach into the ground water.  The
treated soil may qualify as clean fill as defined by the State
Solid Waste regulations.

Once the soil is treated to the cleanup goals, it will be
redeposiUed on-site as clean fill.  The site would then be
regraded and revegetated.

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                               17
     Alternative 4S:
     Excavation Followed bv Solvent Extraction/Soil Washing

Estimated Capital Cost:       $13,850,000
Estimated Annual O&M Costs:   $         0
Estimated Present Worth:      $13,850,000
Estimated Time to Implement:  2 years

Under this remedial alternative, the contaminated soil will be
excavated and treated on-site.  This process involves placing the
soil into a mobile soil washer and removing soil contaminants by
solvent extraction.  EPA's treatability study results for soil
extraction indicate that organic contaminants can be readily
removed from the soil.  The spent solvent will then be sent off-
site for treatment and disposal.

Following solvent extraction, the soils will be rinsed with water
to remove inorganic contaminants.  The treatability study results
indicate that further refinement of this technology can achieve
the remedial goals.  Spent wash water will be treated in the on-
site ground water treatment system.

It is expected that the treatment of the soil under this alter-
native will result in soil that meets the definition of clean
fill under the New Jersey Solid Waste Regulations.  After at-
taining the cleanup goals, the soil will be redeposited on-site
as clean fill.  Furthermore, any leachate which may occur from
water percolation through the soils will not deteriorate ground
water quality above N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.6(a) criteria, or MCLs under
the Federal and State Safe Drinking Water Acts.  Following the
soil remediation, the site will be regraded and revegetated.

     Alternative 55:
     Off-Site Incineration of Less Contaminated Soils

Estimated Capital Cost:       $67,700,000
Estimated Annual O&M Costs:   $         0
Estimated Present Worth:      $67,700,000
Estimated Time to Implement:  2 years

Under this alternative, the 22,000 cubic yards of contaminated
soil would be excavated, transported and treated in an off-site
incinerator.  The thermal destruction process would address the
organic contaminants in the soil.  The excavation process would
remove the contaminated soil from the site, requiring no long-
term management controls.  The off-site incinerator would comply
with technical standards for incinerators.  The resulting ash

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                               18


would be properly handled and disposed of by the operators of the
incinerator.  The facility,  which must be permitted under the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, must also be in compli-
ance with the Superfund off-site  policy before waste could be
transported there.


summary of the Comparative Analysis of Alternative*

In accordance with the National Contingency Plan,  a detailed
analysis of each remedial alternative is conducted with respect
to each of nine detailed evaluation criteria.  All selected
remedies must at least attain the Threshold Criteria.  The
selected remedy should provide the best trade-offs among the
Primary Balancing Criteria.   The  Modifying Criteria were
evaluated following the public comment period.

     Threshold Criteria

   • Overall Protectiveness of Human Health and the Environment -
     This criterion evaluates the adequacy of protection that the
     remedy provides while describing how risks are eliminated,
     reduced or controlled through treatment, engineering con-
     trols, and/or institutional  controls.

   • Compliance with Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate
     Requirements (ARARs) - This  criterion addresses whether a
     remedy will meet all of the  applicable or relevant and
     appropriate requirements of  other Federal and State environ-
     mental statutes and/or provide grounds for invoking a
     waiver.

     Primary Balancing Criteria

   • Reduction of Toxicity,  Mobility or Volume (TMV) - This
     criterion addresses the anticipated treatment performance of
     the remedy.

   • Short-Term Effectiveness - This criterion addresses the
     period of time required to achieve remedial goals and the
     risks to human health and the environment during the
     remedial action.

   • Long-Term Effectiveness and  Permanence - This criterion
     evaluates the magnitude of residual risk and the ability of
     the remedy to maintain reliable protection of human health
     and the environment over time once remedial goals have been
     attained.

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                                19


   • Implementability - This criterion examines the technical and
     administrative feasibility of executing a remedy,  including
     the availability of materials and services needed to imple-
     ment the chosen solution.

   • Cost - This criterion includes the capital and operation and
     maintenance costs of the remedy.

     Modifying Criteria

   • State Acceptance - This criterion indicates whether, based
     on its review of the Operable Unit Two Feasibility Study and
     Operable Unit Two Proposed Plan, the State of New Jersey
     concurs with, opposes, or has no comment on the preferred
     alternative.
                                     r,

   • Community Acceptance - This criterion evaluates the reaction
     of the public to the remedial alternatives and EPA's
     Proposed Plan.  Comments received during the public comment
     period and EPA's responses to those comments are summarized
     in the Responsiveness Summary attached to this document.

     Ground Water Remedial Alternative*

The ground water remedial alternatives were evaluated to deter-
mine their effectiveness in remediating the site ground water
contaminant plume.  The ground water contaminant plume origin-
ating from Area A continues to migrate.  This plume is contained
within the Cohansey Sand aquifer.  The Cohansey Sand is a water
table aquifer on-site.  As presented in various geological re-
ferences and confirmed during the Remedial Investigation, exposed
portions of the Cohansey Sand geologic unit are recharge areas
for the aquifer.  As a result of the 1989 ground water sampling,
plume dimensions are estimated to be 760 feet long by 600 feet
wide by 30 feet deep.

     Analysis

overall Protection.  All of the alternatives, with the exception
of the "No Action" alternative, would provide adequate protection
of human health by eliminating, reducing or controlling risk
through treatment of the ground water.  The preferred
alternative, 46a, would attempt to remediate the ground water to
the more stringent standards that have been developed for the
protection of the Central Pine Barrens' unique ecosystem.
Alternative 46 involves adding a treatment unit to achieve
additional guidelines proposed by the NJDEP.

Because the "No Action" alternative is not protective of human
health and the environment, it is not considered further in this
analysis as an option for this site.

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                                20


Compliance with ARAR*.  The applicable or relevant and appropri-
ate requirements under Federal and State environmental laws for -
ground water at the site are contained in N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.6(a)
(standards for the ground water of the Central Pine Barrens
Region of the New Jersey Pinelands) and the NCLs under the
Federal and State Safe Drinking Water Acts (Table 1).  Alter-
native 4Gb would attain MCLs but would not meet the requirements
of N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.6(a).

Alternative 4Ga would meet all of the ARAR standards, although
the concentration of TOS would be temporarily elevated by the
metals removal treatment process.  The increased level of TDS
would be a short-term condition that would not violate the ARAR,
as the TDS level is expected to return to an acceptable concen-
tration when the cleanup is completed.  Further, since the plume
would be contained during the remedial action, the TDS levels
would not escape the extraction/treatment/reinjection system.  It
is anticipated that the N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.6(a) criteria and the MCLs
under the Federal and State Safe Drinking Water Acts would be
attained within the plume prior to the completion of the Operable
Unit Two Remedial Action.

Alternative 4G would meet all of the ARARs and would utilize
additional treatment, reverse osmosis, to prevent the concen-
tration of TDS in the effluent from temporarily exceeding the
relevant N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.6(a) standard.  Alternative 4G would also
attain a list of additional goals proposed by NJDEP.

Long-tern Effectiveness and Permanence.  Alternatives 4G, 4Ga and
4Gb for ground water would reach and maintain acceptable ground
water cleanup levels.  These alternatives were developed to at-
tain different levels of ground water cleanup.  Alternative 4Ga,
the preferred alternative,  is designed to reach the cleanup goals
at the end of the remedial action.  The success of all of these
alternatives depends upon the removal of the originating source,
the contaminated soil.  Since the contaminants would be removed,
rather than controlled, this represents a permanent remedy.

Reduction of Toxicity, Mobility or Volume of Contaminants.  The
three ground water treatment alternatives would reduce the tox-
ic ity and volume of contaminated ground water through the use of
treatment technologies that remove contaminants from the ground
water.  Alternative 4G would treat the site ground water con-
taminants to the remedial goals at the point of discharge.
Alternative 4Ga would attain the remedial goals in the ground
water plume at the end of the remedial action.  Alternative 4Gb
will attain Federal and State Safe Drinking Water Acts MCLs in
the ground water plume at the end of the remedial action.  The
remedial objectives are protective of human health and the
environment.

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                             TABLE \

                 around water Remedial Objectives
           for the Operable Unit Tiro Remediation of the
                          Evan Property
Contaminants                            Goals  (ug/11   Source

Aldrin/Dieldrin                             0.003         l
Ammonia                                        50         1
Arsenic                                        50         3
Barium                                       1000         l
Benzene                                         1         2
Benzidine                                      0.1         l
Biological Oxygen Demand                        3         1
Cadmium                                        10         l
Carbon tetrachloride                            2         2
Chlordane                                      0.5   .      2
Chlorobenzene                                   4         2
Chloride                                   10,000         l
Chromium                                       50         l
Coliform Bacteria                      40 CFR  141
Color                                       1  NTU         3
Copper                                         50         1
Corrosivity                         Non-Corrosive         3
Cyanide                                        200         l
DOT and metabolites                         0.001         1
m-dichlorobenzene                              600         1
p-dichlorobenzene                              75         3
o-dichlorobenzene                              600         3
1,2-dichloroethane                              2         2
1,1-dichloroethylene                            2         2
trans-l,2-dichloroethylene                     10         2
2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid                 100         3
Ethylbenzene                                   700         3
Endrin                                      0.004         1
Fluoride                               40 CFR  141
Foaming Agents                                 50         3
Gross alpha activity                     15 pCi/14        3
Hydrogen sulfide                               50         3
Iron                                           300         3
Lead                                           50         3
Lindane                                         4         3
Manganese                                      50         3
Mercury                                         2         3

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                       TABLE 1  (continued!

                 Ground Water Remedial objectives
           for the operable Unit Two Raaediation of the
                    Evan Property  (continued)


Contaminant                             Goals  rucr/ll   Source
Methoxychlor                                  100         3
Methylene chloride                              2         2
Nickel                                       13.4         2
Nitrate-nitrogen                             2000         i
Odor                                            3         3
                                        Threshold
                                             Odor
                                     <.     Number
pH                                   :    4.2-5.8         1
Phenols                                       300         1
Polychlorinated biphenyls                   0.001         l
Phosphate                                     700         1
Radionuclides                          40 CFR 141
Radium                                          5         3
Selenium                                       10         3
Silver                                         50         3
Sodium                                         10         1
Strontium                                 8 pCi/14        3
Sulfate                                    15,000         1
2,4,5-TP Silvex                                10         3
Tetrachloroethylene                             12
Toluene                                      2000         3
Total Dissolved Solids                        100         1
Toxaphene                                       5         3
Trichlorobenzene                                8         2
Trichloroethylene                               1         2
Trihalomethanes                               100         3
Tritium                                  20 nCi/15        3
Turbidity                              40 CFR 141
1,1,1-trichloroethane                          26         2
Vinyl chloride                                  2         3
Xylenes                                        44         2
Zinc                                         5000         3

1).  N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.6(a).
2).  N.J.A.C. 7:10-5, N.J.A.C. 7:10-7, A-280.
3).  40 CFR 141, 40 CFR 143.
4).  Picocuries per liter.
5).  Nanocuries per liter.

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                               23


Short-tern Effectiveness.  A short-term increase in the level of
total dissolved solids in the treated effluent is expected from
the metals treatment system of Alternative 4Ga.  However,
Alternative 4Ga is expected to attain the ground water cleanup
goals by the end of the remedial action.  Alternative 4Gb will
not attain the N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.6(a)  total dissolved solids stan-
ard.  Total dissolved solids are not associated with health risks
and any short-term impacts on the environment during the remed-
iation can be mitigated through proper monitoring and engine-
ering.

Alternative 4G utilizes an additional treatment unit to reduce
the concentration of TDS in the effluent to the N.J.A.C. 7:9-
6.6(a) standard.

Implementability.  Alternatives 4G, 4Ga and 4Gb are expected to
be technically and administratively feasible.  The alternatives
utilize water treatment equipment that is readily available,
reliable and are proven technologies.

Cost.  Alternative 4Ga would be protective of public health and
the environment, and would attain all ARARs in the long-term at a
significantly lower cost than Alternative 4G.  Alternative 4Gb is
the least expensive remedy.  However, it cannot attain the
remedial goals.  Table 2 provides a summary of the present worth
costs associated with the ground water remedies.

State Acceptance.  The NJDEP was directly involved in the plan-
ning and oversight of the Remedial Investigation and Feasibility
Study.  The State has accepted the remedy selected in this Record
of Decision, but has not concurred with the remedial goals for
cleanup of the ground water.  For example, the State would prefer
that the selected treatment process be operated for a consider-
ably longer period of time.  This opinion is expressed in corres-
pondence from the State to EPA, which is included in the
Administrative Record for the Ewan Property site.

Community Acceptance.  The objective of the community relations
activities was to inform the public about the work being per-
formed at this site and to seek input from the public on the
remedy.  Issues raised during the public comment period and at
the public meeting are addressed in the Responsiveness Summary
section of this ROD.

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                             TABU 2

               Summary of Present Worth Costa for
             Operable Unit Two Ground water Remedies
                      of the Evan Property


Alternative                        Total Present Worth Costs*

1G - No Action With Administrative                    0
     Controls

4G - Collection and Ten Year                 42,300,000
     Treatment With Reverse
     Osmosis and On-Site
     Reinjection of Ground Water

4Ga - Collection and Ten Year        •        21,400,000
      Treatment With On-Site         •.
      Reinjection of Ground Water

4Gb - Collection and Three Year              11,900,000
      Treatment With On-Site
      Reinjection of Ground Water


*    Total present worth costs are estimates.

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                               25
     Soil Alternatives

The soil remedial alternatives evaluated the treatment of the
estimated 22,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil which will
remain on-site following the implementation of the Operable Unit
One Remedial Action.

     Analysis

Overall Protection.  All of the soil treatment alternatives could
provide adequate protection of human health and the environment,
(if implemented in conjunction with a remedial action for ground
water) by eliminating, reducing or controlling risk through
treatment or engineering controls.  The preferred alternative
would remove the contaminants from the soil through solvent ex-
traction and soil washing to levels which would be protective of
human health and the environment.

Similar to the analysis for the ground water alternatives, the
"No Action1* alternative for the soil will not be further con-
sidered in this analysis since it is not protective of human
health and the environment.

Compliance with ARARs.  All of the alternatives could meet the
applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements of Federal
and State environmental laws.  Treatability studies for the
preferred alternative demonstrated that treating the soils
through solvent extraction and soil washing would reduce the
contaminants in the soil to levels acceptable for redeposition at
the site.

Long-term Effectiveness and Permanence.  All of the active
alternatives are considered effective and permanent.  The pre-
ferred alternative, 4S, would remove the contaminants from the
soil so that it can be redeposited on-site without further
action.  While Alternative 3S would remove most of the con-
taminants from the soil through solvent extraction, some of the
contaminants would remain.  These contaminants would be stabil-
ized through the solidification process, which would bind the
inorganic contaminants to the solid material.  Alternative 5S
would remove and treat all waste in a permitted, off-site in-
cinerator.

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                                26


Reduction of Toxicity, Mobility or Volume of the Contaminants.
All of the active alternatives would reduce the toxicity, nob-
ility or volume of the contaminants through treatment or stab-
ilization processes.  Alternative 3S would remove organic soil
contaminants by solvent extraction.  The mobility of the re-
maining inorganic contaminants could be retarded by extensive
solidification.  Alternative 4S would remove all of the soil
contaminants by solvent extraction and soil washing.  Alternative
5S would remove the soil from the site.

Short-term Effectiveness.  Each soil treatment alternative is
expected to require two years of remedial activity to achieve the
site cleanup goals.  All of the active treatment alternatives
include excavation.  There are some minor short-term risks of
exposure of volatile organics during /the excavation, but these
can be mitigated through proper monitoring and engineering.
Alternative 5S, Off-site Incineration, requires the transporta-
tion of the 22,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil from the
site.  There are also some minor short-term risks to the com-
munity associated with the transportation of contaminated soils
to the incineration facility.  These risks can also be mitigated.

Implementability.  All of the alternatives are considered imp-
lementable.  Treatability studies for the preferred alternative,
Solvent Extraction/Soil Washing, have shown that the cleanup
goals for the soils can be attained, allowing the soil to be
redeposited on-site.

cost.  The present-worth cost of the preferred alternative is
estimated at $13,850,000.  The highest cost alternative is
Alternative 5S, Off-site Incineration, at $67,700,000.  Table 3
provides a summary of the present worth costs of the soil remed-
ies.

State Acceptance.  The NJDEP was directly involved in the plan-
ning and oversight of the Remedial Investigation and Feasibility
Study.  The State has accepted the remedy selected in this Record
of Decision for soil remediation.

Community Acceptance.  The objective of the community relations
activities was to inform the public about the work being per-
formed at this site and to seek input from the public on the
remedy.  Issues raised during the public comment period; and at
the public meeting are addressed in the Responsiveness' Summary
section of this ROD.

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                             TABLE 3

               Summary of Present Worth Coats for
                 Operable Unit Two soil Remedies
                      of the  Evan Property


Alternative                        Total Present Worth Costs*

IS - No Action With Administrative                    0
     Controls

3S - Excavation Followed by            '      15,800,000
     Solvent Extraction/
     Solidification

4S - Excavation Followed by                  13,850,000
     Solvent Extraction/
     Soil Washing                    i.

5S - Off-Site Incineration of                67,700,000
     Less Contaminated Soils
     Total present worth costs are estimates.

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                                28


Selected Remedy

The selected alternative for cleanup of the ground water at the
Ewan Property site is Alternative 4Ga - Collection and Ten Year
Treatment with On-Site Reinjection of Ground Water.  This alter-
native was chosen because the site, which includes the contamin-
ated ground water plume, is defined by NJOEP as being in the
Central Pine Barrens Region of the New Jersey Pinelands.  The
cleanup goals for this action are the published N.J.A.C. 7:9-
6.6(a) criteria and MCLs established pursuant to the Federal and
State Safe Drinking Water Acts.  N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.6(a) was devel-
oped to preserve and restore the conditions of the Central Pine
Barrens ground water.  The MCLs of the Federal and State Safe
Drinking Water Acts were developed to protect public health.  The
ground water contaminant plume will be contained by the extrac-
tion/treatment/ reinjection system.  It is the goal of this ground
water remedy to attain N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.6(a) criteria, Federal
MCLs, and State MCLs within the contaminated portion of the
Cohansey Sand aquifer prior to the completion of the Operable
Unit Two Remedial Action. This alternative also complies with the
EPA Ground Water Protection Strategy.

The selected alternative for cleanup of contaminated soil at the
Ewan Property is Alternative 4S - Excavation Followed by Solvent
Extraction/Soil Washing.  This alternative would be applied to
the estimated 22,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil remaining
after the Operable Unit One Remedial Action.  The contaminated
soil would be treated to concentrations that would achieve the
ground water remedial goals.

A detailed cost analysis of the selected remedies is presented in
Table 4 and Table 5.

Several Pre-Design Studies will have to be conducted as part of
the Operable Unit Two Remedial Design.  These studies should in-
clude:

   •  A wetlands assessment to delineate the nearby wetlands,
     identify impacts to the wetlands and procedures to reduce
     any impacts,

   •  An emissions study to fulfill NJDEP permit equivalency re-
     quirements and to develop contingency plans to reduce the
     possibility of potential impacts on nearby residents caused
     by the operation of the selected remedies,

   •  Conduct further treatability studies to optimize operations
     for the selected remedy,

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                             TABLE 4

                Coat Summary of Operable unit Two
        selected Alternative for around Water Remediation

                        Alternative 4Oa*
         Collection  and Ten Year Treatment with On-8ite
                   Reinjaction of Ground Watar


Capital Coata                                     Batimatad Coats


Construction (Equipment,  piping, instrumentation,      $6,623454
              foundations, structural, electrical)

     Administrative Contingency                        $456,790

     General Contingency                               $913,580

     Engineering Contingency                           $685.185
                                                     $6,623,454

Operation and Maintenance (Energy, maintenance,      $1,903,980
                           chemicals,  operators,
                           carbon, ultraviolet or
                           ozone generation)

Total operation and Maintenance Through Ten Years   $19,039,800

Total Present Worth  (with 5% annual discount rate)  $21,328,000
     Costs reflect the more expensive physical waste water
     treatment processes rather than the less expensive
     biological treatment processes.

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                Cost Summary of Operable unit Two
            Selected Alternative for Soil Remediation
                          Alternative 48
            Excavation Followed by solvent  Extraction/
                           Soil Washing

Capital Costs                                     Estimated Coats
Excavation  (22,000 cubic yards)                         $50,600
Soil Extraction/Soil Washing                         $6,803,600
Reclamation                                            $297,635
Health and Safety                     •                 $960,948
Labor, Materials, Subcontractor                        $714,932
Indirect costs and profit                              $907,811
Administrative Contingency                             $973,553
General Contingency                                  $1,947,105
Engineering Contingency                              $1.168.263
Total Cost                                          $13,824,447

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                               31


   • Conduct further studies to refine the site specific remedial
     soil objectives (soil goals will not deteriorate ground
     water beneath the site above ground water remedial
     objectives).

Perimeter monitoring will be conducted from the completion of
Operable Unit One to the completion of Operable Unit Two.  This
monitoring program will minimize the potential of off-site im-
pacts.  Contingency plans will be developed to maintain protec-
tion of human health and the environment.

Following completion of the remedial actions, all areas affected
by both operable units will be recontcured, restored and reveget-
ated to their original conditions.


Statutory Determinations

EPA's selection of Alternatives 4Ga and 4S comply with the re-
requirements of Section 121 of CERCLA as amended by SARA.  Both
alternatives are protective of human health and the environment.
Together, they would achieve substantial risk reduction through
treatment of the principal threat remaining at the site  (i.e.,
contaminated ground water and residual contaminated soil).  Al-
ternative 4Ga is expected to meet the cleanup goals for the pre-
servation of the Central Pine Barrens.  Alternative 4S reduces
the risk associated with the contaminated soils through a tech-
nology that has been shown to be technically feasible for this
site.  Implementation of Alternative 4S would remove the remain-
ing source of ground water contamination present in the on-site
soils.

The ARARs identified for the ground water remediation are those
published in N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.6(a)  and the MCLs under both the
Federal and State Safe Drinking Water Acts.  The point of compli-
ance for this ground water remedy is immediately beneath the
site.  Alternative 4Ga is anticipated to achieve these concentra-
tions by the end of the remedial action.  After completion of
Alternative 4S, the soil will not leach contaminants into the
ground water above the specified ARAR levels.

EPA has planned to thermally destroy spent solvents produced
during the implementation of Alternative 4S.  This disposal
procedure will comply with the RCRA Land Disposal Restrictions
(LDRs).  This remediation will comply with all applicable RCRA
requirements.

If the source waste is determined to be RCRA regulated waste,
then all remedial activities will comply with all applicable RCRA
regulations.

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                                32


In any event, all off-site activities will comply with the joint
RCRA/CERCLA Off-Site Policy.

EPA will conduct a permit equivalency process to fulfill the
requirements of the promulgated NJDEP air pollution regulations.

All portions of the site affected by both operable unit remedial
actions will be restored, recontoured, and revegetated to their
original conditions.  The site restoration will be in compliance
with the Wetlands Protection Act and the Farmland Preservation
Act.

Alternative 46a is considered cost-effective since it will
achieve the ground water goals at approximately half the cost of
Alternative 46.  Treatability study results for Alternative 4S
indicate that it is feasible.  This alternative was the least
expensive treatment option for soil remediation.

The Alternative 4Ga and Alternative 4S provide permanent
solutions to the contamination problems of the ground water and
soil.  Contamination in both media will be addressed by on-site
treatment or off-site disposal.  The treatments specified for
Alternative 4Ga and Alternative 4S will significantly reduce
toxicity, mobility, and/or volume of the contaminants found in
the Ewan Property ground water and soil, respectively.

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                     RESPONSIVENESS SUMMARY

                       RECORD OF DECISION

                EWAN PROPERTY (OPERABLE UNIT TWO)


Overview

The United  States Environmental Protection  Agency (EPA) held  a
public comment period  from August 7,  1989 through September 11,
1989 for interested parties to comment on EPA's Operable Unit Two
Feasibility Study (FS)  and  Operable  Unit Two  Proposed Remedial
Action Plan of the Ewan Property Site.

To encourage public involvement during the public comment period,
EPA held a public meeting  on August 17,  1989 at the Indian Mills
Public School in Indian Mills, New Jersey to describe the remedial
alternatives and present EPA's proposed remedial alternatives for
Operable Unit Two.

A responsiveness  summary is  required  under the Superfund program
for the purpose of providing EPA and the public with a summary of
the interested parties' comments and  concerns about the site, as
raised during the public  meeting and public  comment  period, and
EPA's responses  to those concerns.  All comments summarized in this
document were factored into EPA's final decision for selection of
the remedial alternatives for cleanup.

This Responsiveness Summary contains the following appendices:

   • Appendix A - Public Comment

        • Attachment A.I - Public Notice

        • Attachment A.2 - August 17,  1989 Public  Meeting
                           Attendance Sheet

        • Attachment A.3 - Notice of  Public  Comment Period
                           Extension

   • Appendix B  - New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

        • Attachment B.I - New Jersey Department of Environmental
                           Protection Comments

        • Attachment B.2 - United States Environmental Protection
                           Agency Responses

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    • Appendix C - Chrysler Motors Corporation

         • Attachment C.I - Chrysler Motors Corporation Comments

         • Attachment C.2 - United States Environmental Protection
                           Agency Responses

Comments from the nearby residents were presented during the public
meeting.  No written comments from the  residents were furnished to
EPA.


Background on Community Involvement

Residents reported to the Burlington County Health Department and
NJDEP that buried  drums  were located  at the  Ewan Property site.
Subsequently, residents held numerous meetings, signed petitions,
and wrote letters to Federal,  State and local officials requesting
cleanup  of the  site.   In February 1983, more  than 100 residents
participated in  a  meeting to discuss  the  site and how to get a
government agency to clean-up the site.  A petition with 92 sig-
natures was submitted by the  Coalition Against Toxics to the New
Jersey congressional delegation requesting that the Ewan Property
site be cleaned up.  The Shamong Township Board of Education also
requested help from EPA in developing an educational campaign for
area school children about the Ewan Property site.

The primary concerns citizens have raised about the site include:

    • Decreases in property values that  residents feel may occur as
     a result of close proximity to tha Ewan Property site;

    • Potential contamination of potable wells if the contaminated
     groundwater spreads to the residential areas;

    • Potential   health  risks   associated   with  exposure   to
     contaminants in soils, groundwater, and materials  leaking from
     the buried drums;

    • Potential disruption of the surrounding community during the
     implementation phase of remediation;

    • Responsibility for remediation of  the site, i.e. financial and
     statutory; and

    • Perceived cleanup delays.

New Jersey Department of Environmental  Protection  (NJDEP) comments
pertaining to remedial goals are contained  in  Appendix B.   The EPA
responses to the NJDEP comments ara also contained in Appendix B.

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2.  consistency of Regulatory Application to Previous Mew Jersey
    Pinelands Superfund Records of Decision

Chrysler also commented that application of N.J.A.C.  7:9-6.6(a)
to the Ewan Property ground water remediation would be incon-
sistent with previous EPA Region 2 signed Records of Decision.
EPA's review of the Chrysler comments indicates an apparent
confusion concerning the "GW1 standards" in the N.J.A.C.
7:9-6.6(a) regulation.  According to Chrysler, the "GW1 standard"
would require remediation of the contaminated ground water to
"background" concentrations.

In the Operable Unit Two Proposed Plan (the first of EPA's two
decision documents for Operable Unit Two) EPA identified three
promulgated, quantitative, numerical .regulations as the goals for
the Operable Unit Two ground water remediation: the Federal Safe
Drinking Water Act (SWDA) Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs)  con-
tained in 40 CFR Part 141 and 40 CFR Part 143; and the State of
New Jersey SWDA MCLs contained in N.J.A.C. 7:10-5, N.J.A.C.
7:10-7; and N.J.A.C. 9:7-6.6(a).  EPA considers only these pro-
mulgated, quantitative, numerical portions of the Central Pine
Barrens criteria (see the N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.6(a) GW-l Criteria) as
applicable regulations. Although N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.6(a)  contains
several non-numerical standards, EPA has selected the numerical
remedial goals for these substances from the MCL listings found
in the Federal SWDA and State SWDA.  The NJDEP disagrees with
this selection.  Attached is the NJDEP letter and the EPA
response.

Chrysler also stated that the Cooper Road Dump and Ciba-Geigy
Records of Decision did not advocate the use of any New Jersey
Pinelands related regulations as remedial goals.  Since neither
site is located within the New Jersey Pinelands these regulations
are not applicable or relevant and appropriate to those sites.

Chrysler indicated that the Lang Property was determined to be
located in both the New Jersey Central Pine Barrens area and the
New Jersey Pinelands Preservation Area.  Chrysler further claimed
that EPA did not use the "GW1 standards", but chose to use only
State and Federal standards in determining a remedy for the Lang
Property.  The State standards referred to in the Lang Property
Record of Decision include the numerical portions of the Central
Pine Barrens criteria  (see the N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.6(a) GW-l
Criteria).  Furthermore, the Lang Property Record of Decision was
signed prior to the enactment of the Superfund Amendments and
Reauthorization Act (SARA).  SARA requires the use of more strin-
gent applicable or relevant and appropriate State requirements.
Therefore, Chrysler's argument is irrelevant.

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The Ewan Property Proposed Plan cites the same ARARs that were
identified in the Lang Property Record of Decision, which in-
cludes the promulgated, quantitative, numerical Central Pine
Barrens criteria (see the N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.6(a) GW-1 Criteria).


3.  Technical Feasibility of Proposed Alternative

EPA has determined that the remedial goals selected in the
Operable Unit Two Proposed Plan can be reached.  The contrary
opinion presented by Chrysler's consultants was unsupported by
technical evidence.

Furthermore, Chrysler claimed NJDEP "conceded" the Ewan Property
ground water remediation may be unobtainable.  NJDEP never
conceded that the ground water remediation was impossible.  It
merely indicated that the Central Pine Barrens criteria (see the
N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.6(a) GW-1 Criteria) contain standards which may be
difficult to reach.


4.  Analytical Detection Limits

Chrysler claimed that the detection limits required to recognize
the remedial goals do not exist.  The Operable Unit Two
Feasibility Study activities (treatability studies and ground
water sampling) used published analytical methods.  These an-
alytical methods had detection limits more sensitive than the
Contract Required Detection Limits used in the EPA Contract
Laboratory Program (see the attached NUS Corporation response).


5.  Less Risk to Human Health and the Environment
                                                     •i
Chrysler alleged that excavation of the residual contaminated
soils would result in a discharge of volatile emissions.

Chrysler failed to recognize that EPA will implement site
monitoring and contingency plans should volatile emissions begin
to occur.  These plans include engineering measures to insure the
protection of public health and the environment while Operable
Unit Two is in operation.  Furthermore, similar soil excavations
conducted in Region 2 have not resulted in any significant
discharges of volatile organic contaminants.

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6.  Soil Treatability Study

Chrysler has maintained that the treatability studies conducted
for the soils were an attempt to differentiate heavily contam-
inated materials from residually contaminated soils.

The only goal of the treatability studies was to determine the
remedial effectiveness of solidification and solvent washing in
removing contaminants from the Ewan Property soils.   To make this
determination two types of soils were used in the studies; soils
which were heavily contaminated by source waste material, and
soils which were slightly contaminated.

EPA used the heavily contaminated soils to evaluate the effect-
iveness of the technologies in the studies on materials which
could potentially be missed in the Operable Unit One Remedial
Action.  The slightly contaminated soils were used to determine
the effectiveness of the processes on soils which are anticipated
to be present at the conclusion of the Operable Unit One Remedial
Action.

EPA realizes that some refinements are required to optimize the
soil extraction procedure (see the attached NUS Corporation re-
sponse) .  The Treatability Studies were conducted to provide pre-
liminary evidence concerning the remedial effectiveness of the
technology in question.  The Operable Unit Two Record of Decision
will refer to the Pre-Remedial Design studies needed to identify
the specific process to be used in the implementation of solvent
extraction.

Furthermore, when EPA selects "On-Sitej Solvent Extraction
followed by Soil Washing", it is not-limited to the process used
in the Treatability Study.  Although triethylamine was used in a
patented solvent extraction process, EPA will not limit the
Operable Unit Two Pre-Remedial Design studies to repeating the
Treatability Studies.  The evidence provided by the solvent
extraction treatability study illustrated that the technology
could work at the Ewan Property and fulfill Superfund statutory
requirements.

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Comment:

A  resident asked if  the  chemicals identified on  site were
carcinogenic.

EPA Response:

Many compounds  have  been  identified on site.  Some such as
benzene, methylene chloride,  and tetrachloroethene are con-
sidered to be carcinogenic.  The Remedial Investigation report
contains the complete risk analysis, including toxicity pro-
files  for the  indicator  compounds selected  for  the  Ewan
Property site.

Comment:                         ';

Several  residents inquired  about  EPA's  contingency  plans
during remediation.   They asked if the community would be
involved during the development of any contingency plans.

EPA Response:

Contingency plans are developed by both  EPA and contractors
involved in  the remediation of the site.   Local officials,
community  groups,  hospitals,  and  emergency  units  will be
contacted in the development of these plans.


Future Activities

Comment:

Several residents expressed  an interest  in  the schedule for
the cleanup.

EPA Response:

Once a ROD is signed a des;ign contractor will be hired.  The
remedial design phase of <;ach operable unit will precede the
remedial implementation phase.   As yet a  Record of  Decision
(ROD) has not been signed for Operable Unit Two.  However, the
remediation of Operable Unit One has an estimated duration of
1.5 years.  The preferrec alternative for groundwater remed-
iation under Operable Unit Two has an estimated 10  year oper-
ation  time,  and  the preferred  alternative for  soil  under
Operable Unit Two has an  estimated 2  year remediation time.

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     Comment:

     A resident asked  if funds were available for  residents  and
     community groups to hire  a contractor  to  oversee  or examine
     what has been accomplished by EPA at the Ewan Property site.

     EPA Response:

     The Superfund law includes a program, known as the Technical
     Assistance Grant  (TAG) for  community  groups  to hire  con-
     tractors for the purpose  of  review  of  the technical aspects
     of a site.  Often, these reviewers are called upon to explain
     technical aspects of specific sites and  the Superfund process.
     EPA offered to provide information regarding TAGs.

     Comment:

     A resident asked whether  monitoring of the  residential well
     at the Green Acres Park would be done by EPA as a precaution
     during the design and implementation phases.

     EPA Response:

     Monitoring of  residential wells is  something  that  EPA will
     consider during the design phase.  Citizens were welcomed and
     encouraged to share  their  ideas on the safest way to implement
     the proposed remedial action.

     Comment:

     A resident  inquired about whom to  contact  during remedial
     design and implementation if residents have questions.

     EPA Response:

     Residents should  contact  the EPA Remedial  Project Manager,
     Craig De Biase, with any questions that they might have.


Remaining Concerns

Issues  related  to  the  implementation  of  the  remedial action,
including fencing and truck traffic, will continue to b>e areas of
concern.  The primary reason for continued concern is the potential
for disruption to the community during the remedial action phase.

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  Appendix A
Public Comment

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                                                                          Attachment  A.I
               THZ UMll'&U STATES EMV1ROMMKIRAL PROTBCTXOJI AO0CT
                                   RIOIOU XI
                                   AMKHMCXS
                         PKOPOSZD eUCXMOV ALTZRIOIT1VBS
                                   FOR TBS
                         OPKRMU UNIT TWO R2KKDXAXXOM
                                    OF THB
                         EHAN PROPERTY SUPCTFTJND SITE
                               SBAMOMO TOWH8HIP
                         BURLINGTON COUNTY,  MEW JERSEY

 The United scat** Environmental Protection Agency  (EPA) has recently completed
 the operable unit Two Feasibility Study  for the Swan Property Superfund Sit*
 in Burlington county, New Jersey.  This  Superfund  study evaluated remedial
 alternatives for the operable Unit Two cleanup at  the Swan Property.  EPA has
 identified preferred remedies for the Operable Unit Two cleanup wnicn will
 address soil and groundwater contamination.  Before final selection of the
 reoMdiee. EPA will consider all comment* on the Operaale Unit Two Feasibility
 Study and Proposed Plan  from August 7, 1989 to September 6, 1989.  The final
 decision document will include a sumary of significant public comment* ana
 SPA response*.

 EPA will hold an informational public meeting on August 17, 1989 at 8:00 p.m.
 at the Indian Mills Public School on Medford-Indian Mills Road in Indian
 Mills, New Jersey to discuss the Operable Unit Two Feasibility Study and the
 preferred remedial alternatives for thefOperable Unit Two cleanup.  The first
 operable unit, which wae selected in the Record of Decision issued by EPA in
 September 1988, addressed the remediation of the estimated SOO to 8000 buried
 drums and heavily contaminated materials at the site.  EPA selected Off-Site
 Thermal Destruction and/or Treatment to  remediate  the buried drums ana
 materials.  The second operable unit will address  residually contaminated
 soils and contaminated groundwater.

 The Operable Unit Two Feasibility study  evaluated  eight options for cleaning
 up the lesser contaminated soils and contaminated  groundwater.  For soils,
 these remedial alternatives werei

      1)    No Action with Administrative Controls
      2)    Excavation and On-Site Solvent Extraction Followed by On-Site
            Solidification
      3)    Cxeavation and On-Site Solvent Extraction Followed by On-Site Soil
            Washing
      4)    Excavation and Off-Site Incineration

 For groundwater, the remedial alternatives were:

      S)    No Action witli Administrative Controls
      6)    Collection and Ten year Treatment with Reverse Osmosis and On-Sit*
            Re-tn^ection of Oroundwater
      7,    Collection and Ten xear Treatment with On-Site Re-injection of
            Croundwater
      S)    Collection and Three (ear Treatment with On-Site Re-injection of
            Groundwater
 EPA's preferred soil remedial alternative for Operable Unit Two is On-Site
 Solvent Extraction Followed by On-Site Soil washing.  The preferred
 groundwater remedial alternative is Collection and Ten Year Treatment with  On-
 Site Re-injeetion of croundwoter.

 The Operable Unit Two Feasibility Study, the Proposed Plan, and other site
 related document! are available at the following repository!

                              Mr.  Lrna Beiahold
                            a&asnag Towasoip Clerk
                      Soaana? Township Municipal BuildJjtg
                             60 billow drove Road
                         Viaeeacawa, New Jersey 080*1

Written comments to the Operable Unit Two Feasibility Study and the  Proposed
Plan should be sent to:

                                 Craig OeBiase
                                Project Manager
                     U.J. Eaviroaawacal  Protection Ageaev
                               2* Federal Plasa
                                   Room  711
                           New York, New xork 10278

   CoasMnte must oe submitted to the above address, postmarked on or before

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                                                                Attachment A.2
  Saptrfnnd Up<
  EPA Refion
  5

  6

  7

  8

  9

 10

 11

 12

 13

 14

 15

 16

 17

 18

 19

20
NAME.
                                                   Ewan Property Site
                                                  Shimon* Township, New Jersey"
                                                              	Aufmt 1989
                          TELEPHONE. AFFILIATION

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Superftmd Update-
                                               Ewan Property Site
                                              Shtmong Townihip, New Jersey
EPA Region 2-
                                  Aogost 1989
2

3

4

5

6
 9

10

11

12
  i
13

14

15

16

17

18
                             SICNJN
         NAME.  AUURbSS,  TELEPHONE, AFFILIATION
                                    \
    IfegAnSfe,

8
                                   a
                                     7
                   l/i


                                           I

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                                                          Attachment A.3
    United States
    Environmental Protection Agency
77 * Ranirtn 9
^•v  negion £.
    26 Federal Plaza, NY, NY 10278
NEWS
                           89 (99) Timothy Smitil (212) 264-2515
     FOR RELEASE: Tuesday, September S, 1989
     EPA gXT^MPS PUBETg CQMMTTWP PgRIQD VP EWMT PBOPERfTV SITPgRFUND SITE
     NEW YORK — Th« U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has extended
     the public comment period on the Operable unit Two Feasibility
     (FS) report, and the Operable unat TWO yroposea naii zur r.n« tw*u
     Property Superfund site in Shamong Township, New Jersey until
     September 11, 1989.

     The extension was granted following a request for more time
     to review and comment on the FS report, and Proposed Plan.  EPA'a
     proposed soil remedy is on-site solvent extraction followed
     by on site ooil waching.  Th«. proposed rpw*«Hal alternative for
     the groundwater is collection and ten year treatment with on-site
     reinjection of ground water.  Copies of the FS report, the
     Proposed Plan, and other site related documents can be reviewed
     at the  following information repository:

                  Shamong. Township Municipal Building
                         60 Willow Grove Road
                    Vincentown, New Jersey  08088
                               -rnors-

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.i.- .i os1 +e.'
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                   Appendix B
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

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                                                                      Attachment B.I
                               State ot Jleto
                  DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                       DIVISION OF HAZARDOUS SITE MITIGATION
                             CN 413, Trenton, NJ. 08625-0413
                                    (609) 984-2902
                                  Fax # (609) 633-2360
Anthony J. Farro

                                                  SEP  1 I ,389
   U.S.  Environmental  Protection Agency
   Region 2
   26 Federal Plaza, Room 711
   New York,  New York  10278

   Attn:      Mr.  Craig De Blase,
             Project Manager

   Re:        Ewan Property Superfund  Site
             Operable  Unit Two

   Dear  Mr. De Blase:

   In  response   to   the   U.S.   Environmental   Protection   Agency's   (USEFA)
   solicitation for public comments  on  the  cleanup methods described in  the
   "Proposed  Plan for  the Operable Unit Two  Remediation for the  Ewan  Property
   Superfund   Site", dated  August  1989,   the N.J.  Department  of  Environmental
   Protection's (NJDEP) comments are  presented herewith.   Since the USEPA  has
   released  this  Proposed Plan under their  own initiative and without  prior
   review by  the  NJDEP,  our comments  are lengthy and substantial.

   Our foremost  comment  concerns  the  ground water  cleanup  goals described  in
   the Plan.    First,  note that reference  to New  Jersey  ground water  quality
   standards   that  are  intended  to  restore the pristine  conditions  of  the
   Central Pinelands  should reference  N.J.A.C 7:9r6.4 through 6.7 and  not just
   N.J.A.C 7:9-6.6.   It  is the  NJDEP'a  position'that  the narratives  found  in
   these  and  other   sections  do   constitute  Applicable   or   Relevant  and
   Appropriate Requirements (ARARS).

   The reason  we  believe  the  above-noted  standards are ARARs  is based on  our
   understanding  of section 121  of CERCLA.   Subsection d of 121  specifies  the
   degree* of   cleanup  that must be achieved  at NPL sites.   Subsection 2 of d
   states that If  a  hazardous  substance,  pollutant  or contaminant  remains  on
   site   and    there   is   a promulgated   standard,  requirement,   criteria   or
   limitation under a  state environmental  law which is more stringent  than the
   federal standard,   and  that  standard has been Identified to  EPA, and  it  is
   legally applicable  or relevant  or appropriate  under  the circumstances of  the
   release,  then  the  remedial  action  shall attain  such standards.  42 U.S.C.
   Section 121(d)(2)(A)(11).   Subsection  (d)(2)(B) goes  on to state   that  in
   determining if  water  quality  criteria  are  relevant  and  appropriate  the
   President  must consider  the  "designated  or potential use of  this surface or
   groundwater, the environmental  media  affected,  the  purposes for  which such
   criteria were  developed, and the latest  information available."

                          New Jersey is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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                                    -2-
The  State identified  to EPA  several months  ago the  ARARs for  this site,
which  is  in the Central Pine  Barrens.   These ARARs Included N.J.A.C.7:9-6.4
through  6.7, including  the  narratives in  those sections.   They  state that
there  should be a  non-degradation  of waters  in these  Central Pine Barrens.
We  believe that  these  regulations, which  are duly promulaged  according  to
law, and  have been consistently applied, must be part  of any ARARs that are
used for  this site  according to the statutory  criteria set out above.

A  reading of the  proposed National  Oil  and  Hazardous  Substances Pollution
Contingency  Plan ("NCP"),  dated December  21,  1988  (See  53  FR 51394  through
51520), confirms our opinion.

EPA  proposed in December  1988 to  place  the  discussion  of  ARARs  in  40 CFR
section 300.400.   The EPA's  discussion of that  proposal  is relevant  at two
places:   Subpart  E regarding  EPA's  approach for ground water  remediation
under  the Superfund program,  and  Subpart  F,  compliance  with the applicable
or  relevant  or  appropriate  requirements  of  other laws.  These  discuss how
ARARs  are  to  be  selected.   Subpart E, at page 51433, engages in a discussion
of  EPA's  approach for ground  water remediation  and notes that  ground water
classification   is   site-specific   for  Superfund  remediation  and  may  be
superceded by other classification schemes  promulaged  by a state which are
ARARs.

In  the more  specific  discussion in  Subpart  F,  the preamble notes  on page
51438  that  state anti-degradation  statues  "would be a  potential  ARAR."  On
page 51442  the  preamble goes  on  to note that state water quality standards
can  be  narratives.   Therefore,   according   to  the  preamble of  the  NCP,
specific  numerical  criteria  as well as narrative standards  are appropriately
considered as applicable regulations for the Ewan property site.

As we  stated  at  the outset,  there  is no indication  that the criteria  we have
proposed  for  the ARARS  from  N.J.A.C.  7:9-6.4-6.7 are  in  any way outside of
the requirements set out in  the statute for ARARs, since EPA has provided no
evidence  that these are either inapplicable,  inappropriate  or  irrelevant,
nor has EPA  provided any evidence  that the State has Inconsistently  applied
the standards.
Attachments
HS227/al
                                   Sincerely yours,
                                                     Director,
                                               Hazardous Site Mitigation

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                                    -3-
cc:  Assistant Commissioner Burke
     R. Engel, DAG
     Director Farro, DHSM
     Assistant Director MacDonald, DRA
     D. Martin,. DRA
     Assistant Director Putnam, DHSM
     A. Charles, BEERA
     L. Welkom, BGVPA
     R. Yeates, DEQ
     F. Cosollto, DEQ
     S: Krietzman, DWR
     B. Soboleski, BSM I
     R. Collier, BSM I
     M. Burlingame, BSM I
     File:  EWAN Property B8

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                Appendix  B.2

United States Environmental Protection Agency
                  Responses

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          United States Environmental Protection Agency
                Response to the  Comments  for the
             Operable Unit Two Feasibility Study and
                 Operable Unit Two Proposed Plan
              for the Ewan Property as presented by
      the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection


Although United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
often requests that State agencies advise the Agency as to their
views concerning cleanup requirements which may be imposed under
state laws and regulations at sites, EPA is ultimately respons-
ible for selecting and determining the "applicable" and the
"relevant and appropriate requirements" ("ARARs")  for cleanups of
different media at Superfund sites. (See 53 Fed.Reg. 51,441.)

The anti-degradation policy  (ADP) which the New Jersey Department
of Environmental Protection  (DEP) asserts should be used to
establish cleanup requirements for groundwater at the Site is
located within NJAC 7.9-6.4(h).  That regulation states:

     The Central Pine Barrens Area constitutes a unique and
     particularly fragile ecosystem ... In light of the
     vulnerable character of the area, the Department . . .
     shall not, in the performance of its statutory duties,
     approve anv activity which, alone or in combination
     with any other activities, will cause degradation in
     the existing groundwater quality . (emphasis added).

The Agency has concluded that the ADP, as stated in NJAC 7.9-
6.4(h) above, does not provide a basis for establishing
quantified target cleanup levels for groundwater contaminants at
the Ewan Site which can be required pursuant to CERCLA.  The
reasons for this are as follows:

1.  "Applicable" requirements, within the context of remediations
at Superfund sites, mean "those cleanup standards . . .
criteria, or limitations promulgated under Federal or State  law
that specifically address a hazardous substance, pollutant,
contaminant, remedial action, location or other circumstance at a
CERCLA site."  53 Fed.Reg. 51,436.

Furthermore, to be "applicable", a requirement should meet the
following four prerequisites:  (a) the party be subject to the
requirement's authority,  (b) the activities be prohibited or
directed by the regulation,  (c) the substances or places be
within the requirement's authority, and (d) the effective time
period for the regulation.  (See 53 Fed.Reg. 51,436.)

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The Ewan Site is located within the "place", i.e., the Central
Pine Barrens region covered by the regulation  (i.e., the ADP).
The proposed remedial action is also, at least arguably, within
the "effective time period" of the regulation.

However, the ADP in question does not address any specific
hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant which exists at the
Site.  It does not refer to or relate to Superfund cleanups, in
particular, or even any site cleanups, in general.  The wording
of the ADP itself is prospective; it talks in terms of activities
which will cause degradation.  The remedial action planned for
the Site will not cause degradation of groundwater at the site
and, therefore, it does not fall within the plain meaning of the
those activities regulated by the ADP ..provisions.  It is,
therefore, not a regulated "activity" .within the meaning of the
ADP.

The ADP, therefore, fails to meet the prerequisites for an
"applicable" requirement for CERCLA groundwater remediation at
the Ewan Site.

2.  "Relevant and appropriate" requirements, within the context
of Superfund site remediations, mean "those cleanup standards . .
. criteria or limitations promulgated under Federal or State law
that, while not "applicable" . . . address problems or situations
sufficiently similar to those encountered at the CERCLA site that
their use is well suited to the particular site." 53 Fed. Reg.
51,'"6.  The determination of whether an alleged "requirement" is
rfciii-. -rt and appropriate is a two-step process.  The requirement
must .••• determined to be both relevant and, even if relevant,
appropriate for use at a particular site.

First,  "relevance" is determined by comparing the action,
location or chemicals covered by the requirement with related
conditions at the site, release or potential remedy; a
requirement is relevant if the requirement generally pertains to
these conditions. (£e_g 53 Fed.Reg. 51,436.)  As noted above, the
ADP, by its own wording, is prospective.  It refers to activities
which "will cause degradation".  CERCLA remedial actions, such as
that proposed for this site, are aimed at remediating pre-
existing contamination  not causing some future degradation.
Therefore, the ADP is :.iot "relevant" to setting target cleanup
levels in groundwater at the Ewan site.

Only those requirements which are both relevant and appropriate
must be complied with. (See 53 Fed.Reg. 51,436.)  Since the ADP
is neither applicable nor relevant for establishing target
cleanup levels for groundwater cleanup at the Ewan site, it does
not constitute an ARAR under Section 121(d)(2) of CERCLA for

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remediation of groundwater at this site.  This view is supported
by EPA guidance which states that at a CERCLA site, a State
ground water antidegradation law would not require cleanup to the
aquifer's original quality. (See ARARs Q's & A's, OERR 9234.2-
01FS, May 1989.)

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        Appendix C
Chrysler Motors Corporation

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HOGAN & HARTSON



       COLUMBIA SQUARE

    555 THIRTEENTH STREET NW

    WASHINGTON, DC 20004-tlOO

         202/637-5600

        DAVID J. HAYES

      OIUfCT OIAL 2Ot/MT-M13
                                                            Attachment C.I
 •TW ROCKLEDOE DRIVE

MTMESOA. MARYLAND 2O817

    3O1/493-0030



m SOUTH CALVERT STREET

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21202

    301/8S»-3700



 •300 QREENSaORO DRIVE

 MCLEAN, VIRQINIA 22102

    7O3/84a-2MO
                             September  11,  1989
    VIA TELECOPY AND FEDERAL EXPRESS

    James P. Rooney, Esq.
    Office of Regional Counsel
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    26 Federal  Plaza
    New York, NY  10278

    Craig DeBiase
    Project Manager
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    26 Federal  Plaza
    New York, NY  10278

                    Re:  Ewan Property/Shamona  Township

    Dear Messrs.  Rooney and DeBiase:

             Enclosed are- the comments of the  Chrysler Motors
    Corporation on the Feasibility Study (FS)  for Operable  Unit Two
    for the above-captioned site.  They were prepared with  the
    technical assistance of Hart Environmental Management Corporation
    and Goldberg-Zoino & Associates.

             Through this letter, Chrysler  is  filing the enclosed
    comments today, the deadline for public comments on the FS.  In
    addition to the copy that is being supplied via facsimile,
    another copy is being sent  to you via Federal Express.
                                        Sincerely,
                                        David J.  Hayes
    DJH/sw

    cc:  William C. Achinger
         Lynn Y.  Buhl, Esq.

    6075H
            "HOOANOCft \MASHINOTON". TCLEX! 24MTO (MCA}, M2TS7 (WU)> FACSIMILE* 20a/837-S*K3. EA«VUNK« 8277*734

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COMMENTS ON THE FEASIBILITY STUDY
	FOR OPERABLE UNIT TWO	
       EWAN  PROPERTY SITE
         SHAMQNG  TOWNSHIP
                     Comments submitted by:

                     Chrysler Motors Corporation
                     September 11, 1989

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                    TABLE OF CONTENT^

                                                        PAGE
 I.    EXECUTIVE SUMMARY	      1
      A.   Groundwater/Soil Cleanup Standards  	      1
      B.   Remedy Selection 	      3
II.    THE FEASIBILITY STUDY IMPROPERLY IDENTIFIES
      NEW JERSEY'S CLASS GW1 GROUNDWATER STANDARD
      AS AN ARAR FOR THE EWAN PROPERTY SITE 	      6
      A.   Background 	«.	      7
          1.  The Class GW1 standard 	      7
          2.  The Pine Barrens 	.	      7
          3.  ARARS	      8
      B.   The Class GWl Standard is not an
          ARAR for the Ewan Property Site 	      9
          1.  The Class GWl Standard is Not
              •Applicable" to the Ewan
              Property Site 	      9
          2.  The Class GWl Standard is Not
              •Relevant and Appropriate"	     11
      C.   Even if the Class GWl Standard
          Qualified as an ARAR, SARA'S
          Waiver Principles Would Clearly
          Apply in This Case	,	     16
          1.  The Class GWl Standard Has
              Not Been Consistently Applied	     16
          2.  Application of the Class GWl
              Standard May Result in Greater
              Risk to Health and the
              Environment 	     18


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                                                          PAGE


III.    THE REMEDY SELECTED BY THE FS IS NOT
       SUPPORTED BY ADEQUATE DATA 	      20

       A.   The Existing Data Base Does Not
           Support EPA's Attempt to Distinguish
           Between "Heavily Contaminated*  and
           •Less Contaminated" Soils                       20

       B.   The Existing Data Base Does Not
           Support the FS's Evaluation of
           the Extent and Nature of Soil
           Contamination	      21
                                   *,
       C.   The FS's Soil Remediation Screening
           Process Improperly Excluded
           Cost-Effective Combinations of
           Technologies 	      24

       D.   The Predesign Work Scheduled in
           Connection With the Implementation
           of Operable Unit One Will Provide
           the Data Needed to Identify a
           Preferred Alternative for
           Operable Unit Two 	      28

       E.   There Are Serious Issues Related
           to the FS's Preferred Soil Remediation
           Alternative That Have Not Been
           Addressed 	      30

       F.   The FS's Recommended Groundwater
           Pumping Scheme Is Not Supported
           by Sufficient Data 	      32

 IV.    CONCLUSION 	      35
                          -  ii  -

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I.       EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
         These comments submitted by Chrysler Motors
Corporation identify several major flaws in the Feasibility
Study ("FS") for Operable Unit Two of the Ewan site that must
prompt fundamental revisions in the FS before the Agency can
adopt a Record of Decision ("ROD") for Operable Unit Two.  In
addition to these major flaws/ the comments also identify
several additional deficiencies that must be addressed prior to
adoption of a ROD for the Second Unit.
         A.   Groundwater/Soil Cleanup Standards
         The FS has proposed improper and unauthorized cleanup
standards for Operable Unit Two.  As explained at length below,
the FS identifies a non-degradation groundwater cleanup
standard (the "GW1" standard) and an extremely stringent soil
cleanup standard that has been derived from the groundwater
standard.  The proposed CERCLA cleanup standard is based on the
State of New Jersey's classification system for the Central
Pine Barrens (also known as the Pinelands Preservation Area).
         The proposed standard is neither applicable nor
appropriate to CERCLA sites in general, or to the Ewan site in
particular.  As an initial matter, the Ewan site is not in the
Central Pine Barrens and the groundwater standard simply does
not apply to the site.  Moreover, even if the site were located
within the boundaries of the Central Pine Barrens, the standard
nonetheless would not apply.  EPA explicitly has determined

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that the GW1 standard is not applicable to the Tabernacle Drum
Site, a CERCLA site that is located within the Central Pine
Barrens.  EPA has reached a similar conclusion for the Lang
CERCLA Site, another site that is within the Central Pine
Barrens.
         EPA's prior determinations that the GWl standard does
not apply to CERCLA sites that are within the Central Pine
                                     t,
Barrens applies with all the more force to sites, such as Ewan,
which are outside the boundaries of the Central Pine Barrens.
Indeed, EPA has confirmed on several occasions that the
Pinelands standard does not apply to CERCLA sites that are
located outside the Preservation Area including, for example,
the Ciba-Geigy Chemical Corporation Site and the Cooper Road
Dump.  The rationale for EPA's prior rejection of the GWl
standard is equally applicable to the Ewan site.  EPA
previously rejected the GWl standard as an ARAR because, among
other failings/ it is a non-numerical and non-quantitative
standard that does not identify specific concentration limits
for contaminants.
         All of these key defects make the GWl standard, and
the soil cleanup standard derived from it, inapplicable and
inappropriate for the Ewan site.  If EPA were to adopt such
standards in a ROD for Operable Unit Two, it would be
promulgating legally unenforceable cleanup standards that are
                             - 2 -

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not consistent with statutory requirements set forth in
Section 121 of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act.
         B.   Remedy Selection
         Serious flaws in EPA's remedy selection process have
resulted in the selection of inappropriate remedial measures
for the Ewan Site.  First, the FS confirms that there is no
valid technical basis for distinguishing between "heavily
contaminated soil" and "less heavily contaminated soil" at the
Ewan Site.  Despite the FS's inability to characterize
so-called "heavily contaminated soil" and "less heavily
contaminated soil," and despite its inability to identify a
meaningful distinction between these arbitrary categories, the
FS exacerbates the flaws of Operable Unit One by relying
heavily on these artificial categories when analyzing potential
remedial alternatives.  Second, EPA's assessment of the extent
and nature of soil contamination is based on flawed, unreliable
interpolations from widely-spaced data.  Because the volume and
distribution patterns of volatile organic compounds and metals
have a significant impact on the selection of treatment
technologies, relying on inadequate data has caused EPA to
                                                           «.
overlook several promising remediation alternatives.
         Even in the absence of these difficulties, the FS does
not include a sound legal or technical basis for identifying  a
                                                           *-^
preferred remedial alternative for the Ewan Site.  More

                             - 3 -

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specifically/ there are several serious problems associated
with the proposed solvent extraction/soil washing remedy that
the FS has either ignored or addressed inadequately including,
in particular, the remedy's ability (or inability) to
accomplish the FS's remediation goals.  The proposed remedy
                               •
also presents potential concerns related to the release of
volatiles during excavation that EPA has not addressed.  In
addition, the solvent proposed for use in extraction at the
Ewan Site, triethylamina (TEA), has not been demonstrated to be
effective, and its use creates serious odor problems that the
FS has failed entirely to address.  More generally, EPA has
admitted that the TEA solvent extraction method is an unproven,
experimental technology that may not be appropriate for CERCLA
actions.
         The FS's proposed groundwater pumping remedy is
similarly flawed.  EPA does not have sufficient data on either
the age of the groundwater contamination or aquifer properties
to develop a pumping scheme.  Also, EPA relied on an overly
simplistic method of estimating the required number of wells
for the pumping remedy.  As a result, EPA has no reliable basis
for evaluating either the costs/ or the effectiveness, of the
groundwater remedy — two essential elements of the remedy
selection process.  Moreover, in light of EPA's need to revise
the groundwater cleanup standard that is applied to this site,
                             - 4 -

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the Agency must reevaluate the need for,  and appropriateness
of, the groundwater treatment system proposed in the FS.
         In relying on an inadequate data base and failing to
fully analyze all relevant alternatives,  EPA has violated the
statutory mandate of CE5CLA, as well as its own guidelines for
                               *
screening potential remedies.  These guidelines require,  at a
minimum, that EPA evaluate the relative effectiveness,
implementability, and cost of the possible remedies.
         Because many of the deficiencies in the data base and
in the evaluation of proposed remedies can be cured through
further analysis and data collection, as will occur during the
predesign phase of the Operable Unit One action, it is
imperative that EPA await the availability of the forthcoming
comprehensive site characterization data before issuing the
ROD.  EPA and Chrysler already have encountered difficulty in
developing a Statement of Work for the initial phase of a
cleanup (Operable Unit One) because the available data base is
extremely limited.  These difficulties will be compounded if
EPA prematurely adopts a ROD for Unit Two.  Indeed, it is
Chrysler's strong view that issuance of a ROD for Unit Two on
the current data base, without consideration of the forthcoming
comprehensive site characterization, would be legally and
technically flawed.
                             - 5 -

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II.      THE FEASIBILITY STUDY IMPROPERLY IDENTIFIES NEW
         JERSEY'S CLASS GW1 GROUNDWATER STANDARD AS AN ARAR FOR
         TflE EWAN PROPERTY SITE	

         In the FS for Operable Unit Two, EPA identifies the

Class GW1 groundwater standard applicable to the Pinelands

Preservation Area (the Central Pine Barrens) as a
                               •

location-specific ARAR for the Swan Property Site.   This

decision in turn affects several aspects of the selected

remedy, which are pegged to compliance with the Class GWl

standard including, in particular, the cleanup standard

proposed for contaminated soils. I/  The proposed GW1 standard,

however, is not a proper ARAR for the Ewan site, for the

reasons set forth below.  Accordingly, the FS and the selected

remedy must be reezamined to select an appropriate ARAR and to

tailor the selected remedy accordingly.
I/  Both "Contaminated Soil Clean-up Goals" and "Contaminated
Groundwater Clean-up Goals" are derived in part from the
Class GW1 standard.  Sfifl FS at 2-18, 2-23 (soil clean-up goal
of preventing degradation of groundwater based on Class GWl);
FS at 2-23, B-22 (soil clean-up goal of protecting against
health effects from contamination of ground water based on
Class GWl); FS at 2-32 (groundwater clean-up to background or
non-detect based on Class GWl).

                             - 6 -

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         A.   Background
              1.   The Class GW1 Standard
              The FS selects Class GWl as the appropriate
groundwater standard for the Ewan Property Site because Class
GWl is the standard that applies to the Central Pine Barrens.
                               •
FS at 2-10.  New Jersey classifies Class GWl groundwater as
water "suitable for potable water supply, agricultural water
supply/ continual replenishment of surface waters to maintain
the existing quantity and high quality of the surface waters in
the Central Pine Barrens and other reasonable uses.*
N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.5(f).  In general terms, Class GWl groundwater
is subject to a non-degradation standard, with the cleanup
standards associated with such groundwater being either
background levels or non-detection levels.  See Memorandum of
June 8 from Kevin Psarianos, Bureau of Site Management, NJDEP.
As such, this standard establishes a goal of groundwater purity
that is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to achieve.
              2.   The Pine Barrens
              The Pine Barrens region of New Jersey is a
sensitive ecological system which the State is committed to
preserving.  The State has established a Pinelands Commission/
which "bears ultimate responsibility for implementing  and
enforcing the provisions of the Pinelands Protection Act and
[the Pinelands Management] Plan."  N.J.A.C. §  7:50-1.1;  see
                             - 7 -

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     N.J.S.A. § 13:18A-4.   The Pinelands Commission has
divided the lands in the overall Pinelands Region into two
primary areas:  the Pinelands Preservation Area (i.e.. the
Central Pine Barrens), which is the most ecologically important
and sensitive area, and the Pinelands Protection Area, a less
                               •
sensitive region which lies outside the Preservation Area.
N.J.S.A. § 13:18A-11.  The Pinelands Commission has determined
that the Ewan Property site is not Ideated within the Pinelands
Preservation Area, but instead lies in the Pinelands Protection
Area.  FS at 1-12.

              3.   ARARs
              Section 121(d)(4> of CERCLA requires that a ,
selected remedy attain "a level or standard of control for
[hazardous substances] which at least attains [any] legally
applicable or relevant and appropriate standard, requirement,
criteria, or limitation."  42 U.S.C. § 9621(d)(4).  Pursuant to
this statutory mandate, the FS identifies numerous standards
which may be applicable or relevant and appropriate
requirements ("ARARs") for the Ewan Property site, including
federal and state Safe Drinking Water Standards, as well as the
groundwater protection standards set forth in N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.6
(l^fiju, the Class GWl standard).  As the summary accompanying
the FS explains, the latter standards "were codified to
maintain natural conditions of the Central Pine Barrens

                             - 8 -

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groundwater," and the remedy selected to meet these standards
•would attempt to remediate the groundwater to the more
stringent standards that have been developed for the protection
of the Central Pine Barrens' unique ecosystem."  FS Summary at
12.
         B.   The Class GW1 Standard is not an ARAB for the
              %wan Property Site	
                                    '.
              1.   The Class GW1 Standard is Not "Applicable'
                   to the Ewan Property Site	
         Applicable requirements "may be identified on a
site-specific basis by determining whether the jurisdictional
prerequisites of a requirement fully address the circumstances
at the site or the proposed remedial activity."  53 Fed. Reg.
51394, 51436 (Dec. 21, 1988) (Proposed National Pollution
Contingency Plan ("NCP")).  EPA states that a typical
jurisdictional prerequisite is that "[t]he substances or places
[be] within the authority of the requirement."  IdL  (emphasis
added).
         The FS applies the Class GW1 groundwater standard to
the Ewan Property site because those standards apply to the
Central Pine Barrens Region.  The FS summary asserts that "the
site  ... is defined by N.J.D.E.P. as being in the Central
Pine Barrens Region of the New Jersey Pinelands."  FS Summary
at 12.  In fact, however/ the FS itself.concedes that
"[allthough the site is located near the border between the

                          '   - 9 -

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Pinelands Preservation and Protection Areas,  the Ewan Property
is located within the Pinelands Protection Area." — not within
the Preservation area.  FS at 1-12 (emphasis  added).  Moreover,
as noted above, the authoritative agency for  determining
Pinelands status, the Pinelands Commission, has determined that
                               •
the site lies outside the Pinelands Preservation Area, and lies
instead in the less-sensitive Pinelands Protection Area.  Id.
at 2-11.  Accordingly, the stringent Class GW1 standard, which
•was developed to preserve and restore the pristine conditions
of the Central Pine Barrens Region of the New Jersey
Pinelands," FS Summary at 8 (emphasis added), does not apply to
the Ewan Site, because that site is not within the region
covered by that standard.
         In addition to being outside the relevant area, EPA
has recognized that the non-specific nature of the Pinelands
groundwater standard makes it inapplicable to CERCLA cleanups.
In a letter from EPA's Remedial Action Branch Chief regarding
the cleanup of the Tabernacle Drum Site, a site located within
the Central Pine Barrens, EPA clearly stated that "we do not
believe that the non-degradation standard  [of the Pinelands
Comprehensive Management Plan] is an applicable requirement."
Letter from John S. Frisco to William F. Harrison, Assistant
Director of the Pinelands Commission (May 11, 1988) ("Frisco
Letter").  The Frisco letter also noted that "it is EPA's
policy to only consider numerical or quantitative standards  in
                             - 10 -

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establishing cleanup goals for Superfund Sites,* and since the
Pinelands standard "does not identify specific concentration
limits" for contaminants, EPA would not utilize the standard in
determining appropriate cleanup levels.  Id.   Similarly,  in
EPA's Responsiveness Summary to the draft Feasibility Study for
                               •
the Lang CERCLA Site, also located "within the Central Pine
Barrens Water Quality Critical Area and the Pinelands
Preservation Area," EPA Record of Decision, Lang Property Site,
at 1 (Sept. 29, 1986) (emphasis added), EPA explained that
•background levels [the standard recommended by the Pinelands
Commission] do not provide well-defined criteria to measure
whether an area has been cleaned of contamination."  Final
Responsiveness Summary to the Draft Feasibility Study Report,
Lang Property Site, at 9.  Accordingly, EPA elected to "rel[y]
on State and Federal Standards to determine whether water
quality is acceptable."  Id.

              2.   The Class GW1 Standard is Not "Relevant and
                   Appropriate"	•
         In EPA's own terms, the primary task for determining
whether a standard is relevant and appropriate/ and thus
eligible to serve as a location-specific ARAR,  is whether the
CERCLA site in question "is sufficiently similar to the
location upon which the requirement is based."  53 Fed. Reg. at
51436.  Determining whether a requirement is both relevant and
appropriate, according to EPA's proposed NCP, is a two-step
                             - 11 -

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process.  First/ it is necessary to compare the location
covered by the requirement and the "related conditions of the
site"; a requirement is relevant "if the requirement generally
pertains to these conditions."  1£L.  Next, the comparison "is
further refined by focusing on fche nature of the substances/
the characteristics of the site/ the circumstances of the
release/ and the proposed remedial action; the requirement is
appropriate if/ based on such comparison/ its use is
well-suited to the particular site."  Id.
         While the FS is not clear on this point, EPA
apparently has determined that the Class GW1 standard developed
for the Central Pine Barrens also is relevant and appropriate
for the Ewan Property Site/ which lies outside the Central Pine
Barrens/ because the two areas are sufficiently similar.  This
is not/ however/ the case.  The Agency charged with protecting
the Pinelands/ the Pinelands Commission/ had an opportunity to
classify the Ewan Property Site as within the Central Pine
Barrens Region, but explicitly chose not to do so.  A Summary
of the Pinelands Plan (Feb. 6, 1981) at 5.  The Comrrission's
action reflects the State's decision that the area which
includes the Ewan Property Site is not sufficiently similar to
the Central Pine Barrens Region to merit equal protectiveness.
Accordingly, EPA's attempt to apply the Central Pine Barrens'
groundwater standards represents a fundamental legal flaw in
the FS.
                             - 12  -

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         Moreover, the GW1 standard is not "appropriate" as
applied in this case.  According to the FS,  the rationale for
applying the GW1 classification outside of the Central Pine
Barrens is a concern that contaminants from the Ewan Property
Site will migrate to the more ecologically sensitive region.
The record provides absolutely no support for such a concern.
Only a limited groundwater plume is associated with the Ewan
site, and there is no evidence whatsoever that migration of
contaminants to the Central Pine Barrens area represents a
            i,
realistic concern.  To the contrary, the FS elsewhere
acknowledges that the Ewan contamination is highly localized
and amenable to local remedial efforts.
         The cleanup standards for soil and groundwater set by
the FS are also not "well suited to the particular site" as
required by EPA's appropriateness criteria, see 53 Fed. Reg.  at
51436, because they are simply not feasible. 2/  The soil
cleanup goals identified in the FS are extremely low, and it is
not clear whether the currently proposed remedial alternative,
or any other remedial alternative, can accomplish these goals.
    Chrysler engaged the services of two technical consultants
to review the FS and provide technical comments.  The
consultants, whose comments are incorporated into this
feasibility discussion as well as into Part III below, are Hart
Environmental Management Corporation, and Goldberg-Zoino &
Associates.
                             -  13  -

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As noted below at page 28, the solvent extraction/soil washing
bench-top treatability testing performed on Ewan soil samples
indicated that the proposed goals were not met, see Appendix E
to the FS at E-18; moreover, as also noted below, solvent
extraction/soil washing remains an unproven, experimental
technology.  Nonetheless, EPA has identified the solvent
extraction/soil washing technique as the preferred remedial
alternative for residually-contaminated soils for the Ewan Site.
         EPA's proposed groundwater cleanup goals may also be
technologically infeasible, and therefore inappropriate, for
the Ewan Site.  A June 7, 1988 NJDEP Memorandum concedes that
the planned Ewan cleanup may not achieve the recommended
groundwater standard, noting that "[i]f the .  .  . cleanup
objectives are found by the contractor to be technologically
unachievable then the cleanup objectives may be set based upon
BAT (Best Available Technology)."  See Attachment E to Appendix
B of the FS.
         The groundwater cleanup goals are also  inappropriate
because they, may not be measurable.  It may be difficult for
laboratories to determine whether the groundwater cleanup goals
are met, due to the laboratories' inability to reach detection
limits as low as the proposed cleanup goals.  A comparison of
EPA's listed contract-required detection limits  (CROLs), &&&
Attachment B to Appendix B of the FS, with the proposed Ewan
groundwater cleanup goals, see FS at 2-34, illustrates this
                             -  14  -

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difficulty.  Technical consultants working on Chrysler's behalf
contacted two laboratories participating in EPA's Contract
Laboratory Program (CLP) to inquire about their ability to
reach detection limits at or below the proposed groundwater
cleanup goals for the Ewan Site.  Both of the CLP laboratories,
ERCO and E3I, were skeptical about their ability, or that of
other CLP laboratories/ to meet the detection limits identified
                                    t,
in the FS for a number of contaminants.
         Both the soil and groundwater cleanup goals are thus
technically infeasible, and must be reevaluated.  EPA's own
guidelines note that "technical factors," including
"detection/quantification limits for contaminants, technical
limitations to restoration, [and] the ability to monitor and
control movement of contaminants," are among the "pertinent
factors for modifying the remediation goals within the
acceptable risk range."  53 Fed. Reg. at 51426.  Review of
these technical factors indicates that EPA should indeed
consider modification of the FS's proposed soil and groundwater
cleanup goals.  To formulate technologically achievable, and
therefore more appropriate, cleanup standards, additional
treatability testing and laboratory studies are needed.
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         C.   Even if the Class GW1 Standard Qualified as an
              ARAR, SARA's Waiver Principles Would Clearly
              Apply in This Case	
         Section 121(d)(4) of CERCLA provides for waiver of
ARARs under certain specified conditions.  While the Class GW1
standard is not an ARAR for the reasons set forth above, even
                               •
if the standard were eligible for ARAR status, at least two of
the statutory criteria for waiver would apply in this case.
              1.   The Class GW1 Standard Has Not Been
                   Consistently Applied	.  •	
         Section 121(d)(4)(E) provides that waiver is
appropriate when "the State has not consistently applied (or
demonstrated the intention to consistently apply) the standard,
requirement, criteria, or limitation in similar circumstances
and other remedial actions within the State."
42 U.S.C. § 9621(d)(4)(E).  In its proposed NCP, EPA noted that
State standards should not be applied "where there is evidence
that the State does not intend to apply them elsewhere."
53 Fed. Reg. at 51440.  According to the proposed NCP, "EPA
envisions using this waiver* when State requirements "[have]
never [been] applied because of a lack of applicability in past
situations,* or when State standards "have been variably
applied or inconsistently enforced."  IdL.
         To evaluate the appropriateness of granting a waiver
of a State requirement due to inconsistent application, EPA's
Interim Guidance on Compliance with ARARs recommends evaluating
                             -  16  -

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the application of the requirement to similar sites or response
circumstances, or examining the proportion of cases in which
the requirement was not applied out of the total number of
actions in which it could have been applied.  52 Fed. Reg.
32498 (Aug. 27, 1987).  In addition, an intention to
                               *
consistently apply a State standard may be evaluated through
such materials as site remedial planning documents.  Id.
         Applying these waiver guidelines to the Pinelands GW1
standard, it is clear that the standard has not been applied
consistently.  For example, at the Tabernacle Drum Dump Site,
located "in the northern region of the New Jersey Pine
Barrens," EPA Record of Decision, Tabernacle Drum Dump, at 5
(June 30, 1988), the Pinelands groundwater standard was not
used as an ARAR.  The NJDEP Memorandum identified above
confirms that the Pinelands groundwater standard was not
applied to the Tabernacle Site.  See Attachment E to Appendix B
of the FS.  In addition, the above-referenced letter from the
New Jersey Remedial Action Branch Chief regarding the
Tabernacle Site states that the Branch "dotes] not believe that
the non-degradation standard [of the Pinelands Comprehensive
Management Plan] is an applicable requirement."  Frisco Letter,
at 2.
         EPA has not only failed to apply the Pinelands
groundwater standard within the Pinelands Preservation Area,
which presumably is the area of greatest concern for which the
                             -  17 -

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standard would be most appropriate, but it also has recently
declined to apply the standard to nearby sites located outside
the Preservation Area.  See EPA Record of Decision, Ciba-Geigy
Chemical Corporation Site (April 24, 1989); EPA Record of
Decision, Cooper Road Dump (Segt. 30, 1987).
         Thus, the FS's attempt to apply the GW1 standard
appears to have been formulated solely for this case.  When
confronted with other Superfund sites located near the
Pinelands Preservation Area, EPA never applied, or expressed an
intention to apply, the GW1 standard.  Instead, EPA explicitly
stated that the Pinelands standard is nflt an applicable
requirement.  Hence, even if the class GW1 standard were to
qualify as an ARAR (which it does not), waiver of the standard
in this case would be fully appropriate.

              2.   Application of the Class GW1 Standard May
                   Result in Greater Risk to Health and the
                   Environment	
         Section 121(d)(4)(B) provides that an ARAR may be
waived when compliance with it at a particular facility would
result in greater risk to human health and the environment than
alternative options.  As is discussed in Part III of these
comments, the remedy that EPA has selected to satisfy the
stringent Class GW1 standard at the Ewan Property site presents
unnecessary environmental risks, by allowing discharges of
volatile organics through extensive excavation of less heavily

                             -  18 -

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contaminated soils.  The massive excavation process, needed in
order to utilize the solvent extraction portion of the soil
remedy, will release volatiles to the air that otherwise would
not be released in an uncontrolled manner.  Thus, the very
techniques used to reach the nearly-impossible cleanup
standards for the Central Pine Barrens may have the ironic
result of increasing public exposure^to hazardous materials.
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III.     THE REMEDY SELECTED BY THE FS IS NOT SUPPORTED BY
         ADEQUATE DATA	
         A.   The Existing Data Base Does Not Support  EPA's
              Attempt to Distinguish Between "Heavily
              Contaminated" and "Less Contaminated*  Soils
         As Chrysler noted in its comments on Operable Unit
One, there is no sound basis far distinguishing between
"heavily contaminated soils* and "less heavily contaminated
soils."  The FS for Operable Unit Two compounds the flaws  of
Operable Unit One by perpetuating this arbitrary distinction.
         The Agency's own treatability studies demonstrate that
EPA's attempt to draw a line between soil types is unsound and
unworkable.  In attempting to collect a composite sample of
heavily contaminated materials for treatment evaluation, the FS
relied on samples from an area previously classified as heavily
contaminated only to find that the soil sample was much more
diluted than expected; indeed, the sample met the cleanup goals
identified in the ROD for Operable Unit One for all but one
parameter (phenol).  In light of EPA's own difficulties in
differentiating between contaminated soils, Chrysler believes
that the Agency should reassess its approach to soil
contamination and limit the Operable Unit One
remedy — incineration — to drums and their contents.
         The results of the treatability study lend further
support to this approach.  The study found that the solvent
extraction/soil washing remedy, which the FS selected  for use

                             - 20 -

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on the less contaminated soils, was as effective against
•heavily contaminated soils."  Thus, if the FS's own analysis
of the solvent extraction/soil washing method is correct, soils
currently slated for incineration as part of Operable Unit One
could be treated as part of Operable Unit Two while still
                               •
protecting public health and the environment.  An additional
advantage to such an approach is that the unit cost of solvent
extraction/soil washing is significantly lower than that for
incineration, thereby satisfying CERCLA's cost-effectiveness
requirement.  Sflfl 42 U.S.C. 9621(a).  Together with EPA's
inability to distinguish between heavily contaminated and less
heavily contaminated soils, the Agency's evaluation of the
solvent extraction/soil washing remedy suggests that the most
effective and efficient approach to the site's soil
contamination problem is to treat all of the soil together and
reserve incineration for drums and their contents.

         B.   The Existing Data Base Does Not Support the FS's
              Evaluation of the Extent and Nature of Soil
              Contamination	
         The FS's selection of an appropriate remedy is based
in part on the Agency's assessment of the extent and nature of
soil contamination at the site.  That assessment, however, is
based on flawed assumptions and interpolations from
widely-spaced data which, to the extent they are useful at all,
                             - 21 -

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suggest that the FS's selected remedy is not  well-suited to  the
conditions at the Ewan site.
         Based on soil-gas screening, geophysical  surveys and
soil samples from a limited number of test pits and soil
borings, the FS concludes that there are 22,000 cubic yards  of
                               •
"residually contaminated soil* requiring remediation as part of
Operable Unit Two.
         There is virtually no data that supports  such a
conclusion.  First, while soil-gas screening  and geophysical
surveys provide useful "first cut" information on possible
locations of areas of past waste disposal and contamination,
they cannot serve as a substitute for detailed investigations
into the nature and extent of the contamination.  Although the
FS suggests that such investigations may be underway, the
results of these investigations were not provided to Chrysler.
A second key difficulty is that the number of soil explorations
undertaken to confirm the presence of contaminated
materials — eight test pits and thirteen soil borings — is
insufficient considering that the area of potential concern
covers nine acres.  It is inconceivable that the kind of
thorough assessment of site conditions necessary for the
development of a ROD could be made on the basis of twenty-one
widely-spaced soil explorations, almost half of which failed to
detect contamination levels in excess of proposed cleanup
goals.  In addition, of the site explorations which detected
                             - 22 -

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significant contamination levels, the contamination was found
either in surficial or in deeper soils, but not both.  Thus,
the FS's assumption that both layers of soil would always need
to be treated is not consistent with the data.  Finally, the
FS's assumption of an average depth of excavation of eight feet
below ground surface, approximately two feet below the average
water table in this area of the site, is not supported by the
laboratory data collected to date.  As a result, EPA has
included "soil" in its estimate that is at or below the
groundwater table, and it also has assumed - without support —
that all levels of soil are contaminated.
         In addition to failing to adequately assess the volume
of contaminated soil, the limited data collected during the RI
fail to provide an accurate picture of the identity and
distribution of the soil contaminants — an essential element
of the remedial selection piocess.  Of the eight test pits
excavated in Area A, volatiles were detected in only four.
Contaminant concentrations were found to exceed proposed soil
cleanup goals in only three of the eight test pits.  In
addition, of thirteen soil borings installed in Area A,
contaminant concentrations Above proposed soil cleanup goals
were observed in only eight of the borings; only six borings
had levels of one or more metals in excess of the proposed soil
cleanup goals.  Volatile organics were detected in excess of
proposed soil cleanup goals in three of the same borings, and
                             - 23  -

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in surficial soil samples only rrom three other borings.
Semi-volatile organics were observed in only two of the
thirteen borings.
         These data indicate that the site is characterized by
smaller, localized areas of contamination, due to past waste
burial in pits and trenches, rather than the 22,000 cubic yards
of contamination estimated by the FS.  Moreover, the data
                                    t,
indicate that volatile organics are the most widely distributed
class of compounds on the site, while metals and semi-volatile
organics have been detected above proposed soil cleanup goals
in only a limited number of locations.  As a result of EPA's
failure to assess the implications of this data, the Agency has
identified an inappropirate remedial alternative as its
•preferred alternative," and has failed to consider
combinations of proven technologies that appear to be
well-suited to the Ewan Site's contamination pattern*

         C.   The FS's Soil Remediation Screening Process
              Improperly Excluded Cost-Effective Combinations
              of Technologies	
         The evaluation process conducted to screen the various
remedial alternatives for the Ewan Site failed to satisfy
CERCLA's statutory requirements, or EPA's own screening
guidelines, and it would be highly improper for EPA to issue a
ROD, which constitutes a final decision regarding the
appropriate remedy, based upon this insufficient evaluation.

                             - 24 -

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Section 121 of CERCLA requires that certain factors be
considered in the remedy-selection process.  For example, the
potential threat to health and the environment associated with
the proposed remedy, as well as its long-term maintenance
costs, must be considered.  Sfifij 42 U.S.C § 9621(b)(l).  The
guidelines contained in EPA's proposed NCP, which are based on
the statute, state that the remedy screening process involves
                                    ':
"a preliminary evaluation of the relative effectiveness,
implementability, and cost of the alternatives."  53 Fed. Reg.
at 51427.  The purpose of the screening process is to "ensurEe]
that the number and the types of alternatives carried forward
matches the nature and complexity of the site problems," id. at
51428, since "EPA believes that it often will be the case that
the most appropriate solution for a site will involve a
combination of methods of achieving protection of human health
and the environment."  id. at 51423.
         It is clear that the full range of treatment options
was not considered in the FS, as the statutory and agency
guidelines require.  As described above/ EPA relied upon an
erroneous conclusion — that substantial volwnes of soil are
contaminated with several classes of contaminants — to select
the solvent extraction/soil washing treatment alternative.
Because the limited data indicate that the site is in fact
characterized by smaller pockets of unevenly distributed
contaminants, and because the differing distribution patterns
                             -  25  -

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of volatiles and metals should have a significant impact on the
identification and evaluation of treatment technologies, other
treatment alternatives are available and need to be considered
as part of the FS process.
         One technology alternative eliminated from
                               •
consideration by EPA but requiring further study is in-situ
soil vapor extraction, also known as vacuum extraction or soil
venting, which is well suited to the remediation of
volatiles-contaminated, unsaturated-zone soils.  Although the
FS acknowledged that this treatment technology "is generally
useful in reducing organic contamination, particularly
volatiles," FS at 2-43, its use for the Ewan Site was rejected
because EPA believed it might not affect inorganic, and in some
cases semi-volatile, contamination, thus requiring the use of
additional technologies to address this contamination.  Id.
EPA also noted that environmental and process control of
in-situ reaction processes is much more difficult than
above-ground processes,  id.
         EPA's reservations notwithstanding, the soil vapor
extraction option has several advantages which the FS has
completely overlooked.  First, trench-based vapor extraction
systems have been used to successfully remediate
unsaturated-zone soil under shallow water table conditions.   In
addition, this approach is extremely cost-effective; cleanup  to
detection limit levels has been demonstrated at costs ranging
                             - 26  -

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from $20 to $50 per cubic yard for large sites.  Also, because
vapor extraction eliminates the release of volatiles associated
with soil remediation technologies requiring excavation, it may
be more protective of public health and the environment.
Moreover, vapor extraction is a demonstrated technology which
                               *
is widely used for remediating the type of granular soil
present at the Ewan Property Site.
                                     *.
         It is possible, as the FS asserts, that vapor
extraction may not fully address inorganic or semi-volatile
contamination.  However, this technology could still be
effectively utilized in combination with other treatment
options; as noted above, EPA "believes that it often will be
the case that the most appropriate solution for a site will
involve a combination of methods."  53 Fed. Reg. at 51423.
Accordingly, smaller volumes of soil contaminated with
semi-volatiles and metals could be remediated using several
methods, none of which were considered in the FS.  For
instance, the soil could be treated on-site via a
microencapsulation-based solidification method, such as the
service offered by HAZCOM, Inc. and hailed by EPA.
EPA/540/A5-89/001, May 1989.
         Remarkably, the FS failed completely to discuss or
analyze possible combinations of different cost-effective
treatment technologies including, for example, the use of
in-situ soil vapor extraction to address volatiles and
                             -  27  -

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supplemental additional approaches to treat semi-volatiles and
metals.  Relying on an extraordinarily sparse data base,  the FS
adopted an extraordinarily simplistic approach when screening
remedial alternatives,  with tens of millions of dollars  at
stake, and with the need to identify a workable and effective
remedy, EPA should not endorse this short-cut approach —
especially when much more comprehensive data will soon become
available which is directly relevant to the remedy selection
process.
         D.   The Predesign Work Scheduled in Connection With
              the Implementation of Operable Unit One Will
              Provide the Data Needed to Identify a Preferred
              Alternative for Operable Unit Two	
         The proposed pre-design study incorporates numerous
elements specifically designed to provide a more comprehensive
understanding of the composition and extent of contamination at
the Ewan site.  The five most critical elements of the proposed
pre-design study in this respect are:  (1) a supplemental
geophysical study; (2) a soil gas analysis; (3) a soil
sampling/test pit program; (4) an incineration study; and
(5) aquifer testing for dewatering excavation.  All of these
analyses will provide extensive data that will assist EPA in
identifying an appropriate remedy for Operable Unit Two.
         The supplemental geophysical study will further
                                                  .^
delineate the extent of buried drums and provide a basis for
                                                  •»
evaluating the need to implement dewatering of the excavation.
                             - 28 -

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The study will also be useful in identifying areas which should
be directly investigated in the soil sampling/test pit program.
         The soil gas analysis will delineate areas of source
contaminants and more closely define shallow groundwater
contamination.  The data compiled from this analysis will be
                               *
useful in further defining excavation limits and clarifying the
distribution of volatile contaminants across the site.
                                    ».
         The proposed pre-design study also envisions a program
of soil sampling in conjunction with extensive test pitting
which will collect visual and analytical data for source
characterization and help in further defining limits of
contamination/ developing a more accurate estimate of the
number of drums and evaluating the need for dewatering of the
excavation.
         The incineration study wii:i help differentiate between
wastes appropriate for thermal destruction and wastes that are
more suitable for other treatment tochnologies.
         Finally, the pre-design study provides for limited
aquifer testing to collect the required design parameters
associated with the implementation of a temporary dewatering
system for use during waste excavation activities.  This
undertaking will provide invaluable information that can be
used in subsequent predesign.
         Clearly/ the proposed pre-design study will collect
extensive data relating to the characterization of the site,
                             -  29  -

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including waste descriptions/ disposal characteristics/
subsurface conditions, dewatering requirements/  and visual
analysis.  In light of the fact that this critical information
will be available in the near future/ there is simply no
justification for formulating a, remedy for Operable Unit Two
without it.
         E.   There Are Serious Issues Related to the FS's
              Preferred Soil Remediation Alternative That Have
                  Been Addressed
         EPA's preferred remedial alternative for
residually-contaminated soil (the solvent extraction/soil
washing technique) involves the on-site excavation and
treatment of soil/ followed by soil rinsing/ and the off-site
incineration of spent solvent.  Despite EPA's assertion that
"treatability studies for the preferred alternative/ Solvent
Extraction/Soil Washing/ have shown that the cleanup goals for
the soils can be attained/" FS Summary at IS/ it is by no means
certain that EPA's chosen remediation alternative can
accomplish the soil cleanup goals proposed in the FS.  In fact/
the solvent extraction/soil washing bench-top treatability
testing performed on Ewan Property Site soil samples indicated
that the proposed cleanup goals were not met.  Sfifl Appendix E
to FS at E-18.  In particular/ the testing indicated that
metals would not be substantially removed through solvent
extraction/soil washing.  Id.
                             - 30 -

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         In addition to questions regarding overall
effectiveness, EPA's chosen soil remediation technique raises
other issues of concern.  For example, in selecting the solvent
extraction/soil remediation alternative, EPA did not adequately
examine the potential dangers resulting from the release of
volatiles associated with excavation.  The FS merely notes that
"[a]ir monitoring may be necessary during the excavation."  FS
at 2-80.  Such excavation-related releases have the potential
to pose a threat to human health and the environment, and their
impact must be fully considered before a final remedy choice is
made.
         Another issue raised by the choice of the solvent
extraction/soil remediation alternative is EPA's proposal that
the solvent triethylamine (TEA) be used for extraction at the
Ewan Site, even though there are serious drawbacks to the use
of TEA.   First, the removal efficiency of TEA is doubtful.
During the bench-scale treatability testing, extraction with
TEA did not substantially reduce volatile and semi-volatile
organic compounds beyond that achieved with water,  id.
Moreover, tlie use of TEA solvent extraction technology is still
somewhat experimental.  TEA solvent extraction has not yet been
demonstrated in full scale applications for the treatment of
contaminated soil; EPA's own Hazardous Waste Engineering
Research Laboratory acknowledges that treatment of contaminated
soil vi;i solvent extraction "is still considered an emerging
                             - 31  -

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technology requiring further development and refinement."
Conversation with Ed Bates, U.S.  Environmental Protection
Agency, Aug. 31, 1989.
         Yet another problem presented by the use of TEA is its
very low odor threshold.  The inevitable release of even minor
amounts of TEA during soil excavation and processing will
create a serious nuisance to on-site workers and nearby
residences.  In addition, low levels of residual TEA are likely
to remain in the treated soil that will be backfilled on the
site.
         The FS failed to address anv of these serious
deficiencies at the same time that it stated its preference for
use of the solvent extraction/soil washing technique for soil
remediation.  Further analysis, including consideration of
other remedial alternatives, is essential before a final
decision can be reached regarding the most appropriate means of
meeting soil cleanup goals.

         F.   The FS's Recommended Groundwater Pumping Scheme
              la Not Supported by Sufficient Data	^	
         The proposed groundwater remedy is not backed by
sufficient data with respect to either the age of the
groundwater contamination or aquifer properties.  These  issues
must be addressed before an appropriate remedy can be developed,
         At the present time, there is no firm basis for
determining when the groundwater contamination originated.  The
                             -  32 -

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observed contamination may have originated when the drums were
first buried more than thirteen years ago; conversely, the
observed contamination could be the result of recent drum
deterioration in which case the groundwater plume would be
relatively young.  This uncertainty/ in conjunction with the
lack of information on the vertical distribution of groundwater
contaminations and uncertainties in transportation rates, makes
it impossible to determine the optimum locations for extraction
wells.
         The FS is similarly deficient with respect to data
related to aquifer properties.  The estimate of the aquifer's
transmissivity was based on small scale, short duration, field
tests.  Chrysler's technical consultants reviewed these test
results in conjunction with a mass balance calculation (areal
recharge versus ambient groundwater flow) and determined that
the minimum volume of groundwater which needs to be pumped may
be greater than that indicated in the FS.  In addition, the FS
did not include direct measurements of organic carbon.  This
omission is critical because the pumping duration required by
the FS was based on a simplistic analytical model used by EPA's
consultant which is very sensitive to the percentage of "organic
carbon present in the aquifer.  Consequently, both the pumping
rate and the pumping duration are no more than educated guesses.
         The FS also used an overly simplistic method to
estimate the number of required wells.  It did not consider the
                             - 33  -

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potential inefficiency generally associated with pumping at
higher rates.  (The capture zone of withdrawal wells increases
with increased pumping rates.  Thus, at larger pumping rates
more uncontaminated groundwater is generally withdrawn than
with pumping at a lower rate; albeit for longer durations.)
Additionally/ computer analyses of the proposed scheme
indicates that the withdrawal/injection, presented in the FS,
may not create a hydraulically isolated zone.
         These flaws in the FS clearly demonstrate that more
data is necessary before the proposed remedy can be properly
evaluated.  The logical approach is to use information obtained
during the drum removal process, in conjunction with monitoring
and pump testing, to develop the required data base.  Visual
observations made during drum removal should provide an insight
into the age of the .groundwater contamination.  (Open or
crushed drums and heavy contaminated soils versus rusted drums
in generally clean soils.)  These data, together with
additional information on aquifer properties, will allow for a
far more detailed evaluation of the required size of the
withdrawal system.  Once such information is developed, studies
can be undertaken to evaluate the costs and benefits of using
various pumping rates and pumping durations.
                             - 34  -

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IV.      CONCLUSION
         The FS for Operable Unit Two for the Ewan Property
Site* is seriously deficient.  The cleanup standards proposed
by the FS are improper and inapplicable to the Ewan Site, and
thus violate the statutory requirements of Section 121 of
CERCLA.  in addition, EPA has failed to comply with the
relevant remedy selection requirements and, as a result, has
proposed inappropriate remedial alternatives.  A ROD issued at
this time would be based on inadequate data, improper
standards, and non-compliance with CERCLA's statutory mandate.
Therefore, EPA should await additional information and further
analysis, as will be forthcoming in the predesign work for the
site, before issuing the ROD for the Ewan Site.
4102g/0887o
                             - 35 -

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                Appendix C.2

United states Environmental Protection Agency
                  Responses

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          United States Environmental Protection Agency
                 Response to the Comments for the
             Operable Unit Two Feasibility study and
                 Operable Unit Two Proposed Plan
              for the Evan Property as presented by
                   Chrysler Motors Corporation


1.  Evan Property Site Location

Chrysler Motors Corporation  (Chrysler) alleged that the remedial
objectives for the Operable Unit Two remediation at the Evan
Property were unsubstantiated.  The United States Environmental
Protection Agency's (EPA) review of these comments indicates that
Chrysler has misunderstood the site location and the applicabil-
ity of the regulations supporting the Operable Unit Two remedial
goals.                               ';

The New Jersey Pinelands area is regulated by both the New Jersey
Pinelands Commission (NJPC) and the New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection (NJDEP).

NJPC, in accordance with the New Jersey Pinelands Comprehensive
Management Plan, divides the New Jersey Pinelands into ten
specific areas: Preservation Area, Forest Areas, Agricultural
Production Areas, Special Agricultural Production Areas, Rural
Development Areas, Regional Growth Areas, Pinelands Towns,
Military and Federal Installation Areas, Pinelands Villages, and
areas within the Pinelands National Reserve but outside the State
designated Pinelands Area.

NJDEP identifies a portion of the New Jersey Pinelands as the
Central Pine Barrens Area.  The Central Pine Barrens Area is
defined by drainage basins located within southern New Jersey
Pinelands.  The defined region of the Central Pine Barrens is
described in the New Jersey Administrative Code, Title 7, Chapter
9, Subchapter 6, Section 7, Subsection (c) (N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.7(c)):

     The Central Pint* Barrens Area (The Boundary of the
     Central Pine Barrens is further clarified by the
     Official Map wh:ich is available for review at the New
     Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division
     of Water Resources or appropriate county planning
     board, board of health, or municipality.) boundaries
     will underlie the following surface water drainages;

          1.   Mullica River Watershed:  . .  .

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          2.   Cedar Creek (Lacey Township and tri-
               butaries upstream of Route 9,  (head of
               tide) surrounded by the northern ridge-
               line; and the southern ridgeline west of
               the Garden State Parkway and the south-
               ern ridgeline (between the Garden State
               Parkway and Route 9) as defined by Lacey
               Road, Manchester Avenue, and Haines
               Road.

          3.   All fresh waters west of the Garden
               State Parkway bounded by the Mullica and
               Cedar Creek (Lacey Township) watersheds.

          4.   Toms River Watershed: . . .

          5.   Rancocas Creek Watershed: . .  .

          6.   The Central Pine Barrens boundary
               underlies the surface Water drainages in
               the following State and National Park,
               Forests, and Fish and Wildlife lands:
               • • #

Chrysler believes that the New Jersey Pinelands Preservation Area
and New Jersey Central Pine Barrens have the same boundaries.
This is incorrect.  A review of the New Jersey Pinelands
Comprehensive Management Plan indicates which areas of the New
Jersey Pinelands are classified as the New Jersey Pinelands
Preservation Area.  Application of the previously quoted N.J.A.C.
7:9-6.7(c) to a reliable map of New Jersey, or review of the pre-
viously mentioned NJDEP Official Map, indicates the area known as
the New Jersey Central Pine Barrens.  Further comparison of these
two areas illustrates that there is some overlap but not a con-
tinuous overlay.

Chrysler was correct in stating that the Ewan Property is located
outside of the New Jersey Pinelands Preservation Area.  In fact,
NJPC has determined that the Ewan Property is presently located
within an Agricultural Production Area and Rural Development
Area.  However, as determined by NJDEP and N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.7(c),
the Ewan Property is located within the boundary of the Central
Pine Barrens.

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2.  Consistency of Regulatory Application to Previous New Jersey
    Finalands superfund Records of Decision

Chrysler also commented that application of N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.6(a)
to the Ewan Property ground water remediation would be incon-
sistent with previous EPA Region 2 signed Records of Decision.
EPA's review of the Chrysler comments indicates an apparent
confusion concerning the "GW1 standards" in the N.J.A.C.
7:9-6.6(a) regulation.  According to Chrysler, the "GW1 standard"
would require remediation of the contaminated ground water to
"background" concentrations.

In the Operable Unit Two Proposed Plan (the first of EPA's two
decision documents for Operable Unit .Two) EPA identified three
promulgated, quantitative, numerical regulations as the goals for
the Operable Unit Two ground water remediation: the Federal Safe
Drinking Water Act (SWDA) Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) con-
tained in 40 CFR Part 141 and 40 CFR Part 143; and the State of
New Jersey SWDA MCLs contained in N.J.A.C. 7:10-5, N.J.A.C.
7:10-7; and N.J.A.C. 9:7-6.6(a).  EPA considers only these pro-
mulgated, quantitative, numerical portions of the Central Pine
Barrens criteria rsee the N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.6(a) GW-1 Criteria) as
applicable regulations. Although N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.6(a) contains
several non-numerical standards, EPA has selected the numerical
remedial goals for these substances from either the of MCL list-
ings found in the Federal and State SWDA.  The NJDEP disagrees
with this selection.  Attached is the NJDEP letter and the EPA
response.

Chrysler also stated that the Cooper Road Dump and Ciba-Geigy
Records of Decision did not advocate the use of any New Jersey
Pinelands related regulations as remedial goals.  Since neither
site is located within the New Jersey Pinelands these regulations
are not applicable or relevant and appropriate to those sites.

Chrysler indicated that the Lang Property was determined to be
located in both the New Jersey Central Pine Barrens area and the
New Jersey Pinelands Preservation Area.  Chrysler further claimed
that EPA did not use the "GW1 standards", but chose to use only
State and Federal standards in determining a remedy for the Lang
Property.  The State standards referred to in the Lang Property
Record of Decision include the numerical portions of the Central
Pine Barrens criteria (see the N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.6(a) GW-1
Criteria).  Furthermore, the Lang Property Record of Decision was
signed prior to the enactment of the Superfund Amendments and
Reauthorization Act (SARA).  SARA requires the use of more strin-
gent applicable or relevant and appropriate State requirements.
Therefore, Chrysler's argument is irrelevant.

-------
The Evan Property Proposed Plan cites the same ARARs that were
identified in the Lang Property Record of Decision,  which in-
cludes the promulgated, quantitative, numerical Central Pine
Barrens criteria (see the N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.6(a)  GW-l Criteria).


3.  Technical Feasibility of Proposed Alternative

EPA has determined that the remedial goals selected in the
Operable Unit Two Proposed Plan can be reached.  The contrary
opinion presented by Chrysler's consultants was unsupported by
technical evidence.

Furthermore, Chrysler claimed NJDEP "conceded" the Ewan Property
ground water remediation may be unobtainable.   NJDEP never
conceded that the ground water remediation was impossible.  It
merely indicated that the Central Pine Barrens criteria (see the
N.J.A.C. 7:9-6.6(a) GW-l Criteria) contain standards which may be
difficult to reach.


4.  Analytical Detection Limits

Chrysler claimed that the detection limits required to recognize
the remedial goals do not exist.  The Operable Unit Two
Feasibility Study activities (treatability studies and ground
water sampling) used published analytical methods.  These an-
alytical methods had detection limits more sensitive than the
Contract Required Detection Limits used in the EPA Contract
Laboratory Program (siee the attached NUS Corporation response).


5.  Less Risk to Human Health and the Environment

Chrysler alleged that excavation of the residual contaminated
soils would result in a discharge of volatile emissions.

However, Chrysler failed to recognize that EPA will implement
site monitoring and contingency plans should volatile emissions
begin to occur.  These plans include engineering measures to in-
sure the protection of public health and the environment while
Operable Unit Two is in operation.  Furthermore, similar soil
excavations conducted in Region 2 have not resulted in any  sig-
nificant discharges of volatile organic contaminants.

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6.  Soil Tr«atability study

Chrysler has maintained that the treatability studies conducted
for the soils were an attempt to differentiate heavily contam-
inated materials from residually contaminated soils.

The only goal of the treatability studies was to determine the
remedial effectiveness of solidification and solvent washing in
removing contaminants from the Ewan Property soils.  To make this
determination two types of soils were used in the studies; soils
which were heavily contaminated by source waste material, and
soils which were slightly contaminated.

EPA used the heavily contaminated soi,ls to evaluate the effect-
iveness of the technologies in the studies on materials which
could potentially be missed in the Operable Unit One Remedial
Action.  The slightly contaminated soils were used to determine
the effectiveness of the processes on soils which are anticipated
to be present at the conclusion of the Operable Unit One Remedial
Action.

EPA realizes that some refinements are required to optimize the
soil extraction procedure (see the attached NUS Corporation re-
sponse) .  The Treatability Studies were conducted to provide pre-
liminary evidence concerning the remedial effectiveness of the
technology in question.  The Operable Unit Two Record of Decision
will refer to the Pre-Remedial Design studies needed to identify
the specific process to be used in the implementation of solvent
extraction.

Furthermore, when EPA selects the process of On-Site Solvent
Extraction followed by Soil Washing, decision it is not limited
to the process used in the Treatability Study.  Although tri-
ethylamine was used in a patented solvent extraction process, EPA
will not limit the Operable Unit Two Pre-Remedial Design studies
to repeating the Treatability Studies.  The evidence provided by
the solvent extraction treatability study illustrated that the
technology could work at the Ewan Property and fulfill Superfund
statutory requirements.

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7.  Remedial summary

At present, Operable Unit One is a full year behind schedule due
to protracted negotiations with Chrysler.  Delaying a remedial
decision on Operable Unit Two would slow down the site remed-
iation further.  These delays would permit the ground water con-
taminated plume to continue to migrate.  EPA believes that there
is enough data available to make a decision at the present time.


            Water Remedy Selection
EPA believes that the ground water remediation should to begin
immediately following the source waste treatment.  Therefore, the
design of the ground water system should begin as soon as poss-
ible.  Delay of the ground water remedial design would allow the
contaminated ground water plume to continue to migrate.  EPA
believes the advantages of treating the plume at an early stage
are:

   • Reduced likelihood of human ingest ion of contaminated ground
     water;

   • Earlier treatment of presently deteriorated portion of New
     Jersey Pinelands natural resources;

   • Construction and operation of a smaller treatment plant;

   • Earlier completion of the site remediation; and

   • Increased cost-effectiveness.

EPA believes that the remedial objectives for both soil and
ground water are feasible (see the attached NUS Corporation re-
sponse) and that remedial designs and actions can be developed to
meet these goals.  EPA maintains that an applicable ground water
remedial goal for the Ewan Property is contained in N.J.A.C.
7:9-6. 6(a).  Contrary to Chrysler's conclusion, N.J.A.C.
7: 9-6. 6 (a) contains numerical and quantitative standards for
thirty of thirty-six listed pollutants and chemical substances.
Other promulgated regulations which directly relate to remed-
iation of the Ewan Property ground water (and the EPA Ground
Water Protection Strategy) are the Federal SWDA MCLs and the
State of New Jersey SWDA MCLs (see the Operable Unit Two Proposed
Plan for the Ewan Property) .

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     Soils Remedy Selection

Chrysler has stated that the volume and distribution patterns of
the volatile organic compounds and metals will affect remedial
technology selection.  The waste disposal practices at the Ewan
Property involved random placement of wastes within trenches.
Therefore, since each drum may contain different waste, no dis-
cernable waste patterns can be identified.

Chrysler has also stated that the solvent extraction method is an
unproven technology.  The EPA March 1988 Record of Decision
Update identifies the selection of solvent extraction for two
other Superfund sites: Palmetto Wood and Davis Liquid Waste.
Furthermore, a solvent extraction process is already being used
in the cleanup of the General Refining Superfund site (see the
attached NUS Corporation response).

-------
     IMUS
     CORPORATION

WAST* MANAOBMBNT 8BBVICBB OROUP

 >ARK WEST TWO
  IFF MINE ROAD
PirrsetJRGH. PA 1327S-1O71
|4i si 7sa-ioea
                                  September 20, 1989
                                  NUSP/89-0827
     Mr.  Craig DeBiase
     Remedial  Project Manager
     U S  Environmental  Protection Agency
     Region  II
     26 Federal Plaza
     New  York,  New York 10278

     Subject:   REM III  PROGRAM  - EPA CONTRACT NO. 68-01-7250
            '   EWAN PROPERTY SITE, NEW JERSEY
               RESPONSE TO  CHRYSLER MOTOR COMMENTS OF
               SEPTEMBER 11. 1989	

     Dear Mr.  DeBiase:

     Attached are the REM  III responses to Chrysler Motor
     comments  Executive Summary Section B,  Section  II item B.2,
     and  Section III  items A,  B,  C,  E, and F.   These comments
     were contained in  the  letter dated September 11, 1989, from
     David J.  Hayes to  James P. Rooney, Esq. and you.

     If you  need further assistance, do not  hesitate to call.

                                  Very truly yours,   ,
                                   Debra  M Wroblewski
                                   Site Manager
     DMW:vlp

     Attachment

     cc:    G  Latulippe
           D  Knapp
     File:  W  A No.  130-2LA5
           Daily

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               Chrysler Motors Corporation
         Final Operable Unit Two Feasibility Study
             Comments of September  11, 1989
Section I **  Executive Summary

B.  Remedy Selection

Response Paragraph No. 1:

The materials to be  considered as part of Operable Unit  One
are  the  drums  and their contents  and  the  heavily
contaminated materials  (not  soils) associated  with  the
drums.   The drums and their contents are obviously more
readily  identifiable.   The purpose  0f  adding  "the heavily
contaminated materials associated  with  the drums" was to
prevent material that has leaked from or is unintentionally
released from the drums  from being left at the site until
Operable- Unit Two activities are  initiated.   This material
would be considered  a primary source of  contamination in
that  it  is a concentrated waste potentially in direct
contact with the water table.   The residually contaminated
soil  would  be considered  a secondary  source  of
contamination,  in that  contaminants  leach more  slowly from
it into the groundwater.

Response Paragraph No. 2:

The  alternative includes  the  use  of a  solvent  followed by
water.   Triethylamine  (TEA)  was the  solvent  used  for
discussion  and costing purposes  in the Feasibility  Study
(FS).  Also, during  excavation there is a potential for  air
emissions,  as stated in the  FS.   Contingency  plans,  etc.
will need to be  prepared  during the Remedial  Design  (RD)
phase.   TEA' functioned well during our treatability studies
and odors are only  a problem if  there is a  leak in  the
system.   TEA  will  be  discussed further in response to
comment  Section III Item E.

Response Paragraph No. 3:

The pumping  sceneries presented in the FS were developed to
access  the  general  implementability and effectivness  of  a
groundwater collection  system that utilizes extraction
wells.   As   indicated  in the FS,  many pumping, systems  are
considered  viable  and  may be used during the  Remedial
Action (RA) .   The  system  to be used  will  be  developed
during the  RD phase.  other groundwater collection systems
(i.e.,  trenches) were eliminated  from consideration.
                           -1-

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As with  the response to  Paragraph 2, the  system is not
"required" to be implemented  exactly as we have outlined in
the FjS.   We selected pumping of the groundwater as the
technology to be  used  at  the site.   The  simplistic method
of estimating the  number  of  wells is for feasibility  study
purposes, not for design  purposes.  We feel that our system
meets the FS guideline for  developing  costs  that  are plus
50% minus 30%  (OSWER 9355.3-01).

Response  Paragraph No.  4 and  No. 5:

There is  the  potential  at  this site for  a variety of
contaminants to  be  associated with  each drum.   The
alternative  that is  recommended by EPA  is  considered to
provide  the  best overall remediation of contaminants at the
site.   The Remedial  Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS)
guidance documents  states  "For  those situations  in  which
numerous waste  management  options  are  appropriate and
developed,  the  assembled  alternatives may need to be
refined  and  screened to  reduce  the  number of altrenatives
that will be analyzed in  detail".   (OSWER 9355.3-01).

Further  details  are  provided in  responses made to comments
within Section III.

Section  II   Item B.2 pages 13-15:

The soil cleanup  goals are low because they are protective
of the  groundwater.   The goals for semi-volatile organics
were  met  after  solvent  extraction with triethylamine
(TEA).   Despite significant  volatile organic reductions
(99.998%) some  of  the goals  were not  attained.  Minor
adjustments to  the process (increased  temperature,  etc.)
should result  in lower concentrations.   It is anticipated,
based on the  results  of  the  ASTM  leaching procedure
conducted on  the TEA-treated samples,  that  inorganic
concentrations can be reduced to low levels (See  FS, page
E-19).  Solvent  extraction followed by a rinsing  step  (as
shown in  Figure  3-9,  page 3-27)  should  reduce the
concentrations of  both inorganics and organics to  very low
levels.   Refinement  of the  treatment process will  be
necessary during  the remedial  design stage.

The  groundwater treatment  systems outlined in the
feasibility study  are  anticipated  to attain  very  low
contaminant concentrations  in the aquifer  and are
representative  of the best available technologies.   The
methods  that  can  be  used  to  measure these low
concentrations include EPA method 524.1 and 524.2.  EPA or
the State may  have  a  preference for  either  of  these
methods.   We used method 524.2 through Revet  Environmental
and Analytical Laboratory  (through the Contract Laboratory

                          -2-

-------
Program)  for the supplemental  groundwater sampling
activities  (see  FS  at page 1-41).   The  goals  are,
therefore,  measurable.

Section III  The  Remedy Selected bv the  FS  is not Supported
by Adequate Data.

A.   The Existing Data  Base  does  not  Support EPA's Attempt
     to Distinguish between "Heavily Contaminated" and Less
     Contaminated"  Soils.

Response Item A:

As stated  in the  response  to  Paragraph No.  1  of  the
Executive Summary,  the terminology is "heavily  contaminated
materials"  and  "residually  contaminated soils".    The
commentors'  use of the phrases "heavily  contaminated soils"
and "less heavily contaminated soils" is not correct.   The
treatability study evaluated  the range  of contaminated
"soils"  (i.e.,  a discrete  worst case  and a composite
average).   The composite  sample  was  obtained from areas of
known soil  contamination that were  not considered to be
"heavily contaminated materials".  These soil  samples were
collected in an  effort  to examine  a range of situations
that  may be encountered  during Operable Unit Two.

The TEA  was effective  for  remediating the discrete worst
case soil  sample, not  heavily contaminated  materials.
These  worst case  soils  are included as  part of Operable
Unit Two.   The  fact  that  the worst  case  soils were
effectively treated allows for a contingency factor if  some
of  the  heavily  contaminated materials  are   are
unintentionally  left on the soils at the site after the
Operable Unit One activities.

B.   The Existing Data Base  does not  support  the FS' s
     Evaluation of  the  Extent  and Nature  of Soil
     Contamination.

Response Item B:

Our estimates  are very  conservative for both soil  and
groundwater volumes.  The FS does not require  22,000 cubic
yards of residually contaminated  soil to be treated.   The
22,000  cubic yards is  an estimate,  EPA could  require  only
soil  that exceeds cleanup goals  to be treated.

The potential areas of  concern is not nine acres;   study
Area  A is nine acres in  size.   During the RI  the affected
area  was estimated, conservatively,  to cover an area of
approximately  four acres.   The affected area is within
Area  A.  Based on geophysical surveys,  soil gas  screening,

                           -3-

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and both mobile laboratory and Contract Laboratory Program
(CLP)  sample  results, a focused area of approximately two
acres  (within  the  affected area)  is considered to require
remediation.   See FS Section  2.1.2 and Appendix C.   As
stated above,  the  estimate  of  22,000 cubic yards  is a
conservative estimate.

We agree that the site  is  characterized by localized  areas
of  contamination  (see  Figure  2-1 in the  FS) .   Seven
Igcalized areas  that are anticipated to  need remediation
are currently  considered.  It  is  anticipated that  these
localized  areas will  be  further subdivided, during the
design and  implementation phases  based  on information
obtained  from  Operable Unit  One activities.

C.   The FS's Soil  Remediation  Screening Process  Improperly
     Excluded Cost-Effective Combinations of Technologies.

Response Item C:

I-n  situ vacuum extraction  is  a   technology  tou remove
volatile  (Henry's  Law constant  >3xlO    atm-m /mole)
organic compounds  (VOCs) from soil  (EPA/540/2-88/004).   See
the attached listing of  Henry's Law  constants for the
organic  contaminants  detected at  the Evan Property Site
(Table 1).  As  can  be seen, vapor extraction is potentially
not effective  for many of the organic compounds found  at
this  site because their Henry's Law.  Constants are
significantly  less than 3x10  at m-m /mole.   Because
the trenches  will have  been excavated as part of Operable
Unit  One, preferential  flow  patterns and, therefore,
inconsistant  removal rates are anticipated.   Modeling  such
conditions  would also be very  difficult.

The  commentors  ignore  the  fact that site  specific
treatability study results are available for solvent
extraction and recommend the use  of  microencapsulation.
Microencapulation,  specifically HAZCON's  process,  is a
solidification/stabilization technology that  mixes
hazardous waste,  cement,  water and and additive called
Chloranan.   The additive is claimed  to encapsulate  organic
molecules so   that they do not retard  or inhibit
solidification.   HAZCON's process  was  demonstrated at a
site in Douglassville,  Pennsylvania.   One of  the  major
conclusions  is that TCLP results  for semi-volatiles (and
oil and grease)  were essentially the same for treated  and
untreated  samples.   Also, high  volume increases accompany
the treatment process.  (Handout at the Third International
Conference  on New Frontiers for Hazardous Waste Management,
Site  Demonstration  and  Evaluation  Branch,
September 7,  1989.)  The results  of  the SITE program's
demonstration prove  that the process is not effective  -for

                          -4-

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                         TABLE 1
PROPOSED CLEANUP GOALS FOR SOIL AND HENRY'S LAW CONSTANT
    EWAN PROPERTY SITE, SHAMONG TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY
Chemical
toluene
Methylene Chloride
Phenol
Trichloroethylene
Tetrachloroethylene
Ethylbenzene
Xylenes (total)
Acenaphthene
Di-n-butyl Phthalate
Butyl Benzyl Phthalate
4,4-DDE
4,4-000
4, 4 -DDT
Heptachlor Epoxide
Pentachlorophenol
Diethyl Phthalate
Di-n-octyl Phthalate
Bis(2-Ethylhaxyl)
Phthalate
Anthracene
Benzo( a) anthracene
Benzo(k) f luoranthene
Chrysene
Fluoranthene
Maximum
Concentration
Detected
(ug/kg)
570,000
77,000
77,000
8,100
24,000
20,000
77,000
9,700
2,500
27,000
50
170
17
ND
ND
ND
1,400
28,000
1,800
ND
ND
ND
2,300
Soil Cleanup
GoalU)
(wg/kg)
5.0
5.0
330
s 5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0
330
330
330
440
77
16
8
2,650
330
102,344
102,344
330
330
330
330
330
Henry's Law
Constant
atm-m3/mole
6.66 x 10-3
2.03 x 10-3
4.54 x 10-7
9.1 x 10-3
1.53 x 10-2
6.6 x 10-3
4.33 x 10-3
9.1 x 10-5
2.8 x 10-7
8.3 x 10-6
6.8 x 10-5
2.2 x 10-8
1.5 x 10-5
3.S x I0"t
2.8 x 10-6
1.2 x 10-6
1.7 x 10-5
3.0 x 10-7
8.6 x 10-5
1.0 x 10-6
3.87 x 10-5
1.05 x 10-6
6.5 x 10-6

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TABLE 1
PROPOSED CLEANUP GOALS FOR SOIL AND HENRY'S LAW CONSTANT
EWAN PROPERTY SITE, SHAMONG TOWNSHIP,  NEW JERSEY
PAGE TWO
Chemical
Fluorene
Phenanthrene
Pyrene
2-Butanone
2-Hexanone
2 -Methyl Naphthalene
4-Methyl-2-pentanone
Acetone
Dibenzofutan
2,4-Dimethyl Phenol
4-Methylphenol
Benzene
1,2-Dichlo roe thane
1 , 1 , 1-Tr ichloroe thane
Carbon Tetrachloride
1,1-Dichloroethene
Chloroform
Hapthalene
1 , 1-Dichloroethane
Tetrachloroethene
tran«-l , 2-Dichloroethene
Maximum
Concentration
Detected
(ug/kg)
2,100
77,000
MO
44,000
11
440,000
97,000
110,000
2,000
NO
ND
NO
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
NO
ND
24,000
ND
Soil Cleanup
Goald)
(ug/kg)
330
330
380
10
10
330
10
10
330
330
330
5.0
5.0
5.0
5.0.
5.0
5.0
330
5.0
5.0
5.0
Henry's Law
Constant
atm-mVmole
6.4 x 10-5
2.26 x 10-4
5.1 x 10-6
2.08 x 10-5
7.52 x 10-6
6.02 x 10-4
4.16 x 10-5
3.4 x 10-5
HA
1.7 x 10-5
2.37 x 10-7
5.5 x 10-3
9.14 x 10-4
3.0 x 10-2
2.3 x 10-2
1.9 x 10-1
2.8 x 10-3
4.6 x 10-4
4.26 x 10-3
1.53 X 10-2
6.7 x 10-2
ND   Not  detected at  concentrations higher  than contract
     required detection levels.
     No goal currently established.
U)   Basis for cleanup goals is described in Appendix B.
NA   Not  readily available.

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organics.   Since protection of the groundwater  at this site
is a major concern,  the  fact  that semi-volatile  organics
leach  at  essentially  the same  rate before and  after
treatment  is  a major concern.   In  fact, in the  abstract
from  the  paper  that  the  commentors  reference
(EPA/540/A5-89/001)  on  HAZCON's process if it states
11 ... the  process  does not  immobilize  volatile  or
semivolatile  organics  in most  instances..."  and  that
"...the  microstructure indicates  a potential  for
degradation over the  long term...".   This process,  as  if
currently  exists, should not be considered for use at this
site.

As with alternative  3S in  the FS, there is a  large volume
increase  and  the pH  of the  mass would  remain  high,
potentially causing detrimental effects to the sensitive
Pinelands  ecosystem.  As stated on page  2-1 of the FS, the
overall goal  of the site remediation  is to clean up the
site to its  orginal condition prior  to disposal,  thus
enabling unrestricted use of  the  area.   Placing  a  solid
mass back  onto the site would  not  attain this goal.  Our
treatability  studies for stabilization evaluated  lime,
flyash,  and a lime/flyash mixture in an effort  to stabilize
the inorganics without  creating a  solid  mass.    The
treatability  studies produced negative results.

Several major comparisons are:

o    The use  of microencapsulation for organics  is not
     proven effective.   Conversely,  positive site-specific
     treatability  study results were  obtained for solvent
     extraction.

o    With  in-situ  vacuum  extraction  followed  by
     microencapsulation, semi-volatile  organic compounds
     and inorganic  compounds  would remain at the  site.
     Conversely,  with Alternative  4S  volatile and
     semi-volatile  organics  and metals  are removed  from the
     site.

o    A  solid mass  of substantially more volume would be
     placed  back   on site after microencapsulation.
     Conversely, with Alternative 4S the treated loose soil
     would  be placed  back  on  site  and there  would  be no
     volume increase.

o    With  microencapsulation long-term monitoring would be
     required.  With  Alternative 4S   the contamination is
     removed  and  there  is no  potential  for  further
     contaminants to leach into  the  groundwater, therefore,
     no long-term maintenance  is expected.
                          -7-

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In conclusion,  as part  of our treatability  studies the
combination  of devolatilization followed by  stabilization
was  evaluated.   The  devolatilization step was conducted
under a vacuum (30 mmHg Absolute)  at elevated  temperatures
(130 C) .   The elevated temperature was used in an attempt
to remove volatile and semi-volatile organics.    Excellent
volatile  organics removal was  documented.  Semi-volatile
organics concentrations were not effectively reduced,  even
when subjected to elevated  temperatures.   Since a solid
mass was not desired,  cement was not tested.  Lime, flyash,
and a lime/flyash mixture were tested.   This combination of
different cost-effective treatment technologies was' not
effective as tested.

E.   There Are Serious Issues Related to the FS's Preferred
     Soil Remediation Alternative . That Have  Not  Been
     Addressed.                     •.

.Response Item E:

The  results shown  on page E-18  are after  the  solvent
extraction only.   The rinsing stage did  not  occur.   See
page E-19.   The  use of TEA increases the solubility of
inorganic compounds  suggesting  the potential  benefits of
subsequent  water washes.   The  ASTM Leachate results  shown
on page E-18 support this point  for rinsing following
extraction  with TEA.   Since hexane and water  had no
significant  removal  of metals and  since  their solubility
was not increased making  them easier to remove, we selected
the  use of  TEA  followed by water rinsing  as part of
Alternative 4S.

The  most significant potential for  volatile releases is
anticipated to occur during Operable Unit One.    It is
assumed that during excavation of the  drums volatile
emissions .will be controlled.    Costs  for controlling
volatile emissions were also  included for Operable Unit Two
activities,  however,  details  (foam, portable  structures,
etc.) is left until the design stage.

The  commentors again assume that  the FS requires them to
use TEA; this is not true.   However, responses to the  four
specific comments about the use  of  TEA are  provided.

o*   Based  on  the treatability studies that we  conducted,
     TEA  provided  the  best removal efficiencies for
     volatile and  semi-volatile  compounds.

                        	Removal Efficiencies	
     Parameters          TEA         Water          Hexane

     Semi-volatiles      99.8%       96%            98.7%
     Volatiles           99.998%     99.993%        99.97%
                           -8-

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As  can be  seen the  removal efficiency for TEA  is
slightly better than water or hexane.   However, the
commentors  overlook one very significant point.  The
process used for TEA increased the  solubility  of
inorganics enabling  then to be rinsed  from the soils.
This is not true for the processes  that  used water  or
hexane.   For these later two  processes, inorganics
would remain in the soil requiring further treatment.

The commentors state that TEA solvent extraction  is
somewhat  experimental and that an EPA representative
stated that it  is  an emerging  technology  requiring
further development and refinement.   A definition  of
terms problem exists  here.  The  EPA representative
means  that  the patented B.E.S.T  process (that uses
TEA) is an innovative  technology-developed, but not  in
widespread use.   The use  of the  term emerging
technology  is unfortunate  and not  correct here.
Emerging means that the  technology has not progressed
beyond tthe laboratory stage  of  development.   This  is
not the case with the B.E.S.T. process.

The B.E.S.T.  process dates  back  to  the mid  1970's
Resources  Conservation Company  (RCC) built the  first
truck mounted pilot  B.E.S.T.  unit  in 1975.  This unit
was operated at numerous sites and the data generated
at these sites was  used  to refine the  slurry handling,
continuous extraction, and solvent recovery/recycle
operations  of the  process.   In  1984,  RCC built the
second generation  B.E.S.T.  pilot unit  to develop the
data  necessary to design a full scale  commercial
B.E.S.T.  unit for  treating  RCRA  listed petroleum
refining oily sludges.  Data from this pilot unit was
used to design the  commercial  scale B.E.S.T. unit.

The full scale B.E.S.T.  unit was used at  the  General
Refining  Superfund site to  treat 3700  yd  of acidic
oily sludges.   At this site, soils were  slurried and
treated with this  unit.   Currently, RCC is operating a
third  generation pilot unit  to  develop  the data
necessary  to configure  a B.E.S.T. unit  specifically
for treating contaminated soils.

The process that is  used  by RCC  is  designed so that no
TEA will  be released into the air as air  emissions.
The only time an odor should be detected  is if there
is  a  leak  in the  system.   It a  worker,  or nearby
resident,  were to detect the odor  of  TEA this would
indicate that the system is not operating properly.

Low levels  (<200 ppm) of residual  TEA may be left  in
the treated soil (EPA-600/2-82-001a).   This amount  of
TEA is biodegradable in 11 hours by Aerobacter, a

                      -9-

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     common soil  bacteria.   After  treatment the  material
     may be staged for a period  before it  is  backfilled
     into the  excavated areas.  The TEA  remaining in the
     treated  soils is  ionically bound and  not volatile and
     as such  does not  cause  an odor problem.

F.   The FS's Recommended Groundwater Pumping Scheme is not
     Supported  bv  Sufficient Data.

Response Item F:

The  commentor again  wrongly assumes  that the  pumping
schemes developed in the FS  are required to be constructed
as  described.   Many viable pumping  schemes  may  be
considered in more detail  during  the  design  stage.  The
pumping schemes developed in the FS are used to  support, the
fact that  extraction  wells,  and not  some other type  of
collection  system (i.e.,  trenches),  are  implementable and
effective at  the site.
                          -10-

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