(Boston, Massachusetts - July 17, 2013) - E.P.A. is seeking public input on suggested actions for 2 sites on the Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR).
A 30-day public review period, ending Aug. 16, begins today for 2 "Remedy Selection Plans" which outline the suggested alternatives for addressing groundwater contamination at the sites. There will also be a public information meeting on July 24 on these topics. The projects have been developed to explain the location and present information so the public has clear information on all the alternatives. The Remedy Selection Projects also provides information on EPA's preferred alternative.
The 1st Remedy Selection Project is an addendum to the Decision Document for the Demolition Area one (Demo 1) location located on the Camp Edwards portion of MMR. The area was used from the mid 1970's until 1997 for training and disposal of munitions, fireworks, explosives and other items. Investigations identified RDX (royal demolition explosive), other explosives, and perchlorate in both the Demolition Area one groundwater and source area. In 2006 E.P.A. selected a comprehensive remedy for the Demo one Groundwater Plume. The remedy was expected to achieve cleanup levels for RDX and perchlorate by 2018. Further location investigation efforts detected perchlorate across Route 28 as far as Co. Road in Pocasset. An extraction well was installed on the base boundary and began operating in June 2011. To further aid in the cleanup of the Demo Area one groundwater plume, E.P.A. is proposing Alternative 4A, which is outlined in the Remedy Selection Plan. Alternative 4A would continue the use the current system, optimized, with one off-base extraction well west of Lily Pond, in the Pocasset area of Bourne, as the preferred cleanup alternative for the site. The Remedy Selection Plan, accessible on EPA's MMR website (http://www.epa.gov/region1/mmr/), explains the other cleanup alternatives considered for the location and presents why Alternative 4A was selected by E.P.A. as the preferred alternative.
The 2nd Remedy Selection Project is for the cleanup of groundwater contamination at the J-2 Range in the southeastern portion of Camp Edwards. The J-2 Range is located adjacent to and partially within the Impact area. Based on sampling data collected from the site, it was determined that there were several different sources of groundwater contamination. For groundwater investigation and analysis purpose, the J-2 Range has been divided into 2 sub-areas, the northern plume area and the eastern plume area. The division between these 2 areas is based on the different source areas for each plume and their distinctly different migration patterns. The chemicals found in the groundwater (RDX and perchlorate) are associated with the use and disposal of military munitions and fireworks. Several response actions have been taken to date to remove many of the groundwater contamination sources. However, soil sampling and clearing of unexploded ordnance is necessary to confirm that any additional sources have been removed. The Upper Cape Cod Water Supply COOP wells are located downgradient. E.P.A. is proposing Alternative 4, focused extraction with 3 wells, monitored natural attenuation and land use controls as the preferred alternative for the J-2 Range Northern and Eastern groundwater plumes. This alternative optimizes the extraction, treatment, and reinfiltration systems that were installed in 2006 in the northern plume area, and in 2008 in the eastern plume area. The Remedy Selection Project explains the cleanup alternatives considered for both groundwater plumes and why Alternative four is preferred by EPA.
The Army National Guard's Impact Area Groundwater Study Program's (IAGWSP), investigations and cleanup at Demo one and the J-2 Range have been conducted under the oversight of E.P.A. and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), under the authority of EPA's Safe Drinking Water Act Administrative Orders and in consideration of the substantive cleanup requirements of the Massachusetts Contingency Project (MCP).
The findings are summarized in documents on EPA's MMR website (linked below) which provides review instructions for both Remedy Selection Plans. After the review period ends, E.P.A. will consider the public comments, consult with MassDEP, and issue a Decision Document providing the details of the actions selected for the sites. With the Decision Document, E.P.A. will include a Responsiveness Summary that provides responses to comments received during the public review period. MassDEP will issue its official position in a review letter after the public review period has ended.
Information on these suggested decisions will be presented at a public information session during the MMR Cleanup Team meeting on July 24th at 6:00pm. The meeting location is Building 1805 on the MMR.
More information on the proposals and how to review (http://www.epa.gov/region1/mmr/)
