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Fact Sheet
March 2010
EPA Proposes Site to National Priorities List, Vienna Wells Superfund Site, Vienna, Maries County, Missouri
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing the Vienna Wells Site to the National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL is a published list of hazardous waste sites in the country that are eligible for extensive, long-term cleanup action under the Superfund program. EPA is asking for comments on the proposal.
BACKGROUND
The Vienna Wells Site consists of three public drinking water wells in which tetrachloroethylene, known as PCE, has been detected.
SUPERFUND PROGRAM
EPA is conducting investigations and cleanup work at the site under the Superfund program. Congress established Superfund in 1980 in response to growing concerns over human health and environmental risks posed by hazardous sites. After a Superfund site is discovered, cleanup can fall under two programs: removal and remedial. Removal actions address immediate threats to human health and the environment posed by contamination.
Public Comments
EPA is requesting comments until May 3, 2010 on the proposal to add this site to the NPL. Comments submitted for the site should reference docket number EPA-HQ-SFUND-2010-0070 and may be submitted by one of the following methods:
E-mail: superfund.docket@epa.gov
Mail: Mail comments (no facsimiles or tapes) to:
Docket Coordinator, Headquarters
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
CERCLA Docket Office
Mail Code 5305T
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Mail Code 5305T
Washington, DC 20460
Remedial actions address sites that require extensive and potentially long-term cleanup. Under the Superfund program, a site may qualify for placement on the NPL. The NPL is intended primarily to guide EPA in determining which sites warrant further investigation and cleanup. For a site to be included on the NPL, it has to score sufficiently on the Hazard Ranking System (HRS). The HRS evaluates exposure pathways and the potential risk to human health and the environment. Those sites that score high enough on the HRS are eligible for the NPL. A site that is listed on the NPL qualifies to be financed by Superfund's Trust Fund. If a responsible party is not identified, a site cannot undergo a remedial cleanup unless it is listed on the NPL.
The Vienna Wells Site is being proposed to the NPL due to the potential risks associated with the levels of PCE detected in drinking water at the site. The state of Missouri supports this proposal.
COMPLETED SITE ACTIVITIES
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources initiated a site investigation in April 2007. The investigation included seven site visits, soil and groundwater sampling, and two public meetings. This investigation was summarized in a Site Inspection Report prepared in March 2009.
FUTURE SITE ACTIONS
If the site is placed in the NPL, a remedial investigation and feasibility study will be performed to fully define the nature and extent of contamination, followed by an evaluation of alternatives to clean up the contamination. EPA will ultimately present this information to the community and ask for comments on EPA's proposed actions before making decisions about site cleanup.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANT
EPA wants to help affected communities understand the technical information related to a site. EPA's Technical Assistance Grant Program provides up to $50,000 for a qualified citizens group to hire independent technical advisors. The advisors can help citizens interpret technical data, understand site hazards, and become more knowledgeable about the different technologies used to clean up sites.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
EPA Headquarters Superfund Docket maintains documents which support this proposal at the following Website: www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/npl/current.htm
If you have questions about this proposal or want additional information about applying for a Technical Assistance Grant, please contact:
Carlin Hafiz
Community Involvement Coordinator
U.S. EPA Region 7
901 North 5th Street
Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone: 913-551-7871 or
Toll Free: 1-800-223-0425
hafiz.carlin@epa.gov