Community Involvement Plan
Burlington Northern Superfund Site
Bramerd/Baxter, Crow Wing County, Minnesota
UNITED STATES
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION 5
December 2013
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Burlington Northern Superfund Site
CONTENTS
Section Page
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Community Engagement is Essential to the Success of Cleanups 1
1.2 Purpose of this CIP 2
1.3 CIP Overview 2
2.0 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND THE SUPERFUND PROCESS 3
3.0 BURLINGTON NORTHERN SITE BACKGROUND 6
3.1 Site Location 6
3.2 Site History 7
4.0 COMMUNITY BACKGROUND 9
4.1 Brainerd Community Profile 9
4.2 Brainerd Community Demographics 10
4.3 Baxter Community Profile 11
4.4 Baxter Community Demographics 11
4.5 Past Community Involvement Efforts 12
5.0 SUMMARY OF COMMUNITY INTERVIEW AND CONCERNS 13
6.0 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT GOALS AND ACTIVITIES 14
6.1 Specific Community Involvement Activities 14
6.2 Timeframe for Conducting Community Involvement Activities 17
Appendices
A GLOSSARY - INITIALS - ACRONYMS
B INFORMATION REPOSITORY, ADMINISTRATIVE RECORD, WEBSITES AND PUBLIC MEETING
LOCATIONS
C LIST OF CONTACTS
Exhibits
1 THE SUPERFUND PROCESS 4
2 SUPERFUND PROCESS STEPS 5
Figure
1 SITE LOCATION MAP 6
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency prepared this Community Involvement Plan for the
Burlington Northern (Brainerd/Baxter Plant) Superfund site at the boundary between the cities
of Brainerd and Baxter, Crow Wing County, Minnesota. EPA's community involvement effort is
committed to promoting communication between the public and the Agency. EPA wants to make
sure the community's current concerns and information needs are considered as site activities
progress. (Words in boldface are defined in Appendix A.)
Goals of EPA's community outreach program:
Assist the public in understanding the decision-making process during project design and
cleanup and the community's role in that process.
Give the public accessible, accurate, timely and understandable information about the
project as it moves forward.
Ensure adequate time and opportunity for the public to give informed and meaningful input
and for that input to be considered.
Reflect community concerns, questions and information needs.
Respect and fully consider public input throughout the process as the project moves
forward.
This CIP was prepared to support environmental and cleanup activities at the Site. EPA used
several information sources to develop this plan, including research and a community interview.
An interview conducted with a city of Baxter councilman interested in the onsite activities and
cleanup efforts on June 18, 2013 gave EPA insight into the concerns and information needs of
the community. This CIP describes EPA's plan for addressing concerns and keeping residents and
other community members informed and involved in the site cleanup activities. It also provides
information on the Superfund process, site background information and profiles of the towns
of Brainerd and Baxter. The CIP is a working document that will evolve as the investigation and
cleanup process continues and additional input is received from the community. It is intended to be
flexible, adaptable and used as a guideline for EPA's communication with the Brainerd and Baxter
communities.
1.1 Community Engagement is Essential to the Success of Cleanups
Ongoing input and involvement by the community are essential to EPA's efforts to provide effective
community engagement. EPA has learned that its decision-making ability is enhanced by actively
seeking comments and information from the community. Community members need to be involved
in all phases of the cleanup so that the contamination is addressed in a way that protects people
and the environment - now and in the future.
Residents, former employees and local government officials may be able to provide valuable
information about a hazardous site that can help EPA determine the best way to clean it up.
Information can help determine the location of contamination, how people may be exposed to the
contamination and perhaps sources of the contamination.
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Burlington Northern Superfund Site
1.2 Purpose of this CIP
EPA will use this document as a guide to involve and communicate with residents, businesses and
local government in the Brainerd/Baxter area.
If you are interested in submitting comments or have questions or suggestions concerning the CIP,
please contact:
Cheryl Allen
Community Involvement Coordinator
77 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604-3507
Phone:312-353-6196
allen.cheryl@epa.gov
For more information on the Burlington Northern Superfund site, visit www.epa.gov/region5/
cleanup/burlingtonnorthern or request information by contacting EPA's CIC, Cheryl Allen.
1.3 CIP Overview
This CIP contains the following sections:
Section 1 Introduction: Describes the purpose and intended uses of this CIP.
Section 2 Community Engagement and the Superfund Process: Gives an overview of the
step-by-step process the EPA follows to determine the best way to clean up a
contaminated site and opportunities for community involvement throughout the
process.
Section 3 Site Background: Shares background information about the site's location and history.
Section 4 Brainerd and Baxter Communities Background: Profiles the economic and ethnic
makeup of the communities and summarizes the communities'history and past
involvement at the site.
Section 5 Summary of Community Interview and Concerns: Gives a summary of what
interviewees told EPA about the Site and how they would like to receive information
from EPA about the site.
Section 6 Community Involvement Goals: Describes EPA's plan and timeline for conducting site-
specific activities to keep residents and local officials informed and involved during
the cleanup process.
Appendix A Glossary - Initials - Acronyms: Lists the definition of key words (words are in bold
throughout the document).
Appendix B Information Repository, Administrative Record and Public Meeting Locations:
Identifies places where community members can find more information about the
Site.
Appendix C List of Contacts: Provides a list of federal, state and local agencies.
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2.0 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND THE
SUPERFUND PROCESS
There are several steps involved in cleaning up a
contaminated site. Once EPA has been made aware of a
contaminated site from individual citizens, local, tribal
or state agencies or others, EPA follows a step-by-step
process (see Exhibit 1 on the next page) to determine the
best way to clean up the site and protect human health
and the environment.
Superfund is an environmental cleanup program enabled by a federal law enacted in 1980 known
as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, or CERCLA.
In 1986, another law, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) reauthorized
CERCLA to continue Superfund cleanup activities. The CERCLA law gives EPA the authority to
require those parties responsible for creating hazardous waste sites to clean up those sites or to
reimburse the government if EPA cleans up the site. EPA compels responsible parties to clean up
hazardous waste sites through administrative orders, consent decrees and other legal settlements.
EPA is authorized to enforce the Superfund laws within Indian reservations, in all 50 states and in
U.S. territories. Superfund site identification, monitoring
and response activities are coordinated with state,
tribal and territorial environmental protection or waste
management agencies.
The Superfund program encourages active dialogue
between communities affected by the release of
hazardous substances and all of the agencies
responsible for carrying out or overseeing cleanup
actions. EPA considers community involvement to be an important part of the Superfund program
and opportunities for community involvement occur throughout the process. At each step in the
process, there are opportunities for various levels of community involvement
(see Exhibit 2 on page 5).
Visit these EPA websites for more information on
the Superfund process.
Superfund: www.epa.gov/superfund
Superfund Alternative Process: www.epa.gov/oecaerth/cleanup/superfund/saa.html
Cleanup Process: www.epa.gov/superfund/deanup/index.htm
Community Involvement: www.epa.gov/superfund/community/index.htm
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Reuse
NPL Deletion
Post CQflsufualoiv*
Completion
Construction
completion
RO/RA
ROD
RI/FS
NPL Li&trng
Ptocoss
PA/SI
Exhibit 7. The Superfund Process
Legend
PA/SI
NPL Listing
RI/FS
ROD
RD/RA
NPL Deletion
Preliminary Assessment/Site Investigation
National Priorities List
Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study
Record of Decision
Remedial Design/Remedial Action
National Priorities List Deletion
Note: These steps are defined in Appendix A - Glossary-Initials-Acronyms.
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Superfund
Process Steps
Gather historical site condition information to
determine if further investigation is needed
Use Hazard Ranking System to evaluate risks
Publish notice in Federal Register and local media
announcing proposed listing and public comment
period
Once listed, EPA publishes notice in Federal Register
and responds to comments
Determines the nature and extent of contamination,
evaluates human health and ecological risk
Presents the cleanup alternatives and is issued for
a 30-day public comment period
Preliminary
Assessment/Site
Inspection
National
Priorities List
Process
Remedial
Investigation/
Feasibility Study
Proposed
Plan
Community Involvement
Opportunities
Provide any information you have about the site
to the EPA
Read information about EPA's proposal to list the site
Contact EPA for guestions or additional information
If concerned, submit comments during the Public
Comment period
Consider forming a Community Advisory Group and
applying for a Technical Assistance Grant
Participate in public meetings
Contact community involvement coordinator with
guestions
Read proposed plan
Participate in public meetings
Visit Information Repository
Contains the selected remedy for a site and the
Responsiveness Summary which provides
responses to all comments received during the
public comment period
Record of Decision
Read the ROD for site cleanup
Participate in public events or visit the information
repository
Contact site CIC with guestions
f Includes preparing for and doing the bulk of the
cleanup at the site
Final design is developed
f Any necessary physical construction has been
completed (even though final cleanup levels may
not have been reached)
f Ensures that Superfund cleanups provide
long-term protection of human health and
environment
Monitoring continues
/^AN site work completed
EPA reguests comments on upcoming deletion of
site from NPL list
Remedial Design/
Remedial Action
Learn about the final design
Work through your CAG, TAG or Technical Assistance
Services for Communities provider for information
Attend meetings and site visits
Contact CIC with guestions
Construction
Completion
Post-Construction
Completion
NPL
Deletion
Attend meetings and site visits
Contact CIC with guestions
Work through your CAG, TAG orTASC provider for
information
Visit the site or arrange a site tour through EPA
Contact CIC with guestions
Read EPA's proposal and Responsiveness Summary
Read the final deletion report
Plan a community event to celebrate deletion
from NPL
f \fter site is clean:
EPA works with community to help return site to
productive use
EPA will ensure that any land use restrictions
continue to be met
Reuse
Work with EPA and neighbors to plan the
redevelopment
Explore EPA's tools and resources
Be supportive of redevelopment plans once they've
been agreed upon
Exhibit 2 shows community involvement opportunities during each step of the Superfund process.
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3.0 SITE BACKGROUND
This section describes the Site and summarizes the history of cleanup activities at the site.
3.1 Site Location
The Burlington Northern Superfund site is located on the boundary between the cities of Brainerd
and Baxter in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, in an area south of the Paul Bunyan State Trail and
State Highway 210 and north ofW. Laurel Street, State Highway 371 is approximately 900 feet north
of the site and the Mississippi River flows about 3,000 feet east of the site. The site is bordered by
commercial and light industrial areas to the north and southwest and by residential areas to the
south and southeast (see Figure 1 below).
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3.2 Site History
The Northern Pacific and
Burlington Northern Railroads
later known as BNSF Railway
Co. operated a tie treatment
facility at the Site from 1907
to 1985. Railroad ties were
treated with creosote and fuel
oil. Wastewater generated from
the wood-treating process was
sent to two shallow, unlined
ponds.This created a sludge,
which contaminated both
the underlying soils and the
groundwater with polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons,
or PAH S and Other Southeast portion of the site with commercial area north of the site.
contaminants. The wastewater was treated at a wastewater treatment plant and liquid creosote
was removed from the ponds and was reused by an on-site facility.
In 1983, this Site was added to EPA's National Priorities List.The National Priorities List is a list of
serious uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites identified for possible long-term cleanup
under Superfund.
BNSF signed an Administrative Order on Consent with EPA and the Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency (MPCA) in 1985 and EPA signed a cleanup decision document in 1986.The cleanup plan
selected by EPA included on-site treatment and capping of remaining contaminated soils and
sludges, and a groundwater control system to address contaminated groundwater by using
groundwater pump-out wells.
From 1987 to 1994, BNSF operated the soil treatment area under EPA and MPCA oversight. Visibly
contaminated soils and sludges were removed from the site and placed in an on-site lined Land
Treatment Unit. After
treatment was completed,
the contaminated soils and
sludges in the Land Treatment
Unit were capped in place.
The Land Treatment Unit is
currently maintained by BNSF
and operates under a Resource
Conservation and Recovery
Act (RCRA) permit issued by
MPCA. From 2005 to 2007,
BNSF conducted an additional
study, under MPCA oversight,
of soils remaining outside of
the containment unit.
The groundwater pumpout
system was constructed
in 1985 and pumped
Groundwater treatment system located in the southeast portion of the site.
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contaminated groundwater from three wells to a storm sewer where it was then treated at a
wastewater treatment plant. A pilot groundwater aeration (air injection) system was added in
1992. Additional air injection wells were placed in operation in 1995 to aerate the width of the
contaminant plume while pumping continued. From 2001 to 2008, various combinations of
pumping and air injection were used to control groundwater. Since 2008, an expanded air injection
system has been used alone to control and treat contaminants in groundwater.
The Superfund program conducts periodic
Five-Year Reviews to evaluate whether the
remedy remains protective. The latest Five
Year Review, completed by EPA and MPCA
in 2011, documented that the remedy as
currently operating is protective in the
short-term and that the groundwater plume
that exceeds drinking water standards has
decreased significantly in size. However,
the review also raised issues that need to be
addressed to ensure long-term protection
related to soil, groundwater, and the soil
treatment unit.
With oversight by EPA, BNSF has completed
two of three phases of additional
investigation at the Site.This has included
drilling two deep holes to confirm depth of
bedrock at about 100 feet below the ground
surface and remove continuous soil cores;
mechanically pushing a variety of instruments
into the soil to detect the exact location
of contamination throughout the site; and
taking near-surface soil samples to be used
in assessing any remaining risk to people and
the environment. The third and final phase
is to be completed during December 2013.
Following these additional investigation
activities, BNSF will assess cleanup methods
for the remaining contamination. After a
review of that assessment, EPA plans to
modify the existing cleanup decision to better Removing soil cores from 100-foot deep drilled holes.
address current conditions at the site.
in 2012, BNSF and EPA signed a new AOC.
The agreement requires BNSF, with EPA
oversight, to evaluate the extent of soil and
groundwater contamination remaining at
the site and assess the best cleanup methods
for that contamination.The agreement also
requires BNSF to re-examine the former soil
treatment unit.
Driving instruments into the soil to identify depths of
contamination.
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4.0 COMMUNITY BACKGROUND
This section describes the history and demographics of the cities of Brainerd and Baxter, Crow Wing
County, Minnesota, as well as the history of community involvement with the site.
4.1 Brainerd Community Profile
Brainerd is located in Crow Wing County, Minnesota,
and is one of the largest cities in Central Minnesota. It
encompasses an area of about 12.64 square miles.
In 1870, the Northern Pacific Railroad was formed to
take advantage of the U.S. Government's incentives
for extending railway lines to the Pacific Coast. As
incentive to extend railway lines to the Pacific Coast,
the U.S. Government gave the NPRR property along the
railway line to either use or sell.The initial buildings and
settlement was planned and implemented by the NPRR.
The railroad also supported the logging industry for a couple of decades before 1900.
The Northern Pacific railroad station in Brainerd.
The NPRR built a bridge over the Mississippi River, seven miles north of Crow Wing Village, and used
the Brainerd station as a machine and car shop. This prompted many people to move north to the
township and abandon Crow Wing. There was no city plat or name at the time so the "town" was
called "The Crossing." In 1870, the owner of NPRR, John Gregory Smith, renamed the township to
Brainerd, after his wife, Anne Eliza Brainerd Smith and father-in-law, Lawrence Brainerd. Brainerd was
organized as a city on March 6,1873.
The area was once a dense pine forest that Chippewa Indians used as hunting grounds and
blueberry fields. Brainerd was first seen by European settlers on Christmas Day in 1805 when
American Explorer, Zebulon Pike, stopped there while looking for headwaters to the Mississippi
River. Crow Wing Village was a fur and logging community near Fort Ripley and brought settlers to
the area in the mid 1800s.
Gunfights, hangings and gambling were the way of life. Most of the new residents were unmarried
men who lived in local boarding houses and frequented the saloons. In these early years,
relationships between the settlers and the Native Americans were complicated.The most famous
example of the tense relationship was the "Blueberry War" of 1872. Two Ojibwe tribal members
had been hanged for allegedly murdering a missing settler girl. When a group of tribal members
approached the town, troops from Fort Ripley were called to prevent a potential reprisal. However,
the tribal members were only coming to sell blueberries and no retaliation was on their mind and a
bloody misunderstanding was avoided. The guilt of the
two Native Americans was never proven (Source: http://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainerd,_Minnesota).
Lumber, paper, and agriculture were important
industries in Brainerd, but it remained a railroad town
until the early 1920's. After the nationwide railroad
strike that occurred on July 1,1922, most of the
Brainerd residents were left unemployed. Over the
years, increased efficiency and better positioning of
The Brainerd Lakes Area provides a strong tourism
industry for the local communities.
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$
fH
more centralized shops led to the decline in need for the Brainerd
railroad station.
In 1903, the Northwest Paper Company built a paper mill in
Brainerd and the paper and service industries have become
Brainerd's primary employers.
Today, tourism is a strong industry in Brainerd, which is part of the
Brainerd Lakes Area. There are over 460 lakes within 25 miles of
Brainerd, located mostly to the north. Hundreds of resorts provide
swimming, boating, and fishing.
A concrete storage tank stands in the center of Brainerd. It was the
first all concrete elevated tank used by a municipality in the United
States and took four years to build. Though
it is no longer in use, the tank, known as the
Brainerd WaterTower, is considered a Brainerd
landmark.
The water tower is a local landmark in
the city of Brainerd.
Brainerd has a Strong Council/Weak Mayor Form of Government. It is headed by
a City Administrator and has an eight-member city council and a mayor. They
meet the first and third Monday of every month and are governed by a Home
Rule Charter. Brainerd also has a police department and a fire department.
4.2 Brainerd Community Demographics
Based on 2010 U.S. Census data, Brainerd has a population of 13,590. This reflects a population
increase of about 3.3 percent from the 2000 census.
BRAINERD
i White non-Hispanic
i Two or more races
Hispanic
i American Indian
i African American
Asian American
According to www.city-data.
com, the population of Brainerd is
predominantly white non-Hispanic
(92.4 percent), followed by two or
more races making up 2.7 percent
of the population, Hispanic at
1.8 percent, American Indian at
1.5 percent, African American at
1.3 percent, and Asian American
at 0.3 percent. Ancestries in
Brainerd include German (32.9%),
Norwegian (16.6%), Irish (10.5%),
Swedish (10.1%) English (7.0%),
and Polish (5.1%).
The median resident age in Brainerd is 32.2 years. Approximately 53 percent of households are
family households. About 84 percent of the population 25 years and over in Brainerd have a high
school education or higher and about 14 percent of those have attained a bachelor's degree or
higher.
The 2009 median household income was $28,582 (as compared to $26,901 in 2000). This compares
to the median household income for the state of Minnesota of $55,616 in 2009.
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4.3 Baxter Community Profile
Baxter is located in Crow Wirig County, Minnesota, and bordered on the west by Cass County and on
the east by Brainerd.The current southern border is the Mississippi River, it encompasses an area of
about 20.62 square miles and is home to numerous lakes and ponds.
Baxter was incorporated May 25,1939, and is named after Luther Baxter, an attorney for the railroad
who served in the Minnesota Legislature and as a colonel in the Civil War.
Baxter's major employers have been tourism
and various service industries. Baxter is part
of the Brainerd Lakes Area. Many housing
subdivisions have been developed in a
wooded area west of Minnesota Highway
371, which passes through the town. Due
to the amount of unused land in the area,
commercial development along the highway
has increased in recent years.
The tie-treating plant that operated under the Northern Pacific and
Burlington Northern railroads.
The city of Baxter has a mayor and four
council members who meet the first and
third Tuesday of every month. Baxter has its own police department, but is supported by the city of
Brainerd's fire department.
4.4 Baxter Community Demographics
Based on 2010 U.S. Census data, Baxter has a population of 7,623.This reflects a population increase
of about 37.2 percent from the 2000 census.
¦ White1 nan-Htspanic
¦ Two or more racei
¦ Hispanic
¦ Aijan American
African American
American Indian
According to www.city-data.
com, the population of Baxter
is predominantly white non-
Hispanic (95.8 percent), followed
by two or more races making up
1.3 percent of the population,
Hispanic at 1.1 percent, Asian
American at 0.9 percent, African
American at 0.4 percent, and
American Indian at 0.4 percent.
Ancestries in Brainerd include
German (43.1%), Norwegian
(19.1%), Swedish (15.0%), Irish
(9.9%), English (6.8%), and French (6.4%).
The median resident age in Baxter is 38.7 years. Approximately 71 percent of households are family
households. About 94 percent of the population 25 years and over in Baxter have a high school
education or higher and about 31 percent of those have attained a bachelor's degree or higher.
The 2009 median household income for Baxter was $62,891 (as compared to $52,289 in 2000).This
compares to the median household income for the state of Minnesota of $55,616 in 2009
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4.5 Past Community Involvement Efforts
Past community involvement for the Site included a fact sheet that was mailed to residents in
February 2013 informing residents of the BNSF's agreement to further investigate the site and
recommend additional cleanup work if necessary. In June 2013, an ad was placed in the local
newspaper and postcards were mailed to almost 300 people, notifying them of an availability
session and community interviews. No one attended the availability session on June 18,2013. One
person participated in the community interviews.
Brainerd Public Library serves the local community and houses the Information Repository.
An information repository has been established for the site at the Brainerd Public Library, located
at 416 South Fifth Street, Brainerd.The repository contains site-related documents such as technical
reports, sampling results, general information about EPA and the Superfund program and other
information. Documents in the repository are available for public review during the library's hours of
operation (see Appendix B).
Additional community involvement activities proposed for the Site are discussed in Section 6.0.
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5.0 SUMMARY OF COMMUNITY INTERVIEW
AND CONCERNS
In early June 2013, EPA sent postcards to approximately 300 residents and officials in the Brainerd
and Baxter communities inviting them to talk with EPA about the Burlington Northern Superfund
Site. One person, a city of Baxter councilman, met with EPA on June 18,2013 to discuss the site. His
main concerns were (1) the timeframe of when the site would be cleaned up and (2) the possibility
of the city of Baxter being able to extend the road adjacent to the site.
Typically during community interviews, EPA will have several questions to ask interviewees about
the site and communication methods from EPA. However, because only one person expressed
interest, EPA did not conduct a formal interview but instead discussed the site with the councilman
and answered questions he had about the site.
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6.0 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT GOALS
AND ACTIVITIES
When establishing the objectives for a site-specific community involvement program, EPA considers
several factors, including federal requirements and EPA policy that assess the nature and extent of
known or perceived site contaminants and known community concerns and requests.
To be effective, the community involvement program must be designed to meet the community's
need to know, give information in a timely manner and accommodate the community's interests
and its willingness to participate in decision-making processes. EPA must also share information in
language the public can understand.
Based on the community response, EPA has set the following goals to meet federal requirements
and to continue to provide information to the community:
Enlist the support and involvement of local officials and community leaders.
Monitor citizen interest in the site and respond accordingly.
Keep the community well informed of ongoing and planned site activities.
Explain technical site activities and findings.
Get public input on key decisions.
Change planned activities, where warranted, based on community input.
Update the website regularly and provide useful information for the community.
Advertise public meetings.
EPA has or will put in place the activities described below to meaningfully and actively offer to
engage the community in decisions regarding the cleanup of the Burlington Northern Superfund
site. The following plan is intended to provide opportunities for communication between the
community and EPA.
6.1 Specific Community Involvement
Activities
To meet federal requirements and continue to solicit
local community involvement, EPA has conducted (or will
conduct) the activities described below.Through these
activities, it is EPA's goal to inform, involve and engage the
community during site cleanup decisions and efforts.
Maintain point of contact. Cheryl Allen is the
primary liaison between EPA and the Brainerd/Baxter
communities. Ms. Allen serves as the point of contact
for community members and fields general questions
about the site. For technical site issues, Ms. Allen
coordinates with EPA's remedial project manager for
the site, Leah Evison.
EPA will include current contact information on all
written and electronic information and will notify the
community of any contact information changes.
The EPA has designated two people
as primary site contacts for local
residents:
Cheryl Allen
Community Involvement
Coordinator
312-353-6196
allen.cheryl@epa.gov
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Ms. Allen can also be reached weekdays
toll-free at 800-621-8431, ext 36196.
Leah Evison
Remedial Project Manager
651-757-2898
evison.leah@epa.gov
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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Establish a toll-free number for residents to ask questions and receive information. Ms.
Allen and Ms. Evison are available to answer your questions. Their contact information is in the
box above. Residents can call the toll-free number or individual numbers provided as questions
or concerns arise instead of waiting for a public meeting or to receive written information. EPA
provides this toll-free number periodically in local newspaper advertisements and includes the
toll-free number in all fact sheets and all other EPA communications with the public.
Maintain communication with local officials, agencies and community residents. EPA
interviewed a local official from the city of Baxter who indicated he would like to be contacted
with updated site information on a periodic basis so that the City can update its constituents.
EPA will continue to share information with both the city of Baxter and the city of Brainerd.
Share site information on the Internet. Information on the site is provided on the
following EPA website and will be updated as events occur: www.epa.gov/region5/cleanup/
burlingtonnorthern.
Update and maintain the site mailing list. A mailing list of local residents, organizations,
businesses and officials has been established for the site.This list will be used for mailing fact
sheets, site updates, invitations to public meetings and events and other site-related information
mailed to the community.The list will be updated regularly to reflect address changes and
changes in elected officials and to add new people interested in site activities.
EPA uses the site mailing list to distribute written information such as fact sheets and meeting
notifications.This is a way to ensure that those without access to the Internet or other
information sources still have a way to receive information directly about the site and are
notified about important meetings. If a community member is interested in being placed on
either mailing list they can contact Cheryl Allen, CIC.
Prepare and distribute fact sheets and site updates. Fact sheets, letters and site updates
summarizing current information about the site and describing upcoming activities may be
prepared and distributed to those on the site mailing and email lists.These documents are
written in non-technical language and typically prepared to coincide with important site
activities.
EPA uses these types of documents to give the community detailed information in a relatively
quick, simple and easy-to-understand manner. In addition to being shared with individuals on
the site mailing lists, fact sheets and site updates are also placed in the information repository
and posted on EPA's website: www.epa.gov/region5/cleanup/burlingtonnorthern.
Establish and maintain a site-specific information repository. EPA has set up a local
information repository at the Brainerd Public Library, located at 416 South Fifth Street in
Brainerd. The repository is a collection of site information available to the public for reading and
photocopying. Documents include fact sheets, technical reports, the CIP, general Superfund
information and other documents. EPA adds new documents about the site as the documents
become available. Information repositories give residents local access to site information in
formats that can be easily read and photocopied for future use.
Establish and maintain the administrative record. A copy of the Administrative Record for
the Site can be found at the Brainerd Public Library and at the EPA Region 5 Superfund Record
Center in Chicago (see Appendix A). EPA will update the Administrative Record as necessary. The
Administrative Record gives residents a paper trail of all documents EPA relied on, or considered,
to reach decisions about the Superfund site cleanup.
Conduct public meetings, hearings and information sessions. A public meeting is an
opportunity for EPA to present specific information and a proposed course of action. EPA staff
are available to share information and answer questions. A public meeting is not a formal public
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hearing where testimony is received. Instead, it might be a meeting to exchange information or
comments.
In addition, EPA may hold an informal open-house style meeting, called availability sessions,
where residents can meet EPA experts one-on-one to discuss the activities at the site. Either
type of meeting allows community members an opportunity to express their concerns and ask
questions of EPA, state or local government officials. Public meetings or availability sessions
can be held at various times throughout the investigation and cleanup process. A meeting is
typically scheduled when there are technical milestones or the community has expressed an
interest in having a meeting.
A public hearing is a formal meeting wherein the EPA officials hear the public's views and
concerns about an EPA action or proposal.There are specific regulations about when EPA is
required to consider such comments when evaluating its actions. Public hearings are recorded
by a professional transcriber and become part of the administrative record. The comments are
also posted on the EPA web pages.
EPA will consider conducting additional meetings at different times and different locations
throughout the community to give all residents an opportunity to attend as needed.
Write and distribute news releases and public notices. EPA will prepare and release
announcements to the local newspaper such as TheBrainerd Daily Dispatch to share information
about events such as significant site investigation findings, completion of major milestones,
significant scheduling information and other pertinent site-related information.
News releases allow EPA to reach large audiences quickly.They will also be posted on EPA's
website, www.epa.gov/region5/cleanup/burlingtonnorthern. EPA typically publishes news
releases and public notices to announce major events such as comment periods and public
meetings and major milestones such as the selection of a cleanup plan.
EPA will issue news releases and public notices as site activities progress. Copies of the news
releases and public notices will also be available in the Information Repository.
Evaluate community involvement and outreach efforts and make adjustments as
warranted. This CIP was designed to consider site- and community-specific factors as well as
to comply with federal requirements. Community concerns, the objectives of the community
involvement program for the site and specific activities to address these concerns in this CIP
were based to a large extent on information obtained during the June 2013 interview with local
City of Baxter councilman. EPA recognizes that changes in areas such as community perceptions,
information needs and population demographics can occur over time and that such changes
may necessitate a revised approach to conducting community involvement activities. For this
reason as well as to determine whether the activities in this plan are achieving their intended
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objectives, periodic reviews will be done to determine whether additional activities are
warranted or whether changes to current methods of starting up the activities outlined in this
plan are necessary.
6.2 Timeframe for Conducting Community Involvement Activities
The following table presents the general timeframe for the activities described in Section 6.1.
Table 6.1 Timeframe for Conducting Community Involvement Activities
Community Involvement Activities
Timeframe
Maintain point of contact
Complete
Establish a toll-free number
Complete; publish on written materials
Maintain communication with local officials,
agencies, and community residents
Ongoing as needed
Share site information on the Internet
Completed; update as needed
Update and maintain the site mailing list
Completed; update as needed
Prepare and distribute fact sheets and site
updates
Ongoing as needed
Establish and maintain a site-specific information
repository
Completed; update as needed
Establish and maintain the administrative record
Completed; update as needed
Conduct public meetings, hearings and
information sessions
Ongoing as needed
Write and distribute news releases and public
notices
Ongoing as needed
Evaluate community involvement and outreach
efforts and make adjustments as warranted
Periodically throughout the cleanup process
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APPENDIX A
Glossary - Initials - Acronyms
Administrative Order on Consent. A legal agreement signed by EPA and an individual, business or other
entity through which the violator agrees to pay for correction of violations, take the required corrective
or cleanup actions or refrain from an activity. It describes the actions to be taken, may be subject to
a comment period, applies to civil actions, and can be enforced in court. Unlike a consent decree, an
administrative order on consent does not have to be approved by a judge.
Administrative Record. The body of documents that forms the basis for the selection of a particular
response at a site. For example, the Administrative Record for remedy selection includes all documents
that were considered or relied upon to select the remedy through the record of decision.
AOC. See Administrative Order on Consent.
CERCLA. See Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act.
CIC. See Community Involvement Coordinator.
CIP. See Community Involvement Plan.
Cleanup. Actions taken to deal with a release or threat of release of a hazardous substance that could
affect humans and/or the environment. The term "cleanup" is sometimes used interchangeably with the
terms "remedial action,""remediation,""removal action,""response action," or "corrective action."
Community. An interacting population of various types of individuals, or species, in a common location;
a neighborhood or specific area where people live.
Community Engagement. The process of involving communities in all phases of the cleanup process.
Communities are asked to provide input on how the cleanup will be conducted and how it may affect
community plans and goals. See also Community Involvement.
Community Involvement. The term used by the EPA to identify its process for engaging in dialogue and
collaboration with communities affected by Superfund sites. The EPA community involvement approach
is founded in the belief that people have a right to know what the Agency is doing in their community
and to have a say in it. Its purpose is to give people the opportunity to become involved in the Agency's
activities and to help shape the decisions that are made.
Community Involvement Coordinator.The EPA official whose lead responsibility is to involve and
inform the public about the Superfund process and response actions in accordance with the interactive
community involvement requirements set forth in the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution
Contingency Plan.
Community Involvement Plan. A plan that outlines specific community involvement activities that
occur during the investigation and cleanup at the site. The CIP outlines how EPA will keep the public
informed of work at the site and the ways in which residents can review and comment on decisions
that may affect the final actions at the site. The document is available in the site's information repository
maintained by the EPA. The CIP may be modified as necessary to respond to changes in community
concerns, information needs and activities.
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. A federal law passed in
1980 and modified in 1986 by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act. Commonly known
as Superfund, CERCLA is intended to protect people's health and the environment by investigating and
cleaning up abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. Under the program, the EPA can either:
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Pay for site cleanup when parties responsible for the contamination cannot be located or are
unwilling or unable to do the work; or
Take legal action to force parties responsible for site contamination to clean up the site or pay
back the federal government for the cost of the cleanup.
Contaminant. Any physical, chemical, biological or radiological substance or matter that has an adverse
effect on air, water or soil.
Contamination. Introduction into water, air and soil of microorganisms, chemicals, toxic substances,
wastes or wastewater in a concentration that makes the medium unfit for its next intended use. Also
applies to surfaces of objects, buildings and various household use products.
Feasibility Study. Analysis of the practicality of a proposale.g., a description and analysis of
potential cleanup alternatives for a site such as one on the National Priorities List. The feasibility study
usually recommends selection of a cost-effective alternative. It usually starts as soon as the remedial
investigation is under way; together, they are commonly referred to as the remedial investigation/
feasibility study.
Hazardous Substance. Any material that poses a threat to human health and/or the environment.
Typical hazardous substances are toxic, corrosive, ignitable, explosive or chemically reactive. Any
substance designated by the EPA to be reported if a designated quantity of the substance is spilled in the
waters of the United States or is otherwise released into the environment.
Hazardous Waste. Byproducts that can pose a substantial or potential hazard to human health or
the environment when improperly managed. Hazardous wastes usually possess at least one of four
characteristics (ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity or toxicity) or appear on special EPA lists.
Information Repository. A file containing current information, technical reports and reference
documents regarding a site.The information repository usually is located in a public building convenient
for local residents such as a public school, town hall or library.
National Priorities List. The EPA's list of serious uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites
identified for possible long-term cleanup under Superfund. The list is based primarily on the score a site
receives from the Hazard Ranking System. The EPA is required to update the National Priorities List at
least once a year.
NPL. See National Priorities List.
PA/SI. See Preliminary Assessment and Site Investigation.
PAHs. See Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons.
Polycydic Aromatic Hydrocarbons. PAHs are a group of organic contaminants that form from the
incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons, such as coal and gasoline. PAHs generally occur as complex
mixtures and not as single compounds. PAHs are an environmental concern because they do not break
down easily, are toxic to aquatic life and build up in humans and animals. Several PAHs are suspected to
cause cancer in humans.
Preliminary Assessment and Site Investigation. The PA/SI is the process of collecting and reviewing
available information about a known or suspected hazardous waste site or release. The PA/SI usually
includes a visit to the site.
Proposed Plan. A plan for a site cleanup that is available to the public for comment.
Public. The community or people in general or a part or section of the community grouped because of a
common interest or activity.
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Public Comment Period. A formal opportunity for community members to review and contribute
written comments on various EPA documents or actions.
Public Meeting. Formal public sessions that are characterized by a presentation to the public followed
by a question-and-answer session. Formal public meetings may involve the use of a court reporter and
the issuance of transcripts. Formal public meetings are required only for the proposed plan and Record of
Decision amendments.
RCRA. See Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
Record of Decision. A ROD is a legal, technical and public document that explains which cleanup
alternative will be used at a Superfund NPL site. The ROD is based on information and technical analysis
generated during the remedial investigation and feasibility study and consideration of public comments
and community concerns.
RD/RA. See Remedial Design/Remedial Action.
Remedial Design/Remedial Action. Remedial design is a phase in the CERCLA response process in
which technical drawings are developed for the chosen remedy, costs for implementing the remedy
are estimated and roles and responsibilities of EPA, states and contractors are determined. During
the remedial action phase, the remedy is implemented generally by a contractor, with oversight and
inspection conducted by EPA, the state or both.
Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study. A two-part study called an RI/FS. The remedial investigation
is designed to collect the data necessary to determine the nature and extent of contamination at a site.
The feasibility study involves identifying and evaluating the most appropriate technical approaches
to addressing contamination problems at a site. Alternatives are evaluated for their effectiveness in
protecting human health and the environment.
Remedial Project Manager. The EPA official who is the technical lead on a project.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. This law was passed in 1976 and is the principal Federal law
governing the disposal of solid and hazardous waste.
Responsiveness Summary. A summary of oral and/or written public comments received by EPA during
a comment period on key EPA documents and EPA's responses to those comments.
RI/FS. See Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study.
ROD. See Record of Decision
Superfund.The program operated under the legislative authority of CERCLA that funds and carries
out EPA solid waste emergency and long-term removal and remedial activities. These activities include
establishing the National Priorities List, investigating sites for inclusion on the list, determining their
priority and conducting and/or supervising cleanup and other remedial actions.
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APPENDIX B
Information Repository, Administrative Record,
Websites and Public Meeting Locations
Local Information Repository
Brainerd Public Library
416 South Fifth Street
Brainerd, MN
Official Information Repository
EPA Region 5 Superfund Record Center
Room 711, 7th Floor
Ralph Metcalfe Federal Building
77W.Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604
www.epa.gov/reg5sfun/sfd/foia/sf-records-center.html
EPA Site Web Page
www.epa.gov/region5/cleanup/burlingtonnorthern
Possible Meeting Location
Brainerd Public Library
416 South Fifth Street
Brainerd, MN
218-829-5574
o-EPA
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APPENDIX C
List of Contacts (information is current as of December 2013)
Cheryl Allen
Community Involvement Coordinator
Superfund Division (SI-7J)
77W.Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604-3590
312-353-6196
800-621-8431, ext. 36196
allen.cheryl@epa.gov
Leah Evison
Remedial Project Manager
520 Lafayette Rd N
St. Paul, MN 55155-4194
651-757-2898
evison.leah@epa.gov
Federal Elected Officials
Senator Amy Klobuchar
1200 Washington Ave. South
Suite 250
Minneapolis, MN 55415
612-727-5220
Senator Al Franken
60 E. Plato Blvd.
Suite 220
St. Paul, MN 55107
651-221-1016
302 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-3244
http://klobuchar.senate.gov/emailamy.cfm
309 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
202-224-5641
http://www.franken.senate.gov/?p=email_al
Representative Richard Nolan
Brainerd City Hall
501 Laurel Street
Brainerd, MN 56401
218-454-4078
2447 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-6211
http://nolan.house.gov/contact/email-me
Governor Mark Dayton
Office of the Governor
130 State Capitol
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651-201-3400
http://mn.gov/governor/contact-us/form/
State Senator Carrie Ruud
25 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651-296-4913
sen.carrie.ruud@senate.mn
State Representative John Ward
375 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
651-296-4333
rep.john.ward@house.mn
SEPA
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City of Brainerd
501 Laurel St.
Brainerd, MN 56401
218-828-2307
James Wallin, Mayor
218-828-2308
jamesw@brainerd.net
Theresa Goble, City Administrator
Jeff Hulsether, City Engineer
218-828-2307
218-828-2309
tgoble@ci.brainerd.mn.us
jhulsether@ci.brainerd.mn.us
City of Brainerd Council
Kelly Bevans
Dale Parks
218-829-4147
218-270-4242
Chip Borkenhagen
David Pritschet
218-851-4843
218-828-0809
Bonnie Cumberland
Gary Scheeler
218-829-6316
218-825-1957
Mary Koep
218-829-9793
City of Baxter
13190 Memorywood Dr.
Baxter, MN 56425
218-454-5100
City of Baxter Council
Darrel Olson, Mayor
Todd Holman
218-454-5100
612-867-3140
Jim Klein
Rob Moser
218-454-5100
218-454-5100
Mark Cross
218-454-5100
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The Brainerd Daily Dispatch
506 James St., Brainerd, MN 56401
218-829-4705
http://brainerddispatch.com/
Radio Stations
KBLB (93.3 FM)
P.O. Box 746
Brainerd, MN 56401
218-822-2933
www.todaysbestcountry.com
WWWI-FM (95.9 FM)
305 W. Washington St.
Brainerd, MN 56401
218-828-9994
www.3wiradio.com
KSKK (94.7 FM)
P.O. Box 49
Park Rapids, MN 56470
218-732-3306
www.kkradionetwork.com
KTGI (102.7 FM)
P.O. Box 409
Pequot Lakes, MN 56472
866-568-4422
http://theword.mn
Television Stations
KMSP-TV (Channel 9 Fox Affiliate)
11358 Viking Drive
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
952-946-5767
http://www.myfoxtwincities.com
KSTP-TV (Channel 5 ABC Affiliate)
3415 University Ave.
Saint Paul, MN 55114
218-855-0022
http://kstp.com
WCCO-TV (Channel 4 CBS Affiliate)
90S. 11th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612-339-4444
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com
KARE-TV (Channel 11 NBC Affiliate)
8811 Olson Memorial Hwy.
Minneapolis, MN 55427
763-593-1111
http://www.kare! 1 .com
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