November 1997

Proposed Plan to Cleanup Six Areas of Contamination:
FTA-2/LF-2, PFSA/FS-10/FS-11, SD-2/FS-6/FS-8, SD-3/FTA-3/CY-4, SD-4, and SD-5/FS-5

(Words that appear in italics are defined in the glossary at the end of this Proposed Plan)

The Proposed Cleanup

After careful study of these six areas of contamination (AOCs),the Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence (AFCEE) has developed plans to reduce potential risk from soil contamination at these AOCs. AFCEE is proposing the following actions:

AOC FTA-2/LF-2. Treating soil to reduce contaminant concentrations to levels such that leaching of contaminants will not be of concern.

AOC PFSA/FS-10/FS-11. Treating soil to reduce contaminant concentrations to levels such that leaching of contaminants will not be of concern.

AOC SD-2/FS-6/FS-8. Removing soil that presents the greatest risk and treating it on-site in a manner that will allow reuse during road paving projects.

AOC SD-3/FTA-3/CY-4. Performing additional sampling to ensure that previous actions removed all soil of concern, and removing and treating additional soil if needed.

AOC SD-4. Removing soil that presents the greatest risk and treating it on-site in a manner that will allow reuse during road paving projects.

AOC SD-5/FS-5. Removing soil that presents the greatest risk and treating it on-site in a manner that will allow reuse during road paving projects.

Learn More About AFCEE’s Proposed Plan

AFCEE will describe the Proposed Plan for cleanup at these six AOCs at a posterboard session followed by a presentation with an informal question and answer session at a public information meeting.

A public meeting will be held on

Thursday, November 13, 1997
Barnstable County Fairgrounds
Administration Building
Falmouth,Massachusetts

Poster session 6-7 pm
Informational meeting 7-8 pm

For additional information on the meeting, call Jerry Whitaker, AFCEE Public Affairs Specialist at (508) 968-4678 ext. 3.

What Do You Think?

AFCEE is accepting formal public comments on the Proposed Plan from November 13 through December 15, 1997. You don’t have to be a technical expert to comment — if you have a concern or preference, AFCEE wants to hear it before making a final decision on how work should proceed to protect your community.

A public hearing will be held on

Tuesday, December 2, 1997
Mashpee High School
500 Old Barnstable Road
Mashpee,Massachusetts

Poster session 6-7 pm
Public hearing 7-8 pm

There are two ways to provide a formal comment:

  1. Offer verbal comments during the public hearing to be held on December 2, 1997 (See page 12 for details), or
  2. Submit written comments during the public comment period that will extend from November 13 through December 15, 1997 to:

HQ AFCEE/MMR
Attn: Six AOCs
322 E. Inner Road
Otis ANG Base, MA 02542-5028

Comments may also be submitted by FAX at (508) 968-4673, by electronic mail message addressed to: JWhitaker@mafmh.ang.af.mil
or on the MMR web site at http://www.mmr.org

Introduction

This Proposed Plan provides information on the AFCEE preferred alternatives, developed with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MADEP), for cleanup of contaminant source areas at each of the following AOCs at Massachusetts Military Reservation (MMR):

Firefighter Training Area No. 2 and Landfill No. 2 (FTA-2/LF-2)
Petroleum Fuels Storage Area, Fuel Spill No. 10, Fuel Spill No. 11 (PFSA/FS-10/FS-11)
Storm Drainage Ditch No. 2, Fuel Spill No. 6, Fuel Spill No. 8 (SD-2/FS-6/FS-8)
Storm Drainage Ditch No. 3, Firefighter Training Area No. 3, Coal Storage Yard No. 4 (SD-3/FTA-3/CY-4)
Storm Drainage Ditch No. 4 ( SD-4)
Storm Drainage Ditch No. 5, Fuel Spill No,. 5 (SD-5/FS-5)

Groundwater contamination associated with these AOCs will be addressed in proposed plans prepared as part of separate studies, such as the Southeast Regional Groundwater Operable Unit (SERGOU) and the Plume Response Plan. However, the actions proposed in this Proposed Plan will help minimize groundwater contamination and may reduce future groundwater treatment requirements.

USEPA placed MMR on the National Priorities List in 1989 for investigation under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Liability, and Compensation Act (CERCLA). A Federal Facility Agreement, signed in 1991 and updated in 1997, required AFCEE to take the lead in cleanup activities at MMR, including these six AOCs (Figure 1).

AFCEE’s activities to date, carried out under the Installation Restoration Program, include performing Remedial Investigations (RIs) at each AOC to characterize the nature and distribution of contamination. Risk assessments were performed as part of the RIs to identify potential risks from exposure to contaminants. The risk assessments evaluated the present and future risks to human health and the environment posed by existing conditions, assuming no remedial action is taken. Both cancer and noncancer risks were evaluated. Additional activities include preparing Feasibility Studies to develop and evaluate remedial action alternatives to reduce site risks, and preparing this Proposed Plan.

This Proposed Plan summarizes the RIs and Feasibility Studies, and presents remedial actions proposed for source area soil and sediment at each of the six AOCs. After careful consideration of several alternatives, AFCEE believes the proposed actions will protect human health and the environment and will comply with environmental laws and regulations.

Four Categories of Cleanup Options

When evaluating the best way to address the risks presented by a site, AFCEE first looks at many technical approaches. AFCEE then focuses on approaches that would protect human health and the environment. Although reducing risks often involves combinations of processes, the general approaches can be grouped into the following categories.

Take no action or limited action: Leave the site as it is, or restrict access and monitor site conditions. The Feasibility Study assesses how well the evaluation criteria would be met if nothing were done to reduce site risks.

Contain contamination: Leave the contamination where it is and cover or contain it to prevent exposure to, or spread of, contaminants. This approach reduces risks from exposure to contamination, but does not reduce or treat contamination.

Move contaminated material off-site: Remove the contaminated material (e.g., soil, sediments, waste) and treat or dispose of it at a permitted off-base facility.

Treat contamination on-site: Use a chemical or physical process at the site to immobilize, remove, or destroy contaminants. The treated material can then be left on-site. Contaminants removed by the treatment process are disposed of at a permitted off-base facility.

Cleanup Options At The Six AOC Source Areas

AFCEE developed and evaluated five alternatives to clean up source area contamination at the six AOCs. With the exception of the No Action alternative, each alternative was developed to meet site-specific cleanup objectives.

Alternative 1: No Action. The No Action alternative was evaluated as a baseline for comparison with other alternatives as required by USEPA. No remedial action, monitoring, further investigation, or five-year site reviews would be performed as part of this alternative. No action would be taken to maintain site access restrictions (fencing and military guard posts) that currently limit potential exposure to site contaminants.

Alternative 2: Limited Action. The Limited Action alternative consists of institutional controls to maintain access restrictions at the four AOCs that are located within the flightline area at MMR. To satisfy security needs, MMR limits access to the portion of the installation surrounding the runways, hangers, and aircraft operations facilities with security fencing and military guard posts. By limiting site access, these restrictions also limit potential exposure to site contaminants. The risk assessment for AOCs FTA-2/LF-2, PFSA/FS-10/FS-11, SD-3/FTA-3/CY-4, and SD-5/FS-5 assumed the presence of these existing site access restrictions. If the level of flightline security is reduced in the future, AFCEE will assess the need to implement additional actions to limit site access.

The Limited Action alternative also includes five-year site reviews to review site conditions and monitoring data from remedial actions, to assess whether cleanup goals have been met, to determine if the remedy remains protective of human health and the environment, and to determine whether additional remedial action is justified.

At AOC FTA-2/LF-2, the Limited Action alternative includes filing a Record Notice of Landfill Operation with the Registry of Deeds to document the location of the landfill. The Limited Action alternative for AOC SD-3/FTA-3/CY-4 was modified to include soil sampling to confirm that previous removal actions at the site removed all surface soil exceeding cleanup criteria. If contaminant concentrations exceed cleanup criteria, a contingency action of excavation and asphalt-batching (see Alternative 4 below) would be implemented. The Limited Action alternative for AOC SD-3/FTA-3/CY-4 was renamed Confirmation Sampling with Contingency of Excavation and Asphalt-Batching.

Alternative 3: Biosparging. This treatment alternative involves installing air blowers and underground piping to inject air below the water table and the zone of contamination. Rising air bubbles will provide oxygen for naturally occurring bacteria to breath during degradation of site contaminants. The bacteria will degrade the hydrocarbon contaminants and convert them into non-toxic products. Biosparging may include off-gas collection and treatment to control potential air pollution, if needed.

Alternative 4: Excavation and Asphalt-Batching. This treatment alternative involves excavating contaminated soil and sediment and mixing them with an asphalt emulsion. The asphalt emulsion coats the soil and sediment particles and immobilizes contaminants, thereby reducing exposure risk. The stable asphalt-emulsion-coated product can be used as a subbase for paving projects. Asphalt-batching has been successfully used as a treatment alternative at other MMR sites.

Excavated soil would be tested before being mixed with the asphalt to confirm that the soil would not be considered hazardous. If the soil exceeded acceptable levels, it would be disposed of at a permitted off-base facility.

Alternative 5: Excavation and Off-site Treatment and Disposal. This alternative consists of off-base treatment and disposal of excavated contaminated soil and sediment. Excavated soil would be loaded into trucks and hauled off MMR property. The soil would be treated and/or disposed of at a permitted off-base facility.

Summary of AFCEE’s Preferred Alternatives

The following table summarizes AFCEE’s preferred alternatives for the six AOCs.

AOC FTA-2/LF-2 Biosparging with Ambient Air Monitoring
AOC PFSA/FS-10/FS-11 Biosparging with Off-Gas Collection and Treatment
AOC SD-2/FS-6/FS-8 Excavation and Asphalt- Batching
AOC SD-3/FTA-3/CY-4 Confirmation Sampling with Contingency of Excavation and Asphalt- Batching
AOC SD-4 Excavation and Asphalt- Batching
AOC SD-5/FS-5 Excavation and Asphalt- Batching
AFCEE believes that the preferred alternatives will be protective of human health and the environment and will comply with environmental laws and regulations (i.e., ARARs). The alternatives will provide both short-term and long-term protection. The preferred alternatives can be easily implemented and will provide the necessary protection at a reasonable cost.

Site Specific Evaluation of Alternatives

This section briefly summarizes site history, the reasons cleanup is needed, and the rationale for AFCEE’s selection of the preferred alternative for each AOC.

AOC FTA-2/LF-2

Description And History of AOC FTA-2/LF-2. This AOC, located west of the southern end of Runway No. 5 (Figure 2), occupies approximately 11 acres and includes a Firefighter-training area developed on top of a buried municipal landfill. The following items summarize the history of AOC FTA-2/LF-2.

  • 1940 to 1944. The landfill received domestic refuse that was burned and buried.
  • 1948 to 1956. Firefighter-training exercises were conducted at FTA-2. Materials that may have been burned include waste oils, aviation gasoline, jet fuel, and waste petroleum distillate solvents.
  • 1988. A Site Investigation (SI) was performed to assess the presence of contamination.
  • 1989. An RI was performed to assess the nature and distribution of contamination.
  • 1993. A supplemental RI was performed to further characterize contamination and evaluate potential site risks.
  • 1997. A Feasibility Study was performed to evaluate approaches to control potential site risks.

Why is Cleanup Needed at AOC FTA-2/LF-2? Investigations at AOC FTA-2/LF-2 detected inorganic and fuel- and non-fuel-related organic contaminants in the soil. Organic contaminants, such as fuel and pesticides, were also identified in deep soil close to the groundwater table. The results of the risk assessment for AOC FTA-2/LF-2 indicate that human health risks from exposure to soil do not exceed federal and state risk management guidelines. The results of the ecological risk assessment indicate potential risk; however, the risk may be overestimated suggesting that the likelihood of adverse ecological effects is low. Several chemicals with the potential to migrate to groundwater were identified above threshold concentrations.

Groundwater beneath AOC FTA-2/LF-2 is contaminated with inorganics and fuel-related organic compounds. Cleanup of this contamination is addressed by SERGOU.

Evaluated Remedial Alternatives for AOC FTA-2/LF-2. The Feasibility Study assessed how well the following three alternatives would meet the evaluation criteria while controlling migration of contaminants from deep soils to groundwater:

  • No Action
  • Limited Action
  • Biosparging

Because of the depth of the contamination, the alternatives that include excavation were considered impractical and were not evaluated in detail.

AFCEE’s Preferred Alternative for AOC FTA-2/LF-2. AFCEE’s preferred alternative for this AOC is Biosparging with Ambient Air Monitoring.

Preliminary sampling would be performed to confirm the extent of the area needing cleanup, and treatment would continue until sampling data indicated that cleanup criteria were met. Biosparging at AOC FTA-2/LF-2 does not include collection and treatment of biosparging off-gas because potential emissions are estimated to be well below Massachusetts thresholds and because potential exposure to off-gas leading to adverse effects is not expected. Air sampling will be performed to confirm that collection and treatment of off-gas is not necessary.

This alternative includes institutional controls in the form of site access restrictions to limit potential human exposure to site contaminants and five-year site reviews.

AOC PFSA/FS-10/FS-11

Description And History of AOC PFSA/FS-10/FS-11. The PFSA, located on the north side of South Outer Road (Figure 3), has been the main fuel delivery and distribution area for the flightline since the early 1950s. The following items summarize the history of PFSA/FS-10/FS-11.

  • Early 1950s to Present. The PFSA operated as the main fuel delivery and distribution area for the flightline.
  • 1960s. FS-10 and FS-11 occurred at the PFSA. FS-10 was a 2,000-gallon jet-fuel spill in one of the pumphouses. FS-11 was an approximate 2,000-gallon fuel spill from overfilling one of the tanks.
  • 1985 and 1986. Field investigations assessed the presence of soil and groundwater contamination at PFSA.
  • 1989. An RI was performed to characterize the nature and extent of sediment, deep soil, and groundwater contamination.
  • 1993. The fuel distribution lines at the PFSA were upgraded from a below-ground to an above-ground system. Approximately 11 cubic yards of fuel-contaminated soil were excavated from around the below-ground fuel lines during construction activities.
  • 1994. A supplemental RI was performed to further characterize groundwater contamination.
  • 1994. Four 50,000-gallon underground storage tanks were removed from the PFSA.
  • June 1996. Heavy rain and a pump failure at the PFSA caused 6,000 gallons of fuel-contaminated water to spill from a fuel pumphouse. Of the 6,000 gallons, about 300 gallons was diesel and/or jet fuel. Because of high stormwater flows, some fuel discharged to SD-2 south of the PFSA. In response to the spill, 480 cubic yards of fuel-contaminated soil were removed from the PFSA, and 120 cubic yards of fuel-contaminated soil were excavated from the SD-2 drainage ditch as part of an Immediate Response Action performed under the Massachusetts Contingency Plan. A soil vapor extraction system has been installed as part of the Immediate Response Action to remove additional contamination associated with the spill.
  • 1997. A Feasibility Study was performed to evaluate approaches to control potential site risks.

Why is Cleanup Needed at AOC PFSA/FS-10/FS-11? Investigations at this area showed fuel-related contaminants in surface and subsurface soils. Fuel-related contamination was also detected in shallow groundwater. The results of the risk assessment for AOC PFSA/FS-10/FS-11 indicate that human health risks from exposure to soil do not exceed federal and state risk management guidelines and that the likelihood of adverse ecological effects is low. However, it was concluded that subsurface soils were contributing to groundwater contamination. Groundwater beneath and downgradient of this AOC will be addressed by SERGOU.

Evaluated Remedial Alternatives for AOC PFSA/FS-10/FS-11. The Feasibility Study assessed how well the following three alternatives would meet the evaluation criteria while controlling migration of contaminants from deep soils to groundwater:

  • No Action
  • Limited Action
  • Biosparging

Because of the depth of the contamination and the presence of above-ground and shallow below-ground structures, the alternatives that included excavation were considered impractical and were not evaluated in detail.

AFCEE’s Preferred Alternative for AOC PFSA/FS-10/FS-11. The preferred alternative for this AOC is Biosparging with Off-gas Collection and Treatment. Preliminary sampling would be performed to confirm the extent of the area needing cleanup, and treatment would continue until sampling data indicated that cleanup criteria were met.

Biosparging at AOC PFSA/FS-10/FS-11 includes collection and treatment of biosparging off-gas. The design of the biosparging system will consider potential interactions between it, the extraction, treatment, reinjection (ETR) system installed for the neighboring site (SD-5 North Groundwater Plume), and the soil vapor extraction system installed for the 1996 spill.

The proximity of the ETR system to the proposed biosparging system makes assessment of potential operational interactions necessary to achieve uniform distribution of air during biosparging and avoid capture of biosparging air bubbles by the ETR system. AFCEE is confident these interactions can be minimized through prudent design. Few conflicts are expected between the biosparging system and the soil vapor extraction system installed to treat the 1996 spill.

This alternative includes institutional controls in the form of site access restrictions to limit potential human exposure to site contaminants and five-year site reviews.

AOC SD-2/FS-6/FS-8

Description And History of AOC SD-2/FS-6/FS-8. SD-2 extends from the base boundary approximately 2,500 feet south to Ashumet Pond (Figure 4). SD-2 receives runoff water from the PFSA, an aircraft maintenance ramp, and hangars. The following items summarize the history of AOC SD-2/FS-6/FS-8.

  • 1950s. SD-2 began receiving stormwater runoff from the PFSA, aircraft maintenance ramp, hangar nosedocks, and other support buildings.
  • Early 1960s. Two fuel spills (FS-6 and FS-8) occurred on the aircraft maintenance ramp, resulting in the release of approximately 23,000 gallons of fuel. Both FS-6 and FS-8 were reportedly washed into the storm sewer that discharges to SD-2.
  • 1968. An oil/water separator was constructed at SD-2, south of South Outer Road.
  • 1986. Additional field investigations evaluated surface water and sediment.
  • 1988. An SI was performed to assess the presence of surface water, sediment, and groundwater contamination.
  • 1989. An RI was performed to characterize the nature and distribution of sediment and groundwater contamination.
  • 1993. A supplemental RI was performed to further characterize sediment contamination.
  • 1996. As a result of heavy rains and a pump failure, fuel-contaminated water was released from the PFSA into SD-2. (See PFSA/FS-10/FS-11 on page 5 for additional discussion.)
  • 1997. A Feasibility Study was performed to evaluate approaches to control potential site risks.

Why is Cleanup Needed at AOC SD-2/FS-6/FS-8? Investigations at this AOC detected fuel-related compounds, pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and inorganic contaminants in surface soil and sediment. Samples of deeper soil and the groundwater did not identify site-related contamination. The results of the risk assessment indicate that human health risks from exposure to soil at average site concentrations do not exceed federal and state risk management guidelines; however, maximum site concentrations, found primarily at two specific sample locations along the drainage ditch, produced potential risks within the USEPA target risk range and greater than the MADEP target value. Furthermore, chemical concentrations at these two locations showed potential to cause adverse ecological effects. Excavation of soil and sediment at AOC SD-2/FS-6/FS-8 will remove them as potential sources of contamination to Ashumet Pond.

SERGOU addresses non-site-related groundwater contamination beneath this AOC.

Evaluated Remedial Alternatives for AOC SD-2/FS-6/FS-8. The Feasibility Study assessed how well the following three alternatives would meet the evaluation criteria while controlling potential adverse human health and ecological effects from exposure to surface soil and sediment:

  • No Action
  • Excavation and Asphalt-Batching
  • Excavation and Off-site Treatment and Disposal.

Because this site is located mostly outside the MMR boundary, MMR has little ability to control site access and the Limited Action alternative was not evaluated in detail. Because of the shallow depth and limited extent of contamination, biosparging was not considered in detail.

AFCEE’s Preferred Alternative for AOC SD-2/FS-6/FS-8. The preferred alternative for this AOC is Excavation and Asphalt-Batching.

A total of approximately 14 cubic yards of soil would be removed at two locations at this AOC. The excavations would then be backfilled with clean material. Because contaminated soil will be removed from this site, and the preferred alternative does not include site access restrictions, five-year site reviews would not be performed.

AOC SD-3/FTA-3/CY-4

Description And History of AOC SD-3/FTA-3/CY-4. This AOC is near the southeastern boundary of MMR and east of the runways in an industrialized area (Figure 5). SD-3 originates near CY-4 at the former Central Heating Plant. The ditch flows into a pipe buried beneath the ammunition storage area and discharges to SD-4. The following items summarize the history of AOC SD-3/FTA-3/CY-4.

  • 1950s. The SD-3 drainage ditch was constructed to receive the discharge from storm drains serving aircraft hangars and several streets west of Granville Avenue and the discharge from the Central Heating Plant.
  • 1955 to 1978. Coal was stockpiled directly on the ground prior to installation of a concrete storage pad.
  • 1955 to 1992. The coal ash disposal area received coal ash and fly ash from the Central Heating Plant.
  • 1956 to 1958. Fire Training Area No. 3 (FTA-3) was used for fire-training exercises, and subsequently was backfilled with construction debris, fill, and coal ash.
  • 1987. An SI was performed to assess the presence of contamination in surface water, sediment, soil, and groundwater at this AOC.
  • 1989. An RI was performed to characterize the nature and extent of sediment, soil, and groundwater contamination.
  • 1993. A supplemental RI was performed to further characterize sediment contamination.
  • 1994. 42,000 cubic yards of material, representing the majority of coal and coal ash at CY-4, were excavated and used as fill below the Main Base Landfill (LF-1) cover system.
  • 1997. A Feasibility Study was performed to evaluate approaches to control potential site risks.

Why is Cleanup Needed at AOC SD-3/FTA-3/CY-4? Investigations at AOC SD-3/FTA-3/CY-4 detected fuel- and coal-related contamination in sediment and in surface and subsurface soil samples; however, most of the soils represented by those soil samples were removed during the 1994 excavation activities.

The risk assessment, based on remaining site data, indicated that human health risks from exposure to soil and sediment do not exceed federal and state risk management guidelines. The results of the ecological risk assessment indicate potential risk; however, the risk may be overstated suggesting that the likelihood of adverse ecological effects is low. Therefore, based on available data, additional remedial actions are not warranted. Additional characterization of surface soil outside of the 1994 excavation area is required, however, to document remaining soil contamination and assess the adequacy of the 1994 soil removal. Data from the SERGOU RI and Johns Pond groundwater study indicate that this AOC is most likely not the source of the solvent contamination found beneath it. This groundwater contamination will be addressed by SERGOU.

Evaluated Remedial Alternatives for AOC SD-3/FTA-3/CY-4. The Feasibility Study assessed how well the following two alternatives would meet the evaluation criteria while controlling potential adverse human health and ecological effects from exposure to surface soil:

  • No Action
  • The modified limited action alternative of Confirmation Sampling with Contingency of Excavation and Asphalt-Batching

Biosparging was not evaluated in detail because it is not effective for the type of contaminants found at this AOC.

AFCEE’s Preferred Alternative for AOC SD-3/FTA-3/CY-4. AFCEE’s preferred alternative for this AOC is Confirmation Sampling with Contingency of Excavation and Asphalt-Batching. The initial component of this alternative is surface soil sampling to document remaining soil contamination and assess the adequacy of the removal action completed in 1994. Surface soil samples would be collected from the area of coal ash disposal outside of the 1994 removal area and analyzed for metals and semivolatile organic compounds. If contaminant concentrations are below cleanup criteria, no further remedial action would be required.

If this sampling shows contamination above cleanup criteria, the contingency action of additional soil removal followed by asphalt-batching would be implemented. Based on the observed extent of ash at the site, the potential excavation volume could be as great as 6,500 cubic yards.

This alternative includes institutional controls in the form of site access restrictions to limit potential human exposure to site contaminants and five-year site reviews.

AOC SD-4

Description And History of AOC SD-4. SD-4 is a drainage way which lies on both sides of Reilly Road south of the flightline (Figure 6). The drainage way received stormwater from storm sewers at the hangars, the runway/ramps, and a former pumphouse. Operations at these buildings spilled or disposed liquids into the storm sewer. Over the years, SD-4 has become a wetland area with a shallow pond and small stream. The following items summarize the history of AOC SD-4.

  • 1950s. SD-4 began receiving stormwater runoff from the runway, aircraft maintenance ramp, aircraft hangars, support buildings, and a fuel pumphouse.
  • 1968. An oil/water separator was constructed at SD-4, south of Reilly Road.
  • 1989 to 1991. A two-phase SI was performed to assess the presence of sediment, soil, and groundwater contamination.
  • 1993 to 1994. An RI was performed to characterize the nature and extent of soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater contamination.
  • 1997. A Feasibility Study was performed to evaluate approaches to control potential site risks.

Why is Cleanup Needed at AOC SD-4? Investigations at SD-4 detected fuel-related compounds, pesticides, PCBs, and inorganic compounds in surface soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater. Significant contamination was not identified in subsurface soil. The results of the risk assessment indicate that human health risks from exposure to average contaminant concentrations in soil under existing exposure conditions do not exceed federal and state risk management guidelines. Under the future exposure scenario and at maximum concentrations, estimated risks were at federal and above state target values.

The ecological risk assessment concluded that although risk estimates exceeded threshold values, use of conservative assumptions during calculation of risk may have resulted in an overestimate that does not accurately predict adverse effects. Because contaminated sediments are the interpreted source of suface water contamination, AFCEE, by taking action to address contaminated sediments, will not need to take separate action to cleanup surface water.

The risk assessment did not identify the need to cleanup groundwater.

Evaluated Remedial Alternatives for AOC SD-4. The Feasibility Study assessed how well the following three alternatives would meet the evaluation criteria while controlling potential adverse human health and ecological effects from exposure to surface soil and sediment:

  • No Action
  • Excavation and Asphalt-Batching
  • Excavation and Off-site Treatment and Disposal

Because potential ecological risk is a major concern at this site, the Limited Action alternative was not evaluated in detail; the institutional controls of the Limited Action alternative have little ability to control ecological exposure and risk. Further, the presence of institutional controls was not assumed in the risk assessment. Biosparging was not evaluated in detail because it is not effective for inorganics, a major contributor to potential risk at this site.

AFCEE’s Preferred Alternative for AOC SD-4. The preferred alternative for AOC SD-4 is excavation and asphalt- batching. The excavation would be backfilled with clean material and wetland areas restored as appropriate under Massachusetts regulations.

To limit the adverse effects of excavation on the wetland areas of SD-4, remedial activities will focus on a small pond where inorganics, organics, pesticides, and PCBs were detected. Of these, high concentrations of inorganics with potential contaminant bioavailability have the greatest potential to cause adverse environmental effects. Pre-excavation confirmation sampling will focus on contaminant bioavailability and on an evaluation of pond/wetland structure and productivity to assess whether adverse effects are actually occurring and whether soil/sediment remediation is justified.

Inorganics, especially lead, will be targeted as contaminants of concern. The results of the pre-excavation sampling will be used to identify areas for remediation.

This alternative does not include institutional controls to limit potential human exposure to site contaminants. Five-year site reviews would be performed.

AOC SD-5/FS-5

Description And History of AOC SD-5/FS-5. SD-5 includes a storm drainage swale and several buildings on the western side of Runway No. 5 (Figure 7). Possible contamination sources near SD-5 include the aircraft maintenance ramp, two underground fuel storage/transfer systems (Aquafarms), the Non-destructive Inspection Laboratory, and the Corrosion Control Shop. The following items summarize the history of AOC SD-5/FS-5.

  • 1950s. SD-5 began receiving stormwater runoff from a number of sources including the Eastern and Western Aquafarms, the former Non-destructive Inspection Laboratory, the Corrosion Control Shop, and the Permanent Field Training Site hangar.
  • Early 1960s. Three refueling aircraft were destroyed in a fire, resulting in the FS-5 fuel spill of up to 15,000 gallons of aviation gasoline. The spill was washed into the storm drain leading to SD-2.
  • 1985. Field investigations evaluated liquid and sludge in a leaching well and nearby soil.
  • 1988. An SI was performed to assess the presence of soil and groundwater contamination.
  • 1989. An RI was performed to characterize the nature and extent of sediment, soil, and groundwater contamination.
  • 1993. A supplemental RI was performed to further characterize contamination and evaluate site risks.
  • 1997. A Feasibility Study was performed to evaluate approaches to control potential site risks.

Why is Cleanup Needed at AOC SD-5/FS-5? Investigations at AOC SD-5/FS-5 detected organic and inorganic contamination in the soil. The risk assessment indicated that human health risks from exposure to soil for both current and future exposure scenarios at average exposure concentrations do not exceed federal and state risk management guidelines. Exceedances of both federal and state guidelines were noted, however, for the future scenario at maximum concentrations. In addition, concentrations of lead and petroleum compounds in surface soil exceeded federal and state risk evaluation criteria. The ecological risk assessment identified potential risks from soils near the Non-destructive Inspection Laboratory, the Corrosion Control Shop, and Western Aquafarm. Furthermore, several chemicals with the potential to migrate to groundwater were identified above threshold concentrations.

Groundwater contamination attributed to AOC SD-5/FS-5 is being addressed by the SD-5 North Groundwater Plume ETR System. Remedial alternatives for SD-5 South are currently being evaluated.

Evaluated Remedial Alternatives for AOC SD-5/FS-5. The Feasibility Study assessed how well the following four alternatives would meet the evaluation criteria while controlling potential adverse human health and ecological effects from exposure to surface soil and sediment:

  • No Action
  • Limited Action
  • Excavation and Asphalt-Batching
  • Excavation and Off-site Treatment and Disposal

Biosparging was not evaluated in detail because it is not effective for the inorganic contamination that is a major contributor to potential risk at this AOC.

AFCEE’s Preferred Alternative for AOC SD-5/FS-5. The preferred alternative for this AOC is excavation and asphalt- batching. A total of approximately 9,400 cubic yards of surface and subsurface soil would be removed at several locations at this AOC. The excavations would then be backfilled with clean material.

This alternative includes institutional controls to limit potential human exposure to site contaminants. Five-year site reviews would be performed.

Comparisons of Alternatives

The following tables summarize the comparison of alternatives evaluated in the Feasibility Study. The Feasibility Study performed a separate detailed analysis and comparison for each alternative; however, for simplification, the following tables compare each alternative against the criteria in general terms.

What is a Formal Comment?

During the formal public comment period, AFCEE will accept formal written comments on the Proposed Plan, and will hold a public hearing to accept either verbal or written comments. It is important to note that regulations distinguish between "formal" comments received during the public comment period and "informal" comments received outside of the comment period. While AFCEE uses comments throughout site investigation and cleanup, regulations require AFCEE to respond to formal comments in writing.

You can submit a formal comment in any of the following ways:

  1. Offer verbal or written comments during the public hearing on December 2, 1997;
  2. Send written comments, postmarked no later than December 15, 1997 to:
    HQ AFCEE/MMR
    Attn: Six AOCs
    322 E. Inner Road
    Otis ANG Base, MA 02542-5028
  3. Submit comments by FAX at (508) 968-4673, or
  4. Send an electronic mail message to: JWhitaker@mafmh.ang.af.mil,
  5. Send a message by internet at http://www.mmr.org

Why Submit Formal Comments?

Your comment will become part of the official public record, a crucial element in the decision-making process. AFCEE will consider all formal comments received at the public hearing and all written comments received during the public comment period prior to making the final selection of remedial alternatives for cleanup at the six AOCs.

A transcript of all formal comments and AFCEE’s written responses will be issued in a document called a Responsiveness Summary that will accompany the Record of Decision for the six AOCs. AFCEE experts to complete review of all comments, select a remedial alternative for each AOC, and issue the Record of Decision documenting AFCEE's choice in early 1998. At that time, copies of the Responsiveness Summary will be mailed to everyone who submitted a formal comment. In addition, AFCEE will announce the decision through the local news media and community mailing list.

GLOSSARY

Area of Contamination (AOC): A portion of a Superfund site where investigations have established that contamination exists and requires further assessment. An AOC may include one or more locations.

Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements (ARARs): Federal and/or state environmental laws and regulations that must be met during the implementation and completion of remedial actions.

Bioavailability: A measure of how easily a chemical is metabolized by living organisms. Some chemicals may be highly toxic in one form, but less toxic or nontoxic in another form because they are not bioavailable.

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA): This law, commonly known as Superfund, authorizes the federal government to respond directly to releases of hazardous substances that may endanger public health or the environment.

Cleanup: Actions taken to remove contaminants from the environment.

Feasibility Study: A study for identifying and evaluating options for remedial action to reduce risk to human health and the environment

Federal Facility Agreement: An agreement between USEPA and individual federal facilities which establishes a procedural and legal framework for investigating and performing remedial actions at Superfund sites.

Flightline: That portion of MMR, including runways, hangers, and adjacent areas, which directly supports aircraft operations.

Installation Restoration Program (IRP): The Department of Defense program implemented at military bases to identify, investigate, and cleanup contamination resulting from past operations.

Institutional Controls: Legal restrictions such as deed restrictions, zoning, fencing, or land use restrictions which prevent specified activities from occurring in specified areas to reduce or eliminate exposure.

National Priorities List (NPL): EPA’s list of uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites that are priorities for long-term remedial evaluation and response. NPL sites are eligible to receive federal funds for investigation and cleanup under the Superfund program.

Proposed Plan: A document which summarizes for the public the preferred remedial action for a site and presents the rationale for the preference.

Remedial Action: Action taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risks to human health or the environment from exposure to contaminants.

Remedial Investigation (RI): An investigation to gather and analyze the data necessary to determine the nature and distribution of contamination at a site, and to provide information for performing a feasibility study

Risk Assessment: An evaluation of human health and ecological risk resulting from exposure to a chemical or pollutant.

ACRONYMS

AFCEE Air Force Center for Environmental Excellance

ETR extraction, treatment, reinjection

MADEP Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

MMR Massachusetts Military Reservation

PCB polychlorinated biphenyl

SERGOU Southeast Regional Groundwater Operable Unit

SI site investigation

USEPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

For Further Information

This Proposed Plan to Cleanup Six Areas of Contamination is available for review, along with the supplemental documentation, as will be the Record of Decision and Responsiveness Summary at the:

Installation Restoration Program
HQ AFCEE/MMR
322 E. Inner Road
Otis ANG Base, Massachusetts 02542-5028
Tel: (508) 968-4670

Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

Information and technical documents are also available at the main libraries in the towns of Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee, and Sandwich; at the U.S. Coast Guard library at MMR; and at the MMR Web site (http://www.mmr.org).

For further information, please contact:

Jerry Whitaker
Public Affairs Specialist
HQ AFCEE/MMR
322 E. Inner Road
Otis ANG Base, MA 02542-5028
Tel: (508) 968-4678, ext. 3
FAX: (508) 968-4673
JWhitaker@mafmh.ang.af.mil
Johanna Hunter
Community Relations Manager
USEPA Region I
JFK Federal Building,
Boston, MA 02203
Tel: (617) 565-3425
FAX: (617) 565-3415
Ellie Grillo
Community Involvement Coordinator
MassDEP
RAA 20 Riverside Drive
Lakeville, MA 02346
Tel: (508) 946-2862
FAX: (508) 946-2835