68th Street Dump Site v®J Baltimore County, Maryland Superfund Update USEPA Region 3 October 2009 New Clean-up Plans and Documents Available The 68th Street Landfill Sites Coalition (Coalition), a group of 19 companies and governments, is working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to cleanup the 68th Street Dump Site. Under an Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent (ASAOC), the Coalition has completed a number of site-related documents, including site-wide management plans, environmental investigation work plans, a preliminary re-use assessment, and an early action response report. These documents were reviewed and approved by the USEPA, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) for compliance with Superfund law and related environmental requirements. The approved documents are available to the public. They are posted on the USEPA and Coalition websites, and may be found at: http;//www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/super/sites/MDD980918387/index.htm and www.68thstreetlandfillsite.com The documents may be accessed through the internet available on any public library or personal computer. They may also be viewed in person at the USEPA-Region 3 offices in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. What has been accomplished? Field investigations were required to better understand and delineate the environmental conditions throughout the Site. These field investigations, begun in early July 2008, have essentially been completed for all areas of the Site, and the analysis of the resulting data is proceeding. The results of these current and the past field investigations are being used to determine potential clean-up alternatives that will improve the human and ecological systems that are within or pass through the Site. In addition, an Early Removal Action (ERA) to address immediate areas of concern was completed and documented. It included the removal of specific drums, containers, contaminated soils, and some surface debris. The number of warning signs surrounding the Site has also recently been doubled to assure that the public is aware of the status of the property and to offer informational contacts (see Map 1). Signs that were removed have been replaced and others were redirected toward the interior to assure complete coverage. .-O-' ' P!i The investigations included obtaining samples of the soil, groundwater, surface-water, sediments, and soil-gas from approximately 200 locations across the Site. In addition, aquatic and terrestrial studies and sampling were conducted. All of the samples were analyzed in the laboratory for physical and chemical properties, and in conjunction with the prior mapping of the site and other data collected during the investigations, used to form a preliminary understanding of the Site conditions. Based on the results of the investigations and the preliminary Site understanding, two Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) Reports are being prepared concurrently. One of these reports addresses the "lowlands", including the streams, wetlands and other undevelopable areas of the Site, and the other addresses the "uplands" which include the higher areas that could be redeveloped or re-used for alternative purposes. A Re-use Assessment is also being prepared to address opportunities and feasible alternatives for re-use of the various Site areas. These opportunities include passive applications such as habitat development, stream management and other non-intensive activities, and active applications such as commercial development, recreational or other municipal uses, and renewable energy projects. What are the findings? The data and information from the field investigations, along with the laboratory results, are being reduced and evaluated to assess the level of contamination in the various media at the site. To-date, the information collected has been consistent with the historic information, and indicates that while much of the site does not exhibit elevated concentrations of contaminants, certain areas, or "hot spots" are slightly elevated. Flowever, preliminary risk evaluations indicate that the human health and ecological risks posed by the Site do not indicate an imminent threat. The risks posed are also limited to on-site exposures, which supports the need to restrict public use of the Site for recreational and other purposes. To address even limited risks, remedial actions will be identified and evaluated in a Feasibility Study after the conclusion of the Remedial Investigation. Re-uses for the site are being evaluated against technical practicality, economic development potential, market conditions, compatibility with neighborhoods and future plans for the area, and resident and property owner desires. These re-uses include both passive and active opportunities, and currently include a broad mixture of environmental restoration, commercial development and inactive uses. Environmental restoration may include habitat development and preservation of the streams, wetlands and low-lying areas, while the uplands are conducive to commercial and renewable energy projects consistent with the area. Residential development will not be included, but certain recreational opportunities may be considered. All of the projects will have a "green" component to assure sustainability and a benefit to the neighborhoods. Map 1 ------- What is the Schedule? Based on current expectations for completion of the field investigations in the Fall of 2009, it is anticipated that the Remedial Investigations/Feasibility Studies results will be presented to the USEPA, the MDE and the Natural Resources Trustees for review during the Winter through Spring of 2010. After review and finalization of these documents, the USEPA will select preferred alternatives for the Site and develop Proposed Plans for the clean-up. The Proposed Plans will be made available to the public for review and comment. It is expected that the comment period, along with a public meeting on the RI/FSs, will be held in late Spring 2010. A Record-of-Decision (ROD) is anticipated in the Fall of 2010, which will present the selected remedies for the Site. Following the ROD, the USEPA and the Coalition will enter into a period of negotiation during which the selected remedies will be designed and implemented. When is the Next Community Involvement Opportunity? Opportunities for interested community members to provide input to the clean-up and redevelopment process are available on a continuing basis by contacting the USEPA Community Involvement Coordinator (Ms. Carrie Deitzel), listed below. In addition, informal public information sessions and required public comment periods will be held at key project milestones. The next public information session is tentatively scheduled for mid-Fall 2009, after the completion of the field investigations. Public notices of upcoming events, including public information sessions, will appear in The Avenue, a weekly newspaper, and The Examiner, a daily newspaper. Direct mailings will also be sent to those on the most current USEPA mailing and e-mailing lists. Site-specific information will be available on the USEPA website. What is the Site History? The 68th Street Dump Site consists of approximately 270 acres of undeveloped land located near Rosedale in Baltimore County. The site has been divided into five Management Areas (MAs) to better manage site-wide investigation, remediation and re-use (see Map 1). Portions of the site were once used as landfills and received primarily industrial and commercial refuse, incinerator ash, and/or waste oils for a period of years extending from the mid-1940s through the early 1970s. The site remained unused and undeveloped since that time except for the random dumping of surface debris by unauthorized trespassers. In April 2006, the USEPA entered into an ASAOC with the Coalition for the conduct of a comprehensive environmental investigation and to develop a remediation plan that incorporates preliminary re-use for the Site. For more information about this site, please contact: Carrie Deitzel (3HS52) Community Involvement Coordinator 215-814-5525 or 1-800-553-2509x45525 deitzel. carrie @epa. gov Christopher J. Corbett (3HS22) Remedial Project Manager 215-814-3220 or 1-800-352-1973 x43220 corbett.chris@epa.gov USEPA-Region 3 1650 Arch Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-2029 Or log onto: http://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd/super/sites/MDD980918387/index.h1m USEPA-Region 3 1650 Arch Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103-2029 Attn: C. Deitzel (3HS52) Update: 68th Street Dump Site ------- |