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Fact Sheet
August 2015
Public Comment for Proposed Remedy and RCRA Permit Termination, The University of Missouri - Columbia, Columbia, Boone County, Missouri
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 invites the public to comment on the proposed remedy for the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri (University). The public comment period will run from Aug. 14, 2015 through Sept. 28, 2015. EPA and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) also provide notice of intention to terminate the Missouri Hazardous Waste Management Facility (MHWMF) Part I Permit and Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments (HSWA) Part II Permit.
Written comments on the proposed remedy should be mailed or emailed no later than Sept. 28, 2015, and should be sent to:
Mary Grisolano, P.E.
U.S. EPA Region 7 (AWMD/WRAP)
11201 Renner Blvd.
Lenexa, KS 66219
(913) 551-7657
Email: grisolano.mary@epa.gov
BACKGROUND
A Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Facility Assessment (RFA) was performed by EPA for the University and documented in a report dated Sept. 11, 1990. MDNR issued an MHWMF Part I Permit and EPA issued an HSWA Part II Permit to the University on March 29, 1991. The University identified 57 areas where hazardous wastes were managed (known as solid waste management units or SWMUs). SWMUs are areas where chemicals might have been released to the environment and, therefore, are subject to corrective action under the HSWA Part II Permit. The “Current Human Exposures Under Control” assessment, dated May 21, 2015, provides a summary of analytical data collected during the RCRA Facility Investigation (RFI) at the University. Following review of and/or investigation at each of the 57 SWMUs, only one area was identified as having environmental contamination above acceptable risk-based levels and, therefore, required a remedy. This area is the University Garage (Garage - SWMU 40) located on Champions Drive.
CONTAMINATION AT THE FACILITY
SOIL: Contaminated soil is present under and near the University Garage building.
GROUNDWATER: Contaminated groundwater is present at the University Garage. The University’s domestic water supply comes from a water well located upgradient of the contamination. This supply is monitored and has been verified to be free from contamination.
INDOOR AIR: Chemicals in the soil and groundwater can volatize sufficiently to create an unacceptable exposure in the indoor air of buildings located over a contaminated area. Two buildings that are near the University Garage, General Services Building, and Cliffview Townhomes were tested for indoor air contamination, and EPA determined that indoor air at these buildings was not a concern. The Garage Building has an active ventilation system that was installed in 2006 and continues to operate to address indoor air contamination.
OTHER CONCERNS: A restrictive covenant has been recorded on the Garage property to identify and address the concerns associated with contaminated indoor air and soil. However, there are no restrictions on shallow groundwater use at this property. While contamination was not detected at other SWMUs, four SWMUs [Ashland Road (SWMU 1), Hearnes Center (SWMU 2), Rock Quarry (SWMU 4), and AL Gustin Golf Course (SWMU 44)] were used for land placement of material. The remedy requires that a notice be placed on the property of such activity. At three SWMUs, low levels of chemicals were detected, but below risk-based levels. These include: Hinkson Creek Sheep Burial Site (SWMU 3), Fire Training Area (SWMU 34), and Old MU Gas Station (SWMU 36). Samples could not be collected at two locations: Chemical Waste Storage Building (SWMU 20) and Professional Building UST (SWMU 36).
PROPOSED REMEDY
The proposed remedy for the site consists of the following:
- Adhere to restrictive covenant filed June 22, 2006, at the Garage: i.e., maintain and operate active ventilation system; no residential use of property; take protective action if contamination is encountered in soil (monitor for contamination, train personnel; use protective equipment and clothing; decontaminate equipment/gear; and manage wastes in appropriate manner).
- Develop and record a legal instrument to prohibit the installation of shallow water supply wells and use of shallow groundwater at the Garage property.
- Develop and file notice on property: Ashland Road, Hearnes Center, Rock Quarry, and AL Gustin Golf Course landfills; Hinkson Creek Sheep Burial Site; Fire Training Area; and Old MU Gas Station UST.
- Add Ashland Road, Hearnes Center, Rock Quarry, and AL Gustin Golf Course landfills; Hinkson Creek Sheep Burial Site, Fire Training Area, Old MU Gas Station UST, Chemical Waste Storage Building, Professional Building UST, and soil around SSB to the University’s “Checklist of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) concerns for new construction and renovations or comparable/update University system.
- Decommission all existing monitoring wells associated with the UST program cleanup at the Garage and RFI at the University.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
EPA encourages the public to review the Administrative Record and comment on the proposed remedy. Comments or requests should be submitted to the EPA contact on Page 1 by Sept. 28, 2015.
Guidelines for Commenting:- Explain your views.
- Tell us if you support or disagree with the recommendation. Please be specific.
- Provide alternatives.
The Administrative Record is available in electronic format at the following locations during normal business hours:
Columbia Public Library
100 East Broadway
Columbia, Missouri 65203
(573) 443-3161
EPA Region 7 Records Center
11201 Renner Blvd.
Lenexa, KS 66210
(913) 551-7166
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
1730 East Elm Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 522-3345
EPA has not planned a public availability session to discuss the proposed remedy. A public hearing has not been scheduled, but will be held if there is sufficient public interest. Requests for a public hearing or public availability session must be made in writing to the EPA contact at the address listed on Page 1, or to Richard Nussbaum, P.E., R.G. at the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, PO Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102, and must state the nature of issues to be raised at the hearing. EPA will evaluate any request and hold a formal hearing/availability session if they find that a hearing/session will contribute to the decision-making process by clarifying significant issues affecting the proposed remedy.
EPA will make a final remedy decision only after the public comment period ends and all comments are reviewed. EPA may change the proposed remedy based on any new information and comments from the public. EPA will not terminate the HSWA Part II Permit until all actions required by the final remedy have been completed. MDNR will not terminate the MHWMF Part I Permit until all actions required for closure of regulated units have been conducted.
Individuals may write to the EPA contact on Page 1 to join the mailing list. Joining the mailing list will allow an individual to receive any updated information directly throughout the remedy selection process.
If you have questions or want to receive further information, please contact:
Brendan Corazzin
Enforcement Coordination Office
U.S. EPA Region 7
11201 Renner Blvd.
Lenexa, KS 66219
Phone: 913-551-7429
Toll-free: 1-800-223-0425
Email: corazzin.brendan@epa.gov