National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan; National Priorities List: Deletion of the Vancouver Water Station #4 Superfund Site, 44545-44548 [2017-20448]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 184 / Monday, September 25, 2017 / Proposed Rules cannot be edited or removed from Regulations.gov. For either manner of submission, the EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be confidential business information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. EPA will generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or other file sharing system). For additional submission methods, please contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. For the full EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit https://www2.epa.gov/dockets/ commenting-epa-dockets. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sara Calcinore, (215) 814–2043, or by email at calcinore.sara@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For further information, please see the information provided in the direct final action, with the same title, that is located in the ‘‘Rules and Regulations’’ section of this Federal Register publication. Dated: September 8, 2017. Cecil Rodrigues, Acting Regional Administrator, Region III. [FR Doc. 2017–20323 Filed 9–22–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 271 Washington: Proposed Authorization of State Hazardous Waste Management Program Revisions Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of the comment period. asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reopening the comment period for a proposed rulemaking to authorize a revision to the State of Washington’s federally authorized hazardous waste management program pursuant to the Resource Conservation SUMMARY: 17:07 Sep 22, 2017 This comment period is for the proposed rule published on July 13, 2017 (82 FR 32305). All comments received on or before October 25, 2017 will be entered into the public record and considered by the EPA before final action is taken on this proposed rule. DATES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R10– RCRA–2017–0285, at https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or removed from Regulations.gov. The EPA may publish any comment received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA will generally not consider comments or comment contents located outside of the primary submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or other file sharing system). For additional submission methods, the full EPA public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit https://www2.epa.gov/dockets/ commenting-epa-dockets. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: [EPA–R10–RCRA–2017–0285; FRL–9966– 74–Region 10] VerDate Sep<11>2014 and Recovery Act (RCRA), as amended. The EPA has reviewed Washington’s application, and we have determined that these changes satisfy all requirements needed to qualify for final authorization and are proposing to authorize the State’s changes. EPA is reopening the public comment period until October 25, 2017. Jkt 241001 Barbara McCullough, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10, Office of Air and Waste (OAW–150), 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, Seattle, Washington 98101, phone number: (206) 553–2416, email: mccullough.barbara@epa.gov or from the Washington State Department of Ecology, 300 Desmond Drive, Lacey, Washington 98503, contact: Robert Rieck, phone number: (360) 407–6751, email: rori461@ecy.wa.gov. Dated: August 21, 2017. Michelle Pirzadeh, Acting Regional Administrator, Region 10. [FR Doc. 2017–20314 Filed 9–22–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 44545 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 300 [EPA–HQ–SFUND–1992–0007; FRL–9967– 36–Region 10] National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan; National Priorities List: Deletion of the Vancouver Water Station #4 Superfund Site Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule; notification of intent. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 is issuing a Notice of Intent to Delete the Vancouver Water Station #4 Contamination Superfund Site (Site) located in Vancouver, Washington, from the National Priorities List (NPL) and requests public comments on this proposed action. 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). The EPA and the State of Washington, through the Department of Ecology have determined that all appropriate response actions under CERCLA, have been completed. However, this deletion does not preclude future actions under Superfund. SUMMARY: Comments must be received by October 25, 2017. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID no. EPA–HQ– SFUND–1992–0007 by one of the following methods: (1) https://www.regulations.gov. Follow on-line instructions for submitting comments. (2) Email: Laura Knudsen, Community Involvement Coordinator, at knudsen.laura@epa.gov. (3) Mail: Laura Knudsen, U.S. EPA Region 10, 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, RAD–202–3, Seattle, Washington 98101. (4) Hand delivery: USEPA Region 10 Records Center, 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, Seattle, Washington. 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–1992– 0007. EPA’s policy is that all comments received will be included in the public DATES: E:\FR\FM\25SEP1.SGM 25SEP1 44546 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 184 / Monday, September 25, 2017 / Proposed Rules asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS 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 statute. Certain other material, such as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in the hard copy. Publicly available docket materials are available either electronically in https:// www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at: USEPA Region 10 Records Center, 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, Seattle, Washington, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. City of Vancouver Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver, Washington, Monday through Friday, except holidays, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and Saturday between noon and 5:00 p.m., Phone: 360–487–7111. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeremy Jennings, Remedial Project Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10, ECL–122, 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, Seattle, VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:07 Sep 22, 2017 Jkt 241001 Washington 98101, 206–553–2724, email jennings.jeremy@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Table of Contents I. Introduction II. NPL Deletion Criteria III. Deletion Procedures IV. Basis for Intended Site Deletion I. Introduction EPA Region 10 announces its intent to delete the Vancouver Water Station #4 Contamination Superfund Site from the National Priorities List (NPL) and requests public comment on this proposed action. 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). As described in 40 CFR 300.425(e)(3) of the NCP, sites deleted from the NPL remain eligible for Fundfinanced remedial actions if future conditions warrant such actions. EPA will accept comments on the proposal to delete this Site for thirty (30) days after publication of this document in the Federal Register. 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 Vancouver Water Station #4 Contamination Superfund Site and demonstrates how it meets the deletion criteria. 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: (1) Responsible parties or other persons have implemented all appropriate response action required; (2) all appropriate Fund-financed response under CERCLA has been implemented, and no further response action by responsible parties is appropriate; or PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 (3) 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 deletion of the Site: (1) EPA consulted with the State before developing this Notice of Intent to Delete. (2) EPA has provided the State 30 working days for review of this notice prior to publication of it today. (3) In accordance with the criteria discussed above, EPA has determined that no further response is appropriate. (4) The State of Washington, through the Department of Ecology, has concurred with deletion of the Site from the NPL. (5) Concurrently with the publication of this Notice of Intent to Delete in the Federal Register, a notice is being published in a major local newspaper, The Columbian. The newspaper notice announces the 30-day public comment period concerning the Notice of Intent to Delete the Site from the NPL. (6) The EPA placed copies of documents supporting the proposed deletion in the deletion docket and made these items available for public inspection and copying at the Site information repositories identified previously. If comments are received within the 30-day public comment period on this document, EPA will evaluate and respond appropriately to the comments before making a final decision to delete. If necessary, EPA will prepare a Responsiveness Summary to address any significant public comments received. After the public comment period, if EPA determines it is still appropriate to delete the Site, the Regional Administrator will publish a final Notice of Deletion in the Federal E:\FR\FM\25SEP1.SGM 25SEP1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 184 / Monday, September 25, 2017 / Proposed Rules Register. Public notices, public submissions and copies of the Responsiveness Summary, if prepared, will be made available to interested parties and in the Site information repositories listed previously. 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 future response actions, should future conditions warrant such actions. IV. Basis for Intended Site Deletion The following information provides EPA’s rationale for deleting the Site from the NPL: asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS Site Background and History The Vancouver Water Station #4 Contamination Superfund Site (EPA ID: WAD988475158) is a public water supply wellfield located approximately 1⁄2 mile north of the Columbia River in the City of Vancouver, Clark County, Washington. Water Station #4 (WS4) has been owned by the City of Vancouver (City) and managed as part of their drinking water supply system for over 50 years. WS4 is approximately 1⁄2 acre in size and includes six production wells, two air stripping towers and several support buildings. Groundwater is pumped from approximately 200 feet below ground surface and blended with water from several other wellfields to provide drinking water to approximately 230,000 people in the Vancouver region. In 1988, pursuant to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the City began monitoring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in water supplied from all of its water stations. These tests showed tetrachloroethylene (PCE) at several WS4 wells at levels above the maximum contaminant level (MCL) established under the SDWA. The City notified the public and modified the pumping rates at individual wells so that PCE levels in the drinking water delivered to customers were consistently below the MCL. In January 1992, the City began operating an air stripping treatment system to further reduce PCE levels. On July 29, 1991, EPA proposed WS4 for listing on the NPL (56 FR 35840). The NPL listing for the Site was finalized on October 14, 1992 (59 FR 47180). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:07 Sep 22, 2017 Jkt 241001 The City continues to use the water from the WS4 production wells as part of their drinking water supply system. Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS) A baseline risk assessment completed by EPA quantified potential carcinogenic risks to future residents consuming untreated water ranged from 5E–6 to 2E–5 cancer risk (5 to 20 excess cancers in 1,000,000 people) and noncancer risk from a hazard index of 0.02 to 0.2. EPA found it was necessary to take action at WS4 because the groundwater had been shown to have persistent concentrations of PCE above the MCL. Starting in 1989, the City and EPA conducted several investigations into the source or sources of PCE at WS4 including sampling of private wells, nearby surface waters and industrial sumps; conducting soil gas surveys; and inspecting local dry cleaners and other places of business where PCE may have been used. In 1992, PCE concentrations suddenly increased, peaked at 520 mg/L in 1993 and then decreased over the next several years. Although multiple potential sources of PCE (e.g., dry cleaners) were located, no source was identified as primarily responsible for the sustained high concentrations and for which any additional source control actions could be taken. EPA concluded that there was not an on-going source of PCE and there was a strong likelihood that an unidentified source was responsible for the elevated PCE levels. Selected Remedy On September 1, 1999, the EPA issued a Record of Decision (ROD) for the Site. PCE was identified as the only Contaminant of Concern. Remedial Action Objectives were established to protect human health by reducing concentrations of PCE in the groundwater and drinking water to below the MCL (5.0 mg/L). The selected remedy for the Site included pumping the production wells at a rate consistent with customer demand until such time as the PCE level in the groundwater at all production wells was below the MCL. The extracted water was to be treated using the air stripping towers and distributed to customers as drinking water. Monitoring of the quality of the groundwater at the production wells and the water following treatment was also required. Since no sources were identified and no other drinking water wells were located in the area, no source control actions or institutional controls were included. PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 44547 Response Actions The City’s production wells were used to pump contaminated groundwater, which was then treated in air stripping towers. This treatment system reduced PCE to nondetectable levels, so the water could then be delivered to customers for use as drinking water. This pump, treat, and delivery system began in 1992 and has operated continuously for 25 years. Throughout this period, the City monitored PCE concentrations in the aquifer, which declined gradually over time. The PCE levels in the groundwater at all wells are currently below the MCL. Thus, the remedial action objectives have been attained and the human health exposure pathways have been eliminated. A Preliminary Close Out Report documenting the completion of construction activities was signed by EPA on September 8, 1999. The Site was identified as ‘‘Sitewide Ready for Anticipated Use’’ on March 11, 2014. A Final Close Out Report documenting completion of all remedial activities was signed by EPA on June 12, 2017. Cleanup Levels The 1999 ROD requires treatment and monitoring until the PCE concentrations in groundwater at all production wells are below the MCL. As there have been no changes to the federal or state drinking water standards for PCE or changes in the toxicity factors for PCE since the ROD was issued, this cleanup level remains protective of human health and the environment. In June 2017 the EPA reviewed the monitoring data and found that PCE concentrations have been below the MCL since October 2011. Based on this evaluation, EPA determined that all remedial activities at the Site were complete and remedial action objectives have been achieved. All drinking water delivered from the wellfield must continue to meet the requirements of the SDWA. Five-Year Review Three policy five-year reviews have been completed at the Site, the last one in September 2013. No issues or follow-up actions were identified as part of the 2013 Five Year Review. The protectiveness statement stated that the remedy at Vancouver WS4 was ‘‘protective of human health and the environment because the treatment system is functioning as intended and human and ecological risks are under control. Long-term protectiveness of the remedial action E:\FR\FM\25SEP1.SGM 25SEP1 44548 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 184 / Monday, September 25, 2017 / Proposed Rules will be verified by regular monitoring by the City of Vancouver.’’ The analysis conducted since the last FYR indicates that the remedy has been fully implemented and the remedial action objectives and related cleanup levels have been attained. No hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants remain above levels that could prevent unlimited use and unrestricted exposure. Therefore, no further five-year reviews are required. Dated: August 25, 2017. Sheryl Bilbrey, Director—Region 10 Office of Environmental Cleanup. Community Involvement [EPA–HQ–SFUND–2005–0011; FRL–9967– 24–Region 5] 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. Throughout the remedial process, the EPA has kept the public informed of activities being conducted at the Site by way of informational meetings, fact sheets and public meetings. Documents in the deletion docket which the EPA relied on for the recommendation for deletion from the NPL are available to the public in the information repositories identified previously. A notice of availability of the Notice of Intent for Deletion has been published in The Columbian. Determination That the Site Meets the Criteria for Deletion in the NCP The EPA, with concurrence of the State of Washington through the Department of Ecology, has determined that the implemented remedy achieves the degree of cleanup or protection specified in the ROD for all pathways of exposure. All selected remedial and removal action objectives and associated cleanup levels are consistent with agency policy and guidance. No further Superfund response is needed to protect human health and the environment. In accordance with 40 CFR 300.425(e), sites may be deleted from the NPL where all appropriate response actions have been implemented and where no further response is appropriate. Consistent with this, the EPA is proposing deletion of this Site from the NPL. asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS 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. Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321(d); 42 U.S.C. 9601–9657; E.O. 13626, 77 FR 56749, 3 CFR, 2013 Comp., p. 306; 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 Sep<11>2014 17:07 Sep 22, 2017 Jkt 241001 [FR Doc. 2017–20448 Filed 9–22–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 300 National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan; National Priorities List: Deletion of the Nutting Truck & Caster Co. Superfund Site Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Proposed rule; notification of intent. AGENCY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 is issuing a Notice of Intent to Delete the Nutting Truck & Caster Co. Superfund Site (Site) located in Faribault, Minnesota, from the National Priorities List (NPL) and requests public comments on this proposed action. 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). The EPA and the State of Minnesota, through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, have determined that all appropriate response actions under CERCLA have been completed. However, this deletion does not preclude future actions under Superfund. DATES: Comments must be received by October 25, 2017. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ– SFUND–2005–0011, by mail to Randolph Cano, NPL Deletion Coordinator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 (SR–6J), 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604. Comments may also be submitted electronically or through hand delivery/courier by following the detailed instructions in the ADDRESSES section of the direct final rule located in the rules section of this Federal Register. SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Randolph Cano, NPL Deletion Coordinator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 (SR–6J), 77 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604, (312) 886–6036, email: cano.randolph@epa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the ‘‘Rules and Regulations’’ Section of today’s Federal Register, we are publishing a direct final Notice of Deletion of the Site without prior Notice of Intent to Delete because we view this as a noncontroversial revision and anticipate no adverse comment. We have explained our reasons for this deletion in the direct final Notice of Deletion, and those reasons are incorporated herein. If we receive no adverse comment(s) on this deletion action, we will not take further action on this Notice of Intent to Delete. If we receive adverse comment(s), we will withdraw the direct final Notice of Deletion, and it will not take effect. We will, as appropriate, address all public comments in a subsequent final Notice of Deletion based on this Notice of Intent to Delete. We will not institute a second comment period on this Notice of Intent to Delete. Any parties interested in commenting must do so at this time. For additional information, see the direct final Notice of Deletion which is located in the Rules section of this Federal Register. 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. Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321(d); 42 U.S.C. 9601–9657; E.O. 13626, 77 FR 56749, 3 CFR, 2013 Comp., p. 306; E.O. 12777, 56 FR 54757, 3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; E.O. 12580, 52 FR 2923, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 193. Dated: August 21, 2017. Robert A. Kaplan, Acting Regional Administrator, Region 5. [FR Doc. 2017–20346 Filed 9–22–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6560–50–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 40 CFR Part 300 [EPA–HQ–SFUND–1994–0009; FRL–9967– 38–Region 10] National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan; National Priorities List: Deletion of the Vancouver Water Station #1 Superfund Site Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\25SEP1.SGM 25SEP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 184 (Monday, September 25, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44545-44548]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20448]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 300

[EPA-HQ-SFUND-1992-0007; FRL-9967-36-Region 10]


National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan; 
National Priorities List: Deletion of the Vancouver Water Station #4 
Superfund Site

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule; notification of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 is issuing 
a Notice of Intent to Delete the Vancouver Water Station #4 
Contamination Superfund Site (Site) located in Vancouver, Washington, 
from the National Priorities List (NPL) and requests public comments on 
this proposed action. 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). The EPA and 
the State of Washington, through the Department of Ecology have 
determined that all appropriate response actions under CERCLA, have 
been completed. However, this deletion does not preclude future actions 
under Superfund.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 25, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID no. EPA-HQ-
SFUND-1992-0007 by one of the following methods:
    (1) https://www.regulations.gov. Follow on-line instructions for 
submitting comments.
    (2) Email: Laura Knudsen, Community Involvement Coordinator, at 
knudsen.laura@epa.gov.
    (3) Mail: Laura Knudsen, U.S. EPA Region 10, 1200 Sixth Avenue, 
Suite 900, RAD-202-3, Seattle, Washington 98101.
    (4) Hand delivery: USEPA Region 10 Records Center, 1200 Sixth 
Avenue, Suite 900, Seattle, Washington. 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-
1992-0007. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included 
in the public

[[Page 44546]]

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 statute. Certain other material, such 
as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in the hard 
copy. Publicly available docket materials are available either 
electronically in https://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at:

    USEPA Region 10 Records Center, 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, 
Seattle, Washington, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, 
between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
    City of Vancouver Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE 
Columbia Way, Vancouver, Washington, Monday through Friday, except 
holidays, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and Saturday between noon and 
5:00 p.m., Phone: 360-487-7111.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeremy Jennings, Remedial Project 
Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10, ECL-122, 1200 
Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, Seattle, Washington 98101, 206-553-2724, email 
jennings.jeremy@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Introduction
II. NPL Deletion Criteria
III. Deletion Procedures
IV. Basis for Intended Site Deletion

I. Introduction

    EPA Region 10 announces its intent to delete the Vancouver Water 
Station #4 Contamination Superfund Site from the National Priorities 
List (NPL) and requests public comment on this proposed action. 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). As described in 40 CFR 
300.425(e)(3) of the NCP, sites deleted from the NPL remain eligible 
for Fund-financed remedial actions if future conditions warrant such 
actions.
    EPA will accept comments on the proposal to delete this Site for 
thirty (30) days after publication of this document in the Federal 
Register.
    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 Vancouver Water Station #4 
Contamination Superfund Site and demonstrates how it meets the deletion 
criteria.

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:
    (1) Responsible parties or other persons have implemented all 
appropriate response action required;
    (2) all appropriate Fund-financed response under CERCLA has been 
implemented, and no further response action by responsible parties is 
appropriate; or
    (3) 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 deletion of the Site:
    (1) EPA consulted with the State before developing this Notice of 
Intent to Delete.
    (2) EPA has provided the State 30 working days for review of this 
notice prior to publication of it today.
    (3) In accordance with the criteria discussed above, EPA has 
determined that no further response is appropriate.
    (4) The State of Washington, through the Department of Ecology, has 
concurred with deletion of the Site from the NPL.
    (5) Concurrently with the publication of this Notice of Intent to 
Delete in the Federal Register, a notice is being published in a major 
local newspaper, The Columbian. The newspaper notice announces the 30-
day public comment period concerning the Notice of Intent to Delete the 
Site from the NPL.
    (6) The EPA placed copies of documents supporting the proposed 
deletion in the deletion docket and made these items available for 
public inspection and copying at the Site information repositories 
identified previously.
    If comments are received within the 30-day public comment period on 
this document, EPA will evaluate and respond appropriately to the 
comments before making a final decision to delete. If necessary, EPA 
will prepare a Responsiveness Summary to address any significant public 
comments received. After the public comment period, if EPA determines 
it is still appropriate to delete the Site, the Regional Administrator 
will publish a final Notice of Deletion in the Federal

[[Page 44547]]

Register. Public notices, public submissions and copies of the 
Responsiveness Summary, if prepared, will be made available to 
interested parties and in the Site information repositories listed 
previously.
    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 future response actions, should 
future conditions warrant such actions.

IV. Basis for Intended Site Deletion

    The following information provides EPA's rationale for deleting the 
Site from the NPL:

Site Background and History

    The Vancouver Water Station #4 Contamination Superfund Site (EPA 
ID: WAD988475158) is a public water supply wellfield located 
approximately \1/2\ mile north of the Columbia River in the City of 
Vancouver, Clark County, Washington. Water Station #4 (WS4) has been 
owned by the City of Vancouver (City) and managed as part of their 
drinking water supply system for over 50 years. WS4 is approximately 
\1/2\ acre in size and includes six production wells, two air stripping 
towers and several support buildings. Groundwater is pumped from 
approximately 200 feet below ground surface and blended with water from 
several other wellfields to provide drinking water to approximately 
230,000 people in the Vancouver region.
    In 1988, pursuant to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the City 
began monitoring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in water supplied 
from all of its water stations. These tests showed tetrachloroethylene 
(PCE) at several WS4 wells at levels above the maximum contaminant 
level (MCL) established under the SDWA. The City notified the public 
and modified the pumping rates at individual wells so that PCE levels 
in the drinking water delivered to customers were consistently below 
the MCL. In January 1992, the City began operating an air stripping 
treatment system to further reduce PCE levels.
    On July 29, 1991, EPA proposed WS4 for listing on the NPL (56 FR 
35840). The NPL listing for the Site was finalized on October 14, 1992 
(59 FR 47180).
    The City continues to use the water from the WS4 production wells 
as part of their drinking water supply system.

Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS)

    A baseline risk assessment completed by EPA quantified potential 
carcinogenic risks to future residents consuming untreated water ranged 
from 5E-6 to 2E-5 cancer risk (5 to 20 excess cancers in 1,000,000 
people) and non-cancer risk from a hazard index of 0.02 to 0.2. EPA 
found it was necessary to take action at WS4 because the groundwater 
had been shown to have persistent concentrations of PCE above the MCL.
    Starting in 1989, the City and EPA conducted several investigations 
into the source or sources of PCE at WS4 including sampling of private 
wells, nearby surface waters and industrial sumps; conducting soil gas 
surveys; and inspecting local dry cleaners and other places of business 
where PCE may have been used. In 1992, PCE concentrations suddenly 
increased, peaked at 520 [micro]g/L in 1993 and then decreased over the 
next several years. Although multiple potential sources of PCE (e.g., 
dry cleaners) were located, no source was identified as primarily 
responsible for the sustained high concentrations and for which any 
additional source control actions could be taken. EPA concluded that 
there was not an on-going source of PCE and there was a strong 
likelihood that an unidentified source was responsible for the elevated 
PCE levels.

Selected Remedy

    On September 1, 1999, the EPA issued a Record of Decision (ROD) for 
the Site. PCE was identified as the only Contaminant of Concern. 
Remedial Action Objectives were established to protect human health by 
reducing concentrations of PCE in the groundwater and drinking water to 
below the MCL (5.0 [micro]g/L).
    The selected remedy for the Site included pumping the production 
wells at a rate consistent with customer demand until such time as the 
PCE level in the groundwater at all production wells was below the MCL. 
The extracted water was to be treated using the air stripping towers 
and distributed to customers as drinking water. Monitoring of the 
quality of the groundwater at the production wells and the water 
following treatment was also required. Since no sources were identified 
and no other drinking water wells were located in the area, no source 
control actions or institutional controls were included.

Response Actions

    The City's production wells were used to pump contaminated 
groundwater, which was then treated in air stripping towers. This 
treatment system reduced PCE to nondetectable levels, so the water 
could then be delivered to customers for use as drinking water. This 
pump, treat, and delivery system began in 1992 and has operated 
continuously for 25 years. Throughout this period, the City monitored 
PCE concentrations in the aquifer, which declined gradually over time.
    The PCE levels in the groundwater at all wells are currently below 
the MCL. Thus, the remedial action objectives have been attained and 
the human health exposure pathways have been eliminated.
    A Preliminary Close Out Report documenting the completion of 
construction activities was signed by EPA on September 8, 1999. The 
Site was identified as ``Sitewide Ready for Anticipated Use'' on March 
11, 2014. A Final Close Out Report documenting completion of all 
remedial activities was signed by EPA on June 12, 2017.

Cleanup Levels

    The 1999 ROD requires treatment and monitoring until the PCE 
concentrations in groundwater at all production wells are below the 
MCL. As there have been no changes to the federal or state drinking 
water standards for PCE or changes in the toxicity factors for PCE 
since the ROD was issued, this cleanup level remains protective of 
human health and the environment.
    In June 2017 the EPA reviewed the monitoring data and found that 
PCE concentrations have been below the MCL since October 2011. Based on 
this evaluation, EPA determined that all remedial activities at the 
Site were complete and remedial action objectives have been achieved. 
All drinking water delivered from the wellfield must continue to meet 
the requirements of the SDWA.

Five-Year Review

    Three policy five-year reviews have been completed at the Site, the 
last one in September 2013.
    No issues or follow-up actions were identified as part of the 2013 
Five Year Review. The protectiveness statement stated that the remedy 
at Vancouver WS4 was ``protective of human health and the environment 
because the treatment system is functioning as intended and human and 
ecological risks are under control. Long-term protectiveness of the 
remedial action

[[Page 44548]]

will be verified by regular monitoring by the City of Vancouver.''
    The analysis conducted since the last FYR indicates that the remedy 
has been fully implemented and the remedial action objectives and 
related cleanup levels have been attained. No hazardous substances, 
pollutants or contaminants remain above levels that could prevent 
unlimited use and unrestricted exposure. Therefore, no further five-
year reviews are required.

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. Throughout the remedial process, the EPA has kept the 
public informed of activities being conducted at the Site by way of 
informational meetings, fact sheets and public meetings.
    Documents in the deletion docket which the EPA relied on for the 
recommendation for deletion from the NPL are available to the public in 
the information repositories identified previously. A notice of 
availability of the Notice of Intent for Deletion has been published in 
The Columbian.

Determination That the Site Meets the Criteria for Deletion in the NCP

    The EPA, with concurrence of the State of Washington through the 
Department of Ecology, has determined that the implemented remedy 
achieves the degree of cleanup or protection specified in the ROD for 
all pathways of exposure. All selected remedial and removal action 
objectives and associated cleanup levels are consistent with agency 
policy and guidance. No further Superfund response is needed to protect 
human health and the environment.
    In accordance with 40 CFR 300.425(e), sites may be deleted from the 
NPL where all appropriate response actions have been implemented and 
where no further response is appropriate. Consistent with this, the EPA 
is proposing deletion of this Site from the NPL.

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.

    Authority:  33 U.S.C. 1321(d); 42 U.S.C. 9601-9657; E.O. 13626, 
77 FR 56749, 3 CFR, 2013 Comp., p. 306; E.O. 12777, 56 FR 54757, 3 
CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; E.O. 12580, 52 FR 2923, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., 
p. 193.

    Dated: August 25, 2017.
Sheryl Bilbrey,
Director--Region 10 Office of Environmental Cleanup.
[FR Doc. 2017-20448 Filed 9-22-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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