Developments continue to occur at a rapid pace at the Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor Superfund Site. Ofparticularsignificance is an upcoming rulemaking by the United States Coast Guard. The rulemaking would prohibit activities that might disturb the sediment cap placed overthe contaminated seabed in Eagle Harbor. ThisFactSheetdiscussesthatrulemaking. Additionally, it updates EPA's progress in selecting a groundwater cleanup remedy gives a status report on EPA's grant to the Association of Bainbridge Communities, andhighlightsnewEPAstaffchangesassociated withthesite. Asalways, we inviteyour questions and comments. Pleasefeelfreeto contact anyone listed on thelastpage. Coast Guard To Propose Anchoring Rules To Protect Eagle Harbor The United States Coast Guard will soon propose a new rule aimed at protecting the integrity of the clean sediment cap placed over the contaminated seabed in Eagle Harbor. The rulemaking would create a permanent Regulated Navigation Area, or RNA, in the harbor. Within the boundaries of the RNA, any activities that could disturb the cap on the bottom of the harbor would be banned. These activities would include anchoring, laying cable, and so on. The Coast Guard, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Department of Natural Resources together may authorize exceptions if the activity is related to the cleanup or if the activity could be performed in a way that does not impact the cap. BAINBRIDGE I SI. AND 47 37 25.103 22 30 16.819 P ~ - - - LAGLE , 47 37 15.526 SUPERFUND SITE / 122 29 55-'154 47 3 7 io.634' a'0 ANCHOR AREA HARBOR 122 30 36'139 47 37 03.352 22 30 01.567 1000' 500' 0 IHHM l-n=r 1000' 2000' HORIZONTAL DATUM )S NAO 83. Coast Guard will soon propose rule to protect harbor floor ------- 2 &EFA The rule would not affect normal transit or navigation of the area. The proposed RNA is not generally used for moorage or anchoring, and vessels anchored elsewhere in the harbor would not be affected. Signs would be posted in and around the harbor notifying boaters and others about the Regulated Navigation Area and its boundaries. EPA's Record of Decision for East Harbor states the agency's intention to take measures to protect the cap. EPA has determined, in cooperation with Washington Department of Ecology, Corps of Engineers, Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Coast Guard, that this rulemaking is the best approach. EPA has been working closely with the Coast Guard in development of the rulemaking, to ensure that it will adequately address environmental concerns. WYCKOFF/EAGLE HARBOR SITE - JULY 1998 Over the winter of 1993/1994, EPA placed a cap, or cover, over a portion of the floor of Eagle Harbor as part of the site remediation process. The cap—a three-foot deep layer of medium- to coarse-grained sand—is intended to isolate contaminated sediments and limit their release into the water, as well as to keep marine organisms away from the contamination. Disturbance of the cap could release contaminants into the surrounding waters, potentially contaminating the clean sediment layer and harming resident marine life. The RNA boundary extends beyond the current cap location because EPA anticipates that additional capping may be necessary. This "buffer" of protection is also necessary because suspended contamination from uncapped areas can land on top of the cap. The Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor site is divided, for program purposes, into four work areas called "operable units." The four areas are: West Harbor Operable Unit, East Harbor Operable Unit, WyckoffSoii Operable Unit, and Wyckoff Groundwater Operable Unit. Approximate Groundwater OU Boundary WYCKOFF SOIL OU / ^ ,y Appro A Soil C Boun< , . _ *Tn 1/ \ k GROUNDWATER OU WYCKOFF i GROUNDWi PUGETSOUND Locations of Operable Units at Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor Superfund Site Site Background: 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 operated as a wood- treating operation 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 in effect recommending against eating fish and shellfish harvested from the Harbor. ------- 3 &EFA The Coast Guard welcomes public comment on the proposed rulemaking, which is expected to be printed in the FEDERAL REGISTER this summer. Comments will be due 60 days after the date of publication. For more information or to submit comments, contact LT Joel Roberts, c/o Captain of the Port Puget Sound, 1519 Alaskan Way South, Seattle, Washington 98134, 206/217-6232. Groundwater Remedy Evaluation Continues A final decision on the Wyckoff groundwater cleanup remedy is expected this fall. On July 20-23 in Seattle, EPA staff will appear before the National Remedy Review Board, a team of EPA experts from around the country, to discuss possible cleanup strategies. EPA's cleanup decision will occur after board review. Two possible cleanup remedies are under consideration. One remedy involves replacing the existing groundwater treatment system and constructing a "slurry" wall below the ground surface around the site's perimeter to contain contamination. EPA collected public comments on that proposed cleanup remedy last December. The other remedy, called thermal treatment technologies, involves heating and mobilizing the creosote under ground using steam injection or electrical currents. The contam- inants would then be recovered by vacuum extraction. If this remedy is selected as the preferred cleanup option, EPA will reissue a Proposed Plan for public comment this fall. More EPA Staff Changes... WYCKOFF/EAGLE HARBOR SITE - JULY 1998 EPA Supplements Grant to "ABC" EPA recently awarded an additional $25,000 to the Association of Bainbridge Communities under EPA's Technical Assistance Grant program. This grant program is designed to promote local citizen involvement in decision- making on cleanup strategies at hazardous waste sites. ABC's grant has been active since 1988, when it received its first $50,000 from EPA. An additional $50,000 was awarded in 1993. This latest award of $25,000 will be used, as it has in the past, to fund a technical advisor to help interpret technical issues, and to keep the broader community informed. ABC contributes matching funds and in-kind services, and has consistently demonstrated competent, responsible management of grant funds and constructive, dedicated involvement in the Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor site. Because only one Technical Assistance Grant can be awarded for any one site, EPA is not seeking new applicants under this grant program related to Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor. For more information about this grant award to ABC, call Andrea Lindsay at 206/553-1896. If you are interested in participating in ABC activities or want to learn more about this community group, contact Dave Davison, ABC Co-Chair, at 206/842-7003. EPA's Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor Team recently welcomed another member! The new team addition, Ken Marey, will replace Elly Hale as the Project Manager for both the West and East Harbor Operable Units. The Team bids fond farewell to Peter Rubenstein, long-time project manager for the site, as he moves on to other projects at EPA. Thanks for all your important work, dedication, and leadership, Peter! And best of luck with your new challenges. Christina Ngo remains lead on the Wyckoff Groundwater Operable Unit, and now assumes responsibility for the soils portion of the site as well. Andrea Lindsay continues to serves as Community Involvement Coordinator for the site. Phone numbers are listed under Contacts. ------- For more information... Contacts: Christina Ngo, EPA Project Manager (Groundwater and Soils), 206/553-0171 E-mail: ngo.christina@epamail.epa.gov Ken Marcy, EPA Project Manager (West and East Harbor), 206/553-2782 E-mail: marcy.ken@epamail.epa.gov Andrea Lindsay, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator, 206/553-1896 E-mail: lindsay.andrea@epamail.epa.gov Toil-Free Telephone Number: 1-800-424-4372 For those with impaired hearing or speech contact EPA's telecommunications device for the hearing impaired (TDD)* at 206/553-1215. EPA Region 10 Internet Homepage: http:// www.epa.gov/r1 Oearth/ Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor Homepage: http:// epainotesl .rtpnc.epa.gov.7777/r10/ cleanup. nsf/webpage/wyckoff-Eagle+Harbor Documents: The Administrative Record is a file that contains all information used by EPA to make decisions on cleanup actions from the beginning of the site's history. The Administrative Record can be reviewed at the EPA Records Center, 7th Floor, 1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle. Call 206/553-4494 to make an appointment. Select documents can be viewed at the Information Repository located at the Bainbridge Island Public Library, 1270 Madison Avenue North. If the library does not have the document you need, feel free to call Andrea Lindsay, EPA Community Relations Coordinator, at 1-206-553-1896. "Additional services can be made available to persons with disabilities by contacting one of the EPA staff listed on this page or call toll- free 1-800-424-4372, United States EPA Region 10 Environmental Protection Community Relations and Outreach Agency 1200 Sixth Avenue, ECO-C81 Seattle, Washington 98101-1128 BULKRATE POSTAGE & FEES PAID U S EPA Permit No. G-35 SUPERFUND FACT SHEET WYCKOFF/EAGLE HARBORSiTE BAINBRIDGE ISLAND,, WASHINGTON ------- |