HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-11-17 City Commission Packet Materials - SP1. Idaho Pole Superfund Site PresentationEPA is considering Monitored Natural Attenuation as the final groundwater remedy. This process uses natural
physical and biological processes to address and reduce environmental contamination.
Idaho Pole Company – Former Wood Treating Facility
Bozeman, Montana
November 2017
al
Overview of the Facility and the Site Remedy
The Idaho Pole Company (IPC) operated a wood treating facility (Site) near the northern limits of Bozeman from 1945 until the plant's closure in 1997. During plant operations, releases of hazardous substances resulted in soil and groundwater
contamination. The site was listed on the National Priority List (NPL) as a Superfund site in June 1986. To protect human health and the environment, EPA and the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) specified cleanup actions
in a 1992 Record of Decision (ROD). The ROD established cleanup levels for the contaminants of concern and outlined a selected remedy to address impacts to soil and groundwater from prior releases of pentachlorophenol (PCP) in carrier oil,
polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans and hydrocarbons. The remedy was later modified in an Explanation of Significant Differences (ESD) issued in May 1996 and
a second ESD issued in November 1998. Since then remediation and monitoring activities have been conducted at the Site, including focused source treatment in 2015 and 2016.
SOIL REMEDY
Approximately 14,000 cubic yards of wood treating fluid
contaminated soil was excavated and treated in an on-site
land treatment unit (LTU) between 1995 and 2002.
9 Once the soils met the ROD soil treatment levels for
PCP and PAHs they were removed from the LTU and
used as backfill on the Site.
9 The backfilled treated soils were covered with a
minimum of 12-inches of clean soil. The clean soil
cover was required to prevent direct contact risk to
human and ecological receptors.
9 In 2010 IPC filed a deed restriction with the Gallatin
County Clerk and Recorder that certified completion of
the soil component of the remedy.
INSTITUTIONAL CONTROLS
Institutional Controls prohibit activities that could
negatively impact cleanup actions at the IPC Site.
9 A 2001 Controlled Groundwater Area (CGA) prohibits
installation of new wells on approximately 65 acres of
the Site and restricts soil excavation in approximately 4
acres of treated soil areas within the CGA.
In 2017 the land use institutional controls were
amended to reflect a zoning change from
manufacturing to restricted residential on IPC lands
north of I-90.
GROUNDWATER REMEDY
The groundwater remedy system (GRS) is a pump and
treat system that has treated over 624 million gallons of
water between 1997 and 2016 with no exceedance of
discharge limits. Approximately 60 pounds of PAHs and
290 pounds of PCP have been removed from the
groundwater since start up.
9 During 2015 and 2016, pilot tests were conducted by
injecting nitrate rich nutrients into the subsurface in the
areas where the highest concentrations of PCP were
present in groundwater. The objective of these tests
was to evaluate potential aerobic and anaerobic
biodegradation of PCP and carrier oil by providing a
food source for bacteria.
9 Subsequent sampling in 2016 indicated a significant
improvement in groundwater and the GRS was
temporarily shut down in December 2016.
9 In June 2017, after six months of monitoring a select
set of wells, PCP concentrations continued to decline
in wells downgradient of source areas.
9 IPC is currently drafting a work plan to evaluate
monitored natural attenuation (MNA) at the Site.
Project updates will be presented at a public meeting
on December 12, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. at the Bozeman
Public Library.
2016 direct-push injection of nitrate rich nutrients.111
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES
9 Ongoing monitoring of groundwater will continue
in 2018.
9 Collection of soil data and review of groundwater
data in areas of the Site situated south of I-90 is
being conducted in support of deletion from the
National Priorities List of Superfund sites.
9 Permanent shut down of the GRS is being
evaluated, based on data collected since temporary
shut down of the system in December 2016.
9 A decision regarding MNA as the final groundwater
remedy is anticipated in 2018.
9 An addendum to the Fourth Five-Year Review is
expected in 2018 following approval of the MNA
Work Plan.
9 A public meeting is planned to discuss current
project status and future decisions about the Site.
The meeting will be held in December 2017 as
detailed below:
o December 12, 2017 at 6:00 PM
o Bozeman Public Library at 626 East
Main Street, Bozeman, MT.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8 - Montana Office 10 W. 15th St., Suite 3200 Helena, MT 59626 Attn: Roger Hoogerheide Return Service Requested
T
The Superfund program requires EPA review of the remedy for the Idaho
Pole Site every five years, since contaminants remain on the Site, to ensure
that the remedy is functioning as intended; evaluate whether conditions
have changed; and determine if the selected remedy remains protective of
public health and the environment. The Fourth Five-Year Review was
completed in 2015 and a protectiveness determination of the implemented
remedy could not be made until further information is obtained. This report
and additional information about the Site is available on the EPA webpage:
www.epa.gov/superfund/idaho-pole
Information Repositories
EPA Superfund Records Center; 10 West 15th Street; Suite-3200; Helena, MT
1-866-457-2690 (toll free) Hours: M-F 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Bozeman Public Library; 626 E. Main St., Bozeman, MT 406-582-2400
For More Information
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Roger Hoogerheide, Project Manager
1-866-457-2690 (toll free)
406-422-9725 (cell phone)
MT Dept. of Environmental Quality
Lisa DeWitt, Project Officer
406-444-6420
Idaho Pole Company
Les Lonning, Environmental Manager
253-878-4647
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Idaho Pole Superfund Site
Site Overview
• Operated a wood treating facility from 1945 to 1997
o Used pentachlorophenol and creosote in carrier oil to preserve wood
o About 15% of all Superfund Sites are wood treating facilities
• Releases offsite documented as early as 1978
o Listed on Superfund in 1986
• EPA issued cleanup decision in 1992 to address contaminated soil and groundwater
o Idaho Pole Company and BNSF Railways placed under order to conduct cleanup
o Contaminants of concern include pentachlorophenol, dioxins, and creosote constituents
Site Progress
• Soils were excavated and biologically treated on site
o Land use restrictions placed on portion of property (see figure)
o Soils treated to allow for future commercial/manufacturing use
• Groundwater Recovery System operated for approximately 20 years
o Treated over 624 million gallons of water
o Controlled groundwater area in place (see figure)
Going Forward
• EPA is required to evaluate the effectiveness of the remedy every five years
o Last review completed in 2015
• Groundwater Recovery System has been turned off since December 2016
o Will modify cleanup decision to discontinue water treatment
• Several prospective purchasers have expressed interest in property
o Possible future deletion of soils from the Superfund list to facilitate redevelopment
o Recently modified land use restrictions to allow residential use north of I90
o Willing to work with City to determine if portions of property south of I90 can be used
for residential use
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FIGURE
TREATED SOIL AREAIDAHO POLE COMPANY
BOZEMAN, MONTANA 1NORTHSCALE
0 (In Feet)200
LEGEND
TREATED
SOIL AREA
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