82_FR_44729 82 FR 44545 - National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan; National Priorities List: Deletion of the Vancouver Water Station #4 Superfund Site

82 FR 44545 - National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan; National Priorities List: Deletion of the Vancouver Water Station #4 Superfund Site

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 184 (September 25, 2017)

Page Range44545-44548
FR Document2017-20448

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 is issuing a Notice of Intent to Delete the Vancouver Water Station #4 Contamination Superfund Site (Site) located in Vancouver, Washington, from the National Priorities List (NPL) and requests public comments on this proposed action. The NPL, promulgated pursuant to section 105 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, is an appendix of the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). The EPA and the State of Washington, through the Department of Ecology have determined that all appropriate response actions under CERCLA, have been completed. However, this deletion does not preclude future actions under Superfund.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 184 (Monday, September 25, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 184 (Monday, September 25, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44545-44548]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20448]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 300

[EPA-HQ-SFUND-1992-0007; FRL-9967-36-Region 10]


National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan; 
National Priorities List: Deletion of the Vancouver Water Station #4 
Superfund Site

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule; notification of intent.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 is issuing 
a Notice of Intent to Delete the Vancouver Water Station #4 
Contamination Superfund Site (Site) located in Vancouver, Washington, 
from the National Priorities List (NPL) and requests public comments on 
this proposed action. The NPL, promulgated pursuant to section 105 of 
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability 
Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, is an appendix of the National Oil 
and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). The EPA and 
the State of Washington, through the Department of Ecology have 
determined that all appropriate response actions under CERCLA, have 
been completed. However, this deletion does not preclude future actions 
under Superfund.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 25, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID no. EPA-HQ-
SFUND-1992-0007 by one of the following methods:
    (1) http://www.regulations.gov. Follow on-line instructions for 
submitting comments.
    (2) Email: Laura Knudsen, Community Involvement Coordinator, at 
[email protected].
    (3) Mail: Laura Knudsen, U.S. EPA Region 10, 1200 Sixth Avenue, 
Suite 900, RAD-202-3, Seattle, Washington 98101.
    (4) Hand delivery: USEPA Region 10 Records Center, 1200 Sixth 
Avenue, Suite 900, Seattle, Washington. Such deliveries are only 
accepted during the Docket's normal hours of operation, and special 
arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed information.
    Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID no. EPA-HQ-SFUND-
1992-0007. EPA's policy is that all comments received will be included 
in the public

[[Page 44546]]

docket without change and may be made available online at http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided, 
unless the comment includes information claimed to be Confidential 
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is 
restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to 
be CBI or otherwise protected through http://www.regulations.gov or 
email. The http://www.regulations.gov Web site is an ``anonymous 
access'' system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact 
information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you 
send an email comment directly to EPA without going through http://www.regulations.gov, your email address will be automatically captured 
and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket 
and made available on the Internet. If you submit an electronic 
comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact 
information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you 
submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties 
and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to 
consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special 
characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or 
viruses.
    Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the http://www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some 
information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information 
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such 
as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in the hard 
copy. Publicly available docket materials are available either 
electronically in http://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at:

    USEPA Region 10 Records Center, 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, 
Seattle, Washington, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, 
between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
    City of Vancouver Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE 
Columbia Way, Vancouver, Washington, Monday through Friday, except 
holidays, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and Saturday between noon and 
5:00 p.m., Phone: 360-487-7111.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeremy Jennings, Remedial Project 
Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10, ECL-122, 1200 
Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, Seattle, Washington 98101, 206-553-2724, email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Introduction
II. NPL Deletion Criteria
III. Deletion Procedures
IV. Basis for Intended Site Deletion

I. Introduction

    EPA Region 10 announces its intent to delete the Vancouver Water 
Station #4 Contamination Superfund Site from the National Priorities 
List (NPL) and requests public comment on this proposed action. The NPL 
constitutes Appendix B of 40 CFR part 300 which is the National Oil and 
Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP), which EPA 
promulgated pursuant to section 105 of the Comprehensive Environmental 
Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended. 
EPA maintains the NPL as the list of sites that appear to present a 
significant risk to public health, welfare, or the environment. Sites 
on the NPL may be the subject of remedial actions financed by the 
Hazardous Substance Superfund (Fund). As described in 40 CFR 
300.425(e)(3) of the NCP, sites deleted from the NPL remain eligible 
for Fund-financed remedial actions if future conditions warrant such 
actions.
    EPA will accept comments on the proposal to delete this Site for 
thirty (30) days after publication of this document in the Federal 
Register.
    Section II of this document explains the criteria for deleting 
sites from the NPL. Section III discusses procedures that EPA is using 
for this action. Section IV discusses the Vancouver Water Station #4 
Contamination Superfund Site and demonstrates how it meets the deletion 
criteria.

II. NPL Deletion Criteria

    The NCP establishes the criteria that EPA uses to delete sites from 
the NPL. In accordance with 40 CFR 300.425(e), sites may be deleted 
from the NPL where no further response is appropriate. In making such a 
determination pursuant to 40 CFR 300.425(e), EPA will consider, in 
consultation with the State, whether any of the following criteria have 
been met:
    (1) Responsible parties or other persons have implemented all 
appropriate response action required;
    (2) all appropriate Fund-financed response under CERCLA has been 
implemented, and no further response action by responsible parties is 
appropriate; or
    (3) the remedial investigation has shown that the release poses no 
significant threat to public health or the environment and, therefore, 
the taking of remedial measures is not appropriate.
    Pursuant to CERCLA section 121(c) and the NCP, EPA conducts five-
year reviews to ensure the continued protectiveness of remedial actions 
where hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants remain at a 
site above levels that allow for unlimited use and unrestricted 
exposure. EPA conducts such five-year reviews even if a site is deleted 
from the NPL. EPA may initiate further action to ensure continued 
protectiveness at a deleted site if new information becomes available 
that indicates it is appropriate. Whenever there is a significant 
release from a site deleted from the NPL, the deleted site may be 
restored to the NPL without application of the hazard ranking system.

III. Deletion Procedures

    The following procedures apply to deletion of the Site:
    (1) EPA consulted with the State before developing this Notice of 
Intent to Delete.
    (2) EPA has provided the State 30 working days for review of this 
notice prior to publication of it today.
    (3) In accordance with the criteria discussed above, EPA has 
determined that no further response is appropriate.
    (4) The State of Washington, through the Department of Ecology, has 
concurred with deletion of the Site from the NPL.
    (5) Concurrently with the publication of this Notice of Intent to 
Delete in the Federal Register, a notice is being published in a major 
local newspaper, The Columbian. The newspaper notice announces the 30-
day public comment period concerning the Notice of Intent to Delete the 
Site from the NPL.
    (6) The EPA placed copies of documents supporting the proposed 
deletion in the deletion docket and made these items available for 
public inspection and copying at the Site information repositories 
identified previously.
    If comments are received within the 30-day public comment period on 
this document, EPA will evaluate and respond appropriately to the 
comments before making a final decision to delete. If necessary, EPA 
will prepare a Responsiveness Summary to address any significant public 
comments received. After the public comment period, if EPA determines 
it is still appropriate to delete the Site, the Regional Administrator 
will publish a final Notice of Deletion in the Federal

[[Page 44547]]

Register. Public notices, public submissions and copies of the 
Responsiveness Summary, if prepared, will be made available to 
interested parties and in the Site information repositories listed 
previously.
    Deletion of a site from the NPL does not itself create, alter, or 
revoke any individual's rights or obligations. Deletion of a site from 
the NPL does not in any way alter EPA's right to take enforcement 
actions, as appropriate. The NPL is designed primarily for 
informational purposes and to assist EPA management. Section 
300.425(e)(3) of the NCP states that the deletion of a site from the 
NPL does not preclude eligibility for future response actions, should 
future conditions warrant such actions.

IV. Basis for Intended Site Deletion

    The following information provides EPA's rationale for deleting the 
Site from the NPL:

Site Background and History

    The Vancouver Water Station #4 Contamination Superfund Site (EPA 
ID: WAD988475158) is a public water supply wellfield located 
approximately \1/2\ mile north of the Columbia River in the City of 
Vancouver, Clark County, Washington. Water Station #4 (WS4) has been 
owned by the City of Vancouver (City) and managed as part of their 
drinking water supply system for over 50 years. WS4 is approximately 
\1/2\ acre in size and includes six production wells, two air stripping 
towers and several support buildings. Groundwater is pumped from 
approximately 200 feet below ground surface and blended with water from 
several other wellfields to provide drinking water to approximately 
230,000 people in the Vancouver region.
    In 1988, pursuant to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the City 
began monitoring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in water supplied 
from all of its water stations. These tests showed tetrachloroethylene 
(PCE) at several WS4 wells at levels above the maximum contaminant 
level (MCL) established under the SDWA. The City notified the public 
and modified the pumping rates at individual wells so that PCE levels 
in the drinking water delivered to customers were consistently below 
the MCL. In January 1992, the City began operating an air stripping 
treatment system to further reduce PCE levels.
    On July 29, 1991, EPA proposed WS4 for listing on the NPL (56 FR 
35840). The NPL listing for the Site was finalized on October 14, 1992 
(59 FR 47180).
    The City continues to use the water from the WS4 production wells 
as part of their drinking water supply system.

Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS)

    A baseline risk assessment completed by EPA quantified potential 
carcinogenic risks to future residents consuming untreated water ranged 
from 5E-6 to 2E-5 cancer risk (5 to 20 excess cancers in 1,000,000 
people) and non-cancer risk from a hazard index of 0.02 to 0.2. EPA 
found it was necessary to take action at WS4 because the groundwater 
had been shown to have persistent concentrations of PCE above the MCL.
    Starting in 1989, the City and EPA conducted several investigations 
into the source or sources of PCE at WS4 including sampling of private 
wells, nearby surface waters and industrial sumps; conducting soil gas 
surveys; and inspecting local dry cleaners and other places of business 
where PCE may have been used. In 1992, PCE concentrations suddenly 
increased, peaked at 520 [micro]g/L in 1993 and then decreased over the 
next several years. Although multiple potential sources of PCE (e.g., 
dry cleaners) were located, no source was identified as primarily 
responsible for the sustained high concentrations and for which any 
additional source control actions could be taken. EPA concluded that 
there was not an on-going source of PCE and there was a strong 
likelihood that an unidentified source was responsible for the elevated 
PCE levels.

Selected Remedy

    On September 1, 1999, the EPA issued a Record of Decision (ROD) for 
the Site. PCE was identified as the only Contaminant of Concern. 
Remedial Action Objectives were established to protect human health by 
reducing concentrations of PCE in the groundwater and drinking water to 
below the MCL (5.0 [micro]g/L).
    The selected remedy for the Site included pumping the production 
wells at a rate consistent with customer demand until such time as the 
PCE level in the groundwater at all production wells was below the MCL. 
The extracted water was to be treated using the air stripping towers 
and distributed to customers as drinking water. Monitoring of the 
quality of the groundwater at the production wells and the water 
following treatment was also required. Since no sources were identified 
and no other drinking water wells were located in the area, no source 
control actions or institutional controls were included.

Response Actions

    The City's production wells were used to pump contaminated 
groundwater, which was then treated in air stripping towers. This 
treatment system reduced PCE to nondetectable levels, so the water 
could then be delivered to customers for use as drinking water. This 
pump, treat, and delivery system began in 1992 and has operated 
continuously for 25 years. Throughout this period, the City monitored 
PCE concentrations in the aquifer, which declined gradually over time.
    The PCE levels in the groundwater at all wells are currently below 
the MCL. Thus, the remedial action objectives have been attained and 
the human health exposure pathways have been eliminated.
    A Preliminary Close Out Report documenting the completion of 
construction activities was signed by EPA on September 8, 1999. The 
Site was identified as ``Sitewide Ready for Anticipated Use'' on March 
11, 2014. A Final Close Out Report documenting completion of all 
remedial activities was signed by EPA on June 12, 2017.

Cleanup Levels

    The 1999 ROD requires treatment and monitoring until the PCE 
concentrations in groundwater at all production wells are below the 
MCL. As there have been no changes to the federal or state drinking 
water standards for PCE or changes in the toxicity factors for PCE 
since the ROD was issued, this cleanup level remains protective of 
human health and the environment.
    In June 2017 the EPA reviewed the monitoring data and found that 
PCE concentrations have been below the MCL since October 2011. Based on 
this evaluation, EPA determined that all remedial activities at the 
Site were complete and remedial action objectives have been achieved. 
All drinking water delivered from the wellfield must continue to meet 
the requirements of the SDWA.

Five-Year Review

    Three policy five-year reviews have been completed at the Site, the 
last one in September 2013.
    No issues or follow-up actions were identified as part of the 2013 
Five Year Review. The protectiveness statement stated that the remedy 
at Vancouver WS4 was ``protective of human health and the environment 
because the treatment system is functioning as intended and human and 
ecological risks are under control. Long-term protectiveness of the 
remedial action

[[Page 44548]]

will be verified by regular monitoring by the City of Vancouver.''
    The analysis conducted since the last FYR indicates that the remedy 
has been fully implemented and the remedial action objectives and 
related cleanup levels have been attained. No hazardous substances, 
pollutants or contaminants remain above levels that could prevent 
unlimited use and unrestricted exposure. Therefore, no further five-
year reviews are required.

Community Involvement

    Public participation activities have been satisfied as required in 
CERCLA Section 113(k), 42 U.S.C. 9613(k) and CERCLA Section 117, 42 
U.S.C. 9617. Throughout the remedial process, the EPA has kept the 
public informed of activities being conducted at the Site by way of 
informational meetings, fact sheets and public meetings.
    Documents in the deletion docket which the EPA relied on for the 
recommendation for deletion from the NPL are available to the public in 
the information repositories identified previously. A notice of 
availability of the Notice of Intent for Deletion has been published in 
The Columbian.

Determination That the Site Meets the Criteria for Deletion in the NCP

    The EPA, with concurrence of the State of Washington through the 
Department of Ecology, has determined that the implemented remedy 
achieves the degree of cleanup or protection specified in the ROD for 
all pathways of exposure. All selected remedial and removal action 
objectives and associated cleanup levels are consistent with agency 
policy and guidance. No further Superfund response is needed to protect 
human health and the environment.
    In accordance with 40 CFR 300.425(e), sites may be deleted from the 
NPL where all appropriate response actions have been implemented and 
where no further response is appropriate. Consistent with this, the EPA 
is proposing deletion of this Site from the NPL.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 300

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Chemicals, 
Hazardous waste, Hazardous substances, Intergovernmental relations, 
Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Superfund, Water 
pollution control, Water supply.

    Authority:  33 U.S.C. 1321(d); 42 U.S.C. 9601-9657; E.O. 13626, 
77 FR 56749, 3 CFR, 2013 Comp., p. 306; E.O. 12777, 56 FR 54757, 3 
CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; E.O. 12580, 52 FR 2923, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., 
p. 193.

    Dated: August 25, 2017.
Sheryl Bilbrey,
Director--Region 10 Office of Environmental Cleanup.
[FR Doc. 2017-20448 Filed 9-22-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P



                                                                          Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 184 / Monday, September 25, 2017 / Proposed Rules                                           44545

                                                      cannot be edited or removed from                        and Recovery Act (RCRA), as amended.                  ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                                                      Regulations.gov. For either manner of                   The EPA has reviewed Washington’s                     AGENCY
                                                      submission, the EPA may publish any                     application, and we have determined
                                                      comment received to its public docket.                  that these changes satisfy all                        40 CFR Part 300
                                                      Do not submit electronically any                        requirements needed to qualify for final              [EPA–HQ–SFUND–1992–0007; FRL–9967–
                                                      information you consider to be                          authorization and are proposing to                    36–Region 10]
                                                      confidential business information (CBI)                 authorize the State’s changes. EPA is
                                                      or other information whose disclosure is                reopening the public comment period                   National Oil and Hazardous
                                                      restricted by statute. Multimedia                       until October 25, 2017.                               Substances Pollution Contingency
                                                      submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be                                                                      Plan; National Priorities List: Deletion
                                                      accompanied by a written comment.                       DATES:  This comment period is for the                of the Vancouver Water Station #4
                                                      The written comment is considered the                   proposed rule published on July 13,                   Superfund Site
                                                      official comment and should include                     2017 (82 FR 32305). All comments
                                                      discussion of all points you wish to                    received on or before October 25, 2017                AGENCY:  Environmental Protection
                                                      make. EPA will generally not consider                   will be entered into the public record                Agency (EPA).
                                                      comments or comment contents located                    and considered by the EPA before final                ACTION: Proposed rule; notification of
                                                      outside of the primary submission (i.e.                 action is taken on this proposed rule.                intent.
                                                      on the web, cloud, or other file sharing                ADDRESSES:   Submit your comments,
                                                      system). For additional submission                                                                            SUMMARY:   The Environmental Protection
                                                                                                              identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R10–                  Agency (EPA) Region 10 is issuing a
                                                      methods, please contact the person                      RCRA–2017–0285, at https://
                                                      identified in the FOR FURTHER                                                                                 Notice of Intent to Delete the Vancouver
                                                                                                              www.regulations.gov. Follow the online                Water Station #4 Contamination
                                                      INFORMATION CONTACT section. For the                    instructions for submitting comments.
                                                      full EPA public comment policy,                                                                               Superfund Site (Site) located in
                                                                                                              Once submitted, comments cannot be                    Vancouver, Washington, from the
                                                      information about CBI or multimedia                     edited or removed from Regulations.gov.
                                                      submissions, and general guidance on                                                                          National Priorities List (NPL) and
                                                                                                              The EPA may publish any comment                       requests public comments on this
                                                      making effective comments, please visit                 received to its public docket. Do not
                                                      https://www2.epa.gov/dockets/                                                                                 proposed action. The NPL, promulgated
                                                                                                              submit electronically any information                 pursuant to section 105 of the
                                                      commenting-epa-dockets.                                 you consider to be Confidential                       Comprehensive Environmental
                                                      FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sara                   Business Information (CBI) or other                   Response, Compensation, and Liability
                                                      Calcinore, (215) 814–2043, or by email                  information whose disclosure is                       Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, is
                                                      at calcinore.sara@epa.gov.                              restricted by statute. Multimedia                     an appendix of the National Oil and
                                                      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For                          submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be              Hazardous Substances Pollution
                                                      further information, please see the                     accompanied by a written comment.                     Contingency Plan (NCP). The EPA and
                                                      information provided in the direct final                The written comment is considered the                 the State of Washington, through the
                                                      action, with the same title, that is                    official comment and should include                   Department of Ecology have determined
                                                      located in the ‘‘Rules and Regulations’’                discussion of all points you wish to                  that all appropriate response actions
                                                      section of this Federal Register                        make. The EPA will generally not                      under CERCLA, have been completed.
                                                      publication.                                            consider comments or comment                          However, this deletion does not
                                                        Dated: September 8, 2017.                             contents located outside of the primary               preclude future actions under
                                                      Cecil Rodrigues,                                        submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or                Superfund.
                                                      Acting Regional Administrator, Region III.              other file sharing system). For
                                                                                                                                                                    DATES:  Comments must be received by
                                                                                                              additional submission methods, the full
                                                      [FR Doc. 2017–20323 Filed 9–22–17; 8:45 am]                                                                   October 25, 2017.
                                                                                                              EPA public comment policy,
                                                      BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
                                                                                                              information about CBI or multimedia                   ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
                                                                                                              submissions, and general guidance on                  identified by Docket ID no. EPA–HQ–
                                                                                                              making effective comments, please visit               SFUND–1992–0007 by one of the
                                                      ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                                                                                      following methods:
                                                      AGENCY                                                  https://www2.epa.gov/dockets/
                                                                                                              commenting-epa-dockets.                                 (1) http://www.regulations.gov.
                                                                                                                                                                    Follow on-line instructions for
                                                      40 CFR Part 271                                         FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      submitting comments.
                                                      [EPA–R10–RCRA–2017–0285; FRL–9966–                      Barbara McCullough, U.S.                                (2) Email: Laura Knudsen,
                                                      74–Region 10]                                           Environmental Protection Agency,                      Community Involvement Coordinator, at
                                                                                                              Region 10, Office of Air and Waste                    knudsen.laura@epa.gov.
                                                      Washington: Proposed Authorization                      (OAW–150), 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite                     (3) Mail: Laura Knudsen, U.S. EPA
                                                      of State Hazardous Waste Management                     900, Seattle, Washington 98101, phone                 Region 10, 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite
                                                      Program Revisions                                       number: (206) 553–2416, email:                        900, RAD–202–3, Seattle, Washington
                                                      AGENCY:  Environmental Protection                       mccullough.barbara@epa.gov or from                    98101.
                                                      Agency (EPA).                                           the Washington State Department of                      (4) Hand delivery: USEPA Region 10
                                                                                                              Ecology, 300 Desmond Drive, Lacey,                    Records Center, 1200 Sixth Avenue,
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of the
                                                      comment period.                                         Washington 98503, contact: Robert                     Suite 900, Seattle, Washington. Such
                                                                                                              Rieck, phone number: (360) 407–6751,                  deliveries are only accepted during the
                                                      SUMMARY:   The Environmental Protection                 email: rori461@ecy.wa.gov.                            Docket’s normal hours of operation, and
                                                      Agency (EPA) is reopening the comment                    Dated: August 21, 2017.                              special arrangements should be made
                                                      period for a proposed rulemaking to                                                                           for deliveries of boxed information.
                                                                                                              Michelle Pirzadeh,
                                                      authorize a revision to the State of                                                                            Instructions: Direct your comments to
                                                      Washington’s federally authorized                       Acting Regional Administrator, Region 10.             Docket ID no. EPA–HQ–SFUND–1992–
                                                      hazardous waste management program                      [FR Doc. 2017–20314 Filed 9–22–17; 8:45 am]           0007. EPA’s policy is that all comments
                                                      pursuant to the Resource Conservation                   BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                received will be included in the public


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                                                      44546               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 184 / Monday, September 25, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                      docket without change and may be                        Washington 98101, 206–553–2724,                         (3) the remedial investigation has
                                                      made available online at http://                        email jennings.jeremy@epa.gov.                        shown that the release poses no
                                                      www.regulations.gov, including any                      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            significant threat to public health or the
                                                      personal information provided, unless                                                                         environment and, therefore, the taking
                                                      the comment includes information                        Table of Contents                                     of remedial measures is not appropriate.
                                                      claimed to be Confidential Business                     I. Introduction                                         Pursuant to CERCLA section 121(c)
                                                      Information (CBI) or other information                  II. NPL Deletion Criteria                             and the NCP, EPA conducts five-year
                                                      whose disclosure is restricted by statute.              III. Deletion Procedures                              reviews to ensure the continued
                                                      Do not submit information that you                      IV. Basis for Intended Site Deletion                  protectiveness of remedial actions
                                                      consider to be CBI or otherwise                                                                               where hazardous substances, pollutants,
                                                                                                              I. Introduction
                                                      protected through http://                                                                                     or contaminants remain at a site above
                                                      www.regulations.gov or email. The                          EPA Region 10 announces its intent to              levels that allow for unlimited use and
                                                      http://www.regulations.gov Web site is                  delete the Vancouver Water Station #4                 unrestricted exposure. EPA conducts
                                                      an ‘‘anonymous access’’ system, which                   Contamination Superfund Site from the                 such five-year reviews even if a site is
                                                      means EPA will not know your identity                   National Priorities List (NPL) and                    deleted from the NPL. EPA may initiate
                                                      or contact information unless you                       requests public comment on this                       further action to ensure continued
                                                      provide it in the body of your comment.                 proposed action. The NPL constitutes                  protectiveness at a deleted site if new
                                                      If you send an email comment directly                   Appendix B of 40 CFR part 300 which                   information becomes available that
                                                      to EPA without going through http://                    is the National Oil and Hazardous                     indicates it is appropriate. Whenever
                                                      www.regulations.gov, your email                         Substances Pollution Contingency Plan                 there is a significant release from a site
                                                      address will be automatically captured                  (NCP), which EPA promulgated                          deleted from the NPL, the deleted site
                                                      and included as part of the comment                     pursuant to section 105 of the                        may be restored to the NPL without
                                                      that is placed in the public docket and                 Comprehensive Environmental                           application of the hazard ranking
                                                      made available on the Internet. If you                  Response, Compensation and Liability                  system.
                                                      submit an electronic comment, EPA                       Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended.
                                                                                                                                                                    III. Deletion Procedures
                                                      recommends that you include your                        EPA maintains the NPL as the list of
                                                      name and other contact information in                   sites that appear to present a significant               The following procedures apply to
                                                      the body of your comment and with any                   risk to public health, welfare, or the                deletion of the Site:
                                                      disk or CD–ROM you submit. If EPA                       environment. Sites on the NPL may be                     (1) EPA consulted with the State
                                                      cannot read your comment due to                         the subject of remedial actions financed              before developing this Notice of Intent
                                                      technical difficulties and cannot contact               by the Hazardous Substance Superfund                  to Delete.
                                                      you for clarification, EPA may not be                   (Fund). As described in 40 CFR                           (2) EPA has provided the State 30
                                                      able to consider your comment.                          300.425(e)(3) of the NCP, sites deleted               working days for review of this notice
                                                      Electronic files should avoid the use of                from the NPL remain eligible for Fund-                prior to publication of it today.
                                                                                                              financed remedial actions if future                      (3) In accordance with the criteria
                                                      special characters, any form of
                                                                                                              conditions warrant such actions.                      discussed above, EPA has determined
                                                      encryption, and be free of any defects or
                                                                                                                                                                    that no further response is appropriate.
                                                      viruses.                                                   EPA will accept comments on the                       (4) The State of Washington, through
                                                         Docket: All documents in the docket                  proposal to delete this Site for thirty               the Department of Ecology, has
                                                      are listed in the http://                               (30) days after publication of this                   concurred with deletion of the Site from
                                                      www.regulations.gov index. Although                     document in the Federal Register.                     the NPL.
                                                      listed in the index, some information is                   Section II of this document explains                  (5) Concurrently with the publication
                                                      not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other              the criteria for deleting sites from the              of this Notice of Intent to Delete in the
                                                      information whose disclosure is                         NPL. Section III discusses procedures                 Federal Register, a notice is being
                                                      restricted by statute. Certain other                    that EPA is using for this action. Section            published in a major local newspaper,
                                                      material, such as copyrighted material,                 IV discusses the Vancouver Water                      The Columbian. The newspaper notice
                                                      will be publicly available only in the                  Station #4 Contamination Superfund                    announces the 30-day public comment
                                                      hard copy. Publicly available docket                    Site and demonstrates how it meets the                period concerning the Notice of Intent
                                                      materials are available either                          deletion criteria.                                    to Delete the Site from the NPL.
                                                      electronically in http://                               II. NPL Deletion Criteria                                (6) The EPA placed copies of
                                                      www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at:                                                                       documents supporting the proposed
                                                                                                                 The NCP establishes the criteria that              deletion in the deletion docket and
                                                        USEPA Region 10 Records Center,                       EPA uses to delete sites from the NPL.
                                                      1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, Seattle,                                                                        made these items available for public
                                                                                                              In accordance with 40 CFR 300.425(e),                 inspection and copying at the Site
                                                      Washington, Monday through Friday,                      sites may be deleted from the NPL
                                                      except Federal holidays, between 8:00                                                                         information repositories identified
                                                                                                              where no further response is                          previously.
                                                      a.m. and 5:00 p.m.                                      appropriate. In making such a                            If comments are received within the
                                                        City of Vancouver Water Resources                     determination pursuant to 40 CFR                      30-day public comment period on this
                                                      Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia                      300.425(e), EPA will consider, in                     document, EPA will evaluate and
                                                      Way, Vancouver, Washington, Monday                      consultation with the State, whether any              respond appropriately to the comments
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                      through Friday, except holidays,                        of the following criteria have been met:              before making a final decision to delete.
                                                      between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and                        (1) Responsible parties or other                   If necessary, EPA will prepare a
                                                      Saturday between noon and 5:00 p.m.,                    persons have implemented all                          Responsiveness Summary to address
                                                      Phone: 360–487–7111.                                    appropriate response action required;                 any significant public comments
                                                      FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                           (2) all appropriate Fund-financed                  received. After the public comment
                                                      Jeremy Jennings, Remedial Project                       response under CERCLA has been                        period, if EPA determines it is still
                                                      Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection                  implemented, and no further response                  appropriate to delete the Site, the
                                                      Agency, Region 10, ECL–122, 1200                        action by responsible parties is                      Regional Administrator will publish a
                                                      Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, Seattle,                       appropriate; or                                       final Notice of Deletion in the Federal


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                                                                          Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 184 / Monday, September 25, 2017 / Proposed Rules                                          44547

                                                      Register. Public notices, public                           The City continues to use the water                Response Actions
                                                      submissions and copies of the                           from the WS4 production wells as part                    The City’s production wells were
                                                      Responsiveness Summary, if prepared,                    of their drinking water supply system.                used to pump contaminated
                                                      will be made available to interested                                                                          groundwater, which was then treated in
                                                      parties and in the Site information                     Remedial Investigation and Feasibility
                                                                                                              Study (RI/FS)                                         air stripping towers. This treatment
                                                      repositories listed previously.                                                                               system reduced PCE to nondetectable
                                                         Deletion of a site from the NPL does                   A baseline risk assessment completed                levels, so the water could then be
                                                      not itself create, alter, or revoke any                 by EPA quantified potential                           delivered to customers for use as
                                                      individual’s rights or obligations.                     carcinogenic risks to future residents                drinking water. This pump, treat, and
                                                      Deletion of a site from the NPL does not                consuming untreated water ranged from                 delivery system began in 1992 and has
                                                      in any way alter EPA’s right to take                    5E–6 to 2E–5 cancer risk (5 to 20 excess              operated continuously for 25 years.
                                                      enforcement actions, as appropriate.                    cancers in 1,000,000 people) and non-                 Throughout this period, the City
                                                      The NPL is designed primarily for                       cancer risk from a hazard index of 0.02               monitored PCE concentrations in the
                                                      informational purposes and to assist                    to 0.2. EPA found it was necessary to                 aquifer, which declined gradually over
                                                      EPA management. Section 300.425(e)(3)                   take action at WS4 because the                        time.
                                                      of the NCP states that the deletion of a                groundwater had been shown to have                       The PCE levels in the groundwater at
                                                      site from the NPL does not preclude                     persistent concentrations of PCE above                all wells are currently below the MCL.
                                                      eligibility for future response actions,                the MCL.                                              Thus, the remedial action objectives
                                                      should future conditions warrant such                                                                         have been attained and the human
                                                                                                                Starting in 1989, the City and EPA
                                                      actions.                                                                                                      health exposure pathways have been
                                                                                                              conducted several investigations into
                                                      IV. Basis for Intended Site Deletion                    the source or sources of PCE at WS4                   eliminated.
                                                                                                              including sampling of private wells,                     A Preliminary Close Out Report
                                                         The following information provides                                                                         documenting the completion of
                                                                                                              nearby surface waters and industrial
                                                      EPA’s rationale for deleting the Site                                                                         construction activities was signed by
                                                                                                              sumps; conducting soil gas surveys; and
                                                      from the NPL:                                                                                                 EPA on September 8, 1999. The Site was
                                                                                                              inspecting local dry cleaners and other
                                                      Site Background and History                             places of business where PCE may have                 identified as ‘‘Sitewide Ready for
                                                                                                              been used. In 1992, PCE concentrations                Anticipated Use’’ on March 11, 2014. A
                                                         The Vancouver Water Station #4                                                                             Final Close Out Report documenting
                                                      Contamination Superfund Site (EPA ID:                   suddenly increased, peaked at 520 mg/L
                                                                                                              in 1993 and then decreased over the                   completion of all remedial activities was
                                                      WAD988475158) is a public water                                                                               signed by EPA on June 12, 2017.
                                                      supply wellfield located approximately                  next several years. Although multiple
                                                      1⁄2 mile north of the Columbia River in                 potential sources of PCE (e.g., dry                   Cleanup Levels
                                                      the City of Vancouver, Clark County,                    cleaners) were located, no source was
                                                                                                              identified as primarily responsible for                 The 1999 ROD requires treatment and
                                                      Washington. Water Station #4 (WS4) has                                                                        monitoring until the PCE concentrations
                                                      been owned by the City of Vancouver                     the sustained high concentrations and
                                                                                                              for which any additional source control               in groundwater at all production wells
                                                      (City) and managed as part of their                                                                           are below the MCL. As there have been
                                                      drinking water supply system for over                   actions could be taken. EPA concluded
                                                                                                              that there was not an on-going source of              no changes to the federal or state
                                                      50 years. WS4 is approximately 1⁄2 acre                                                                       drinking water standards for PCE or
                                                      in size and includes six production                     PCE and there was a strong likelihood
                                                                                                              that an unidentified source was                       changes in the toxicity factors for PCE
                                                      wells, two air stripping towers and                                                                           since the ROD was issued, this cleanup
                                                      several support buildings. Groundwater                  responsible for the elevated PCE levels.
                                                                                                                                                                    level remains protective of human
                                                      is pumped from approximately 200 feet                   Selected Remedy                                       health and the environment.
                                                      below ground surface and blended with                                                                           In June 2017 the EPA reviewed the
                                                      water from several other wellfields to                     On September 1, 1999, the EPA issued               monitoring data and found that PCE
                                                      provide drinking water to                               a Record of Decision (ROD) for the Site.              concentrations have been below the
                                                      approximately 230,000 people in the                     PCE was identified as the only                        MCL since October 2011. Based on this
                                                      Vancouver region.                                       Contaminant of Concern. Remedial                      evaluation, EPA determined that all
                                                         In 1988, pursuant to the Safe Drinking               Action Objectives were established to                 remedial activities at the Site were
                                                      Water Act (SDWA), the City began                        protect human health by reducing                      complete and remedial action objectives
                                                      monitoring volatile organic compounds                   concentrations of PCE in the                          have been achieved. All drinking water
                                                      (VOCs) in water supplied from all of its                groundwater and drinking water to                     delivered from the wellfield must
                                                      water stations. These tests showed                      below the MCL (5.0 mg/L).                             continue to meet the requirements of the
                                                      tetrachloroethylene (PCE) at several                       The selected remedy for the Site                   SDWA.
                                                      WS4 wells at levels above the maximum                   included pumping the production wells
                                                      contaminant level (MCL) established                     at a rate consistent with customer                    Five-Year Review
                                                      under the SDWA. The City notified the                   demand until such time as the PCE level                  Three policy five-year reviews have
                                                      public and modified the pumping rates                   in the groundwater at all production                  been completed at the Site, the last one
                                                      at individual wells so that PCE levels in               wells was below the MCL. The extracted                in September 2013.
                                                      the drinking water delivered to                         water was to be treated using the air                    No issues or follow-up actions were
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                                                      customers were consistently below the                   stripping towers and distributed to                   identified as part of the 2013 Five Year
                                                      MCL. In January 1992, the City began                    customers as drinking water. Monitoring               Review. The protectiveness statement
                                                      operating an air stripping treatment                    of the quality of the groundwater at the              stated that the remedy at Vancouver
                                                      system to further reduce PCE levels.                    production wells and the water                        WS4 was ‘‘protective of human health
                                                         On July 29, 1991, EPA proposed WS4                   following treatment was also required.                and the environment because the
                                                      for listing on the NPL (56 FR 35840).                   Since no sources were identified and no               treatment system is functioning as
                                                      The NPL listing for the Site was                        other drinking water wells were located               intended and human and ecological
                                                      finalized on October 14, 1992 (59 FR                    in the area, no source control actions or             risks are under control. Long-term
                                                      47180).                                                 institutional controls were included.                 protectiveness of the remedial action


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                                                      44548               Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 184 / Monday, September 25, 2017 / Proposed Rules

                                                      will be verified by regular monitoring by                 Dated: August 25, 2017.                             West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL
                                                      the City of Vancouver.’’                                Sheryl Bilbrey,                                       60604, (312) 886–6036, email:
                                                        The analysis conducted since the last                 Director—Region 10 Office of Environmental            cano.randolph@epa.gov.
                                                      FYR indicates that the remedy has been                  Cleanup.                                              SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the
                                                      fully implemented and the remedial                      [FR Doc. 2017–20448 Filed 9–22–17; 8:45 am]           ‘‘Rules and Regulations’’ Section of
                                                      action objectives and related cleanup                   BILLING CODE 6560–50–P                                today’s Federal Register, we are
                                                      levels have been attained. No hazardous                                                                       publishing a direct final Notice of
                                                      substances, pollutants or contaminants                                                                        Deletion of the Site without prior Notice
                                                      remain above levels that could prevent                  ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION                              of Intent to Delete because we view this
                                                      unlimited use and unrestricted                          AGENCY                                                as a noncontroversial revision and
                                                      exposure. Therefore, no further five-year                                                                     anticipate no adverse comment. We
                                                      reviews are required.                                   40 CFR Part 300                                       have explained our reasons for this
                                                                                                              [EPA–HQ–SFUND–2005–0011; FRL–9967–                    deletion in the direct final Notice of
                                                      Community Involvement                                                                                         Deletion, and those reasons are
                                                                                                              24–Region 5]
                                                        Public participation activities have                                                                        incorporated herein. If we receive no
                                                      been satisfied as required in CERCLA                    National Oil and Hazardous                            adverse comment(s) on this deletion
                                                      Section 113(k), 42 U.S.C. 9613(k) and                   Substances Pollution Contingency                      action, we will not take further action
                                                      CERCLA Section 117, 42 U.S.C. 9617.                     Plan; National Priorities List: Deletion              on this Notice of Intent to Delete. If we
                                                      Throughout the remedial process, the                    of the Nutting Truck & Caster Co.                     receive adverse comment(s), we will
                                                      EPA has kept the public informed of                     Superfund Site                                        withdraw the direct final Notice of
                                                      activities being conducted at the Site by                                                                     Deletion, and it will not take effect. We
                                                                                                              AGENCY:  Environmental Protection                     will, as appropriate, address all public
                                                      way of informational meetings, fact
                                                                                                              Agency (EPA).                                         comments in a subsequent final Notice
                                                      sheets and public meetings.
                                                                                                              ACTION: Proposed rule; notification of                of Deletion based on this Notice of
                                                        Documents in the deletion docket
                                                                                                              intent.                                               Intent to Delete. We will not institute a
                                                      which the EPA relied on for the
                                                      recommendation for deletion from the                                                                          second comment period on this Notice
                                                                                                              SUMMARY:   The Environmental Protection               of Intent to Delete. Any parties
                                                      NPL are available to the public in the                  Agency (EPA) Region 5 is issuing a
                                                      information repositories identified                                                                           interested in commenting must do so at
                                                                                                              Notice of Intent to Delete the Nutting                this time.
                                                      previously. A notice of availability of                 Truck & Caster Co. Superfund Site (Site)
                                                      the Notice of Intent for Deletion has                                                                            For additional information, see the
                                                                                                              located in Faribault, Minnesota, from                 direct final Notice of Deletion which is
                                                      been published in The Columbian.                        the National Priorities List (NPL) and                located in the Rules section of this
                                                      Determination That the Site Meets the                   requests public comments on this                      Federal Register.
                                                      Criteria for Deletion in the NCP                        proposed action. The NPL, promulgated
                                                                                                              pursuant to Section 105 of the                        List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 300
                                                         The EPA, with concurrence of the                     Comprehensive Environmental                             Environmental protection, Air
                                                      State of Washington through the                         Response, Compensation, and Liability                 pollution control, Chemicals, Hazardous
                                                      Department of Ecology, has determined                   Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, is                  waste, Hazardous substances,
                                                      that the implemented remedy achieves                    an appendix of the National Oil and                   Intergovernmental relations, Penalties,
                                                      the degree of cleanup or protection                     Hazardous Substances Pollution                        Reporting and recordkeeping
                                                      specified in the ROD for all pathways of                Contingency Plan (NCP). The EPA and                   requirements, Superfund, Water
                                                      exposure. All selected remedial and                     the State of Minnesota, through the                   pollution control, Water supply.
                                                      removal action objectives and associated                Minnesota Pollution Control Agency,
                                                      cleanup levels are consistent with                                                                              Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321(d); 42 U.S.C.
                                                                                                              have determined that all appropriate                  9601–9657; E.O. 13626, 77 FR 56749, 3 CFR,
                                                      agency policy and guidance. No further                  response actions under CERCLA have                    2013 Comp., p. 306; E.O. 12777, 56 FR 54757,
                                                      Superfund response is needed to protect                 been completed. However, this deletion                3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; E.O. 12580, 52
                                                      human health and the environment.                       does not preclude future actions under                FR 2923, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 193.
                                                         In accordance with 40 CFR                            Superfund.                                              Dated: August 21, 2017.
                                                      300.425(e), sites may be deleted from                   DATES: Comments must be received by                   Robert A. Kaplan,
                                                      the NPL where all appropriate response                  October 25, 2017.                                     Acting Regional Administrator, Region 5.
                                                      actions have been implemented and
                                                                                                              ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,                      [FR Doc. 2017–20346 Filed 9–22–17; 8:45 am]
                                                      where no further response is
                                                                                                              identified by Docket ID No. EPA–HQ–                   BILLING CODE 6560–50–P
                                                      appropriate. Consistent with this, the
                                                                                                              SFUND–2005–0011, by mail to
                                                      EPA is proposing deletion of this Site
                                                                                                              Randolph Cano, NPL Deletion
                                                      from the NPL.
                                                                                                              Coordinator, U.S. Environmental                       ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                                                      List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 300                     Protection Agency Region 5 (SR–6J), 77                AGENCY
                                                                                                              West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL
                                                        Environmental protection, Air                                                                               40 CFR Part 300
                                                                                                              60604. Comments may also be
                                                      pollution control, Chemicals, Hazardous
                                                                                                              submitted electronically or through                   [EPA–HQ–SFUND–1994–0009; FRL–9967–
                                                      waste, Hazardous substances,
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                              hand delivery/courier by following the                38–Region 10]
                                                      Intergovernmental relations, Penalties,
                                                                                                              detailed instructions in the ADDRESSES
                                                      Reporting and recordkeeping                                                                                   National Oil and Hazardous
                                                                                                              section of the direct final rule located in
                                                      requirements, Superfund, Water                                                                                Substances Pollution Contingency
                                                                                                              the rules section of this Federal
                                                      pollution control, Water supply.                                                                              Plan; National Priorities List: Deletion
                                                                                                              Register.
                                                        Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321(d); 42 U.S.C.                                                                     of the Vancouver Water Station #1
                                                      9601–9657; E.O. 13626, 77 FR 56749, 3 CFR,              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                                                                                                                                    Superfund Site
                                                      2013 Comp., p. 306; E.O. 12777, 56 FR 54757,            Randolph Cano, NPL Deletion
                                                      3 CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; E.O. 12580, 52               Coordinator, U.S. Environmental                       AGENCY: Environmental Protection
                                                      FR 2923, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., p. 193.                     Protection Agency Region 5 (SR–6J), 77                Agency (EPA).


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Document Created: 2018-10-24 14:41:59
Document Modified: 2018-10-24 14:41:59
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionProposed rule; notification of intent.
DatesComments must be received by October 25, 2017.
ContactJeremy Jennings, Remedial Project Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10, ECL-122, 1200 Sixth Avenue, Suite 900, Seattle, Washington 98101, 206-553-2724, email [email protected]
FR Citation82 FR 44545 
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Protection; Air Pollution Control; Chemicals; Hazardous Waste; Hazardous Substances; Intergovernmental Relations; Penalties; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements; Superfund; Water Pollution Control and Water Supply

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