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Fact Sheet
December 2014
EPA Announces Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis and Administrative Record for Public Comment, Beatrice Former Manufactured Gas Plant Site, Beatrice, Gage County, Nebraska
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites the public to comment on the Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) report for the Beatrice Former Manufactured Gas Plant (FMGP) site. The EE/CA evaluates cleanup alternatives for hazardous substances remaining on a site and recommends a specific response action to ensure the protection of human health and the environment.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
The 30-day public comment period began Nov. 17, 2014, and will conclude on Dec. 16, 2014. During this period, citizens are encouraged to provide comments on the EE/CA report.
Comments or questions may be directed to:
Pamela Houston
Community Engagement Specialist
Enforcement Coordination Office
U.S. EPA Region 7
11201 Renner Blvd.
Lenexa, Kansas 66219
houston.pamela@epa.gov
Phone: 913-551-7699
Toll-free: 1-800-223-0425
PUBLIC AVAILABILITY SESSION
EPA will hold a public availability session to provide information, answer questions, and receive comments on the EE/CA Report for the Beatrice FMGP Site. A brief presentation about the EE/CA and EPA activities will be given at 6:00 p.m. This session will be held:
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
4005 North 6th Street
Beatrice, Nebraska
As part of the Superfund process, EPA has prepared and completed a Community Involvement Plan (CIP). The CIP outlines EPA’s outreach efforts to the community during the site cleanup. EPA values the input of the community throughout the Superfund process. To better serve the community, EPA representatives will discuss with residents the most effective ways for community input and involvement at the site.
SITE BACKGROUND
The Beatrice Former Manufactured Gas Plant is located southwest of the intersection of South First and Market Streets in Beatrice, Nebraska, and is currently open space/green space. All historical MGP buildings have been removed from the site; one building foundation and a circular gas holder base are present.
Until pipelines were constructed in the early part of the 20th century, natural gas was not available in many parts of the United States. In areas where natural gas was not available, manufactured gas was used as a fuel for lighting and heating homes and businesses.
RECOMMENDED REMOVAL ACTION ALTERNATIVE
In accordance with an agreement with EPA, Centel Corporation and the city of Beatrice, an EE/CA was conducted to investigate the FMGP and evaluate removal action alternatives. The EE/CA presents the results of the evaluation of the alternatives for responding to the release or threat of release of hazardous substances into the environment from the FMGP. The EE/CA, as prepared by Centel Corporation and the city of Beatrice, recommends taking the following response actions.
CONTAMINATED SOIL
The proposed response action is shallow soil excavation (0-2 feet) across the majority of the site and excavation of the belowground gas holder contents. The contaminated materials will be disposed at an approved landfill. A low-permeability backfill material will be placed over the excavated areas.
CONTAMINATED SEDIMENT
The recommended response action to address contaminated sediment is placement of a reactive barrier material over the areas along the river bank adjacent to the site where contamination was detected in sediment samples. Sediment capping will directly reduce the mobility of the sediment contaminants and would minimize the potential for sediment contaminants to come into contact with ecological and human receptors. Routine sediment cap inspection and maintenance will be conducted for a minimum period of 10 years to ensure cap integrity is maintained as a post-removal site control.
GROUNDWATER
The recommended response action to address contaminated groundwater at the FMGP is groundwater monitoring for a minimum period of 10 years as a post-removal site control.
INSTITUTIONAL CONTROLS
An institutional control (IC) in the form of an environmental covenant will also be recorded for the property to further enhance the future enforceability and permanence of the existing deed restrictions. ICs are non-engineered site controls such as restrictive covenants, easements, zoning or ordinances that limit the use of real property and help minimize the potential for human exposure to contamination and/or protect the integrity of the response action.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Administrative Record, consisting of site documents and information, is available for the public to review at the following locations:
Beatrice Public Library
100 North 16th Street
Beatrice, Nebraska
EPA Region 7 Records Center
11201 Renner Blvd.
Lenexa, Kansas