L&) West Lake Update

M^prqI^	April 7,2014	-L

From Karl Brooks,

Regional Administrator

Last week, EPA released a memorandum from our
Office of Research and Development which outlined
its analysis of the report by the PRP s contractor on the
potential effects of the subsurface smoldering event
coming into contact with the radiologically-impacted
material located in OU1 of the West Lake Landfill. I
realize you may have questions about the memo and
its effect on EPA's plans moving forward.

The ORD memo evaluates hypothetical scenarios
which EPA believes to be highly unlikely and it notes
a number of concerns about those scenarios. In our
view, these concerns underscore the need for the isola-
tion barrier to be put into place as soon as possible. I
expect visible work on this barrier to begin in May.

It's important to note that the ORD analysis does
not contradict EPA Region 7 s assessment of data that
shows there are no off-site exposures involving harm-
ful materials occurring at this site. Protecting the
people who live and work in the area will always be
our number one priority.

The ORD memo does not impact the process for
selection of a long term remedy for the site. Con-
struction of an isolation barrier will give EPA time
and opportunity to conduct the appropriate technical
evaluations to determine the best long-term remedy.
Remedies currently under consideration include full
or partial excavations of the buried RIM with either
on-site disposal in an encapsulated cell, or off-site
disposal in an appropriate facility An engineered cap
remedy also remains under consideration.

I know you will continue to have questions and con-
cerns about the site, and are anxious to see progress.
EPA is committed to providing timely information to
the public, and we share your interest in seeing prog-
ress at the site.

I would like to encourage everyone to read the ORD
memo in its entirety.

It's available on the Region 7 website: www.epa.gov/re-

gion7/cleanup/west_lake_landfill/pdf/west-lake-etsc-

observationsonemsireport.pdf

EPA to Conduct Air Monitoring Before
and During Barrier Installation

EPA is in the preliminary stages of developing a plan
to conduct air sampling and radiation monitoring be-
fore and during the isolation barrier installation. Hie
plan is to document background conditions off the
site prior to construction activities and to also moni-
tor during construction activities to determine if any
releases are occurring above health based benchmarks.
EPA envisions setting up several monitoring locations
surrounding the site, in addition to on-site moni-
toring. EPA plans to sample for typical solid waste
landfill gases such as sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide,
carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds.
Radiation monitoring for radon, alpha, beta and
gamma emissions will also be conducted. This moni-
toring by EPA will be separate from, and in addition
to, the on-site air monitoring being done by the po-
tentially responsible parties' (PRPs') contractor under
EPA oversight. As with all work EPA performs at the
site, the Agency will recover its

Meet Jeff Field

Jeff Field began his career
at EPA in 1995 after serving
in the United States Marine
Corps and earning a degree in
Earth Sciences with a minor in
Environmental Geology. Cur-
rently, he is a branch chief in
EPA's Superfund Division. In
this role, Jeff directs a staff of
engineers and scientists who
manage a multitude of Super-
fund sites, primarily in Kan-
sas and Missouri. Jeff works
closely with Dan Gravatt, the
project manager for the West
Lake site, on all aspects related
to EPA's regulatory oversight
of the project. Specifically, Jeff reviews technical work
products and correspondence, provides technical
direction for the project, and reports to EPA's senior
management team regarding site progress. Previously,
Jeff held positions in EPA's Drinking Water Program
and also served as a Superfund remedial project man-
ager.

Community Inquiries

Ben Washburn

913-551-7364

Washburn.Ben@epa.gov

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