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Significant Developments and Activities Report
LAND AND CHEMICALS DIVISION
Weekly Significant
Developments and Activities Report
March 6, 2009
PTCS Conducted a Pesticide Inspection of Gardner Asphalt Corporation of Chicago
On February 27, 2009, EPA Region 5 Pesticides and Toxics Compliance Section inspectors conducted an inspection of Gardner Asphalt Corporation of Chicago. During the inspection they reviewed Gardner's import of the pesticide product "Mergal 165," EPA Reg. No. 68868-1-5383, from Canada to determine the company's compliance with FIFRA regulations. No apparent violations were discovered during the inspection related to the specific import shipments inspected.
Contact: Joe Lukascyk, Chemicals Management Branch, (312) 886-6233
Wisconsin Clean Sweep Program Threatened
The Wisconsin state budget crisis has put the Clean Sweep grant awards on hold, and may even eliminate the entire Clean Sweep program. Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle, in his draft 2010 budget, eliminated all funding for the Agricultural, Household Hazardous Waste and Drug Clean Sweep Programs in Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Clean Sweep program, administered by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (WDATCP) provides grants to counties and other municipalities to collect agricultural hazardous wastes. A single-source of funds, the Recycling Fund, is used by the Department to provide these grants. Recycling Fund monies come from landfill tipping fees and a business waste surcharge. The Clean Sweep program, administered by one WDATCP staff person, is run as a partnership that serves Wisconsin's homeowners, farmers and businesses. Because it is efficient and well run, Wisconsin's pesticide Clean Sweep program is one of the most highly valued pesticide collection programs in Region 5. Since 1990, the program has collected and disposed of over 3 million pounds of waste pesticides and has served 15,658 farmers. Because much of Wisconsin lies within the Great Lakes Basin, the lack of a Clean Sweep program could have negative consequences for portions of the Great Lakes watershed.
Contact: Holly McDonald, Chemicals Management Branch, 312-886-6012
Region 5 Participates in First Illinois Sustainable Schools Symposium
Staff from Land and Chemicals Division (LCD) and Air and Radiation Division (ARD) participated in the first Illinois Sustainable Schools Symposium, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, IL on Friday, February 27, 2009. This full-day conference hosted by Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn and the Green Governments Coordinating Council featured presentations and workshops on how to make school districts healthier and more sustainable by implementing a variety of healthier and greener practices and programs. Workshop topics included sustainable school facility planning and siting, green facilities management, sustainable renovation and construction, energy efficiency and conservation, environmental education and service learning, water conservation, waste reduction, and sustainable school transportation.
The Symposium provided participants with an opportunity to exchange ideas with peers and identify new programs to implement at the school or district level. Participants included school and district administrators, regional superintendents, school board members, school facilities managers and custodial staff, school health practitioners, school planners and architects, and school-related nonprofit organizations.
Staff from several programs in LCD and ARD provided EPA outreach materials pertinent to green and healthy schools such as Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools, greener purchasing, Healthy School Environments Assessment Tool, integrated pest management, requirements for schools to use lead-safe work practices under the new Remodeling, Renovation, and Painting Rule, Environmental Education, energy conservation, addressing mold in schools, and school bus diesel reductions.
Contact: Maryann Suero, Chemicals Management Branch, 312-886-9077
Lead Outreach Program at Spring Home Show in Peoria, IL
From February 27 - March 1, 2009, EPA Region 5's Lead Team maintained a display booth featuring pamphlets, charts, decals and placemats emphasizing Lead health hazards and preventative measures at the Spring Home Show held at the Civic Center in Peoria, Illinois. CMB staff responded to general environmental and health and safety inquiries.
There were over 245 vendors drawing approximately 20,000 visitors. More than 592 information materials, including DVDs of "Don't Spread Lead", were distributed to at least 167 attendees who visited our display.
We also distributed 24 information packets detailing the new Lead RRP (Renovation, Repair and Painting) Rule including the effective dates, websites, Small Entity Compliance Guide to Renovate Righttest kit updates, and a CDC Lead skin wipes article to the window vendors.
Contacts: Dick Doughty, 312-886-6068 and Jim Nash, 312-886-0754, Chemicals Management Branch,
TRI as Enforcement Targeting Tool
On March 2, 2009, CMB presented to RCRA Enforcement staff a new TRI data access program called TRI.NET that is useful for inspection targeting. TRI.NET is a high performance query engine that allows a user to analyze the TRI data effectively. The program can drill down to obtain data such as toxicity weight, thus enabling one to rank data in terms of hazard instead of pounds. Additionally, the database can provide demographic and environmental justice data.
Contact: Thelma Codina, Chemicals Management Branch, 312-886-6219
Green Venues & Events: Planning Underway for Recycling at 2009 A&WMA Annual Conference
MMB staff attended a meeting to plan for recycling at the 102nd Annual Conference and Exhibition (ACE) of the Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA) at Cobo Hall in Detroit, Michigan. ACE, A&WMA’s largest conference, attracts thousands of environmental professionals, over 500 speakers, and hundreds of exhibitors.
MDEQ and USEPA are partnering with A&WMA and the local host committee to coordinate a comprehensive recycling program for the event, which will take place from June 16-19, 2009. The recycling plan is largely based on the plan developed and implemented by EPA at the Brownfields 2008 conference held at Cobo Hall in May 2008, where a 68 percent recycling rate was achieved. The collection at ACE will focus on cardboard, metal banding and shrink wrap during the exhibition move-in and move-out, along with beverage containers and paper during the conference. MDEQ and USEPA staff will attend the event and assist in the recycling and measure results. The latest details on the “greening” effort for the event can be found at http://www.awma.org/ACE2009/inside.php?pg=going_green
Contact: Paul Ruesch, Materials Management Branch, 312-886-7898
EPA Coordinates Tribal Waste Issues with Other Federal Agencies
MMB staff will participate in the Federal Multi-Agency MOU Workgroup Meeting on March 10, 2009 in Lansing, Michigan. The MOU workgroup consists of various federal agencies that coordinate environmental responsibilities that impact Tribes. The MOU Sub-group on Tribal waste management is addressing Tribal pharmaceutical waste collection issues on an ongoing basis. We are also continually seeking input from Federal Agencies and Tribes on our on-line Federal Resource Guide for Tribal Waste Management.
Contact: Dolly Tong, 312-886-1019 and Burdell Chapman, 312-353-9564, Materials Management Branch
Michigan Tribes and USEPA Coordinate on Tribal Waste Issues
On February 25-26, 2009, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa hosted the quarterly Michigan Tribal Environmental Group (MTEG) meeting in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. MTEG consists of environmental staff from the Michigan Tribes. MTEG invited MMB staff to provide an update on EPA Tribal solid waste and pollution prevention program activities and news, including an on-line Federal resource guide for Tribal waste management, upcoming grant solicitations, and progress on our national GPRA measures for Tribal solid waste management. Other discussion topics of interest included presentations by the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians on their pharmaceutical waste collection and development of their draft integrated waste management plan. Also, a representative from the Michigan office of the USDA Rural Development discussed Rural Development programs that could support Tribal waste management infrastructure and capacity building.
Contact: Dolly Tong, Materials Management Branch, 312-886-1019
Greening the Hospitality Industry
Materials Management Branch staff member Briana Bill attended the Green Meeting Industry Council conference February 24-26, 2009 in Pittsburgh, PA. This year's conference focused on the hospitality industry and hosted excellent speakers on waste management at venues, identifying and applying metrics at events, the effect of the food industry on greenhouse gas emissions, and effective planning for venue sustainability. Chairpersons on the Convention Industry Council's green meeting standard development initiative met with the steering committee for a one-day meeting to discuss scoring associated with performance measures. Region 5 is serving as vice-chair for the Accommodations Committee and Chair for the Accommodations Waste, P2 and Water Subcommittee. Once complete, EPA hopes to incorporate the standard into procurement regulations for venues, hotels and meeting planners.
Contact: Briana Bill, Materials Management Branch, 312-353-6646
Tribal Solid Waste Coordinators Work on National Program Direction in San Francisco
Region 5's Tribal Solid Waste Program participated in a national discussion on the future direction of the Tribal Solid Waste Program. Discussion included : 1) Where and how the tribal solid waste program should move beyond a focus on open dump clean up toward a more RCC/P2 focus; 2) demonstrating the bottom-line savings of Green Practices and P2; 3) exploring the possibility of a peer-mentoring program to be developed for Tribes and by Tribes, including funding for a Pilot Study. Participants included Regions 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10 and the Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery. The meeting succeeded in fostering very engaged group discussion, creating a variety of action items, lessons learned, and next steps for the National Tribal Solid Waste Program and Region 5 Tribal Solid Waste staff.
Contacts: Becky Geyer, 312-353-8314) and Burdell Chapman, 312-353-9564, Materials Management Branch
Approval of Modification to Self-implementing PCB Cleanup Plan
On January 23, 2009, Arkema, Inc. (formerly Atofina Chemicals, Inc.) submitted to EPA a modification to their October 29, 2007 notification of self-implementing cleanup and disposal of PCB remediation waste at the Arkema, Inc. West Plant Property. The modification was submitted in accordance with Section 6 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) of 1976, 15 U.S.C. § 2605, and the federal polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) regulations, 40 C.F.R. § 761.61(a)(3)(ii). The modification is for the above ground storage tank containment areas D3, D4, D5, and D33 at the Site. EPA approved the October 29, 2007 notification on November 30, 2007. EPA reviewed and approved the self-implementing cleanup notification on March 3, 2009. Arkema may commence implementation of the modification as specified in the January 23, 2009 revised plan and in the February 25, 2009 clarification letter.
Contact: Jennifer Dodds, Remediation and Reuse Branch, 312-886-1484
Radiation Safety Training
From February 24-26, 2009, Mike Mikulka participated in a 3-day Radiation Safety training course sponsored by EPA's Environmental Response Training Program, and its contractor, TetraTech NUS, Inc. The course was held on the grounds of the U.S. Coast Guard's Pacific Strike Team headquarters in Novato, CA. The course included an overview module, practical applications including use of radiation detection equipment, and advanced applications including decontamination and the use of the multi-agency radiation survey and site investigation manual.
Contact: Mike Mikulka, Remediation and Reuse Branch, 312-886-6760
Administrative Order on Consent Signed for the Ansul, Inc. Site in Marinette, WI
An Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) between Ansul, Inc. and EPA was signed on February 26, 2009 to implement the remedy that was selected last year. Significant arsenic contamination exists in soil, ground-water, and adjacent Menominee River sediment. The highest arsenic concentrations have reached 10,000 ppm or more. The remedy consists of 4 major parts:
- cap contaminated soils on and off-site;
- prevent the migration of contaminated groundwater into the Menominee River by constructing 7,000 linear feet of containment barrier wall to surround the site;
- remove about 75,000 cubic yards of river sediment with arsenic concentrations in excess of 50 ppm; and
- implement a 10-year period of monitored natural recovery in order to achieve a long-term cleanup goal of 20 ppm in river sediments.
Contact: Gary Cygan, Remediation and Reuse Branch, 312-886-5902
AK Steel Public Meeting, Middletown, Ohio
On March 5, 2009, AK Steel will hold a public meeting to inform local citizens about the planned construction of several interim measures required by the Consent Decree entered with EPA, the State of Ohio and the Sierra Club in May 2006. AK has submitted a draft design package to EPA for the planned construction of its floodplain and sediment remedy for Monroe Ditch and Reach 1 of Dicks Creek. In addition to the above, AK will install an interim treatment measure to abate the discharge of PCB-contaminated non-aqueous phase liquids to Monroe Ditch. A revised submission to EPA, which addresses comments made by the regulatory agencies and Sierra Club, is planned for March 31, 2009. The construction is planned to commence in May of 2009 and be completed in November 2009. Phase 2, dealing with Reach 2 of Dicks Creek, is planned for 2010.
Contact: Mike Mikulka, Remediation and Reuse Branch, 312-886-6760
Voss Steel Self-Implementing PCB Cleanup Workplan Approved
A workplan for a self-implementing PCB cleanup for the Voss Steel property in Detroit, MI was submitted on January 28, 2009 and was approved on February 27, 2009. PCB-Contaminated soil will be excavated and shipped off-site for proper disposal.
Contact: Jill Groboski, Remediation and Reuse Branch, 312-886-3890
Clu-In Training Seminar on Green Remediation Standards
On March 4, 2009 an EPA Clu-In webcast was held regarding the Green Remediation Voluntary Standards Initiative. EPA is considering options to develop a voluntary standards and verification system that evaluates and recognizes efforts to maximize the net environmental benefit of cleaning up contaminated sites, known as green remediation or green cleanup. These standards would guide and stimulate efficient, cost effective, low impact site remediation by encouraging property owners, developers and communities to go beyond state and federal requirements in their cleanups and land revitalization projects. The purpose of this seminar was to provide insight on how EPA anticipates such a voluntary program could advance green cleanups across cleanup programs and to provide an opportunity for discussion among interested parties. A national EPA workgroup on this initiative is being led by Region 3. This seminar, along with an upcoming seminar on March 10, 2009 regarding optimization of groundwater pump and treat systems, continues RRB’s training efforts begun in January to provide tools to staff that will facilitate the incorporation of green remediation concepts into RCRA cleanups.
Contact: Gary Victorine, Remediation and Reuse Branch, 312-886-1479
Federal Draft RCRA Permit Issued to Gopher Resource Corporation
On March 5, 2009, EPA and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) reissued a joint draft RCRA permit to Gopher Resource Corporation located in Eagan, MN. Gopher owns and operates a manufacturing plant that produces refined alloys through the secondary smelting and refining of lead-acid batteries and other lead-bearing materials.
The federal draft RCRA permit contains conditions for controlling air emissions, design and operating standards for the containment building (40 CFR Part 264 Subpart CC). Site specific conditions for the containment building, such as maximum floor and wall loadings, decontamination requirements, etc. are stipulated in the federal permit.
Contacts: Wen Huang, 312-886-6191 and Jim Blough, 312-886-2967, RCRA Branch
CERCLA Off-Site Rule Workshop, Washington, D.C.
The CERCLA Off-Site Rule workshop is scheduled for March 23-24, 2009 in Washington, D.C. William Damico, Region 5 CERCLA Off-Site Rule Contact (ROC) is facilitating the workshop. This will be the first meeting of the CERCLA Off-Site Rule staff since April, 2005. Many regions have new ROCs so this meeting is an opportunity for them to interact with the more experienced ROCs.
A key topic will be establishing procedures for a ROC in one region to serve as a backup for the ROC in another region in the event of a major work disruption. Other topics will include training for the ROCs and their customers (i.e. Superfund RPMs and OSCs), recordkeeping requirements, information sharing, and lead region responsibilities.
Contact: Will Damico, RCRA Branch, 312-353-8207