BMP55i£3M5ffE2r.-. w±i> ' '.SS' ' '«**' KVf..'. ', " " 1 ' . ... *,- \ ' ci' - • -:- • -' :•¦•• - ¦ '¦ * ¦ l.v-r''¦¦'¦/ ' v v ' > ; ¦¦.//,, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ROCKY MOUNTAIN-PRAIRIE REGION ACCOMPLISHMENT PLAN REGION VIII CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN AREA MARCH 1972 ------- £ 2,(oZ- gl 6^ c,. ACCOMPLISHMENT PLAN REGION VIII CHEYENNE RIVER BASIN AREA MARCH 1972 U.S EPA Region 8 Library 80C-L 999 18th SI , Suilc 500 Denver, CO 80202-2466 JOHN A. GREEN REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR DAVID D. EMERY ASSISTANT FOR PLANNING AND EVALUATION ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION VIII 1860 Lincoln Street, Suite 900 Denver, Colorado 80203 Phone: (303) 837-3983 ------- 1 2 2 3 4 4 9 12 14 15 16 17 19 TABLE OF CONTENTS GENERAL BROAD OBJECTIVES Water Quality Air Quality SPECIFIC TASKS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT Lead - Deadwood Facility Construction Grant Process Twenty Permits 3(c) Grant Analysis of Pollution from Tailings Piles Well Water Study Mercury Investigation of Oahe Reservoir Edgemont Monitoring Stations SPECIFIC TASKS AND ACCOMPLISHMENT PLANS FOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT MILESTONE CHARTS ------- SECTION 1 GENERAL The Cheyenne River Basin Area has been selected as one of Re- gion VIII's high priority areas for an abatement and control pro- gram for Fiscal Years 1972 and 1973. Significant pollution problems are found in the Cheyenne River Area. Municipal and industrial dis- charges threaten continued use of Lake Oahe and other rivers in the Cheyenne River Basin as major sources of water supply and for water- related agricultural and recreation activities in the area. This Accomplishment Plan addresses the needs of the Cheyenne River Basin Area. Specific tasks and plans of accomplishment have been developed to deal with the various air and water quality ob- jectives of Region VIII for this area. -1- ------- SECTION 2 BROAD OBJECTIVES 2.1 Water Quality Improve quality of Lake Oahe and rivers in the Cheyenne River Basin by abatement and control of water pollution caused by industrial and mu- nicipal wastes, specifically, those in the Lead-Deadwood area. Eliminate industrial discharges of 2735 tons per day of suspended solids into White- wood Creek and the Belle Fourche/Cheyenne River systems by October 1, 1974. Secondary treatment will be required of the municipalities of Lead-Deadwood by October 1, 1974. Determine the magnitude of pollution from buried mill tailings along Whitewood Creek, the Belle Fourche River, and the Cheyenne River. If rates of release of metals and toxic elements are in violation of water quality standards, plans for stabilization, including possible enforce- ment action, will be initiated. Target date for completion: October 1, 1972. Determine amount of mercury contamination in fish in Oahe Reservoir. Target date for completion: December 1, 1972. Set up monitoring stations near Edgemont to determine if excessive radiation is present. Monitor for six months to determine if enforcement action is necessary. Target date for completion: October 1, 1972. By means of the existing 3(c) grant with the BHCSD develop a plan to control basin-wide sediment, nutrient, and bacteria problems associated with: agriculture; recreation and second homesite development; mining ac- tivities; and construction and related disruption. -2- ------- 2.2 Air Quality Reduce emissions caused by Tepee burners by ensuring that the compliance schedule set forth in the South Dakota Air Implementation plan is met. -3- ------- SECTION 3 SPECIFIC TASKS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT 3.1 Lead-Deadwood Facility Construction Grant Purpose To expedite construction and completion of waste treatment fa- cilities for the Lead - Deadwood Sanitary District at the Centennial Prairie Site. Situation Whitewood Creek, the Belle Fourche River and the Cheyenne River in the Black Hills area of South Dakota are grossly polluted by mine tailings and process wastes from the Homestake Mining Company and munici- pal wastes from the cities of Lead and Deadwood. The Lead - Deadwood Sanitary District was organized to develop a sewerage system which would provide treatment of the combined municipal - industrial waste. The District's Engineers have recommended the construction of a waste stabilization pond which they claim will provide for adequate treat- ment and stabilization of the combined wastewater as well cis storage of tailings from the gold mining operations at a site known as the Centennial Prairie site. An application for $1,790,000 in Federal as- sistance under Section 8 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act was filed with the Environmental Protection Agency on April 12, 1971. Serious objections to the project were raised by landowners in the valley downstream from the site. Because of this and concern for -4- ------- other potential environmental hazards associated with the project, a draft environmental statement was prepared in December 1971, pursuant to Section 102 (2) (c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Subsequently, on December 21 and 22, a public hearing was held at Deadwood, South Dakota, by EPA pursuant to the same act. A final environmental impact statement has now been issued by the Regional Office. Action on the grant application will continue to be delayed until a decision is reached on the environmental review of the project and until the final environmental impact statement is completed and its recommendations are known. It will then be known if the project has been rejected or if it will be authorized to proceed. Assuming that the environmental review process will result in the au- thorization to proceed with the project, it will then be necessary to ex- pedite construction as soon as possible consistent with the required ad- ministrative and technical reviews; however, it will not be possible to meet the schedule set forth by the Western South Dakota Enforcement Con- ference of October 19 - 20, 1971. The delay is necessary to fully eval- uate environmental considerations. Approach Consideration will be given to the following measures for expedit- ing construction and completion of the project: 1. Environmental impact question will have to be resolved. 2. Tender a grant offer conditioned on completion of the project no later than 19 months after the start of construction. This is the -5- ------- indicated time required for construction in the application. 3. Schedule several pre-design conferences with the consulting en- gineers to reduce the time required for review and approval of the plans and specifications. 4. Work out a memorandum of agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation for their assistance in the technical review of the final plans and specifications for the project. Special assistance is needed in order to give an adequate review of the construction features of a 98 foot high dam and an 8 mile pipeline carrying mine tailings with a popula- tion equivalent load (based on S. S.) of 30 million people. Special technical assistance of this kind will speed review of the plans and specifications and permit advertisement for bids at an earlier date. 5. Solicit a companion review of the plans and specifications by the Enforcement Division to insure compliance with Enforcement Con- ference recommendations and requirements. 6. Investigate possible reduction of the time necessary for construc- tion by asking bidders to submit alternate bids based on different pro- scribed completion dates and comparing the additional costs against the benefits that would be derived. -6- ------- Interrelationships The Lead - Deadwood Sanitary District project has been endorsed by the conferees of the Western South Dakota Enforcement Conference. The District has been directed to comply with the following interim dates: By February 1,1972 - Plans to be completed By April 15, 1972 - Contract to be awarded By October 1, 1973 - Construction to be completed The District will not authorize preparation of final plans and specifications until the project passes through the environmental im- pact review process and a grant offer has been made. Consequently, compliance with this schedule cannot be met because of the delays in- volved in preparing an environmental impact statement and conducting a formal environmental hearing in connection with the review process. The conferees will be asked to adopt a new schedule. Any schedule de- veloped as part of this plan will have to be reconsidered if a different schedule is required by the conferees. There is also an interrelationship between the water quality standards implementation schedule and any schedule developed as part of this plan. The water quality standards call for the plant to be constructed and placed in operation by November 1, 1973. Plans and specifications for construction grants projects must first be approved by the State Water Pollution Control Agency before approval by EPA. -7- ------- Milestones The following milestones represent the best estimates that can be made at this time for implementation of the project and placing it into operation. April 15, 1972 April 17, 1972 May 1, 1972 June 1, 1972 November 15, 1972 January 15, 1973 March 1, 1973 October 1, 1974 - Complete environmental review pro- cedure. - Tender grant offer. - Meet with the Bureau of Reclama- tion to discuss future role and planned activities. - Complete Memorandum of Agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation. \ - Complete plans and specifications. - State and Federal approval of plans and specifications. - Award Contract. - Complete construction and place pro- ject in operation. Project Manager: Samuel Berman, Municipal Wastewater Treatment Branch. -8- ------- 3.2 Process Twenty Permits. Purpose To reduce wastewater flows and concentrations through the im- plementation of the Permit Program by setting special conditions in each of twenty permits that will require industries to meet water quality standards and to discharge effluents that have received no less than the equivalent of secondary treatment. Approach The work will be carried out principally by the Permits Branch of the Enforcement Division, but with the aid of the Surveillance and Analysis Division, Management Division (Computer Branch), and Air and Water Programs Division (Planning Branch). Inspections in the Cheyenne River Basin will be carried out by the Surveillance and Analysis Division and EPA's State Assignees and coordinated with the South Dakota Department of Health, Wyoming De- partment of Health and appropriate county health departments. Management Division support is planned for such items as up- dating and implementing computer programs, key punching data, etc. Water quality standards, metropolitan planning outputs, and systems analysis work are expected from the Air and Water Programs Division. Milestones The following milestones constitute the Permits Branch's plan of action that will, in effect, reduce the industrial waste discharges to the Cheyenne River and aid in upgrading the quality of the water. -9- ------- By September 1, 1972, inspections in the Cheyenne River Basin for the purpose of identifying uninformed or noncomplying industries completed. By October 1, 1972, completed applications obtained for all significant industries. By November 1, 1972, requests for State certification complet- ed for all significant industries. By February 1, 1973, interim effluent monitoring plan developed for the major industries; plan finalized on April 1, 1973. By March 1, 1973, technical reviews of applications from signi- ficant industries in Cheyenne River Basin completed; special permit conditions set to meet water quality standards, secondary levels of treatment, planning and institutional requirements, and water quality criteria set forth by the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife and coordinated with State departments of health; recommendations to Corps of Engineers completed. Unresolved Pol icy.Issues In a recent court decision, a Federal judge concluded that permits could not be issued for industrial wastes discharged to non-navigable streams and that discharges to navigable streams re- quire an environmental impact statement prior to the issuance of each permit. Both facets of this decision could have far-reaching impacts on the Cheyenne River. -10- ------- Under existing policy, the Permit Program has been constrained with regards to its applicability to feedlot operations. Only those feedlots having more than 1,000 animal units and having man-made point discharges of wastes presently fall under the Permit Program. The number of animal units criteria in this policy removes about 90 percent of the Basin's feedlots from the Refuse Act authority and the point discharge stipulation removes most of the remaining large operations that have diffuse discharges and cause water quality problems in the Cheyenne Basin. South Dakota has a permit program which addresses feedlots of 500 units. -11- ------- 3.3 3(c) Grant Purpose To ensure the development of a Water Quality Management Plan for the protection of water resources in the Cheyenne River Basin, and to supplement the Black Hill Conservancy Sub-District (BHCSD) Section 3(c) planning grant to achieve allied regional objectives for the basin. Situation A Section 3(c) grant was awarded to the BHCSD, October 1, 1970, for a three-year period ending October 1, 1973. This project is designed to meet the requirements of 18CFR601 for the Basin plan. The major water quality problems result from agricultural practices; recreation and second homesite developments; mining activities; and construction and related land disruption activities. Sediment, nu- trients, and bacteria are the quality parameters of greatest concern as they relate adversely to the major and increasing recreational use of impoundments in the Black Hills area. The grantee has submitted a project amendment proposal which is undergoing Regional review. This proposal has as its objective development of methods to control pollu- tion caused by rural residential development in a mountain environment. Interrelationships The Lead - Deadwood Homestake Mine problem is within the pro- ject area and is necessarily related to the project. However, due to -12- ------- the amount of effort programmed to solve the Riine problems it has not b£en Addressed in any detail by the 3(c) project. The project vN&UtfcS tyn'te stroncjly to the Sediment Control Act proposed by EPA. Milestones &v ApH? 20, 1972 - Assign Region liaison Officer fty ftpril 24, 1^72 - Act on grant amendment proposal By ^ 35, 1$71 - Regional personnel (Task Force) meet with erantee to develop supplemental needs including the development of a Sediment Control Conference. Provide continuous Jtegfonal Office monitoring of project unti"! its completion. ^resolved Pol icy Thfc poncy of EPA Its -Sedl^nt €«vnt:rcn nes not Peer defined, Ths propped -Ssdlsnent Control Act, 71 Ik IT the tote~ Pollution Con- trol he.i delineates FederaV>s?t\' 'vsw^itn^ties tor Seriimeni .Ion- t.rol, ^ro^vt 'fona^r '•, Patrick- 4Sr>d?i' , Cine--, Plarsr^po .Branch, .-M~ ar.c " " Wsie'- Progwjr,".;, D'i >' 1; - .or -13- ------- 3.4 Analysis of Pollution from Tailings Piles Purpose To ascertain and document the location and composition of buried tailings materials, including abandoned tailings piles, along White- wood Creek, the Belle Fourche River, and the Cheyenne River and the rates of release of heavy metals and toxic elements. Approach Suspected mill tailings deposits have been determined from aerial photographs by the NFICD. The Surveillance and Analysis Division will take limited field samples at the sites. Surveillance and Analysis, Technical Support Branch, will analyze the samples, including leaching for heavy metals and toxic elements. The rate of release of any of these elements will be determined. A report will be prepared document- ing samples and amounts released. The results may form the basis for enforcement action against the source to stabilize the tailings deposits. Milestones By April 1, 1972 - Collection of ground samples by Sur- veillance and Analysis Division. By May 1, 1972 - Laboratory analysis of samples. By June 1, 1972 - Completion of report on environmental impact on river system. By July 1, 1972 - Enforcement action, if required. Project Manager: John Hardaway, Surveillance and Analysis Division. ------- 3.5 Well Water Study Purpose To determine zinc, copper, mercury, selenium, cyanide, and arsenic concentrations in wells in the Cheyenne Basin and to ascertain whether these sources are acceptable for domestic or agricultural water supply uses. Approach Representatives of South Dakota and the Surveillance and Analysis Division of Region VIII met and decided to take well samples at approximately 20 different locations used for domestic water supply. Service water sampling will also be done by the Surveillance and Analysis Division. Analysis of each set of samples will be completed one month after samples are taken. An initial report will be submitted April 30, 1972, to determine if these sources are acceptable for domestic or agricultural water supply. Such information may provide the basis for future enforcement action if pending legislation extending EPA jurisdiction over ground- water is passed and signed into law. Milestones By March 31, 1972 By April 30, 1972 By July 31, 1972 By October 31, 1972 By November 31, 1972 - Sample taken - Report of first two samples completed - Sample taken - Sample taken - Enforcement action if required Project Manager: John Hardaway, Surveillance and Analysis Division. -15- ------- 3.6 Mercury Investigation of Oahe Reservoir Purpose The principal goal of this plan is to determine levels of mercury accumulated in recreational fish, in order to develop, if necessary, adequate measures to control consumptive use of these fish. It is not intended as a sufficient quality control plan for commercial fishermen using these waterways. The State of South Dakota, the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife and the Surveillance and Analysis Division, Region VIII, met and arranged a fish sediment sampling plan. Six stations have been set up on the Cheyenne River Branch of Lake Oahe. The Technical Sup- port Branch of Surveillance and Analysis Division will take fish and sediment samples. Two samples will be taken for the spring of 1972, one for the summer and one for the fall. Technical Support Branch will analyze specimens for mercury and trace elements. , If a hazard exists, measures will be taken in conjunction with the Enforcement Division for public notification by the State of South Dakota. .Project Manager: Loys Parrish, Surveillance and Analysis Division Approach Milestones By April 14, 1972 By August 15, 1972 By October 15, 1972 By December 1, 1972 First fish and sediment samples taken. Summer fish sample taken Fall fish sample taken Final report -16- ------- 3.7 Radiological Monitoring of Cheyenne River; Vicinity of Edgemont, South Dakota Purpose of the Plan Initiate routine monitoring of physical and chemical water qual- ity in Cottonwood Creek and the Cheyenne River in the vicinity of the Mines Development, Inc., uranium mill at Edgemont, South Dakota. Water quality of both streams in the vicinity of the Edgemont mill is impacted by seepage1 from retention ponds and spent ore solids (sand tailings) which enter the water environment by wind and/or water errosion action on three storage piles. Monitoring objectives are twofold: (1) Determine the extremes in chemical (vanadium, molybdenum and iron) and radioactivity concentrations and the annual aver- age radioactivity concentrations at four locations. Cottonwood Creek - Upstream from the mill - At the mouth, confluence with the Cheyenne River Cheyenne River - Upstream from the mill - Downstream from the mill and the confluence with Cottonwood Creek (2) Monitor the effectiveness of the abatement program requiring the construction of a sealed pond to eliminate seepage and stabilization of the sand tailings piles. Long-term monitor- ing will show the sustained integrity of the pond against seepage. -17- ------- Approach Sampling will be done by a local resident of Edgemont under con- tract to EPA. Samples will be taken at a frequency of once per week until sufficient data has been obtained to reduce the frequency of collection. Radioactivity (uranium, radium-226, thorium, etc.) analyses will be performed by the Engineering & Sciences Branch, Office of Water Programs, Cincinnati, Ohio, until such time that the radiological capa- bilities of the Region VIII laboratory become operational. Other an- alyses will be performed by the Region VIII laboratory. All aspects of the monitoring program will be transferred to the State of South Dakota as soon as the State has sufficient resources. Milestones By March 7, 1972, field investigation to establish specific loca- tions for the monitoring stations. By May 1, 1972, initiate the sampling program. By November 1, 1972, enforcement action, if required. Project Manager: Lester Springer, Surveillance and Analysis -18- ------- SECTION 4 SPECIFIC TASKS AND ACCOMPLISHMENT PLANS FOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT 4.1 Tepee Burners Purpose Tepee type burners are used extensively in this area and will not meet the emissions standards in the State implementation plan. Approach South Dakota has submitted an Implementation Plan for approval. This plan includes new regulations on Tepee burners. Approval by EPA will be on or before May 31, 1972. Milestones By May 31, 1972 - Approval of Implementation Plan. By May 31, 1973 - Follow-up check to determine if compliance schedule is being followed. By November 30, 1973 - Check on final compliance with standards. Project Manager: Norm Huey, Air and Water Programs Division ------- APPENDIX A MILESTONE CHARTS ------- . ]972 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 73 74 75 Section 3.1 Lead-Deadwood Facility Construction Grant Complete environmental review procedure. Tender grant offer. Meet with the Bureau of Reclamation to discuss future role and planned activities. Complete Memorandum of Agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation. Complete plans and specifications. State and Federal approval of plans and specifications. Award Contract Complete construction and place project in operation. Section 3.2 Process Twenty Permits Inspections in the Cheyenne River Basin for the purpose of identifying uninformed or non-complying industries completed. Completed applications obtained for all significant industries. Requests for State certification completed for all significant industries. Interim effluent monitoring plan developed for the major industries; plan finalized. Technical reviews of applications from significant in- dustries in Cheyenne River Basin completed; special permit conditions set to meet water quality criteria set forth by the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wi'ld- life and coordinated with State departments of health recommendations to Corps of Engineers completed. Section 3.3 3(c) Grant Assign Region Liaison Officer. Act on grant amendment proposal. Regional personnel (Task Force) meet with grantee to develop supplemental needs including the develop- ment of a Sediment Control Conference. X X X X ------- 1972 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 73 74 75 Section 3.4 Analysis of Pollution from Tailings Piles Collection of ground samples by Surveillance and Analysis Division. Laboratory analysis of samples. Completion of report on environmental impact on river system. Enforcement action, if required. Section 3.5 Well Water Study Sample taken Report of first two samples completed. Sample taken Sample taken Enforcement action if required. Section 3.6 Mercury Investigation of Oahe Reservoir First fish and sediment samples taken Summer fish sample taken Fall Fish sample taken Final report Section 3.7 Radiological Monitoring of Cheyenne River; vicinity of Edgemont, South Dakota. Field investigation to establish specific locations' for the monitoring stations. Initiate the sampling program. Enforcement Action, if required. iection 4.1 Tepee Burners Approval of Implementation Plan Follow-up check to determine if compliance schedule is being followed. Check on final compliance with standards. X X ------- |