HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-13-20 Correspondence - Environmental Protection Agency - Idaho Pole Company Superfund Site Update V" EPA Idaho Pole Company Superfund Site
011, United States DEQ Bozeman, Montana -- Site Update
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Background Luce
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The Idaho Pole Company(IPC) operated a wood treating facility near the northern limits of Bozeman between 1945 to
1997 which resulted in soil and groundwater contamination. Idaho Pole Company was listed on the National Priority List
as a Superfund site in June 1986.
The initial cleanup plan, or Record of Decision (ROD), was released by EPA in consultation with the Montana
Department of Environmental Quality(DEQ) in 1992. The ROD established cleanup levels for the contaminants of
concern (pentachlorophenol (PCP), polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and dioxins) and selected a remedy to
address soil and groundwater contamination. The remedy has been updated twice, in May 1996 and November 1998,
to incorporate new technical knowledge.
Remediation and monitoring activities are ongoing at the Idaho Pole Company Site (Site), including focused source
treatment in 2015 and 2016, periodic site inspections and semi-annual groundwater monitoring.
Soil Remedy and Partial Deletion Groundwater Remedy
✓From 1995 to 2002, approximately 19,000 cubic ✓The initial approach to manage groundwater
yards of wood-treating-fluid contaminated soils were contamination was a pump and treat system which
excavated and treated onsite. Treated soils were ran from 1997 to 2016. The treatment system was
used as backfill on the site, then covered with a temporarily shut down in December 2016. Based on
minimum of 12-inches of clean soil, preventing direct continued water quality improvement observed at
contact risk to human and ecological receptors. downgradient wells in 2017, the system was
✓Surface soil samples were collected in 2018 and permanently decommissioned in 2018.
2019 for dioxin, PCP and PAHs to support partial ✓Approximately 60 pounds of PAHs and 290 pounds
deletion of the Site soils from the National Priorities of PCP were removed from the groundwater using
List. Analytical results were below cleanup levels this pump and treat system.
established in the 1992 ROD. ✓To address current groundwater contamination, EPA
✓EPA proposed a partial deletion of 82 acres of and DEQ are evaluating various groundwater
surface and unsaturated subsurface soils from the remedial alternatives, and are anticipated to issue
National Priorities List in July 2019. These soils were an amendment to the 1992 Record of Decision in
deleted from the National Priorities List in early 2020 the near future, which will select a final groundwater
and will continue to be monitored during five-year remedy.
reviews. ✓The 2020 five-year review identified the need to
✓Given current land use as undeveloped, the 0-6" install and sample additional wells in the
sampling depth of recent soil sampling is considered downgradient portion of the plume. Three new
appropriate until deeper disturbances are monitoring wells were installed near the north end of
anticipated. IPC property in early October 2020 to further track
✓While local planning authorities would be PCP concentrations at the property boundary.
responsible for the review and approval of
redevelopment plans, any proposed activities Institutional Controls
requiring the disturbance of soils would be required
to meet institutional controls and develop a soils Institutional Controls prohibit activities that could
management plan for EPA and DEQ review and negatively impact cleanup actions at the Site.
approval. ✓ A 2001 Controlled Groundwater Area (CGA)
prohibits groundwater use, including installation of
Five-Year Review Results new wells.
✓ Permanent enforceable land use restrictions have
,/The fifth five-year review of the site was completed in been placed on Idaho Pole Company property to
September 2020. minimize potential for human exposure to
✓The five-year review determined the remedy currently contaminated soil, and to protect the integrity of
protects human health and the environment due to the soil and groundwater remedies. Land use
institutional controls limiting activity in certain areas, restrictions apply to the entire Idaho Pole
such as the deed restriction on IPC property and the Company property, although the restrictions vary
controlled groundwater area restricting potable use of depending on the location.
groundwater.
Upcoming Activities
Public Meeting: Site Update
�= Thursday, December 3, 2020
6:30—8:OOPM
■ Attend via Microsoft Teams (visit www.epa.gov/superfund/idaho-pole for the link)
■ Attend via phone: 406-247-0520, conference ID: 610 878 447#
o Topics: current project status and future decisions about the Site
Site Activities
rl Groundwater:
■ Ongoing monitoring of groundwater, including at residential wells, will continue.
■ A Focused Feasibility Study to support a final groundwater remedy decision is under review.
Redevelopment:
■ The City of Bozeman is considering a 175-acre urban renewal district that includes the Idaho Pole
Company Site. Creating the district could increase investment in the area. Any future development of the
Site needs to be done in a way that is protective of human health and the environment.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 8 -Montana Office
10 W. 15th St., Suite 3200
Helena, MT 59626
Attn: Roger Hoogerheide
Return Service Requested
For More Information Contact: The Superfund program requires EPA review of the remedy for the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Idaho Pole Site every five years, since contaminants remain on the
Site, to ensure that the remedy is functioning as intended; evaluate
Roger Hoogerheide, Remedial Project Manager whether conditions have changed; and determine if the selected
1-866-457-2690 (toll free) remedy remains protective of public health and the environment.
406-422-9725 (cell phone) For more information on the Site, and to read the fifth five-year
Montana Department of Environmental Quality Review, visit the EPA webpage: www.epa.gov/superfund/idaho-pole
Keith Large, State Project Officer Information Repositories
406-444-6569 0 EPA Superfund Records Center; 10 West 15t'St;Suite 3200;
Idaho Pole Company Helena, MT Hours: M-F 8:00 a.m.—4:30 p.m.
Les Lonning, Environmental Manager 1-866-457-2690(toll free)
253-878-4647 0Bozeman Public Library;626 E. Main St., Bozeman, MT
406-582-2400