&EFA U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION 10	May 1999

This fact sheet reports on the many recent developments at the Wyckoff/EagleHarborSkjperfund Site.
We uelcane your oocments and questions. Please feel free to contact anyone listed en the last page.

EPA Continues to Evaluate
Thermal Technologies;
Proposed Plan Anticipated
This Summer

Background

EPA continues to study thermal technologies to
evaluate v\fosthsrthey/\ciMbe effective incieanirg
i^ccrtarinaticnattheVfyckoff site. Henral
technologies oteroe inrraral of crecsote
ca±aimai±sty]^atii^andndaiIi2digca±aTrirBnts
urfeigirundusdigsteanii^eddmai^creled^riiGal
currents. Cb^ariiiTantsaiBiBDOvei^tyvacuLin
extiactdcn. Oxmikatermxipl ingandlabaratory
testingarecngoirg. R^e3ii±Hiyissiits±Dwt±Bt
ttete±nxilogyisc^Hl^c£iHiomgasignifi£Eint
arrcunt of contamination from the sails and
gnardAateratthissLte. Inadditicn, the
l^xastotyc&ta indicate that as tsipetature
increasad, thedaisitycf theccntsminants
decreased. Ttedecreaseindansityrreansthat
contamnants are less likely tono^ downward
tbrL^tteprteS±ecl^l^eir; craqjitard, iito
thelowsraqjifer.

Aixrrbercf technical challenges retain tobe
resolved andEI^ccntinues to evaluate these
issues. AProposedPlan, cutlirrirgthepceferzed
reracly for the site, aswellasasarrraiyof findings
fromthe studies, ise?$ectedthissurrrrer. Whai

Tn TVH a T.qsue...

•	EPA Continues to Evaluate Thermal
Technologies; Proposed Plan Anticipated
This Summer

•	EPA Works to Control Product Seepage

•	Bank Erosion Found and Stabilized

•	Removal of West Dock Complete

•	Coast Guard Proposes Rule to Protect

Harbor Cap

•	Clean Sediment Cap to be Monitored

•	Local Group Calls for Minimizing
Community Impacts

corplete, the Pixpcsed Plan will berrade available
fcrpialic review, andafcaralp±iUcn^tjrgwill
beheld.

In-Situ TV^T-mal Technologies Advisory Panel

In late 1998, EPARegicnlO, EPARegicn9, and
the Technology Innovations Off ice at EEA
ffeadquarters, asserbledagrcupof prcrranait
researchers and industry e>$perts. Thegrcup
pooifeao^^andcmsuLtatixLfcrt±eiiral
technologies evaluaticnat both the Vfyckoff site and
at the EPA Region 9 McCbrmick and Baxter Site in
Stockton, California. TMsgrnjphasbecore
knewnas the m-SituTherrral Technologies
Advisory Panel, orlTIAP. EPArretwith rrffiP

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rrerbers inearlyPpril todiscuss andcbtaine>pert
fee±ackrecprdiiguxertaii±descfthernal
rerBdiaticn, cormjnitycoxerns, anddevelcprHTt
cf thecaxqatual cfeign farcleaap.

Theprirrary cutoares of this meetingwere that the
e>pertsdorot believe there are any fatal flaws at
Vfycfcff preventing theusecf thenral technologies.
ThegroupfuIlysu|pxtsusiigtlTernaltB±]nologies
at this site toieioettecci±ai±rat±XLint±e soil

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WYCKOFF/EAGLE HARBOR SITE - May 1999

and groundwater. Oomrdtyccncerrssuchas
roise, odor, andsurfaceemssicnswerealso
discussed. Thein&P andEE&feel stronglythat
engineeringmsasunescanbetakaitD significantly
redxeoverall nuisance to the comunity.

Sheet Pile Wall Driving Tests

An important corpcnent of the thenral remedy
wxiMbeccnstruct±rLof a temporary (up to 15
^ears) ±eetpilebarrien/\anextendiigbelcwthe
sun±acearcundthesite. Theterporaiybarrien/\all
wculdbe necessary to prevent contaminants firm
rrrarirg iintoESgleffebcr during the thenral
leTBdiatiaiprrcess. Thissurrrer, EEAwill testa
couple typescf ^eetpilesandsheetpileiiteriocks.
Thepjpcsecf this test is toaaliBte'\±±reaTility"--
to leam to1vtet degree the sheets canbe driven
cleg? underground through dense and ocfcfcley
locaticnsintbesuteundace. Thetestwillalso
evaluatevtether tfebarriematerial canbe seated
into thela^er that separates tbeujperaqjifer firm
tteloeraqjiferinferttesite, calledtbeaqjitard.
While local residents may hear sore noise as a
resiiLtcf ttedme^nn 1 i tytestiigb^irriiigaarurd
Agust, EI^wilJL be takirgmeasures to ensure that
ai^disturtanceisminirni2Bd; suchasdriviigpiles
cnlydjringdayt±rehcurs.

Onsite Groundwater Supply

If steam inj ection is implemented, a large amount of
fresh water would be required to generate steam for
the cleanup process. This summer, EPA will be
installing a test well on the Wy ckofif property to
evaluate the fresh ground water supply in deep
aquifers. One purpose of the test well would be to
determine the maximum yield in this area. The test
well would also be used to assess impacts on other
production wells and the potential for salt water
intrusion. The test well would be operated for 30
days. If the test proves successful (if the well
produces water without impairing current users),
then the test well would be converted to a
production well for use during cleanup activities.

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 other
wood treatment compounds. Bottom sediments
in much of Eagle Harbor are contaminated with
chemicals from wood-treating and shipyard
operations. These sediments are toxic to marine
life. A public health advisory is in effect
recommending against eating fish and shellfish
harvested from the Harbor.

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, Wyckoff Soil Operable Unit, and
Wyckoff Groundwater Operable Unit.

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oEFA

WYCKOFF/EAGLE HARBOR SITE - May 1999

EPA Works to Control
Product Seepage

Control of the creosote which continues to seep
through the bulkhead at the Wyckoff site has been
an ongoing concern as a potential source of contam-
inants to the h arb or. Thi s concern was heightened
this fall, as it was discovered that the intertidal silt
curtains—or underwater fences—placed as the line
of defense against potential recontamination of the
cap, had become overgrown with algae and were
beginning to sag. In October, divers under contract
with the Army Corps of Engineers managed to
locate and remove all of the visible product—about
1000 gallons—in the former log rafting area and
successfully resuspendthe silt curtains with floats.
Two additional product "vacuuming" events took
placebefore Christmas, recovering substantially less
creosote (less than 100 gallons). Diver obser-
vations during the West Dock demolition indicated
that very little creosote has accumul ated since the
last vacuuming effort. Diver observation of the log
rafting area will continue on a regular basis, with
product vacuuming taking pi ace as needed.

Tbhelpprevat: further se^ageof calHrriiHnts
Smite site, arait±LgtnxdAa)^extiad:±3i^jeLl
was installediBarthe fbmeriograftirgarea inearly
1999. Sirice this well was put iitocpetHtiaa, 12-14
gallons of rm-aguexe^hase liquid (MEL) pro-
cixthasbsaireac^^Bdeachday. AgroundsAater
purping test will be caiirted this INfey to assess
ttepurpirg systsri's ability-tocatainaxtamiral^
fcana±erixgE&jLeIfe3±or. Basadcn test results, it
isp^sii^thatat0±hw^rT%lDeiiBtaHedto
afcrce cantaraiHnt retDval andcmtainmsnt.

Bank Erosion Found and
Stabilized

In late March, EPA noted several pockets of
erosion on the bank between the old West Dock
location and the point at the mouth of the harbor.
Bank erosion likely occurred due to the unusually
harsh winter. In some cases erosion extended under
the existing site perimeter fence, exposing buried
debris and contaminated sediments to the harbor at
high tide. In order to stabilize the bank and prevent
further erosion of contaminated material into the
intertidal area and the harbor, EPA and the Corps of
Engineers quickly initiated an emergency action on
April 5. The action consisted of the placement of
riprap along the entire stretch of affected shore, tying
into existing riprap along the Eastern shore of the
site. The action was completed on April 10.

Debris was also removed from the intertidal area
prior to the placement of riprap. EPA coordinated
with the City of Bainbridge Island, the Coast Guard,
and the natural resource trustees prior to, and during
the bank stabilization. Through coordination with
the Suquamish Tribe and Washington State Fish and
Wildlife, the original design of the stabilized riprap
slope was altered, placing the toe of the new bank at
least 7 feet landward of the previous bulkhead. This
alteration minimized the amount of rock needed for
placement, and allowed for potential future recovery
of over 1000 square feet of intertidal area.

Above: Placement of riprap along the shore will help
preventfurther erosion.

Left: Bank erosion at the Wyckoff site likely was due to harsh winter.

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WYCKOFF/EAGLE HARBOR SITE - May 1999

Removal of West Dock
Complete

Removal of the West Dock—the last in-water
structure at the Wyckoff Facility—was completed in
December 1998. WestDock, which was derelict
and beyond repair according to a 1998 detailed
reconnaissance performed by the US Army Corps
of Engineers, was removed in its entirety. Due to
the poor structural condition of the dock, the risk it
posed to human health, and because it directly
interfered with planned cleanup activities, EPA
determined that the dock needed to be removed.

The dock was demolished, as were previous docks
in the area, by a barge crane which removed dock
materials to a secondary barge. All superstructure,
or material which forms the top of the dock, was
removed and disposed of off site. Dock piling was
cut off 12 inches or less above the mud line and
removed. In addition to removal of the dock, two
abandoned, beached barges were removed,
demolished, and disposed of off-site. Demolition
activities lasted approximately 2 ^months.

During the demolition activities, the natural resource
trustees and the Association of Bainbridge
Communities participated in a site visit to view the
demolition in progress and ask questions.

Coast Guard Proposes Rule to
Protect Harbor Cap

The U. S. Coast Guard has formally proposed a
"regulated navigation area" in Eagle Harbor. The
new rule is expected to be published by June 30,
and delineation of the area with buoys may occur in
July. This new rule would restrict activities—such
as anchoring, dredging, or laying cable—that might
disturb the harbor's clean sediment cap. It would
not affect normal navigation of the area, nor would it

affect vessels anchored elsewhere in the harbor.
The cap was placed over the contaminated seabed
in Eagle Harbor as part of the remediation process
for the Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor Site. Consisting of a
layer of clean medium-to-coarse grained sand about
three feet thick, the cap isolates contaminants and
limits their release into the water, and limits the
potential for marine organisms to reach the
contaminated sediments. The comment period on
the regulated navigation area closed April 26.

Clean Sediment Cap to be
Monitored

Regular monitoring of the East Harbor cap will
continue this spring and summer. As with past
events, monitoring will include bathymetry, to
determine if the cap remains physically intact at the
appropriate thickness, and cap sediment chemistry,
to determine if the cap remains effective in isolating
underlying contaminated sediments. Sampling will
begin early this spring.

Local Group Calls for
Minimizing Community
Impacts

contributed by David Davison, Co-Chair,
Association of Bainbridge Communities

The Association of Bainbridge Communities (ABC),
a recipient of EPA technical assistance funds, is
calling for minimizing the impact of the potential new
steam technology to surrounding neighborhoods.
The group has been actively monitoring cleanup of
the Wyckoff/Eagle Harbor Site for about 10 years.
Overall, ABC has supported EPA cleanup efforts
during this period.

In a letter to EPA, ABC has stated it supports the

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concept and goal of the cleanup of the creosote
contaminants at the site so long as the cleanup: a)
does not "push" contaminants through the protective
clay layer below the site and b) is conducted in a
way that minimizes impacts to surrounding residential
areas.

The new technology promi ses to pull pure creosote
product out of the ground at a much higher rate than
the existing extraction well systems, which only help
to reduce the outflow of creosote into Eagle Harbor.
Instead ofjust containing contaminants atthe site,
this new technology offers the possibility of actually
removing the contaminants and achieving a cleanup
of this heavily polluted site.

However, the cleanup mustbe conducted in a way
that minimizes community impacts. Because of the
possible length of the cleanup, suggested at up to 10
years at 8 hours a day, EPA must work hard to
develop a process at the outset that will reduce to
zero the air emissions from the site, and reduce to a
low level the noise generated by the cleanup
equipment.

ABC believes fuel for steam generation should be
delivered by barge so as not to bring heavy truck
traffic to the residential roads along Eagle Harbor
and Sportsman Club Road where schools are
located. ABC believes EPA should select propane
to generate steam because it is much cleaner burning
than diesel. Diesel fuel should notbe an option
because of increased fumes even though the cost
may be less.

ABC will be following the design process carefully
to assure that the design will cause minimal impact to
the surrounding residential community. ABC is a
non-profit community organization that is open to all
and encourages citizen participation in oversight and
monitoring of cleanup of Eagle Harbor and the
Wyckoff Superfund site. Please feel free to call
Dave Davison at 206/842-7003 if you desire to
participate in this process.

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WYCKOFF/EAGLE HARBOR SITE - May 1999

For more information...

Contacts:

Hanh Gold

EPA Project Manager
(Groundv\ater and Soils)

206/553-0171

E-mail: gold.hanh@epa.gov

Ken Marcy

EPA Project Manager
(West and East Harbor)

206/553-2782

E-mail: marcy.ken@epa.gov
Andrea Lindsay

EPA Community Involvement Coordinator
206/553-1896

E-mail: lindsay.andrea@epa.gov

Toil-Free Telephone Number:

1-800-424-4372

EPA Web Site:

www. epa. gov/rlOearth/

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
atthe Information Repository located atthe
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 Involvement
Coordinator, at 1-206-553-1896.

Additional services canbewade available to
persons with disabilitiesby calling EE& toll-
free at 1-800-424-4312.

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&EPA	

EPA Region 10

Community Relations and Outreach
1200 Sixth Avenue, ECO-081
Seattle, Washington 98101-1128

United States
Environmental Protection
Agency

BULKRATE
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
U.S. EPA
Permit No. G-35

SUPERFUND FACT SHEET
Wyckoff-Eagle Harbor Site
Bainbridge Island, Washington

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