PUBLIC NOTICE
Proposed Remedial Action Decision
Black Hills Energy – Former Blair FMGP
Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality
Waste Management Division
Remediation Section
Notice is hereby given pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. §81-15, 185.01, and Title 118 – Ground Water Quality Standards and Use Classification Chapter 11, that the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) is proposing approval of the Remedial Action Plan (RAP) for the Black Hills Energy (BHE) site which is located at 1061 Grant Street, Blair, Nebraska. This proposed determination is in accordance with Neb. Rev. Stat. §81-15, 185 and Title 118, Appendix A. The BHE site is located in the southwest quarter of Section 12, in Township 18 North, Range 11 East, Washington County, Nebraska.
Soil and groundwater at the Site are contaminated with polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The RAP proposes:
Removal of soils impacted with PAHs, and VOCs to meet Industrial Remediation Goals (RGs);
Establishment of an institutional control prohibiting development of the site property for residential purposes, prohibiting the use of groundwater, and restricting future excavation;
Groundwater monitoring of select monitoring wells for two years for purposes of monitoring and evaluating performance of remedial excavation
The NDEQ has determined that groundwater at this site should be designated as a Remedial Action Classification 2 (RAC-2) occurrence. RAC designations are used to prioritize groundwater contamination events with (1) being of highest priority and (3) being of lowest priority.
Any person may receive additional information, submit written comments regarding the proposed actions, or request a public hearing, in writing, on or before June 27, 2012. A request for hearing must state the nature of the issues to be raised and all arguments and factual grounds supporting such position. If the Director grants a public hearing, the hearing will be advertised by public notice at least 30 days prior to its occurrence. Comments and requests should be mailed to:
Mr. David Haldeman
Waste Management Division
Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality
PO Box 98922
Lincoln, NE 68509-8922
The proposed RAP and supporting documents are available for inspection at the office of the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, 1200 N Street, Suite 400, The Atrium, PO Box 98922, Lincoln, NE 68509-8922. These materials are also located at the Blair Public Library located at 210 South 17th Street, Blair, Nebraska. Please notify the Department of Environmental Quality if alternate formats of materials are needed by June 12, 2012. Contact phone number is (402) 471-2186. TDD users please call 711 and ask the relay operator to call us at (402) 471-2186. Further information may be obtained from Mike Felix, Remediation Section, (402) 471-4210.
FACT SHEET
PROPOSED REMEDIAL ACTION DECISION
BLACK HILLS ENERGY, BLAIR FMGP
The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) is providing public notice of its intent to propose final cleanup levels and remedial action for the Black Hills Energy, Blair Former Manufactured Gas Plant (FMGP) located in Blair, Nebraska. This fact sheet provides background information on the site, a summary of the nature and extent of contamination, a description of the proposed action, a description of the public participation procedures, and the NDEQ contact person.
I. Background: The Black Hills Energy, Blair FMGP is located in the SW ¼ of Section 12, Township 18 North, Range 11 East of the 6th Principal Meridian, Washington County, Nebraska. The legal description is: Lots 5 and 6 in Block Eighty-two (82) in the Third Addition to the City of Blair, except Railroad-Right-of-Way, all in the City of Blair, Washington County, Nebraska. The FMGP was in operation from approximately 1909 to approximately 1930.
II. Soil Contamination: The primary contaminants of concern (COCs) detected in the soil are polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and VOCs, specifically benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, naphthalene, benzene. Soil contamination above industrial remediation goals (RGs) is located within three areas on the site property. In two of these areas, soil contamination is confined within the top three feet of soil. Soil contamination was noted at a depth of approximately 18 feet below ground surface (bgs) in the third area, located near the former gas holder.
III. Soil Remedial Action: The proposed remedial action is excavation of the soil to industrial RGs with offsite disposal at a permitted landfill or thermal treatment of the soil and reuse as backfill on the site. An institutional control will be put in place restricting the construction of residential buildings on the site property.
Table 1. Proposed Final Cleanup Levels for BHE Blair FMGP |
ContaminantSoil Concentration1
(mg/kg) |
Benzo(a)anthracene21 |
Benzo(a)pyrene2.1 |
Benzo(b)fluoranthene21 |
Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene21 |
Naphthalene220 |
Benzene16 |
| 1 Based on NDEQ Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) Remediation Goals (RGs) for industrial sites, direct contact exposure pathway |
IV. Groundwater Contamination: The primary contaminants of concern (COCs) detected in the groundwater are polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), specifically benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene.
V. Groundwater Remedial Action Classification: The NDEQ assigns a Remedial Action Classification (RAC) to each groundwater contamination occurrence to determine the importance of remedial action based, in part, on the use of the groundwater in the area (Nebraska Title 118, Appendix A, Step 8). Groundwater that is being used as a drinking water supply is assigned the highest remedial action classification of RAC-1. The Department typically requires extensive cleanup of groundwater that is classified as RAC-1. When the use of groundwater in the area is more limited, the groundwater is assigned a remedial action class of RAC-2 or RAC-3. Generally, groundwater remedial action measures will be less extensive for these classifications.
Groundwater at the site is not currently being used, but has the potential to be, as a drinking water source and has been designated RAC-2. In RAC-2, cleanup of readily removable contaminants (e.g., free product) will be required. If additional cleanup is not required, the remaining contaminated ground water will be managed and monitored to prevent any further damage.
VI. Groundwater Remedial Actions: Based on analytical results, the impact to groundwater is limited mainly to the site property. Due to the limited groundwater impact, the Department determined that groundwater monitoring be conducted for a minimum of two years, and continue until it has been statistically demonstrated that groundwater contamination is either stable or decreasing, or until VCP RGs for groundwater have been achieved for four (4) consecutive monitoring events. Additionally, an institutional control will be put in place controlling the installation of drinking water wells on the property. These controls are considered to be sufficiently protective of human health and the environment at the site.
V. Public Participation Procedures:
You may receive additional information, submit written comments regarding the proposed actions, or request a hearing, in writing, on or before June 27, 2012. If you request a hearing, you must state the nature of the issues to be raised, present your arguments, and facts to support your position in writing to the Department. If the Director grants a public hearing, the hearing will be advertised by public notice at least 30 days prior to its occurrence. Comments and requests should be mailed to David Haldeman, Waste Management Division, Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, PO Box 98922, Lincoln, NE 68509-8922, phone (402) 471-4210.
Contact: The public notice and fact sheet are available for inspection at the office of the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, 1200 N Street, Suite 400, The Atrium, PO Box 98922, Lincoln, NE 68509-8922. These materials are also located at the Blair Public Library, 210 S. 17th Street, Blair, NE 68008. Please notify the Department of Environmental Quality if alternate formats of materials are needed by June 12, 2012. Contact phone number is (402) 471-2186. TDD users please call 711 and ask the relay operator to call us at (402) 471-2186. Further information may be obtained from Mike Felix, Remediation Section, (402) 471-4210. |