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Fact Sheet
August 2012
Opportunity to Comment on Proposed Remedy, Former Stolper Industries Facility, DeWitt, Clinton County, Iowa
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 announces a public comment period for the proposed remedy at the Former Stolper Industries facility located at 112 3rd Avenue East in DeWitt, Iowa. The remedy proposed for the site consists of institutional controls to prevent exposure to on-site contaminated soil and groundwater, and groundwater monitoring to ensure contaminated groundwater does not migrate from the facility property.
The Administrative Record file can be found at the Frances Banta Waggoner Community Library, 505 10th St., DeWitt, Iowa.
The public comment period will run from August 22 through September 21, 2012, to enable the public to participate in the remedy selection process.
A public meeting is not scheduled at this time. If a meeting is requested by the public, in writing, with a statement of issues to be raised at the meeting, EPA will evaluate any request and hold a formal meeting if it finds that a meeting will contribute to the decision-making process by clarifying significant issues affecting the proposed remedy.
Written comments can be submitted by mail or email, and must be received no later than close of business September 21, 2012.
Comments should be sent to:
Randy Rohrman
U.S. EPA Region 7, AWMD/WRAP
901 N. 5th Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
rohrman.wray@epa.gov
Comments received will be summarized in a Response to Comments, and responses will be provided to those individuals providing the comments. The Response to Comments will be drafted at the conclusion of the public comment period and incorporated into the Administrative Record. EPA may modify the proposed final remedy or select other alternatives, based on new information and comments from the public.
BACKGROUND
The Former Stolper Industries facility consists of a 122,000-square-foot building on a 22-acre parcel of land located at 112 3rd Avenue East in DeWitt, Iowa. Stolper Industries originally developed the property and operated a sheet metal fabrication facility from 1970 until 1985. During the time the facility was owned and operated by Stolper Industries, degreasing and painting operations generated hazardous wastes, primarily organic chlorinated and non-chlorinated solvents and paint wastes, which were stored in two designated hazardous waste storage areas.
During closing of the two storage areas after Stolper Industries ceased operations, it was discovered that hazardous wastes had been released from one of the areas which was designated the Indoor Storage Area. As a result of mishandling and spillage, hazardous wastes managed within the Indoor Storage Area had been conveyed through floor drains, which ultimately discharged outside into the adjacent Receiving Dock Area.
These discharged hazardous wastes resulted in contamination of the soil and groundwater in the Receiving Dock Area. While the levels of contaminants in the shallow soils do not pose a health threat for direct exposure, the levels found deeper in the saturated zone below the shallow water table are sufficiently high so as to act as a continuing source of groundwater contamination. Because the groundwater in the Receiving Dock Area is contaminated above health-based levels for drinking water, institutional controls are needed to prevent its use.
Institutional controls are also needed to ensure that the presence of the contaminated soils is identified and made known to the current and any future property owners. Groundwater monitoring wells located at the facility property boundary have not shown contamination above health-based levels. However, they will continue to be monitored to ensure contaminated groundwater does not migrate off-site in the future.
CONCLUSION
Because groundwater contaminant levels continue to exceed health-based drinking water standards in on-site monitoring wells, the proposed remedy will include groundwater quality monitoring to ensure that groundwater contaminated above health-based levels for drinking water does not migrate to neighboring property. Because overall groundwater contaminant levels have been decreasing over time, EPA believes ongoing groundwater monitoring is an appropriate remedy at this facility.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Copies of the decision documents and documents used to determine the proposed remedy are available to the public during normal business hours at the following locations:
Frances Banta Waggoner Community Library
505 10th St.
DeWitt, Iowa 52742
(563) 659-5523
EPA Region 7 Library
901 N. 5th St.
Kansas City, Kansas 66101
(913) 551-7543 (Randy Rohrman)
or
(913) 551-7979 (Library)
If you have questions, or want to join the mailing list, please contact:
Beckie Himes
Community Involvement Coordinator
U.S. EPA Region 7, Office of Public Affairs
901 N. 5th Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone: (913) 551-7253
Toll-free: (800) 223-0425
Email: himes.beckie@epa.gov
Joining the mailing list will allow individuals to receive any updated information related to this site.