Superfund Fact Sheet

November 17,1997

Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor Site

Bainbridge Island, Washington

EPA Proposes Cleanup Plan for Soil and Groundwater at the Former
Wood-Treatment Facility

You are invited to comment on EPA's Proposed Plan and other cleanup
alternatives considered for contaminated soils and groundwater at the
former Wyckoflf wood-treatment facility. This fact sheet summarizes EPA's
Proposed Plan for cleanup at the Wyckoflf Site. Copies of the entire Proposed
Plan can be obtained at the Bainbridge Island Public Library, the Bainbridge
Island Planning Department, or by calling Nancy Wilson, EPA Community
Relations Coordinator, toll-free at 1-800- 424-4EPA. The Proposed Plan is
also available on the Internet on the new Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor web page.

EPA is proposing the following cleanup plan for soils and
groundwater at Wyckoff:

/ Capping contaminated soil on the flat portion of the Wyckoflf property.
/ Excavating soil from a small area on the hillside and placing it beneath the
cap.

/ Identifying any additional hillside contamination.

/ Regulating land-use activities that could weaken the cap.

/ Monitoring groundwater in the future to confirm that contaminants will not

cause risks and determine whether future action is needed.
/ Incorporating groundwater cleanup decisions from the Interim Record of
Decision.

Next Steps

After considering all public comments on the Proposed Plan, EPA will select a
cleanup alternative. EPA will then issue a Record of Decision (ROD) that
documents the cleanup decision. As a part of the ROD package, EPA
develops a Responsiveness Summary, summarizing and responding to the public's
comments. Both the ROD and the Responsiveness Summary will be available
to the public at the Bainbridge Island Library and the EPA Seattle office.

EPA Public
Meeting!

When:

Wednesday,
December 3, 1997
7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Where: The Bainbridge
Island Commons
402 Bjune Drive

Please Keep in Mind...

EPA's 30-Day Comment
Period Begins November
20 and Ends on
December 20!

Community participation is
important in developing a
cleanup plan for Wyckoff. Your
comments and participation are
encouraged. Please mail your
comments by December 20, to:

Peter Rubenstein
Project Manager

US EPA, (ECL-115)

1200 Sixth Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98101

Oral comments can be provided
at the public meeting.


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Figure 1

106346.02 ^Proposed Plan ¥ loc of operable units ¥ 10/28/97 ¥jg

LOCATIONS OF OPERABLE UNITS AT WYCKOFF/EAGLE HARBOR
SUPERFUND SITE

Site History

The former Wyckoff wood-treating facility, located at
the mouth of Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge Island, forms
part of the Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor Superfund site. The
facility treated wood from 1903 until 1988. As a result
of these operations, surface and subsurface soils at the
facility and groundwater beneath the facility have been
severely contaminated with creosote* and
pentachlorophenol*.

Bottom sediments in much of Eagle Harbor are
contaminated with chemicals from wood-treating and
shipyard operations. These sediments are toxic to marine
organisms. A public health advisory is currently in effect

recommending against eating fish and shellfish harvested
from the Harbor. Currently, there are four Operable Units
(OU) at different areas of the site:

Groundwater - former Wyckoff facility
•	Soil - former Wyckoff facility

West Harbor sediments
East Harbor sediments

This Proposed Plan applies to the groundwater and soil
OUs. Cleanup in the West and East Harbor is on-going
under separate cleanup plans.

* Human Health Risks of Pentachlorophenol: Pentachlorophenol (Penta)
is used during the wood treatment and preservation process and contains
about 85 to 95 percent penta; the remainder is a mix of other chemicals
and about .01 percent dioxin and furons. High-level exposure can
cause harmful effects to the liver, kidneys, skin, blood, lungs, and nervous
system. Long-term exposure to low levels of Penta can also cause
damage to the liver, kidneys, blood and nervous system. EPA has classified
Penta as a probable cancer-causing agent in humans. Penta can enter
the body through lungs as an air pollutant, through the digestive tract or
skin.

* Human Health Risks of Creosote: Creosote is a blend of various coal-
tar distillates that may contain up to 90 percent Polycyclic Aromatic
Hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are chemicals that are created during
incomplete burning of coal, gas, or other organic substances. PAH'scan
enter the body through the air, attached to dust particles, or through soil
in both solid and liquid form. Studies in animals have shown that PAHs
can cause harmful effects to skin (tumors), as well as to the immune
system and reproduction. Although these effects have not been reported
in humans, long-term inhalation and skin exposure to mixtures containing
PAHs have been associated with cancer in humans.


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3

Figure 2

(North)

Offshore Area
Adjacent to Wyckoff
Soil OU Boundary

0 125 250 FEET

GENERALIZED OVERVIEW OF THE WYCKOFF PROPERTY AND THE SOIL AND GROUNDWATER OPERABLE UNITS

What's the Environmental Problem at the Former Wyckoff Property?

From 1904 to 1988, a succession of companies treated wood
at what is now called the former Wyckoff property. This
property housed one of the largest wood processing plants in
the nation. Wood-treatment operations included the use and
storage of creosote, pentachlorophenol, solvents, gasoline,
antifreeze, fuel and waste oil. These contaminants are found
in both the soil and groundwater at Wyckoff. EPA began
investigating the site in 1971 and it became a Superfund site in
1987. Since 1990, EPA has conducted such cleanup actions
as: operating an on-site groundwater extraction system and
treatment plant, demolishing old buildings, and removing storage
tanks, sludge and asbestos-covered piping from the property.

The Proposed Plan addresses the two Operable Units (OU)
on the property: Soils and Groundwater.

Soil: The soils at Wyckoff are contaminated by creosote,
pentachlorophenol, and dioxins. Soils in the former "process
area," where the logs were treated with creosote, are most
contaminated.

In general, humans and animals can be exposed to
contaminated soils in a variety of ways - through the lungs (as
an air pollutant), through the digestive tract, or through the
skin. As mentioned on page 2 of this fact sheet, the
contaminants found at Wyckoff are toxic and considered to
be probable cancer causing agents. The primary risk posed to
human health by soil contamination at Wyckoff is through
ingestion.

Groundwater: The groundwater at Wyckoff is also
contaminated with creosote and pentachlorophenol, particularly
in the first groundwater component or upper aquifer (see
Figures 2 and 3), and poses potential risk to humans if ingested.

Much of the contamination is in the form of a nonaqueous
phase liquid called NAPL. NAPL is an oily liquid that floats
or sinks in water. NAPL can move through the ground and is
seeping on the beaches at the facility. EPA estimates that
there are over one-half million gallons of NAPL in the upper
aquifer below the process area.


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4

Environmental Problem at the Former Wyckoff Property? cont...

The Groundwater Operable Unit is
segmented into three components (see
Figure 3). The most contaminated area,
the first component, is currently being
addressed in a separate cleanup decision,
the 1994 Interim Record of Decision
(ROD) for Groundwater.

The Interim ROD outlines EPA's decision
to build and replace the groundwater
treatment plant and create a barrier
around the perimeter of the site to control
NAPL from going into the harbor.

Under the Interim ROD, EPA also
sealed on-site water supply wells so
groundwater beneath the property is not
being used as drinking water. However,
contaminated groundwater could
potentially affect drinking water supplies
for Bainbridge Island.

Risk Analysis

Before developing a Proposed Plan, EPA
prepares a technical report called the
Remedial Investigation and Feasibility
Study (RI/FS). The RI/FS contains
extensive data and analysis of the risks
posed by contaminants and a description
possible cleanup alternatives. The RI/FS
is a major document used by EPA to
develop the Proposed Plan.

The following pages summarize EPA's
preferred cleanup alternatives that are
outlined in the Proposed Plan for Soils
and Groundwater at Wyckoff.
EPA evaluated a broad range of cleanup
proposals for soils including: off-site or
on-site incineration, off-site or on-site
chemical treatment, off-site disposal in a
landfill, and on-site containment and
capping.

For a full discussion of these alternatives,
see the EPA's Proposed Plan and the
RI/FS, both of which are available at the
Bainbridge Island Library and EPA's
Seattle Office.

THIS FIGURE SHOWS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE UPPER AND
LOWER AQUIFERS AND THE 1 ST, 2ND, AND 3RD GROUNDWATER
OPERABLE UNIT COMPONENTS


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A Summary of EPA's Preferred Cleanup Alternatives

Figure 4

Soils: For purposes of evaluating
cleanup, the soils operable unit is
segmented into three areas: the
former log storage/log peeler area,
the former process area and the Well
CW01 area. Figure 4 shows the three
areas for soil cleanup.

Former Log Storage/Log Peeler
Area:

Six cleanup alternatives were evaluated
for this area. EPA's preferred cleanup
plan calls for containment of
contaminated soils by capping the entire
area with a multilayer capping system
(see Figure 5). This would allow for
residential and mixed use development,
under institutional controls . Institutional
controls are non-engineered measures,
such as deed restrictions or construction
limitations, that are designed to prevent
exposure to contaminants.

Former Process Area:

The former wood processing area is the
most contaminated area on the site.
EPA evaluated five proposed cleanup
alternatives for this area. EPA's
preferred cleanup plan calls for
containment of soils under a cap with a
multilayered capping system (see Figure
5). The multilayer capping system
proposed for this area would be
integrated with the cap in the log/storage
area and would result in a smooth, flat
surface.

HILLSIDE

THIS FIGURE IDENTIFIES AREAS AT THE WYCKOFF SOIL OPERABLE
UNIT THAT WERE USED TO FOCUS INVESTIGATION AND CLEANUP
EFFORTS.

106341.06.02 ¦ Possible capping • 10-24-97 • LW

Well Area CW01:

The Feasibility Study identified five
possible cleanup alternatives for soils near Figure 5
Well CW01. This area, located at the
south end of the site, is thought to have
been used as a landfill. EPA's preferred
cleanup alternative calls for excavating
contaminated soil from this area and
moving it to the process area for
containment under the cap.

Building Foundation

Topsoil

Hillsides Testing: EPA is proposing
to conduct further sampling on the
hillsides to determine if there is soil
contamination in this area. If soil samples
show areas of contamination on the
hillsides, EPA would excavate
contaminated soils and move them to the
flat areas to be capped.

4' Select Fill
Material

Utilities

O

iW

^-Geotextile

1.5' Drain Layer



HDPE Geomembrane
Geocomposite Clay Liner

Existing Ground Surface/Contaminated Soil

THIS FIGURE SHOWS THE CONFIGURATION
OF A POSSIBLE CAPPING DESIGN THAT
COULD BE IMPLEMENTED AS PART OF THE
PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE


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Preferred Cleanup Alternative
for Groundwater

For purposes of evaluating cleanup
alternatives, EPA has divided the Groundwater
operable unit into three components (see
Figure 3).

This Proposed Plan would officially incorporate
cleanup actions of the Interim ROD. The Interim
ROD addresses cleanup in the first component
of groundwater, which is contaminated the most.
The Interim ROD calls for the following :

/ Sealing and abandoning on-site water wells
/ Evaluating, maintaining, and upgrading

extraction system
/ Replacing the existing groundwater

treatment plant
/ installing barrier wall

As noted on page 4, the first two actions above
have been completed. Construction of the barrier
wall and new treatment plant is anticipated to
begin in 1999.

For the less-contaminated second and third
groundwater components, EPA proposes
restrictions on the use of on-site groundwater,
and long-term monitoring to confirm that
contaminants will not cause unacceptable risks.
Monitoring will determine whether further action
is needed for these components.

EPA's Preferred Alternatives

EPA believes that the preferred
alternatives for each Operable Unit
provide the best balance of trade-offs
among the cleanup alternatives outlined in
the Feasibility Study. The Preferred
Alternatives satisfy the following criteria:
/ Protect human health and the
environment

/ Comply with state and federal laws and
standards

/ Achieve cost effectiveness
/Use permanent solutions to the
maximum extent practicable.

EPA's Preferred Alternative would contain
contaminants on site and would not destroy or
reduce the volume of contaminants.

Where can I get more Information?

The Administrative Record is a file that contains all information
used by EPA to make its decisions on cleanup actions from the
beginning of the site's history. The Administrative Record is
available for public review and should be housed in a location near
the site, known as the Information Repository.

For many years, the Bainbridge Island Library was the Information
Repositoryforthe site; however, due to limited space at the library,
EPA can only keep the most current *documents and plans at the
library, not the entire Site File. These documents can be reviewed
by anyone at the Bainbridge Island Public Library, located at 1270
Madison Avenue North. If the library does not have the document
you need, feel free to call Nancy Wilson, EPA Community Relations
Coordinator, at 1-206-553-1237.

* Please Note: Copies of the Proposed Plan are available at the
Bainbridge Island Public Library and the City of Bainbridge Island
Planning Department.

The Administrative Record can still be reviewed at the EPA Records
Center in Seattle. The Administrative Record files for Wyckoff/
Eagle Harbor are kept at the EPA Records Center, 7th floor, 1200
6th Avenue, Seattle. To make an appointment to review the
Administrative Record, call 1-206-553-4494 or Nancy Wilson,
EPA Community Relations Coordinator, at 1-206-553-1237.

Land Use Issues at Wyckoff

For over a year, EPA has been working with the Bainbridge Island
Planning Department and the citizen's Wyckoff Zoning Advisory
Committee to coordinate cleanup efforts with local land-use zoning
plans. EPA believes that contamination at Wyckoff can be remediated
to protect human health and the environment and allow for future
development of the property.

The Bainbridge Island City Council is currently undergoing evaluation
of the Wyckoff Zoning Advisory Committee's recommendations
and will ultimately decide how to zone the site. When the City Council
makes a determination about how the site will be zoned, they will offer
EPA their recommendation as an official comment on EPA's Proposed
Plan.

If you have questions about the city's planning process, please call
Libby Hudson at the Planning Department at 206-842-2552.


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Additional Information?

Contact:

Peter Rubenstein, EPA Project Manager	(206) 553-1067

Nancy Wilson, EPA Community Relations Coordinator	(206) 553-1237

Toll free telephone line:

Call EPA toll free	 1-800-424-4372

For Those With Impaired Hearing or Speech Contact:

EPA's telecommunications device forthe hearing impaired (TDD)*	(206) 553-1215

EPA Region 10 Internet Homepage:

For information and news about Superfund, watershed protection, endangered species protection, pesticides and
toxics information and much more:	http://www.epa.gov/rlOearth/

New Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor

Homepage:	http://epainotesl .rtpnc.epa.gov.7777/rlO/cleanup.nsf/webpage/wyckoff-Eagle+Harbor

oEFft

United States
Environmental Protection
Agency

EPA Region 10
1200 Sixth Avenue (ECO-081)
Seattle, Washington 98101 -1128

BULK RATE
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
U.S. EPA
Permit No. G-35

* Additional services can be made available to persons with disabilities by contacting one of
the EPA staff listed on the last page or call toll free at 1-&00-424—4372.


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