UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION 10 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900 Seattle, Washington 98101-3140 Letter to Residents near the Yakima Hops Facility: No Further Action Proposed for Yakima Hops Facility December 10, 2014 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposes to take no further action at the Yakima Hops Facility (Facility). The Facility is located in Mabton, Washington on land owned in fee by Yakima Hops Inc., within the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Indian Nation (Tribe) Reservation. What was cleaned up? Historic operations at the Facility included an area where the ends of poles used in hop farming were treated with wood preservatives and stored, an area where farm equipment was stored and an area where drums containing used motor oil were stored. Past wood treating operations at the Facility contaminated soil and groundwater with pentachlorophenol (PCP) and petroleum. The EPA has a legal agreement with Yakima Hops, Inc. and Hop Union USA, Inc. to investigate and clean up environmental contamination at the Yakima Hops Facility as necessary to protect human health and the environment. At the Facility, the following has been done: ¦ Drum Area: Soil and drums that were contaminated with Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons have been removed. ¦ Old Machinery Storage Area: Unused farm equipment, scrap metal, five unused and empty steel storage tanks, empty fertilizer bottles, and farm equipment were removed from the Facility. There was no visual evidence (staining of the soil, dying plants) that there was contamination in this area. ¦ Dip Tank Area: The former dip tanks and PCP contaminated soil that posed an unacceptable risk were removed in November, 2004. ¦ Groundwater Monitoring: The liquid source of PCP was removed, and PCP has not been found in later testing of the groundwater. Now that the work is done... At this time, the Facility includes several agricultural fields, a residence and associated outbuildings, above ground storage tanks, and a seasonal irrigation pond. The EPA assessed the Facility and reached the following conclusions: ¦ Above-ground Storage Tanks (AST) area: There is stained soil from mineral (crop) oil, which does not pose a risk to human health and the environment and will not be removed. ¦ Dip Tank Area: The remaining PCP surface soil concentrations were assessed, and the EPA concluded that no further work is necessary based on ecological risks. In addition, the EPA determined that the areas of contamination are so limited in size that they are not expected to result in significant exposure or risk to workers or future residents. ------- ¦ Remainder of the Facility: Other than the areas identified and addressed above, no evidence of contamination at the Facility (agricultural fields, residence and irrigation pond) was identified. ¦ Dioxin: Dioxin was detected at very low concentrations in the Dip Tank Area. In addition, EPA and Tribal representatives collected dirt, mud and fish samples in/near Round Lake which is located on a parcel just north of the Facility. Based on the results from the samples and the Yakima Flops Risk Assessment, the EPA determined the dioxin amount is not a significant risk to human health and wildlife. ¦ Arsenic in Groundwater: Arsenic is not known to be associated with historic wood treatment at the Facility and the highest arsenic results were from the well 375 feet upgradient of the former wood treating area. Based on sampling results, the EPA has found that the arsenic in the groundwater was not caused by releases or spills at the Facility. ...you can comment on the proposed decision. The EPA is now seeking public comment on its proposed decision to take no further action at the Facility. You may review the Statement of Basis, which summarizes the EPA's rationale for proposing no further action for the Facility. This Statement of Basis also details the EPA's rationale for proposing to issue a determination of "Corrective Action Complete Without Controls" for the Facility. A "Corrective Action Complete Without Controls" determination means that the EPA, under Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) authority, has determined that human health and ecological risks have been appropriately addressed and that corrective action activities are no longer necessary at this site. The public is invited to comment on the proposal. The public comment period is December 10, 2014 through January 23, 2015. Read the Statement of Basis for No Further Action at: http://go.usa.gov/HXxC The EPA will consider holding a public meeting if there is sufficient interest. If you are interested in attending a public meeting, please submit a written request to Laura Castrilli at the address below by December 24, 2014. In addition, the Statement of Basis and key documents in the Administrative Record are available for your review at the Sunnyside Public Library, 621 Grant Avenue, Sunnyside, WA 98944 (please contact the Library at (509) 837-3234). Who to Contact Please send your written comments by Friday, January 23, 2015 or your request for a public meeting by December 24, 2014 to: Laura Castrilli, EPA Region 10, Suite 900, AWT-150, 1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101 or castrilli.laura@epa.gov Please contact her at castrilli.laura@epa.gov, (206) 553-4323, or 1-800-424-4372 ext. 4323 if you have questions, concerns, need more information or would like to make an appointment to review additional documents in the administrative record at the EPA Region 10 Seattle office. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Information about the environmental cleanup project at Yakima Flops: http://go.usa.gov/HXxC ------- |