2018 ^
COMMUNITY
INVOLVEMENT
PLAN
CtMHjQ_
2018 ^
COMMUNITY
INVOLVEMENT
PLAN
USS Lead Superfund S te I «»EPA
and the I -
Former DuPont I
East Chicago Facility I
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Table of Contents
| Introduction 1
Community Concerns 7
3 Community Involvement
Goals and Activities 21
The Community 33
The Sites 43
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
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Appendices
Glossary - Initials -Acronyms A-1
Q List of Contacts B-1
Q Community Resources C-1
Q Environmental Justice D-1
[ Community Engagement and the Superfund Process ...E-1
f Comparing RCRA and CERCLA F-1
GUSS Lead Superfund Site Community Involvement
Activities (2006-Present) G-1
H ATSDR Fact Sheets H-1
| Community Interview Fact Sheet 1-1
J List of Interview Questions J-1
|f TAG and TASC Programs K-1
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
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Introduction
Describes the purpose of this Revised Multi-Site CIP,
presents EPA's community outreach objectives and
provides a brief history about the sites
The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency prepared this Revised Multi-
Site Community Involvement Plan
to inform, engage and support the
Environmental Justice community
affected by the U.S. Smelter and
Lead Refinery, Inc. site and the
Former DuPont East Chicago
Facility in East Chicago, Indiana. Our
community involvement effort is
committed to promoting effective
and meaningful communication
between the public and the
Agency. We want to make sure
that (1) members of the affected
community know and understand
when and how they can participate
in decision making during the
cleanup activities at these sites and
(2) the community's concerns and
information needs are considered
and addressed as activities at each
site progress.
The initial CIP was published in April
2011 with interviews conducted
in June 2010. This revised CIP was
prepared to include both the USS
Lead site and the DuPont Facility
because both sites affect the
same community.The USS Lead
site is being addressed under the
Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation &
Liability Act, also called Superfund,
while the DuPont Facility is being
addressed under the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act,
or RCRA program. EPA encourages
close coordination among these
two cleanup programs to eliminate
duplication of effort and streamline
cleanup processes. Appendix F
The CIP is a working
document that will evolve
as the investigation and
cleanup process continues
and input is received
from the community. It
is intended to be flexible,
adaptable and used
as a guideline for our
communication with the
community.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
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www.
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
If you are interested in
submitting comments or have
questions or suggestions
concerning this CIP, please
contact:
Superfund
Janet Pope
Community Involvement
Coordinator
EPA Region 5 (SI-6J)
312-353-0628 or
800-621-8431 Ext. 30628
pope.janet@epa.gov
Charles Rodriguez
Community Involvement
Coordinator
EPA Region 5 (SI-6J)
312-886-7472 or
800-621-8431 Ext. 67472
pope.janet@epa.gov
RCRA
Rafael Gonzalez
Community Involvement
Coordinator
EPA Region 5 (L-17J)
312-886-0269 or
800-621-8431 Ext. 60269
gonzalez.rafaelp@epa.gov
U.S. EPA
77 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604-3507
- Comparing RCRA and CERCLA -
provides more information about
these programs.
EPA used several information sources
to update this plan, including:
• Information from the previous CIP.
• Information from a site assessment
prepared in May 2017.
• Research about the community
and the sites.
• Discussions with community
members at meetings, information
sessions and community
interviews.
EPA representatives conducted
interviews in June 2018 with 24
community members including
local residents, a local official, clergy,
members of local community
groups, and other parties interested
in activities at the sites in East
Chicago. EPA mailed out two
postcards inviting community
members to participate in the
interviews, prepared a fact sheet
{see Appendix I) explaining the
community interview process and
delivered packets of information
including the Community Interview
Fact Sheet and past informational
fact sheets to local churches and
the president of the East Chicago
Calumet Coalition (ECCC) for
distribution to community members.
(Words in bold are defined in
Appendix A.)
This revised CIP describes EPA's
plan for addressing concerns heard
from the community and various
ways to keep residents informed
and involved in investigation and
cleanup activities at the sites. We
will use this document as a guide
to involve and communicate with
residents, businesses and the local
governments in East Chicago.
EPA's community outreach objectives:
• Assist the public in understanding the decision-making process
during the investigation and cleanup and the community's role in that
process.
Give the public accessible, accurate, timely and understandable
information about the project as it moves forward.
Information from
questions and concerns
voiced to EPA through
the hotline established
for the USS Lead site gave
additional insight to the
community's concerns and
questions.
Ensure adequate time and opportunity for the public to give informed
and meaningful input and for that input to be considered.
Reflect community concerns, questions and information needs.
Respect and fully consider public input throughout the entire process.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION 5
77 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, Illinois 60604-3590
EPAC.A.R.E.S.
Cleanup-Awareness - Resources ¦Education - Support ;
Letter to the Community:
We appreciate the time that many community members and other stakeholders have taken to
meet with EPA and to share their thoughts and concerns regarding the cleanup of the USS Lead
and DuPont sites. Those thoughts and concerns have been incorporated into this updated
Community Involvement Plan. EPA recognizes the value that an engaged public brings to this
project, and it is only through the input of community members and stakeholders that community
involvement is truly accomplished.
EPA is committed to carrying out the USS Lead/DuPont cleanups in a safe and protective
manner. We are equally committed to public participation at every phase through an open process
that encourages affected communities and interested organizations to provide input on the critical
issues related to the cleanup. In keeping with that commitment, we have developed a CIP that
encourages real dialogue. It was built on the input provided by the community during interviews,
meetings, workshops and dialogue with EPA staff.
We have heard your views on how to move forward in an inclusive way. You have reaffirmed the
need for accurate, timely and understandable information about the issues that concern you, and
you appreciate the opportunity to provide input on them. It is clear that we all share a common
goal, a healthy and beneficial community, and that you want to be involved in the project in a
constructive way.
Through the many resources described in this updated CIP, EPA will help to enhance your
understanding of the project. Just as important, we will ensure that there is adequate time and
opportunity for you to provide meaningful input and for us to consider that input.
Again, we thank everyone who has contributed to the updating of this Plan though interviews,
meetings, workshops and information sessions, and in many other ways. We hope you will
continue to be involved.
Janet L. Pope Charles Rodriguez Rafael Gonzalez
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
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Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Brief Site Background
See Section 5 for a more complete background of each of the sites.
USS Lead Superfund Site
The USS Lead Superfund Site is
located in the city of East Chicago,
Ind.The site has been divided into
two cleanup areas that EPA refers to
as operable units, or OUs. OU1 is a
322-acre residential area bounded by
East Chicago Avenue on the north,
East 151st Street on the south, the
Indiana Harbor Canal on the west
and Parrish Avenue on the east. OU1
has been further subdivided in Zones
1,2 and 3 (see Figure 1 on Page 5).
OU2 includes the 79-acre former USS
Lead facility on 151st Street, as well
as groundwater beneath the entire
site. Contamination in OU1 is largely
derived from historic operations at
three nearby facilities: (1) the USS
Lead facility; (2) a facility formerly
located in Zone 1 and owned and
operated by subsidiaries of the
Anaconda Copper and Mining Co.;
and (3) the E.I. Du Pont de Nemours
facility located just southeast of OU1.
Former DuPont East Chicago
Facility
The Former DuPont East Chicago
Facility is located at 5215 Kennedy
Ave. in East Chicago and is
approximately 440 acres {see Figure 1
on Page 5). The property is bounded
to the south by the East Branch of the
Grand Calumet River, to the east and
north by residential and commercial
areas and to the west by an industrial
area.Though property ownership
was transferred to The Chemours
Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary
of DuPont, in February 2015, it is still
referred to and known as the DuPont
Facility within the community.
Effective June 29,2018, Chemours
conveyed title to the Former DuPont
East Chicago Facility to East Chicago
Gateway Partners, LLC. All parties are
involved in the cleanup of the site
with EPA oversight.
Because of the size of the site, EPA
has divided the site into five areas:
• Natural Area/Eastern Area:
This undeveloped area occupies
approximately 172 acres and
contains original plains/dunes
geomorphology and associated
plant communities.
• Buffer Zone Area: This area
occupies approximately 20 acres
and is located directly east of the
Open and Redevelopment Areas
and separates these areas from the
adjacent Natural Area.
• Redevelopment Area: This area
occupies approximately 155 acres
and encompasses the former
manufacturing area located in the
central and west portions of the
property.
• Open Area: This area occupies
approximately 50 acres and
includes an approximately 30-acre
former solid waste landfill.
• Leased Area: DuPont leased this
30-acre active manufacturing
area to W.R. Grace & Co. and Grace
Division in early 2000; Chemours
maintains ownership of this area.
Contaminants of concern
At the USS Lead site, lead and
arsenic are the main contaminants
of concern. Results from several
investigations at the DuPont Facility
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
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Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/liazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
WWW.
Operable Unit 1
.'-i- Sr'
* ». i \'-
'¦M ' -•* i W i- T
'
c
Figure J shows f/ie boundaries of OU1, OU2 and the DuPont Facility.
indicate arsenic, lead, zinc and
cadmium are the primary pollutants
in the soil from about 0 to 10 feet
below ground. Arsenic is the primary
contaminant in the groundwater
because of how it is distributed and
its high concentrations.
EPA continues to provide fact sheets
and other informational documents
to help the community understand
the concerns about lead and how
they can reduce exposure to lead in
their community {see Appendix H for
more information).
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
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Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS LeaclSuperfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www. epa. gov/in/hazardous- waste-deanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Community Engagement is Essential to the
Success of Superfund and RCRA Cleanups
Ongoing input and involvement
by the community is essential to
our efforts to provide effective
community engagement. We have
learned that its decision-making
ability is enhanced by actively
seeking input and information
from the community. Community
members need to be involved in
ail phases of the investigation and
cleanup so that the contamination
is addressed in a way that protects
people and the environment now
and in the future.
Residents, business owners and local
government officials may be able to
provide valuable information about
a hazardous site that can help us
determine the best way to clean it
up. Information can help determine
the location of contamination, how
people may be exposed to the
contamination and perhaps sources
of the contamination.
Local residents, clergy and city
officials educated EPA about their
community and told EPA about their
concerns, which are presented in the
Section 2 - Community Concerns,
beginning on the next page.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
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Community
Concerns
Note to readers: This
section is intended to
faithfully record and
reflect the issues and
concerns expressed to
EPA by residents and
others interviewed
during the community
interviews. By necessity,
this is a collection and
summary of thoughts
and observations and,
in some cases, opinions.
Please be cautioned that
the statements contained
in this section may or may
not be factual and that
the opinions and concerns
expressed may or may not
be valid.
Summarizes what community members are concerned
about, the questions they asked and what they told EPA
What We Heard
We learned about concerns,
questions and informational needs
related to the USS Lead Superfund
site and DuPont Facility by speaking
with and/or conducting interviews
with residents and other interested
community members.
During June 2010, EPA conducted
in-person interviews with 25
East Chicago residents and other
interested parties to identify their
questions, concerns and information
needs regarding the USS Lead site.
A Spanish translator participated in
the interviews for those residents
who were more comfortable
speaking Spanish.
In March 2017, EPA asked their
support contractor to conduct
a situation assessment to better
understand factors impacting
community engagement efforts for
the USS Lead Superfund site and
explore ways to strengthen and
enhance those efforts. In March
and April 2017, the contractor
interviewed 15 people from all
three Zones by telephone. One of
the results of this assessment was
EPA scheduling regular meetings at
the former Carrie Gosch Elementary
School. Prior to the meetings,
conference calls with community
leaders were held to find out what
information the residents wanted to
hear at the meetings and to make
sure EPA invited the right people
to answer the questions at the
meeting.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
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On June 11-15, 2018, EPA conducted
22 in-person and two telephone
interviews with people who have an
interest in the USS Lead Superfund
site and DuPont Facility site,
including residents, city officials,
church leaders and neighborhood
association representatives. Again,
a Spanish translator was available
for residents who were more
comfortable talking in Spanish. EPA
also received a letter from a daughter
of residents that were interviewed
voicing a list of concerns and
questions.
The table below shows the
representation from each Zone at the
interviews.
Zone
2010
2018
2
8
12
3
15
11
Outside of Site Area
2
1
We mailed two postcards - one in
May 2018 and a second one in June
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www. epa. gov/in/hazardous- .vaste cteonup dupontladlity east Chicago indiano
2018 - to residents informing them
of the community interviews and
asked them to schedule an interview
with the Agency. In addition to
the mailings, EPA hand-delivered
information about the interviews to
several of the local city churches and
to a member of the ECCC and asked
them to distribute the information to
their parishioners and members.
The interviews were conducted
in a discussion format and each
interviewee was asked questions
from a list and follow-up questions
were suggested by the discussions.
{Note: The total number of responses
does not always add up to the number
of interviewees, because based on
the discussions, not all questions
were asked of everyone, or at times,
interviewees preferred not to answer a
specific question.) The site Remedial
Project Managers, On-Scene
Coordinators and Community
Involvement Coordinators
participated in the interviews. EPA's
contractor provided notetaking
support during the interviews.
Some concerns expressed in 2010
were carried over in 2018, but there
were also several differences in the
concerns voiced. The table below
summarizes the topics that were
discussed during both interview
sessions. Following the table is a
summary of the additional questions
and concerns expressed that were
different from the 2010 interviews.
The reason there are differences in
the questions is that through the
years, EPA has learned more about
what is important to community
members and has included those
topics in current interviews. More
importantly, the community has
become more knowledgeable
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
CIC Charles Rodriguez talks with local
resident about the sites.
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
and involved in site activities.
Interviews during both sessions were
conducted in a discussion format
and in 2010, each interviewee was
USS Lead Superfund Site
asked approximately! 6 questions
{See Appendix J) and in 2018 there
were 29 questions {questions and
COMPARISON OF CONCERNS FROM 2010 CIP AND 2018 CIP
June 2010 Concerns June 2018 Concerns
KNOWLEDGE OF SITE
Overall, there did not seem to be
a high level of concern from the
community about the USS Lead
site though many of the residents
interviewed expressed concerns
about other issues in their area such
as drugs and gang problems.
Most people said that they knew little
or nothing about the site though
some said that they heard there
could be lead contamination from
the site and a few people either had
samples taken at their property or
knew of someone who had samples
taken.
Some residents said their concern
was not with USS Lead, but with
DuPont, which they believe had
caused flooding problems in the area
and wondered if the lead could leach
into the standing water.
A few residents commented that
there was a lot of garbage and waste
around the public housing area and
people attributed the problems to
prior industrial activity in the area.
Everyone interviewed knew about
the USS Lead Superfund site and
expressed concern about the
contamination, including health
effects and property values.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
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Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
| June 2010 Concerns
June 2018 Concerns |
HEALTH EFFECTS
Some people did not have any health
concerns about the site and said that
having the industry nearby was "just
a fact of living in the area and no one
really paid attention."
Other residents did express concerns
about children in the area being
exposed to lead and some asked
if exposure to the lead could have
caused cancer or birth defects in
some of the children.
Everyone interviewed expressed
concerns about the health effects
from lead exposure, especially the
effects on children.
Some interviewees asked if the lead
contamination could cause cancer,
one resident said her husband had
lung issues and others said they
knew of several people with cancer
and other health issues.
Residents were also concerned about
gardens, and they wondered if the
vegetables would be contaminated
with lead.
PROPERTY VALUES
No one interviewed expressed any
concern about property values
because of site contamination.
Several people interviewed
expressed concern over low property
values because of site contamination
and being in a Superfund site.
COMMUNICATION WITH LOCAL RESIDENTS AND OFFICIALS
Overall, people were satisfied with
the information received from EPA
and said they believe they were kept
adequately informed. However, many
negative comments were received
about past communications. Those
interviewed said that the information
looked like "junk mail" and they
threw it out. People did remember
the yellow postcard announcing the
interviews because it stood out.
Most people said they have been
kept adequately informed about
site activities and progress, and the
information received from EPA is
clear and easy to understand.
Some people commented that the
communications look like "junk mail"
and they throw it out. People said
larger font should be used and more
graphics/visuals are needed.
During the interviews it was noted
several times that people would not
know to look for information about
the site under the name USS Lead.
It was suggested that the site name
reference East Chicago, as it would be
more recognizable to area residents.
Below are the specific questions EPA asked and a summary of the answers that
were provided during the community interviews in June 2018.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
1. Do you live or work on or near the site? If no, are you affiliated with
any organization that has an interest in the site? [What organization?]
Almost everyone interviewed lives near the site, and two people work at
local churches. Nine people interviewed said they are members of the
ECCC, a local community group; three are members of Calumet Lives
Matter and four people are also part of the Community Strategy Group.
The two pastors interviewed are part of the Twin City Minister Alliance
of East Chicago. (See Page 36 for more information on these stakeholder
groups).
2. How long have you been a resident in the area?
Most residents interviewed have lived in the area their entire lives and
others have lived in the area for less than 2 years.
3. Have you had any sampling conducted at your property? If so, was
the sampling done in your yard or indoors? Did you understand the
results? Are there any comments on understanding the results?
Of the people interviewed, 20 people had sampling done in theiryard and
several had indoor sampling conducted. Of those yards that were sampled,
14 properties had contaminants above the removal action levels, or RAL.
One person said she had private sampling done because of lack of trust
with the government. She also suggested that there should be one-on-
one meetings to explain results.
4. How do you want to be informed about site activities?
The table below shows how the interviewees want to be kept informed
about site activities.
Mail
Email
Phone
Newspaper
Radio
TV
Social
Media
Door
Hangar
Church
20
5
7
2
0
0
2
8
2
5. What newspapers do you read?
The newspapers most read by the interviewees are the Northwest Indiana
Times and the Gary Post Tribune.
6. Have you seen previously published ads regarding the site?
Some of the interviewees said they had seen the ads and two people
thought ads are a good way to announce meetings. A few people thought
the ads were too small and that people did not or would not see them
in the paper.There was discussion with one person that said putting
ads in the legal section of the newspaper is a waste of money because
people don't read those. (EPA does not put ads in the legal section of the
newspaper so EPA was unsure of what ads the resident was referring to.)
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
7. Where do you currently get your information from about the sites?
From whom? In what form?
The table below presents how many interviewees said where they get
information about the sites from.
Source of Information
Number of
Responses
EPA mailings
14
ECCC
6
EPA meetings
6
EPA website
4
Word of mouth
(neighbors)
4
Local news
2
Email
2
Own research
2
Church meetings
2
Calumet Lives Matter
1
meetings
8. Have you been interviewed before about the sites? Was everyone
respectful during your encounter with EPA, contractors, others?
One person said she talked with an EPA contractor, at an EPA open house
about the site. (Note: all the people interviewed for this CIP were different
than those that participated in interviews in 2010. At one of the open
houses, several people talked with the EPA contractor, and even though he
talked with several people, only one of those residents participated in the
June 2018 interviews.)
9. Who have you talked to (any local, state or federal government
agencies) about the site?
Some interviewees said they have talked with community groups that
have met with federal and state officials, senators and the Mayor. One
person said she talked with the county assessor and he was great.
10. Who would you contact about the site?
The list below indicates who people would contact for questions about the
site.
• Janet Pope/Charles Rodriguez - 5
• EPA/Hotline - 5
• City (for lead testing) - 1
• Website - 1
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
11. Are you on the EPA mailing list for the site?
Everyone interviewed said they were on the mailing list for the USS Lead
site, and about half the interviewees thought they were on the list for the
DuPont facility, though many of those were not sure what they would have
received. Everyone interviewed wants to be sure to be on both mailing
lists.
12. Is the information you have received from EPA clear and easy to
understand?
Most people responded that the information received from EPA was clear
and easy to understand, though a couple of people said they don't always
understand the wording. One person said,"the documents are not too
technical, and they are easy to read and understand."Two people said,
"if you take the time to read it, it would be clear."One family said they
understand the Spanish documents except for"a word or two that is too
technical."On the other hand, three people said the information was not
easy to understand and is "too technical." One person said that the look of
print was intimidating and the use of more graphics and less words would
help. Another person said bigger print and visuals should be used on
documents so seniors can see better.
13. Do you feel you have been kept adequately informed about either site
progress?
Sixteen interviewees said they have been kept informed about the site
progress, one person did not want to answer and four people don't
think they have been kept informed. A city official said she believes that
EPA has done a good job of keeping people informed but thinks that
some constituents think EPA should do more. She said,"You can put the
information out there, but they have to read it." A resident said that"EPA
is doing good."Two people said they get more information from the ECCC
or Calumet Lives Matter than from EPA. One person said EPA should be
more proactive on updates for individual properties and that perhaps
a timeline would be helpful. Another interviewee suggested that EPA
should attend the ECCC and other community group meetings to stop
miscommunication.
14. Have you participated in any public meetings and /or community
group meetings for each of the sites? Why or why not?
Seventeen people said they have attended meetings for the USS Lead
site and of the three people who said they had not, it was because they
are new to the area and one person said the meetings are "redundant/
nonsense." Eight people have attended meetings regarding the DuPont
site, while 13 people said they have not attended meetings either because
they were not aware of the meetings, their schedule didn't line up or they
are new to the area.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Super fund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPontFacility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-.vaste cteonup dupont ladlity east Chicago indiano
Will you attend meetings in the future? If not, what prevents you from
attending?
USS Lead site: Seventeen people said they would attend meetings, three
people said they will not attend and two people said they might attend.
DuPont site: Ten people said they would attend, four people said they
would not attend and nine people said they might attend.
The reasons given for not or maybe attending were "not worth the time," or
their schedule did not allow attendance.
15. What days, times, and locations would be best for public meetings?
Several different times, dates and locations were offered. The majority said
that Saturdays were good days to have meetings during the day and some
people said evenings during the week were also a good option (but not
Friday). Several interviewees said the times and locations should be varied
so different people could attend.
The former Carrie Gosch Elementary School was identified by most
interviewees as a good place for meetings, followed by local churches
(First Baptist and Friendship Church were named).The Martin Luther King
Center and the library were also identified, and one person said that Riley
Park was a good location, while one person did not have a preference.
16. What type of format do you prefer? Public meeting,
open house/information session?
Seven people said the type of meeting would depend
on the information that was being given but combining
a public meeting with an open house is usually a good
way. A few interviewees said that some people don't like
to ask questions in a big public forum but would ask one-
on-one. Other people said they like the public meeting
format because then everyone hears the same answers to
questions. Three people did not have a preference.
17. Are you aware of EPA's web pages for each site?
Have you been on it? Is it easy to navigate?
USS Lead: Fourteen people said they were aware of the USS
Lead website and one person was not. Of those aware of the
site, 11 people have been on the site and 3 have not.
DuPont: Ten people said they were aware of the DuPont
website and four people were not. Nine people have visited
the DuPont website.
Both web pages: Four people said they were easy to navigate
and two people found them difficult to navigate. One person
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Super fund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
said he wasn't always sure where to find a document and it seemed like you
have to "bounce around" a lot to find things.
18. Do you understand EPA's Superfund program / RCRA program?
Four people said they understand the Superfund program and 12 people
said they did not understand the RCRA program.Two people said they
understood a little about Superfund and one person stated they were
not interested in either program. (To help attendees understand the two
programs, they were provided the Comparing RCRA and CERCLA fact sheet
[see AppendixF] during the interviews.)
19. Information repositories for both sites are located at the East Chicago
Public Library and the Robert A. Pastrick Library Branch - have you
ever looked at the information there? If so, did you find the information
you needed?
USS Lead: Eleven people have never looked at the repository while three
people said they have and two of those people said they did not get what
they were looking for because the information was redacted. One resident
said that files that were originally in the repository have now been redacted.
She also said that a lot of files are out of order and "can't find stuff."
DuPont: Ten people have not looked at the repository for information, but
three people have; one person did not find the information they wanted.
20. Are you aware of any community groups supporting the USS Lead site?
Fourteen people said they have heard of the ECCC and four people said they
have not. Two people said they have not received any information from the
ECCC. One person said they believe that the ECCC focuses on Zone 3 and
not the other neighborhoods.
21. Do you know what a Technical Assistance Grant, or TAG is? Do you know
that ECCC applied for a TAG?
Six interviewees said they knew what a Technical Assistance Grant, or TAG
is, and are aware that the ECCC applied for a TAG. Eight people replied they
did not know what a TAG is, and four people said they were not aware that
ECCC applied for a TAG. One person said they don't care because they are
not part of that group.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
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"It was hurtful to
have to move out
of Zone 1 -left a
lot of memories
behind and
children were
separated from
friends."
Former Resident
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
OTHER CONCERNS EXPRESSED
(March 2017 Assessment and June 2018 Interviews)
Communication
One interviewee said,"There should
have been better communication.
EPA should have done a better
job explaining the process and
identifying priorities." One resident
suggested that a flow chart showing
what agency is responsible for
what would be helpful. Another
interviewee suggested that more
information be given, specifically
define EPA's role with East Chicago
and provide more information
on what EPA is doing. Other
interviewees said they don't have
concerns because they believe EPA is
taking care of things and is doing a
good job in keeping people informed
and cleaning up the properties.
One interviewee appreciated the
opportunity to have the interview.
Many people interviewed said that
door-to-door canvassing is the
best way to get information out to
the community. One interviewee
said that EPA should engage with
community members while working
-"talk with the residents." A couple
of people interviewed said it would
be a good idea to get the pastors of
the local churches involved to hand
out information at church services, or
perhaps include information in the
Sunday bulletins.
Contamination and cleanup
Interviewees expressed concern
and lack of understanding as to
why connecting yards are not
contaminated or why their front yard
may be contaminated, but not their
backyard. One resident said they still
don't understand the "checkerboard"
results - "how can contamination
skip properties?" One homeowner
said they were hoping that EPA
would change their mind about
cleaning their property if sampling
results were below the management
levels, but after talking with EPA, they
now understand why they can't.
Concern was also expressed that the
properties are not being cleaned up
to the proper standards and that the
potentially responsible parties are
allowed to do what they want, and
what they want is not what is best
for the community. A few residents
said they don't like the PRP making
decisions. One resident said they are
concerned that the sampling did not
get the right spots, so there could
still be contamination. One person
asked if EPA was going to clean
abandoned buildings and vacant
areas and another asked if all the
contamination would be gone from
Zonel. Another interview asked,
"What is going to happen in Zone 2?
Am I dealing with gentrification? Are
they going to tear down houses?"
A resident from Zone 3 does not
believe that Zone 3 is a priority for
EPA.
One resident asked when basements
would be tested and another asked if
there are air quality issues in the area.
One resident commended the EPA
team because of the cleanup and
said they are making a difference in
the community. Another interviewee
said that EPA has gone beyond
expectations in the cleanup and is
very pleased.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead~superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/liazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
WWW.
An interviewee
said that seeing the
property restoration
has given hope to
this community. They
are proud to turn on
their street and see
the newly-restored
properties - it makes
the community look
much better.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
An interviewee said that if Carrie
Gosch is not fit to be a school, why
is the facility being used now? They
said that most people think that the
school closed because of the lead
contamination.
Divided communities
Some interviewees said they believe
that when EPA allowed the PRPs to
divide the community into Zones
1, 2 and 3, it caused conflict among
the neighborhoods. However,
many other interviewees said
that the labeling of the zones did
not cause a divide between the
communities and that the nature
of the types of neighborhoods was
why there is a division. They said the
public housing, African-American
neighborhood and the Hispanic/
Latino neighborhood naturally cause
a division. One interviewee said that
EPA should help support efforts to
ease tensions between Zones, "which
is due to the PRPs."
Another resident said that there is
a divide between the Calumet and
Harbor neighborhoods and that the
Mayor does things for the Harbor
neighborhoods but not Calumet.
One other resident said that "It's like
living in the 1970s here - there is a
division in a lot of things, especially
with the Blacks and Latinos."
DuPont Facility
Some of the people interviewed
expressed concerns about the
DuPont property. One interviewee
said there used to be animal wildlife
on the DuPont property, but a few
weeks ago he saw four dead deer
on the property and he wondered
if the dead deer were related to the
contamination. Another interviewee
said they believe that the DuPont
Photo shows property after cleanup and
restoration was completed.
* Thinks cameras should be put in
area to monitor trespassing or
activity on at the DuPont site.
• Are there piles of chemicals onsite
at DuPont?
Another resident stated they did not
have any issues with EPA, however
they do not trust DuPont at all
One interviewee said he was
disturbed that DuPont is not part
of the Superfund site, and because
property causes different dangers to
the residents. During the interviews,
a resident asked if the DuPont
property is affecting the water or air
quality in Zone 3 and asked if anyone
was monitoring the water or air.
Another interviewee wanted more
clarification of what is happening at
the DuPont property, including:
• Did the fence get repaired? Was
signage put up? Thinks there
should be other signs - "high toxic"
or "poison" - so people know what
they are living next to.
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Super fund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPontFacility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-.vaste cteonup dupont ladlity east Chicago indiano
of that, there seerns to be a delay in
getting it cleaned up. He also stated
that not a lot of information comes
to the community regarding the
DuPont Facility.
WWW.
Hea th
During the 2017 assessment and
2018 interviews, most interviewees
During demolition crews sprayed water to help
keep down the dust
Demolition of Zone I nears completion.
talked about long-term health
concerns and health-related effects
of lead contamination at the site.
People were especially concerned
about the effects of lead on the
development of children. Many
people also asked if the lead
contamination was related to the
many incidents of cancer in the area.
One interviewee said her husband
had lung cancer. Another resident
said,"Finish the cleanup, so that I feel
safe and healthy again."
One resident said that she lives next
to the Marathon gas pipeline and
wanted to know if there are issues
that she should know about because
she doesn't want her son's health to
get worse.
Lack of trust
Interviewees discussed how
local politics impact community
engagement efforts at the site.
Many people in the community
have expressed a distrust of
local politics, EPA and other
neighborhood groups within the
community. Residents talked about
their concerns that the city of East
Chicago possibly knew that there
was contamination in the soil at
the housing complex (Zone 1) and
they built it anyway, endangering
the health of residents, especially
children. There is also mistrust about
the public health efforts at the site.
One interviewee said, "EPA knew
about the contamination for years"
and others questioned why it has
taken so long to have anything
done about the contamination.
One resident asked, "Why after all
this time [in the last 4 to 5 years] is
something being done now? Where
were you before?" Another person
stated that trust is lacking because
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Super fund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead~superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/liazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
actions should have been started
long before they did - for both sites.
One person interviewed said that
things are getting better - problems
cropped up because of past mayors.
One interviewee said that EPA is
getting blamed for what the City
is responsible for and it seems like
there are contradictions between
EPA and the City. A resident said
that what happened, it's no one's
fault-"just need to fix what can be
fixed and move on." An interviewee
also expressed that black/brown
communities get overlooked.
Regulations
An interviewee stated that he
thought the policies in addressing
Superfund are outdated and believes
polluters should pay 100% of the
costs to clean up sites. Another
interviewee asked if regulations
will be enforced after the cleanup is
completed.
Reuse/redevelopment
There was a lot of discussion about
the redevelopment and reuse of
the properties within the sites.
Many want to see the land (DuPont
property and the public housing
zone) reused. An interviewee
said there should be a strategic
redevelopment plan put in place.
One person said it would be good to
have businesses come back to the
neighborhood. Others said there
should be housing put back where
the public housing was demolished,
while another said that it would be
"ridiculous"to rebuild in Zone 1.
Water concerns
Several people interviewed
expressed concerns about the
water - a few people buy drinking
water because their water comes
out cloudy or they just don't trust
drinking the water. One resident
said they brush their teeth with
bottled water, and that is "completely
unacceptable." Questions were also
asked about how the filters work
and if they still needed filters after
their water lines were changed. One
resident said the water cartridge is
causing low pressure and it clogs
up and has to be taken off to wash
dishes. Another resident said that
water comes up in their basement
and it doesn't seem like that is being
addressed. Some residents asked
what the process was for the water
lines [lead service line replacement
program].
Aerial view taken after the Zone I buildings were
gone.
-------
Community
Involvement
Goals and
Activities
Highlights EPA's goals, activities and timeline to keep
residents and local officials informed and involved
When establishing the objectives
for a site-specific community
involvement program, we
consider several factors, including
federal requirements and EPA
policy that assess the nature and
extent of known or perceived
site contaminants and known
community concerns and requests.
To be effective, our community
involvement program is designed to
meet the community's need to know,
give information in a timely manner
and accommodate the community's
interests and its willingness to
participate in decision-making
processes. We must also share
information in language the public
can understand.
To meet the needs of the community
and to respond to information
obtained during meetings,
discussions and community
interviews conducted with residents
and other community members
in June 2018, and to meet federal
requirements, we have established
the following objectives for our
community involvement efforts:
• Enlist the support, coordination
and involvement of officials
from the city of East Chicago,
East Chicago Housing Authority,
Department of Housing and Urban
Development and community
leaders.
• Enlist the support, coordination
and involvement of the Indiana
Department of Environmental
Management (IDEM).
• Enlist the support, coordination
and involvement of the Agency
Community involvement
is the process of
engaging in dialogue
and collaborating
with community
members. The goal of
community involvement
is to advocate and
strengthen early and
meaningful community
participation during
cleanups.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency
USS Lead Site Off
INFORMATION
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-supeifund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
for Toxic Substances & Disease
Registry (ATSDR).
• Monitor community interest in the
site and respond accordingly.
• Keep the community well informed
of ongoing and planned site
activities.
• Explain technical site activities
and findings in an understandable
format for residents.
• Obtain public input on key
decisions.
• Hold public meetings, within the
community to give all residents an
opportunity to attend.
• Continue to request property
owner satisfaction scores on the
cleanup of properties.
EPA has or will put in place the
activities described on the following
pages to meaningfully and actively
engage the community in decisions
regarding the investigation and
cleanup of the USS Lead Superfund
site and the DuPont Facility. The
following plan is intended as
opportunities for communication
between the community and EPA
and is a reponse to key concerns
and questions raised during
the discussions and community
interviews conducted in June 2018.
EPA CICs meet with local news media to give an
update about site activities.
• Change planned activities, where
warranted, based on community
input.
• Update EPA's websites regularly
and provide useful information on
it for the community.
• Update the city of East Chicago
officials on a periodic basis, even
if no activities are occurring at the
site.
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
WWW.
Specific Community Involvement Activities
To meet federal requirements and
to address community concerns
and questions described in the
Community Concerns section, EPA
has conducted (or will conduct)
the activities described below.
Through these activities, it is our
goal to inform, involve and engage
the community during site cleanup
decisions and efforts. As the needs
of the community change, we will
modify the community involvement
strategies to address them.
• Maintain point of contact. The
EPA CIC is the primary liaison
between EPA and the community.
The CIC fields general questions
about the site. For technical
site issues, the CIC coordinates
with EPA's remedial project
managers, or RPMs, or on-scene
coordinators, also referred to as
OSCs. We will include current
contact information for the project
staff on all written and electronic
information and will notify
the community of any contact
information changes.
EPA has designated the following
people as primary site contacts for
local residents:
USS Lead Superfund Site
Janet Pope
Community Involvement Coordinator
312-353-0628, Ext. 30628
pope.janet@epa.gov
Charles Rodriguez
Community Involvement Coordinator
312-886-7472, Ext. 67472
rodriguez.charles@epa.gov
Tom Alcamo
Remedial Project Manager
312-886-7278, Ext. 67278
alcamo.thomas@epa.gov
Dan Haag
On-Scene Coordinator
312-886-6906, Ext. 66906
haag.daniel@epa.gov
Jacob Hassan
On-Scene Coordinator
312-886-6864, Ext. 66864
hassan.jacob@epa.gov
Sarah Rolfes
Remedial Project Manager
312-886-6551, Ext. 66551
rolfes.sarah@epa.gov
Katherine Thomas
Remedial Project Manager
312-353-5878, Ext. 35878
thomas.katherine@epa.gov
They can also be reached
weekdays toll-free at
800-621-8431 from
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
using the extensions
listed next to their phone
number.
DuPont Facility
Rafael Gonzalez
Jennifer Dodds
Community Involvement Coordinator
Remedial Project Manager
312-886-0269, Ext. 60269
312-886-1484, Ext. 61484
gonzalez.rafaelp@epa.gov
dodds.jennifer@epa.gov
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
• Establish a toll-free number for
residents to ask questions and
receive information. EPA staff
listed above are located in the
Chicago office and can be reached
using the toll-free number listed in
on the previous page. Ask for them
by name or use the telephone
extensions. Residents can call as
questions or concerns arise instead
of waiting for a public meeting or
to receive written information. We
will provide the toll-free number
periodically in local newspaper
advertisements and include the
toll-free number in all fact sheets
and all other communications with
the public.
• Establish a hotline number for
residents to ask questions and
receive information. EPA has
established a hotline specifically for
the USS Lead site.The number is
219-801 -2199. EPA also encourages
residents to text EPA staff at this
hotline number with questions
and concerns. We also offered
texting as a way for residents to
let us know if they were interested
in having their property sampled
during the 2018 construction
season.
• Establish a local office. EPA
has established a community
information office at the former
Carrie Gosch Elementary School
at 455 E. 148th St. Agency staff are
there Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to
5 p.m. Residents and community
members are welcome to stop by
during these hours to talk with EPA.
• Maintain communication with
local officials, agencies and
community residents. We will
maintain communication with
the local officials throughout the
investigation and cleanup process.
We also interviewed community
residents and will continue to
update residents on the progress
at the site. Beginning in June 2017,
EPA has held regular calls with
community leaders to discuss and
plan agenda topics for monthly
Saturday meetings. EPA has also
sponsored several tours in Zone
1 for residents affected by the
cleanup.
» In March 2017, EPA asked their
support contractor to conduct
a situation assessment to
better understand the factors
impacting the community
engagement efforts at the USS
Lead Superfund site and to
explore ways to strengthen and
enhance those efforts. Fifteen
people interviewed included
residents from Zones 1,2 and 3,
other community leaders and
individuals involved with site
activities.
» In April 2017, EPA prepared
the East Chicago Enhanced
Communications Plan (on the
next page), which outlines steps
taken to improve communication
and enhance service to residents.
• Share site information on
the Internet. We will provide
information on activities and past
communications on the websites
for USS Lead and the DuPont
Facility.The websites will be
updated as events occur.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
East Chicago Enhanced Communications Plan
Following U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt's visit to the USS Lead
Superfund site in East Chicago last month, EPA has taken several steps to improve communication and
enhance service to residents.
To achieve that goal:
• EPA has appointed a dedicated, experienced community involvement coordinator who is well
known and trusted by East Chicago residents as the full time point of contact for questions and
concerns from residents. She will provide a "one stop shop" for customer service.
• EPA has established an East Chicago hotline number (219-801-2199.) The East Chicago hotline
number is included in all outreach materials to residents and will be publicized in a news release
and on EPA social media accounts.
• EPA will track all public inquiries and requests in a database to ensure that they are answered in
a timely way.
• EPA has established a community information office at the former Carrie Gosch Elementary
School where residents can easily stop in to speak to EPA employees.
• In coordination with the lead community involvement coordinator for the site, community
involvement coordinators will accompany EPA project managers and cleanup contractors on
pre-excavation and sampling meetings with residents to explain the process, answer questions,
take note of issues and translate into Spanish where necessary. They will share residents'
concerns and requests with the lead community involvement coordinator to make sure they are
addressed.
• EPA will hold monthly community meetings to provide updates and answer questions from
residents. EPA will invite other local, state and federal agencies to participate.
• EPA will write and distribute FAQs and post them on the USS Lead web page
https://www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site.
• EPA will conduct the following meetings with other agencies:
- weekly meeting with the City of East Chicago utilities director to coordinate activities;
- a biweekly multiagency team meeting with local, state and federal agencies and health
experts. Participants are EPA, Indiana State Dept. of Health, Indiana Dept. of Environmental
Management, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, U.S. Dept. of Housing and
Urban Development, City of East Chicago, East Chicago Housing Authority, U.S. Dept. of
Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, and the University of Illinois Chicago Great Lakes Center
for Pediatric Environmental Health;
- a biweekly call between EPA's Office of Regional Counsel and City of East Chicago attorneys.
- biweekly call with congressional staff.
• EPA has posted an interactive map of residential soil and dust sampling data that is available on
the USS Lead web page.
https://epa.maps. arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index. html?appid=d45c8610b7364b8f931fdbb74
8d607cl
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
www.
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-supeifund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Site-Specific Information
Repositories
East Chicago Public Library
2401 E. Columbus Dr., East Chicago
East Chicago Public Library
Robert A. Pastrick Branch
1008 W. Chicago Ave., East Chicago
Update and maintain the site
mailing list. We have established
a mailing list of local residents,
organizations, businesses and
officials for the site.This list will
be used for mailing fact sheets,
site updates, invitations to public
meetings and events and other
site-related information mailed to
the community. We will update
the list regularly to reflect address
changes and changes in elected
officials and to add new people
interested in site activities.
» We use the site mailing list to
distribute written information
such as fact sheets and meeting
notifications. This is a way to
ensure that those that do not
have access to the Internet
or other information sources
still have a way to receive
information directly about
the site and are notified about
important meetings. The mailing
list is for EPA use only and is not
shared with outside entities. If a
community member is interested
in being placed on the mailing
list, they can contact Janet Pope,
Charles Rodriquez, or Rafael
Gonzalez (CICs, for the sites.)
Prepare and distribute fact
sheets and site updates. We will
prepare and distribute fact sheets,
letters and site updates to those
on the site mailing and e-mail lists
summarizing current information
about the site and describing
upcoming activities. These
documents are written in non-
technical language and typically
done to coincide with important
site activities. Based on the needs
of the community, all documents
will be translated into Spanish and
made available to the community
in both English and Spanish.
» We use these types of documents
to give the community detailed
information in a relatively quick,
simple and easy-to-understand
manner. In addition to being
shared with individuals on the
site mailing list, we also place the
fact sheets and site updates in
the information repository and
post them on EPA's websites.
» Community members
interviewed suggested that
distributing information door-
to-door is an effective way to
get the information out to the
community. As appropriate,
EPA may conduct door-to-
door efforts. Community
members also suggested giving
information to the churches to
distribute, and as appropriate,
EPA will work with church leaders
to distribute information.
Establish and maintain a site-
specific information repository.
We have set up local information
repositories for the site at the
following locations listed left:
» The repository is a collection
of site information available
to the public for reading and
photocopying. Documents
include fact sheets, technical
reports, the CIP, general
Superfund information,
RCRA information and other
documents. EPA adds new
documents about the site as the
documents become available.
Information repositories give
residents local access to site
information in forms that can be
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/liazardous-waste-deanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
WWW.
easily read and photocopied for
future use. An online information
repository is also available on
the USS Lead site's web page at
www.epa.gov/superfund/uss-iead-
site and on the DuPont facility
site's web page at www.epa.gov/
in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-
dupont-facility-east-chicago-
indiana, to access information
electronically. Documents should
not be taken from the binders
or folders at the repositories. If
copies of the information are
needed, one of the CICs should
be contacted for assistance.
Establish and maintain the
administrative record. A copy
of the administrative records
for the USS Lead site and DuPont
Facility can be found at the libraries
listed on Page 26 and at the
EPA Region 5 Records Center in
Chicago {see AppendixC).\Ne will
update the administrative record(s)
as necessary The administrative
record gives residents a paper trail
of all documents EPA relied on,
or considered, to reach decisions
about the site cleanup.
Conduct public meetings,
hearings and information
sessions. Based on community
interest and request, EPA has held
regular meetings at the former
Carrie Gosch Elementary School
on Saturday mornings. Different
topics, based on community input
and questions, are highlighted
each month. (See Appendix G -
USS Lead Timeline of Community
Involvement Activities). There were
a few exceptions to the schedule
based on information that needed
to be shared with the community.
EPA has also held meetings and
workshops at the library.
» A public meeting is an
opportunity for EPA to present
specific information and a
proposed course of action.
EPA staff is available to share
information and answer
questions. A public meeting
II
^ |jt 7* •
i
3
• »
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
www.
EPA attends CAG meeting to give updates
and answer questions on site activities.
EPA held a public meeting to discuss the
Explanation of Significant Differences for the
USS Lead Super fund site.
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS LeadSuperfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-supei fund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
schedule a meeting when there
are technical milestones or the
community has expressed an
interest in having a meeting,
A public hearing is a formal
meeting where we hear the
public's views and concerns
about an EPA action or proposal.
There are specific regulations
about when the Agency is
required to consider such
comments when evaluating
its actions. Public hearings are
recorded by a professional
transcriber and become part of
the administrative record.The
comments are also posted on the
Web.
» The RCRA program held two
public hearings in January and
March 2018 to give community
members the opportunity to
provide public comments and
express any concerns about its
proposed cleanup plan for the
DuPont Facility.
EPA will consider conducting
additional meetings at different
times and different locations
throughout the community to give
all residents an opportunity to attend
as needed.
• Continue to work with the
residents and community
groups. EPA will continue to work
with several stakeholder groups
that have been identified (See
Section 4 - The Community for a
listing of the stakeholder groups.)
and will continue to be available
to residents at the community
office in East Chicago. Members of
these groups include local leaders,
residents of Zones 2 and 3 and
other people interested in site
activities.
is not a formal public hearing
where testimony is received.
Instead, it might be a meeting
to exchange information or
comments. In addition, we
may hold an informal open-
house style meeting, called
an availability session, where
residents can meet EPA experts
one-on-one to discuss the
activities at the site. Either type
of meeting allows community
members an opportunity to
express their concerns and ask
questions of the Agency, state or
local government officials. Public
meetings or availability sessions
can be held at various times
throughout the investigation and
cleanup process. We typically
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
WWW.
Super JTI graduate with CICs Rodriguez and
Pope on the job.
Fifteen residents of East Chicago completed
the SuperJTIprogram. Ten graduates were
hired as workers on the USS Lead site (6 hires
in Zone 2 and 4 hires in Zone 3).
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/liazardous-waste-deanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Provide training and additional
tools for community as needed.
EPA has held workshops for
community members to help them
understand different programs
and processes. EPA will continue to
hold these types of workshops and
provide other programs as needed
tools to help the community
understand different programs that
will assist the community. Some
of the Superfund workshops held
included:
» A Community Resources
program in October 2016 which
provided attendees information
on the Technical Assistance
Services for Communities, or
TASC, and the TAG programs (See
Appendix K for more information
on these programs).
» A "Superfund for Communities"
workshop in February 2017
to help community members
understand the Superfund
process and how they can
participate in the cleanup
process.
» A Superfund Jobs Training
Initiative program in April 2017
where 15 residents of East
Chicago completed the program.
Graduation was held for the
participants and was attended by
EPA officials and local clergy.
Write and distribute news
releases and public notices.
We will prepare and release
announcements to the local
newspaper such as the Northwest
Indiana Times, and the Gary Post
Tribune, to share information
about events such as significant
site investigation findings,
public comment periods, public
EPA attends CAG meeting to give updates
and answer questions on site activities.
meetings and completion of major
milestones such as the proposal of
a cleanup pan. We will also provide
this information to the city of East
Chicago officials for posting on
their respective websites as well
as publishing in any community
newsletters. Community members
interviewed also suggested
hanging flyers announcing
meetings or significant findings at
churches in the neighborhood. As
appropriate, EPA may hang flyers
at the locations recommended and
any other locations identified.
» News releases allow us to reach
large audiences quickly. We
will also post the news releases
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
EPA awards Technical Assistance Grant to community group
On September 25,2018, EPA awarded a $50,000 Technical Assistance Grant, or TAG, to the East Chicago Calumet
Coalition Community Advisory Group Inc. to provide technical assistance at the USS Lead Superfund site in East
Chicago, Ind.
"EPA is committed to keeping the East Chicago community informed and involved in the cleanup process at the
USS Lead site,"said Regional Administrator Cathy Stepp."By providing funding to hire a technical advisor, this
grant will help the community participate in Superfund cleanup decision-making."
TAGs are available to non-profit community groups near National Priorities List sites where Superfund cleanup
work is underway.These grants provide funding for groups to hire their own qualified technical advisor to
interpret and explain technical documents so community members can participate in Superfund decision-
making processes and share information.TAG recipients must provide a 20 percent match in funds or in-kind
contributions. EPA reimburses TAG recipients for eligible costs.
For more information about TAGs: https://www.epa.gov/superfund/technical-assistance-grant-tag-program.
For more information about the USS Lead Superfund site: https://www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site.
on the website, www.epa.gov/
superfund/uss-lead-site and
www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-
waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-
east-chicago-indiana.
based on information obtained
during discussions and interviews
with local residents and other
community members. We
recognize that changes in areas
such as community perceptions,
information needs and population
demographics can occur over
time and that such changes may
necessitate a revised approach
to conducting community
involvement activities. For this
reason, as well as to determine
whether the activities in this
revised plan are achieving their
intended objectives, we will
conduct periodic reviews to
determine whether additional
activities are warranted or whether
changes to current methods of
starting up the activities outlined
in this revised plan are necessary.
As the needs of the community
change, we will modify the
community involvement strategies
to address them in a CIP revision.
» EPA will issue news releases and
public notices as site activities
progress. We will also put copies
of the news releases and public
notices in the site information
repositories.
• Evaluate community
involvement and outreach
efforts and make adjustments
as warranted. The original CIP
prepared in 2011 was designed
to consider site- and community-
specific factors as well as to
comply with federal requirements.
EPA updated the CIP based
on interviews with residents
and information received from
meetings and discussions with
community members. Within
the CIP, community concerns,
the objectives of the community
involvement program for the
site and the specific activities
to address these concerns are
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/liazardous-waste-deanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Another way that EPA ensures that residents are happy with
the remediation is by asking the property owner to complete
a post-construction questionnaire and owner satisfaction
survey.The post-construction questionnaire confirms
that the property has been restored and that all work has
been completed according to the remedial design. The
owner satisfaction survey rates EPA and our contractors
on the entire remediation process, including the resident's
interactions with crew members and the final restoration. For
the 2018 construction season, Zone 2's owner satisfaction
survey is 9.9 out of 10 and Zone 3's owner satisfaction survey
is 9.85 out of 10. Property owners have indicated on their
surveys that the on-site workers have been respectful, kept
the yards clean by spraying and sweeping, and that residents
are happy with the restoration of their property They also
voiced appreciation of EPA's responsiveness to their concerns
regarding restoration issues.
Health Event
EPA, working with partners,
ATSDR, Indiana State Department
of Health and the East Chicago
Health Department sponsored
"Help Your Super Hero Kids Stay
Healthy" on October 11,2018.
An onsite HealthLinc Mobile Unit
was there to do blood lead-level
testing on children from the
neighborhoods. Over 40 children
under the age of 7 had their blood
tested.
Mark Johnson, ATSDR, talks with the news
media about the importance of the children
getting blood lead tested.
CICs talk with resident about the blood testing.
Resident registers for testing.
Parents take their children inside the mobile
unit to have their blood tested for lead.
HI M'HY TOOAY I
HtMlin TOMGtlHW
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-supeifund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Community Involvement Activities
Maintain point of contact
COMPLETED
Establish a toll-free number
COMPLETED
Publish on written materials and EPA website
Establish site hotline
COMPLETED
Establish a local community information office ,0MPLE ED
Maintain communication with local officials, ONGOING
agencies and community residents Regular calls with community leaders
Share site information on the Internet
Update as needed
Update and maintain the site mailing list 0NG0ING
Update as needed
Prepare and distribute fact
sheets and site updates
PREPARE AS NEEDED
Establish and maintain a
site-specific information repository
COMPLETED
Update as needed
Establish and maintain the
administrative record
COMPLETED
Update as needed
(same locations as information repositories)
Conduct public meetings,
hearings and information
sessions
CONDUCT AS NEEDED
Continue to work with residents anc
community groups
ONGOING
Provide training and
additional tools
for community as needed
ONGOING
Write and distribute news
releases and public notices
PREPARE AS NEEDED
Evaluate community involvement
and outreach efforts and make
adjustments as warranted
Periodically throughout
the cleanup process
and update as needed
Points of Contact
Janet Pope
312-353-0628
pope.janet@epa.gov
Charles Rodriguez
312-886-7472
rodriguez.charles@epa.gov
Rafael Gonzalez
312-886-0269
gonzalez.rafaelp@epa.gov
Toll Free Number
800-621-8431
Site Hotline
219-801-2199
Local Community Office
Former Carrie Gosch Elementary School
455 E. 148th St, East Chicago
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Websites
www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup
-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Information Repository
East Chicago Public Library
2401 E. Columbus Dr., East Chicago
Robert A. Pastrick Branch Library
1008 W. Chicago Ave., East Chicago
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
The Community
Describes the composition and history of the city of
East Chicago and the neighborhoods of the USS Lead
Superfund site and DuPont Facility
The community surrounding the
USS Lead Superfund site and Former
DuPont Facility is a proud and very
diverse community located in the
city of East Chicago, Ind. {see Figure 2,
right). Jh\$ community is faced with
environmental challenges that raise
environmental justice concerns (see
Appendix D for more information on
environmental justice).
The neighborhood is referred to as
the Calumet neighborhood and is
bisected by the Indiana Harbor Belt
Railroad. The area west of the tracks
is referred to as Calumet proper or
as "West Calumet," and included
the public housing complex, which
has since been torn down. The
area east of the tracks is known as
"East Calumet." The residential area
of Calumet is surrounded entirely
by industrial land,
including the Indiana
Harbor and Ship
Canal to the west,
the Chicago Avenue
industrial corridor
to the north, a Citgo
tank farm to the
east and the DuPont
Facility and USS Lead
site to the south {see
Figure 3, the next
page).
QP InriAHmt
Figure 2 shows the location of the USS
Lead Superfund site within the city of East
Chicago.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
The USS Lead Superfund site is a very high-profile site and continues to have a lot of media coverage. Federal and
state officials have visited the site. On February 9,2017, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb issued an Executive Order for
Declaration of Disaster Emergency in East Chicago and renewed the order for an additional 30 days on March 2017.
As part of the Executive Order, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority was ordered to develop
a web page (https://www.in.aov/mvihcda/eastchicaao.htm ) to provide status updates, progress reports and other
information from state, federal and local partners.
In a Region 5 news release in December 2017, EPA announced that the site was being put on a "list of sites targeted
for immediate, intense attention." On January 17,2018, EPA issued another news release stating that the USS Lead
site (Zone 1) is on the Region 5 Superfund Redevelopment List.
The Northwest Indiana Times covers site activities on a continual basis. One article included a timeline of the history
of the USS Lead Superfund site in East Chicago {https://www.nwitimes.com/timeline-historv-of-the-uss-lead-superfund-
site-in-e/artide eb369585-9e14-5a88-98c0-74c0fbaba5ea.html), plus many other articles. The Gary-Post Tribune also
covers the site (httD://www.chicaaotribune.com/news/ct-Dtb-east-chicaao-lead-meetina-st-0925-20160924-storv.html)
with articles about EPA meetings held updating the community on site activities.
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/liazardous-waste-deanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Figure 3 indicates the industrial areas surrounding the USS Lead Superfund site.
-------
www.
Est. 2016 23 410'
-4.3*
Suui-se US Cwrsvs Bui eau
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-deanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
HISTORY
East Chicago, nicknamed the Twin
City, was incorporated in 1893 as a
steel and railroad town and was one
of Northwest Indiana's first industrial
cities.The city was originally known
as theTwin City because of the rail
yards that divided the area into two
halves. Inland Steel dominated the
city's economy from 1903 through
the 1990s. A rivalry developed
between Indiana Harbor, the "East
Side," home of Inland Steel and most
working-class families, and East
Chicago's "West Side," the residential
area of the native-born business
community. Locals talked about how
the residential and class divisions are
at the heart of the town's identity
as the"Twin City." According to
Wikipedia.org, the name remains to
this day. According to the city of East
Chicago's website, the construction
of an overpass on Columbus Drive
in the 1930's brought all of East
Chicago together. (Source: http://
www.eastchicago.com/page80/
pageWl/index.html)
During the Industrial Revolution,
the city was known as the most
industrialized municipality in
the country because of its many
factories. During World War I, East
Chicago was known as the "Arsenal
of America." (Source: http://www.
eastchicago.com/page80/page 101/
index.html). East Chicago was
America's ultimate melting pot
where four out of five citizens were
foreign-born.
After World War I broke out in 1914,
there was a labor shortage in East
Chicago. Several thousand Mexicans
immigrated to East Chicago in the
191 Os to work in the mills. Most of
these immigrants were single men
who had planned on returning to
Mexico, but many stayed in East
Chicago and were eventually joined
by their families. However, during
the 1930s and 1950s, this community
was targeted for voluntary
deportation and 1,800 people
were deported in 1932. Those who
remained paved the way for Latino
immigration after 1965.
h4 AH4
54,617
54,2&3
57.GG3
46382
K706
13.032
XI 414
mm#
mm
m
m
Historical population
Census
1B9I>
19D0
1910
1920
Pop.
1 Jhb
3,411
19 OM.
3S.S67
171.8%
459.^
&G.3%
1330
KJ 1%
0.2%
-0.7%
6.3*
18 5*
-15.1*
-I S G*
7ddo
-4 4%
2010
-8.4%
A local resident provided this picture of homes in
Calumet in 1937.
-------
www.
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Each community has
its own personality and
characteristics that make
it unique. When we asked
interviewees, "What is
special or important to you
about your community,"
We overwhelmingly heard
"It's family." Other responses
included, "it's a great
working-class community -
the melting pot of Northwest
Indiana." "People - good,
good people." "People look
out for each other here." "We
have enormous talent in
the area - there are a lot of
amazing people." "Love that
it is a mixed community of all
ages - that is such value!"
Many people said, "this is
home - have never lived
anywhere else. It is where I
raised my children." "There is
a community feel here." "It's
hometown." "There is a lot
of community pride." "It's a
very old neighborhood." "It's a
Black historic community."
"Even when people leave
and comeback - it's like
coming home-you know
you will get love - it's really
unexplainable."
In the 1910s and 1920s, Black
Americans began to arrive as part
of the "Great Migration,1" and this
continued from the 1940s to 1960s. A
demographic survey in 1959 showed
there were 1,000 Mexican families,
10,000 African American families
and 3,000 Polish families. Many of
the families identified as Puerto
Rican, Romanian, Serbian, Italian,
Lithuanian and Croation. During this
time, more than 70 nationalities lived
in East Chicago, each with their own
ethnic-based church, neighborhoods
and stores.
Population in East Chicago peaked
in 1960 at 57,669, however, by 1970,
the population had decreased to
47,000; 34,000 in 1990, and 29,000
by 2010. The decrease in population
is attributed to the steel crisis in
the country from 1974 to 1986. In
1969, Inland Steel employed 25,000
Stakeholder groups
During the March 2017 assessment
and June 2018 interviews, several
community stakeholder groups
were identified by interviewees.
They described conflict between
some of the stakeholder groups
as a competition for resources and
the spotlight. Another source of
conflict described the different
priorities across each of the zones
and within the zones represented by
the groups. One interviewee noted
people and by 1998, only 9,000 were
employed.
Northwest Indiana is home to
the nation's largest steel mill, U.S.
Steel's Gary Works and East Chicago
Tin, a steel finishing facility in
North America's largest integrated
steelmaking complex, the Indiana
Harbor and Ship Canal complex;
ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor in East
Chicago and the newest integrated
steel mill in the country, ArcelorMittal
Burns Harbor [https://www.nwitimes.
com/business/steel/indiana-
leads-nation-in-steel-production/
article_def40810-528e-5a98-acc2-
ebab79de08a2.html). East Chicago is
also home to ArcelorMittal's Global
Research & Development Center,
which employs top scientists from
around the world.The Global R&D
Center just celebrated its 50th year
(,https:usa.arcelormittal.com/what-w-
do/research-and-development).
that in one zone, "it is the property
owners versus the renters." Another
interviewee described each group as
having its own agenda. During the
2018 interviews, some of the same
concerns were expressed about the
groups. Only three of the following
stakeholder groups were discussed in
the 2018 interviews (ECCC, Calumet
Lives Matter and the Community
Strategy Group).
1 The Great Migration was the movement of 6 million African-Americans out of the rural Southern United
States to the urban Northeast, Midwest, and West that occurred between 1916 and 1970. Until 1910, more
than 90 percent of the African-American population lived in the American South. In 1900, only one-fifth
of African-Americans living in the South were living in urban areas. By the end of the Great Migration, 53
percent of the African-American population remained in the South, while 40 percent lived in the North, and
7 percent in the West, and the African-American population had become highly urbanized. By 1960, of those
African-Americans still living in the South, half now lived in urban areas, and by 1970, more than 80 percent
of African-Americans nationwide lived in cities. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Migration_
(African_American)#cite_note-1.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
www.
EPA participated in the 2018 Calumet Days
celebration. It was an opportunity to talk
with residents about site activities and
answer questions.
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-deanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
East Chicago Calumet Coalition
(ECCC)
ECCC identifies itself as the
community advisory group of the
USS Lead site. Led by Maritza Lopez,
the group is composed of a mixture
of current Zones 2 and 3 residents
and former Zone 1 residents.
Interviewees also described the
ECCC as the "most active" group.
Many people described Maritza
Lopez as very knowledgeable
about site activities and community
engagement. ECCC has several
subcommittees, which are led by
residents from each of the zones.
Many interviewees said ECCC
primarily focuses on homeowner
issues and may not take renter-
related issues sufficiently into
account. One interviewee also
suggested that the group may be
perceived as too closely aligned with
EPA. During the 2018 interviews,
several people said they had not
received information from the ECCC
and a couple people did not know
it existed. Others reported that they
get all their information and updates
from the ECCC and attend the ECCC
meetings.
Community Strategy Group (CSG)
C5G is led by Reverend Cheryl Rivera
and Thomas Frank. Interviewees
described CSG as very active
and "anti-establishment." Some
interviewees noted that many CSG
members do not live in the zones but
are actively involved with residential
What is special or important about my community?
"Calumet Days! It pulls people from all over the country to come
to the celebration."
-2018 Interviewee/Resident
issues on site. One interviewee
described CSG as primarily focused
on the West Calumet Housing
Complex. Two interviewees
described CSG meetings as having
a set agenda. One interviewee said
that, at one meeting, members were
asked to read scripts to describe
residents' issues and experiences.
Calumet Lives Matter (CLM)
CLM was described as a "private
group" with participation by
invitation only. Interviewees
described CLM as primarily
concerned with issues pertaining to
the West Calumet Housing Complex.
One interviewee described CLM
as "militant" and suggested the
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
group does not want other groups
to receive resources. Interviewees
mentioned several CLM leaders,
including Sherry Hunter, Senator
Lonnie Randolph and Byron Florence.
CLM appears to have been the
first community group developed
because of community demand for
more information about the lead
contamination. CLM has designated
co-chairs who lead various
committees within CLM including:
housing, health, research, action
and legal. Interviewees described
a positive working relationship
between CLM and CSG, however
one interviewee said that"residents
are not making decisions in those
groups."
We the People for East Chicago
Interviewees mentioned We the
People for East Chicago several times.
However, people did not share many
specifics regarding its activities.
One interviewee mentioned that
the group is working with CLM. The
group is led by Carlyle Edwards.
National Nurses United (NNU)
Interviewees described NNU as
"organizers" and "independent." One
interviewee described NNU as similar
to ECCC in terms of its structure
and focus.The interviewees did not
discuss NNU in depth, but talked
about the group as being involved
in community education efforts. The
group is led by Sheilah Garland.
The Twin City Minister Alliance of
East Chicago
The Twin City Minister Alliance of
East Chicago is a group of ministers
that cross denominational, gender
and cultural lines to do kingdom
work and to enhance the life for
people in the community.
Also special to this neighborhood is
"Calumet Days,"which has been held
in Riley Park (one of the largest parks
in East Chicago) since 1994.
Demographics
Population, age distribution,
economic status, cultural heritage
and language are key factors to
consider when developing and
implementing programs that serve
the local community.These factors
are discussed in this section.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau2,
the population of the Site Area
(Zones 2 and 3) is 2,495.The graphics
on the following pages show the
racial makeup and population for
the Site Area. As there is a large
Hispanic population, Spanish
translation services for meetings and
documents are provided to support
transparent communication with
this community. Figure 4 on Page 41
provides a comparison of the Site
Area's demographics to the city of
East Chicago.
2 Information was generated from EPA's EJSCREEN, which gets demographic information from American
Community Survey (ACS) statistics. These statistics came from the 2011-2015 ACS.The ACS is conducted by
the U. S. Census Bureau.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
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Minority
Population
WWW.
Population and Races* in Zones 2 and 3
(Numbers in Percentages)
Black or
Total No
I Hispanic
Hispanic or
Latino
African
American
Alone
hite Alone Asian Alone American
Indian Alone
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-deanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
The U.S. Census Bureau considers the Hispanic/Latino designation an ethnicity and not a race. The
population self-identified as Hispanic/Latino is also represented within the "Race" demographic.
Household
Less than $15,000
$15,000 to $25,000
$25,000 to $50,000
$50,000 to $75,000
$75,000 +
Income Level in Zones 2 and 3
0
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/liazardous-waste-deanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
prTcital Occupirn
Housing Units:
961
Owner Occupied: 491
Renter Occupied: 470
Education Levels
for People Aged 25+
Zones 2 and 3
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Total Population
East Chicago
(91% Minority) 28,583
40%
African American
50%
Hispanic or Latino
9 White
1%0ther
Total Population
Zones 2 and 3
2,495 (91% Minority)
African American
53%
Hispanic or Latino
White 1%
Asian Yo
Native American 1%
35%
East Chicago
9,894 Household Income Base
12( $75,000+ -m
16% $50,000-$75,000
24% $25,000-$50,000
21 % $15,000-$25,000
27"/ Less than $15,000
Zones 2 and 3
Household Income Base )61
$75,000+ %
$50,000-$75,000 !%
$25,000-$50,000 7%
$15,000-$25,000 1%
Less than $15,000 !5%
bender Composition
East Chicago Zones 2 and 3
54% Female
46% Male
Female 50%
Male 50%
East Chicago Ages
12%65+-
58%18-64 -
Zones 2 and 3 Ages
Q 65+15%
18-6453%
22% 5-17
—5-17 24%
—0-47%
East Chicago
16,60 Education Levels
Bachelor's Degree or More
Associates Degree
27° Some College, No Degree
High School Graduate
9th-12th No Diploma
Less than 9th Grade
Zones 2 and 3
Education Levels 1,513
ichelor's Degree or More
isociates Degree
Some College, No Degree
High School Graduate
9th-12th No Diploma
Less than 9th Grade
Occupied Housing Units
Zones 2 and 3
Renter Occupied
51%
Owner Occupied
49%
Occupied Housing Units
East Chicago
Renter Occupied
44% /
Owner Occupied
56%
Populations Age 5+ Years Ability to Speak English
Non-English Home
\41%
^59%
East Chicago
Speak English Only-
74%
Zones 2 and 3
Figure 4 shows demographic comparisons between the Zones 2 and 3 and the city of East Chicago.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/liazardous-waste-deanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Government structure
The city of East Chicago, located in
Lake County of northwest Indiana, is
approximately 20 miles southeast of
Chicago, III. It encompasses an area
of 12 square miles.
East Chicago is governed by a mayor,
who is elected every four years, and
a city council, whose members are
elected every two years. Six district
council members and three at-large
council members make up the
Common Council who meet every
second and fourth Monday of the
month. The USS Lead Superfund
site and DuPont Facility site are
represented by two districts - District
3 (Councilmember Brenda Walker)
and District 4 (Councilmember
Christine Vasquez). The city is
assisted by a city clerk, township
assessor, and township trustee. East
Chicago has a health department
which has been kept informed of
activities at the site. The East Chicago
Redevelopment Authority and the
East Chicago Housing Authority are
also active in the community.The
East Chicago Housing Authority
has played a key role in the site,
especially with the relocation and
demolition of the West Calumet
Public Housing Complex (Zone 1).
East Chicago is served by a full-
time fire department and police
department.
The main daily newspapers in the
area are The Northwest Indiana
Times (formerly The Hammond
Times) and The Gary Post Tribune,
The main television stations include
WLS-TV, WMAQ-TV, WTTW, WFLD,
WGN-TV, and WBBM-TV.The local
cable channel, E.C.TV provides local
coverage. Multiple AM and FM radio
stations from the Chicagoland area
service the East Chicago area. A list of
local media sources can be found in
Appendix B.
-------
The
Sites
USS Lead Superfund Site
The U.S. Smelter and Lead Refinery,
Inc. Superfund Site is located in
the city of East Chicago, Indiana.
The site has been divided into two
cleanup areas that EPA refers to as
operable units, or OUs. OU1 is a
322-acre residential area bounded by
East Chicago Avenue on the north,
East 151 st Street on the south, the
Indiana Harbor Canal on the west
and Parrish Avenue on the east.
OU1 has been further subdivided in
Zones 1,2 and 3. OU2 includes the
79-acre former USS Lead facility, on
151st Street, as well as groundwater
beneath the entire site. OU1 is
divided into three zones [see Figure5
on page 44).
Contamination in OU1 is largely
derived from historic operations at
three nearby facilities: (1) the USS
Lead facility; (2) a facility formerly
located in Zone 1 and owned and
operated by subsidiaries of the
Anaconda Copper and Mining Co.;
and (3) the E.I. Du Pont de Nemours
facility located just southeast of OU1.
The USS Lead facility was constructed
in 1906 and used an electrolytic
process (the Betts process) to refine
lead bullion. Because lead refining
produces a number of byproducts,
the USS Lead facility also included
various secondary metal treatment
operations, such as secondary lead
smelting, and operated a weed killer
(lead arsenate) plant. In addition,
throughout its history, the USS Lead
facility accepted scrap lead from a
variety of sources for treatment in its
secondary lead smelting operations
involving a blast furnace. In 1972, the
USS Lead facility stopped refining
lead bullion and instead increased its
blast furnace capacity to treat more
scrap lead material. Operations at the
USS Lead facility ceased in 1985.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Operable UnitTF"
V -i'.r 1
Figure 5 shows the boundaries ofOU1,OU2
and the DuPont Facility.
Among other sources of
contamination from the USS Lead
facility, slag from the blast furnace
was routinely placed in piles on the
ground and left exposed to elements.
Lead and arsenic particulate was
released into the environment as
fumes from operations, as dust from
the baghouses and as dust from lead
waste piles (e.g., slag and baghouse
dust) stored on the grounds.
The Anaconda facility operated three
inter-related processes. In 1912, a
lead refinery was built on the site and
used a pyrometallurgical process
to refine lead bullion. In 1919, a plant
was constructed to produce white
lead for use as an ingredient in lead
paint. Finally, in 1922, a zinc oxide
plant was added to the facility.
As with the USS Lead facility, the
Anaconda facility also operated
numerous secondary metal
treatment processes. Byproducts
of the operations included slag,
lead waste and arsenic. Among
other sources of contamination,
arsenic was burned off and was
supposed to be recovered in flues
and a baghouse. In addition, lead
and arsenic particulate was released
into the environment in the same
manner as with the USS Lead facility.
Operation of the white lead process
generated additional releases.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Significant quantities of lead were
refined from 1912 until 1946,
when refining operations at the
Anaconda facility ceased. However,
secondary smelting and white lead
production continued into the
1950s.The Anaconda facility was
demolished over the course of the
1960s and early 1970s. In 1972, the
West Calumet Housing Complex was
constructed on the facility's footprint.
The DuPont Facility was constructed
in 1892 to manufacture various
organic and inorganic chemicals.
Over the course of its operations,
the DuPont facility produced over
one hundred different chemicals,
including lead and calcium arsenate
(1910-1949) and zinc chloride
(1900-1969). Among other sources
of contamination, lead and arsenic
particulate generated from these
operations was released into the
environment as stack emissions,
precipitator dust and dust from
exposed waste piles stored on
the grounds of the site. General
operations at the facility contracted
significantly during the 1980s
and 1990s.The DuPont facility is
undergoing corrective action under
federal RCRA authorities. See Page 49
for more details on the DuPont
Facility.
The residential area north of the
plant consists of approximately
1,100 properties, including homes,
various commercial businesses,
parks, schools and public buildings.
The residential areas in Zones 1-3
have been sampled by different
groups - EPA in 1985, Entact in 1999,
EPA/IDEM in 2002, EPA in 2003, 2006
and 2009. In 2003, EPA sampled soil
in the residential area north of USS
Lead as part of a RCRA corrective
action investigation. Results from the
testing showed high levels of lead
contamination in some residential
yards. In 2004, EPA's RCRA corrective
action program referred USS Lead to
the federal Superfund program for
further investigation.
In April 2006, EPA's Superfund
program collected additional data
from certain residential properties
sampled in 2003. EPA identified 15
properties that contained soil with
lead concentrations exceeding the
regulatory removal action level of
1,200 mg/kg in the top 6 inches
of soil. In 2008, EPA's emergency
response program cleaned up the
soil at 13 of the 15 properties that
granted EPA access to conduct the
cleanup.
In June 2009, EPA began a remedial
investigation/feasibility study, or
RI/FS, study at the site. As part of
the Rl, EPA collected soil samples
from 88 properties, including parks
and schools, in an area between East
Chicago Avenue and 151st Street,
and between the Indiana Harbor
Canal and Parrish Avenue. Sampling
in the residential area was done
on a widely-spaced sampling grid
to determine the extent of lead-
contaminated soil at residences,
schools, parks, vacant lots and other
areas where children may come into
contact with contaminated soil. The
samples were analyzed in the field
with a field screening device that
can detect metal concentration.
Sampling results were sent to the
homeowners.
As part of the investigation,
additional sampling was conducted
to further assess areas where
sensitive populations may be
exposed and to address spatial data
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
gaps. Samples were collected from
baseball diamonds, the walking path
west of the now former Carrie Gosch
Elementary School, Kennedy Gardens
Park, the grounds of St. Joseph's
Carmelite Home for Girls and several
additional residences.
In the summer of 2016, EPA
conducted two removal actions3 in
the West Calumet Housing Complex
(Zone 1), one to cover bare soil
spots with mulch to prevent direct
contact with contamination, and
the second to conduct the interior
cleaning of dust from about 270
living units. Between August and
November 2016, EPA conducted
in-home deep cleaning of about 270
households in Zone 1. This process
included cleaning floors and walls, all
window covers, and steam cleaning
In 2011, EPA's emergency response
program conducted a second
cleanup action at 16 properties (two
of which were identified during the
2008 action and not cleaned up due
to access issues) with elevated lead
in soil concentrations. The response
action consisted of removing lead-
contaminated soil from five East
Chicago Public Housing addresses
and 11 residential properties.
New sod is placed to restore yard.
In 2012, the FS, which is a document
that screens and evaluates cleanup
alternatives, for Zones 1 -3, was
completed. In November 2012, EPA
issued a Record of Decision, or
cleanup plan, for OU1 Zones 1-3
of the site. The final cleanup plan
consisted of removing contaminated
soil up to 2 feet below ground from
yards with lead levels exceeding
400 milligrams per kilogram and/or
arsenic levels exceeding 26 mg/kg.
The soil would be disposed of at an
off-site facility and clean soil would
be placed in the yards, along with
6 inches of topsoil and sod and/or
other landscape features (such as
plants removed during the cleanup).
Clean soil is placed after excavation.
^Removal actions are immediate, short-term
responses intended to protect people from
immediate threats posed by hazardous waste.
Remedial actions are long-term cleanups designed
to prevent or minimize the release of hazardous
substances to reduce the risk and danger to public
health or the environment.
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
upholstery arid carpeting. Verits
and accessible portions of the ducts
were also cleaned, and HVAC system
filters were replaced. Residents were
temporarily relocated to hotels while
their homes were cleaned.
In mid-2016, EPA began sampling
and cleaning properties in Zones 2
and 3.The sampling data collected
was used to determine the extent of
cleanup required for each property.
EPA began the cleanups in mid-2016
at properties that had high levels
of lead (1,200 ppm) and/or arsenic
(68 ppm) in the top six inches of
soil or had sensitive populations
(pregnant women and/or children
6 years or younger staying at the
residence) with lead and/or arsenic
concentrations above action levels.
EPA conducted a removal action
in Zone 2 to address elevated
concentrations of lead and/or arsenic
in soil at 17 priority properties and
began a remedial action in Zone 3 to
address elevated lead and/or arsenic
levels in soil at 38 priority properties
including a city park. In conjunction
with yard cleanup, EPA offered
indoor dust sampling to residents as
a part of the cleanup. Samples were
collected and evaluated for lead and/
or arsenic in the dust. Homes with
sampling results above screening
levels were scheduled for indoor
cleaning.
EPA conducted continuous air
sampling and air monitoring
to ensure that workers and
residents were not exposed to site
contaminants during the sampling
and cleaning of the properties. Air
monitoring stations were set up at
various locations in all three zones
and throughout all phases of the site
work. EPA also took drinking water
samples before, during and after
excavation activities. In 2017, the city
of East Chicago worked with IDEM
to provide residents living in Zones 2
and 3 of the site with water filters for
their kitchen faucets.
EPA prepared an Enhanced
Communications Plan {See Page 25)
in 2017 to revamp communication
and enhance service to the residents
of the site. Several improvements
were made, including publishing
a dedicated hotline number for
the site, appointing a dedicated
and experienced CIC as the full
time point-of-contact for residents
and establishing a community
information office at the former
Carrier Gosch Elementary School.
.
EPA contractors sampling indoors.
EPA contractors checking air sampling
equipment.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
In October 2017, EPA began an Rl
in OU2 of the site. The Rl in OU2 will
focus on a sitewide groundwater
study as well as an ecological
assessment and additional sampling
in the wetlands area of the former
USS Lead facility. Field work is
expected to begin in fall 2018.
The following is a status of the
cleanup activities at the USS Lead
Superfund site.
Zone 1
The Department of Housing and
Urban Development and the East
Chicago Housing Authority made
the decision to demolish the former
West Calumet Housing Complex,
part of Zone 1 of the Superfund
site. All residents have moved out.
EPA worked closely with ECHA and
HUD to ensure demolition of the
complex did not pose environmental
or health risks to the surrounding
neighborhoods. ECHA and HUD
agreed to safety measures including
air-quality monitors, dust-control,
truck-washing stations, storm water
run-off control and street sweepers.
EPA reviewed and commented on
the demolition plan prior to the
beginning of work. EPA monitored
the demolition to ensure the safety
and engineering measures were
effective.
The cleanup plan selected in 2012
was to clean up the contaminated
soil at the housing complex without
displacing residents or tearing
down any buildings. Because of the
decision to demolish the complex,
EPA revised the feasibility study to
evaluate cleanup options based
on the City of East Chicago's stated
intention to zone this parcel of land
for residential use.
On Nov. 12,2018, EPA began a 60-
day public comment period on a
proposed cleanup plan for Zone 1.
EPA's proposal to clean up the site
to residential standards involves
removing more than 160,000 cubic
yards of contaminated soil and
replacing it with clean soil and seed
or sod. Soil below 2 feet would
remain undisturbed and in place.
EPA's preference is based on its
determination that digging deeper is
not meaningfully more protective of
residential users and does not justify
the additional cost. Excavated soil
would be disposed at an approved
off-site landfill.
Digging restrictions and other
controls would be instituted to
protect future site users from
unacceptable risks related to
exposure to remaining contaminated
soil. Because some contaminated
soil would be left in place, EPA
would conduct five-year reviews
of the cleanup as required by the
Superfund law.
Zone 2
There are 596 properties in Zone 2
and cleanup activities resumed on,
May 29,2018. Contractors for the
potentially responsible parties, or
PRPs, are conducting the cleanup
work under a legal agreement,
called a Unilateral Administrative
Order4. The contractors had an
initial goal to excavate and restore
140 properties in 2018; the actual
number of properties cleaned in the
2018 construction season was 178.
EPA is onsite to monitor their work
4There are two legal agreements that the PRPs are
working under - one is for the interior work for
both Zones 1 and 2 and the other UAO is for the
exterior cleanup work being done in Zone 2.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
and answer any questions residents
may have.
When EPA contractors found a ring in the bushes
during cleanup, they gave it to the homeowner.
She was overcome with joy! The ring belonged
to her husband who had recently passed away.
It was his Master's ring from the University of
Chicago and had been missing for 10-15 years.
She told EPA she was going to send it to her son.
Dust sampling activities resumed in
Zone 2 in mid-June, after the cleanup
and restoration activities scheduled
for 2018 had been completed.
Contractors for the PRPs will be
conducting the interior sampling and
cleanings under the UAO and will
schedule the interior sampling with
the residents.
Zone 3
There are 481 properties in
Zone 3. On May 15,2018, cleanup
and restoration work began in
Zone 3. EPA met its original goal of
cleaning up 120 properties this year.
EPA is currently pursuing access to
properties where soil has not yet
been sampled and plans to sample
the soil at those properties in 2018
when access is received.
Dust sampling activities resumed
in Zone 3 in mid-June after the
cleanup and restoration activities
scheduled for 2018 had been
completed. Contractors for the PRPs
are currently conducting the interior
sampling and cleanings under a
UAO. Interior sampling is scheduled
once restoration work is underway.
Interior sampling and cleaning
activities will continue throughout
the winter of 2018-2019.
DuPont Facility Site Background
Former DuPont East Chicago
Facility
The Former DuPont East Chicago
Facility is located at 5215 Kennedy
Ave. in East Chicago and is
approximately 440 acres (see
Figure 6 on page 50). The property is
bounded to the south by the East
Branch of the Grand Calumet River,
to the east and north by residential
and commercial areas and to the
west by an industrial area. Though
property ownership was transferred
to The Chemours Company, a wholly-
owned subsidiary of DuPont, in
February 2015, it is still referred to
and known as the DuPont facility
within the community. Effective June
29,2018, Chemours conveyed title
to the Former DuPont East Chicago
Facility to East Chicago Gateway
Partners, LLC. All parties are involved
in the cleanup of the site with EPA
oversight.
Because of the size of the site, EPA
has divided the site into five areas:
• Natural Area/Eastern Area:
This undeveloped area occupies
approximately 172 acres and
contains original plains/dunes
geomorphology and associated
plant communities.
• Buffer Zone Area: This area
occupies approximately 20 acres
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
OPEN AREA LANDFILL
=52 Acres
< . . t .Mf
. SOLID WASTE LANDFILL
«p , t
REDEVELOPMENT AREA
==155 Acres
LEASED AREA -
^29'AcreSajr
NATURAL AREA
"172 Acre®
tRAhd CALLMET SIvES
WWW.
Figure 6 shows the five areas of the DuPont site.
and is located directly east of the
Open and Redevelopment Areas
and separates these areas from the
adjacent Natural Area,
• Redevelopment Area: This area
occupies approximately 155 acres
and encompasses the former
manufacturing area located in the
central and west portions of the
property.
• Open Area: This area occupies
approximately 50 acres and
includes an approximately 30-acre
former solid waste landfill,
• Leased Area: DuPont leased this
30-acre active manufacturing
area to W.R. Grace & Co. and
Grace Division since early 2000;
Chemours maintains ownership of
this area.
A comprehensive evaluation of
soil and groundwater conditions at
the facility was performed as part
of the corrective action process
under RCRA. In 1997, EPA issued an
Administrative Order on Consent,
which specified DuPont to conduct a
RCRA Facility Investigation, or RFI,
to determine the nature and extent
of any releases of hazardous waste
from the facility. The company was
also required to implement interim
remedial measures where necessary
and submit a corrective measures
study to identify and evaluate
cleanup alternatives.
Two areas in the eastern portion
of the site, including the Natural
Area/Eastern Area and the Buffer
Zone Area, were cleaned up
under a separate corrective action
Final Decision and a long-term
monitoring plan in 2014.
Development of the East Chicago
property was largely confined
to the western portion of the
site. The southern section of the
developed area was used for
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epQ.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
chemical manufacturing, while
the northwestern section and
northeastern edge of the site were
used for waste management. All
previously active manufacturing
areas, except for the Leased Area,
have been decommissioned and
production facilities removed.
Industries facilities continue to
operate in the 30-acre Leased Area.
This area is included in the current
proposed plan, or Statement of
Basis for the Industrial Area.
In the fall of 2017, EPA released the
2017 Industrial Area Statement
of Basis for public comment. The
public comment period was from
November 27,2017 until March 12,
2018. EPA reviewed all comments
and selected a final cleanup plan and
the"Final Decision with Response to
Comments" on July 18,2018.
On Nov. 16,2018, EPA announced
that the current and previous owners
of the former DuPont chemical
manufacturing plant agreed to a
$26.6 million cleanup of the facility.
E.I. du Pont Nemours and Company,
Chemours Company FC, LLC, and
East Chicago Gateway Partners,
LLC agreed to conduct the cleanup
under a Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (RCRA) order. Work is
expected to begin in 2019.
Why is the DuPont Facility under
the RCRA program?
Questions have been raised at
public meetings regarding RCRA's
regulation of the DuPont Facility.
Concern has been expressed that
the facility was not or could not be
regulated by RCRA because DuPont
withdrew its RCRA facility treatment
storage and disposal permit
application for this facility
On August 19,1980, as required by
RCRA, DuPont submitted a RCRA
"Part A" Permit Application that
identified the East Chicago facility
as both a large quantity generator
of hazardous waste and a treatment,
storage and disposal facility for
waste solvents. On March 17,1982,
DuPont withdrew that Part A Permit
Application and its treatment,
storage and disposal facility status
claiming that, after 1980, the East
Chicago facility did not treat, store or
dispose of hazardous wastes.
Despite withdrawing its permit
application, DuPont was and
continues to be subject to
RCRA corrective action cleanup
requirements at the East Chicago
facility.These cleanup requirements
apply to facilities that, at any time,
had RCRA interim status, as well as
facilities that operated without a
RCRA permit when they should have
had one. Any facility that had or
should have obtained "interim status"
(a status conferred by operation
of statute) is subject to RCRA's
corrective action requirements.
Indeed, EPA's 1997 Corrective
Action Order to DuPont recognizes
"[Dupont] is the owner or operator
of a Facility that has operated, is
operating, should be, or should
have been operating under interim
status subject to § 3005(e) of RCRA,
42 U.S.C. § 6925 (e)." Pursuant to that
Corrective Action Order, DuPont
has been carrying out RCRA Facility
Investigations, Corrective Measures
Studies, and Interim Corrective
Measures. Following consideration of
and response to public comments on
EPA's proposed remedy, and issuance
of a final remedial decision, EPA
anticipates that DuPont/Chemours
will enter into an agreement to
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
undertake the RCRA-required
cleanup work and institutional
controls required by the final
Statement of Basis for the Western
Area/Industrial Portion of the East
Chicago facility.
It should be noted that there has
been no interruption in the IDEM's
or EPA's regulation of Dupont's
generation, treatment, storage
and disposal of wastes at the East
Chicago facility.
Contaminants of concern
Results from several investigations
indicate arsenic, lead, zinc and
cadmium are the primary pollutants
in the soil from about 0 to 10 feet
below ground. Arsenic is the primary
contaminant in the groundwater
because of how it is distributed and
its high concentrations.
EPA announces final decision and
response to comments
On July 18,2018, EPA announced the
selected remedy and final corrective
measures for the Former DuPont
Facility. The objectives of the plan are
to:
• Control direct contact with
contaminated soil to reduce
exposure
• Dig up, treat and dispose of some
contaminated soil
• Treat soil below the water table
within the source area to further
reduce the arsenic source to
groundwater
• Treat in-situ (in-place) groundwater
plumes to reduce or eliminate
additional arsenic migration
beyond the northern and southern
boundaries
• Proceed with final closure of the
on-site solid waste landfill
• Put a long-term monitoring and
maintenance plan for the site in
place
• Record, implement and maintain
EPA-approved institutional controls
that will be developed with IDEM
• Maintain site access controls (such
as fencing and signage)
• Implement health and safety
plans at the facility, as necessary,
to minimize unacceptable risk
associated with human exposure
to facility contaminants.
For more details on the final decision
and response to comments, visit
www.epa .g ov/i n/h aza rd ous-waste-
cleanup-dupont-facility-east-
chicago-indiana or the administrative
record at the East Chicago Public
Library {see Appendix C for location
information).
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Appendix A
Glossary - Initials
Administrative Order on Consent. A legal agreement through which a
violator agrees to pay for correction of the violations and take actions to
correct the problem. The agreement is enforceable in court.
Administrative Record. A file that contains reports, studies and other site-
related documents the Agency relies on to make a cleanup decision.This file is
usually housed in a local library.
Arsenic. An element of varying appearance found naturally in the
environment. Arsenic has been used in the production of boric acid,
pharmaceutical products and pesticides. It is a byproduct of copper, zinc and
lead smelting. Exposures over a long period of time have caused birth defects
and genetic damage in test animals. There is evidence that it can cause skin,
lung, liver and bladder cancer in humans. More information can be found on
the following website: www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tfacts2.pdf.
Cadmium. A heavy metal that accumulates in the environment. Cadmium
is a byproduct of zinc production and can be found in some industrial
paints. Exposure to this metal may cause flu-like symptoms, and more severe
exposures can cause respiratory and kidney problems, which can be fatal.
More information can be found on the following website: https://www.atsdr.
cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=47&tid=15.
CAG. See Community Advisory Group.
CERCLA. See Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act.
CIC. See Community Involvement Coordinator.
CIP. See Community Involvement Plan.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Cleanup. Actions taken to deal with a release or threat of release of a
hazardous substance that could affect humans and/or the environment.The
term "cleanup" is sometimes used interchangeably with the terms "remedial
action,""remediation,""removal action,""response action "or "corrective action."
Community. An interacting population of various types of individuals, or
species, in a common location; a neighborhood or specific area where people
live.
Community Advisory Group. A committee, task force, or board made up of
citizens affected by a hazardous waste site. CAGs provide a public forum for
community members to present and discuss their needs and concerns about
the decision-making process at site affecting them.
Community Engagement. The process of involving communities in all phases
of the cleanup process. Communities are asked to provide input on how the
cleanup will be conducted and how it may affect community plans and goals.
See also Community Involvement.
Community Involvement. The term used by EPA to identify its process
for engaging in dialogue and collaboration with communities affected
by Superfund site. EPA's community involvement approach is founded in
the belief that people have a right to know what the Agency is doing in
their community and to have a say in it. Its purpose is to give people the
opportunity to become involved in the Agency's activities and to help shape
the decisions that are made.
Community Involvement Coordinator. The EPA official whose lead
responsibility is to involve and inform the public about the Superfund
process and response actions in accordance with the interactive community
involvement requirements set forth in the National Oil and Hazardous
Substances Pollution Contingency Plan.
Community Involvement Plan. A plan that outlines specific community
involvement activities that occur during the investigation and cleanup at the
site. The CIP outlines how EPA will keep the public informed of work at the
site and the ways in which residents can review and comment on decisions
that may affect the final actions at the site.The document is available in the
site's information repository maintained by EPA.The CIP may be modified as
necessary to respond to changes in community concerns, information needs
and activities.
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act. A federal law passed in 1980 and modified in 1986 by the Superfund
Amendments and Reauthorization Act. Commonly known as Superfund,
CERCLA is intended to protect people's health and the environment by
investigating and cleaning up abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste
site. Under the program, EPA can either:
• Pay for site cleanup when parties responsible for the contamination cannot
be located or are unwilling or unable to do the work; or
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
• Take legal action to force parties responsible for site contamination to clean
up the site or pay back the federal government for the cost of the cleanup.
Contaminant(s). Any physical, chemical, biological or radiological substance
or matter that has an adverse effect on air, water or soil.
Contamination. Introduction into water, air and soil of microorganisms,
chemicals, toxic substances, wastes or wastewater in a concentration that
makes the medium unfit for its next intended use. Also applies to surfaces of
objects, buildings and various household use products.
Environmental Justice. Equal protection from environmental hazards for
individuals, groups, or communities regardless of race, ethnicity, or economic
status. This applies to the development, implementation, and enforcement
of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. It implies that no population
of people should face an unfair amount of negative environmental impacts
of pollution or environmental hazard due to a lack of political or economic
strength levels.
Emergency Response Action. Steps taken by EPA to respond to a site that
poses an immediate threat to public health or the environment.
Explanation of Significant Differences. A document outlining minor changes
in the original remedy selected at a site as described in the Record of Decision,
such as a contingent remedy.
Feasibility Study. The feasibility study is an analysis of the practicality of
a proposal and evaluates alternatives and costs for their effectiveness in
protecting human health and the environment.
Final Decision. Issued pursuant to the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended
by RCRA and the Hazardous Solid Waste Amendments of 1984
FS. See Feasibility Study.
Geomorphology. The study of the origin and evolution of land and water
features created by physical, chemical, or biological processes happening near
earth's surface. Scientists look to understand why landscapes look the way
they do, and to predict changes through field observations, experiments, and
modeling.
Hazardous Substance(s). Any material that poses a threat to human health
and/or the environment. Typical hazardous substances are toxic, corrosive,
ignitable, explosive or chemically reactive. Any substance designated by EPA to
be reported if a designated quantity of the substance is spilled in the waters of
the United States or is otherwise released into the environment.
Hazardous Waste. Byproducts that can pose a substantial or potential hazard
to human health or the environment when improperly managed. Hazardous
wastes usually possess at least one of four characteristics (ignitability,
corrosivity, reactivity or toxicity) or appear on special EPA lists.
Information Repository. A file containing current information, technical
reports and reference documents regarding a site. The information repository
usually is located in a public building convenient for local residents such as a
public school, town hall or library.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Lead. Lead is a naturally occurring bluish-gray metal found in small amounts
in the earth's crust. Lead can be found in all parts of our environment. Much
of it comes from human activities including burning fossil fuels, mining, and
manufacturing. Lead has many different uses. It is used in the production
of batteries, ammunition, metal products (solder and pipes), and devices
to shield X-rays. Because of health concerns, lead from paints and ceramic
products, caulking, and pipe solder has been dramatically reduced in recent
years. The use of lead as an additive to gasoline was banned in 1996 in the
United States. Exposure to lead can happen from breathing workplace air or
dust, eating contaminated foods, or drinking contaminated water. Children
can be exposed from eating lead-based paint chips or playing in contaminated
soil. Lead can damage the nervous system, kidneys, and reproductive system.
More information can be found on the following website: www.atsdr.cdc.gov/
toxfaqs/tfactsl 3.pdf.
National Priorities List. This is a list of Superfund sites nationwide.
On-Scene Coordinator. The designated EPA official who coordinates and
directs Superfund removal actions.
Operable Unit. A term for each of several separate activities undertaken as
part of a Superfund site cleanup.
OSC. See On-Scene Coordinator.
OU. See Operable Unit.
PA/SI. See Preliminary Assessment/Site Investigation.
Potentially Responsible Parties. Any individual or company - including
owners, operators, transporters, or generators - potentially responsible for, or
contributing to, a spill or other contamination at a Superfund site. Whenever
possible, through administrative and legal actions, EPA requires potentially
responsible parties to clean up hazardous sites they have contaminated.
Preliminary Assessment/Site Investigation. Process of collecting and
reviewing available information about a known or suspected waste site or
release to determine steps to be taken.
Proposed Plan. A plan for a site cleanup that is available to the public for
comment.
PRP. See Potentially Responsible Parties.
Public Meeting(s). Formal public sessions that are characterized by a
presentation to the public followed by a question-and-answer session. Formal
public meetings may involve the use of a court reporter and the issuance of
transcripts.
Public. The community or people in general or a part or section of the
community grouped because of a common interest or activity.
Public Comment Period. The time allowed for the public to express its views
and concerns regarding an action by EPA (for example, a cleanup plan for a site
or a public notice of a draft permit).
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Pyrometallurgical Process. A process that uses high heat or other techniques
to extract metals, such as lead, from natural ore to get a purer lead product,
that can be sold.
RAL. See Removal Action Levels.
RCRA. See Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
RCRA Facility Investigation. The owner or operator of a facility performs
an investigation to get information on the nature, extent and releases of
hazardous waste or constituents and then determine if interim corrective
measures or a Corrective Measures Study may be necessary.
Record of Decision. A legal, technical, and public document that explains
which cleanup alternative will be used at a Superfund NPL site.The ROD is
based on information and technical analysis generated during the remedial
investigation and feasibility study and consideration of public comments and
community concerns.
Remedial Action. The actual construction or implementation phase of a
Superfund site cleanup that follows remedial design.
Remedial Investigation. An in-depth study to gather data needed to
determine the nature and extent of contamination at a Superfund site;
establish site cleanup criteria; identify preliminary alternatives for remedial
action; and support technical and cost analyses of alternatives. Usually done
with the feasibility study and together referred to as RI/FS.
Remedial Project Manager. The EPA or state official responsible for
overseeing on-site remedial action.
Removal Action. Short-term immediate action taken to address releases of
hazardous substances that require an expedited response.
Removal Action Levels. Numeric levels for individual substances, which apply
generally across most sites, and; Site-specific levels which are determined on a
case-by-case basis, using a more detailed analysis at a site.
RD. See Remedial Design.
Remedial Design. The phase in a Superfund site cleanup where the technical
specifications for cleanup remedies and technologies are designed.
RFI. See RCRA Facility Investigation.
Rl. See Remedial Investigation.
ROD. See Record of Decision.
RPM. See Remedial Project Manager.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Gives the EPA the authority to
control hazardous waste from start to finish. This includes the generation,
transportation, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous waste. RCRA also
sets forth a framework for the management of non-hazardous solid wastes.
SARA. See Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Slag. A stony waste matter separated from metals by withdrawing or purifying
the ore.
Statement of Basis. Documents that describe the process EPA uses under
RCRA to select measures for containing or cleaning up a hazardous waste
management facility This includes the RCRA Facility Investigation and
Corrective Measures Study if they have been completed. Specifically, these
documents include: description and environmental setting of the facility;
names and concentrations of contaminants detected at the facility and
associated exposure paths; selected solutions; innovative technologies
considered in determining the solution; and public involvement requirements
under the corrective action.
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act. Modifications to the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act,
enacted on October 17,1986.
Superfund. The program operated under the legislative authority of CERCLA
that funds and carries out EPA solid waste emergency and long-term removal
and remedial activities. These activities include establishing the National
Priorities List, investigating site for inclusion on the list, determining their
priority and conducting and/or supervising cleanup and other remedial
actions.
TAG. See Technical Assistance Grant.
TASC. See Technical Assistance Services for Communities.
Technical Assistance Grant. This grant provides money for activities that help
communities participate in decision making at eligible Superfund sites.
Technical Assistance Services for Communities. This program supplies
communities with technical help so they can better understand the science,
regulations and policies of environmental issues and EPA actions.
UAO. See Unilateral Administrative Order.
Unilateral Administrative Order. A legal agreement that states that EPA can
order parties to perform cleanup work if (1) potentially responsible parties
do not agree to perform the cleanup work through a judicial consent decree
or an administrative order on consent, or (2) potentially responsible parties
refuse to perform work they previously agreed to perform under a settlement
agreement. These orders require parties to undertake a response action,
either short or long-term cleanup. EPA can issue a UAO when it finds there
may be an immediate and substantial endangerment to the public health or
environment.
Zinc. A chemical element that is a component of brass and is used for
coating iron and steel to protect against erosion. Although zinc is an essential
requirement for good health, excess zinc can be harmful. Excessive zinc intake
can lead to copper deficiency, nerve damage, and anosmia. More information
can be found on the following website: www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/
tf.asp?id=301 &tid=54.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Appendix B
List of Contacts
Superfund Project Contacts
Janet Pope
Community Involvement
Coordinator
Superfund Division (SI-6J)
312-353-0628
800-621-8431, ext. 30628
pope.janet@epa.gov
Charles Rodriguez
Community Involvement
Coordinator
Superfund Division (SI-6J)
312-886-7472
800-621-8431, ext. 67472
rodriguez.charles@epa.gov
Sarah Rolfes
Remedial Project Manager
Superfund Division (SR-6J)
312-886-6551
rolfes.sarah@epa.gov
Thomas Alcamo
Remedial Project Manager
Superfund Division (SR-6J)
312-886-7278
alcamo.thomas@epa.gov
Katherine Thomas
Remedial Project Manager
Superfund Division (SR-6J)
312-353-5878
thomas.katherine@epa.gov
Dan Haag
On-scene Coordinator
Superfund Division (SE-5J)
312-886-6906
haag.daniel@epa.gov
Jacob Hassan
On-scene Coordinator
Superfund Division (SE-5J)
312-886-6864
hassan.jacob@epa.gov
U.S. EPA Region 5
77W.Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604-3590
312-353-2000
RCRA Project Contacts
Rafael Gonzalez
Community Involvement
Coordinator
Land and Chemicals Division (L-17J)
312-886-0269
gonzalez.rafaelp@epa.gov
Jennifer Dodds
Remedial Project Manager
Land and Chemicals Division (LU-16J)
312-886-1484
dodds.jennifer@epa.gov
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Federal Elected Officials
Senator Joe Donnelly
115 N. Pennsylvania St. Suite 3200
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-226-5555
720 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
202-224-4814
www.donnelly.senate.gov/contact
Senator Todd Young
251 N. Illinois St. Suite 120
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-226-6700
Congressman Pete Visclosky
1st District
7895 Broadway, Suite A
Merrillville, IN 46410
219-795-1844
2328 Rayburn Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
202-225-2461
www.visclosky.house.gov/contact/
400 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
202-224-5623
www.young.senate.gov/contact
State Elected Officials
Governor Eric Holcomb
Office of the Governor
Statehouse
200 W.Washington St., #220
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2797
317-232-4567
www.in.gov/gov/2752.htm
State Senator Lonnie Randolph
2nd District
Indiana State Senate
200 W.Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-232-9532
S2@iga.in.gov
State Representative Earl Harris
2nd District
Indiana House of Representatives
200W.Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
800-382-9842
lndianahousedemocrats.org/contact-
earl-harris
State Representative
Mara Candelaria Reardon
12th District
Indiana House of Representatives
200W.Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
800-382-9842
lndianahousedemocrats.org/contact-
mara-candelaria-reardon
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Local Officials - East Chicago
Anthony Copeland, Mayor Adrian A. Santos, City Clerk
4527 Indianapolis Blvd. 2301 E. Columbus Dr.
East Chicago, IN 46312 East Chicago, IN 46312
219-391-8200 219-391-8491
www.eastchicago.comwww.eastchicago.com
City Council Members - East Chicago
Myrna Maldonado
1st District
4142 Olcott Ave.
East Chicago, IN 46312
219-973-6630
www.eastchicago.com
Lenny Franciski
2nd District
5505 Wegg Ave.
East Chicago, IN 46312
219-391-0268
www.eastchicago.com
Brenda Walker
3rd District
4917 Alexander Ave.
East Chicago, IN 46312
219-397-6727
www.eastchicago.com
Christine Vasquez
4th District
2011 JoyLn.
East Chicago, IN 46312
219-391-8524
www.eastchicago.com
Robert Garcia
5th District
3722 Parrish Ave.
East Chicago, IN 46312
219-218-9854
www.eastchicago.com
Gilda Orange
6th District
3909 Evergreen St.
East Chicago, IN 46312
219-398-0136
www.eastchicago.com
Richard Medina
At-Large Councilman
4216 Euclid Ave.
East Chicago, IN 46312
219-718-3637
www.eastchicago.com
Emiliano Perez
At-Large Councilman
910 Carrol St.
East Chicago, IN 46312
219-746-7705
www.eastchicago.com
Kenneth Monroe
At-Large Councilman
3831 Ivy St.
East Chicago, IN 46312
219-455-7697
www.eastchicago.com
East Chicago City Council Office
4525 Indianapolis Blvd.
East Chicago, IN 46312
219-391-8220
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Local Agencies
East Chicago Health
Department
100 W. Chicago Ave.
East Chicago, IN 46312
219-391-8467
Health Department Commissioner
Dr. Gerri C. Browning
Department of
Redevelopment
4525 Indianapolis Blvd.
East Chicago, IN 46312
219-391-8513
Frank Rivera
Executive Director
frivera@eastchicago.com
LyvetteTurk
Community Development Programs
Manager
lturk@eastchicago.com
East Chicago Housing
Authority
Tia Cauley
Executive Director
4444 Railroad Ave.
East Chicago, IN 46312
219-397-9974, Ext 30
U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development
James A. Cunningham
HUD
77W.Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604
312-353-5680
Stakeholder Organizations
Calumet Lives Matter
Sherry Hunter
Senator Lonnie Randolf
www. face book, com/pg/
CalumetLivesMatter
Community Strategy Groups
Reverend Cheryl Rivera
www. face book, com/
CommunityStrategyGroup
East Chicago Calumet
Coalition
Maritza Lopez
h ttps://www. facebook.com/usslead. org/
We the People for East
Chicago
Carlyle Edwards
h ttps://www. face book, com/
We-the-People-for-East-
Chicago-417266285303263/
National Nurses United
Sheilah Garland
https://www.nationalnursesunited.
org/
Twin City Ministerial Alliance
of East Chicago and Vicinity
Pastor Hill, President
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Newspapers
Northwest Indiana Times
Gary Post Tribune
Que Viva (Hispanic publication)
1433 E. 83rd Ave.
601 W. 45th Ave.
Merrillville, IN 46410
Munster, IN 46321
219-648-3000
219-933-3325
Radio Stations
WIND 560 AM
WJOB1230 AM
25 NW Point Blvd., Suite 400
7150 Indianapolis Blvd.
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Hammond, IN 46324
847-472-8910
219-845-1100
www.560theanswer.com
www. wjob 1230.com
WLS 890 AM
WGN 720 AM
455 N. Cityfront Plaza Dr.
303 E. Wacker Dr.
Chicago, IL 60611
Chicago, IL 60601
312-245-1200
312-222-3879
www.wlsam.com
www. wgnradio. com
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Appendix C
Community
Information Repository and Administrative Record
East Chicago Public Library
2401 E. Columbus Dr.
East Chicago, IN 46312
219-397-2453
www.ecpl.org
East Chicago Public Library
Robert A. Pastrick Branch
1008 W. Chicago Ave.
East Chicago, IN 46312
219-397-5505
www.ecpl.org
Library Hours:
Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
EPA Region 5 Records Center
Room 711, 7th Floor
Ralph Metcalfe Federal Building
77 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604
EPA Web Pages
Superfund - USS Lead Site
www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
RCRA - DuPont Facility
www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Possible Meeting Locations
East Chicago Public Library
2401 East Columbus Drive
East Chicago, IN 46312
219-397-2453
Robert Pastrick Branch (East Chicago Public Library)
1008 West Chicago Avenue
East Chicago, IN 46312
219-397-5505
Former Carrie Gosh Elementary School
455 East 148th Street
East Chicago, IN 46312
Martin Luther King Community Center
4802 Melville Avenue
East Chicago, IN 46312
219-391-8481
First Baptist Church
4902 McCook Avenue
East Chicago, IN 46312
219-398-2287
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
4756 Melville Avenue
East Chicago, IN 46312
219-397-1107
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Neighborhood Churches
Bethel 7th Day Adventist Church
4822 Kennedy Ave.
First Baptist Church
4911 McCook Ave.
Friendship Baptist Church
4756 Melville Ave.
Holy Trinity Croatian Church
4754 Carey Ave.
SSCaTjU "
Rvii"
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS LeadSuperfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/liazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Macedonia Baptist Church
4901 Melville Ave.
Metropolitan OWE Church
4856 Kennedy Ave.
New Life Outreach Church of God in Christ
4756 McCook Ave.
St. Johns Church
4730 McCook Ave.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Super fund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
USS Lead Superfund Site Information Sources
IMPORTANT: For answers to your questions or to address your concerns,
you can reach us at the USS Lead Hotline 219-801-2199.
Here is a list of other useful numbers you can call to get answers to questions about different topics.
For questions about...
Environmental issues
The Indiana Harbor Great Lakes Legacy Act cleanup and EPA's investigation of the former DuPont site:
EPA Community Involvement Coordinator Rafael Gonzalez at 312-886-0269
Other EPA projects and environmental concerns:
• U.S. EPA Region 5: 800-621-8431
• Indiana Department of Environmental Management: 800-451-6027 (toll-free within Indiana)
• To report an environmental emergency or a spill, call the National Response Center: 800-424-8802
Health concerns - including childhood lead exposure and blood lead testing
• East Chicago Health Department: 219-391-8467
• Indiana State Department of Health: 317-233-9264
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry: 312-391-8258
Drinking water
If you live on the USS Lead Superfund site and need information about drinking water quality contact:
• Indiana Department of Environmental Management: 800-451-6027 (toll-free within Indiana)
For information about lead service line replacements and general questions:
• City of East Chicago: 219-391-8469
For information about drinking water filters call:
• City of East Chicago: 219-512-3158
West Calumet redevelopment
• East Chicago Housing Authority: 219-397-9974 ext. 30
More information online
More information about EPA's cleanup of the USS Lead Superfund site is online at
www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
More information about Indiana's environmental programs is online at
www.in.gov/idem/
November 2018
oEPA
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Fuentes de Information del Sitio Superfund de USS Lead
IMPORTANTE: Para preguntas y sus preocupaciones ustedpuede
comunicarse con nosotros en la
Li'nea Directa de USS Lead 219-801-2199.
Aqui hay una lista de numeros utiles que usted puede llamar para obtener respuestas sobre diferentes temas.
Para preguntas sobre...
Problemas medioambientales
La limpieza parte del Acta de Indiana Harbor Great Lakes Legacy y la investigacion por parte de EPA del
antiguo sitio de DuPont: Coordinador de EPA de Participacion Comunitaria Rafael Gonzalez al 312-886-0269.
Otros proyectos de EPA y asuntos medioambientales:
• Region 5 de U.S. EPA: 800-621-8431
• Depto. de Administracion Medioambiental de Indiana: 800-451-6027 (lada sin costo en Indiana).
• Reporte una emergencia medioambiental o derrame con el Centra Nacional de Respuesta: 800-424-8802
Inquietudes sobre la salud - incluvendo la exposicion de la nifiez al plomo v pruebas de plomo en la sangre
• Departamento de Salud de East Chicago: 219-391-8467
• Departamento de Salud del Estado de Indiana: 317-233-9264
• Agencia para el Registro de Sustancias Toxicas y Enfermedades: 312-391-8258
Agua potable
Si vive dentro del sitio Superfund de USS Lead y necesita informacion sobre la calidad del agua potable,
comuniquese con:
• Departamento de Administracion Medioambiental de Indiana (IDEM): 800-451-6027 (lada sin costo en
Indiana)
Para informacion sobre el reemplazo de lineas de servicio hechas de plomo y preguntas generales:
• Ciudad de East Chicago: 219-391-8469
Para informacion sobre filtros de agua Name a:
• Ciudad de East Chicago: 219-512-3158
Reurbanizacion de West Calumet
• Autoridad de Vivienda de East Chicago (ECHA): 219-397-9974 ext. 30
Mas informacion en li'nea
Mas informacion sobre la limpieza de EPA del sitio Superfund de USS Lead se encuentra en linea en
www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
Mas informacion sobre los programas medioambientales de Indiana esta en linea en
www.in.gov/idem/
Noviembre 2018
&EPA
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Appendix D
Environmental Justice
The Environmental Justice Act of 1992 obligates federal agencies to make
environmental justice part of its overall mission by "identifying and addressing,
as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse human health or
environmental effects of its programs, policies, and activities on minority
populations and low-income populations." Following this order, the Office of
Environmental Equity within EPA became the Office of Environmental Justice.
EPA's Office of Environmental Justice ensures that all people, regardless of
race, color, national origin, or income, enjoy the same degree of protection
from environmental and health hazards and equal access to the decision-
making process for a healthy living, learning, and work environment. Ensuring
environmental justice means not only protecting human health and the
environment for everyone, but also ensuring that all people are treated fairly
and are given the opportunity to participate meaningfully in the development,
implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations,
and policies. EPA considers the neighborhoods affected by the USS Lead
Superfund site and DuPont Facility discussed in this CIP are environmental
justice communities, which means they are communities that historically are
under-represented minority and low-income areas burdened with significant
environmental challenges.
When making decisions about a cleanup and planning its community
involvement initiative for a community, environmental justice issues must
be taken into account. As part of this effort, the EPA collaborates with the
state agencies, representatives from the city of East Chicago and concerned
residents in addressing environmental challenges in more effective, efficient,
and sustainable ways.
EPA defines environmental justice as
the fair treatment and meaningful
involvement of all people-
regardless of race, color, national
origin or income-- with respect to
development, implementation, and
enforcement of environmental laws,
regulations, and policies.
Fair treatment means that no
group of people should bear
a disproportionate share of
the negative environmental
consequences resulting from
industrial, governmental, or
commercial operations, or the
execution of federal, state, local, and
tribal programs and policies.
Meaningful involvement means
that potentially affected community
residents have an appropriate
opportunity to participate in
decision-making about a proposed
activity that will affect their
environment and/or health.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
EPA has this goal for all communities and persons across
this nation. It will be achieved when everyone enjoys:
• the same degree of protection from environmental and health hazards,
and
• equal access to the decision-making process to have a healthy
environment in which to live, learn, and work.
For more information on Environmental Justice, visit
https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Appendix E
Community En
and the Superfund Process
Superfund is an environmental cleanup
program enabled by a federal law enacted
in 1980 known as the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act, also called Superfund, In 1986,
another law, the Superfund Amendments
and Reauthorization Act (SARA) reauthorized
CERCLA to continue Superfund cleanup
activities.The CERCLA law gives EPA the
authority to require those parties responsible
for creating hazardous waste sites to clean up those sites or to reimburse the
government if EPA cleans up the site. EPA compels responsible parties to clean
up hazardous waste sites through administrative orders, consent decrees
and other legal settlements. EPA is authorized to enforce the Superfund laws
within Indian reservations, in all 50 states and in U.S. territories. Superfund site
identification, monitoring and response activities are coordinated with state,
tribal and territorial environmental protection or waste management agencies.
There are several steps involved in cleaning up a contaminated site. Once EPA
has been made aware of a contaminated site from individual citizens, local,
tribal or state agencies or others, EPA follows a step-by-step process (see
Exhibit 1 on the next page) to determine the best way to clean up the site and
protect human health and the environment.
If the site poses an immediate threat to public health or the environment, EPA
can intervene with an emergency response action. In 2008, EPA's Superfund
Emergency Response and Removal Program cleaned up soil at 13 of the 15
properties that granted EPA access to conduct the cleanup. The goal of EPA's
Emergency Response and Removal Program is to protect the public and the
environment from immediate threats posed by the release or discharge of
hazardous substances. In this case, that involved cleaning up properties that
contained soil with lead concentrations exceeding 1,200 mg/kg in the surface
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
soil. These removal activities were the first steps in stopping the potential for
exposure to contaminants that posed risks to people and the environment.
The Superfund program encourages active dialogue between communities
affected by the release of hazardous substances and all of the agencies
responsible for carrying out or overseeing cleanup actions. EPA considers
community involvement to be an important part of the Superfund program,
and opportunities for community involvement occur throughout the process.
At each step in the process, there are opportunities for various levels of
community involvement [see Exhibit 2 on Page 4 of this Appendix).
Visit these EPA websites for more
information on the Superfund process:
Superfund:
www.epa.gov/superfund/deaning-superfund-sites
Cleanup Process:
www.epa.gov/superfund/cleanup/index.htm
Community Involvement:
www.epa.gov/superfund/superfund-community-
involvement
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Exhibit 1: Superfund Process Steps
NPL Deletion
Poil-Construction
ComplL*ticaii
Goiistritcltoii
Completion
NPL L&tlfi#
Process
Legend
PA/SI - Preliminary Assessment/Site Investigation
NPL Listing - National Priorities List
RI/FS - Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study
ROD - Record of Decision
RD/RA - Remedial Design/Remedial Action
NPL Deletion - National Priorities List Deletion
These steps are defined in Appendix A - Glossary - Initials - Acronyms.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Exhibit 2. Community Involvement Opportunities During the Superfund Process
Superfund
Process Steps
• Gather historical site condition information to
determine if further investigation is needed
Use Hazard Ranking System to evaluate risks
• Publish notice in Federal Register and local media
announcing proposed listing and public comment
period
Once listed, EPA publishes notice in Federal Register
and responds to comments
• Determines the nature and extent of contamination,
evaluates human health and ecological risk
• Presents the cleanup alternatives and is issued for
a 30-day public comment period
• Contains the selected remedy for a site and the
Responsiveness Summary which provides
responses to all comments received during the
public comment period
• Includes preparing for and doing the bulk of the
cleanup at the site
• Final design is developed
f 'Any necessary physical construction has been
completed (even though final cleanup levels may
not have been reached)
f • Ensures that Superfund cleanups provide
long-term protection of human health and
environment
Monitoring continues
f All site work completed
EPA requests comments on upcoming deletion of
site from NPL list
Preliminary
Assessment/Site
Inspection
National
Priorities List
Process
Remedial
Investigation/
Feasibility Study
Proposed
Plan
Record of Decision
Remedial Design/
Remedial Action
Construction
Completion
Post-Construction
Completion
NPL
Deletion
Community Involvement
Opportunities
• Provide any information you have about the site
to the EPA
• Read information about EPA's proposal to list the site
• Contact EPA for questions or additional information
• If concerned, submit comments during the Public
Comment period
• Consider forming a Community Advisory Group and
applying for a Technical Assistance Grant
• Participate in public meetings
• Contact community involvement coordinatorwith
questions
• Read proposed plan
• Participate in public meetings
• Visit Information Repository
• Read the ROD for site cleanup
• Participate in public events or visit the information
repository
• Contact site CIC with questions
• Learn about the final design
• Work through your CAG, TAG or Technical Assistance
Services for Communities providerfor information
• Attend meetings and site visits
• Contact CIC with questions
• Attend meetings and site visits
• Contact CIC with questions
• Workthrough your CAG, TAG orTASC providerfor
information
• Visit the site or arrange a site tour through EPA
• Contact CIC with questions
• Read EPA's proposal and Responsiveness Summary
• Read the final deletion report
• Plan a community event to celebrate deletion
from NPL
fVtersite is clean:
EPA works with community to help return site to
productive use
EPA will ensure that any land use restrictions
continue to be met
Reuse
• Work with EPA and neighbors to plan the
redevelopment
• Explore EPA's tools and resources
• Be supportive of redevelopment plans once they've
been agreed upon
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Appendix F
Comparing
CERCLA
The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is working to ensure
that contamination from the former
DuPont East Chicago facility at
5215 Kennedy Ave. in East Chicago
is properly addressed and that
people living in the community are
protected, informed and involved
in the cleanup process. EPA's
authority to compel cleanup of
contamination at the former DuPont
facility is derived from the Resource
Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA).
When RCRA and Superfund, also
known as the Comprehensive
Environmental Response,
Compensation & Liability Act
(CERCLA) are related, EPA coordinates
the two cleanup programs to
eliminate duplication of effort and
streamline cleanup processes. EPA
encourages close coordination
among RCRA and Superfund cleanup
programs.
Why the Former DuPont East Chicago Facility is
Under RCRA Corrective Action Implementation
RCRA established a system for
managing hazardous waste at
facilities from the time the hazardous
waste is generated until its ultimate
disposal. On August 19,1980, DuPont
submitted a RCRA "Part A" Permit
Application to EPA that identified the
East Chicago facility as both a large
quantity generator of hazardous
waste and a treatment, storage and
disposal facility for waste solvents.
DuPont continues to be subject
to RCRA corrective action cleanup
requirements at the East Chicago
facility.These cleanup requirements
apply to facilities that, at any time,
had RCRA interim status, as well as
facilities that operated without a
RCRA permit when they should have
had one. Any facility that had or
should have obtained interim status
is subject to RCRA's corrective action
requirements. In 1997, EPA entered
into a Corrective Action Order with
DuPont that states,"[Dupont] is the
owner or operator of a Facility that
has operated, is operating, should be,
or should have been operating under
interim status subject to § 3005(e) of
RCRA, 42 U.S.C. § 6925 (e)."
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
As required by the 1997 Corrective
Action Order, Chemours conducted a
facility investigation, limited interim
cleanup actions and a corrective
measures study at the former DuPont
East Chicago facility. Although the
facility was historically one of the
largest chemical manufacturing
operations in the United States,
by the early 2000s, DuPont had
completely dismantled nearly all of
the former manufacturing facilities
and ceased operations there. In
February 2015, following a corporate
reorganization, DuPont transferred
the facility property to Chemours,
a new wholly-owned subsidiary of
DuPont. After EPA issues a final RCRA
cleanup decision and response to
public comments, EPA anticipates
entering into another corrective
action order with DuPont and
Chemours that will require them to
conduct the remaining cleanup work
at the facility.
In response to questions from the
East Chicago community about
the differences between RCRA and
CERCLA, EPA developed the answers
to some of the more frequently
asked questions {seepage4) about
how things may or not be different if
the efforts were administered under
CERCLA rather than RCRA.
Different Statutes, Consistent Outcome
RCRA and CERCLA are two different
statutes that govern the federal
management and cleanup of
hazardous waste facilities (RCRA)
and response to abandoned,
uncontrolled hazardous waste sites
(CERCLA). They are not identical
statutes but there are many
similarities that consistently achieve
protection of human health and the
environment.
Similar Process, Different Terminology
The Superfund and RCRA programs
use different terminology to describe
similar activities. (See the diagram
on the last page for a side by side
comparison of the two programs). For
example, in CERCLA, an investigation
(with sampling) is called a "Remedial
Investigation"(Rl) and an evaluation
of the relative feasibility of different
remedy options is known as a
"Feasibility Study" (FS). In RCRA, these
efforts are named a "RCRA Facility
Investigation" (RFI) and a "Corrective
Measures Study" (CMS). Under
CERCLA, when the investigation has
been completed and EPA is ready
to select a cleanup plan, EPA issues
a Proposed Plan identifying the
preferred cleanup approach for the
site and solicits and considers public
comment before issuing a Record
of Decision. Likewise, under RCRA,
after the RFI and CMS are completed,
EPA issues a Proposed Statement
of Basis and solicits and considers
public comment before issuing
a Final Decision and Response to
Comments.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Public Outreach
Public outreach and involvement
are similar whether work is done
under RCRA or CERCLA. Both
CERCLA and RCRA encourages
public involvement throughout
the investigation and cleanup, and
requires public participation during
the selection of response actions. At
certain CERCLA sites, EPA develops
a community relations plan, and
at both CERCLA sites and RCRA
facilities, EPA makes documents
available to the public throughout
the investigation and cleanup in a
public document repository, typically
in a public library in the affected
community. During the investigation
and cleanup at Superfund sites, EPA
may also facilitate the formation of a
Community Advisory Group (CAG).
When EPA presents the Proposed
Plan to the public, the Superfund
program holds a public meeting,
and prepares a transcript to record
the comments.The public may also
submit written comments during the
public comment period. EPA then
prepares a responsiveness summary
to respond to the public comments,
and that becomes part of the record
for the remedy selection.
Likewise, at the former DuPont East
Chicago facility, EPA has followed the
public involvement and outreach
process that is normally conducted
at a RCRA Corrective Action site,
which has included assignment of a
community involvement coordinator,
a public notice and comment period,
and public meetings.
Different Program Administration
Superfund is managed at EPA Region
5 by the Superfund Division. The
RCRA Corrective Action Program is
managed by the Land and Chemicals
Division. Both Divisions report to the
EPA Region 5 Administrator.
Technical Assistance Differences
A Technical Assistance Grant (TAG)
may be awarded to eligible groups at
sites listed on the National Priorities
List (NPL) or proposed for the NPL
were a response action is underway.
An initial grant of up to $50,000 is
for a community group to contract
a technical advisor to help the
community understand CERCLA
site documents and actions. The
community group manages their
TAG and technical advisor. The TAG
is not offered under RCRA. However,
the Technical Assistance Services
for Communities (TASC) program
may be available for both CERCLA
and RCRA programs. TASC provides
technical assistance services to
communities through a contract
managed by EPA.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding using
RCRA or CERCLA Authority
Would the federal government buy
our homes or move us during the
remediation?
Section 104j of CERCLA limits the
acquisition of real property, which
is necessary as part of a permanent
relocation, to only that property that
the President determines is "needed
to conduct a remedial action ..."EPA
does not have authority to acquire
property for relocation under a
CERCLA removal action (a short
term, urgent or time sensitive type of
cleanup).Thus, EPA can incorporate
relocation into a CERCLA remedial
action only when EPA has made a
finding that relocation of residents is
required to successfully conduct the
remedial action.
Are there more stringent standards
for the remediation under CERCLA
that Chemours would be held to
if we change the lead program to
CERCLA?
There is broad overlap in the process
for establishing cleanup standards
under CERCLA and RCRA. Both
programs stress protection of human
health and the environment, and
both require that a cleanup meet
applicable substantive provisions of
State law. The long and short term
remedial actions being carried out
under RCRA at the site would be
consistent with the kind of remedial
actions that would likely be required
under CERCLA.
Can EPA use RCRA to request a
thorough investigation of all areas
of concern at a facility without
changing the progress of current
activities?
Yes. Under RCRA, EPA can require
additional investigative work
or submission of information it
determines necessary to effectively
remediate the facility as well as any
contamination released from the
facility.
Does the community get to decide
how the remediation is conducted
if we change programs (RCRA/
CERCLA)?
At the DuPont facility, EPA has
decision-making authority over
cleanup decisions, in consultation
with the community. Input from the
community throughout the decision-
making process at both CERCLA and
RCRA sites is extremely important
to achieving effective cleanups.
Although the processes are at times
different, public participation is
important under both statutes. For
the former DuPont East Chicago
facility, the community outreach
and input has been over that which
would normally occur at a RCRA
corrective action site and is on par
to that which would occur under
CERCLA. EPA makes the final decision
of the remedy to be implemented at
the Chemours site, with input from
the community.
Will EPA do the remediation and
send Chemours the bill if the lead
program was changed to CERCLA?
The substantial majority of
Superfund cleanups are performed
by potentially responsible parties
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
under EPA oversight. EPA's Superfund
program has an enforcement first
principle and seeks to have the
responsible parties pay for and
perform necessary work, rather than
using taxpayer funds. EPA-funded
cleanups are generally performed
only when there are no viable
parties in existence to perform the
work. Thus, if this were a Superfund
site, EPA's approach would likely
be to allow Chemours to perform
the cleanup work, either under a
CERCLA Consent Decree or, failing
that, under an EPA-issued Unilateral
Administrative Order.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Comparing RCRA and CERCLA
Specific to USS Lead Superfund Site/DuPont Facility
DuPont/OU2 USS Lead/OUl
RCRA
Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act
Ongoing Businesses
f p n f I A Comprehensive Environmental Response,
V» C l*V» LM Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund)
Non-operational Facilities and
Other Sources of Contamination
CO
o
RCRA Facility Assessment (RFA)
The First Look
Preliminary Assessment/Site Inspection
The First Look
I
RCRA Facility Investigation (RFI)
A Closer Look
I
Interim
Response Action
(if necessary)
?
®i©
Mb
\
Identify High Hazard Sites
Listing on the
National Priorities List
\
Remedial Investigation
A Closer Look
\
\
Time Critical
Removal Action
(if necessary)
Corrective Measures Study (CMS)
What Works?
\
I
Feasibility Study
What Works?
t
o
KD
Q_ Z
P O
o o
Proposed Statement of Basis
Public Comment
i
Final Decision
Response to
Public Comment
%
Proposed Plan
Public Comment
I
I
Corrective Measures
Workplan Implementation
M
Record of Decision
Response to
Public Comment
1
Remedial Design
Plan for Cleanup
"J"
Corrective Action Order
Cleanup
i
Operation, Maintenance,
and Monitoring
I
Corrective Action Complete
EPA's Involvement
Cleanup Oversight
DONE
Remedial Action
Cleanup
1
Operation, Maintenance,
and Monitoring
I
Delete from N PL
EPA's Involvement
Cleanup Implementation
Cleanup Oversight
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Appendix G
USS Lead Superfu
Community Inv
Activities (2006-Present)
2006
Jan.
Mar.
Mar. 22-23
Jun.
Dec.
2007
Oct.
Nov. 8
Dec. 5
2008
Sep. Proposed USS Lead site to the National Priority List
(NPL)
Established local repository at East Chicago Public
Library; established site web page
Mailed fact sheet"EPA to Begin Testing for Lead
Contamination in Yards" to site mailing list recipients
Held informal meetings to explain sampling process
and obtain access agreements for sampling in Zone 1
Provided information to East Chicago council members
regarding Superfund process
Mailed postcard to residents thanking them for letting
EPA take samples from yards in Zone 1
Mailed EPA/IDEM fact sheet announcing availability
session
Held Town Hall Meeting in Zone 1
Held RCRA/Superfund informational meeting in Zone 1
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
2009
Jun.
Sep. 3
Summer
Nov. 24
Nov. 30
Dec. 7-8
Dec. 9
Dec. 17
Dec.
2010
Mailed postcard "EPA Begins Cleanup" to mailing list
recipients in Zones 1-3
Added USS Lead site to the NPL
Obtained additional access agreements for properties
in Zone 3
Mailed postcard announcing December 7-8,2009
information sessions to mailing list recipients in Zones
1-3
Placed ad in Gary Post Tribune announcing December
7-8,2009 information sessions for Zones 1 -3
Placed Spanish ad in La Raza announcing December
7-8,2009 information sessions for Zones 1 -3
Held informational meetings to discuss sampling
activities in Zones 1-3
Mailed fact sheet"EPA to Begin Testing for Lead
Contamination" and "EPA a ComenzarLas Pruebas
de Contaminacion de Plomo in Patios" (English and
Spanish) to mailing list recipients in Zones 1 -3; fact
sheet also announced the December 17 informational
meeting
Held informational meeting to explain residential
testing process and answer questions for Zones 1 -3
Collected samples at properties in Zones 2 and 3
Mar. 9 Attended meeting with the city of East Chicago
department heads
Apr. Mailed sampling results from December 2009 sampling
event to property owners in Zones 2 and 3
May 23 Placed ad in Northwest Indiana Times announcing
community interviews (English and Spanish) for Zones
1-3
Jun. 2 Placed second ad in Northwest Indiana Times
announcing community interviews (English and
Spanish) for Zones 1 -3
Jun. 8-10 Held community interviews with residents from Zones
1 -3 to develop Community Involvement Plan (CIP);
Spanish translator was on site to assist
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Jul. 24
Participated in Calumet Days and distributed lead-
prevention information
Aug.
Collected additional samples and obtained additional
access agreements for properties in Zones 2 and 3
2011
Apr.
Published Community Involvement Plan
May
Mailed sampling results from August 2010 sampling
event to property owners in Zones 2 and 3
Oct.
Hand delivered sampling results with color-coded
pages explaining results and levels of contamination
to residents in Zones 1-3; left"Sorry We Missed You"
letters to residents that were not home
Dec.
Prepared presentation regarding status of USS Lead
site
2012
Jul. 6
Mailed fact sheet"EPA Proposed Cleanup Plan
for Residential Area" and "La EPA Propone Plan de
Limpieza para Area ResidenciaT'that announced the
public comment period and public meeting to mailing
list recipients in Zones 1 -3
Jul. 11
Placed ads in Gary Post Tribune and Que Viva (Spanish)
announcing public comment period and public
meeting for Zones 1-3
Jul. 25
Held public meeting regarding proposed plan for
Zones 1-3
Jul. 12-Aug. 11
Held public comment period for Zones 1 -3
Aug. 26
Placed ads in Gary Post Tribune and Que Viva (Spanish)
announcing extension of public comment period for
Zones 1-3
Aug. 11-Sep. 10
Held extended public comment period for Zones 1 -3
2013
Aug.
Two local Walgreens distributed gardening and other
information for Zones 1-3
Riley Park & MLK Center distributed gardening and
other information for Zones 2 and 3
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
2014
Oct. 2 & 24
Nov. 5
Nov. 18-19
Dec. 10
2015
Attended Task Force meetings
Mailed fact sheet "Agreement Helps Start Project to
Clean Up Contaminated Soil"to mailing list recipients
in Zones 1 -3; fact sheet also announced information
session for Zones 1-3
Held information sessions to discuss cleanup activities
for Zones 1-3
Mailed letters requesting access agreements and
provided information about cleanup for Zone 3
Feb.-Sep.
Jul.
Sep.
Oct.-Dec.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Went door-to-door to obtain access agreements; left
"missed you"flyers on doors where residents were not
present in Zone 3
Mailed packets to residents in Zone 3 that were not
home or those that denied access (packets included
access agreement, fact sheet, property values info,
ATSDR fact sheet)
Met with local health department regarding result
letters to residents, and what action they can take
Provided on-site support in local neighborhood office
Received list of owners in Zones 1 -3 from East Chicago
Water Department and Assessor's Office to find
owner names and phone numbers to send packets
to (packets included access agreement, fact sheet,
property values info, ATSDR fact sheet)
Mailed packets to residents in Zone 3 that were not
home or those that denied access (packets included
access agreement, fact sheet, property values info,
ATSDR fact sheet)
Called and left messages to obtain access agreements
from residents in Zone 3 that were not home or had
previously denied access
Mailed letter and access agreements to five city of East
Chicago councilmen asking for assistance in obtaining
access agreements from property owners in Zones 1-3
Mailed letter and access agreements to nine local
churches asking for assistance in getting access
agreements for Zones 1 -3
Called and left messages to obtain access agreements
from residents in Zone 3 that were not home or had
previously denied access
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
2016
Mar-May Went door-to-door to obtain access agreements; left
"missed you"flyers on doors in Zone 3
Jun. Met with the city of East Chicago officials and provided
them with draft education brochures for their review
and comment
Established site hotline number for residents to call
with questions and concerns: 219-801-2199
Jul. 5 Went door-to-door to the residences of the West
Calumet Housing Complex (Zone 1) and left lead
prevention flyers that provided ways to avoid exposure
to contaminated dirt and mulch; flyers also contained
ways to contact the EPA Community Involvement
Coordinator
Jul. 11 Established a site trailer at the corner of 149th Street
and McCook Avenue, which was staffed by EPA
outreach personnel to answer resident questions
Jul. 20 Went door-to-door to the residences of the West
Calumet Housing Complex (Zone 1) and left fact sheet
"EPATakes Action to Reduce Exposure to Lead in Soil"
that provided ways to avoid exposure to contaminated
dirt and mulch; fact sheet also contained ways to
contact the EPA Community Involvement Coordinator
Placed "Do not play in the dirt or mulch"yard signs
throughout the neighborhood of the West Calumet
Housing Complex (Zone 1) and left "Don't Let Kids
Play in Dirt"flyers and contact information for the EPA
Community Involvement Coordinator with residents
Jul. 22 Placed additional "Do not play in the dirt or mulch"
yard signs throughout the neighborhood of the West
Calumet Housing Complex (Zone 1)
Jul. 25-27 Went door-to-door to residences in Zone 1 to obtain
signed access agreements for indoor dust sampling
Aug. Published Residents Guide to Temporary Relocation for
residents in Zone 1
Distributed Temporary Relocation flyer to residents in
Zone 1
Aug. 2-6 Canvassed homes in Zone 2 to obtain access for soil
sampling
Aug. 3 Attended meeting with mayor and East Chicago
Housing Authority
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
2016(cont'd)
Aug. 4 Contacted 24 units to date regarding indoor cleaning
and temporary relocation in Zone 1; 23 expressed
interest
Aug. 8 Attended school district meeting and availability
session with ATSDR and school district
Aug. 16 Attended meeting at First Baptist Church with East
Chicago Ministers Alliance
Aug. 18 Attended West Calumet Housing Complex resident
meeting
Aug. 26 Went door-to-door to residents in Zone 1 and left
packets containing Drinking Water Safety: Information
for East Chicago Residents and EPA's Home Cleaning
Process: What Residents Need to Know
Aug. 29 Hand delivered indoor sampling results letters to
residents in Zone 1
Aug. 30 Held Multi-Agency Open House for Zones 1 -3 (post
card announcement)
Aug. 31 Hand delivered indoor sampling result letters to
residents in Zone 1
Sep. 1 Delivered two CD's with Administrative Record to local
library repositories
Sep. 7 Participated in HUD Fun Day
Sep. 12 Mailed postcards to residents in Zones 2 and 3
announcing Open House
Sep. 14 Delivered postcards announcing Open House to ECCC
president to distribute at Mexican Day Parade
Conducted door-to-door canvassing in Zone 2 to
obtain access agreements
Sep. 16 Conducted canvassing in Zone 1 to obtain access
agreements from non-responsive residents
Sep. 20 Placed yard signs in yards in Zones 2 and 3 announcing
Open House
Sep. 24 Held Open House for Zones 2 and 3 to provide
information on sampling and cleanup of contaminated
soil in yards
Distributed factsheets"EPATo Begin Cleaning Up Lead-
Contaminated Yards" at the Open House
Oct. Distributed door hangers "EPA Needs to Meet with You"
(Tap Water Sampling/Excavation) in Zones 2 and 3
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Distributed door hangers "EPA Needs to Hear from You"
(unit cleanup and interviews) in Zone 1
Mailed "Tap Water Sampling Instructions" to mailing list
recipients in Zones 2 and 3
Distributed door hangers about tap water sampling
and soil excavation to homes slated for cleanup in
Zones 2 and 3
Distributed door hangers about interior cleaning to
West Calumet Housing Complex units
Oct. 2 Mailed factsheets"EPATo Begin Cleaning Up Lead-
Contaminated Yards" to mailing list recipients in Zones
1-3
Identified priority sites in Zones 2 and 3 and conducted
door-to-door canvassing for tap water and dust
sampling before excavation activities
Met with advisors at local community group, ECCC
(Superfund and Office of Regional Counsel)
Identified priority sites in Zone 1; conducted door-to-
door canvassing for indoor sampling and temporary
relocation
Attended ECCC meeting in East Chicago (ORC attorney
and CIC)
Held Community Resources Meeting focusing on
Technical Advisor Grant (TAG) and Technical Assistance
Services for Communities (TASC) programs
Conducted door-to-door canvassing of priority sites in
Zones 2 and 3 for tap water and dust sampling before
excavation activities
Conducted door-to-door canvassing of residents in
Zones 2 and 3 slated for soil cleanup regarding tap
water and dust sampling
Met with advisors to ECCC (ORC and Superfund)
Met with advisors to ECCC (ORC attorney)
Mailed postcards "USS Lead Site Open House Set for
Saturday, Dec. 10 from 1 -4 p.m." in both English and
Spanish to mailing list recipients in Zones 1-3
Responded to ECCC advisor regarding questions and
concerns
Placed ad in Gary Post Tribune announcing the Dec. 10
Open House (English and Spanish)
Multi-Agency Open House canceled due to possible
lapse of EPA funding; was rescheduled to Jan. 28
Oct. 1-21
Oct. 6
Oct. 13 & 20
Oct. 29
Nov. 1-8
Nov. 10
Nov. 17
Nov. 30
Dec.
Dec. 8
Dec. 10
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
2016(cont'd)
Dec. 15
Mailed fact sheet "Excavation to End for Winter;
Community Activities Continue" in English and Spanish
to mailing list recipients in Zones 1-3
2017
Jan. 4
Mailed postcard to residents in Zones 1-3 announcing
the Jan. 28 Open House
Jan. 25
Placed ad in Gary Post-Tribune in English and Spanish
announcing the Jan. 28 Open House
Jan. 28
Held Multi-Agency Open House at the former Carrie
Gosch School
Jan. 31
Mailed postcard "Superfund Workshop" to mailing list
recipients in Zones 1-3
Feb. 18
Conducted "Superfund for Communities" workshop
Apr. 1
Attended ECCC meeting
Apr. 5
Gave NAACP members tour of Zones 1-3
Attended Community Listening Session
Apr. 10-21
Held Superfund Job Training Initiative Program
Apr. 19
Residents met with EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt
Apr. 27
Held meeting with Region 5 Regional Administrator
and East Chicago community groups
Held Superfund JobTraining Initiative Graduation
Ceremony
May 31
Maintained an EPA presence at the former Carrie Gosch
Elementary School so residents can easily stop in and
speak to EPA employees
Tracked all resident inquiries in a database to ensure
responses are provided in a timely manner
Continued to meet regularly with local, state and
federal partners to keep officials apprised of EPA's work
and data collection in the community
Regularly updated the USS Lead Superfund website
and added frequently asked questions
Jun. 12
Mailed postcard announcing monthly Saturday
meetings to mailing list recipients in Zones 2 and 3
June
Scheduled monthly calls with community leaders to
discuss and plan agenda topics for monthly Saturday
meetings
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Jun. 24 Held first monthly Saturday public meeting at former
Carrie Gosch Elementary School
Meeting Topic: Updates on past, present and future
activities at the site
Jul. 6 Mailed postcard to residents announcing change in
time for the second monthly meeting
Jul. 15 Held second monthly Saturday public meeting at
former Carrie Gosch Elementary School
Meeting Topic: Lead in Drinking Water
Provided update on site activities to public meeting
attendees
Jul. 26 Mailed postcards to specific list of residents in Zone 3
informing them their property will be cleaned up in
2018
Aug. CICs hand delivered information packets to residents
at Cardinal Terrace Apartments
Aug. 15 Placed ad in Northwest Indiana Times announcing
Letter of Intent from ECCC to apply for $50,000 TAG
Aug. 19 Held monthly Saturday public meeting at former Carrie
Gosch Elementary School
Meeting Topic: Updates on past, present and future
activities at the site
Sep. Notified ECCC to submit TAG application by EPA TAG
coordinator
Sep. 16 Held monthly Saturday public meeting at former Carrie
Gosch Elementary School
Meeting Topic: Presentation by Land and Chemicals
Division on DuPont Facility
Sep. 18 Mailed postcard to residents announcing change in
date for October monthly meeting
Oct. 10 Mailed flyer to residents announcing door-to-door
outreach efforts regarding groundwater survey
Oct. 14 Held monthly Saturday public meeting at former Carrie
Gosch Elementary School
Meeting Topic: Updates on past, present and future
activities at the site
Oct 18,19,25 Conducted door-to-door outreach efforts regarding
groundwater survey
Oct. 24 &25 Director of Environmental Justice Matthew Tajada and
EPA representatives met with community groups
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
2017 (cont.)
Nov.
Dec. 5
Dec. 11
Dec. 12
Cancelled and rescheduled Multi-Agency Open House
at the request of community groups
Developed USS Lead Superfund Site Information
Resource List (English and Spanish)
Developed PUR Filter Installation/Change Fact Sheet
(English and Spanish)
Mailed postcards (English and Spanish) to residents in
Zones 2 and 3 notifying them of cancellation of Nov.
18 Multi-Agency Open House and rescheduled date of
Open House for Jan. 20,2018
Participated in ECCC's Lunch and Learn program
Delivered postcards "EPA Needs to Meet with You" to
homes where there was no response from residents for
indoor dust sampling (English and Spanish)
Mailed Resource List and PUR Water Filter Flyers to
residents in Zones 2 and 3 (English and Spanish)
Placed ad in the Northwest Indiana Times announcing
Public Comment Opportunity on the Explanation of
Significant Differences (ESD) proposed document
Mailed Notice of Public Comment Opportunity for the
proposed document of ESD to residents in Zones 2 and
3 (English and Spanish)
2018
Jan. 5 Mailed postcard to residents in Zones 2 and 3
announcing Jan. 20 public meeting (English and
Spanish)
Jan. 20 Held Saturday public meeting at former Carrie Gosch
Elementary School
Meeting Topic: Explanation of Significant Difference,
Unilateral Administrative Orders and Site Updates
Delivered copies of the ESD and Unilateral Orders to
Information Repositories
Jan. 26 Mailed flyer to residents in Zones 2 and 3 announcing
Feb. 15 public meeting regarding the ESD proposed
document (English and Spanish)
Jan. 31 Placed ad in the Northwest Indiana Times announcing
the Feb. 15 ESD public meeting (English and Spanish)
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Feb. 15 Held public meeting at East Chicago Public Library
to discuss the ESD proposed document (Estimated
Increased Cleanup Costs); court reporter was present
to record comments
Mar. 16 Mailed flyer to residents in Zones 2 and 3 announcing
the April 7 Construction Kickoff meeting (English and
Spanish)
Mar. 28 Placed ad in the Northwest Indiana Times announcing
the April 7 Construction Kickoff meeting (English and
Spanish)
Apr. 7 Held public meeting and open house at former Carrie
Gosch Elementary School
Meeting Topic: Construction Update and Open House
Held listening session at former Carrie Gosch
Elementary School with EPA Region 5 Regional
Administrator, IDEM Commissioner and Senior Advisor
to Administrator Pruitt
Apr. 17 Conducted East Chicago Calumet Coalition SiteTour of
Zone 1
May Established community outreach office at former
Carrie Gosch Elementary School; EPA staff available
Monday through Friday; and hotline number is posted
if staff not available
May 3 Mailed first postcard to residents announcing
community interviews being held in June (English and
Spanish)
May 8 Published ad in Northwest Indiana Times announcing
the issuance of the USS Lead ESD
May 23 Mailed second postcard to residents announcing June
community interviews (English and Spanish)
May Prepared Community Interview Process Fact Sheet
(English and Spanish)
Posted the Difference Between RCRLA and CERCLA
Fact Sheet (English and Spanish) on site web page
May 31 Delivered packets containing English and Spanish
versions of Community Interview Process factsheet
and previous factsheets to local churches and ECCC's
president for distribution.
Jun. 11-15 Held community interviews with residents, local
church pastors, local city official and other interested
community members to update Community
Involvement Plan (CIP); Spanish translator was on site
to assist
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
2018 (cont.)
Jul. 28 EPA had a booth and participated at Calumet Days
Aug. 3 Mailed postcard to residents in Zones 2 and 3
announcing the meeting regarding the ATSDR Health
Study Update (English and Spanish)
Aug. 18 Held meeting at former Carrie Gosch Elementary
School regarding ATSDR Health Study Update
Sep. 25 EPA awarded TAG to ECCC
Sep. 28 Mailed flyer to residents in Zones 2 and 3 announcing
Super Hero Kids Blood Lead Testing Health Fair
Sep. 30 Published ad in Northwest Indiana Times announcing
the Super Hero Kids Blood Lead Testing Health Fair
Oct. 3 Hand delivered flyers announcing Super Hero Kids
Blood Lead Testing Health Fair to local churches and
daycares
Oct. 4 & 10 Conducted door-to-door outreach in Zones 2 and 3
to encourage residents to attend the Super Hero Kids
Blood Lead Testing Health Fair
Oct. 11 Held Super Hero Kids Blood Lead Testing event at
Martin Luther King Community Center
Oct. 26 Mailed postcards announcing the "End of Construction
Season" meeting scheduled for Nov. 17
Nov. 6 Mailed Proposed Plan for Zone 1 fact sheet to
residents, which announced the Nov. 29 meeting and
the public comment period
Nov. 7 Published ad in Northwest Indiana Times announcing
the"End of Construction Season" meeting (in Spanish
and English)
Nov. 11 Published ad in Northwest Indiana Times announcing
the Proposed Plan for Zone 1 public meeting and
public hearing and announcing the public comment
period (in Spanish and English)
Nov. 12 Began 60-day public comment period for proposed
plan for Zone 1 (Nov. 12 - Jan. 14,2019)
Nov. 17 Held "End of Construction Season" meeting at former
Carrie Gosch Elementary School
Nov. 27 Notified community that monitoring wells will be
installed week of Nov. 26
Nov. 28 Mailed "End of Construction Season" fact sheet
Nov. 29 Conducted USS Lead site tour with Black Chambers of
Commerce
Held public meeting and public hearing at Robert A.
Pastrick Library
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Appendix H
ATSDR Fact Sheet
• Don't Let Kids Play in Dirt
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
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-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
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Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
In response to questions
and concerns raised from
the community and to
alleviate their wariness
about participating in
community interviews,
we developed the
Community Interview Fact
Sheet, which explains the
purpose, importance and
process of the interviews.
EPA does not solely rely
on interviews to gather
opinions, questions,
information and concerns
from the community.
During meetings, open
houses and one-on-one
discussions, EPA learns
from community members
what is important to them
and what concerns they
have.
Appendix I
Community Int
Sheet
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
vvEPA
I Jul Led £:di«
EnvronfiDnul Prgt»*tior
t-ncy
For more information
For questions, comments or for
more information contact these EPA
team members:
USS Lead Superfund Site
Janet Pope
Community Involvement
Coordinator
312-353-0628
pope.janet@epa.gov
Charles Rodriguez
Community Involvement
Coordinator
312-886-7472
rodriguez.charles@epa.gov
On the web:
www.epa. gov/uss-lead-
superfund-site
DuPont Facility
Rafael Gonzalez
Community Involvement
Coordinator
312-886-0269
gonzalez.rafaelp@epa.gov
On the web:
www.epa. gov/in/hazardous-
waste-cleanup-dupont-facilitv-
east-chicago-indiana
USS Lead Hotline:
219-801-2199
EPA Region 5 toll-free:
800-621-8431, 8:30 am-4:30 pm,
weekdays
Community Interviews
Are Important
USS Lead Site and DuPont Facility
East Chicago, Indiana May 2018
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is in the process of updating its
Community Involvement Plan, or CIP, for the USS Lead Superfund site.
This updated CIP will also include the DuPont Facility. Receiving input
from the community about how EPA can most effectively share
information is crucial to the development of the plan. Under Superfund
law, specifically the National Contingency Plan, EPA is required to
prepare a community involvement plan. The RCRA Public Participation
Manual provides a recommendation that a CIP is prepared. Residents
provide valuable information on local history, community involvement
activities and site conditions. The purpose of a CIP is to provide EPA with
information about community concerns and enhance communication
between residents and the Agency. Information gathered from residents
helps EPA understand how the community wants to receive information
and the type of information they would like to receive. The CIP is a
"living" document that is updated based on the needs of the community.
We want to know your thoughts on the USS Lead Superfund and DuPont
sites. We value your opinion and hope you will help us better understand
your needs regarding these sites. You do not need to have prior
information about the sites, we just want to know any thoughts, concerns
and questions you have.
The EPA team conducts the interviews and is often supported by
contractors who assist with some portions of the interviews. The contractor
generally schedules the interviews with community members, takes notes
and writes up notes summarizing each individual interview.
Below are answers to questions EPA has received about the community
interview process.
1. During the interview, will there be a standard list of questions that
each person will be asked?
Interviews with residents are informal conversations to help EPA
better communicate about the Superfund site. There is no right or
wrong answer. EPA asks people a standard list of questions to gauge
their knowledge about the site, EPA activities and how they best like
to receive information. Using the same questions with everyone helps
us understand the needs of the community.
(continued on back page)
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
(continued from front)
2. Hotv will residents know how to answer or what
questions to ask on their own if they know very
little about these two sites?
Again, there are no right or wrong answers. We
are looking for your opinions. During each
interview, we always ask people how familiar they
are with a site and the environmental activities
happening there. If they know very little about the
site, we give them a summary.
3. It would seem in order to ask and answer
questions, residents must be educated about the
sites first and how the sites affect them
These interviews are informal conversations. We
want to know what people know. If someone we
talk with doesn't know anything about the site,
EPA will acknowledge that and perhaps make
future decisions on how to get more information
out to more people. We also provide past fact
sheets and other helpful information at the
community interviews regarding the site.
4. Will EPA be canvassing the residential areas and
businesses to make sure residents are aware of
site issues and how they affect them?
The purpose of the interviews is to find out what
people in the community know about the sites,
what their concerns are, how they want to receive
information and what type of information they
want to receive.
EPA uses the information gathered from these
conversations to develop an outreach plan to make
sure we reach as many people as we can.
5. Will all city officials be contacted or just the
mayor?
We have a large mailing list for invitations to these
interviews that includes the mayor, city council,
community groups, and residents but we hope
YOU will participate as well.
6. Will you be sending out post cards about the
interviews that look like junk mail?
We do try to make the postcards look different as
much as we can within EPA's style guide. If people
think the post cards and mailings look like junk
mail, this is the type of feedback and information
we are looking for during the interviews. This
opinion helps us to respond to the needs of the
community.
7. It's nice the EPA is updating the CIP, but I'm
concerned the Agency must not have been hearing
the residents at the monthly community meetings.
We have been voicing our concerns on how the
EPA can involve and inform people of its cleanup
activities.
EPA does listen and has heard many issues voiced
at meetings. The community interview process is
another way for EPA to hear concerns from the
community and to give residents an opportunity to
talk one-on-one with EPA staff. We realize that
sometimes people are not comfortable talking in
front of a larger meeting and look forward to
visiting with EPA officials on an informal basis. If
there are other ways you think EPA can inform and
involve the community about cleanup activities, the
CIP interviews are a good way to share those
suggestions.
2
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Appendix J
List of Interview
Community Interviews conducted June 2010
1. How long have you lived/worked in the area?
2. Do you represent or are you a member of a community organization or
group?
What do you know about the USS Lead site?
How did you get information about the site?
What concerns, if any, do you have about the problems associated with
the USS Lead site for you and your family?
How would you characterize the concerns of the community about the
USS Lead site?
Who have you talked to (any local, state, or federal government
agencies) about the site? What kind of response did you receive?
How are you currently receiving information about the site? Would you
like to be on EPA's mailing list or email list?
How would you like to get information about the site cleanup? Fact
sheets; workshops; Internet; public notices; news media; public
meetings
Have you participated in any public meetings and/or community group
meetings for the site? If so, how many?
Are you aware of EPA's website? Have you been on it? Is it easy to
navigate?
What days, times, and locations would be best for public meetings?
What newspapers do you read?
Is English widely understood in this community? What other languages
do people speak?
What other individuals might we contact for an interview?
Is there anything else you would like to share about the site?
Community Interview questions conducted in June 2018 are in the
Community Concerns section (Page 11)
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Appendix K
TAG and TASC
¦ AST CH\CAG0
H1C MlfAir
ifL COM f
EPA attends CAG meeting to give updates and answer questions on site activities.
Several programs are available to assist communities
affected by a Superfund site.
Visit https://www.epa.aov/superfund/superfund-
technical-assistance-communities for information on
the programs available.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Technical Assistance Grant (TAG)
Program Description
$50,000 grant that is awarded to help a group hire a technical advisor of their
choosing to explain technical reports, site conditions, and EPA's proposed cleanup
plans.
Can only be used for National Priorities List, or NPL, Superfund sites.
Can only be 1 TAG at a time per Superfund site.
Technical advisor must have demonstrated knowledge of hazardous waste issues, be
trained in relevant fields and communicate technical information. EPA will provide
group a list of sources.
More restrictions than TASC program.
Program Eligibility and Restrictions
Only groups can apply.
Members must be representative of the community, live near the Superfund site,
and be potentially affected by it.
Groups must be non-profit and incorporated (or in the process of becoming
incorporated).
Groups NOT eligible for TAG: Academic institutions, potentially responsible parties,
or PRPs (or groups that receive money or services from PRPs), unincorporated groups,
townships or municipalities, groups affiliated with a national organization that has
direct or indirect control over your group, groups that are not incorporated with the
specific purposes of representing the affected people.
Group Responsibilities & Grant Money
Responsible for sharing information learned from technical advisor with the
community.
Provide input to EPA and make educated decisions regarding their families.
Manage the grant money, which can be used to hire a grant manager, purchase or
rent office supplies and for print materials to distribute information about the site.
Keep detailed financial records, ask EPA for reimbursement to pay advisor, prepare
and give quarterly progress reports detailing how funds are being used.
Groups can NOT use money for lawsuits, political activity and lobbying, social
activities/ceremonies, meals/rentals/tips, training/travel, sampling, health/
epidemiological studies, resolving disputes with EPA, reopening final EPA decisions.
Application Process
Group writes EPA a "Letter of Intent" identifying your group and your intentions for
the TAG for a particular site.
EPA informs the community of the letter through an advertisement in a local paper,
and then the community has 30 days to join the group or write their own letter if
they want to compete for the TAG. Each group has 30 days to complete their TAG
application once they have submitted their letter.
If more than 1 group applies, EPA begins a selection process and looks at the group's
plans for using the TAG money and its concrete plans for how the group will share
information with the rest of the community for the good of the community. EPA will
review the group's goals, workplans, budget, resources, and timeline.
Process takes about 5 to 6 months from "Letter of Intent"to final award.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
-------
Visit EPA's web sites to stay informed:
USS Lead Superfund: www.epa.gov/uss-lead-superfund-site
DuPont Facility: www.epa.gov/in/hazardous-waste-cleanup-dupont-facility-east-chicago-indiana
Technical Assistance Services for Communities (TASC)
Program Description
Services are provided by an EPA contractor and there is no limit on the amount of
assistance given.
Can be used for National Priorities List, or NPL, Superfund sites as well as other
hazardous waste cleanup actions administered under the Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act, or RCRA.
Can be more than two groups receiving TASC services, and there may be a group or
groups receiving TASC services while yet another group holds the TAG.
Groups are being given direct services instead of money.
TASC contractor may be used to learn and represent the interests of the
community, repair broken trust, or operate in a neutral facilitator role. The TASC
contractor can also be used to facilitate or enhance the community's understanding
of technical issues associated with the site.
Less restrictions than TAG program.
Program Eligibility and Restrictions
Any group that is looking to share the benefits of the support they receive through
TASC with the rest of the affected community, as long as they live in or near the
affected area.
Group needs to identify a technical support need that the community requires
assistance with.
Group Responsibilities and Contractor Services
Responsible for attending and participating in meetings with the contractor,
providing site background and current issues, establishing technical assistance
project deadlines, and reviewing contractor products.
Information Assistance: Create fact sheets, maps, webpages, translations, etc.
Community Education: Hold workshops and seminars, create training materials,
help with participation in decision-making, help with creation of Community Needs
Assessment.
Technical Expertise: Review and summarize reports and meetings, facilitate
discussions between communities and stakeholders.
Technical Assistance Needs Evaluation and Plan Development: Develop technical
assistance plans, assist communities with needs evaluations.
Application Process
No formal application process.
(1) Group must submit written request to your EPA regional office describing the
specific technical assistance service needed, and (2) EPA then makes arrangements
with the EPA contractor to provide the service.
Community Involvement Plan for the USS Lead Superfund Site and DuPont Facility
------- |