FOURTH FIVE-YEAR REVIEW REPORT FOR
LANDFILL & RESOURCE RECOVERY (L&RR) SUPERFUND SITE
NORTH SMITHFIELD, RHODE ISLAND

Prepared by

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 1, New England
Boston, Massachusetts

Date

(



imes T. Owens, III, Director .

'Office of Site Remediation and Restoration


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF ACRONYMS	;			.			i

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY			!	ii

FIVE-YEAR REVIEW SUMMARY FORM		;		 iii

1.	INTRODUCTION!;			;										 1

2.	PROGRESS SINCE THE LAST REVIEW	:	!	;	1

3.	FIVE-YEAR REVIEW PROCESS									5

3.1	Administrative Components					5

3.2	Community Notification and Involvement...,				5

3.3	Document Review									5

3.4	Data Review					5

3.5	Site Inspection			8

3.6	Interviews			9

4.	TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT							9

4.1	Question A: Is the remedy functioning as intended by the decision documents?			9

4.2	Question B: Are the exposure assumptions, toxicity data, cleanup levels, and remedial
action objectives (RAOs) used at the time of the remedy section still valid?			11

4.3	Question C: Has any other information come to light that could call into question the
protectiveness of the remedy?							14

4.4	Technical Assessment Summary						 14

5.	ISSUESYRECOMMENDATIONS AND FOLLOW UP ACTIONS	15

6.	PROTECTIVENESS STATEMENT						16

7.	NEXT REVIEW	........							16

APPENDIX A - EXISTING SITE INFORMATION.:.				17

APPENDIX B - FIGURES						24

Appendix C - Documents Reviewed					26

APPENDIX D - PRESS RELEASE AND SITE FACT SHEET								28


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I IS I 01 ACRONYMS

1.1-DC	A	1,1-Dichloroethane

1.2-DCA	1,2-Dichlorocthanc

ARAR	Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirement

AAL	Acceptable Air Level

. bgs	below ground surface

COC	Contaminant of Concern

CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act

CFR	Code of Federal Regulations

CAVA	Clean Water Act '

EPA	United States Environmental Protection Agency

FYR	Five-Year Review

HDPE	high density polyethylene

ICs	Institutional Controls

MCL	Maximum Contaminant Level

MCLG	Maximum Contaminant Level Goal

NCP	National Contingency Plan

NPL	National Priorities List

O&M	Operation and Maintenance

OSWER	Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response

POC	Point of Compliance

ppb	parts per billion

ppm	parts per million

PRP	Potentially Responsible Party

RA	Remedial Action

RAO	Remedial Action Objectives

ROD	Record of Decision

RCRA	Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

. RIDEM,	Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

RI	Remedial Investigation

RI/FS	Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study

ROD	Record of Decision

RPM	Remedial Project Manager

SDWA	Safe Drinking Water Act

PCE	Tetrachloroethene

TCE	Trichloroethene

TCL	Target Compound List

(ig/L	micrograms per liter

VC	Vinyl Chloride

VOC	Volatile Organic Compound


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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This is the Fourth Five-Year Review (FYR) for the Landfill and Resource Recovery Superfund
Site (Site) located in North Smithfield, Providence County, Rhode Island. The purpose of this
FYR is to review information to determine if the remedy is and will continue to be protective of
human health and the environment. The triggering action for this statutory FYR was the signing
of the previous FYR on 9/2/2009.

The Site is a 28-acre closed landfill which is part of a 36-acre parcel owned by Landfill &
Resource Recovery, Inc. (L&RR); The Site is located in an undeveloped area and is primarily
surrounded by woodlands. Groundwater from the Site generally flows in east-northeasterly
direction.

The remedy selected in the September 29, 1988 Record of Decision (ROD) for the Site, as
modified by two ESDs, included: upgrading the landfill closure, installing a landfill gas
collection and thermal destruction, system, and periodic monitoring of groundwater and air at the
Site for a period of thirty years. A requirement to implement institutional controls for land and
water use was added in 1997 by the Consent Decree that was entered for the Site.

Construction of the remedy was completed in accordance with the ROD. A gas collection and
treatment system (enclosed flare) has been operational since 1996 for most of the post-ROD
period to reduce landfill gas emissions to the atmosphere and to control methane gas migration
below ground outside the landfill. Major system improvements have been made to the'system
during this FYR period following an entire system shutdown from 2007-2009. Ambient Air
Levels (AALs) promulgated under the Rhode Island Air Toxics Regulations were selected in the
ROD as the target cleanup levels for gaseous emissions from the Site.

j	t

Groundwater sampling in newly installed, downgradient monitoring wells away from the
eastern-northeastern edge of the landfill shows that contaminant concentrations exceed the
MCLs for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of concern and arsenic. In addition, 1,4-dioxane
has also been identified in well locations east beyond the landfill footprint; However, recent
testing of several residential wells in the direction of this groundwater contamination have not
detected any contaminants (except chloroform which has not been identified in Site monitoring
wells).

While this FYR has determined that the remedy is currently protective of human health and the
environment, it also identifies the following issue(s) that call irito question the long-term
protectiveness of the remedy: (a) institutional controls are still required on a number of parcels to
generally restrict the use of groundwater and surface water, and prohibit use of the property in
any way that would disturb remedial measures taken, and (b) the ongoing investigations into the
nature and extent of the groundwater plume beyond the landfill boundary and an evaluation of
the need for a response (if appropriate) must be completed.

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FIVE-YEAR REVIEW SUMMARY FORM

Lead agency: EPA

Author name (Federal or State Project Manager): Anna Krasko

Author affiliation: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Review period: 1/9/2014 — 9/30/2014

Date of site inspection: 5/19/2014

Type of review: Statutory

Review number: 4

Triggering action date: 9/2/2009

Due date (fiveyears after triggering action date)'. 9/2/2014

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Five-Year Review Summary Form (continued)

Issues and Recommendations Identified in the Five-Year Review:

OU(s):

Issue Category: Institutional Controls

Issue: Required ICs have not been implemented .

Recommendation: Finalize Land Usage Restrictions, Record ICs, and
memorialize the ICs requirement in a decision document

Affect Current
Protectiveness

Affect Future
Protectiveness

Party
: Responsible

Oversight
Party

Milestone Date

No.

Yes

Settling
Defendants

EPA/State

9/30/2017 '

Ol'(s):

Issue Category: Remedy Performance

Issue: Groundwater migration beyond the landfill boundary at .
concentrations above MCI.s. ; ¦>'

Recommendation: Complete ongoing investigations into the nature and
extent of the groundwater plume beyond the landfill boundary and evaluate
need for a response (if appropriate).

Affect Current
Protectiveness

Affect Future
Protectiveness

Party
Responsible

Oversight
Party

Milestone Date

No

Yes

Settling
Defendants

EP1 A/State

9/30/2016

Site wide

. Protectiveness Determination:

Short-term Protective

Protectiveness Statement:

The remedy at the L&RR Superfiind Site currently protects human health and the environment because: (a) access
to the Site is restricted to prevent direct exposures to waste; (b) the vegetative cover and the drainage system are
constructed and maintained to prevent erosion of soil and deposition in the surrounding wetlands; (c) institutional
controls are in place on the landfill property; and (d) the cap, the landfill gas collection system, and the flare capture
and treat landfill gases to prevent exposures at the landfill boundary. However, in order for the remedy to be
protective in the long-term, the existing groundwater well network needs to continue to be monitored to evaluate
trends in groundwater volatile .organic compounds (VOCs) concentrations (including 1,4-dioxane), and the
additional ELUR/plume delineation needs' to be completed. In addition, EPA will continue to evaluate the proper
groundwater investigation and response (if appropriate) to the migration of contamination further away from the
capped landfill. Finally, the remaining institutional controls required in the settlement agreement must be finalized
and the required ICs must be memorialized in a decision document.

«ess Statement

Addendum Due Date (if applicable):

IV


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1. INTRODUCTION

The purpose of a Five-Year Review (FYR) is to evaluate the implementation and performance of a
remedy in order to determine if the remedy will continue to be protective of human health and the
environment. The methods, findings, and conclusions of reviews are documented in FYR reports. In
addition, FYR reports identify issues found during the review, if any, and document recommendations to
address them.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prepares FYRs pursuant to the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Section 121 and the National
Contingency Plan. (NCP). CERCLA 121 states:

"If the President selects a remedial action that results in any hazardous substances, pollutants,
or contaminants remaining at the site, the President shall review such remedial action no less
. often than each five years after the initiation of such remedial action to assure that human health
and the environment are being protected by the remedial action being implemented. In addition,
if upon such review it is the judgment of the President that action is appropriate at such site in
accordance with section [104] or [106], the President shall take or require such action. The
President shall report to the Congress a list of facilities for which such review is required, the
results of all such reviews, and any actions taken as a result of such reviews. "

EPA interpreted this requirement further in the NCP; 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section
300.430(f)(4)(ii), which states:	,

"If a remedial action is selected that results in hazardous substances, pollutants, or
contaminants remaining at the site above levels that allow for unlimited use and unrestricted
exposure, the lead agency shall review such actions no less often than every five years after the
initiation of the selected remedial action."

EPA conducted this FYR of the remedy implemented at the Landfill and Resource Recovery (L&RR)
Superfund Site (Site) in North Smithfield, Rhode Island. EPA is the lead agency for developing and
implementing the remedy for the Site. Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
(RIDEM), as the support agency representing the State of Rhode Island, has revie wed all supporting
documentation and provided input to EPA during this FYR process.

This is the Fourth FYR for the Site. The triggering action for this statutory review is signature of the last
FYR, which was completed on September 2, 2009. The FYR is required due to the fact that hazardous
substances, pollutants, or contaminants remain at the Site above levels that allow for unlimited use and
unrestricted exposure.

2. PROGRESS SINCE THE LAST REVIEW

The following provides the protectiveness determination and a list of the recommendations presented in
the 2012 FYR Addendum to the 2009 FYR for the Site.

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Table 1: Protectiveness Determination/Statement from the August 27,2012 FYR Addendum to September

2009 FYR

ou#

Protectiveness
Determination

Protectiveness Statement

Site wide

Short-term Protective

The remedy at the L&RR Superfund Site currently protects
human health and the environment because: (a) access to the
Site is restricted to prevent direct exposures to waste; (b) the
vegetative cover and the drainage system are constructed and
maintained to prevent erosion of soil and deposition in the
surrounding wetlands; and (c) the cap, the landfill gas collection
system, and the flare capture and treat landfill gases to prevent
exposures at the landfill boundary. However, in order for the
remedy to be protective in the long-term, the existing
groundwater well network needs to continue to be monitored to
evaluate declining trends in groundwater volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) concentrations and the need for additional
plume delineation, and to monitor the effectiveness of the
existing landfill closure. Finally, the remaining institutional
controls required in the settlement agreement must be finalized .
and the required ICs must be memorialized in a decision •
document.

Table 2: Status of Recommendations from the August 27, 2012 FYR Addendum to September 2009 FYR

OU#

Issue

Recommendations/
Follow-up Actions

Party
Responsible

Oversight
Party

Original
Milestone
Date

Current
Status

Completion

Date (if
applicable)



The interim
four fluidic
flares and
passive
landfill gas
collection
system are not
adequately ¦
controlling
landfill gas
migration at
the Site.

Restart the enclosed
flare and active
landfill gas
collection

system and conduct
performance testing
and modeling to
confirm
compliance.

Settling
Defendants,.

EPA

9/3/2012

Completed

8/27/2012



Several
contaminants
are present in
one

down gradient
groundwater
monitoring
well beyond
the landfill
boundary at
concentrations
above MCLs.

Continue
monitoring
the existing
groundwater well
network and
continue to evaluate
declining trends in
groundwater VOCs
concentrations and
the need for
additional plume
delineation and
monitor

effectiveness of the
existing landfill,
closure.

Settling
Defendants

EPA

12/30/2013

Ongoing



















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Required

Finalize Land

Settling

EPA

12/30/2013

Ongoing





Institutional

Usage Restrictions,

Defendants











Controls have

record ICs, and













not-been

memorialize the











,

implemented.

ICs requirement in
a decision
document.











Recommendation 1:

The enclosed flare and landfill gas collection system were upgraded and restarted in August 2012
following major system improvements beginning in 2009. However, intermittent operation of the flare
has continued since that time due to low landfill gas production.

Recommendation 2:

Several VOCs and arsenic have been historically detected above MCLs or health risk-based levels at the
CW-5 and MW-102 groundwater monitoring well locations on the northeastern-eastern side of the
landfill (see Figure 1 - Site Plan). In July and August 2013, the Waterloo Advanced Profiling System
(Waterloo) was used to obtain overburden vertical profiling data at three locations for the Settling
Defendant's environmental land use restriction (ELUR)-related groundwater plume delineation; all three
locations were downgradient from either wells CW-5 or MW-102. Levels of several VOCs and arsenic
were found above MCLs or human health risk-based levels in deeper overburden and,aboVe bedrock at
one of the downgradient locations, WL-2 (located east of MW-102), with a few slightly elevated levels
(but below MCLs) at the other downgradient locations, WL-1 and at WL-3 (see Figure 1 - Site Plan).

In addition to contaminants historically detected at the Site, 1,4-dioxane has been analyzed for and
found at elevated levels since the last FYR, including high levels (maximum concentration of 450 ppb)
detected at MW-104A (1,4-dioxane does not have an established MCL). As a result, a drinking water
sample was also collected from the residential bedrock well on Lot 23 along Pound Hill Road on
September 10, 2013 with all results shown as non-detect.

Based on this data, it was agreed that further assessment of the extent of the groundwater plume beyond
the Trout Brook Pond wetland area (located east of the landfill) was warranted. Therefore, the Settling
Defendants have conducted additional ELUR-related groundwater plume investigations in March and
April 2014. Levels of several VOCs were still found above MCLs in the bedrock borehole (BH14-1)
installed beyond Trout Brook Pond,; approximately 1,000 feet east from the landfill (see Figure 1 - Site
Plan); In addition, several nearby residential drinking water wells located along Pound Hill Road were
tested during April 2014, and no VOCs were detected.

Recommendation 3:

Institutional controls, in the form of ELURs, are generally required at the Site to restrict groundwater
use, restrict activities impeding remedial action measures, restrict residential use, and restrict soil
disturbances at the landfill. An ELUR was previously recorded in November 2009 on the property that
comprises the landfill. Progress has been made regarding other ELURs that are required for the Site, but
negotiations are still on-going with RIDEM, the Settling Defendants, and the property owners as
described below:

Status of ELUR negotiations with National Grid for Lots 81, 82, 83, 88, 89 and 90

Negotiations are on-going with National Grid and RIDEM (and the Settling Defendants) regarding the
ELURs and soil management plans (SMPs) for National Grid lots 81, 82, 83, 88, 89 and 90, which are

3


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located adjacent to the landfill (see Figure 1 - Site Plan).

In March 2014, National Grid provided to EPA drawings from its U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Clean
Water Act Section 404 permit application for the proposed upgrade and construction of new
transmission lines within their existing Right of Way and easement.

Status of ELUR negotiations for a portion of Lot 3

A small, triangular portion of Lot 3 requires an ELUR due to levels of methane gas that occur when the
flare at the landfill is not fully operating due to maintenance and/or low methane levels being generated ,
at the landfill. Negotiations have commenced and are on-going with the Owner Settling Defendants at
the Site and the owner of Lot 3.

Status of ELUR negotiations for Lots 15, 23, 24, 66, and 70

The Settling Defendants are currently conducting investigations to further delineate the groundwater
plume for an ELUR that may be necessary on the following lots: Lots 15, 23, 24, 66, and 70 adjacent to
the Landfill. EPA will evaluate the. results of the ELUR-related groundwater plume delineation (see
recommendation #1 discussion above) prior to entering into negotiations for these.ELURs.

Remedy Implementation Activities

As described above, several remedial implementation activities have occurred at the Site during this
FYR including; (a) additional groundwater sampling and investigations, and (b) ELUR discussions.

System Operation/Operation and Maintenance Activities

Operation and maintenance and monitoring activities have continued since the last FYR and have
included:

Monthly landfill inspections and maintenance;

Monthly monitoring of operational parameters of the 18 gas extraction wells and the enclosed, flare;

Monthly monitoring of the landfill gas probes;

Flare inlet testing in February 2014;	<

Settlement Monuments monitoring;

Annual groundwater monitoring; and

Annual surface water monitoring.

Additional repair activities conducted since, the last FYR included an area of settlement (27 feet by 34 feet
by 3 feet) in the landfill cap located near gas extraction wells Wt4 and W-5, which was observed in
February 2013 and subsequently repaired on November 4-5, 2013. No damage was noted in the existing
20 mil PVC liner and the repair was done with a 30 mil PVC liner patch adhered to the existing liner after
leveling the subsided area and backfilling to the existing grade with vegetative support soil.

These activities have been summarized in monthly progress reports and Annual Post-Closure Site
Monitoring reports submitted to EPA and RIDEM by the Settling Defendants. Data from these operation
and maintenance and monitoring activities since the last FYR are further discussed in Section III of this
report.

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3. FIVE-YEAR REVIEW PROCESS

3.1	Administrative Components

The SettlingDefendants were notified of the initiation of the FYR on 1/14/2014. The L&RR Superfund
Site FYR was led by Anna Krasko of the U.S. EPA, Remedial Project Manager for the Site. Gary
Jablonski of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, assisted in the review as the
representative for the support agency.

The review, which began on 1/9/2014 with a review team meeting, consisted of the following
components:

Community Notification and Involvement;

Document Review;

Data Review;

Site Inspection; and

Interviews.	-

3.2	Community Notification and Involvement

Activities to involve the community in the FYR process were initiated with a consultation in January
2014 between the RPM and Community Involvement Coordinator for the Site. A press release (see
Appendix D) was issued by EPA Region 1 on February 13, 2014, stating that there was a five-year
review for a number of Superfund sites across New England this year, including the Site and inviting the
public to submit any comments to the EPA. On April 9, 2014, EPA also issued a fact sheet (see
Appendix D) with a five-year review update for the Site, informing the public of the on-going
monitoring activities and planned additional groundwater sampling. The results of the review and the
report will be made available at the Site information repositories located at Municipal Annex Building,
85 Smithfield Road, North Smithfield, RI 02895 and the OSRR Records and Information Center, 1st
Floor, 5 Post Office Square, Suite 100 (HSC), Boston, MA.

• 3.3 Document Review .

This FYR consisted of a review of relevant documents including O&M records, Annual Post-Closure
Site Monitoring reports, and Site monitoring data. The documents reviewed are listed in Appendix C.

3.4 Data Review

Data collected by the Settling Defendants since the last FYR were evaluated to assess landfill
conditions, and groundwater, surface water and air concentration levels. It should be noted that the
ROD has no specific groundwater remedial component, but requires annual groundwater monitoring at
the Site to monitor the performance and integrity of the landfill closure. As described in the 1996 ESD
for the Site, "EPA has reserved its rights to address groundwater in the. future should information
indicate that the groundwater presents an unacceptable risk to human health or the environment." A
summary of the data review by media is provided below.

Groundwater

Groundwater monitoring is conducted annually at the following seven wells, which comprise the
monitoring network at the Site: MW-201, MW-202, MW-102A, MW-103A, MW-104A, CW-7B

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(in place of damaged well 7 A), and CW-5B (see Figure 1 - Site Plan). The 2014 annual
groundwater , sampling round was also conducted during the preparation of this FYR and the
available preliminary data indicates that the groundwater contaminant levels and trends are
consistent with the annual groundwater monitoring data at the Site since the last FYR. In 2012
and 2014, at EPA's request, three additional monitoring wells (CW-5A, CW-5C and MW-102B)
were also sampled.

Groundwater elevation data indicate that the groundwater is flowing in an east-northeasterly
direction at the Site (see Figure 2).

During annual sampling rounds from 2010 through 2014, MCL exceedances of the following
VOCs were detected in MW-102A, which is located downgradient (east-northeast) of the
landfill: cis-l,2-dichloroethene, vinyl chloride, and arsenic (total and dissolved). Since 2011,
cis-l,2-dichloroethene (cis-l,2-DCE) concentrations have remained below the MCL of 70, ppb,
tetrachloroethene (PCE) has not been detected above the MCL of 5 ppb, and vinyl chloride
concentrations have remained at or below 10 ppb. This recent data indicates that contaminated
groundwater is migrating beyond this well, toward the abutting lot(s) and Trout Brook Pond (see
Appendix B for trend plots for this well). In monitoring well CW-5B, which is located to the
northwest of well MW-102A, but is still considered generally downgradient of the landfill, the
concentration of tetrachloroethene, as well as all other contaminants, have declined to below
MCLs in each annual monitoring round since 2010 (see Appendix B for trend plots for this well).
In monitoring well MW-104A, which is located to the south of MW-102A but is also
downgradient (due east) of the landfill, concentrations of arsenic (total and dissolved) were
detected above the MCL (ranging from approximately 11-59 ppb) in all monitoring rounds since
the last FYR. No trichloroethane, tetrachloroethene or vinyl chloride were found in MW-104A
exceeding MCLs (see Appendix B for trend plots for this well). Groundwater concentrations in
wells CW-5A, CW-5C, CW-7A/B, MW-102B, MW-103A, MW-201 (background well), and
MW-202 have remained at or below MCLs throughout this FYR period. .

Since 1996, the highest concentrations of several VOCs were generally found in monitoring
wells CW-5B, MW-102A and MW-104A between the years 2000 and 2004. With few
exceptions, such as arsenic at MW-104A, these concentrations have continued to decline or
remain stable since the last FYR (see Appendix B trend plots for these wells).

Since the 2013 annual monitoring round, several VOCs have been added to the reported analyte
list, including 1,4-dioxane. Due to elevated laboratory reporting limits, most 1,4-dioxane data
was unacceptable prior to the 2014 annual sampling round, except for in well MW-104A, where
it was reported at a high level of 450 ppb in 2012. During the 2014 annual monitoring, using a
laboratory method with a lower detection limit, 1,4-dioxane was found in MW-104A at
approximately 313 ppb, in CW-7B at 3.9 ppb, and in all of the other 8 wells tested for 1,4-
dioxane at concentrations less than 2 ppb.

Since the last FYR, the Settling Defendants have been conducting an ELUR-related groundwater
plume investigation. As part of that investigation, the Settling Defendant's installed three
groundwater profiling boreholes on lots 23 and 81, WL-1, WL-2 and WL-3, downgradient of the
landfill in the summer of 2013 (see Figure 1 - Site Plan). At boring location WL-2, which
straddled up to 80 feet of overburden and is located 300 feet due east of the MW-102 A, benzene,
vinyl chloride, and arsenic had several detections exceeding their respective MCLs. In addition,
1,1-dichloroethane and 1,4-dioxane, which do not have MCLs, were found at levels in WL-2 that


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exceeded their drinking water risk-based screening levels, with 1,4-dioxane as high as 268 ppb.

Due to the detection of several contaminants above their respective MCLs or human health risk-
based levels, notably high levels of 1,4-dioxane at MW-104A and WL-2, the Settling Defendants
conducted an additional ELUR-related groundwater plume investigation in March 2014. That
investigation included a surface water hydraulic evaluation in the Trout Brook Pond area and
installation of a bedrock borehole (BH14-1) east of Trout Brook Pond, approximately 1,000 feet
east of the landfill (see Figure 1 - Site Plan). Based on the downhole geophysical logging, three
select water-bearing fracture zones, 42-52 feet, 68-78 feet, and 81-91 feet, were sampled at
BH14-1 in April 2014. An additional planned bedrock borehole that would have been located to
the southeast of BH14-1 was not installed in March 2014 due to the inaccessibility of the planned
drilling location. Elevated levels of VOCs were detected in BH14-1 that are generally higher at
the deeper screened zones (greater than 68 feet bgs), including maximum concentrations of 1,4-
dioxane at 13 ppb, PCE at 19.5 ppb, and trichloroethene (TCE) at 12.4 ppb.

As a result of the contamination found in BH14-1 on the east side of Trout Brook Pond, several
residential drinking water wells on Pound Hill Road downgradient from BH 14-1 were tested in
April 2014 for the presence of VOCs and 1,4-dioxane. The residential drinking water wells were
non-detect for all contaminants, with the exception of chloroform detected at a couple of
residential well locations but at concentrations within EPA's acceptable risk range.

Surface Water

Surface water is monitored annually at six locations: SW-5, SW-8, SW-10, SW-16, LCH-3, and
LCH-5 (see Figure 1 - Site Plan). During the 2014 annual sampling, with lower 1,4-dioxane
laboratory detection limits, 1,4-dioxane was found at SW-8, SW-10, SW-16, and LCH-5, with
the highest level of 35 ppb found at SW-8 and 16.7 ppb found at SW-10, indicating that some
contaminated groundwater , is discharging into surface water near the eastern side of the landfill.
Of further note from the 2014 surface water sampling event, total arsenic exceeded the human
health criteria for consumption of aquatic organisms only of 1.4 ppb at all locations, except
LCH-5. However, dissolved arsenic concentrations only exceeded this human health criteria at
location SW-8. \

Landfill Gas

The RIDEM performance standard of 1.25% methane in seven perimeter compliance gas probes
has been largely met since summer 2012 after re-start and upgrade of the flare system.

Generally, when the flare and landfill gas extraction system are operational, gas migration is
controlled and methane levels in gas probes at the edge of the landfill are in compliance.

However, a significant decline in the quantity arid methane content of the gas extracted from the
18 gas wells within the landfill has occurred since the flare was first installed and operational in
1995. Estimates in 2014 have shown that gas generation is nearly half of that from 10 years ago,
and average methane levels entering the flare system from May 2013-April 2014 were only at
25%. Currently, the Settling Defendants, EPA and RIDEM are in discussions regarding
operation of the gas extraction and flare system on an intermittent basis.

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Flare Performance Monitoring

During this FYR, Flare Performance Tests were conducted on December 1, 2009, and flare , inlet
gas sampling for VOCs was conducted on February 27, 2014, which were compared to the flare
inlet samples obtained in 2009. According to the Flare Inlet Test Report, the results of the gas
testing in 2014 were consistent with past results, with many compounds showing a decrease in .
concentrations from 2009 to 2014. Evaluation of the December 2009 stack test results for
comparison to the RIDEM's air quality standards was not performed in the original 2010 report
but was recently completed in April 2014. The review compared 2009 stack test results to AALs
by applying the 2005 air dispersion modeling, and found air emissions to be in compliance at the
landfill property boundary, despite the fact that a handful of in-stack contaminant concentrations,
including benzene, exceeded RIDEM AALs. Overall, air toxics emissions are on a downward
trend, with some air toxics being reduced by 90 percent or greater since 1995.

Settlement Monitoring

The 12 existing settlement monuments on the landfill cap were surveyed in March 2013 and
2014, and compared with the historic landfill settlement data. Long-term settlement rates are On
the order of 2 to 4 inches per year for most monitoring stations, except at SM-8 and SM-9 near
the top of the landfill where settlement rates are nearly 9 inches per year. No additional
settlement monitoring is recommended to be performed at this time.

As noted previously, cap repair, activities conducted during this FYR included an area of
settlement (27 feet by 34 feet by 3 feet) in the landfill cap located near gas extraction wells W-4
and W-5, which was observed in February 2013 and subsequently repaired on November 4-5,
2013. No damage was noted in the existing 20 mil PVC liner and the repair was done with a 30
mil PVC liner patch adhered to the existing liner after leveling the subsided area and backfilling
to the existing grade with vegetative support soil.	¦ '

3.5 Site Inspection

The inspection of the Site was conducted on May 19, 2014. In attendance were representatives of EPA,
RIDEM, and Woodard & Curran, a contractor for the Settling Defendants. The purpose of the
inspection was to assess the protectiveness of the remedy.

Site inspection attendees visually inspected and discussed the conditions of the remedy, including
portions of the gas system, cover system, monitoring system, and Site controls. The following is a
summary of the inspection:

* Various components of flare treatment system were reviewed and their operational status was
discussed, including a substantial amount of repairs to the system that have occurred to both the
collection system and treatment system since the last FYR;

*The Settling Defendants' contractor explained that the flare no longer has a sufficient, continuous
quantity and quality of landfill gas to operate on a full-time basis. The,flare was operational on the
morning of the Site inspection, but shutdown immediately prior to the start of the inspection due to
inadequate methane. The subsequent discussion was focused on the operation and condition of the
system as it relates to the inability of the system to operate full-time and EPA's request for a
description of the repairs that have been done since the last FYR, along with additional operational
data concerning the flare as the Agencies review the Settling Defendants' recent request to formally


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operate the flare on an intermittent basis;

* Several gas extraction wells were inspected, including an area near W-18 where repairs have been
completed since the last FYR;

*Soil gas compliance replacement probes GP-1R and GP-4R were observed and their compliance
with the 25% Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) methane requirement was discussed;

' * Condition of the cover system were noted, including a location where the landfill cover had
recently subsided and had been repaired. The grass growth was. a bit sparse in that area and the
Settling Defendants' contractor indicated that this would be augmented as necessary;

: " *The eastern boundary of the landfill was also observed, including perimeter monitoring wells where
elevated levels of contaminants are found in groundwater, and an area of the adjacent. National Grid
easements where some preparatory vegetation clearing work was evident in preparation for the
National Grid plans to upgrade its power lines; and

*The EPA attendees, following the Site inspection, drove along Pound Hill Road to observe the
locations where residential well testing was performed in April 2014, and where the location of the
NIKE site was along that road.

3.6 Interviews

During the FYR process, interviews were conducted with parties impacted by the Site, including the
current homeowners and town officials involved in Site activities or aware of the Site. The purpose of
the interviews was to document any perceived problems or successes with the remedy that has been
implemented to date. Interviews were conducted on April 9 and April 29, 2014. Interviews are
summarized below..

EPA's Community Involvement Coordinator met and interviewed Paulette Hamilton, Town
Administrator of North Smithfield, RI, and a number of residents who live near the Site and whose
drinking water wells were recently tested in April 2014. No real concerns were expressed. All of the
interviewees seemed satisfied with the contact and expressed no concerns. The residents were pleased
that wells were being tested and no one expressed any concerns about their well water. Ms. Hamilton,
Town Administrator, was very familiar with the Site. She was also aware of the other hazardous waste-
type sites in North Smithfield, RI, and specifically mentioned the former NIKE site located on Pound
Hill Road to the northeast of the L&RR Site. The former NIKE site is a state-lead cleanup project. Ms.
Hamilton was updated on the status of the Site, including annual monitoring of ground water and surface
water, monthly landfill inspections, and the then-pending testing of resident! s private drinking wells.
Ms. Hamilton did not raise any issues during the interview or during follow-up call after the residential
well testing results were available.

4. TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT

4.1 Question A: Is the remedy functioning as intended by the decision documents?

YES. Construction of the remedy was completed in accordance with the 1988 ROD through the
installation of the landfill cap and drainage structures, as well as the gas collection and treatment

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system. The flare performance and flare inlet testing results demonstrate that the gas collection
and treatment system complies with RIDEM's AALs (last 5-Year flare performance test done in
December 2009 and the next performance test is scheduled for December 2014, last inlet testing
done in February 2014) when the system is properly operating. Flare inlet VOC concentrations
have been decreasing since the start of flare operation. Following significant flare repairs in
2009 and 2011, the flare has been generally operating on a continued basis (except during short-
term shut downs due to malfunction and repair) until recently and has been controlling landfill
gas migration as indicated by methane levels in compliance probes at the perimeter at the
landfill. Since early 2014, however, the flare has been shutting down intermittently due to
declining landfill gas generation. As a result, additional changes were made to the flare system
in 2014 to utilize remote telemetry and control programming that will allow the flare to operate
more efficiently (but on an intermittent basis based on gas generation).

However, groundwater data recently collected as part of the Settling Defendants' ELUR-related
groundwater investigation in 2013 and 2014 shows levels of several VOCs and arsenic above .
MCLs in overburden and bedrock groundwater extending further away from the landfill in the
east-northeast direction, including beyond the streams and wetlands associated with the Trout
Brook Pond. These groundwater data indicate that groundwater contamination from the landfill
has migrated beyond these surface water bodies, contrary to the assumption.in prior FYRs that
the Trout Brook Pond would prevent such migration by acting as a groundwater discharge area.
Data from the nearest 8-10 downgradient residential drinking water wells, however, did not
contain any detectable levels of VOCs (except low levels of chloroform which is not found in
Site monitoring wells) in April 2014.

The estimated cancer risks that would be associated with exposure to the levels of VOCs, arsenic
and 1,4-dioxane detected in the overburden and'bedrock groundwater in borehole BH14-1 (see
Figure 1 - Site Plan) are within the EPA target risk range of 10-4 to .10-6. The non-cancer
hazard index estimate that would be associated with exposure to the levels of TCE detected in
the overburden and bedrock groundwater in BH14.-1 is above the acceptable hazard index of 1..
However, no exposure to such.groundwater is currently occurring because the nearest residential
drinking water wells do not contain any detectable levels of VOCs. Despite the lack of current
exposure, the potential for migration of contaminants to the residents' drinking water wells
indicates that a future potential risk may exist. EPA will continue to evaluate the proper
groundwater investigation and response (if appropriate) to the migration of contamination further
away from the capped landfill.

Elevated levels of 1,4-dioxane and arsenic have also been found in surface waters associated • .
with Trout Brook Pond. Although there is no MCL and no surface water screening,level for 1,4-
dioxane, the highest detected level of 35 ppb in surface water was screened against drinking
water screening.levels to be conservative. This maximum detected level exceeds the risk-based
screening level but results in 4.5E-5 cancer risk (within EPA's acceptable risk range) should the
water be used for drinking and household activities. Arsenic levels found at SW-5 and SW-8
also exceed the surface water screening level, but are below the MCL of 10 ppb, and result in
cancer risk of 5.2E-6. These levels do not exceed EPA's target risk range or hazard index.

The Consent Decree requires institutional controls, in the form of ELURs, to be put in place on a
number of parcels at the Site. The ELURs will generally restrict the use of groundwater and
surface water, prohibit disturbance of the landfill cap, and prohibit use . of the property in any way
that would disturb the remedial measures implemented at the Site. While the ELURs on the

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landfill itself have been recorded, other ELURs are still being developed and negotiated with
adjacent property owners. EPA is continuing to make progress in its discussions with RIDEM,
the Settling Defendants and the property owners regarding the ELURs. A review of activities
. conducted on these parcels indicates that no one is currently using the parcels in a manner
inconsistent with the contemplated ELURs. The recent groundwater contamination findings are
• expected to impact the scope of ELURs required on certain property(s) located east of the
landfill.

As expected, the landfill gas production rates (both gas volume and methane content) have
decreased over almost 20 years of gas extraction and flare operation. The gas generation estimate
.. for 2014 is about half that of 10 years ago and forecasts another 50 percent decrease in flow over
the next 10 years. To address that.change, the flare has been temporarily retrofitted in 2014 to
operate intermittently. Currently, this change does not affect protectiveness of the remedy.

The investigations of the extent of the groundwater plume and proper response are continuing.
Additional groundwater well(s) are likely to be needed and the closest residential wells are.
expected to be tested as a precautionary measure to confirm that they are not impacted.

4.2 Question B: Are the exposure assumptions, toxicity data, cleanup levels, and remedial
action objectives (RAOs) used at the time of the remedy section still valid?

NO. While there are no changes in current land uses at the Site, or any changes in the physical
conditions or receptors that could result in increased exposure to Site contaminants,
contaminated groundwater plume migration to the east-northeast of the landfill suggests that a
future risk from groundwater contact may exist. The RAOs used at the time of the remedy
selection, as amended, are still valid.

Changes in Standards and TBCs

Landfill gaseous emissions were recognized as the greatest component of human health risk in
the 1988 ROD. Cleanup levels for air were established as AALs listed in. RIDEM Air Toxic
Regulations. The AALs were updated most recently in a 2008 revision of the regulations, which
was based on toxicity information and encompasses more contaminants. A discussion of these
changes was provided in 2009 FYR and these changes still do not call into question the
protectiveness of the remedy. Evaluation of the last stack test from 2009 shows that the
emissions meet the previous, and current RIDEM AALs.

Changes in Exposure Pathways

The human health exposure pathways considered in the Public Health and Environmental
Assessment (Ebasco, 1988) included: (1) ingestion of groundwater as drinking water; (2)
. children exposed to surface water and sediment while wading in nearby streams; and (3) future
children exposed to gas emissions from the landfill. At the time, groundwater at the landfill
boundaries met drinking water criteria, thus no unacceptable risk from groundwater use was
found in the ROD. Risks from surface water and sediment exposures were also considered
insignificant. The greatest risk that required the landfill closure remedy in accordance with the
1988 ROD resulted from exposures to landfill gas emissions.

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Since landfill closure, elevated contaminant levels have been detected in groundwater at the edge
and now away from the eastern boundaries of the landfill. During the ELUR-related '
groundwater plume investigation in 2013 and 2014, several VOCs and arsenic were detected
above MCLs in overburden and bedrock groundwater samples at groundwater monitoring
locations approximately 300 feet (WL-2) and 1,000 feet (BH14-1) downgradient of the landfill.
Furthermore, 1,4-dioxane has been analyzed for during recent sampling events for this FYR and
has been found at elevated levels in monitoring wells MW-104A and BH14-1. Although
groundwater at these monitoring locations is not currently used as drinking water and no VOCs
or other contaminants were detected in the nearby residential drinking water wells tested at the
same time, the levels of VOCs from BH14-lcould be used to estimate risks from exposure to
groundwater should this groundwater be used for residential purpose.

The 1988 ROD did not evaluate the vapor intrusion exposure pathway. Elevated levels of VOCs
in groundwater sampled at borehole BH14-1 in 2014 were compared to EPA vapor intrusion
screening levels (VISLs) and do not exceed the VISLs, except for PCE and TCE. However,
vapor intrusion is riot currently occurring at the location of borehole BH 14-1 because this
borehole is located at least 300 feet away from the nearest residence located on Pound Hill Road.

The Public Health and Environmental assessment conducted for the Site considered, children
exposed to surface water and sediment while wading in nearby streams from dermal exposure
only. Current standard practice in risk assessment would also include evaluation of incidental
ingestion of sediments for wading scenarios. However, no sediment monitoring is required at the
Site by the ROD or as part of the landfill O&M and no recent sediment data exist to confirm low
levels of contaminants in sediment for such an exposure scenario. Nevertheless, the changes in
. exposure assumption for this receptor have been determined to be unlikely to result in a change
in the conclusion of the risk assessment, even with the recent detection of 1,4-dioxane in surface
water.

Changes in Toxicity and Other Contaminant Characteristics

The 2009 FYR re-evaluated the inhalation risk for the landfill gas emissions based on updated
toxicity factors developed since the 1988 ROD and concluded that the coriservative risk estimate
for the compounds detected in the effluent from the stack remains within EPA's acceptable risk
range. That risk re-evaluation included contaminants not detected or analyzed for at the time of
the remedy selection but detected in more recent inlet and stack tests, such as dioxin-like PCBs,
dioxins and furans, and several VOCs.

Though MCLs are not considered groundwater cleanup standards for groundwater at the Site as
described in the 1996 ESD, they are being used to monitor the performance and integrity of the
landfill closure. As described further below, several toxicity values have been modified for the
contaminants, of concern (COC) identified in 1988 ROD. Furthermore, a number of additional
compounds not detected at the time of the ROD but recently found at elevated levels in
groundwater, such as 1,4-dioxane, cis-l,2-DCE, TCE, PCE and vinyl chloride, now have toxicity
values established which can be used to estimate risks from exposure.

On September 28, 2011, EPA finalized the revised toxicity assessment for TCE with new
toxicity values. Based on the new assessment, TCE is more toxic for both cancer and non-cancer
health effects. On February 10, 2012, EPA also finalized the revised toxicity assessment for
PCE. Based on the new assessment, PCE is less toxic for cancer effects but more toxic for non-

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cancer health effects. In 2010 and 2013, EPA finalized the cancer and non-cancer toxicity
assessment for 1,4-dioxane, showing 1,4-dioxane to be more toxic for both cancer and non-
cancer effects. For other COGs identified at the Site, there are no changes of toxicity assessment
since the 2009 FYR. The changes to the toxicity values of TCE, PCE, and 1,4-dioxane would
likely result in an increase of overall estimated Site risks but would still be within EPA's
acceptable risk range.

For carcinogens, risk estimates are measured in terms of probability or chance. Exposure to a
particular carcinogen can be estimated as iO"4 or 1 in 10,000 increased chance of causing cancer
over an estimated lifetime of 70 years. The EPA acceptable cancer risk range is 10"4 to 10~6,
which is a 1-in-10,000 to 1-in-l million increased chance of developing cancer from being
exposed to carcinogenic contaminants at a site over an estimated lifetime of 70 years. Exposure
to detected levels of VOCs, arsenic, and 1,4-dioxane at depths in BH14-1 would result in
estimated cancer risk level of 5xl0"5 should the water be used for drinking and household
activities, which is within EPA's acceptable risk range. Exposure to detected levels of VOCs in
other residential wells of Pound Hill Road would result in estimated cancer risk level of lxl 0"5
(due to low levels of chloroform at 3.4 ppb). These estimated risk levels are within EPA
acceptable cancer risk range.

For non-carcinogens, exposures are estimated and compared to a reference dose, which is a
chemical-specific level developed to estimate the amount of chemical a person could be exposed
to over a lifetime without developing adverse health effects. The ratio of the exposure dose to
the reference dose is.measured as a hazard index (HI). A HI level of 1 or below 1 suggests that
there are no adverse health effects from the exposures. The non-cancer hazard estimate that
would be associated with exposure to the levels of TCE in groundwater at BH14-1 exceed the
¦ acceptable HI of 1, with the highest detected TCE level resulting in HI of 5. Although the
nearest residents rely on private drinking water bedrock wells, no VOCs or other contaminants
were detected in the nearby residential drinking water wells tested at the same time. Although
no contaminants .have been detected in sampling of the residential wells located downgradient of
BH14-1, the contaminated, plume migration east-northeast of the landfill suggests that a future
groundwater risk may exist at the Site. EPA will evaluate the proper groundwater investigation
and response.

Cancer risks arid non-cancer hazards via the vapor intrusion exposure pathway were also
estimated based on groundwater detections in BH14-1. The estimated vapor intrusion cancer
risks from exposure to all detected groundwater concentrations (including PCE and TCE) would
be lxl0"5, which is within the EPA acceptable risk range.

Except for cancer toxicity values for PCE, although the new toxicity values are more stringent
for some of the COCs at the Site than those used in the human health risk assessment for the
1988 ROD and could result in higher risks at the Site, the estimated cancer risks from
groundwater and surface water are still within EPA acceptable risk range. With the new changes
in non-cancer toxicity values for TCE, this is the only contaminant which would result in a HI
above the acceptable level should the groundwater at this location be used for drinking and
household activities.

Changes in Risk Assessment Methods

Since the 1988 ROD, changes have been adopted to the equations used to calculate risks from

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exposures to ambient air, surface water, sediment and groundwater. In 2014, EPA finalized a :
Directive to update standard default exposure factors and frequently asked questions associated
with these updates, http://www.epa.gov/oswer/riskassessment/superfund_hh_exposure.htm "
(items # 22 and #23 of this web link). Many of these exposure factors differ from those used in
the risk assessment for the 1988 ROD. These changes in general would result in a slight
decrease of the risk estimates for most chemicals.

There are; also changes in methods used to evaluate early childhood cancer risks from
contaminants that act via a mutagenic mode of action (EPA's Guidelines for Carcinogen Risk
Assessment and Supplemental Guidance for Assessing Susceptibility from Early:Life Exposure
to Carcinogens, 2005). TCE and vinyl chloride are the only Site COCs considered to act via a
mutagenic mode of action. Apiplying this new method of evaluating cancer risks from TCE and
vinyl chloride would result in higher cancer risks to future residents potentially exposed to these
Site contaminants. Although calculated risks from potential exposure pathways at the Site may
differ from those previously estimated, slightly higher for some contaminants and slightly lower
for others, the revised methodologies themselves are not expected to affect the protectiveness of
the remedy.

Expected Progress towards Meeting RAOs

Landfill closure and gas collection and treatment system have been constructed and operated in
accordance with the ROD. The VOC groundwater plume from the landfill may indicate that the
landfill cap is not performing effectively or as.designed. Additional studies and evaluations to
determine the extent of the groundwater contamination and whether RAOs need to be revised
may be needed.

4.3	Question C: Has any other information come to light that could call into question the

protectiveness of the remedy?

YES. The investigations of the extent of the groundwater plume and proper response are
continuing. Additional groundwater well(s) are likely to be needed and the closest residential
wells are expected to be tested as a precautionary measure to confirm that they are not impacted.

4.4	Technical Assessment Summary

The landfill closure remedy is generally functioning as intended by the 1988 ROD, as modified
by ESDs. Groundwater investigation, however, has detected the presence of an overburden and
bedrock plume extending beyond the nearby1 Trout Brook Pond area which had previously been
thought to be a natural discharge area for contaminated water from the landfill: Levels of VOCs
in excess of MCLs were detected in bedrock nearly 1,000 feet east of the landfill, with several
residential water supply wells located a few hundred feet just beyond that monitoring point. '
Although no VOCs were detected in these residential wells, additional investigation and
evaluation are needed to establish the extent of the groundwater contamination, to confirm that
residential wells are not impacted, and to determine the appropriate response.

For the landfill gas collection and treatment system, a monitoring program will need to be
established to demonstrate that the intermittent flare operation is in compliance with RIDEM
standards for the landfill gas migration and air emissions.

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5. ISSUESVRECOMMENDATIONS AND FOLLOW UP ACTIONS

Table 3: Issues and Recommendations/Follow-up Actions

ou#

Issue

Recommendations/
Follow-up Actions

Party
Responsible

Oversight
Agency

Milestone
Date

Affects Protectiveness?
¦ (Y/N)

Current

Future



Required ICs have not
been implemented

Finalize Land Usage
Restrictions, Record
ICs, and memorialize
the ICs requirement
in a decision
document

Settling
Defendants

EPA and
RIDEM

9/30/2017

No .

Yes



Groundwater
migration beyond the
landfill boundary at
concentrations above
MCLs.

Complete ongoing
investigations into the
nature and extent of
the groundwater
plume beyond the
landfill boundary and
evaluate need for a
response (if
appropriate).

Settling
Defendants

EPA and
RIDEM

9/30/2016

No

Yes

In addition, the following are recommendations that may be considered in the future that could improve
effectiveness of remedy, reduce costs and provide energy conservation but do not affect current or future
protectiveness and were identified during the preparation of this FYR:

The Settling Defendants have proposed modifications to the protocols for operating the landfdl gas
management system due to declining gas generation at the Site. This proposed modification would
include remote telemetry and,control programming that would allow the flare to operate on an
intermittent (daily on-off cycle) basis, while ensuring compliance with the post-closure operational
requirements.

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6. PROTECTIVENESS STATEMENT

Site wide Protectiveness Statement

Protectiveness Determination:
Short-term Protective

Addendum Due Date (if applicable):

Protectiveness Statement:

The remedy at the L&RR Superfund Site currently protects human health and the environment because: (a) access
to the Site is restricted to prevent direct exposures to waste; (b) the vegetative cover and the drainage system are
constructed and maintained to prevent erosion of soil and deposition in the surrounding wetlands; (c). institutional
controls are in place on the landfill property; and (d) the cap, the landfill gas collection system, and the flare capture
and treat landfill gases to prevent exposures at the landfill boundary. However, in order for the remedy to be
protective in the long-term, the existing groundwater well network needs to continue to be monitored to evaluate
trends in groundwater volatile organic compounds (VOCs) concentrations (including 1,4-dioxane), and the
additional ELUR/plume delineation needs to be completed. In addition, EPA will continue to evaluate the proper
groundwater investigation and response (if appropriate) to the migration of contamination further away from the
capped landfill. Finally, the remaining institutional controls required in the settlement agreement must be finalized
and the required ICs must be memorialized in a decision document.

7. NEXT REVIEW

The next five-year review report for the L&RR Superfund Site is required five years from the signature
date of this review in 2019.

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APPENDIX A - EXISTING SITE INFORMATION

A. SITE CHRONOLOGY

Date

Event

November 1977

Landfill & Resource Recovery, Inc., (L&RR) submitted plans for installation of seven
monitoring wells to the Rhode Island Department of Health

September 1979

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management ordered L&RR to stop
accepting hazardous wastes for disposal

September 8, 1983

Final listing on EPA National Priorities List

1985

Landfill closure began

June 1988

Completion of Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study

September 29, 1988

Record of Decision is signed

June 29, 1990

Unilateral Administrative Order (UAO) issued by EPA

October 14, 1990

The Statement of Work attached to the UAO was modified

March 8, 1991

First Explanation of Significant Differences issued for the Site

March 1993

Remedial Design start

September 1994

Remedial Design completion

May 1994

RA construction activities began at the Site

February 1995

RA construction completed

September 1996

Post Closure Operation and Maintenance Plan approved by EPA ¦

September 16, 1996

Second Explanation of Significant Differences issued for the Site

February 18, 1997

Settlement Agreement and Consent Decree lodged in U.S. District Court

February 24, 1997

Preliminary Close Out Report issued by EPA

March 25, 1997

Final As-Built Drawing submitted for EPA review and approval

September 4, 1997

Remedial Action report issued by EPA

September 1999

First FYR report issued by EPA for the Site

September 28, 2004

Second FYR report issued by EPA for the Site.

January 2007

Shut down of the enclosed flare and condensate injection system due to mechanical
failures.

Spring 2007

Groundwater monitoring frequency was.changed from semi-annual to annual.

April 2007

Approval by EPA and RIDEM for the installation of four interim fluidic (candlestick)
flares as a stop-gap measure until the enclosed flare system could be repaired.

November 2008

Settling Defendants install 45 temporary gas monitoring probes to monitor off-site
landfill gas migration.

July 2009

Reactivation of the enclosed flare and active gas collection system

September 2009

Third FYR report issued by EPA for the Site.

November 2009

ELURs for Lots 9, 9A, 67,10,11 and 68 (owner PRP) are recorded

December 2009

Flare Performance Stack Test was performed

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August 2012

Addendum to Third FYR issued for the Site

2010-2014

Settling Defendants conduct additional ELUR-related groundwater investigations for
Lots 15 and 23

August 2013

Settling Defendants install new gas probes GP-1R and GP-4R to replace GP-1 and
GP-4

November 2013

Settling Defendants repair cap subsidence area near gas wells W-4 and W-5

April 2014

Approximately 8-10 residential wells are sampled by the Settling Defendants

B. BACKGROUND

Physical Characteristics

The Site is a 28-acre closed landfill located in North Smithfield, Providence County; Rhode
Island. The landfill is part of a 36-acre parcel owned by Landfill & Resource Recovery, Inc.
(L&RR), which is located on Oxford Turnpike (also called Old Forge Road) northwest of its
intersection with Pound Hill Road. Access to the Site is by way of an unpaved road that
connects Douglas Pike (Route 7) to Oxford Turnpike just north of the Site (see Figure 1 — Site
Location Map in Appendix B).

The Site is located in an undeveloped area and is primarily surrounded by woodlands. The
landfill extends to Oxford Turnpike to the west and southwest; to a wetland and intermittent
stream to the southeast; and to the property line or onto the adjacent power line property to the
north and east (see Figure 1 - Site Plan in Appendix B).

Hydrology

Groundwater from the Site generally flows in east-northeasterly direction, toward the Trout
Brook. The potentiometric data indicates converging flow along the eastern margin of the
landfill near the groundwater monitoring well MW-102 and an upward vertical gradient in that
area. Three unnamed streams are located to the south and east of the Site. These streams flow
through wetland areas and then discharge to Trout Brook. Trout Brook flows into Trout Brook
Pond which then discharges to the lower Slatersville Reservoir. Trout Brook and the Slatersville
Reservoir are'designated as Class B water bodies by RIDEM, which indicates that they are
suitable for fishing, swimming, and other recreational activities.

Land and Resource Use

The landfill is located over the Slatersville Aquifer, which has been designated as a drinking
water source by the State of Rhode Island. The Tifft Road well, a public water supply well
operated by the North Smithfield Water Authority, is located just north of Tifft Road and just
west of Trout Brook Pond. In the past, the water authority has considered replacement of the
Tifft Road well. If this were to occur, the replacement well may be designed to pump at a higher
rate (200 gallons per minute (gpm)) than the existing well, which operates at a rate of 100 gpm.
A groundwater flow model developed by USGS and reviewed by EPA showed that this potential
increased water withdrawal did not capture groundwater from the Site and did not substantially
change the direction of groundwater flow downgradient of the landfill. Residences on most
other streets around the Site, including Pound Hill Road, Black Plain Road, rely on private wells
for water supply. The closest residence to the Site is approximately 1,200 feet southeast of the
landfill, on Pound Hill Road.

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History of Contamination

: The. landfill is a former sand and gravel pit, which reportedly began accepting municipal wastes
for disposal around 1927. During its years of operation, the landfill also accepted commercial
and industrial wastes for disposal. In 1974, the landfill and surrounding land was sold to L&RR,
the current owner of the Site. EPA has estimated that more than two million gallons of
hazardous chemicals including solvents, plating waste, asbestos, oils, and dyes were, brought to
the landfill for disposal.

Initial Response

The first indication that disposal of hazardous waste was occurring at the Site was in November
1977, when L&RR submitted plans to the Rhode Island Department of Health for installation of
seven monitoring wells to comply with State regulations pertaining to hazardous waste disposal.
In September 1979, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) ordered
L&RR to stop accepting hazardous wastes for disposal. In December 1979, L&RR placed a
synthetic cover over a portion of the landfill (an area it claimed contained hazardous waste).
Several monitoring wells were installed and sampled between 1977 and 1980.

EPA conducted a Preliminary Site Assessment in 1980 and 1981, .which resulted in the Site
being placed on the National Priorities. List (NPL). The Site received final listing on the NPL in
September 1983.

The landfill stopped accepting waste in January 1985. Landfill closure began in 1985 pursuant
to a 1983 Court Order and Consent Order and Agreement between RIDEM and L&RR. In 1986,
under the direction of RIDEM, L&RR covered a majority of the landfill with a 20-mil polyvinyl
chloride geomembrane and soil, and installed a system of 18 gas vents.

EPA initiated a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) in 1986. The RI/FS was
completed in June 1988.

Basis for Taking Action

A baseline human health risk assessment performed as part of the RI/FS concluded that although
exposures to surface water and sediments adjacent to the Site or groundwater at the boundary of
the Site did not pose a significant risk to human health, potential exposure to gaseous emissions
' from the landfill posed a significant health risk to neighboring residents and children who may
play on the landfill.

The baseline environmental risk assessment concluded that while there were no risks to wildlife
at the Site from exposure to Contaminants of Concern (COCs), erosion of the landfill cover and
filling in nearby wetlands was destroying vegetation and decreasing the ability of the wetland
areas to support indigenous plant and animal life.

The following summarizes the contaminants detected in various media at the Site, as identified in
the 1988 RI:

Air. Hydrogen sulfide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and methane were detected in gas
samples collected from the 18 vents on the landfill. Five of the vents, located within the
approximate area where hazardous wastes were purportedly disposed, contained much higher
levels of VOCs. Methane, hydrogen sulfide, and several VOCs were also detected in fugitive
emissions from the surface of the uncovered area of the landfill.

19


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Groundwater. Low levels of VOCs and metals (arsenic, cadmium, and lead) were detected in
groundwater downgradient of the Site. All concentrations were below Safe Drinking Water Act
Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) at the time. In addition, iron, manganese, chloride, and
specific conductance were detected in downgradient groundwater at slightly elevated levels than
: are typically found in groundwater migrating from municipallandfills. COCs in groundwater
included 2-butanone (methyl ethyl ketone), arsenic, and lead.

Subsurface Soil. No significant levels of contaminants were identified in subsurface soils in the
RI.	'	:

Sediment and Surface Water. Low levels of VOCs and inorganic compounds were detected in
surface water and sediments from nearby streams. COCs in surface water and/or sediments ,
included 2-butanone, toluene, trans-1,2-dichloroethene (trans-1,2-DCE), 1,1-dichloroethane (1,1-
DCA), arsenic, lead, and zinc.

C. REMEDIAL ACTIONS
Remedy Selection

The Record of Decision (ROD) was signed on September 29, 1988. The remedial action
'objectives stated in the ROD1 as modified by the two ESDs are: .

Remediate the landfill so that federal and state applicable,, or relevant, and appropriate
requirements are met and to insure that the landfill is protective of human health and the
environment;

Remediate the landfill gas so that VOC concentrations in ambient air are reduced and risks to
public health and the environment are minimized. .	; ....

The selected remedy consisted of the following components:

1. Upgrading the Landfill Closure. This component included installing a fence;
developing a post-closure monitoring plan; upgrading the surface water runoff management
system; stabilizing the steep, side slopes and installing a synthetic cover over the uncovered
northeast area of the landfill; establishing a soil cover thickness of 24 inches; and establishing
' vegetation.

2.. Gas Collection and Thermal Destruction. This component involved collecting gas from the
existing 18 vents and installing a subsurface piping system to direct gaseous emissions to a
thermal treatment system. Three alternative thermal destruction technologies (combustion,
flaring, and incineration) were identified as potential treatment options for the gaseous
emissions. .	,

3 . Wetlands Remediation. This component involved excavating sands from two wetlands
areas impacted by sedimentation and subsequent restoration of the excavated areas.

1 In addition to the two objectives listed here, the ROD contained two remedial action objectives concerning impact to and
restoration of adjacent wetlands. These objectives are no longer applicable due to a modification in the remedy set forth in
the 1991 Explanation of Significant Differences and discussed in greater detail in the text.

20


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4. Site Monitoring. This component involved periodic monitoring of groundwater and air for a
period of thirty years. Groundwater monitoring was to be conducted quarterly while the air
monitoring program would be outlined during the design phase.

Two Explanation of Significant,Differences (ESDs) have been issued for the Site. The first
ESD, signed on March 8, 1991, stated that EPA had re-evaluated information for the Site and
determined that the wetlands remediation required by the 1988 ROD would be more properly
addressed through the Federal Clean Water Act, or other federal or state statutes or regulations.

The second ESD, signed on September 16, 1996, was issued to clarify that the groundwater
standards referenced in the ROD (i.e., Safe Drinking Water Act MCLs) are to be used to evaluate
and monitor the integrity and performance of the landfill closure and are not, by themselves,
cleanup or performance standards for groundwater.

In addition, a requirement that institutional controls for land and water use restrictions to protect
public health and the environment, and to protect the. remedy, was memorialized in the 1997
Settlement Agreement and Consent Decree (CD). Accordingly, the CD requires placement of
environmental land use restrictions on certain properties. Additionally, the CD requires long-
term monitoring of surface water.

Remedy Implementation

The remedial design/remedial action activities were performed by a number of respondents under
a Unilateral Administrative Order (UAO) issued by EPA in June 1990. In 1997, the Consent
Decree (CD) for the Site was signed, whereby the Settling Defendants agreed to continue the
. required post closure and operation and maintenance activities and to establish the required
, institutional controls. , ' .	, ,	,

RD activities started in March 1993 and concluded in September 1994. RA construction
activities started in May 1994, including an. extension of the eastern landfill slope and placing of
a PVC cover over the remaining 20 percent of the landfill and installation of the gas treatment
system. A landfill gas treatment system was constructed and included lateral and header pipes
connecting the existing 18 vents to transfer landfill gas (under vacuum) to an enclosed 40-foot
high flare unit. The system also included condensate knock-out sumps and collection pipes,
vacuum extraction blowers, a flame arrester, and a system control panel. The remedy
construction concluded with the Demonstration of Compliance testing and startup of the
enclosed flare in February 1995. In July 1995, post-closure monitoring^ activities were initiated
and the Settling Defendants, EPA, and RIDEM conducted the Pre-Final Site Inspection on July
19. 1995.

In September 1996, the Post Closure Operation and Maintenance Plan was completed and
approved by EPA and the Final Site Inspection was conducted on November 1, 1996.
Diminishing landfill gas generation and associated mechanical problems with the flare unit and
the condensate injection system led to the discontinuation of the flare unit in January 2007 and
. the cessation of gas collection and treatment. From early 2007 to July 2009, the gas collection
system was outfitted with four fluidic (candlestick) flares as an interim measure to treat gas
collected via passive pressures. The existing enclosed flare unit and the blower for the active gas
collection system were restarted on July 27, 2009, and have been operating on and off due to low
methane concentrations since that time with condensate collected and shipped off-site.
Intermittent operation of the flare system is.currently under discussion between the Settling

21


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Defendants, EPA and RIDEM as of September 2014.

System Operation/Operation and Maintenance

Operation, and^ maintenance, as well as the long-term monitoring of various media at the Site, are
performed by the Settling Defendants in accordance with the CD. The 1996 Post-Closure
Operation '& Maintenance Plan (1996 O&M Plan) details operations, maintenance, and
monitoring at the Site through the year 2025. Other related documents, such as the Operation
and Maintenance Manual for Landfill Gas Treatment System, are incorporated into the O&M
Plan by reference. Routine operation and maintenance activities, as well as deficiencies and
corrective actions, are summarized in the Progress Reports sent to EPA and RIDEM. Activities
covered by this plan, along with a brief description of issues related to each activity, are
summarized below.

Landfill Inspection and Maintenance

O&M for the Site includes monthly inspections and as-needed maintenance of the security
system; the landfill cover; the storm water management'system; the groundwater monitoring
wells, gas extraction wells, and gas migration monitoring probes; and the landfill settlement
monuments. The 1996 O&M Plan calls for the grass on the landfill cover to be cut twice per
year. Chemical weed control is typically used on the roadways and drainage channels in the
summer.	'	¦'

Landfill Gas Extraction and Treatment Systems Operation and Monitoring

Monitoring of the landfill gas extraction and treatment systems includes monthly measurement
of methane, oxygen, carbon dioxide, temperature, arid vacuum at the 18 gas extraction wells;
adjustment of the flow from individual wells as needed; and monitoring of methane, oxygen,
carbon dioxide, flame temperature, and air flow rate at the enclosed flare. In early 2005,
following detection of landfill gas odor, the gas recovery wellheads and manifolding were
repaired. The base of the wellhead vault areas was excavated so that the liner/well seal was
exposed and could be inspected. The wellheads that were repaired were also retrofitted with
above-grade manifolding.

Landfill Gas Migration Monitoring

Methane concentrations at three to four landfill gas probes (GP-1 j GP-4, GP-5, and GP-8) are
measured monthly "to evaluate the effectiveness of the extraction system in controlling landfill
gas migration.' The performance standard for this monitoring is 1.25% methane content.
According to the 1996 O&M Plan, measurements are required at GP-1 and GP-4 to monitor
potential landfill gas migration to a parcel (Lot 2) west of Oxford Turnpike, and at GP-8 to
monitor potential landfill gas migration to a parcel (Lot 15) northeast of the landfill. Since the
flare shutdown in January 2007, landfill gas probes GP-2, GP-3 and GP-6 have been added to the
monthly monitoring. In November 2008, forty-five temporary shallow gas monitoring probes
were installed at 50 feet incremerits alorig transects centered on existing permanent gas probes to
investigate landfill gas migration. With flare shutdown, the performance standard of 1.25%
methane established for the Site was exceeded at multiple locations along the entire perimeter of
the landfill and some of the methane levels detected at GP-1, GP-2, GP-3, GP-4, GP-5, and GP-6
were as high as 65% methane. Following the flare re-start in a summer of 2009, there has been a
reduction in the gas probe methane levels; with additional improvements leading to methane
levels being in compliance following major landfill gas collection system upgrades in April
2011. '

22


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Flare Performance Monitoring

Blower and flare inspection and maintenance are routinely performed twice per year. Once per
year, the flare inlet gas was sampled and tested for VOCs by Method TO-14 prior to the flare
shut down in 2007. Since the flare reactivation, the flare inlet gas was tested in 2009 and 2014.
Every five years, a performance test is scheduled to be conducted to ensure that the enclosed
flare is operating at the appropriate efficiency, and that flare emissions are compliant with Rhode
Island Air Toxics Regulation No. 22. The last flare performance test was conducted in
December 2009. The next flare performance test is scheduled for December 2014. The ambient
air sampling requirement from the O&M plan has been waived since September 2004.

Groundwater Monitoring

As described in the 1996 O&M Plan, the purpose of groundwater monitoring at the Site is to
detect contamination that may be migrating toward off-site receptors. The O&M Plan identifies
the following wells to be sampled for the groundwater monitoring program: MW-201, MW-
104A, MW-102A, MW-103A, CW-5B, CW-7A, and MW-202 (see Figure 1 - Site Plan in
Appendix B). The wells are constructed, so that samples may be collected from one or more of
the three main hydrogeologic zones (shallow overburden kame delta deposits, deep overburden
ice-contact deposits, and bedrock) that underlie the Site. The samples are analyzed for VOCs;
chloride; biological and chemical oxygen demand; ammonia; total iron; lead, and arsenic; and
dissolved lead, arsenic, manganese and cadmium. Since the spring 2009, monitoring well CW-
7B is being sampled in place of CW-7A, as well CW-7A was damaged and is no longer
operable.

A statistical analysis of the groundwater data from 1996 through 2005 had been performed
annually and in 2006 was replaced by graphical presentation of data. As permitted by the O&M
Plan, the sampling frequency was changed from semi-annual to annual starting in October 2006.

In response to elevated levels of several VOCs and arsenic in wells MW-102A and CW-5B
geoprobe sampling was conducted east of the landfill near Trout Brook Pond in 2006. This
sampling did not identify groundwater contamination near Trout Brook Pond; however, due to
the limited scope of this sampling, the downgradient extent of the plume was still uncertain and
additional investigation was conducted since the last FYR in 2013 and 2014 (including the
sampling of approximately 8-10 residential wells along Pound Hill Road).

Surface Water Monitoring

Surface water samples are collected annually at six locations on the south and east sides of the
landfill. The samples are analyzed for VOCs, arsenic, chloride, pH, and specific conductance.

Settlement Monitoring

In 1994, twelve settlement monuments were established on the landfill and two additional
monuments were installed in August 1997. The monuments were surveyed annually for 10 years
(2000 - 2009) since the start of the O&M and once again in 2014 to monitor settlement across
the landfill.	.

23


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APPENDIX B - FIGURES

24


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Site Location

WGS84 71°34.00

Mip created with TOPO'8 82003 National Geographic (ww.nationaljeotrtphic.com topo)

DR.BY: MES

CK.BY: CB

Base Map Source:
TOPO!™ ©2003
National Geographic

L&RR Superfund Site
North Smlthfield, Rf

FIGURE 1 - SITE LOCATION MAP

SCALE: AS SHOWN

JOB NO.: 224263.14

DATE: SEPTEMBER 2014

FILENAME:

A COMMITMENT & INTEGRITY
DRIVE RESULTS

- 40 Shattuck Road, Suite 110
ŁGrran Andover. MA 01810

T: 866.702.6371


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1 WAP

ux

Owner

4

447

Town of North SnHMitd

f

2

(Portion}

Hoiliilon Sand Company, toe.

7

3

Slater Firms, LLC

7

9

landfill A Resource Recovery, toe
(Charles WU son)

7

9A

Landfill & Resource Recovery, toe,
(Chart** Wilton)

1 7

10

Charles Wilson

7

11

Charles Wilson

7

IS

William Kins

1

23

Doris & Alfred Caron

7

24

Sandra & Alfred Caron

I 7

66

Slater Homes, LLC
(Condominium Unrti 1301 - 132S)

7

67

TA Consulting LLC
(David Wilson)

7

68

Charles Wilson

7

70

Rochelle White

7

81-&3
»90

Narragansett Electric Company
(D/B/A National Grid)	

Legend
Locations

^ Monitoring Will
A Monrtomg Well Sampled for 1.4-
Dioxane via Method 8260 U.-S1M
© Piezometer

•	Residential Wefl

•	GeoprooeGW

•	Borehole

® Waterloo Profile
A Surface Water

I L&RR Landfill Site
I North Smithfield, Rhode Island

1 S/f9 Pt*n



1 FIGURE 1

| SCALE 1*» 300"

DOC 34* Ptan.MXD

| DATE July 2014

JOB NO 224203 14

| DRAVW BY CJT

SOURCE ESRI


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Select VOC Concentrations Over Time (2009 - 2014)
L&RR Superfund Site - North Smithfield, RI

CW-SB (screen: 92 - 102 ft bgs): 2009 - 2014

Date Sam pted

NOTES

1.	Detection limit for "non-delect" results are posted as half of the laboratory's reporting limit.

2.	Estimated values are posted "as-is" for comparison purposes.

3.	Analysis of 1,4-dioxane began as part of the 2010 Annual Groundwater Monitoring event.

L&RR Superfund Site (224263,14)
CW-5B

Page 1 of 3

May 2014


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Select VOC Concentrations Over Time (2009 - 2014)
L&RR Superfund Site - North Smithfield, RI

MW-102A (screen: 62.7- 73.3 ft bgs) : 2009 - 2014

Dot* Sampled

NOTES

1.	Detection limit for "non-detect" results are posted as half of the laboratory's reporting limit.

2.	Estimated values are posted "as-is" for comparison purposes.

3.	Analysis of 1,4-dioxane began as pan of the 2010 Annual Groundwater Monitoring event.

L«RR Superfund Site (224263.14)
MW-102A

Page 2 of 3

May 2014


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Select VOC Concentrations Over Time (2009 - 2014)
L&RR Superfund Site - North Smithfield, R!

MW-104A (semen: 43.5 - 54.0 ft bgs): 2009 - 2014

Date Sampled

NOTES

J. Detection limit for "ncm-detect" results are posted as half of the laboratory's reporting limit.

2.	Estimated values are posted "as-is" for comparison purposes.

3.	Analysis of 1,4-dioxanc began as part of the 2010 Annual Groundwater Monitoring event.

L&RR Superfund Site (224263.14)
MW-104A

Page 3 of 3

May 2014


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APPENDIX C - DOCUMENTS REVIEWED

de maximis, Inc. 1996. Post-Closure Operation and Maintenance Plan, de maximis, Inc., September
1996.

de maximis, Inc. 1997. Remedial Action Report, Landfill and Resource Recovery (L&RR) Superfund
Site, North Smithfield, Rhode Island. Prepared for The L&RR Group Performing Settling Defendants.
September 1997.

Ebasco Services, Inc. (Ebasco). 1988. Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study, Landfill and Resource
Recovery (L&RR), Town of North Smithfield, Providence County, Rhode Island. June 1988.

EPA, 1988. Record of Decision. Landfill & Resource Recovery (L&RR), North Smithfield, RI.
Environmental Protection Agency, September 29, 1988.

EPA, 1991. Explanation of Significant Differences. Landfill & Resource Recovery, Inc. (L&RR), EPA
ID: RID093212439, OU 01, North Smithfield, RI. Environmental Protection Agency, March 8, 1991.

EPA, 1996. Explanation of Significant Differences. Landfill & Resource Recovery, Inc. (L&RR), EPA
ID: RID093212439, OU 01, North Smithfield, RI. Environmental Protection Agency, September 16,
19%.

EPA, 2001. Comprehensive Five-Year Review Guidance. Environmental Protection Agency. June
2001.

EPA, 2009. Third Five-Year Review for Landfill & Resource Recovery (L&RR) Superfund Site.
Environmental Protection Agency, September 2009.

EPA, 2012. Addendum to Third Five-Year Review for Landfill & Resource Recovery (L&RR)
Superfund Site. Environmental Protection Agency, August 2012.

Woodard & Curran, 2010. Landfill and Resource Recovery (L&RR) Superfund Site, Annual Post-
Closure Site Monitoring Report. Woodard & Curran, August 20.10.

Woodard & Curran, 2011. Landfill and Resource Recovery (L&RR) Superfund Site, Annual Post-
Closure Site Monitoring Report. Woodard & Curran, September 2011.

Woodard & Curran, 2012. Landfill and Resource Recovery (L&RR) Superfund Site, Annual Post-
Closure Site Monitoring Report. Woodard & Curran, August 2012.

Woodard & Curran, 2012. Landfill and Resource Recovery (L&RR) Superfund Site, Approach to Lots
15 and 23. Woodard & Curran, December 3, 2012.

Woodard & Curran, 2013. Landfill and Resource Recovery (L&RR) Superfund Site, Annual Post-
Closure Site Monitoring Report. Woodard & Curran, November 2013.

26


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Woodard & Curran, 2013. Landfill and Resource Recovery (L&RR) Superfund Site, Summary of
Findings,.ELUR Investigation. Woodard & Curran, November 4, 2013.

Woodard & Curran, 2013. Landfill and Resource Recovery (L&RR) Superfund Site, New Gas Probes
GP-1R and GP-4R. Woodard & Curran, November 4, 2013.

Woodard & Curran, 2014. Landfill and Resource Recovery (L&RR) Superfund Site, Five year Review
of Air Emissions. Woodard & Curran, April 1, 2014.

Woodard & Curran, 2013. Landfill and Resource Recovery (L&RR) Superfund Site, Repair to Cap
Subsidence Completed. Woodard & Curran, December 12, 2013.

Woodard & Curran, 2014. Landfill and Resource Recovery (L&RR) Superfund Site, Settlement
Monument Survey. Woodard & Curran, April 8, 2014.

Woodard & Curran, 2014. Landfill and Resource Recovery (L&RR) Superfund Site, Flare Inlet Gas
Sampling. Woodard & Curran, April 8, 2014.

27


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APPENDIX D - PRESS RELEASE AND SITE FACT SHEET

28


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NEWS RELEASE

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
New England Regional Office
February 13, 2014

Contact: Emily Zimmerman, 617-918-1037

EPA Will Review 27 Superfund,Site Clean Ups This Year

Boston, Mass. - (February 13, 2014) - EPA will review site clean ups and remedies at 27
Superfund Sites across New England this year by doing routine Five-Year Reviews at each site.

EPA conducts evaluations every five years on previously-completed clean up and remediation
work performed at Superfund sites and Federal Facilities listed on the "National Priorities List"
(aka Superfund sites) to determine whether the implemented remedies at the sites continue to be
protective of human health and the environment. Further, five-year review evaluations identify any
deficiencies to the previous work and, if called for, recommend action(s) necessary to address
them.

In addition to a careful evaluation of technical work at the sites, during the Five Year Review
process EPA also provides the public with an opportunity to evaluate preliminary findings and to
provide input on potential follow up activity that may be required following the review process.

A

The Superfund Sites at which EPA is performing Five Year Reviews over the following several
months include the following sites. Please note: the Web link provided after each site provides
detailed information on site status and past assessment and cleanup activity. ,

Connecticut

Linemaster, Woodstock, CT

http://www.epa.qov/reaion1/superfund/sites/linemaster
Nutmeg Valley, Wolcott, CT

http://www.epa.gov/reqion1/superfund/sites/nutmeq

Maine

Saco Tannery Waste Pits, Saco

http://www.epa.gov/region1/superfund/sites/sacotannerv


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Massachusetts

Nyanza Chemical Waste Dump, Ashland	^

http://www.epa.gov/reaion1/superfund/sites/nvanza

Baird & McGuire, Holbrook
http://www.epa.gov/reqion1/superfund/sites/baird

Hatheway & Patterson, Mansfield

http.V/www. epa.gov/reaion1/superfund/sites/hathewav

Hocomonco Pond, Westborough
http://www.epa.aov/reaion1/superfund/sites/hocomonco

Rose Disposal, Lanesborough
http://www.epa.qov/reaion1/superfund/sites/ftrose

Silresim, Lowell

http://www.epa.gov/reqion1/superfund/sites/silresim
W.R. Grace, Acton

http://www.epa.gov/region1/superfund/sites/graceacton
Wells G&H, Woburn

http://www.epa.gov/region1/superfund/sites/wellsgh
Norwood PCBs, Norwood

http://www.epa.gov/reqion1/superfund/sites/norwood

South Weymouth Naval, Weymouth, MA
http://www.epa.qov/region1/superfund/sites/swevmouth

New Hampshire

Ottati & Goss, Kingston
http://www.epa.gov/region1/superfund/sites/og

Tinkham Garage, Londonderry

http://www.epa. gov/region1/superfund/sites/tinkham

Sylvester, Hillsborough County
http://www.epa.gov/region1/superfund/sites/sylvester

Town Garage/Radio Beacon, Rockingham
'http://www.epa.gov/region1/superfund/sites/towngarage

New Hampshire Plating, Hillsborough County
http://www.epa.gov/region1/superfund/sites/nhplating


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Pease Air Force Base, Portsmouth, Newington and Greenland, NH
http://www.epa.gov/reqion1/superfund/sites/pease

Rhode Island

Landfill Resource & Recovery, North Smithfield
http://www.epa.qov/reqion1/superfund/sites/lrr

Vermont

Elizabeth Mine, Strafford

http://www.epa.qov/reqion1/superfund/sites/elizmine

Parker Sanitary Landfill, Lyndonville
http://www.epa.qov/reqion1/superfund/sites/parker

Pownal, North Pownal

http://www.epa.qov/reqion1/superfund/sites/pownal

Bennington Municipal Landfill, Bennington
http://www.epa.qov/reqion1/superfund/sites/benninqton

BFI Sanitary Landfill, Rockingham
http://www.epa.qov/reqion1/superfund/sites/bfi

Tansitor Electronics, Inc., Bennington County
http://www.epa.qov/reqion1/superfund/sites/tansitor

Pine Street Canal, Burlington

http://www.epa.qov/reqion1/superfund/sites/pinestreet

Learn more about the Latest EPA News & Events in New. England
(http://www.epa.gov/reqion1/newsevents/index.htmn

Follow EPA New England on Twitter (http://twitter.com/epanewengland)

More info on EPA's Environmental Results in New England
(http://www.epa.gov/region1/results/index.html)

If you would rather not receive future communications from.U.S. EPA, Region 1, let us know by
clicking here.

U.S. EPA, Region 1, 5 Post Office Square, Suite 100, Boston,;MA 02109-3912 United States


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Qeanng Up New England

FIVE-YEAR
UPDATE

SUPERfUND FIVE-YEAR
REVIEW

Landfill and Resource
Recovery, Inc. (L&RR)

North Smitrifield, RI

U.S. ERA | HAZARDOUS WASTE PROGRAM AT EPA NEW ENGLAND

MAINTAINING AND MONITORING SUPERFUND

SITES: After a Superfund Site or portion of a Superfund 5fte has been
cleaned up. E'PA continues to monitor the site to ensure the cleanup is
operating effectively over time. Five-Year Reviews provide an opportunity
to fully evaluate the implementation and performance of a cleanup
and determine whether it remains protective of human health and the
environment.

SITE BACKGROUND:

The Landft < and Resource Recovery, Inc. (L&RR) site a a 28-acre landf II on a 36-acne parcel of (and. The vxt originally
wis a sand and gravel pit and was used tor snail-scale refuse disposal 'roir 1927 to 1974. Ir> 1974. the site was sold
and developed into a large-scale disposal facility accepting commercial, municipal, and industrial wastes. Until 1979,
an estimated 1 million gallons of hazardous wastes were accepted and disposed of with other wastes m the central
poi*t»on of the landfill. In 1979. the operator placed a polyvinyl chloride cover over 'he area containing hazardous
waste to prevent rainwater from entering Unfil ing of commercial and residential wastes continued until 1985, when
the owners dosed the landfill and placed another synthetic cover over most of ttie landfill Soil was placed over the
synthetic cower and it was partially planted with vegetation

The Site was listed on the National Priorities List (NPL)
in 1982. EPA did a full investigation of the Site, and in
September 1988 signed off on a cleanup plan, or Record
of Decision (ROD). That plan required construction of
a landfill cap and an enclosed flare to thermally Treat the
landfill gases. The cleanup was eventually completed in
the summer of 1995. Since that time, the potentially
responsible parties have been operating and maintaining
the remedy as well as conducting monitoring to ensure
the remedy remains protective. Since the cleanup, EPA
has come back to the site every five years to do compre-
hensive Five Year Reviews of the cleanup.

FIVE YEAR REVIEW 2014:

This year EPA is doing its scheduled Forth 5-Year review
of the L&RR supeHund site. In the last few Five Year
Reviews, EPA has recommended continued monitoring
and testing of groundwater in the area. We have exist-
ing monitoring wells, and EPA requires sampling of the
well water for contaminants that could be coming from
the L&RR Site.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

ADDITIONAL SAMPLING:

The orvgoing sampling work includes additional moni-
toring along the Trout Brook Pond, next to the landfill,
including monitoring done last summer and continued
to this spring, 20R Contamination was found in the
groundwater along Trout Brook Pond. Therefore, it is a
standard EPA's practice to test nearby residential drink-
ing water wells.

The contractor who does the landfill operations and
monitoring under EPA and the State oversight plans
to contact several nearby homeowners and have their
private wells tested in the next few weeks. Results of
this testing will be available and will be part of the 5-Year
Review report which is expected to be issued in Septem-
ber 2014.

ADDITIONAL CONTACTS:

Gary Jablonski, Project Manager, Office of Waste
Management, Rhode Island Deportment of Environmental
Management (401) 222-2797 x 7148, Gary.Jablonski®
dem.ri.gov

KEY CONTACTS:

RUDY BROWN

EPA New England
Community Involvement
Coordinator
(617) 918-1031

brown.rudy@epa.gov

ANNA KRASKO

EPA New England
Project Manager
(617) 918-1232
krgsko.anna@epa.gov

GENERAL INFO:

EPA NEW ENGLAND

5 Post Office Square
Suite 100

Boston. MA 02109-3912
(617) 918-1111
www.epa.gov/ region!/

EPA TOLL-FREE
CUSTOMER SERVICE

1-888-EPA-7341

LEARN HO R E AT:

www.epa.gov/ne/superfund/
sites/lrr

April 2014


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The Superfund Process:
Discovery and Cleanup
for a Long-Term Site

assess

Site complete
and ready for
future use!

Landfill & Resource Recovery,
Inc. (L&RR) Superfund Site

/j currently in tfie stage of:

Maintain &
monitor site

Sil« Cleanup

act

D«l*rm}n* (yp* I

of coAiaminfttwn;
tviluiu options

D#v*k>p
•nginoorirag
designs

Identify Ihote
r«»ponui»Ulor
contamination

Include sit* on
National Priorities
List (NPL).

investigate

Choose
Cleanup Plan.


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