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Fact Sheet
February 2014
Proposed Final Remedy for Cleanup Released for Public Comment, Gates Corporation Boone Plant, Boone, Boone County, Iowa
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 invites the public to review and comment on the proposed final remedy for cleanup at the Gates Corporation Boone Plant located at 2121 Industrial Park Road in Boone, Iowa (EPA ID # IAD085372506).
The public is encouraged to review EPA’s investigation reports and other historic information regarding the Gates Corporation Boone Plant Site, which have been compiled in an Administrative Record corresponding to this proposal. This information is available at the following locations during business hours:
Ericson Public Library
702 Greene St.
Boone, IA 50036
(515) 432-3727
EPA Region 7 Records Center
11201 Renner Blvd.
Lenexa, KS 66219
(913) 551-7166
The public comment period runs February 6, 2014 to March 10, 2014, to enable the public to comment on the proposed corrective measures. Written comments should be mailed or emailed to:
Brad Roberts
U.S. EPA (AWMD/WRAP)
11201 Renner Blvd.
Lenexa, KS 66219
Email: roberts.bradley@epa.gov
Comments should be received no later than March 10, 2014.
Comments received will be summarized and responded to in an official Response to Comments document, and a copy will be sent to those individuals providing comments. EPA may modify the corrective measures based upon new information and comments from the public.
A public hearing is not scheduled at this time. If one is requested in writing with a statement of issues to be raised, EPA is willing to conduct a hearing and receive both oral and written comments.
BACKGROUND
The Gates Corporation Boone Plant is located on the east side of Boone, Iowa, in Boone County.
The plant began operating in 1977, producing hydraulic hoses. From 1979 to 1987, the chlorinated solvent tetrachloroethylene (PCE) was used in the production process. PCE was stored in an above ground storage tank outside on the north side of the building, and pumped inside by way of above ground product lines.
Contamination was discovered in 1997 during geotechnical work associated with a proposed building expansion. In 1999, EPA negotiated an Administrative Order on Consent (AOC), requiring Gates Corporation Boone Plant to investigate the contamination, perform interim cleanup measures, and carry out a corrective measure study.
The most contaminated portion of the site lies under the main on-site building, but less concentrated groundwater contamination underlies a large portion of the property and extends off-site.
As directed by the 1999 AOC, Gates Corporation Boone Plant has investigated soil and groundwater contamination to determine the extent and potential for migration. They also implemented an interim remedy by injecting treatment chemicals into the subsurface under and in the vicinity of the building to attempt to reduce contamination in the source area. They have evaluated on-site and off-site vapor intrusion concerns and conducted groundwater monitoring to observe trends in contaminant concentrations.
THE CONTAMINATION
Chlorinated volatile organic compounds have been detected in soil, groundwater, and indoor air of the main plant building.
These contaminants have adverse health effects including the potential to cause cancer. EPA has determined that if not addressed, the presence of these contaminants at this site is expected to present a current and future potential threat to human health and the environment.
PROPOSED CORRRECTIVE MEASURES
EPA is proposing several Corrective Measures:
At the Source Area- Install a sub-slab depressurization (vapor mitigation) system to eliminate the potential for contaminated vapor accumulation; and
- Inject BOS 100® into the subsurface to chemically treat contamination. BOS 100® is a product specifically engineered to convert the chlorinated volatile organic compounds into harmless reaction products.
- Establish Institutional Controls to limit or control land use to prevent unintentional contact with contaminated soil and groundwater until cleanup objectives are met; and
- Implement monitored natural attenuation (MNA) to verify that natural degradation processes are reducing contaminant mass following treatment by BOS 100®.
- Plant a phytoremediation barrier consisting of hybrid poplar and/or hybrid cottonwood trees on the east property boundary. Once established, their roots will treat groundwater with relatively low concentrations of contaminants prior to its migration off-site.
- Operate and maintain a system of groundwater monitoring wells to verify that the corrective measures, including MNA, are controlling contaminant migration and reducing contaminant concentrations on- and off-site; and
- Collect samples and report results to EPA so that progress on meeting the cleanup objectives can be tracked.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
If you have questions, or want to join the mailing list for future updates regarding this site, please contact:
Emily Albano
Community Involvement Coordinator
U.S. EPA, Region 7
Office of Public Affairs
11201 Renner Blvd.
Lenexa, KS 66219
Toll-free at (800) 223-0425, ext. 7860
Email: albano.emily@epa.gov