National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan; National Priorities List: Deletion of the State Marine of Port Arthur Superfund Site, 45428-45432 [2011-19270]
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to the consequences of failing to attain
pursuant to section 179(d).
(c) Based upon EPA’s review of the air
quality data for the 3-year period 2007
to 2009, EPA determined that the
Lancaster fine particle (PM2.5)
nonattainment area attained the 1997
annual PM2.5 National Ambient Air
Quality Standard (NAAQS) by the
applicable attainment date of April 5,
2010. Therefore, EPA has met the
requirement pursuant to CAA section
179(c) to determine, based on the area’s
air quality as of the attainment date,
whether the area attained the standard.
EPA also determined that the Lancaster
PM2.5 nonattainment area is not subject
to the consequences of failing to attain
pursuant to section 179(d).
(d) Based upon EPA’s review of the
air quality data for the 3-year period
2007 to 2009, EPA determined that the
York fine particle (PM2.5) nonattainment
area attained the 1997 annual PM2.5
National Ambient Air Quality Standard
(NAAQS) by the applicable attainment
date of April 5, 2010. Therefore, EPA
has met the requirement pursuant to
CAA section 179(c) to determine, based
on the area’s air quality as of the
attainment date, whether the area
attained the standard. EPA also
determined that the York PM2.5
nonattainment area is not subject to the
consequences of failing to attain
pursuant to section 179(d).
(e) Based upon EPA’s review of the air
quality data for the 3-year period 2007
to 2009, EPA determined that the
Reading fine particle (PM2.5)
nonattainment area attained the 1997
annual PM2.5 National Ambient Air
Quality Standard (NAAQS) by the
applicable attainment date of April 5,
2010. Therefore, EPA has met the
requirement pursuant to CAA section
179(c) to determine, based on the area’s
air quality as of the attainment date,
whether the area attained the standard.
EPA also determined that the Reading
PM2.5 nonattainment area is not subject
to the consequences of failing to attain
pursuant to section 179(d).
[FR Doc. 2011–19143 Filed 7–28–11; 8:45 am]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 300
[EPA–HQ–SFUND–1998–0007; FRL–9445–7]
National Oil and Hazardous
Substances Pollution Contingency
Plan; National Priorities List: Deletion
of the State Marine of Port Arthur
Superfund Site
Environmental Protection
Agency.
ACTION: Direct final rule.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) Region 6 is publishing a
direct final Notice of Deletion of the
State Marine of Port Arthur (SMPA)
Superfund Site located in Port Arthur,
Texas (Jefferson County), from the
National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL,
promulgated pursuant to Section 105 of
the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, is
an appendix of the National Oil and
Hazardous Substances Pollution
Contingency Plan (NCP). This direct
final deletion is being published by EPA
with the concurrence of the State of
Texas, through the Texas Commission
on Environmental Quality, because EPA
has determined that all appropriate
response actions at these identified
parcels under CERCLA, other than FiveYear Reviews, have been completed.
However, this deletion does not
preclude future actions under
Superfund.
SUMMARY:
This direct final deletion is
effective September 27, 2011 unless
EPA receives adverse comments by
August 29, 2011. If adverse comments
are received, EPA will publish a timely
withdrawal of the direct final deletion
in the Federal Register informing the
public that the deletion will not take
effect.
DATES:
Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–
SFUND–1998–0007, by one of the
following methods:
• https://www.regulations.gov: Follow
Internet on-line instructions for
submitting comments.
• E-mail: Rafael Casanova,
casanova.rafael@epa.gov.
• Fax: 214–665–6660.
• Mail: Rafael A. Casanova; U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 6; Superfund Division (6SF–RA);
1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200; Dallas,
Texas 75202–2733.
• Hand delivery: U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Region 6; 1445 Ross
Avenue, Suite 700; Dallas, Texas 75202–
ADDRESSES:
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2733; Contact: Rafael A. Casanova (214)
665–7437. Such deliveries are only
accepted during the Docket’s normal
hours of operation, and special
arrangements should be made for
deliveries of boxed information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to
Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–AFUND–1998–
0007. EPA’s policy is that all comments
received will be included in the public
docket without change and may be
made available online at https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided, unless
the comment includes information
claimed to be Confidential Business
Information (CBI) or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Do not submit information that you
consider to be CBI or otherwise
protected through https://
www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The
https://www.regulations.gov Web site is
an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which
means EPA will not know your identity
or contact information unless you
provide it in the body of your comment.
If you send an e-mail comment directly
to EPA without going through https://
www.regulations.gov, your e-mail
address will be automatically captured
and included as part of the comment
that is placed in the public docket and
made available on the Internet. If you
submit an electronic comment, EPA
recommends that you include your
name and other contact information in
the body of your comment and with any
disk or CD–ROM you submit. If EPA
cannot read your comment due to
technical difficulties and cannot contact
you for clarification, EPA may not be
able to consider your comment.
Electronic files should avoid the use of
special characters, any form of
encryption, and be free of any defects or
viruses.
Docket: All documents in the docket
are listed in the https://
www.regulations.gov index. Although
listed in the index, some information is
not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other
information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Certain other
material, such as copyrighted material,
will be publicly available only in hard
copy. Publicly available docket
materials are available either
electronically in https://
www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at:
1. U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Region 6; 1445 Ross Avenue,
Suite 700; Dallas, Texas 75202–2733;
Hours of operation: Monday thru
Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to
4 p.m. Contact: Rafael A. Casanova (214)
665–7437.
2. Port Arthur Public Library; 4615
9th Avenue; Port Arthur, Texas 77642–
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5799; Hours of operation: Monday thru
Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday,
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to
5 p.m.; and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Rafael A. Casanova, Remedial Project
Manager; U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Region 6; Superfund Division
(6SF–RA); 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite
1200; Dallas, Texas 75202–2733;
telephone number: (214) 665–7437;
e-mail: casanova.rafael@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
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I. Introduction
II. NPL Deletion Criteria
III. Deletion Procedures
IV. Basis for Site Deletion
V. Deletion Action
I. Introduction
EPA Region 6 is publishing this direct
final Notice of Deletion for the State
Marine of Port Arthur (SMPA)
Superfund Site (Site), from the National
Priorities List (NPL). The NPL
constitutes Appendix B of 40 CFR part
300 which is the Oil and Hazardous
Substances Pollution Contingency Plan
(NCP), which EPA promulgated
pursuant to Section 105 of the
Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability
Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended.
EPA maintains the NPL as the list of
sites that appear to present a significant
risk to public health, welfare, or the
environment. Sites on the NPL may be
the subject of remedial actions financed
by the Hazardous Substance Superfund
(Fund). As described in § 300.425(e)(3)
of the NCP, sites deleted from the NPL
remain eligible for Fund-financed
remedial action if future conditions
warrant such actions.
Because EPA considers this action to
be noncontroversial and routine, this
action will be effective September 27,
2011 unless EPA receives adverse
comments by August 29, 2011. Along
with this direct final Notice of Deletion,
EPA is co-publishing a Notice of Intent
for Deletion in the ‘‘Proposed Rules’’
section of the Federal Register. If
adverse comments are received within
the 30-day public comment period on
this deletion action, EPA will publish a
timely withdrawal of this direct final
Notice of Deletion before the effective
date of the deletion and the deletion
will not take effect. EPA, will as
appropriate, prepare a response to
comments and continue with the
deletion process on the basis of the
Notice of Intent for Deletion and the
comments already received. There will
be no additional opportunity to
comment.
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Section II of this document explains
the criteria for deleting sites from the
NPL. Section III discusses procedures
that EPA is using for this action. Section
IV discusses the SMPA Superfund Site
and demonstrates how it meets the
deletion criteria. Section V discusses
EPA’s action to delete the Site from the
NPL unless adverse comments are
received during the public comment
period.
II. NPL Deletion Criteria
The NCP establishes the criteria that
EPA uses to delete sites from the NPL.
In accordance with 40 CFR 300.425(e),
sites may be deleted from the NPL
where no further response is
appropriate. In making such a
determination pursuant to 40 CFR
300.425(e), EPA will consider, in
consultation with the State, whether any
of the following criteria have been met:
i. Responsible parties or other persons
have implemented all appropriate
response actions required;
ii. All appropriate Fund-financed
response under CERCLA has been
implemented, and no further response
action by responsible parties is
appropriate; or
iii. The remedial investigation has
shown that the release poses no
significant threat to public health or the
environment and, therefore, the taking
of remedial measures is not appropriate.
Pursuant to CERCLA section 121(c)
and the NCP, EPA conducts five-year
reviews to ensure the continued
protectiveness of remedial actions
where hazardous substances, pollutants,
or contaminants remain at a site above
levels that allow for unlimited use and
unrestricted exposure. EPA conducts
such five-year reviews even if a site is
deleted from the NPL. EPA may initiate
further action to ensure continued
protectiveness at a deleted site if new
information becomes available that
indicates it is appropriate. Whenever
there is a significant release from a site
deleted from the NPL, the deleted site
may be restored to the NPL without
application of the hazard ranking
system.
III. Deletion Procedures
The following procedures apply to the
deletion of all areas and media within
the SMPA Superfund Site:
1. EPA has consulted with the state of
Texas prior to developing this direct
final Notice of Deletion and the Notice
of Intent for Deletion co-published in
the ‘‘Proposed Rules’’ section of the
Federal Register.
2. EPA has provided the state 30
working days for review of this notice
and the parallel Notice of Intent for
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Deletion prior to their publication
today, and the state, through the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality,
has concurred on this deletion of the
Site from the NPL.
3. Concurrently with the publication
of this direct final Notice of Deletion, a
notice of the availability of the parallel
Notice of Intent for Deletion is being
published in a major local newspaper,
The Port Arthur News. The newspaper
announces the 30-day public comment
period concerning the Notice of Intent
for Deletion of the Site from the NPL.
4. The EPA placed copies of
documents supporting the deletion in
the deletion docket and made these
items available for public inspection
and copying at the Site information
repositories identified above.
5. If adverse comments are received
within the 30-day public comment
period on this deletion action, EPA will
publish a timely notice of withdrawal of
this direct final Notice of Deletion
before its effective date and will prepare
a response to comments and continue
with the deletion process on the basis of
the Notice of Intent for Deletion and the
comments already received.
Deletion of a site from the NPL does
not itself create, alter, or revoke any
individual’s rights or obligations.
Deletion of a site from the NPL does not
in any way alter EPA’s right to take
enforcement actions, as appropriate.
The NPL is designed primarily for
informational purposes and to assist
EPA management. Section 300.425(e)(3)
of the NCP states that the deletion of a
site from the NPL does not preclude
eligibility for further response actions,
should future conditions warrant such
actions.
IV. Basis for Site Deletion
The following information provides
EPA’s rationale for deleting the SMPA
Superfund Site from the NPL. A map of
the Site, including the aerial extent of
the Site proposed for deletion, is
available in the deletion docket:
Site Location and History
The SMPA Superfund Site (Site,
CERCLIS ID—TXD099801102), a former
barge-cleaning operation and municipal
landfill, occupied a 17-acre industrial
tract of land located approximately 4.5
miles east-northeast of the City of Port
Arthur on Old Yacht Club Road on
Pleasure Islet. Pleasure Islet is a
peninsula located approximately 0.5
miles southwest of the mouth of the
Neches River. The Site is bordered by
the Palmer Barge Line Superfund Site to
the north, by Old Yacht Club Road to
the west, by undeveloped property to
the south, and Sabine Lake to the east.
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Pleasure Islet is a manmade landmass
consisting of dredge spoils generated
during the construction and
maintenance of the Sabine-Neches
canal, also called the Intercoastal
Waterway. The canal was constructed
between 1898 and approximately 1920
in the vicinity of Sabine Lake and the
Neches River, between the current Site
location and the mainland. Between
1955 and 1957, a portion of the canal
along the western side of Pleasure Islet
was abandoned, and a new canal was
cut along the eastern and southern sides
of Pleasure Islet. Pleasure Islet was
created when a land bridge was
constructed across the abandoned
portions of the canal, between the
northern tip of Pleasure Island and the
mainland. Vehicle access to the Site is
limited to a single dirt road starting at
the western Site border along Old Yacht
Club Road.
Ownership of Pleasure Islet was
transferred from the State of Texas to
the City of Port Arthur, Texas, in 1955.
Development of the islet and the Site
began after 1957, following construction
of the land bridge across the abandoned
portions of the Sabine-Neches Canal. In
approximately 1963, the City of Port
Arthur began municipal landfill
operations in the northern and central
portions of the islet. Initially, the
landfill consisted of a burn pit in which
wastes were incinerated. By December
1969, burn operations were
discontinued, and the landfill was used
solely for disposal of wastes. Between
1969 and 1972, landfill disposal
operations expanded to include the
central and northern portions of the Site
and the property north of the Site.
Between 1972 and 1974, disposal
activities were generally concentrated in
the northern parts of the islet. In
December 1974, the City of Port Arthur
closed the landfill in accordance with
Texas Department of Health regulations,
which required covering the entire
landfill with approximately two feet of
fine-grained fill material. The cover
material is believed to be dredge spoils
that originated on the islet. Site
operations began about 1973 under the
names of State Welding and Marine
Works and the Golden Triangle
Shipyard. The construction of
wastewater impoundments in the
northwestern portion of the Site was
also reported. The impoundments were
reportedly unlined earthen dike areas
approximately two acres in size used to
store oil and wastewater from bargecleaning operations. Inspection reports
indicate that wastewater from bargecleaning operations was directed to two
aboveground storage tanks and then
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pumped to the wastewater
impoundments. Some of the oil from the
tanks was diverted to an old ship,
located on the land, that was used as an
oil/water separator. Oil from the
separator was collected for reuse,
potentially on the Site. The Site
included the locations of the former
wastewater impoundments, waste water
treatment facility, tar burn area, above
ground storage tank area, maintenance
shed area, distillation column, the
former location of the Lauren Refining
Company Tank Farm area, non-source
areas of the Site, sediments, and ground
water. The Site is currently being
operated by the owner as an industrial
property for metal scrapping activities.
The surface water migration pathway
was scored as part of the Hazard
Ranking System Documentation Record.
EPA determined that the Site warranted
further investigation to assess the nature
and extent of the human health and
environmental risks associated with the
Site’s previous barge-cleaning and
landfill activities. The site was proposed
to be included on the NPL on March 6,
1998 (63 FR 11340) and made final July
28, 1998 (63 FR 40182).
The EPA’s Time Critical Removal
Action, completed in August 2001,
consisted of the removal and off-site
disposal of waste materials, water
treatment, oil and water separation, and
stabilization and off-site disposal of
sludge materials. This Removal Action
addressed the materials that posed a risk
to human health and ecological
receptors.
The investigations of the Site
included the locations of the former
wastewater impoundments, waste water
treatment facility, tar burn area, above
ground storage tank area, maintenance
shed area, Lauren Refining Company
tank farm area, non-source areas of the
Site, ground water, and the sediments of
Sabine Lake.
Remedial Investigation and
Supplemental Remedial Investigation
The objectives of the Remedial
Investigation (RI) for the Site were to:
• To determine the nature and extent
of contamination known or suspected
on-site and off-site locations, and
• To assess the potential human
health and ecological risks associated
with the Site.
The objectives of the Supplemental
Remedial Investigation (SRI) for the Site
were to:
• Collect and analyze sediment
samples to determine if contaminants in
Sabine Lake sediments posed an
unacceptable risk to benthic organisms.
• Collect and analyze subsurface soil
samples from the wastewater
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impoundment area to determine if
contaminants in the impoundment soil
could serve as a potential source of
contamination to the ground water and
eventually to benthic organisms in the
sediments of Sabine Lake.
• Collect and analyze subsurface soil
samples from the wastewater
impoundment area to determine if
contaminants in the impoundment soil
posed an unacceptable risk to future
onsite construction workers.
• Install and develop monitoring
wells at two of the soil boring locations
in the wastewater impoundment area for
associated ground water sampling.
• Collect and analyze ground water
samples to determine if Site ground
water is a current or potentially future
source of contamination to benthic
organisms in Sabine Lake.
• Store, analyze, and properly
dispose of any investigation-derived
waste that is produced during field
activities in support of the
Supplemental Remedial Investigation.
The RI scope of work focused on
collecting additional information not
obtained during previous investigations.
The 2001 RI investigation consisted of
two sampling events. The first sampling
event consisted of collecting sediment
samples from off-site locations in Sabine
Lake. The second sampling event
consisted of collecting soil and ground
water samples from on-site locations.
The following tasks were completed
during the RI:
• Completion of five shallow and six
deep borings ranging in depths from 4.0
to 9.0 and 25.0 to 60.0 feet below the
ground’s surface (bgs), respectively.
• Installation of six ground water
monitoring wells.
• Collection of surface soil samples
from 87 locations ranging in depth from
0.0 to 6.0 inches bgs.
• Collection of intertidal samples
from nine locations ranging in depth
from 0.0 to 6.0 inches bgs.
• Collection of sediment samples
from 46 locations ranging in depth from
0.0 to 6.0 feet bgs.
The RI analytical results were
compared to commercial/industrial
protective concentration levels (PCLs)
established by the Texas Risk Reduction
Program, and where appropriate, to
background levels for the Site’s
contaminants of concern (COCs).
The most frequently detected COCs
for all sediment samples collected were
metals including arsenic, lead, and
mercury. For intertidal sediments, six
metals (antimony, arsenic, cadmium,
lead, mercury, and selenium) and one
semi-volatile organic compound (SVOC,
pentachlorophenol) exceeded their
respective PCLs. Constituents that
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exceeded PCLs for nearshore sediments
included six metals (arsenic, barium,
beryllium, cadmium, lead, and mercury)
and one SVOC (3,3 dichlorobenzidine).
Only arsenic, lead, and mercury
exceeded PCLs for off-shore sediments.
The most frequently detected COCs
for soils were metals including
antimony, arsenic, barium, lead,
mercury, and silver. These metals
consistently exceeded the GwSoil PCL
(i.e., the soil-to-ground water leaching of
COCs to ground water). Based on the
distribution of these constituents, their
occurrence is most likely a result of the
former incineration and landfill
operations. In general, the metals were
widely distributed across the Site and
not limited to the Site’s source areas.
Isolated detections of the SVOCs
(benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene,
benzo[a]fluoranthene, and
pentachlorophenol) were reported at
relatively low concentrations for on-site
soils. Because the SVOC exceedances
were only detected at isolated locations,
impact from operations on the Site
appeared minimal.
Nine constituents including eight
metals (antimony, arsenic, barium,
beryllium, lead, manganese, silver, and
thallium) and one SVOC
(pentachlorophenol) exceeded GwSoilIng
PCLs (Exposure pathway: soil-to-ground
water leaching COCs to ground water).
Based on a preliminary comparison of
ground water analytical results to Class
3 ground water criteria, no constituents
exceeded Class 3 ground water PCLs
and it is unrealistic to assume any
beneficial use of the shallow ground
water. The State of Texas defines
ground water resources based on water
quality and sustainable well yield. A
Class 3 ground water bearing unit is not
capable of producing greater than a 150
gallon/day ground water flow with a
Total Dissolved Solids content less than
10,000 milligrams/liter.
The SRI included an investigation of
the former wastewater impoundments to
determine if waste materials were still
present that could be a source of
contamination to the Sabine Lake
sediments. Soil samples were analyzed
for metals and SVOCs. The SRI also
included the installation of ground
water monitoring wells downgradient of
the former wastewater impoundments
and the collection of sediments samples
from Sabine Lake. These samples were
also analyzed for metals and SVOCs.
The screening level ecological risk
assessment indicates that selenium
concentrations in the Site sediments
from the SRI may pose a risk to benthic
invertebrates; however, the selenium
concentrations are within one order of
magnitude of the primary effects
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screening level. Furthermore, results
from the soils and ground water data do
not indicate that a selenium pathway
exists from the Site to the sediments as
the potential source of selenium
contamination. Therefore, the EPA has
determined that no Remedial Action is
warranted for the Site soils to prevent
contamination of the Site sediments.
Based on selenium concentrations in the
sediments, no Remedial Action is
warranted for the Site sediments to
protect ecological receptors.
Selected Remedy
Based on the results of the Baseline
Human Health Risk Assessment
(BHHRA) and Screening Level
Ecological Risk Assessment (SLERA),
the EPA’s Selected Remedy for the
SMPA Superfund Site, identified in the
April 2007 Record of Decision, was ‘‘No
Further Action is Necessary.’’
Institutional controls will be required to
ensure that the current and future use of
the Site remains for industrial or
commercial purposes. The ‘‘No Further
is Action Necessary’’ remedy is based
on an industrial/commercial land use
scenario.
Remedial Action Objectives
The Remedial Action Objectives
(RAOs) for the Site are based on the
future redevelopment of the Site for
industrial/commercial land use and
protecting future industrial/construction
workers and ecological receptors. The
RAOs for the Site were:
• Prevent exposure to contaminated
soil/sediment via ingestion, inhalation,
or dermal contact that would result in
an excess carcinogenic risk of 1.0 × 10¥5
or a Hazard Index of 1.0.
• Prevent exposure of contaminated
soil/sediment to aquatic or terrestrial
organisms via direct contact or indirect
ingestion of bioaccumulative chemicals
that would result in a Hazard Quotient
of 1.0.
• Prevent or minimize migration of
soil contaminants to ground water.
• Prevent or minimize further
migration of soil and sediment
contaminants to surface water that
could result in exceedance of ambient
water quality criteria.
Response Actions
Based on the results of the BHHRA
and SLERA, the EPA’s Selected Remedy
for the SMPA Superfund Site was ‘‘No
Further Action is Necessary.’’ The EPA
has obtained a Restrictive Covenant
from the landowner indicating that the
future use of the property is restricted
to commercial/industrial purposes. The
Restrictive Covenant was filed in the
appropriate property records at the
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45431
County Clerk’s office in Jefferson
County on March 25, 2011.
Cleanup Goals
The cleanup goals, accomplished by
the 2001 Time Critical Removal Action,
included the removal, treatment, and
off-site disposal of the liquids and
sludges in the above ground storage
tanks and drums. There were no
cleanup goals selected in the Record of
Decision.
Five-Year Reviews
Since remaining conditions at the Site
will not allow for unlimited use and
unrestricted exposure, a Five-Year
Review must be conducted for the Site
to ensure that future Site development
is consistent with the industrial cleanup
standards for which the remedy is based
and that conditions remain protective of
human health and the environment. As
part of the Five-Year Review, sediment
sampling and monitoring will be
considered in Sabine Lake adjacent to
the Site to ensure that the remedy
remains protective of ecological
receptors. The EPA will conduct a
statutory review before April 2012.
Community Involvement
Public participation activities have
been satisfied as required in CERCLA
Section 113(k), 42 U.S.C. 9613(k) and
CERCLA Section 117, 42 U.S.C. 9617.
Documents in the deletion docket which
the EPA relied on for recommendation
for the deletion from the NPL are
available to the public in the
information repositories, and a notice of
availability of the Notice of Intent for
Deletion has been published in The Port
Arthur News to satisfy public
participation procedures required by 40
CFR 300.425(e)(4).
Determination That the Criteria for
Deletion Have Been Met
In accordance with 40 CFR
300.425(e), sites may be deleted from
the NPL where no further response is
appropriate. The EPA, in consultation
with the State of Texas (through the
Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality), has determined that based on
the results of the BHHRA and SLERA
and the completion of the EPA’s Time
Critical Removal Action that addressed
contamination at the Site that posed a
risk to human health and the
environment, the EPA’s Selected
Remedy for the SMPA Superfund Site
was ‘‘No Further Action is Necessary.’’
The EPA has implemented all
appropriate response actions required;
no further response action by
responsible parties is appropriate; and
the RI, SRI, BHHRA, and SLERA have
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shown that the release poses no
significant threat to public health or the
environment under a commercial/
industrial land use scenario and,
therefore, the taking of additional
remedial measures is not appropriate.
EPA received a letter, dated May 25,
2011, from the State of Texas, through
the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality, concurring on
the deletion of the SMPA Superfund
Site from the NPL.
Appendix B—[Amended]
■ 2. Table 1 of Appendix B to part 300
is amended by removing ‘‘State Marine
of Port Arthur, Jefferson County, TX.’’
V. Deletion Action
[EPA–HQ–SFUND–2000–0003; FRL–9445–5]
The EPA, with concurrence of the
State of Texas, through the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality,
has determined that all appropriate
response actions under CERCLA, other
than Five-Year Reviews, have been
completed. Therefore, EPA is deleting
the SMPA Superfund Site from the NPL.
Because EPA considers this action to
be noncontroversial and routine, EPA is
taking it without prior publication. This
action will be effective September 27,
2011 unless EPA receives adverse
comments by August 29, 2011. If
adverse comments are received within
the 30-day public comment period, EPA
will publish a timely withdrawal of this
direct final notice of deletion before the
effective date of the deletion and it will
not take effect. EPA will prepare a
response to comments and continue
with the deletion process on the basis of
the notice of intent to delete and the
comments already received. There will
be no additional opportunity to
comment.
National Oil and Hazardous
Substances Pollution Contingency
Plan; National Priorities List: Deletion
of the Palmer Barge Line Superfund
Site
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 300
Environmental protection, Air
pollution control, Chemicals, Hazardous
waste, Hazardous substances,
Intergovernmental relations, Penalties,
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Superfund, Water
pollution control, Water supply.
Dated: July 22, 2011.
Al Armendariz,
Regional Administrator, Region 6.
For the reasons set out in this
document, 40 CFR part 300 is amended
as follows:
jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with RULES
PART 300—[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 300
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321(c)(2); 42 U.S.C.
9601–9657; E.O. 12777, 56 FR 54757, 3 CFR,
1991 Comp., p. 351; E.O. 12580, 52 FR 2923;
3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 193.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:04 Jul 28, 2011
Jkt 223001
[FR Doc. 2011–19270 Filed 7–28–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 300
Environmental Protection
Agency.
ACTION: Direct final rule.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) Region 6 is publishing a
direct final Notice of Deletion of the
Palmer Barge Line (PBL) Superfund Site
located in Port Arthur, Texas (Jefferson
County), from the National Priorities
List (NPL). The NPL, promulgated
pursuant to Section 105 of the
Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, is
an appendix of the National Oil and
Hazardous Substances Pollution
Contingency Plan (NCP). This direct
final deletion is being published by EPA
with the concurrence of the State of
Texas, through the Texas Commission
on Environmental Quality, because EPA
has determined that all appropriate
response actions at these identified
parcels under CERCLA, other than
Five-Year Reviews, have been
completed. However, this deletion does
not preclude future actions under
Superfund.
DATES: This direct final deletion is
effective September 27, 2011 unless
EPA receives adverse comments by
August 29, 2011. If adverse comments
are received, EPA will publish a timely
withdrawal of the direct final deletion
in the Federal Register informing the
public that the deletion will not take
effect.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–
SFUND–2000–0003, by one of the
following methods:
• https://www.regulations.gov: Follow
Internet on-line instructions for
submitting comments.
• E-mail: Rafael Casanova, casanova.
rafael@epa.gov.
• Fax: 214–665–6660.
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00036
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
• Mail: Rafael A. Casanova; U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 6; Superfund Division (6SF–RA);
1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200; Dallas,
Texas 75202–2733.
• Hand delivery: U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Region 6;
1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 700; Dallas,
Texas 75202–2733; Contact: Rafael A.
Casanova (214) 665–7437. Such
deliveries are only accepted during the
Docket’s normal hours of operation, and
special arrangements should be made
for deliveries of boxed information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to
Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–AFUND–2000–
0003. EPA’s policy is that all comments
received will be included in the public
docket without change and may be
made available online at https://www.
regulations.gov, including any personal
information provided, unless the
comment includes information claimed
to be Confidential Business Information
(CBI) or other information whose
disclosure is restricted by statute. Do
not submit information that you
consider to be CBI or otherwise
protected through https://www.
regulations.gov or e-mail. The https://
www.regulations.gov Web site is an
‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which
means EPA will not know your identity
or contact information unless you
provide it in the body of your comment.
If you send an e-mail comment directly
to EPA without going through https://
www.regulations.gov, your e-mail
address will be automatically captured
and included as part of the comment
that is placed in the public docket and
made available on the Internet. If you
submit an electronic comment, EPA
recommends that you include your
name and other contact information in
the body of your comment and with any
disk or CD–ROM you submit. If EPA
cannot read your comment due to
technical difficulties and cannot contact
you for clarification, EPA may not be
able to consider your comment.
Electronic files should avoid the use of
special characters, any form of
encryption, and be free of any defects or
viruses.
Docket: All documents in the docket
are listed in the https://www.regulations.
gov index. Although listed in the index,
some information is not publicly
available, e.g., CBI or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
Certain other material, such as
copyrighted material, will be publicly
available only in hard copy. Publicly
available docket materials are available
either electronically in https://www.
regulations.gov or in hard copy at:
1. U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Region 6; 1445 Ross Avenue,
E:\FR\FM\29JYR1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 146 (Friday, July 29, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45428-45432]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-19270]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
40 CFR Part 300
[EPA-HQ-SFUND-1998-0007; FRL-9445-7]
National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan;
National Priorities List: Deletion of the State Marine of Port Arthur
Superfund Site
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.
ACTION: Direct final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 is
publishing a direct final Notice of Deletion of the State Marine of
Port Arthur (SMPA) Superfund Site located in Port Arthur, Texas
(Jefferson County), from the National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL,
promulgated pursuant to Section 105 of the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended,
is an appendix of the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution
Contingency Plan (NCP). This direct final deletion is being published
by EPA with the concurrence of the State of Texas, through the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality, because EPA has determined that
all appropriate response actions at these identified parcels under
CERCLA, other than Five-Year Reviews, have been completed. However,
this deletion does not preclude future actions under Superfund.
DATES: This direct final deletion is effective September 27, 2011
unless EPA receives adverse comments by August 29, 2011. If adverse
comments are received, EPA will publish a timely withdrawal of the
direct final deletion in the Federal Register informing the public that
the deletion will not take effect.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-
SFUND-1998-0007, by one of the following methods:
https://www.regulations.gov: Follow Internet on-line
instructions for submitting comments.
E-mail: Rafael Casanova, casanova.rafael@epa.gov.
Fax: 214-665-6660.
Mail: Rafael A. Casanova; U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Region 6; Superfund Division (6SF-RA); 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite
1200; Dallas, Texas 75202-2733.
Hand delivery: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Region 6; 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 700; Dallas, Texas 75202-2733;
Contact: Rafael A. Casanova (214) 665-7437. Such deliveries are only
accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation, and special
arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information.
Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-AFUND-
1998-0007. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included
in the public docket without change and may be made available online at
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information
provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to be
Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose
disclosure is restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you
consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through https://www.regulations.gov or e-mail. The https://www.regulations.gov Web site
is an ``anonymous access'' system, which means EPA will not know your
identity or contact information unless you provide it in the body of
your comment. If you send an e-mail comment directly to EPA without
going through https://www.regulations.gov, your e-mail address will be
automatically captured and included as part of the comment that is
placed in the public docket and made available on the Internet. If you
submit an electronic comment, EPA recommends that you include your name
and other contact information in the body of your comment and with any
disk or CD-ROM you submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to
technical difficulties and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA
may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid
the use of special characters, any form of encryption, and be free of
any defects or viruses.
Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the https://www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some
information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such
as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in hard copy.
Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically
in https://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at:
1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6; 1445 Ross
Avenue, Suite 700; Dallas, Texas 75202-2733; Hours of operation: Monday
thru Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Contact: Rafael A.
Casanova (214) 665-7437.
2. Port Arthur Public Library; 4615 9th Avenue; Port Arthur, Texas
77642-
[[Page 45429]]
5799; Hours of operation: Monday thru Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.;
Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 2
p.m. to 5 p.m.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rafael A. Casanova, Remedial Project
Manager; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6; Superfund
Division (6SF-RA); 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200; Dallas, Texas 75202-
2733; telephone number: (214) 665-7437; e-mail:
casanova.rafael@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. NPL Deletion Criteria
III. Deletion Procedures
IV. Basis for Site Deletion
V. Deletion Action
I. Introduction
EPA Region 6 is publishing this direct final Notice of Deletion for
the State Marine of Port Arthur (SMPA) Superfund Site (Site), from the
National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL constitutes Appendix B of 40
CFR part 300 which is the Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution
Contingency Plan (NCP), which EPA promulgated pursuant to Section 105
of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability
Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended. EPA maintains the NPL as the list of
sites that appear to present a significant risk to public health,
welfare, or the environment. Sites on the NPL may be the subject of
remedial actions financed by the Hazardous Substance Superfund (Fund).
As described in Sec. 300.425(e)(3) of the NCP, sites deleted from the
NPL remain eligible for Fund-financed remedial action if future
conditions warrant such actions.
Because EPA considers this action to be noncontroversial and
routine, this action will be effective September 27, 2011 unless EPA
receives adverse comments by August 29, 2011. Along with this direct
final Notice of Deletion, EPA is co-publishing a Notice of Intent for
Deletion in the ``Proposed Rules'' section of the Federal Register. If
adverse comments are received within the 30-day public comment period
on this deletion action, EPA will publish a timely withdrawal of this
direct final Notice of Deletion before the effective date of the
deletion and the deletion will not take effect. EPA, will as
appropriate, prepare a response to comments and continue with the
deletion process on the basis of the Notice of Intent for Deletion and
the comments already received. There will be no additional opportunity
to comment.
Section II of this document explains the criteria for deleting
sites from the NPL. Section III discusses procedures that EPA is using
for this action. Section IV discusses the SMPA Superfund Site and
demonstrates how it meets the deletion criteria. Section V discusses
EPA's action to delete the Site from the NPL unless adverse comments
are received during the public comment period.
II. NPL Deletion Criteria
The NCP establishes the criteria that EPA uses to delete sites from
the NPL. In accordance with 40 CFR 300.425(e), sites may be deleted
from the NPL where no further response is appropriate. In making such a
determination pursuant to 40 CFR 300.425(e), EPA will consider, in
consultation with the State, whether any of the following criteria have
been met:
i. Responsible parties or other persons have implemented all
appropriate response actions required;
ii. All appropriate Fund-financed response under CERCLA has been
implemented, and no further response action by responsible parties is
appropriate; or
iii. The remedial investigation has shown that the release poses no
significant threat to public health or the environment and, therefore,
the taking of remedial measures is not appropriate.
Pursuant to CERCLA section 121(c) and the NCP, EPA conducts five-
year reviews to ensure the continued protectiveness of remedial actions
where hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants remain at a
site above levels that allow for unlimited use and unrestricted
exposure. EPA conducts such five-year reviews even if a site is deleted
from the NPL. EPA may initiate further action to ensure continued
protectiveness at a deleted site if new information becomes available
that indicates it is appropriate. Whenever there is a significant
release from a site deleted from the NPL, the deleted site may be
restored to the NPL without application of the hazard ranking system.
III. Deletion Procedures
The following procedures apply to the deletion of all areas and
media within the SMPA Superfund Site:
1. EPA has consulted with the state of Texas prior to developing
this direct final Notice of Deletion and the Notice of Intent for
Deletion co-published in the ``Proposed Rules'' section of the Federal
Register.
2. EPA has provided the state 30 working days for review of this
notice and the parallel Notice of Intent for Deletion prior to their
publication today, and the state, through the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality, has concurred on this deletion of the Site from
the NPL.
3. Concurrently with the publication of this direct final Notice of
Deletion, a notice of the availability of the parallel Notice of Intent
for Deletion is being published in a major local newspaper, The Port
Arthur News. The newspaper announces the 30-day public comment period
concerning the Notice of Intent for Deletion of the Site from the NPL.
4. The EPA placed copies of documents supporting the deletion in
the deletion docket and made these items available for public
inspection and copying at the Site information repositories identified
above.
5. If adverse comments are received within the 30-day public
comment period on this deletion action, EPA will publish a timely
notice of withdrawal of this direct final Notice of Deletion before its
effective date and will prepare a response to comments and continue
with the deletion process on the basis of the Notice of Intent for
Deletion and the comments already received.
Deletion of a site from the NPL does not itself create, alter, or
revoke any individual's rights or obligations. Deletion of a site from
the NPL does not in any way alter EPA's right to take enforcement
actions, as appropriate. The NPL is designed primarily for
informational purposes and to assist EPA management. Section
300.425(e)(3) of the NCP states that the deletion of a site from the
NPL does not preclude eligibility for further response actions, should
future conditions warrant such actions.
IV. Basis for Site Deletion
The following information provides EPA's rationale for deleting the
SMPA Superfund Site from the NPL. A map of the Site, including the
aerial extent of the Site proposed for deletion, is available in the
deletion docket:
Site Location and History
The SMPA Superfund Site (Site, CERCLIS ID--TXD099801102), a former
barge-cleaning operation and municipal landfill, occupied a 17-acre
industrial tract of land located approximately 4.5 miles east-northeast
of the City of Port Arthur on Old Yacht Club Road on Pleasure Islet.
Pleasure Islet is a peninsula located approximately 0.5 miles southwest
of the mouth of the Neches River. The Site is bordered by the Palmer
Barge Line Superfund Site to the north, by Old Yacht Club Road to the
west, by undeveloped property to the south, and Sabine Lake to the
east.
[[Page 45430]]
Pleasure Islet is a manmade landmass consisting of dredge spoils
generated during the construction and maintenance of the Sabine-Neches
canal, also called the Intercoastal Waterway. The canal was constructed
between 1898 and approximately 1920 in the vicinity of Sabine Lake and
the Neches River, between the current Site location and the mainland.
Between 1955 and 1957, a portion of the canal along the western side of
Pleasure Islet was abandoned, and a new canal was cut along the eastern
and southern sides of Pleasure Islet. Pleasure Islet was created when a
land bridge was constructed across the abandoned portions of the canal,
between the northern tip of Pleasure Island and the mainland. Vehicle
access to the Site is limited to a single dirt road starting at the
western Site border along Old Yacht Club Road.
Ownership of Pleasure Islet was transferred from the State of Texas
to the City of Port Arthur, Texas, in 1955. Development of the islet
and the Site began after 1957, following construction of the land
bridge across the abandoned portions of the Sabine-Neches Canal. In
approximately 1963, the City of Port Arthur began municipal landfill
operations in the northern and central portions of the islet.
Initially, the landfill consisted of a burn pit in which wastes were
incinerated. By December 1969, burn operations were discontinued, and
the landfill was used solely for disposal of wastes. Between 1969 and
1972, landfill disposal operations expanded to include the central and
northern portions of the Site and the property north of the Site.
Between 1972 and 1974, disposal activities were generally concentrated
in the northern parts of the islet. In December 1974, the City of Port
Arthur closed the landfill in accordance with Texas Department of
Health regulations, which required covering the entire landfill with
approximately two feet of fine-grained fill material. The cover
material is believed to be dredge spoils that originated on the islet.
Site operations began about 1973 under the names of State Welding and
Marine Works and the Golden Triangle Shipyard. The construction of
wastewater impoundments in the northwestern portion of the Site was
also reported. The impoundments were reportedly unlined earthen dike
areas approximately two acres in size used to store oil and wastewater
from barge-cleaning operations. Inspection reports indicate that
wastewater from barge-cleaning operations was directed to two
aboveground storage tanks and then pumped to the wastewater
impoundments. Some of the oil from the tanks was diverted to an old
ship, located on the land, that was used as an oil/water separator. Oil
from the separator was collected for reuse, potentially on the Site.
The Site included the locations of the former wastewater impoundments,
waste water treatment facility, tar burn area, above ground storage
tank area, maintenance shed area, distillation column, the former
location of the Lauren Refining Company Tank Farm area, non-source
areas of the Site, sediments, and ground water. The Site is currently
being operated by the owner as an industrial property for metal
scrapping activities.
The surface water migration pathway was scored as part of the
Hazard Ranking System Documentation Record. EPA determined that the
Site warranted further investigation to assess the nature and extent of
the human health and environmental risks associated with the Site's
previous barge-cleaning and landfill activities. The site was proposed
to be included on the NPL on March 6, 1998 (63 FR 11340) and made final
July 28, 1998 (63 FR 40182).
The EPA's Time Critical Removal Action, completed in August 2001,
consisted of the removal and off-site disposal of waste materials,
water treatment, oil and water separation, and stabilization and off-
site disposal of sludge materials. This Removal Action addressed the
materials that posed a risk to human health and ecological receptors.
The investigations of the Site included the locations of the former
wastewater impoundments, waste water treatment facility, tar burn area,
above ground storage tank area, maintenance shed area, Lauren Refining
Company tank farm area, non-source areas of the Site, ground water, and
the sediments of Sabine Lake.
Remedial Investigation and Supplemental Remedial Investigation
The objectives of the Remedial Investigation (RI) for the Site were
to:
To determine the nature and extent of contamination known
or suspected on-site and off-site locations, and
To assess the potential human health and ecological risks
associated with the Site.
The objectives of the Supplemental Remedial Investigation (SRI) for
the Site were to:
Collect and analyze sediment samples to determine if
contaminants in Sabine Lake sediments posed an unacceptable risk to
benthic organisms.
Collect and analyze subsurface soil samples from the
wastewater impoundment area to determine if contaminants in the
impoundment soil could serve as a potential source of contamination to
the ground water and eventually to benthic organisms in the sediments
of Sabine Lake.
Collect and analyze subsurface soil samples from the
wastewater impoundment area to determine if contaminants in the
impoundment soil posed an unacceptable risk to future onsite
construction workers.
Install and develop monitoring wells at two of the soil
boring locations in the wastewater impoundment area for associated
ground water sampling.
Collect and analyze ground water samples to determine if
Site ground water is a current or potentially future source of
contamination to benthic organisms in Sabine Lake.
Store, analyze, and properly dispose of any investigation-
derived waste that is produced during field activities in support of
the Supplemental Remedial Investigation.
The RI scope of work focused on collecting additional information
not obtained during previous investigations. The 2001 RI investigation
consisted of two sampling events. The first sampling event consisted of
collecting sediment samples from off-site locations in Sabine Lake. The
second sampling event consisted of collecting soil and ground water
samples from on-site locations. The following tasks were completed
during the RI:
Completion of five shallow and six deep borings ranging in
depths from 4.0 to 9.0 and 25.0 to 60.0 feet below the ground's surface
(bgs), respectively.
Installation of six ground water monitoring wells.
Collection of surface soil samples from 87 locations
ranging in depth from 0.0 to 6.0 inches bgs.
Collection of intertidal samples from nine locations
ranging in depth from 0.0 to 6.0 inches bgs.
Collection of sediment samples from 46 locations ranging
in depth from 0.0 to 6.0 feet bgs.
The RI analytical results were compared to commercial/industrial
protective concentration levels (PCLs) established by the Texas Risk
Reduction Program, and where appropriate, to background levels for the
Site's contaminants of concern (COCs).
The most frequently detected COCs for all sediment samples
collected were metals including arsenic, lead, and mercury. For
intertidal sediments, six metals (antimony, arsenic, cadmium, lead,
mercury, and selenium) and one semi-volatile organic compound (SVOC,
pentachlorophenol) exceeded their respective PCLs. Constituents that
[[Page 45431]]
exceeded PCLs for nearshore sediments included six metals (arsenic,
barium, beryllium, cadmium, lead, and mercury) and one SVOC (3,3
dichlorobenzidine). Only arsenic, lead, and mercury exceeded PCLs for
off-shore sediments.
The most frequently detected COCs for soils were metals including
antimony, arsenic, barium, lead, mercury, and silver. These metals
consistently exceeded the \Gw\Soil PCL (i.e., the soil-to-ground water
leaching of COCs to ground water). Based on the distribution of these
constituents, their occurrence is most likely a result of the former
incineration and landfill operations. In general, the metals were
widely distributed across the Site and not limited to the Site's source
areas.
Isolated detections of the SVOCs (benzo[a]pyrene,
benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[a]fluoranthene, and pentachlorophenol) were
reported at relatively low concentrations for on-site soils. Because
the SVOC exceedances were only detected at isolated locations, impact
from operations on the Site appeared minimal.
Nine constituents including eight metals (antimony, arsenic,
barium, beryllium, lead, manganese, silver, and thallium) and one SVOC
(pentachlorophenol) exceeded \Gw\SoilIng PCLs (Exposure
pathway: soil-to-ground water leaching COCs to ground water). Based on
a preliminary comparison of ground water analytical results to Class 3
ground water criteria, no constituents exceeded Class 3 ground water
PCLs and it is unrealistic to assume any beneficial use of the shallow
ground water. The State of Texas defines ground water resources based
on water quality and sustainable well yield. A Class 3 ground water
bearing unit is not capable of producing greater than a 150 gallon/day
ground water flow with a Total Dissolved Solids content less than
10,000 milligrams/liter.
The SRI included an investigation of the former wastewater
impoundments to determine if waste materials were still present that
could be a source of contamination to the Sabine Lake sediments. Soil
samples were analyzed for metals and SVOCs. The SRI also included the
installation of ground water monitoring wells downgradient of the
former wastewater impoundments and the collection of sediments samples
from Sabine Lake. These samples were also analyzed for metals and
SVOCs.
The screening level ecological risk assessment indicates that
selenium concentrations in the Site sediments from the SRI may pose a
risk to benthic invertebrates; however, the selenium concentrations are
within one order of magnitude of the primary effects screening level.
Furthermore, results from the soils and ground water data do not
indicate that a selenium pathway exists from the Site to the sediments
as the potential source of selenium contamination. Therefore, the EPA
has determined that no Remedial Action is warranted for the Site soils
to prevent contamination of the Site sediments. Based on selenium
concentrations in the sediments, no Remedial Action is warranted for
the Site sediments to protect ecological receptors.
Selected Remedy
Based on the results of the Baseline Human Health Risk Assessment
(BHHRA) and Screening Level Ecological Risk Assessment (SLERA), the
EPA's Selected Remedy for the SMPA Superfund Site, identified in the
April 2007 Record of Decision, was ``No Further Action is Necessary.''
Institutional controls will be required to ensure that the current and
future use of the Site remains for industrial or commercial purposes.
The ``No Further is Action Necessary'' remedy is based on an
industrial/commercial land use scenario.
Remedial Action Objectives
The Remedial Action Objectives (RAOs) for the Site are based on the
future redevelopment of the Site for industrial/commercial land use and
protecting future industrial/construction workers and ecological
receptors. The RAOs for the Site were:
Prevent exposure to contaminated soil/sediment via
ingestion, inhalation, or dermal contact that would result in an excess
carcinogenic risk of 1.0 x 10-5 or a Hazard Index of 1.0.
Prevent exposure of contaminated soil/sediment to aquatic
or terrestrial organisms via direct contact or indirect ingestion of
bioaccumulative chemicals that would result in a Hazard Quotient of
1.0.
Prevent or minimize migration of soil contaminants to
ground water.
Prevent or minimize further migration of soil and sediment
contaminants to surface water that could result in exceedance of
ambient water quality criteria.
Response Actions
Based on the results of the BHHRA and SLERA, the EPA's Selected
Remedy for the SMPA Superfund Site was ``No Further Action is
Necessary.'' The EPA has obtained a Restrictive Covenant from the
landowner indicating that the future use of the property is restricted
to commercial/industrial purposes. The Restrictive Covenant was filed
in the appropriate property records at the County Clerk's office in
Jefferson County on March 25, 2011.
Cleanup Goals
The cleanup goals, accomplished by the 2001 Time Critical Removal
Action, included the removal, treatment, and off-site disposal of the
liquids and sludges in the above ground storage tanks and drums. There
were no cleanup goals selected in the Record of Decision.
Five-Year Reviews
Since remaining conditions at the Site will not allow for unlimited
use and unrestricted exposure, a Five-Year Review must be conducted for
the Site to ensure that future Site development is consistent with the
industrial cleanup standards for which the remedy is based and that
conditions remain protective of human health and the environment. As
part of the Five-Year Review, sediment sampling and monitoring will be
considered in Sabine Lake adjacent to the Site to ensure that the
remedy remains protective of ecological receptors. The EPA will conduct
a statutory review before April 2012.
Community Involvement
Public participation activities have been satisfied as required in
CERCLA Section 113(k), 42 U.S.C. 9613(k) and CERCLA Section 117, 42
U.S.C. 9617. Documents in the deletion docket which the EPA relied on
for recommendation for the deletion from the NPL are available to the
public in the information repositories, and a notice of availability of
the Notice of Intent for Deletion has been published in The Port Arthur
News to satisfy public participation procedures required by 40 CFR
300.425(e)(4).
Determination That the Criteria for Deletion Have Been Met
In accordance with 40 CFR 300.425(e), sites may be deleted from the
NPL where no further response is appropriate. The EPA, in consultation
with the State of Texas (through the Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality), has determined that based on the results of the BHHRA and
SLERA and the completion of the EPA's Time Critical Removal Action that
addressed contamination at the Site that posed a risk to human health
and the environment, the EPA's Selected Remedy for the SMPA Superfund
Site was ``No Further Action is Necessary.'' The EPA has implemented
all appropriate response actions required; no further response action
by responsible parties is appropriate; and the RI, SRI, BHHRA, and
SLERA have
[[Page 45432]]
shown that the release poses no significant threat to public health or
the environment under a commercial/industrial land use scenario and,
therefore, the taking of additional remedial measures is not
appropriate. EPA received a letter, dated May 25, 2011, from the State
of Texas, through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality,
concurring on the deletion of the SMPA Superfund Site from the NPL.
V. Deletion Action
The EPA, with concurrence of the State of Texas, through the Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality, has determined that all
appropriate response actions under CERCLA, other than Five-Year
Reviews, have been completed. Therefore, EPA is deleting the SMPA
Superfund Site from the NPL.
Because EPA considers this action to be noncontroversial and
routine, EPA is taking it without prior publication. This action will
be effective September 27, 2011 unless EPA receives adverse comments by
August 29, 2011. If adverse comments are received within the 30-day
public comment period, EPA will publish a timely withdrawal of this
direct final notice of deletion before the effective date of the
deletion and it will not take effect. EPA will prepare a response to
comments and continue with the deletion process on the basis of the
notice of intent to delete and the comments already received. There
will be no additional opportunity to comment.
List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 300
Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Chemicals,
Hazardous waste, Hazardous substances, Intergovernmental relations,
Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Superfund, Water
pollution control, Water supply.
Dated: July 22, 2011.
Al Armendariz,
Regional Administrator, Region 6.
For the reasons set out in this document, 40 CFR part 300 is
amended as follows:
PART 300--[AMENDED]
0
1. The authority citation for part 300 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321(c)(2); 42 U.S.C. 9601-9657; E.O.
12777, 56 FR 54757, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; E.O. 12580, 52 FR
2923; 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 193.
Appendix B--[Amended]
0
2. Table 1 of Appendix B to part 300 is amended by removing ``State
Marine of Port Arthur, Jefferson County, TX.''
[FR Doc. 2011-19270 Filed 7-28-11; 8:45 am]
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