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EPA Announces a Proposed Modification for the BFI Rockingham Landfill Superfund Site Remedy, Rockingham, Vermont

Release Date: 09/17/2014
Contact Information: Emily Zimmerman, (617) 918-1037

BOSTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends modifications to the remedy at the BFI Rockingham Landfill Superfund Site (Site) in Rockingham, VT. The remedy modifications include an increased timeframe to cleanup Site groundwater, additional groundwater restrictions to prevent exposure to contaminated groundwater, and revised cleanup levels for two Site contaminants, arsenic and lead, to ensure the remedy remains protective of human health and the environment based on changes to the federal and state standards for these metals. EPA will be accepting public comment on these recommended modifications from September 11, 2014 to September 25, 2014.

The Site is a 17-acre landfill located along U.S. Route 5 and adjacent to the Connecticut River. From 1968 until 1991, the landfill received residential, commercial and industrial solid and liquid wastes. Approximately 1.2 million cubic yards of solid waste were disposed in the landfill during its operation. The majority of wastes were placed in unlined landfill cells. In October 1989, the Site was included on the EPA National Priorities List (NPL).

The 1994 cleanup plan, also known as the Record of Decision, estimated that the groundwater restoration aspect of the cleanup would be complete in a 15 year timeframe. By the spring of 2009, however, long-term monitoring results indicated that Interim Groundwater Cleanup Levels would not be achieved in that timeframe. At EPA’s request, consultants to a responsible party, BFI Waste Systems of North America, LLC, undertook additional investigations of bedrock groundwater which show Site groundwater will likely meet interim groundwater cleanup levels in 40-60 years.

This increased timeframe has prompted the preparation of a draft Explanation of Significant Differences (ESD). The draft ESD presents the proposed modifications and EPA invites the public to provide comment on the modifications by September 25, 2014 to:

Kevin S. Heine, PG
Remedial Project Manager
U.S. EPA Region 1
5 Post Office Square, Suite 100 (OSRR 07-1)
Boston, MA 02109-3912
Email: heine.kevin@epa.gov
Fax: 617 918-0321

Public comments received by September 25, 2014 will be addressed in a Responsiveness Summary included in the final ESD.

The draft ESD document and the Administrative Record for the ESD are available for public review on the internet at https://www.epa.gov/region1/superfund/sites/bfi and at the following locations and times:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Records Center
5 Post Office Square, Suite 100 (OSRR 02-3)
Boston, MA 02109-3912
Phone: 617 918-1440
E-mail: R1.Records-OSRR@epa.gov)
Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, excluding federal holidays.

Rockingham Free Public Library
65 Westminster Street
Bellows Falls, VT 05101
Phone: 802 463-4270
Email: rockref@sover.net
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday 10 am to 7 pm, Thursday & Friday 10:00 am to 5:30 pm, and Saturday 10 am to 2 pm.