National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan; National Priorities List: Partial Deletion of the Eastland Woolen Mill Superfund Site, 45968-45978 [2012-18660]

Agencies

• ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 149 (Thursday, August 2, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45968-45978]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-18660]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 300

[EPA-HQ-SFUND-1999-0010; FRL 9704-4]


National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan; 
National Priorities List: Partial Deletion of the Eastland Woolen Mill 
Superfund Site

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Direct final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 1 is 
publishing a direct final Notice of Partial Deletion for portions of 
the Eastland Woolen Mill Superfund Site (Site), located in Corinna, 
Maine, 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 partial 
deletion is being published by EPA with the concurrence of the State of 
Maine, through the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, 
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 partial deletion does not preclude 
future actions under Superfund.
    This partial deletion pertains to all Site media (soil and 
groundwater) of the properties proposed for deletion.

DATES: This direct final partial deletion is effective October 1, 2012 
unless EPA receives adverse comments by September 4, 2012. If adverse 
comments are received, EPA will publish a timely withdrawal of the 
direct final partial deletion in the Federal Register informing the 
public that the partial deletion will not take effect.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID no. EPA-HQ-
SFUND-1999-0010, by one of the following methods:
     https://www.regulations.gov. Follow on-line instructions 
for submitting comments.
     Email: hathaway.ed@epa.gov.
     Fax: 1-617-918-0372.
     Mail: Edward Hathaway, U.S. EPA Remedial Project Manager, 
5 Post Office Square (OSRR07-1), Boston, MA 02109-3912.
     Hand delivery: Edward Hathaway, U.S. EPA Remedial Project 
Manager, 5 Post Office Square (OSRR07-1), Boston, MA 02109-3912. 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-SFUND-
1999-0010. 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 email. 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 email comment directly to EPA without 
going through https://www.regulations.gov, your email 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 statue. Certain other

[[Page 45969]]

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 on disk or physical 
copy at:

EPA Region 1 Record Center, 5 Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02109. 
Phone: 1-617-918-1440. Hours: Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Stewart Free Library, 8 Levi Stewart Drive, Corinna, ME 04928. Phone: 
1-207-278-2454. Hours: Tuesday: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; Wednesday: 1 p.m.-7 
p.m.; Thursday: 1 p.m.-7 p.m.; Friday: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edward Hathaway, Remedial Project 
Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 1, OSRR07-1, 5 
Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02109-3912 (617) 918-1372 email: 
hathaway.ed@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Introduction
II. NPL Deletion Criteria
III. Partial Deletion Procedures
IV. Basis for Site Partial Deletion
V. Partial Deletion Action

I. Introduction

    EPA Region 1 is publishing this direct final Notice of Partial 
Deletion for the Eastland Woolen Mill (Site), from the National 
Priorities List (NPL). This partial deletion pertains to all site 
media, including soil and groundwater for the following properties:

    Properties owned by the Town of Corinna that include properties 
described in Quitclaim Deed dated August 18, 1997 and recorded in 
Book 6471, Page 278, also identified as Lot 118 in Tax Map 18 dated 
2004 and several additional properties that were part of the former 
Eastland Woolen Mill complex that were acquired due to a tax 
foreclosure. The tax foreclosure properties are described in the 
Penobscot County Registry of Deeds in Condemnation Order dated 
December 8, 1999 and recorded in Book 7251, Page 47 and a portion of 
the property has been subdivided in accordance with a plan dated 
October 19, 2004 entitled, ``Subdivision Plan for the Town of 
Corinna of Main Street Subdivision on Main Street, Hill Street & St. 
Albans Road in Corinna, County of Penobscot, Maine,'' recorded in 
said Registry in Plan File 2004, No. 167 (the ``Subdivision Plan''). 
Specifically subdivision Lots 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, the portion 
of Subdivision Lot 1 north of the Central Maine Power property and a 
portion of Lot 54 on Tax Map 18 along with Lot 53 on Tax Map 18, are 
proposed for deletion. The portions of Main Street and Hill Street 
within the subdivision are also proposed for deletion. Lot 53 on Tax 
Map 18 is also recorded in Book 853, Page 391 as a warranty deed 
dated September 26, 1913 and is known as ``Winchester Park''.
    Property owned by the State of Maine Department of Conservation 
identified in Release Deed dated December 5, 2003 Book 9114, Page 
194, also identified in Tax Map 18 as Map 15 Lot 10 (which a portion 
of the State of Maine Department of Conservation recreational trail 
that runs through the Town of Corinna).
    Property owned by the State of Maine Department of 
Transportation described in a Notice of Layout and Taking dated May 
3, 2000 and recorded in the Penobscot County Registry of Deeds in 
Book 7357, Page 29, and being generally depicted on the Survey Plan 
Showing Property Subject to Proposed Environmental Covenants for 
Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Corinna, Penobscot 
County, Maine, which is recorded in the Penobscot County Registry of 
Deeds as Plan File 2012 No. 20, dated March 29, 2012, but excluding 
the portion of the Maine Department of Transportation property 
bounded by Town of Corinna Subdivision Lot 1, the East Branch of the 
Sebasticook River, Route 7, and Nokomis Road.
    Property owned by Central Maine Power identified in indenture 
dated May 2, 1956 and recorded in the Penobscot County Registry of 
Deeds in Book 1532, Page 228, and generally depicted as Central 
Maine Power Company land in the Town of Corinna tax records as Lot 4 
on Tax Map 20.

    The properties proposed for deletion are shown in Figure 11 of 
Partial Deletion Technical Memorandum dated June 2012 and will be 
referred to hereafter as ``the properties proposed for deletion''. All 
Tax Map references are based on the Town of Corinna 2004 Tax Maps and 
the ``Survey Plan Showing Property Subject to Proposed Environmental 
Covenants for Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Corinna, 
Penobscot County, Maine'' which is recorded in the Penobscot County 
Registry of Deeds as Plan File 2012 No. 20, dated March 29, 2012.
    The NPL constitutes Appendix B of 40 CFR part 300, which is the 
National 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). This partial 
deletion of the Eastland Woolen Mill Superfund Site is proposed in 
accordance with 40 CFR 300.425(e) and is consistent with the Notice of 
Policy Change: Partial Deletion of Sites Listed on the National 
Priorities List. 60 FR 55466 (Nov. 1, 1995). As described in 
300.425(e)(3) of the NCP, a portion of a site deleted from the NPL 
remains 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 October 1, 2012 unless EPA 
receives adverse comments by September 4, 2012. Along with this direct 
final Notice of Partial Deletion, EPA is co-publishing a Notice of 
Intent for Partial Deletion in the ``Proposed Rules'' section of the 
Federal Register. If adverse comments are received within the 30-day 
public comment period on this partial deletion action, EPA will publish 
a timely withdrawal of this direct final Notice of Partial Deletion 
before the effective date of the partial deletion and the partial 
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 Partial 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 properties proposed for 
deletion and demonstrates how it meets the deletion criteria. Section V 
discusses EPA's action to delete these Site parcels 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,

[[Page 45970]]

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. Partial Deletion Procedures

    The following procedures apply to the properties proposed for 
deletion:
    (1) EPA has consulted with the State of Maine prior to developing 
this direct final Notice of Partial Deletion and the Notice of Intent 
for Partial 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 Partial Deletion prior to 
their publication today, and the State, through the Maine Department of 
Environmental Protection, has concurred on the partial deletion of the 
Site from the NPL.
    (3) Concurrently with the publication of this direct final Notice 
of Partial Deletion, a notice of the availability of the parallel 
Notice of Intent for Partial Deletion is being published in a major 
local newspaper, Bangor Daily News. The newspaper notice announces the 
30-day public comment period concerning the Notice of Intent for 
Partial Deletion of the Site from the NPL.
    (4) The EPA placed copies of documents supporting the partial 
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 partial deletion action, EPA will publish a 
timely notice of withdrawal of this direct final Notice of Partial 
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 Partial Deletion and the comments already 
received.
    Deletion of a portion of a site from the NPL does not itself 
create, alter, or revoke any individual's rights or obligations. 
Deletion of a portion 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 Partial Deletion

    The following information provides EPA's rationale for deleting the 
properties proposed for deletion:

Site Location

    The Eastland Woolen Mill Superfund Site (MED980915474) (Site) is 
located in the center of the Town of Corinna, Penobscot County, Maine, 
approximately 6 miles north of Newport and 25 miles northwest of 
Bangor, Maine. Approximately 800 people live within one mile of the 
Site, and 2,500 people live within four miles.
    The Town of Corinna is located within the East Branch of the 
Sebasticook River (EBSR) watershed, which drains to Sebasticook Lake 
approximately three miles south of the Town. Topography within the 
watershed is typified by gently rolling hills to steeply sloping 
ridges, varying from narrow valleys to fairly expansive low-lying 
floodplains. Elevations within the immediate vicinity of Corinna range 
from 200 to 320 feet above mean sea level (msl). The former Eastland 
Woolen Mill straddled the EBSR and the southern portion of the former 
Mill Pond.

Site Description

    At the time of the placement of the Eastland Woolen Mill on the EPA 
NPL, the Site included the former Eastland Woolen Mill property and 
areas where contamination has migrated or otherwise come to be located 
due to mill operations. The Eastland Woolen Mill property was a 21-acre 
parcel located on the north side of Main Street, Corinna, in central 
Maine. There was a 250,000 square foot Mill building, two dams, and 
several out buildings on site. The mill building straddled the East 
Branch of the Sebasticook River with one dam located under the building 
near Main Street; the other dam is located approximately 500 feet north 
of the mill and maintains the water level of Corrundel Lake, a portion 
of the EBSR. The two dams also created an on-site mill pond. The Site 
is bordered to the north by Corundel Lake and residential property, to 
the south by Main Street, to the east by the Dexter Road and the 
Methodist Church, and on the west by Route 43 and several residential 
properties. As a result of the data collected to support the 
Engineering Evaluation and Cost Analysis (EE/CA) for a non-time-
critical removal action (NTCRA) and the remedial investigation (RI) 
program, the footprint of the Site was better defined to extend south 
across Main Street and downstream in the EBSR.

Operational History

    The Site was formerly dominated by the Eastland Woolen Mill 
building complex which, before its demolition in 2000, was comprised of 
a large manufacturing building and several ancillary structures, with a 
total area of 250,000 square feet. The buildings stood on both sides of 
and over the EBSR, a State-designated Class C water, which flows north 
to south through the center of Corinna. The original woolen-mill 
structure was built in the late 1800s or early 1900s. The property was 
a woolen mill as far back as 1912. Eastland Woolen Mill owned and 
operated the mill from 1936 to October 1996, when they closed the mill. 
Prior to closing in 1996, Eastland Woolen Mill was a manufacturer and 
finisher of wool and blended woven fabric. Fabric finishing included of 
the fabric to meet product or customer requirements. This dyeing 
operation took place in dye kettles and utilized various chemicals, 
including dyes and dye-aids that reportedly contained biphenyl and 
chlorinated benzene compounds, including 1,2-dichlorobenzene, 1,3-
dichlorobenzene, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene.

Conditions That Led to Placement on National Priorities List (NPL)

    Until construction of the Town of Corinna Wastewater Treatment 
Plant (WWTP) in 1969, liquid wastes from the mill were discharged to 
the ground surface beneath mill buildings, to Mill Pond Dam tailrace, 
and ultimately the EBSR. It was not until 1977 that all liquid waste 
streams were finally directed to the WWTP. As a result of these 
discharges, overburden soil and bedrock underlying mill buildings and 
river sediment and underlying soil extending several hundred feet 
downgradient were contaminated with chlorinated benzene compounds. 
Groundwater was contaminated at concentrations well above federal 
drinking water Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) and State of Maine 
drinking water Maximum Exposure Guidelines (MEGs). Routine pumping of 
nearby residential bedrock wells spread the contamination laterally 
along bedrock bedding-plane fractures. Groundwater contamination was 
first documented in Corinna in 1983, when

[[Page 45971]]

a MEDEP employee noticed a strange odor and taste in drinking water at 
the Gallison Restaurant located across the street from the Mill. 
Several water samples collected from the restaurant showed the presence 
of monochlorobenzene, dichlorobenzenes and trichlorobenzenes. Later in 
1983, granular activated carbon (GAC) filters were installed on five 
water supply wells (residential and business) near the Mill to mitigate 
exposures to chlorinated benzene compounds.
    Eastland Woolen Mill initiated formal environmental investigations 
in 1984 by performing a preliminary hydrogeologic investigation of the 
downtown area. The work included the completion of soil borings, 
installation of monitoring wells and piezometers, sampling and analysis 
of soil and groundwater, and a preliminary fracture-trace analysis. The 
investigation concluded that additional work was needed to identify a 
contaminant source area. By 1988, Eastland Woolen Mill had completed a 
study of residences and businesses at risk from the groundwater 
contamination and had investigated potential locations for installation 
of a public water supply system. It was concluded that contamination 
had likely spread via bedrock fractures and faults. Five additional 
private water supply wells were fitted with granular activated carbon 
filters based on results of water supply well sampling performed 
between 1983 and 1988.
    In 1993, Eastland Woolen Mill completed Phase I of a chlorinated 
benzene contamination investigation in the downtown area. The report 
identified the tailrace beneath the Eastland Woolen Mill and the UST 
area where dye-aid had been stored as possible source locations.
    Eastland Woolen Mill removed three underground storage tanks (USTs) 
from the UST Area in 1994. Chlorinated benzene compounds were detected 
in soil samples collected from the bottom of the excavation. Because 
free product was reported in the excavation and soil staining was 
observed, an overburden groundwater recovery well (R-1), consisting of 
a 30-inch-diameter corrugated metal pipe with slits in the bottom five 
feet and surrounded by crushed stone, was installed at the Site after 
removal of the USTs. In addition, a drum containing a dark oil-like 
substance was unearthed in the UST excavation. Recovery Well R-1 was 
pumped to collect chlorinated benzene-contaminated groundwater and 
flush contaminants from the ``smear'' zone between August 1994 and 
sometime in 1995. In conjunction with the pumping of groundwater from 
Well R-1, Eastland Woolen Mill instituted pumping of groundwater from 
the bedrock well on Lot 122, south of Main Street, now referenced as 
Recovery Well R-2.
    In the fall of 1995, during the installation of water supply lines 
to serve residences affected by contamination, a dense non-aqueous-
phase liquid (DNAPL) was reportedly observed within the till material 
beneath the gravel riverbed just downstream of the Main Street bridge. 
A consultant for Eastland Woolen Mill, Acheron, Inc., performed 
additional sampling of the sediments in the riverbed downstream of the 
Eastland Woolen Mill and found chlorinated benzene compounds and 
petroleum hydrocarbons both within the silty till layer beneath the 
rocky gravel riverbed and in a floodplain on the west side of the 
river.
    After closure of the Eastland Woolen Mill in 1996, MEDEP sampled 
soils around the former USTs to evaluate whether residual soil 
contamination was present and acting as a source of groundwater 
contamination. This effort was supplemented in 1998 with additional 
analytical parameters and sampling of a background location. In 1997, 
MEDEP performed sediment sampling with field chemical screening to gain 
information on the magnitude of river bottom contamination documented 
by Acheron, Inc. in 1995. Additional sediment and surface water samples 
were collected from the river in 1998 for analysis. These 
investigations confirmed that high concentrations of chlorinated 
benzenes were present in the riverbed downstream of the Eastland Woolen 
Mill complex. This data was used to prepare the Hazard Ranking System 
scoring package that was submitted to EPA for placement of the Site on 
the National Priorities List (NPL).

National Priorities List Designation

    The Site was proposed for inclusion on the NPL on April 23, 1999 
(64 FR 19968). It was listed for final inclusion on the NPL on July 22, 
1999 (64 FR 39878-39885).

State Response Action

    In 1997, MEDEP performed an emergency response action to remove 
54,673 pounds of various hazardous substances from process pipes, 
containers and vessels located within the Mill.

Land Use Assumptions

    Future land use assumptions for the Site and surrounding areas 
(included the parcels proposed for deletion) are based on the Reuse 
Plan developed by the Town of Corinna. A large portion of the Site in 
the center of town has been targeted for a mix of commercial, 
residential and mixed-use development. The water supply system was 
expanded by the local water district to support future growth. The land 
use for properties proposed for deletion include: the Town of Corinna 
subdivision parcels 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, a portion of Lot 54 on Tax 
Map 18, and Lot 118 on Tax Map 18, which are part of the targeted mix 
of commercial, residential, and mixed use development; one property 
owned by the Town of Corinna (Lot 53 on Tax Map 18) that will remain a 
public park (Winchester Park); the State of Maine Department of 
Conservation property which is a mixed use rail-trail that is primarily 
used for snowmobile travel; the Central Maine Power property that is 
expected to remain an electrical sub-station; and the State of Maine 
Department of Transportation property that is essentially right of way 
property related to Route 7. These land assumptions are expected to be 
valid for the foreseeable future.

Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS)

    From 1998 to 2002, USEPA performed a Remedial Investigation/
Feasibility Study (RI/FS) for Operable Unit I (OUI) at the Eastland 
Woolen Mill site. OUI is the groundwater operable unit and includes 
overburden and bedrock groundwater contamination and also includes 
areas of deep soil contamination remaining after the NTCRA. All of the 
properties proposed for deletion are within the study area for OUI. The 
details of the OUI RI/FS can be found in the Remedial Investigation 
Report, Supplemental Remedial Investigation Report, Human Health Risk 
Assessment Report, and Baseline Ecological Risk Assessment Report that 
are included in the Administrative Record for the OUI Record of 
Decision (ROD). The RI for the OUI Study Area identified two areas 
where site-related contaminants exceeded federal and state drinking 
water criteria in overburden groundwater. One area is associated with 
the UST Area/Building 14 sub-area, and the other is downgradient of the 
former location of Buildings 1, 1A, and 3 within the Eastland Woolen 
Mill complex where liquid wastes were discharged. The RI also 
identified an area of bedrock groundwater contamination associated with 
the release of contamination from Buildings 1, 1A, and 3 (Area 1). The 
major groundwater contaminants of concern (COCs) were determined to be 
benzene, chlorobenzene, 1,2-dichlorobenzene, 1,3-dichlorobenzene, 1,4-

[[Page 45972]]

dichlorobenzene, and 1,2,4 trichlorobenzene. The OUI RI and ROD also 
documented that three satellite areas of suspected contamination 
(School Street Yard, Moosehead Mill, and Bulk Fuels Storage Area) were 
not considered part of the Site based on the absence of contamination 
that would represent an unacceptable threat to human health or the 
environment. A fourth area, known as Lot 88, was also identified as not 
requiring any further action after the NTCRA removed the soil 
contamination from this property.
    In September 2002, EPA created OUII to address the sediment and 
associated floodplain areas of the EBSR downstream of NTCRA excavation, 
as well as an area of solid and liquid waste disposal known as the old 
dump. During 2002 and 2003, EPA performed a series of studies to better 
define the potential for ecological impacts in the OUII area. Surface 
water, sediment, floodplain soil, and crayfish tissue samples were 
collected, and biological assessments of the benthic macro-invertebrate 
community were performed. The information from these studies was 
presented in a Supplemental RI Report. The information was also 
combined with the initial RI data to prepare a revised Baseline 
Ecological Risk Assessment Report that found there was no unacceptable 
risk to ecological receptors in the OUII area. Both reports were 
released in 2004 as part of the Administrative Record and were 
available for review during the public comment period for the OUII 
Proposed Plan. On September 30, 2004, EPA signed a ROD selecting No 
Further Action for OUII of the Site. EPA activities in the OUII Study 
Area are complete, and no further activities are anticipated for the 
OUII study area.

Components of RI Relating to Properties Proposed for Deletion

    The RI evaluated the properties proposed for deletion. The Town of 
Corinna subdivision lots 8, 9, and 10, a portion of Lot 54 on Tax Map 
18, along with Winchester Park were outside the footprint of the former 
Eastland Woolen Mill. The electrical sub-station owner by Central Maine 
Power was also outside of the footprint of the former Eastland Woolen 
Mill. Background research and Site reconnaissance activities as part of 
the RI and NTCRA along with the absence of groundwater contamination in 
the area led to the conclusion that these properties were not 
contaminated. Subdivision lots 8, 9 and 10 were included in the areas 
that were used for soil handling during the NTCRA, and cleanup 
confirmation work was performed at the completion of the NTCRA. The 
Town of Corinna subdivision lots 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are located in an 
area that was occupied by the dry processing operations at the Eastland 
Woolen Mill. This area was known as the ``Slab Area''. As part of the 
OUI RI, five confirmation soil borings (SB-00-95 through SB-00-99) were 
completed within Slab Area (Figure 5-5 of the RI). The soil borings 
were spaced approximately 100 to 120 feet apart in the Slab Area 
(Figure 5-3 of the RI). One additional soil boring, (SB-01-106), was 
installed as part of the NTCRA by Weston in 2001. Table 5-3 of the RI 
provides a summary of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) detected in 
these Slab Area soil borings. Several VOCs were detected at 
concentrations that were below levels of concern for human contact. A 
monitoring well pair was installed to determine if the 1,1-
dichloroethene detected in the soil was present in groundwater 
downgradient of the Slab area. VOCs were not detected in groundwater 
downgradient of the Slab, confirming that this area was not a 
significant source of groundwater contamination. The soil treatment 
facility for the NTCRA was located on the Slab Area. After the 
completion of the soil treatment, the Slab Area was further 
characterized to document that absence of significant contamination.
    The State of Maine Department of Transportation, State of Maine 
Department of Conservation, and Town of Corinna (Lot 118 Tax Map 18) 
all owned property that included the contaminated sections of the EBSR. 
The extent of the contamination in the EBSR was documented by the NTCRA 
and RI investigations. In addition, State of Maine Department of 
Conservation also owned property within the former Eastland Woolen Mill 
complex near the former pump house and the State of Maine Department of 
Transportation owned property that was within and adjacent to the 
former Eastland Woolen Mill Complex. The RI and NTCRA investigation 
activities documented that these areas contained contaminants of 
concern above the Site specific cleanup levels.

Selected Remedy

    There have been three major decision documents for the Eastland 
Woolen Mill. The 2004 Record of Decision for Operable Unit II clarified 
that no action was necessary for the areas within the East Branch of 
the Sebasticook River study area of the Site located south (downstream) 
from the OUI area. The 2002 Operable Unit I Record of Decision, which 
was amended in 2006, and the 1999 Non-Time Critical Removal Action 
Action Memorandum are the decision documents relevant to the partial 
delisting.

Non-Time-Critical Removal Action

    In January 1999, following the evaluation of data collected during 
an expanded site inspection, EPA signed an Approval Memorandum 
authorizing the preparation of an Engineering Evaluation and Cost 
Analysis (EE/CA) to evaluate potential response alternatives for a 
NTCRA at the Site. The EE/CA recommended demolishing the mill complex 
buildings to allow for the excavation and treatment of the contaminated 
soils on the Site. After completion of a public comment period and 
consideration of the comments, EPA signed an Action Memorandum in July 
1999 to authorize a NTCRA for the Eastland Woolen Mill Superfund Site. 
The Action Memorandum was amended in June 2000, September 2000, May 
2001, and June 2004.
    The NTCRA included the removal of the mill buildings (performed 
during the winter of 1999/2000) and contaminated soils from four areas 
(performed from 2000-2001). NTCRA work areas include: Area 1: Region 
underlying Mill Buildings 1, 1A, and 3 (2001); Area 2: River segment 
down river from the mill to the abandoned railroad trestle (2000); Area 
2a: River segment under the abandoned railroad trestle and overlapping 
Area 2 and Area 3 (2000); Area 3: River segment for a distance several 
hundred feet beyond the railroad trestle (2000); and Area 4: Lot 88, 
Building 9, UST Area, and other miscellaneous areas (2000 and 2001).
    During 2000 and 2001, approximately 75,000 cubic yards (yd3) of 
chlorinated-benzene contaminated soils were excavated and stockpiled at 
the Site in lined containment structures. In 2001, pilot testing of an 
on-site low temperature thermal soil treatment system was performed. 
The results of this pilot test indicated that the treatment system 
could meet established treatment goals. Full-scale on-site treatment of 
contaminated soil began in October 2002 and was completed in October 
2003. Testing of the soil after treatment documented that all of the 
soil that was used for on-site backfill contained residual levels of 
contamination below residential cleanup standards and met the NTCRA 
groundwater leaching criteria that were developed during the NTCRA. To 
support the NTCRA excavation and thermal treatment activities, a 
temporary groundwater extraction and treatment system (referred to as 
the groundwater management system) was constructed to aid in control of

[[Page 45973]]

groundwater infiltration during excavation activities. One bedrock well 
and four overburden wells were connected to a temporary treatment 
system. The system remained operational until November 2004 to provide 
hydraulic control over the groundwater plume during the initial phase 
of the NTCRA. A detailed summary of the NTCRA source removals was 
presented in the November 2006 Final Overall Completion Report for the 
NTCRA.
    Three areas of contaminated soil were not accessible to the NTCRA 
excavations. One area was located within Area 1 and the other two were 
within the Area 4 UST Area and Building 14 Area. These remaining soils 
are located in the saturated zone between depths of 6 to 40 ft below 
ground surface (bgs). The final phase of the NTCRA targeted the 
reduction of contamination in these source areas using in-situ chemical 
oxidation (ISCO).
    ISCO treatment as part of the NTCRA consisted of two full-scale 
injections of iron-catalyzed sodium persulfate (ICP), followed by 
confirmatory soil borings and groundwater sampling. These injections 
were performed in July and October/November 2005. The NTCRA program 
ended in May 2006 as documented by the Final Pollution Report (POLREP) 
for the Eastland Woolen Mill NTCRA that was finalized in September 
2006.

OUI Record of Decision

    EPA signed a ROD in September 2002 OUI ROD to address overburden 
and bedrock groundwater and the remaining areas of contaminated soil/
DNAPL.
    Specifically, the 2002 OUI ROD includes the following major 
components:
     Extraction and treatment of the contaminated overburden 
and bedrock groundwater. The extraction system will be designed to 
prevent off-site migration of contaminated groundwater, prevent 
contaminated groundwater from having an adverse impact on the benthic 
community in the EBSR, and restore the aquifer to federal and state 
MCLs, federal non-zero MCLGs and more stringent state MEGs.
     In-situ treatment of the contaminated overburden and 
bedrock groundwater and remaining areas of contaminated soil and DNAPL. 
A chemical reagent (e.g., Fenton's Reagent or another oxidizing agent) 
will be added to the overburden and bedrock aquifer to reduce the mass 
of contaminants in the system. If the mass reduction is not sufficient 
to achieve cleanup levels, then enhanced flushing (using surfactants/
solvents) and biological degradation (using bio-stimulants) will be 
attempted to further reduce the mass of contamination.
     Connection of certain residences to the water supply lines 
to prevent their wells from becoming contaminated, and to prevent 
expansion of the contamination in the groundwater.
     Implementation, monitoring and maintenance of 
institutional controls (i.e., deed restrictions) in the form of 
groundwater use restrictions (e.g., easements or restrictive covenants) 
to prevent ingestion of groundwater and disturbance of the groundwater 
extraction and treatment system.
     Long-term monitoring of groundwater, surface water and 
sediments to evaluate the success of the remedial action.
     Implementation of five-year reviews to assess the 
protectiveness of the remedy until cleanup goals have been met.
    The 2002 OUI ROD was written prior to the completion of the NTCRA 
that commenced in 1999. Therefore, the impact of the NTCRA-related 
excavation and treatment of the contaminated overburden source areas 
was uncertain at the time of the ROD. Subsequent to the signing of the 
2002 OUI ROD and the completion of the NTCRA excavation and treatment 
program, EPA performed assessment monitoring of the groundwater. EPA 
also developed an improved conceptual site model through additional 
hydro-geologic investigations and groundwater modeling.
    Based on the information developed after the 2002 OUI ROD, EPA 
decided to amend the 2002 OUI ROD. The September 2006 OUI ROD Amendment 
eliminated the groundwater extraction and treatment system because the 
contaminant plume was stable and groundwater extraction was not 
necessary to contain the plume. The OUI ROD Amendment also eliminated 
the enhanced flushing component with surfactants or co-solvents because 
this technology was not considered viable for the fractured bedrock 
after further evaluation. The OUI ROD Amendment retained the emphasis 
on the in-situ chemical oxidation, long-term monitoring, and 
institutional controls.
    Based on the groundwater modeling that was performed for the OUI 
Remedial Design, the OUI ROD Amendment revised the area where 
institutional controls would be necessary and defined three categories 
of properties within the institutional control zone. The three property 
categories were identified as IC Zone A (ICZ-A), IC Zone B (ICZ-B), and 
IC Zone C (ICZ-C).
    ICZ-A identified those properties that will be subject to 
environmental covenants prohibiting use of groundwater over the entire 
property. All of the ICZ-A properties had been connected to the water 
line prior to the OUI ROD. Within the ICZ-A boundary, all existing 
bedrock and overburden water supply wells will be formally 
decommissioned, unless the wells are converted to monitoring wells for 
use in the long-term remedial action. ICZ-B identified those properties 
where connection to the water line and implementation of an 
environmental covenant prohibiting use of groundwater over the entire 
property was determined to be necessary as part of the OUI ROD and 
Remedial Design. All of these properties were connected to the water 
line as part of the OUI Remedial Action, moving these properties to 
ICZ-A; there is therefore no longer a functional application for ICZ-B.
    ICZ-C identified those properties where the current well is not 
contaminated and does not appear to be impacting the groundwater 
contamination, however, the groundwater modeling suggested that a 
modification to the existing well to increase yield, or the 
installation of a new well at locations on the property closer to the 
Site, could have an adverse impact on the groundwater contamination by 
inducing migration of the groundwater contamination. The restrictions 
on these properties will prohibit installation of future groundwater 
wells in locations or at depths that differ from existing water supply 
wells located on these properties. ICZ-C properties may continue to use 
their private water wells within this zone for domestic or other uses. 
There are two properties included in ICZ-C.

OUI ROD and OUI ROD Amendment Risk Characterization Summary

    The 2002 OUI ROD included an assessment of the potential threats to 
human health in the OUI study area. Based on the Human Health Risk 
Assessment prepared as part of the RI and the 2002 OUI ROD, the only 
pathways that exceeded EPA's acceptable cancer risk range and/or a 
hazard quotient of concern were ingestion of groundwater in the 
overburden and bedrock plumes by a future resident. The lifetime cancer 
risk estimate for a combined child and adult exposure to the bedrock 
plume groundwater is 6 x 10-3. Seventy-five percent of this 
risk is due to arsenic, with twenty-five percent attributable to the 
1,4-DCB. EPA's hazard index of

[[Page 45974]]

concern for non-carcinogenic risk is exceeded for children and adults 
for several target organs. The major contributors to these exceedances 
are chlorobenzene, 1,2-DCB, 1,3-DCB, 1,4-DCB, 1,2,4-TCB and arsenic. 
These COCs also were detected at concentrations above federal and state 
maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) and any more stringent state maximum 
exposure guidelines (MEGs). The lifetime cancer risk estimates for the 
overburden plume groundwater was 2 x 10-3. Sixty-seven 
percent of this risk is attributable to 1,4-DCB, with arsenic 
contributing to the remainder of the cancer risk. EPA's hazard index of 
concern for non-carcinogenic risk is exceeded for children and adults 
for several target organs. The major contributors to these exceedances 
are chlorobenzene, 1,2-DCB, 1,3-DCB, 1,4-DCB, 1,2,4-TCB and arsenic. 
These COCs also were detected at concentrations above federal and state 
MCLs and any more stringent state MEGs. The Baseline Human Health Risk 
Assessment concluded that the estimated risk for the soils, surface 
water, or sediments within the OUI area do not represent an 
unacceptable threat to human health. Only groundwater represents a 
threat to human health. Soil contamination that is causing groundwater 
contamination is also relevant to the cleanup action.
    Based on the OUI Baseline Ecological Risk Assessment, the OUI ROD 
concluded that contaminant levels in surface waters, surface soils and 
sediments within the entire OUI area of the EBSR are not sufficiently 
elevated to pose a substantial risk to invertebrates, fish or wildlife. 
Exposure to the contaminated water at the groundwater/surface water 
interface, however, was identified as an unacceptable risk to those 
organisms dwelling in this zone. Data gathered since the 2002 OUI ROD, 
however, demonstrates that the concentration of contaminants in the 
groundwater do not exceed the levels that have the potential for an 
unacceptable risk to organisms dwelling in the groundwater/surface 
water interface. Therefore, the successful implementation of the NTCRA 
and OUI remedy has eliminated this risk.
    Based on the successful removal of any soil contamination above the 
Site-specific contaminants of concern by the NTCRA, the only viable 
exposure pathway for the properties proposed for deletion is potential 
future consumption of contaminated groundwater. This would only occur 
upon the expansion of the groundwater contaminant plume, resulting from 
a pumping stress from a well that is currently outside the area of 
groundwater contamination but within the institutional control zone. 
The OUI ROD and OUI ROD Amendment both identified the need to maintain 
the water line connections and the implementation of institutional 
controls to prevent active water supply wells as critical components to 
protect public health.

OUI ROD and OUI ROD Amendment Remedial Action Objectives

    The Remedial Action Objectives in the OUI ROD and OUI ROD Amendment 
were identical and are listed below:
     Prevent the ingestion of groundwater containing 
contaminants that exceed federal or state MCLs, federal non-zero MCL 
Goals (MCLGs) and more stringent state MEGs, or in their absence, an 
excess cancer risk of 1 x 10-6 or a hazard quotient of 1;
     Prevent, to the extent practicable, the off-site migration 
of groundwater containing contaminants at a concentration above Site 
cleanup levels;
     Prevent, to the extent practicable, the discharge of 
groundwater containing contaminants at a concentration above levels 
that could impact ecological receptors to the East Branch of the 
Sebasticook River;
     Restore groundwater to meet federal or state MCLs, federal 
non-zero MCLGs or state MEGs (whichever is most stringent), or in their 
absence, an excess cancer risk of 1 x 10-6 or a hazard 
quotient of 1; and
     Perform long-term monitoring of surface water, sediments 
and groundwater to verify that the cleanup actions at the Site are 
protective of human health and the environment.

OUI Remedial Design

    The Remedial Design for the OUI Remedial Action was initiated in 
2003 and completed in August 2005. The Remedial Design was implemented 
in close coordination with the final phase of the NTCRA ISCO program 
since both programs relied on ISCO to reduce the mass of contamination 
in the overburden soil and bedrock. As such, the NTCRA design support 
activities and the Remedial Design support activities are 
complementary. A series of additional studies and investigations were 
performed between 2003 and 2005 to develop the design for the NTCRA 
ISCO program and the in-situ treatment portion of the OUI Remedial 
Action.
    The additional studies and investigations most relevant to the 
properties proposed for deletion were (1) The groundwater monitoring to 
update the extent of groundwater contamination remaining after the 
NTCRA, (2) the installation of additional bedrock monitoring wells to 
refine the aquifer characteristics, and (3) groundwater modeling to 
refine the properties that would require land use restrictions to 
prevent consumption of contaminated groundwater and pumping stresses 
that could cause the expansion of the groundwater plume.
    The Remedial Design refined the institutional control zone using 
numerical modeling of bedrock groundwater flow and contaminant 
transport to evaluate the potential long-term migration of the bedrock 
plume under both pumping and non-pumping scenarios. This modeling, 
along with the groundwater monitoring data, documented that the 
institutional control zone will adequately protect public health.

OUI Remedial Action

    The OUI Remedial Action has three main components. One is the 
connection of certain residences to the water line and the 
implementation of institutional controls to prevent exposure to 
contaminated groundwater or pumping stresses that could cause the 
expansion of the groundwater plume. A second is the continued treatment 
of the deep contamination soil and groundwater to achieve aquifer 
restoration. The third is the long-term monitoring, inspections, and 
five-year reviews to assure that the remedial action is protective of 
human health and the environment.
    Most of the properties within the institutional control zone were 
connected to the local water supply line prior to the OUI Remedial 
Action. Based on the results of ongoing bedrock groundwater monitoring 
and numerical groundwater modeling performed as part of the Remedial 
Design, it was determined that certain residences proximal to the Site, 
including those identified on Map 18 as Lots 39, 43, and 52, were 
currently impacted by Site contaminants or had the potential to be 
impacted in the future. These residences were connected to the existing 
public water supply between September and December 2005. The land use 
restrictions for the properties proposed for deletion were completed in 
May 2012 and were recorded in the Penobscot Registry of Deeds on June 
5, 2012. The land use restriction, in the form of an environmental 
covenant, will prevent current and future use of the contaminated 
groundwater or to prevent pumping stresses that could cause the 
groundwater contamination plume to migrate.
    The RA also continued the in-situ chemical oxidation program 
initiated by the NTCRA. Several additional in-situ

[[Page 45975]]

chemical oxidation injections occurred between 2006 and 2008. The 
Remedial Action activities were completed in 2008, as documented in the 
OUI Interim Remedial Action Report and the September 2008 Preliminary 
Closeout Report. The OUI component of the Site is now in the long-term 
response action component of the remedial action. The ongoing remedial 
action activities include: Completion of the land use restrictions; 
long-term monitoring of groundwater and surface water; well 
decommissioning; site demobilization; and completion of the in-situ 
chemical oxidation program. A limited soil gas program is to be 
implemented in 2012 to address soil vapor issues. The remedial action 
will be completed by 2018 when the State of Maine will take over the 
long term operation, maintenance, and monitoring requirements.

Cleanup Goals

    The parcels identified for deletion are within the NTCRA and OUI 
area and, therefore, share the same cleanup goals. The extent of the 
groundwater contamination above Site-specific cleanup goals has been 
reduced to an area that is within the boundaries of the Site that will 
remain after the partial deletion. Groundwater monitoring performed as 
part of the long-term groundwater monitoring program at the Site 
confirms that the contaminants of concern are not at concentrations 
above the Site specific cleanup levels on the properties proposed for 
deletion. Groundwater data was collected in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 
2011. The data for each sampling event is contained with each annual 
groundwater monitoring report and is included in the record for the 
proposed deletion. The area of the Site that included the parcels 
identified for delisting was located in the dry processing and parking 
areas of the former Eastland Woolen Mill. The NTCRA program resulted in 
the excavation and on-site treatment of any soils within the area 
identified for delisting. The table below documents that the NTCRA 
successfully treated the Site soil to levels that would allow for 
unrestricted use.

                  NTCRA Soil Cleanup Analytical Summary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   95% Upper confidence
                                                  level concentration of
                                  NTCRA soil      soil used as backfill
         Contaminant             cleanup level   after treatment ([mu]g/
                                  ([mu]g/kg)     kg) based on 4,200 soil
                                                         samples
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1,2,4 Trichlorobenzene.......             5,000                    4,451
1,2,3 Trichlorobenzene.......  ................                    1,408
1,2 Dichlorobenzene..........            17,000                      610
1,3 Dichlorobenzene..........            41,000                      285
1,4 Dichlorobenzene..........             2,000                      563
Chlorobenzene................             1,000                      169
Benzene......................                30                        *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Note: Benzene was only detected twice in 4,183 samples.

Operation and Maintenance

    Operation and maintenance activities for the parcels proposed for 
deletion include monitoring and maintenance of the institutional 
controls to ensure they effectively prohibit private well installation. 
In addition, the groundwater underlying these parcels continues to be 
monitored as part of the site-wide groundwater monitoring plan.

Summary of the Data Documentation That the Deletion Criteria Have Been 
Met

    The OUI Record of Decision documented that the soil and surface 
water for the entire OUI area, including the properties proposed for 
deletion, do not represent an unacceptable threat to human health. The 
OUI Record of Decision identified groundwater as the only remaining 
threat to human health after the NTCRA. Groundwater discharge to 
surface water was the only ecological threat identified for the OUI. 
The supporting data for the characterization of the area to be delisted 
can be found in both the RI Report and NTCRA Documentation. In 
addition, long-term groundwater monitoring data documents that the 
properties proposed for deletion do not contain groundwater above the 
Site-specific cleanup goals established in the 2002 OUI ROD and 2006 
OUI ROD Amendment. The properties proposed for deletion at the Eastland 
Woolen Mill Superfund Site do not contain soil or groundwater 
contamination above the Site specific cleanup levels.
    The properties proposed for deletion that are identified in the 
Town of Corinna subdivision plan as Lots 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10, 
portions of Lot 54 on Tax Map 18, the property identified as Lot 53 on 
Tax Map 18, and the property owned by Central Maine Power were not 
within the areas where substantial contamination was located. These 
properties contained open space, the dry processing portions of the 
former Eastland Woolen Mill, and office space. The concrete foundation 
where the dry processing of the woolen products was conducted was 
referred to as the ``Slab Area'' in the RI and NTCRA.
    As part of the OUI RI, five confirmation soil borings (SB-00-95 
through SB-00-99) were completed within Slab Area (see Figure 5-5 of 
the RI). One additional soil boring, (SB-01-106), was installed as part 
of the NTCRA by Weston in 2001. Table 5-3 of the RI provides a summary 
of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) detected in these Slab Area soil 
borings. Low levels of several VOCs were detected. The concentrations 
were below levels of concern for human contact. A monitoring well pair 
was installed to determine if the 1,1-dichloroethene detected in the 
soil was present in groundwater downgradient of the Slab area. VOCs 
were not detected in groundwater downgradient of the Slab, confirming 
that this area was not a significant source of groundwater 
contamination.
    The Slab was not removed until after the ex-situ soil treatment 
phase of the NTCRA. Prior to the removal of the concrete pad, one 
sample was collected per 500 ft\2\ using an excavator bucket to access 
the soil located below the concrete pad. A few areas with petroleum 
contamination were identified, and these soils were removed to allow 
for Site restoration. A total of 176 samples were collected prior to 
concrete pad removal. A map showing

[[Page 45976]]

the locations of these samples is presented in Figure 17 of Appendix J 
in the November 2006 Final Overall Completion Report for the NTCRA, and 
analytical results are presented in Table 27 of this report. All of the 
results from these initial 176 samples collected prior to the concrete 
pad removal confirmed that the soil concentrations were below the Site-
specific cleanup levels. An additional five locations were sampled and 
characterized during concrete pad and footer wall removal due to 
staining or suspected contamination in the soil. Samples were analyzed 
for VOCs, DRO, polychlorinated biphenyls and/or metals based on the 
type and location of the staining. A summary of analytical results is 
shown in Table 28 of Appendix J in the November 2006 Final Overall 
Completion Report for the NTCRA, and sample locations are shown in 
Figure 18 of this report. Three of these locations contained Diesel 
Range Organic contamination. The contamination was removed because the 
soil was in an area where grading was necessary.
    In addition to the Slab Area, a portion of the properties to be 
deleted were used to store contaminated soil in a stockpile prior to 
treatment. After completion of the treatment of the contaminated soil, 
22 soil samples were collected below the contaminated soil stockpile to 
verify that the soil did not contain the COCs at levels above the site 
cleanup levels. A map detailing sample locations within the stockpile 
footprint is shown in Figure 16 of Appendix J in the November 2006 
Final Overall Completion Report for the NTCRA. The analytical results 
for all samples collected from the below the stockpile footprint are 
presented in Table 26 of this report. Sample location 21, initially 
sampled on 9 October 2003, showed 1,2,4-TCB at levels above the Site 
specifc soil excavation goal of 5,000 microgram per kilogram ([mu]g/
kg). Therefore, a 6-inch layer of soil was removed from this grid of 
the stockpile footprint and processed through the LTTT system. A 
subsequent sample of this location was collected on 10 October 2003. 
Results from this sample were well below Site specific cleanup levels.
    In summary, the Town of Corinna subdivision lots 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 
9, and 10, the portion of Subdivision Lot 1 north of the Central Maine 
Power property, a portion of Lot 54 on Tax Map 18, the property 
identified at Map 18 Lot 53 (Winchester Park) and the property owned by 
Central Maine Power have been evaluated during the RI and NTCRA 
activities. The RI documented that the area was not a substantial 
threat to groundwater. The NTCRA sampling further documented that these 
properties do not contain soil contamination above the Site specific 
cleanup levels.
    Portions of the property owned by the State of Maine Department of 
Transportation, State of Maine Department of Conservation, and the Town 
of Corinna property described in Quitclaim Deed dated August 18, 1997 
and recorded in Book 6471, Page 278, also identified as Lot 118 in Tax 
Map 18 dated 2004 were within the area subject to the excavation of 
contaminated soil and sediment as part of the NTCRA.
    A portion of the State of Maine Department of Conservation property 
crossed the former Eastland Woolen Mill property near the area known as 
the pump house. The soil excavation and cleanup confirmation for this 
area can be found in Appendix H of the November 2006 Final Overall 
Completion Report for the NTCRA. Appendix H is titled: Areas 1 and 4 
Soil Remediation and River Restoration Final Completion Report, 
Eastland Woolen Mill Superfund Site, Corinna, Maine, February 2004. 
Figures 2a-3b and Tables B-6 and B-7 of this report document that the 
cleanup was successful for those properties.
    A portion of the State of Maine Department of Transportation 
property that is proposed for de-listing was within the Area 1 
excavation area. The soil excavation and cleanup confirmation for this 
area can be found in Appendix H of the November 2006 Final Overall 
Completion Report for the NTCRA. Appendix H is titled: Areas 1 and 4 
Soil Remediation and River Restoration Final Completion Report, 
Eastland Woolen Mill Superfund Site, Corinna, Maine, February 2004. 
Figures 4a-4b and Tables B-9 of this report document that the cleanup 
was successful for these properties.
    A portion of the State of Maine Department of Transportation, State 
of Maine Department of Conservation, and Town of Corinna properties 
included the East Branch of the Sebasticook River. Appendix G in the 
November 2006 Final Overall Completion Report for the NTCRA documents 
the excavation and cleanup confirmation activities for these areas. 
Appendix G is titled: Areas 2, 3, 4--Lot 88, and 4--Building 4 Soil 
Remediation Final Completion Report, Eastland Woolen Mill Superfund 
Site, Corinna, Maine, June 2001. Specifically, Figures A-3A through A-
4B and Tables B-7 and B-8 of Appendix G show the location and data that 
document that the cleanup was successful for these properties.
    In summary, the property owned by the State of Maine Department of 
Transportation, State of Maine Department of Conservation, and the Town 
of Corinna property described in Quitclaim Deed dated August 18, 1997 
and recorded in Book 6471, Page 278, also identified as Lot 118 in Tax 
Map 18 dated 2012 that are proposed for de-listing no longer contain 
contamination above the Site specific cleanup levels as documented by 
the completion report for the NTCRA.

Five-Year Review

    The assessment of the first five-year review performed in 2010 
found that the remedy was constructed in accordance with the 
requirements of the Record of Decision (ROD) issued in 2002 and amended 
in 2006. The LTRA remedy is functioning as designed. As a result of the 
response actions at the Site, there is no current exposure to 
contaminants at the Site. A water line provides clean water and planned 
ICs will ensure appropriate future use of potentially contaminated 
groundwater. The remedy at the Eastland Woolen Mill Superfund Site 
currently protects human health and the environment because the 
contamination accessible to ecological receptors has been removed, 
there is no current human exposure to contamination, the groundwater 
contamination is not migrating, clean water is available to all 
locations within the extent of the groundwater contamination, and EPA 
is actively treating and monitoring the groundwater as part of the on-
going Long-Term Response Action. However, in order for the remedy to be 
protective in the long-term, the institutional controls to prevent 
future groundwater use need to be in place to ensure long-term 
protectiveness. As part of this five-year review, a preliminary 
assessment of the potential for vapor intrusion to present a threat at 
the Site was performed. There are no structures above areas of the 
plume that exceed vapor intrusion screening criteria, so the pathway is 
not complete. Further investigations regarding the vapor intrusion 
pathway will be completed prior to the next five-year review. Further 
investigation regarding the vapor intrusion pathway will be completed 
on properties that are not subject to the partial deletion.
    Since the completion of the five-year review, the institutional 
controls, that are in the form of environmental covenants, have been 
completed for the properties that will remain within the Site and the 
properties that are proposed for deletion. The only institutional 
controls that remain to be

[[Page 45977]]

completed are for properties that are off-site. The groundwater under 
these remaining properties is not contaminated but a pumping well on 
these properties could cause the contaminated groundwater plume to 
expand. In addition, the properties proposed for deletion are not in 
the area where the vapor intrusion evaluation is being re-evaluated. 
The ICs for the properties proposed for deletion and the properties 
that will remain within the boundaries of the Site were signed in May 
2012 and recorded in June 5, 2012. The next five-year review will take 
place in 2015.

Community Involvement

    Throughout the EPA cleanup of the Site, community concern and 
involvement has been high. The local Selectboard actively sought EPA's 
involvement at the Site to address the contamination left behind by the 
closure of the mill in 1996. EPA has kept the community and other 
interested parties informed of Site activities through informational 
meetings, fact sheets, press releases and public meetings. Information 
about the Site is posted on EPA's Web site. EPA has met regularly with 
the community and Selectboard to keep them informed and to seek their 
input regarding Site activities. The community has also benefited from 
a Web site (www.cattailpress.com), which was developed and is 
maintained by a local resident. The Web site contained daily 
photographs of Site activities during the NTCRA demolition and 
excavation activities and has provided a forum for community dialogue 
regarding the Site. EPA's public notices and fact sheets have been 
posted on this Web site as well. EPA provided the community with a 
Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) and a Redevelopment Pilot Grant. EPA 
identified the potential for partial delisting of the Eastland Woolen 
Mill in a community update issues in 2006. EPA issues a fact sheet in 
2010 to announce the performance of the Five Year Review. EPA met with 
the community in May 2010 to discuss the Site status and Five Year 
Review. All Community Involvement activities required and associated 
with this proposed partial deletion have been completed, including the 
publication of a notice in a local newspaper of general circulation 
regarding this proposed deletion and the availability of documents 
located in the Deletion Docket.

Determination That the Criteria for Deletion Have Been Met

    The NCP specifies that EPA may delete a site from the NPL if ``all 
appropriate responsible parties or other persons have implemented all 
appropriate response actions required'' or ``all appropriate fund-
financed response under CERCLA has been implemented, and no further 
response action by responsible parties is appropriate'' or ``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''. For the partial deletion 
proposed at the Eastland Woolen Mill Superfund Site:
     All appropriate Fund-financed response under CERCLA has 
been implemented, and no further response action by responsible parties 
is appropriate; as required by 40 CFR 300.425(e)(1)(ii). An Interim 
Remedial Action Report was completed in 2008 to document the completion 
of the Remedial Action activities, including the area subject to de-
listing.

EPA, with the concurrence of the State of Maine through the Maine DEP 
by a letter dated June 14, 2012, believes these criteria for deletion 
have been satisfied. Therefore, EPA is proposing the deletion of 
certain properties at the site from the NPL. All of the completion 
requirements for the properties proposed for deletion at the Site have 
been met.

V. Partial Deletion Action

    The EPA, with concurrence of the State of Maine through the Maine 
Department of Environmental Protection, on June 14, 2012, has 
determined that all appropriate response actions under CERCLA have been 
completed for the properties proposed for deletion. Therefore, EPA is 
deleting the following properties:

    Properties owned by the Town of Corinna that include properties 
described in Quitclaim Deed dated August 18, 1997 and recorded in 
Book 6471, Page 278, also identified as Lot 118 in Tax Map 18 dated 
2004 and several additional properties that were part of the former 
Eastland Woolen Mill complex that were acquired due to a tax 
foreclosure. The tax foreclosure properties are described in the 
Penobscot County Registry of Deeds in Condemnation Order dated 
December 8, 1999 and recorded in Book 7251, Page 47 and a portion of 
the property has been subdivided in accordance with a plan dated 
October 19, 2004 entitled, ``Subdivision Plan for the Town of 
Corinna of Main Street Subdivision on Main Street, Hill Street & St. 
Albans Road in Corinna, County of Penobscot, Maine,'' recorded in 
said Registry in Plan File 2004, No. 167 (the ``Subdivision Plan''). 
Specifically, subdivision Lots 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, the portion 
of Subdivision Lot 1 north of the Central Maine Power property, and 
a portion of Lot 54 on Tax Map 18, along with Lot 53 on Tax Map 18, 
are proposed for deletion. The portions of Main Street and Hill 
Street within the subdivision are also proposed for deletion. Lot 53 
on Tax Map 18 is also recorded in Book 853, Page 391, as a warranty 
deed dated September 26, 1913 and is known as ``Winchester Park''.
    Property owned by the State of Maine Department of Conservation 
identified in Release Deed dated December 5, 2003 Book 9114, Page 
194, also identified in Tax Map 18 as Map 15 Lot 10 (which a portion 
of the State of Maine Department of Conservation recreational trail 
that runs through the Town of Corinna).
    Property owned by the State of Maine Department of 
Transportation described in a Notice of Layout and Taking dated May 
3, 2000, and recorded in the Penobscot County Registry of Deeds in 
Book 7357, Page 29, and being generally depicted on the Survey Plan 
Showing Property Subject to Proposed Environmental Covenants for 
Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Corinna, Penobscot 
County, Maine which is recorded in the Penobscot County Registry of 
Deeds as Plan File 2012 No. 20 dated March 29, 2012, but excluding 
the portion of the Maine Department of Transportation property 
bounded by Town of Corinna Subdivision Lot 1, the East Branch of the 
Sebasticook River, Route 7, and Nokomis Road.
    Property owned by Central Maine Power identified in indenture 
dated May 2, 1956 and recorded in the Penobscot County Registry of 
Deeds in Book 1532, Page 228, and generally depicted as Central 
Maine Power Company land in the Town of Corinna tax records as Lot 4 
on Tax Map 20.

    Because EPA considers this action to be noncontroversial and 
routine, EPA is taking it without prior publication. This action will 
be effective October 1, 2012 unless EPA receives adverse comments by 
September 4, 2012. If adverse comments are received within the 30-day 
public comment period, EPA will publish a timely withdrawal of this 
direct final notice of partial deletion before the effective date of 
the partial 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 partially 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.


[[Page 45978]]


    Dated: July 16, 2012.
 Ira W. Leighton,
Regional Administrator. Region 1.

    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 revising the entry 
under ``Eastland Woolen Mill'', ``ME'' to read as follows:

Appendix B to Part 300--National Priorities List

                                       Table 1--General Superfund Section
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                State                        Site name               City/County                Notes (a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
ME..................................  Eastland Woolen Mill...  Corinna................  P
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) * * *
P = Sites with partial deletion(s).

[FR Doc. 2012-18660 Filed 8-1-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P