(Lenexa, Kan., April 17, 2014) - E.P.A. Region seven and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have established an interagency arrangement outlining 4 tasks under which the Corps will provide assistance to E.P.A. as the Agency oversees the approaching construction of an isolation barrier at the West Lake Landfill Superfund Location in Bridgeton, Mo.
As outlined in the agreement, which became effective April 15, 2014, those 4 tasks include providing technical assistance services, design review services, pre-construction and construction observation, and community relations support.
"EPA could not have a better partner than the Corps for this important project," E.P.A. Regional Administrator Karl Brooks said. "The Corps brings to the table its proven expertise in handling major engineering plans to address challenging situations in effective and timely ways."
Under an order from the Missouri Attorney General, Republic Services, Inc., is required to install a barrier between the North Quarry Cell of Bridgeton Landfill and Operable Unit one (OU-1) of the West Lake Landfill. The purpose of the barrier is to prevent a subsurface smoldering event in Bridgeton Landfill's South Quarry Cell from making contact with radiologically impacted materials detected below the surface, in and near OU-1.
Because the isolation barrier will be placed on the West Lake Landfill portion of the site, E.P.A. will be the lead agency to oversee its construction. Under the interagency agreement, E.P.A. will gain assistance in its oversight role from the Corps, while actual construction of the barrier will be performed by a contractor hired by the site's potentially responsible parties (PRPs). E.P.A. will seek to recover from the PRPs its costs of engaging the Corps.
A closer look at some of the isolation barrier activities under which the Corps will assist EPA:
· Technical Assistance - Efforts related to technical assistance and plan initiation, management and support, including reviewing and commenting on various documents, reports and data; participation in discussions and negotiations; coordination of staffing and support activities; tracking and monitoring of costs and performance; and accommodation of external audits or reviews that E.P.A. may require.
· Design Review - Includes providing reviews and comments on projects and preparations submitted at various stages of the plan by the PRPs, including design projects and work plans, such as a waste handling and disposal plan, water management plan, and health and safety plan.
· Pre-Construction and Construction Observation - Includes daily observation of pre-construction and construction activities, and reporting on those activities to E.P.A. on a daily basis. Reported observations will cover the adequacy of preparations, compliance with applicable plans, sequencing of operations, and any activities that may impact the effectiveness of the isolation barrier.
· Community Relations Support - Corps staff will attend and participate in Community Advisory Group (CAG) meetings, and other public meetings and public availability sessions, as requested by EPA. Corps staff will assist E.P.A. in explaining tasks and evaluations performed by the Corps.
Executing this interagency arrangement for isolation barrier design and construction support is the EPA's 1st step in bringing the Corps' technical expertise to the West Lake site. E.P.A. is currently in discussions with the Corps regarding additional document reviews and support efforts that extend beyond the isolation barrier tasks.
A copy of the interagency arrangement is accessible online at:
www.epa.gov/region7/cleanup/west_lake_landfill/pdf/west-lake-fy14-ia-sow.pdf.
E.P.A. has completed a legal order directing Republic Services to conduct pre-construction activities for the isolation barrier, such as Location clearing and preparation, and staging of equipment.
A copy of the pre-construction order is accessible online at:
www.epa.gov/region7/cleanup/west_lake_landfill/pdf/west-lake-preconstruction-order-041614.pdf.
