EPA/ROD/R08-99/055

1999

EPA Superfund

Record of Decision:

CALIFORNIA GULCH

EPA ID: COD980717938

OU 09

LEADVILLE, CO

09/02/1999

RECORD OF DECISION

RESIDENTIAL POPULATED AREAS

OPERABLE UNIT 9

CALIFORNIA GULCH SUPERFUND SITE

LEADVILLE, COLORADO

September 1999

U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

999 18TH STREET SUITE 500

DENVER, COLORADO 80202
1

RECORD OF DECISION

RESIDENTIAL POPULATED AREAS OPERABLE UNIT 9

CALIFORNIA GULCH SUPERFUND SITE

LEADVILLE, COLORADO

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with the concurrence of the Colorado

Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), presents this Record of Decision

(ROD) for the Residential Populated Areas Operable Unit 9 (OU9) of the California Gulch

Superfund Site in Leadville, Colorado. Residential/populated area soils include those in

residential yards, vacant lots, parks, school yards, playgrounds, and community use areas,

including unpaved streets and alleys. The ROD is based on the Administrative Record for

OU9, including the Residential Soils Feasibility Study, the Proposed Plan, the public

comments received, including those from the potentially responsible parties (PRPs), and

EPA responses. The ROD presents a brief summary of site characteristics, actual and

potential risks to human health and the environment, and the Selected Remedy. EPA

followed the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, as

amended, the National Contingency Plan (NCP), and appropriate guidance in preparation

of the ROD. The three purposes of the ROD are to:

1. Certify that the remedy selection process was carried out in accordance with

the requirements of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,

Compensation, and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq., as amended by the

Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (collectively, CERCLA),

and, to the extent practicable, the National Contingency Plan (NCP);

2. Outline the engineering components and remediation requirements of the

Selected Remedy; and

3. Provide the public with a consolidated source of information about the

history, characteristics, and risk posed by the conditions of OU9, as well as a

summary of the remedial alternatives considered, their evaluation, the

rationale behind the Selected Remedy, and the agencies' consideration of,

and responses to, the comments received.

The ROD is organized into three distinct sections:

1. The Declaration section functions as an abstract for the key information

contained in the ROD and is the section of the ROD signed by the EPA

Regional Administrator and the CDPHE Director.

2. The Decision Summary section provides an overview of the OU9

characteristics, the alternatives evaluated, and the analysis of those

alternatives. The Decision Summary also identifies the Selected Remedy and

explains how the remedy fulfills statutory and regulatory requirements; and
2

3. The Responsiveness Summary section addresses public comments received on

the Proposed Plan, the Residential Soils Feasibility Study, and other

information in the Administrative Record.
3

DECLARATI0N

SITE NAME AND LOCATION

Residential Populated Areas Operable Unit 9

California Gulch Superfund Site

Leadville, Colorado

STATEMENT OF BASIS AND PURPOSE

This decision document presents the Selected Remedy for OU9 within the California Gulch

Superfund Site in Leadville, Colorado. EPA, with the concurrence of CDPHE, selected the

remedy in accordance with CERCLA and the NCP.

This decision is based on the Administrative Record for OU9 within the California Gulch

Superfund Site. The Administrative Record (on microfilm) and copies of key documents

are available for review at the Lake County Public Library, located at 1115 Harrison

Avenue in Leadville, Colorado, and at the Colorado Mountain College Library, in

Leadville, Colorado. The complete Administrative Record may also be reviewed at the EPA

Superfund Record Center, located at 999 18th Street, 5th Floor, North Terrace in Denver,

Colorado.

The State of Colorado concurs with the Selected Remedy, as indicated by their concurrence

letter dated September 2, 1999.

ASSESSMENT OF THE SITE

Soils at the Site have elevated levels of heavy metals as a result of mining and smelting

operations in the Leadville area. Although metals other than lead are not present at

concentrations that present risk, levels of lead, if not addressed by implementing the

response action selected in this ROD, may present an imminent and substantial

endangerment to public health, welfare, or the environment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SELECTED REMEDY

The California Gulch Superfund Site is divided into twelve media and

geographically-based operable units (OUs) within the Site. Operable Unit 9, designated as

the residential populated areas, addresses concentrations of lead in soil, dust, paint, and

water that exceed a specific set of trigger criteria. The purpose of this response action is to

reduce the risk of lead exposure to children in Leadville and surrounding areas. Remedial

actions taken within OU9 are intended to be consistent with the remedial action objectives

and goals identified for the entire California Gulch Superfund Site and other OU

investigations.
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The selected remedy for addressing residential populated areas is the Lake County

Community Health Program (LCCHP), presented in the Final Feasibility Study

(ASARCO, 1998) as Alternative 7. This is similar to the Lead Risk Reduction Program and

the Kids First Program, described in the Consent Decree1. The Kids First Program is

currently being implemented. The Selected Remedy combines blood lead monitoring,

education, community awareness, and residence-specific response actions to reduce the risk

of lead exposure to children in Leadville and surrounding residential areas. This program

will address lead from soil and dust, interior or exterior paint, leaded plumbing fixtures,

and other potential sources beyond an individual residence.

The major components of the selected remedy include:

• An extensive education and intervention program to manage lead exposure

at the site. The education program will focus on raising public awareness

about risks from lead and encourage participation in the Lake County

Community Health Program.

• Continued voluntary blood lead monitoring (with financial incentives, as

appropriate) for all children age 6-72 months and voluntary blood lead

monitoring for pregnant and nursing women.

• If the concentration of lead in blood of a child or a pregnant or nursing

woman exceeds the blood lead criterion, or if the concentration of lead

exceeds a specified set of trigger criteria for one or more of the environmental

media at a residence, then appropriate actions will be taken to address the

exceedance. These trigger criteria are summarized below:

Blood Lead greater than or equal to 10 Fg/dL

Soil greater than or equal to 3,500 ppm

Dust greater than or equal to 2,000 ppm

Paint Interior or exterior paint, in poor

condition, with the following lead levels:

greater than or equal to 1 mg/cm2

Education

greater than or equal to 6 mg/cm2

Active Remediation

Tap Water greater than or equal to 15 Fg/L

1On August 25,1994, a Consent Decree between the United States, State of Colorado, ASARCO, Inc. (ASARCO) and

Resurrection Mining Company was entered in U.S. District Court in Denver. The Consent Decree defines areas of

responsibility for these two companies as well as the U.S.
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• When one or more of the trigger criteria are exceeded, a range of different

response actions, as provided in the Decision Summary, will be evaluated.

The most appropriate response actions will be determined by evaluating the

nature and extent of the exceedance, overall protectiveness of the action,

compliance with applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements,

long-term effectiveness and permanence, short-term effectiveness,

implementability, cost-effectiveness, and community impacts. Views of the

property owner will also be considered. No response action will be conducted

without the permission of the property owner.

• The selected remedy also includes institutional controls, discussed in detail in

the Decision Summary, to ensure effectiveness of the LCCHP and to provide

a notification system for property owners.

• Since the LCCHP is considered a “pilot project” that involves a number of

innovative approaches, it includes ongoing review to ensure, that the

program is operating as intended and that human health is being adequately

protected. In addition, the program will be evaluated by a group of outside

scientists. And, as with any remedy where waste is left in place, EPA will

conduct five-year reviews to ensure that the remedy is protective of human

health and the environment. Any problems with the program will be

identified and adjusted as necessary.

STATUTORY DETERMINATIONS

The Selected Remedy is protective of human health and the environment. It complies with

federal and state requirements that are legally applicable or relevant and appropriate to

the remedial action and is cost effective. Although this alternative does not satisfy the

statutory preference for a remedy that employs treatment to reduce the toxicity, mobility,

or volume of contaminants as a principal element, this remedy utilizes permanent solutions

and alternative treatment (or resource recovery) technologies to the maximum extent

practicable. Because this decision will result in hazardous substances remaining on site,

above health-based levels, five-year reviews of this response action will be required. These

reviews will be conducted during site-wide five-year reviews. The next five-year review is

scheduled to be performed not later than February 2001.
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Data Certification Checklist

The following information is included in the Decision Summary section of this Record of

Decision. Additional information can be found in the Administrative Record file for this

site.

• Chemicals of concern (COCs) and their respective concentrations

• Baseline risk represented by the COCs

• Cleanup levels established for COCs and the basis for their levels

• Current and future land and groundwater use assumptions used in the

baseline risk assessment and ROD

• Land and ground-water use that will be available at the site as a result of the

Selected Remedy

• Estimated capital, operation & maintenance (O&M), and total present worth

costs; discount rate; and the number of years over which the remedy cost

estimates are projected

• Decisive factor(s) that led to selecting the remedy
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DECISION SUMMARY
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section Title Page

I. SITE NAME, LOCATION, AND DESCRIPTION ..................... . 9

II. OPERABLE UNIT AND ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES ............... . 9

III. HIGHLIGHTS OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION ................. . 14

IV. SCOPE AND ROLE OF OPERABLE UNIT ......................... . 16

V. SUMMARY OF SITE CHARACTERISTICS ........................ . 17

VI. SUMMARY OF SITE RISKS .................................... . 20

VII. REMEDIAL ACTION OBJECTIVES .............................. . 22

VIII. DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVES ............................. . 23

IX. SUMMARY OF COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

OF ALTERNATIVES .......................................... . 26

X. SELECTED REMEDY ......................................... . 29

XI. STATUTORY DETERMINATIONS ............................... . 35

XII. DOCUMENTATION OF SIGNIFICANT CHANGES .................. . 36

XIII. REFERENCES ............................................... . 37

APPENDIX A - SITE LOCATION MAP, FIGURE 1

APPENDIX B - RESPONSIVENESS SUMMARY

APPENDIX C - APPLICABLE OR RELEVANT AND APPROPRIATE

REQUIREMENTS (ARARS)
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DECISION SUMMARY FOR THE RECORD OF DECISION

RESIDENTIAL POPULATED AREAS

CALIFORNIA GULCH SUPERFUND SITE

LEADVILLE, COLORADO

I. SITE NAME, LOCATION, AND DESCRIPTION

The California Gulch Superfund Site (EPA ID #COD980717938) consists of an approximately

18.5-square-mile area that is part of the historic Leadville Mining District in Lake County,

Colorado. This site is located in the Colorado Mineral Belt, a highly mineralized area of the

Colorado Rocky Mountains. Ore mining, mineral processing, and smelting activities have

produced lead, zinc, gold, and silver from this world-class mineral deposit for more than 130

years.

The elevation of the California Gulch Site ranges from 9,448 feet at the confluence of Lake Fork

Creek and the Arkansas River at the southwestern boundary of the site to over 12,000 feet above

mean sea level near Ball Mountain east of Leadville, Colorado. Two parallel, north-south oriented

mountain ranges, the Sawatch Range on the west and the Mosquito Range on the east, form a

long, narrow valley in which the Residential Populated Area is located. Leadville is located on the

eastern side of the valley created by these two mountain ranges. The eastern portion of the site is

composed of the steep foothills of the Mosquito Range. The California Gulch flows along the

southern boundary of Leadville, passing to the north of Stringtown, and then flows

west-southwest before entering the Arkansas River near the Lake Fork Trailer Park.

This Record of Decision (ROD) applies to areas of the Site that have been designated as Operable

Unit 9 (OU9) Residential Populated Areas. These areas include portions of the site where the land

use is residential or that are currently zoned as residential-populated areas and as low-density

residential areas (Appendix A). The selected remedy is necessary to prevent the actual or the

potential release of lead contamination which could impact public health.

II. OPERABLE UNIT HISTORY AND ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES

The California Gulch Superfund Site is located in and around the community of Leadville,

Colorado, about 100 miles southwest of Denver. The Leadville area was the site of extensive

mining, milling, and smelting operations beginning about 1860. Most of the facilities ceased

operations around 1900, although several facilities continued operations into the 1920s (Western

Zinc) and the 1960s (AV Smelter) (Walsh, 1993). Nearly all of the mines within the Site

boundaries are presently inactive, and all of the mills and smelters have been demolished.
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EPA placed the Site on the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1983 primarily due to concern over

the impact of mine drainage on surface waters in the California Gulch and the Arkansas River.

Subsequent site investigations revealed the presence of heavy metals in soils and in waste piles in

and around the current residential and commercial areas of Leadville.

Numerous investigations have been conducted at the Site. These include remedial investigations

conducted by EPA, the State of Colorado, Resurrection and ASARCO beginning as early as

1986. Remedial investigations included determination of nature and extent of contamination in the

following media: surface water, groundwater, air, tailings (both fluvial and impounded), waste

rock, slag, and soils. Other remedial investigations which have been conducted include: metals

speciation, aquatic ecosystem, terrestrial ecosystem, and the evaluation of sources of lead in and

around residential homes. Current activities at the Site include completion of feasibility studies

evaluating remedial alternatives, remedial design, and construction.

A summary of enforcement activities at the site includes:

• On December 9, 1983, the State of Colorado filed an action for injury, destruction,

or loss of natural resources associated with the release of hazardous substances

and the cost of assessment of such injury from the Yak Tunnel and associated mine

workings. The State amended its complaint on April 8, 1985, to include additional

claims for reimbursement of costs incurred and to be incurred in response to the

release or threat of release of hazardous substances at the Yak Tunnel, associate

mine workings, California Gulch, and portions of the Arkansas River.

• On August 6, 1986, the United States of America filed an action seeking injunctive

relief for performance of responsibilities consistent with the National Contingency

Plan (NCP) and for reimbursement of costs incurred and to be incurred by the U.S.

in response to the release or threat of release of hazardous substances at the Site.

• On February 3, 1987, the federal and state actions were consolidated into one

proceeding.

• Counter-claims were asserted for contribution against both the United States and

the State in this consolidated action.

• On March 9, 1988, EPA issued a ROD selecting the remedial action for the Yak

Tunnel Operable Unit. This ROD has subsequently been amended. The defendants

are conducting this'work under a Unilateral Administrative Order (UAO) issued by

EPA.
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• In response to a release, or a substantial threat of a release, of hazardous

substance(s) at or from the Site, EPA commenced (or administratively ordered

various parties to commence) various remedial investigations and feasibility studies

or other work consistent with the NCP:

• On September 28, 1990, EPA and the Settling Defendants entered into an

Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) for the performance of soils sampling and

air monitoring.

• On December 14, 1990, EPA and the Settling Defendants entered into an AOC for

performance of site improvement activities at the Garibaldi Workings, the North

Mike Workings, the Oregon Gulch Tailings Pond, and the Starr Ditch.

• On August 29, 1991, EPA issued a Unilateral Administrative Order (UAO) that

required ASARCO to conduct studies and complete RIs related to the following:

Demographics Work Plan; Final Sampling Plan for Sampling and Analysis of Lead

Occurrence Within and Immediately Adjacent to Residences; Soil Investigation

Work Plan; Mine Waste Pile Remedial Investigation; Tailing Disposal Area

Remedial Investigation Work Plan and Surface Water, Bed Material and Aquatic

Ecosystem Data Collection Program Work Plan. A First Amendment to this UAO,

issued on October 8, 1991, required ASARCO to conduct and complete the

Hydrogeologic Work Plan. A Second Amendment to the UAO, issued November

21, 1991, required ASARCO to conduct and complete the Smelter Site

Investigation Work Plan. A Third Amendment to this UAO, issued September 8,

1992, required ASARCO to conduct and complete the Work Plan for Terrestrial

Ecosystems Evaluation. A Fourth Amendment to this UAO, issued on March 9,

1993, required ASARCO to conduct and complete the pre-mining Soil

Geochemistry Remedial Investigation (RI). The remaining work performed by

ASARCO under UAO 91-19, as amended was the final RI report for each of the

above activities.

• To date, ASARCO has submitted final RI reports for Mine Waste, Tailing

Disposal, Surface Water, Terrestrial Ecosystem Evaluation, Smelter Site Remedial

Investigation, Hydrogeologic Remedial Investigation Report, Soil Inventory and

Geology, with Data Amendments, Demographics Data Report, and Data Report

for Lead Occurrence In/Adjacent to Residences.

• On September 10, 1991, EPA issued a UAO that required Resurrection Mining

Company to conduct and complete the final Soils Investigation Work Plan. Field

work under this UAO was completed in summer 1992. Resurrection submitted a

final RI report to EPA pursuant to this UAO on July 15, 1994.
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• On September 12, 1991, EPA and the Hecla Mining Company ("Hecla") entered

into an AOC for preparation of an Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis

("EE/CA") for the Stringtown/Malta Gulch Tailings portion of the California

Gulch Superfund Site. Pursuant to this AOC, Hecla was also required to determine

the nature and extent of any releases of the Malta Gulch Tailings and any

appropriate response activities to address such releases. On January 6, 1993, a

Partial Consent Decree between the United States and Hecla was entered by this

Court. A final EE/CA was issued on August 2, 1993, for public review and

comment.

• On December 3, 1992, EPA and The Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad

Company ("D&RG") entered into an AOC for the performance of a remedial

investigation/feasibility study on lead slag piles and performance of specified

studies on one zinc pile at the California Gulch Superfund Site. D&RG submitted

the "Final RI Report for Lead Slag Pile Remedial Investigation" to EPA on

December 4, 1993, and submitted a "Final Zinc Slag Pile Remedial Investigation"

to EPA on December 11, 1993.

• On September 24, 1992, EPA entered into an AOC with ASARCO and

Resurrection for performance of a metals speciation program. The Metals

Speciation Data Report was issued in September, 1994 and updated in May 1996.

• A consent decree between the United States and D&RG was lodged with the

Court on September 15, 1993, and entered on December 15, 1993. Pursuant to the

terms of this decree, D&RG paid a portion of the United States' response costs

and agreed to conduct the remedial actions at the slag piles and railroad yard and

easement known as OU3 (D&RG Slag Piles/Railroad Easement/Railroad Yard).

• A proposed consent decree between the United States and Hecla addressing the

Malta Gulch tailings and Hecla's claims against the United States was lodged with

the Court in April 1994.

• A partial Consent Decree among the United States, the State, and the Settling

Defendants settling the U.S. and the State's claim for their past response costs

incurred prior to February 1, 1991, and February 1, 1992, respectively, was

entered by the Court on September 4, 1993.

• On August 25, 1994, a Consent Decree with ASARCO and Resurrection was

entered in U.S. District County in Denver. The Consent Decree defined areas of

responsibility for these two companies as well as the U.S. Government.
13

A summary of interim actions at the site includes:

An Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis work plan was prepared in November 1994 (ASARCO,

1994) to evaluate lead concentrations in soils within parks and playground areas in OU9. Based

on the finding that soils at all identified play areas were below the trigger level of 3500 ppm lead,

EPA approved no further action for the areas addressed by the work plan. Subsequently, one

additional play area was identified on East 6th Street at St. Patrick Street. Soils at this play area

exceeded 3500ppm lead in soil so this area requires remediation. Contaminated soils will be

excavated, disposed in a suitable repository, and replaced with clean fill.

An Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis was prepared in 1995 (ASARCO, 1995) to evaluate

removal action alternatives for 38 mine waste piles identified in the populated areas of eastern

Leadville, within OU9, in accordance with the ASARCO Work Management Plan (WAMP)

(Appendix B to the Consent Decree). An Action Memorandum issued by the EPA in August 1996

selected a non-time-critical removal action requiring the removal of 14 piles with surface lead

concentrations greater than 3,500ppm. Removal of these piles prevents direct exposure to high

lead concentrations and protects surface water by removing the potential for transport of metals

away from the source area and, therefore, reduce metals impact to surface water or other areas.

Implementation of this removal action began in 1997 with the removal of four mine waste piles.

The removal of the remaining ten mine waste piles is scheduled for 1999. The selected removal

action is consistent with the performance of the final remedial action selected for OU9 and will be

considered as the final remedy for mine waste piles within OU9 when complete.

The Kids First Program is an interim response program designed to address sources of

environmental lead at individual residential properties within OU9 (Woodward Clyde Consultants,

1994). The program has been implemented by ASARCO, with assistance from Lake County, since

1995. This voluntary program targets households with children under 6 years old and includes

blood lead monitoring, testing of potential environmental sources of lead, and, when necessary,

the development and implementation of risk-based response actions to reduce significant lead

risks in and around the home. Lake County performs the blood lead monitoring and some

education components of the program. Since 1995, soil remediation has been performed at 37

properties in accordance with Action Memorandums prepared for each property. In addition, dust

abatement has been performed at 16 properties, paint remediation performed at 6 properties and

drinking water addressed at 2 properties. All actions and no-action determinations have been

developed and approved by the Kids First work group and accepted by the property owner. All

interim response actions for paint, drinking water, and soil performed under the Kids First

Program are considered consistent with the final remedial action selected for OU9.
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III. HIGHLIGHTS OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

Throughout EPA's work at the California Gulch Superfund Site, contact with members of the

community has been maintained through public and neighborhood meetings, open houses,

briefings for local officials, press releases, fact sheets, and other informal communication. EPA

and the other parties involved in the Superfund project have also established local offices in

Leadville so the community can speak directly with the project representatives.

Community groups are an important component of the community relations effort at the

California Gulch Superfund Site. The Lake County Environmental Task Force (LCETF) is an

open membership group of individuals interested in environmental issues in the Lake County area.

The LCETF obtained a $50,000 technical assistance grant from EPA that enables the group to

hire consultants and technical experts. These experts comment on technical documents and

evaluate the scientific data on the Site for the community.

EPA's community relations activities at the Site included a series of risk assessment workshops

conducted for community leaders and health professionals. In addition, a lead awareness program

was begun in February 1990 to teach parents and children about the hazards of lead.

Several groups have formed as a result of the Superfund activities in Leadville. These groups

provide opportunities for the citizens to take an active role in the consultation and decisionmaking process for the Site. A brief description of each of these groups is provided below.

• Technical Assistance Committee. The Technical Assistance Committee (TAC)

was formed in 1991 and provides a forum for community representatives,

companies working at the site, EPA, the State of Colorado, and their technical

experts to discuss and evaluate the technical issues related to the Site. TAC

meetings are open to the public and are held in Leadville and Denver. Any TAC

member may call a meeting and prepare an agenda for discussion. Minutes from

the TAC meetings are made a part of the Administrative Record for the Site.

• Site Activities Coordinating Committee. The Consent Decree between the

responsible parties at the Site recognized that different groups would be working

on various remediation projects at the same time. The parties doing remediation

want to ensure that their work does not interfere with the numerous civic and

tourism events in town. In order to coordinate these work efforts with civic events,

a Site Activities Coordinating Committee (SACC) was formed. The members of

the committee meet with representatives from the City and County monthly (or

as-needed) to coordinate all on-going and pending Site activities and to minimize

disruption to the community.
15

• Kids First Work Group. The Kids First Work Group, formed in 1994, provides

direction for the Kids First Program. Public health officials and representatives of

the City of Leadville, Lake County, State of Colorado, ASARCO, and EPA each

have membership in the Kids First Work Group. The Work Group oversees the

development of informational materials and plans, and monitors and evaluates the

progress of activities being implemented under the Kids First Program.

Extensive outreach efforts by both the Lake County Health Department and ASARCO have

played a key role in the implementation of the Kids First Program. The program began with a

public meeting on May 25, 1995. Newspaper advertising introduced the program and continues

with weekly lead education “tips” for residents and encouragement for blood lead testing of

children under 72 months and pregnant/nursing women. Information to promote safe remodeling

tips is displayed at local hardware stores. Door to door contacts were made to recruit families in

areas with soil lead concentrations estimated at or above 3,500 ppm in 1995, 1996 and 1997.

Presentations have been made to community groups to explain the Kids First Program.

Educational sessions have also been conducted at public daycare centers, private licensed day care

centers and at the elementary school. Periodic updates continue at these facilities and educational

brochures are available both for the child-care providers and the families they serve. The program

has also worked with other preschool groups to combine efforts. The Health Department works

with the immunization program and the Head Start and Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

organizations to recruit children for blood lead testing. Reminder cards are mailed to families to

encourage annual blood lead screening.

The LCCHP will continue similar outreach efforts and may pursue alternate outreach approaches

as new ideas develop or as needed to maintain awareness and participation.

All of the information upon which selection of this remedy is based is included in the

Administrative Record. The Administrative Record is available for review at both the Lake

County Public Library and the Colorado Mountain College Library in Leadville and at the EPA

Superfund Records Center in Denver.

The public reviewed the Proposed Plan associated with this ROD. Public comments and EPA's

responses are included as Attachment A.
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IV. SCOPE AND ROLE OF OPERABLE UNIT

The California Gulch Superfund Site is divided into twelve media and geographically-based

operable units (OUs) within the Site. These OU’s are designated as:

OUI - Yak Tunnel/Water Treatment Plant

OU2 - Malta Gulch Fluvial Tailing/Leadvi1le Corporation Mill/Malta Gulch Tailing

OU3 - Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Slag Piles/Railroad Easement/Railroad Yard

OU4 - Upper California Gulch

OU5 - ASARCO Smelters/Slag/Mill Sites

OU6 - Starr Ditch/Penrose Dump/Stray Horse Gulch/Evans Gulch

OU7 - Apache Tailing Impoundments

OU8 - Lower California Gulch

OU9 - Residential Populated Areas

OU10 - Oregon Gulch

OU11 - Arkansas River Valley Floodplain

OU12 - Site Water Quality

This Selected Remedy for OU9 addresses concentrations of lead in soil, dust, paint and water that

exceed a specified set of trigger criteria. Exceedance of these criteria could pose a threat to

human health, specifically in children age 0-72 months. The purpose of this response is to reduce

the risk of lead exposure to children in Leadville and surrounding areas. Remedial actions

undertaken within OU9 are intended to be consistent with the remedial action objectives and goals

identified for the entire California Gulch Superfund Site and other OU investigations.

This decision document makes no determination on whether surface water or groundwater within

OU9 requires remediation. Pursuant to the August 25, 1994 Consent Decree at this Site, it was

agreed that the decision on remediation of surface water and groundwater site-wide (Operable

Unit 12) would be made only after records of decision for source remediation were selected and

implemented at each operable unit. As a result, specific water quality goals for surface streams

and groundwater have not been established at this time.
17

V. SUMMARY OF SITE CHARACTERISTICS

1. Climate and Meteorology

The Leadville area has an alpine climate that is of the semi-arid, continental type. The average

annual precipitation is 17.53 inches with the wettest months being July and August and driest

months being December and January. The normal temperature extremes range from 86EF to

-30EF with an average annual air temperature of 36.2EF. The lowest temperatures occur in

January, and the highest temperatures are in July and August. Based on RI data, the maximum

hourly average wind speed ranges from a minimum of 9 miles per hour (mph) in October to a

maximum of 20.4 mph occurring in December; however, wind gusts in excess of 50 mph do

occur. Wind is predominantly from the northwest.

2. Surface Water Hydrology

The California Gulch drains approximately 7,400 acres of watershed into the Arkansas River. The

main stream of the Gulch receives water from several ephemeral drainages that include Stray

Horse Gulch, Starr Ditch, Upper California Gulch, Oregon Gulch, Georgia Gulch, and Pawnee

Gulch (CH2M Hill, 1987). Discharges are also received from the Yak Tunnel through the Yak

Water Treatment Plant, and from the Leadville Sewage Treatment Plant.

3. Geology

The geology of the Leadville Mining District and surrounding area is complex and well

documented. The elevations in the study area range from 9,350 feet at the lower Arkansas River

floodplain to over 14,000 feet at the eastern edge of the Leadville Mining District drainage (crest

of the Mosquito Range). In general, the topography is rugged on the western slope of the

Mosquito Range. Timberline is approximately 11,850 feet. The region bears the

geomorphological features resulting from Pleistocene glacial activity.

Bedrock in the Leadville area consists of Precambrian granite and metamorphic rocks overlain by

quartzite, limestone, dolostone, siltstone, sandstone, and shale of Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and

Cenozoic age. Intrusive rocks include porphyry dikes and sills of Tertiary age. The upper

Cambrian Sawatch quartzite unconformable overlies the Precambrian rocks. This quartzite is

approximately 60 feet thick. It is overlain by 45 feet of shaley beds of late Cambrian Peerless

formation. Ordovician age Manitou Dolomite uncomformably overlays the Peerless formation.

Above this is the Devonian Chaffee formation. These rocks are exposed in the upper reaches of

the Mosquito Range as well as in the hills east of Leadville. The Leadville limestone (dolomite) of

Mississippian age is exposed in Leadville and along some sections of lower California Gulch.
18

A system of major and minor faults cause significant displacement (100 to 1,000 feet) and

fracturing of bedrock in the area. Faults in the bedrock are generally high-angle northerly-striking

fracture zones. Blocks of bedrock between major faults are commonly broken by numerous minor

faults and fissures (Emmons et al., 1927). The Pendery Fault marks the boundary between upper

and lower California Gulch. The Pendery Fault, which trends north-south across California Gulch,

has caused the lower gulch to be filled with thicker deposits of alluvium. These alluvial deposits

are interspersed with thin, interglacial, silty clay lake bed deposits.

The Leadville area is underlain by alluvial deposits and unconsolidated glacial outwash materials

of Pleistocene age. These materials include porphyry, rhyolite, granite, and other igneous rocks,

quartzite, dolomite, limestone, and sandstone. These materials were transported and redeposited

by glacial and fluvial processes. The vertical and lateral extent of these alluvial deposits is not well

defined. The Arkansas River Valley is composed of Holocene stream terrace, stream channel, and

flood plain deposits.

4. Hydrogeology

Groundwater in the Leadville Mining District occurs in both bedrock and alluvial aquifers. The

bedrock aquifer consists of Precambrian granite overlain by quartzite, porphyry dikes, sandstone,

dolostone, and limestone of Paleozoic age. Groundwater movement is facilitated by permeable

highly-fractured zones adjacent to major interconnections minor faults, intergranular rock

porosity, and mine workings. Permeability is generally low.

Groundwater in the alluvial aquifer is contained in Tertiary and Quaternary lake bed, glacial

outwash deposits, and stream and terrace deposits. The alluvial aquifer occurs in two stratigraphic

units, an upper unit and a lower unit. The alluvial deposits are considered to be hydraulically

connected with the bedrock aquifer through contact, faulting, fracturing, and extensive mining

activities. Recharge to the bedrock and alluvial aquifers results from infiltration of precipitation

and surface water.

5. Land Use and Demography

The California Gulch Superfund Site, including the town of Leadville, is located in Lake County,

Colorado. Lake County is a relatively small (380 square miles), predominantly rural county with a

1990 population of 6,007 (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1990). Persons residing within the

Leadville city limits account for approximately half of the county's total population.

The population of Lake County has fluctuated with the mining industry. Population peaked at

18,054 in 1890, declined to below 7,000 in 1920, and remained generally at that level until 1960.
19

During the years between 1960 and 1981, population gradually increased to approximately 9, 000

and then declined throughout the 1980s. The closure of AMAX’s Climax molybdenum mine in

1981 and its reduced level of operations upon reopening were major factors contributing to the

decline. Leadville's population trends have been similar to those of Lake County.

Approximately two-thirds of the land in Lake County is federally owned. Most of the federal land

is within the San Isabel National Forest, with the Bureau of Land Management managing most of

the remainder. However, most land in the Leadville Mining District is privately owned.

Land uses surrounding California Gulch are predominantly mining, commercial, and residential. A

small area of rangeland in the Leadville area is directly upstream from the confluence of California

Gulch and the Arkansas River.

Human receptors, potentially exposed to Site contaminants, include the residential population.

Recreational/commercial exposures in OU9 have been determined to be insignificant (WESTON.

1996c).

6. Results of the Remedial Investigations

Soils are the primary pathway of exposure to the residential population at the site. Lead has been

determined to be the only contaminant of concern in OU9. This discussion will focus on soils in

the 0- to 6-inch depth interval on which the risk assessment is based.

The extreme heterogeneity of surface soils (0- to 1 -inch) in Leadville and Stringtown is also

characteristic of soil lead concentrations in the 0- to 6-inch near-surface composite soils found in

the Leadville and Stringtown communities and in the Lake Fork Trailer Park (Figure 2). This

variability in lead concentrations can be attributed to the fact that these soils have been impacted

to varying degrees by historical smelter emissions and mining wastes.

In all soils, the lead concentrations typically decrease with soil depth (Walsh, 1992a). However,

lead concentrations in deep disturbed soils that are higher than the concentrations in the overlying

disturbed surface soil have been reported in some locations (CDM, 1994; Walsh, 1993). This is

most likely due to the intermixing of soils with mine wastes of highly variable lead content. The

lead concentrations in surface soils and the concentrations of lead at specific soil depth intervals

are discussed in the Soils Investigation and mapping Report (Walsh, 1992a). There is a lead

concentration gradient observed in near-surface soil within Leadville that has an east-west

orientation, with the maximum lead concentrations appearing in the east, due to historical mining

activities, and dropping in the westward direction.
20

The old Downtown Leadville Nfining District (Emmons, 1907) located in the eastern part of

Leadville, was found to contain the highest lead concentrations. The soil-lead concentrations in

this area and in the southeastern part of Leadville are likely to exceed 3,500 ppm. Soil-lead

concentrations are also likely higher in Stringtown, where lead concentrations in the 0- to 6-inch

depth interval typically range from 2,000 ppm to greater than 3,500 ppm. In addition, some areas

at the north and south ends of the Lake Fork Trailer Park are likely to contain soil with elevated

lead concentrations.

VI. SUMMARY OF SITE RISKS

During the soils remedial investigation, a baseline human health risk assessment was performed to

estimate the probability and magnitude of potential adverse human health and environmental

effects from exposure to hazardous substances associated with the Site. The human health risk

assessment followed a four-step process:

1. Contaminant Identification, which identified those hazardous substances of

potential health concern;

2. Exposure Assessment, which identified actual or potential exposure pathways

(routes where people contact the chemicals), characterized the potentially exposed

populations, and determined the extent of possible exposure;

3. Toxicity Assessment, which considered the types and magnitude of adverse health

effects associated with varying amounts of the hazardous substances of concern;

and,

4. Risk Characterization, which integrated the three previous steps to summarize

the actual current and future potential risks posed by exposure to hazardous

substances at the Site.

Part A of the human health risk assessment (WESTON, 1996a) examined risks to residents from

lead, focusing specifically on risks to young children (age 0 to 6 years). Children were selected as

the focus of this risk assessment because children typically have higher intake rates per unit body

weight of environmental media than adults, children tend to absorb a higher fraction of ingested

lead from the gastrointestinal tract than do adults, and children tend to be more susceptible to

some of the adverse effects of lead than adults (especially impairment of the nervous system).

Part B of the human health risk assessment (WESTON, 1996b) concluded that there are no

locations on site where antimony, barium, cadmium, beryllium, chromium, copper, mercury,

nickel, silver, thallium, or zinc are of significant concern in soil. The risk assessment also
21

concluded that based an the fact that risk exceedances are small for arsenic and manganese and

occur only in the most conservative risk calculations, combined with the recognition that the

assumed uptake (bioavailability) of metals used in the calculations may be higher than actual, that

non-lead metals (including arsenic and manganese) in surface soils do not pose a significant health

risk to residents. Thus, the only contaminant of concern is lead.

Risk Assessment Approach for Lead

The risk assessment for lead was supported by a large body of site-specific data that included not

only extensive measurements of lead in soil and dust in residential locations, but also an extensive

demographics survey, data on lead levels in water and paint (both interior and exterior), data on

the physical and chemical forms of lead at various locations around the community, and an

informative community-wide blood lead study involving 314 children ( about 65% of the total

population of children at the site). These data were used to support two parallel lines of

investigation and assessment. The first of these employed EPA's Integrated Exposure Uptake and

Biokinetic (IEUBK) model to calculate the expected impact of lead levels in soil and dust on

blood lead levels in area children. The second approach compared the measured blood lead values

in area children with relevant national blood lead statistics in order to help evaluate the current

effects of actual site exposure to lead.

The main findings of the lead risk assessment for residential children are summarized below:

1. In 1991, geometric mean blood lead levels in children living within the site boundaries

were typically around 5-6Fg/dL, which was about 1-1.5 Fg/dL higher than reported

geometric mean values for children of similar age and sex living in other areas across the

nation.

2. In 1991, the site-wide frequency of children exceeding the CDC's health-based blood lead

target of 10 Fg/dL was about 8%, which is slightly higher than the target of no more than

5% above 10 Fg/dL. This was indicative of a situation which exceeded EPA's goal of no

individual child or group of similarly exposed children having a greater than 5% chance of

exceeding a blood lead level of 10 Fg/dL. In some sub-areas of the site, the risk of

exceeding 10 Fg/dL appeared to be substantially higher (10%-25%) than the site-wide

average. Additional blood lead data collected by county health agency from more than 100

children per year for each year between 1991 and the present suggests that the incidence

of children in the community with blood lead levels above 10 Fg/dL is continuing to

fluctuate between 6% and 9%.

3. There is a statistically significant correlation between lead levels ranging from 3,000ppm

to 3,500 ppm in soil and dust and elevated blood lead levels in children.
22

4. Both interior and exterior leaded paint contribute to risk of elevated blood lead levels in

children, mainly by adding to the concentration of lead in soil and/or dust in those homes

where lead-based paint is a potential source of lead exposure.

5. The results of the IEUBK model run using default soil and dust ingestion rates predicted

blood lead levels that were higher than observed. It was concluded that soil and dust

ingestion rates in this community were probably somewhat lower than the national average

values, possibly because the ground is frozen or snow-covered approximately eight

months out of the year. Local efforts to minimize lead exposure through an extensive

education and intervention program might also explain some of the variation in predicted

versus currently observed blood lead levels.

6. Based on the analyses conducted, the risk assessment reached the conclusion that soil lead

is a relatively minor source of exposure at locations where lead levels were less than about

1,000 ppm. Exposure via soil probably did not become a dominant source of exposure

until lead levels were above the range from 3,000ppm to 3,500 ppm. Other sources of lead

contributing to current exposure included interior and exterior paint and indoor dust. Lead

levels in the water supplied by the municipal water system are not of concern, but lead

levels in some portions of the shallow aquifer are high enough that it would not be safe to

use that groundwater as a routine source of drinking water.

VII. REMEDIAL ACTION OBJECTIVES

EPA guidance (EPA 1994) statesthat EPA should:

...limit exposure to soil lead levels such that a typical (or hypothetical) [potentially

exposed] child or group of similarly exposed children would have an estimated risk of no

more than 5% of exceeding the 10 Fg/dL blood lead level.

In accordance with this policy recommendation, the Remedial Action Objectives (RAOs) at this

Operable Unit agreed to in the Consent Decree (U.S. District Court, 1994) are as follows:

• RAO- 1: “No more than five percent of all children (age 0 to 72 months) who live at this

site, either now or in the future, will have blood lead values higher than 10 Fg/dL blood

lead level.”

• RAO-2: “Health will be adequately protected if the highest risk level at any sub-location

(e.g., a yard or home) is a probability no higher than one percent that a population of

children (age 0 to 72 months) residing at that sub-lo.cation will exceed a blood lead value

of 15 Fg/dL.”
23

RAO-1 and RAO-2 were used to guide the risk management process for OU9. Based upon the

Part A human health risk assessment (WESTON 1996a), which considered both measured and

predicted blood lead levels, it was determined that RAO-1 and RAO-2 may not be satisfied unless

remedial actions are implemented to reduce exposure and risk. Accordingly, a Feasibility Study

(FS) was conducted to develop and evaluate appropriate remedial action alternatives.

The FS then added the following additional RAO:

• Reduce the direct exposure of lead incurred by children, which will result in optimal risk

reduction through effective use of resources.

III. DESCRIPTION OF ALTERNATIVES

A Screening Feasibility Study (SFS) was prepared by EPA, for the purpose of identifying and

screening potentially applicable technologies, as well as general remedial alternatives for each

source. Potential technologies/process options were screened on the basis of effectiveness to

achieve remedial objectives, technical and administrative feasibility, and cost. Those technologies

or process options that were retained are: no action, deed restrictions, fencing and posted

warnings during construction, information and educational programs, diversion ditches,

channelization, in-site mixing, revegetation, simple cover, mechanical excavation, truck hauling,

on-site repository, and on-site consolidation. An additional remedial alternative, the Lake County

Community Health Program (LCCHP), proposed by Lake County, was also retained for

consideration in the Feasibility Study. Two options were eliminated in the initial screening

analysis. These were soil washing and in situ stabilization. Soil washing was not retained as an

option because implementation time would be lengthy, and capital and operation/maintenance

costs would be high. In situ stabilization was not retained as an option because of high capital and

high operation/maintenance costs.

Seven remedial alternatives were analyzed for OU9 (ASARCO, 1998). A description of each of

these alternatives is provided below. In each case, 12 years of implementation was identified to

simplify cost comparison between alternatives. The discount rate is equivalent to the rate of

escalation of future costs, or the inflation rate. It is anticipated that most of the expense will occur

in the first twelve years. In each case (with the exception of No Action) the remedy will be

implemented until performance standards have been satisfied. The duration of a remedy may

exceed 12 years in order to meet performance standards. For example, institutional controls

would be on-going.

Alternative 1: NO ACTION.
24

Capital Cost: $0

Operation & Maintenance: $0

Years of Implementation: None

The Superfund program requires that the “no action” alternative be evaluated to establish a

baseline for comparison. Under this alternative, EPA would take no further action at the Site to

reduce the risk of exposure to lead.

Alternative 2: INSTITUTIONAL CONTROLS

Capital Cost: $128,940

Operation & Maintenance: $0

Years of Implementation: 12

Institutional controls (ICs) may include zoning/deed restrictions, permitting requirements,

temporary access restrictions, and community awareness education. Deed restrictions could

legally limit or prohibit future land use in the source area. ICs alone may be an appropriate

remedial action alternative for some residential area soils source sites. This alternative may also be

an element of other alternatives; if so, temporary access restriction such as fencing and posted

warnings would only be used to physically control access to the residential area soils during

construction activities.

Alternative 3: CONTAINMENT (SURFACE WATER CONTROL)/ICS

Capital Cost: $432,180

Operation & Maintenance: $187,020

Years of Implementation: 12, or until performance standards are achieved

Alternative 3 for the residential area soils includes the ICs described in Alternative 2 combined

with surface water containment. The containment component of this alternative includes surface

water control methods such as diversion ditches and culverts. The diversion ditches would be

constructed to divert surface water flow and run-on away from and around the source areas.

Covered culverts would be constructed to conduct surface water flow through more populated

areas. These controls would reduce the potential for transport of metals away from the source

area and, therefore, reduce metals impacts to surface water or other areas. Operation and

maintenance requirements would include maintenance of ditches and culverts, modification of

deeds, permit processing, and educational activities.
25

Alternative 4: CONTAINMENT (SOURCE SURFACE CONTROL)/ICS

Capital Cost: $868,640

Operation & Maintenance: $308,220

Years of Implementation: 12, or until performance standards are achieved

This alternative includes the ICs described in Alternative 2 combined with methods for source

surface containment. The containment component of this alternative would be based on source

surface control options including soil covers, in situ mixing, and revegetation. Soil cover involves

adding additional fill to isolate the impacted surface soil. In situ mixing involves tilling surface soil

with deeper soil to reduce surface soil lead concentrations to acceptable levels. Revegetation

involves planting appropriate cover vegetation to lessen infiltration, leaching, and erosion.

Operation and maintenance requirements would include maintenance of vegetation, ditches and

culverts, modification of deeds, permit processing, and educational activities.

Alternative 5: CONTAINMENT (SURFACE WATER CONTROL, SOURCE SURFACE

CONTROL)/ICS

Capital Cost: $1,291,450

Operation & Maintenance: $308,220

Years of Implementation: 12, or until performance standards are achieved

Alternative 5 for the residential area soils sources includes the ICs described in Alternative 2

combined with containment of both surface water and source surfaces. Surface water control may

be implemented through diversion ditches and culverts as discussed in Alternative 3. The source

surface control element of containment involves in situ mixing, revegetation, or a soil cover as

discussed in Alternative 4. Operation and maintenance requirements would include maintenance

of vegetation, ditches and culverts, modification of deeds, permit processing, and educational

activities.

Alternative 6: REMOVAL/TRANSPORTATION/DISPOSAL/ICS

Capital Cost: $6,029,894

Operation & Maintenance: $281,760

Years of Implementation: 12, or until performance standards are achieved

This alternative includes the ICs described in Alternative 2 combined with removal, transport, and

disposal of residential area soils where mean lead levels are greater than 3,500. The residential

area soils would be excavated by hand with the aid of small conventional earth-moving equipment

and replaced with clean fill. Excavated materials would be hauled by truck to an on-site
26

repository, consolidated in an existing on-site tailings pile, or removed to some other designated

area. Upgradient areas might also require remediation to prevent re-contamination. Operation and

maintenance requirements would include maintenance of vegetation, ditches and culverts, and

educational activities.

Alternative 7: LAKE COUNTY COMMUNITY HEALTH PROGRAM

(Selected Alternative)

Capital Cost: $3,106,800

Operation & Maintenance: $1,732,450

Years of Implementation: 12, or until performance standards are achieved

Alternative 7 is implementation of the Lake County Community Health Program (LCCHP). The

program combines blood lead monitoring, education, community awareness, and residencespecific response actions to reduce lead exposure to children in Leadville and surrounding areas.

This program will address lead from soil and dust, interior and exterior paint, leaded plumbing

fixtures, and other potential Sources beyond an individual residence. Alternative 7 will also

include institutional controls to ensure effectiveness of the LCCHP. Operation and maintenance

activities would include LCCHP administration and the blood lead monitoring program.

IX. SUMMARY OF COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES

The following section of the ROD compares the selected alternative and the other alternatives

using the nine evaluation criteria as described in the Feasibility Study (ASARCO, 1998).

Overall Protection of Human Health and the Environment

Alternative 7 will provide the most comprehensive protection of human health and the

environment from lead, since it addresses not only lead in soil but also lead in other sources such

as dust, interior and exterior paint, and drinking water. Alternatives 5 and 6 provide less

protection since they do not address all lead sources. Alternatives 3 and 4 provide fair protection

since they address surface water contamination, but do not address multiple sources of lead.

Alternative 2 would provide fair to poor protection. Institutional controls may be sufficient in

some cases to protect human health, but this alternative would not manage surface water.

Alternative 1 provides no protection.
27

Compliance with ARARs

Applicable requirements are defined by the NCP as those cleanup standards, standards of control,

and other substantive environmental protection requirements, criteria, or limitations promulgated

under federal or state law that specifically address a hazardous substance, pollutant, contaminant,

remedial action, location, or other circumstances at a site. It should be noted that while a

requirement may not be applicable as a matter of law, a requirement may stiff be “relevant and

appropriate” if it regulates or addresses problems or situations sufficiently similar to those

encountered at the subject site that its use is well-suited to the particular site. ARARs are grouped

into three categories: chemical-specific, action-specific and location-specific. Alternative 1 does

not satisfy selected ARARs except in areas with an acceptably low risk for lead exposure.

Location-specific ARARs would be addressed under Alternative 2. Institutional controls would

provide some protection to the community from direct exposure. Under Alternatives 3, locationspecific and chemical-specific ARARs would not be addressed where sources remain in their

existing condition. Action-specific ARARs would be partially satisfied through storm water

controls. For alternative 4, chemical-specific and location-specific ARARs would be addressed.

Action-specific ARARs would be partially addressed except for storm water control. Alternatives

5, 6, and 7 would comply with all ARARs.

Long-Term Effectiveness and Permanence

Alternative 1 does not reduce residential risk, while Alternative 2 could be somewhat effective by

controlling/limiting future use. Alternatives 3, 4, and 5 provide a moderate degree of long-term

effectiveness, but recontamination is likely and these alternatives do not address all lead sources.

Alternative 6 would provide the highest degree of long-term effectiveness and permanence for

soils; however, it does not address other potential lead sources and would require long-term

operation and maintenance of an on-site repository. Alternative 7 would provide long-term

effectiveness for many lead sources.

Reduction of Toxicity, Mobility, or Volume Through Treatment

None of the alternatives reduce toxicity, mobility or volume through treatment.

Short-Term Effectiveness

Alternative 1 has no short-term effectiveness. Alternative 2 would be somewhat effective by

controlling use of some source areas. Alternative 3 could have good short-term effectiveness in

reducing the potential for surface water impacts. Alternatives 4, 5, and 6 pose higher relative
28

short-term risks to residents and workers compared to other alternatives by virtue of disturbing

contaminated surface soils. Alternative 7 would have the greatest overall short-term effectiveness

by prioritizing intervention and remediation in cases of children with elevated blood lead levels

coupled with proactive identification and abatement of the most significant sources of lead

exposure in residential areas.

Implementability

Alternative 1 does not require implementation. Community Protective Measures (Alternative 2)

would be easy to implement; however, the administrative aspects such as deed restrictions could

pose difficulties in enforcement. Alternative 3 would be relatively simple to implement since most

of the surface water controls could be implemented on public land or easements. Alternatives 4

and 5 would be relatively easy to implement except for access and space limitations. Alternative 6

would be difficult to implement due to space constrictions in most residential yards. Alternative 7

could be more easily implemented because the framework for the Lake County Community

Health Program (LCCHP) is currently in place, a trust fund has been established to pay for its

operation, and the implementation would be an extension of the current Kids First Program.

Cost

Alternative 1 has no associated cost. Alternatives 2 and 3 have a relatively low cost, but do not

satisfy the remedial objective. Alternatives 4 and 5 are moderately priced, but do not satisfy the

remedial objective. Alternative 6 is the highest cost alternative, but does not address all the

sources of lead. Alternative 7 would satisfy the remedial objective at a moderate cost as compared

to other alternatives.

Support Agency Acceptance

The Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment has participated in the decisionmaking process and concurs with the implementation of Alternative 7 since residential soils and

additional sources of lead would be controlled.

Community Acceptance

Based on public comments received on the LCCHP proposal, the Community appears to accept

the preferred alternative. (See Appendix B for public comments and EPA's responses.) Alternative

7 (LCCHP) has the support of Lake County public health officials and the CDPHE, as well as

elected representatives from both the City of Leadville and Lake County. Community

participation in, and strong support for the Kids First Program also indicates community

acceptance.
29

X. SELECTED REMEDY

Based upon consideration of CERCLA requirements, the detailed analysis of alternatives and

public comments, EPA has determined that the LCCHP alternative presented in the Final

Feasibility Study (ASARCO, 1998), as modified below, is the appropriate remedy for residential

populated areas in OU9.

Alternative 7: Lake County Community Health Program

Description

Alternative 7, the LCCHP (similar to the Lead Risk Reduction Program defined in the WAMP

[ASARCO 1994]), integrates a variety of lead intervention methods. The LCCHP combines blood

lead monitoring, education, community awareness, and residence-specific response actions to

reduce the risk of lead exposure to children in Leadville and surrounding residential areas. This

program will address lead from soil and dust, interior and exterior paint, leaded plumbing fixtures,

and other potential sources beyond an individual residence,

An extensive education and intervention program to manage lead exposure at the site is an

integral part of the remedy. The education program will focus on raising public awareness about

risks from lead and encourage participation in the Lake County Community Health Program.

Education will include individual face-to-face consultations with residents and customized

recommendations for specific actions that will reduce the residents' risk to lead exposure. The

recommendations made to each resident are based on the results of environmental lead sampling

at their homes and specific information collected by the program about their daily habits and

activities. Follow-up education, consultation, and intervention will continue to be provided to

families with young children by the Lake County Health Department through their blood-lead

monitoring program, Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program and Head Start.

Residential property owners within OU9 may request an investigation of lead levels in soil, dust,

paint and water on the property. Property owners may request a re-investigation if conditions

change.

The LCCHP includes voluntary blood lead monitoring (with financial incentives, as appropriate)

for all children age 6-72 months and voluntary blood lead monitoring for pregnant and nursing

women.

If the concentration of lead in blood of a chi1d or for a pregnant or nursing woman exceeds the

blood lead criterion, or if the concentration of lead exceeds a specified set of trigger criteria for
30

one or more of the environmental media at a residence, then appropriate actions will be taken to

address the exceedance. The trigger criteria were selected by considering the initial triggers used

for the Kids First Program in addition to new infomation obtained through the baseline human

health risk assessment. These trigger criteria are summarized below:

Blood Lead greater than or equal to 10 micrograms/deciliter

Soil greater than or equal to 3,500 parts per million

Dust greater than or equal to 2,000 parts per million

Paint Interior or exterior paint, in poor condition, with the following lead levels

 greater than or equal to 1 milligram/centimeter 2 - Education

 greater than or equal to 6 milligram/centimeter 2 - Active Remediation

Tap Water greater than or equal to 15 micrograms/liter

When one or more of the trigger criteria are exceeded, a work group will evaluate a range of

different response actions. The work group, to be established and managed by Lake County, will

evaluate all environmental and blood lead data for a property and provide opinions on appropriate

response actions. Membership of the work group will include representatives of Lake County, the

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and ASARCO. The opinions of the

work group, as approved by EPA, shall constitute the response action under CERCLA.

The most appropriate response actions will be determined by evaluating the nature and extent of

the exceedance, overall protectiveness of the action, compliance with applicable or relevant and

appropriate requirements, long-term effectiveness and permanence, short-term effectiveness,

implementability, cost effectiveness, and community impacts. The work group also will consider

the views of the property owner. No response action will be taken without the permission of the

property owner. An extensive education and intervention program to manage lead exposure at the

site will be an integral component of each action considered.

The selected Remedy also includes the following institutional controls, to be developed during

design of the remedy, to ensure effectiveness of the LCCHP. ASARCO and Lake County will be

responsible for implementing and maintaining these institutional controls.

1. The creation of an overlay district to provide notification and information

regarding the LCCHP, including requirements that specify excavation activities or

other uses would result in referral of the property owner to the LCCHP.
31

2. A data management and tracking system such as a computer database, to maintain

sampling, response action and other information related to individual lots or

properties within OU9. This information would be available to interested parties

subject to notification through the overlay district. The data management system

win be accessible by all parties of the LCCHP work group.

Since the LCCHP is a "pilot project" that involves a number of innovative approaches, it includes

ongoing review to ensure that the program is operating as intended and that human health is being

adequately protected. The review shall include:

S Evaluation of participation of area residents in the blood lead monitoring and

environmental media sampling programs.

S Special effort to ensure collection of paired blood lead and environmental lead data

whenever possible.

S Creation and application of a well-documented quality assurance plan to ensure

that blood lead and environmental data are collected and analyzed in the proper

manner, and that the data are accurately entered into an ongoing database suitable

for scientific evaluation.

S Annual reporting of summary statistics.

Given that hazardous substances will remain onsite under the selected remedy, EPA also will

conduct a five-year review pursuant to Section 121 of CERCLA to ensure that the remedy is

protective of human health and the environment.

In addition, the remedy will be evaluated by a group of outside scientists. Details on how this

group will be selected, operate, and evaluate the program will be included in the work plan for the

Lake County Community Health Program.

EPA shall establish performance standards to define the process and criteria by which the remedy

will be terminated. The performance standards will be identified in an addendum to the remedial

design. The CDPHE will be provided an opportunity for consultation and concurrence in

accordance with the National Contingency Plan. ASARCO and local officials will also be

consulted in the development of the performance standards.

The following sections discuss response actions associated with each of the trigger criteria.

Response actions would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the work group and may be

combined to form the most effective remedial solution.
32

Blood Lead

The blood lead trigger level is independent of trigger criteria for soil, dust, paint, and water. In the

event that a child or pregnant or nursing woman has a blood lead level greater than or equal to

10Fg/dL, appropriate response actions will be taken, regardless of whether media trigger criteria

have been exceeded, to reduce that exposure. The LCCHP will provide for continued monitoring

of children with elevated blood lead concentrations beyond the age of six, although those children

would be beyond the age group at highest risk from exposure to lead. The response actions to be

considered for identified potential sources of lead exposure, resulting in blood lead concentrations

greater than or equal to10 Fg/dl, shall include any of the actions described below for soils, dust,

paint, and water. In addition, other potential lead sources beyond an individual residence, and

within OU9, may be considered by the LCCHP work group for remediation and/or education to

address exposure.

Residential Soils

The trigger criterion for residential soil remediation under the LCCHP is: soil-lead concentration

greater than or equal to 3,500 ppm. The following response actions could be taken for residential

soils.

< No Action: This response may be implemented if soil-lead concentrations are less

than 3,500ppm.

< Containment: This option includes the following installation alternatives to contain

soils. Alternatives listed here may be used in combination on any given property.

For example, sod placement could replace existing yard and a concrete cap may be

used to replace a dirt driveway.

Soil cap: Borrow soil placed over impacted areas.

In situ mixing: Mixing of surficial soils having lead concentration above

3,500 ppm with underlying unimpacted soils could be performed to reduce

lead concentrations to acceptable levels. Homes with soil-lead

concentrations greater than 3,500 ppm in the 6-12 inch depth interval are

not considered amenable to this alternative due to the difficulty in mixing to

the depths required to achieve the objective.

Sod placement: Sod placed over impacted soils.

Compacted clay cap: Compacted clay placed over impacted areas with a

minimum one-foot silty or sandy protective layer to maintain cap integrity.
33

Sprayed asphalt: Sprayed asphalt placed over impacted areas and covered

with soil or opaque reflective paint to protect the asphalt from ultraviolet

light and retard oxidation.

Asphaltic concrete: Asphalt for paving grades or special blends mixed with

well graded, crushed aggregate, placed over impacted areas.

Concrete cap: Concrete placed over prepared impacted areas.

Multilayered cap: Cap composed of some combination of natural soils, soil

admixtures, clay, spray-on asphalt, asphaltic concrete, or Portland cement

and placed over impacted areas.

< Diversion ditch construction: Construction of diversions and/or culverts may

prevent run-on to source areas and reduce both erosional and leaching release of

the metals from a source.

< Removal: Removal of soil would be accomplished through hand excavation with

the aid of mechanical excavation equipment. The removal depth would be decided

on a case-by-case basis based on site-specific information, but would be no more

than 12 inches. During excavation and transport, dust suppression may be

necessary. After excavation, borrow material would be transported to the

residence and placed. Yards would be revegetated, generally with sod. In instances

where remaining soils may exceed the trigger criterion, such soils would be subject

to institutional controls.

Excavated material could be put to beneficial re-use as non-surficial fill material or

could be removed to a suitable on-site repository.

In-Residence Dust

Potential sources of lead for in-residence dust are: lead-based paint in poor condition, bare soil

areas, gardens, streets and alleys, tailings, and mine waste. Dust is transported into the home by

wind or on items taken outside and then returned inside. The trigger level for in-residence dust is

lead concentrations greater than or equal to 2,000 ppm. Response actions would be:

< No Action: Residences with dust-lead levels between 500 and 2,000 ppm will be

informed about lead dust abatement methods and offered use of a High Efficiency

Particulate Air (HEPA) vacuum.

< Physical Protective Measures: This response action include sealing off unfinished

basements, attics, or crawl space areas to limit exposure to interior lead-dust.
34

< Education Program: This response may be enacted to educate residents on how to

effectively reduce lead-dust when cleaning. Demonstrations or brochures may be

used.

< Removal and Disposal by Means of Decontamination or Replacement: One or a

combination of the following methods may be considered for removing interior

leaddust: Vacuum all interior living spaces with a HEPA vacuum. Dust can be

disposed of in a RCRA Subtitle D landfill as it is household waste. Damp mop all

floors, window wells, and other wood work with a trisodium phosphate (TSP)

cleaning solution; clean furnace ducts using the EPA-approved program for duct

cleaning; and placement of mats at entryways so that shoes may be appropriately

shaken or wiped before entering, reducing the amount of soil entering the

residence.

Interior and Exterior Paint

Residences may have interior and/or exterior paint that is lead-based. Lead-based paint in poor

condition may contribute to lead exposure through inhalation and ingestion of dust, or direct

consumption of paint chips. Depending on the paint's lead concentration and condition the

following response actions may be considered:

< No Action: This response action will be implemented if lead levels are less than 1

mg/cm2 or if no lead-based paint is identified.

< Education, Containment, Covering, or Removal: If paint contains lead above 1

mg/cm2 and is in poor condition (peeling, chipping, chalking) or coating a

friction-surface, education, risk counseling, and information on actions they may

take themselves will be provided to residents. If paint has lead levels greater than

or equal to 6 mg/cm2, and is in poor condition, active remediation would be

recommended. If either encapsulation or removal is chosen for remediation, the

remediated areas will have a surface paint-lead level no greater than 1 mg/cm2.

< Community Protective Measures: HUD disclosure requirements for lead-based

paint will be relied upon to notify potential future buyers of any potential

lead-related risks.

Drinking Water

Residences may have drinking water that contains lead. Lead in drinking water may be associated

with lead solder, lead plumbing, or lead alloy fixtures. The action level for lead in drinking water

is lead concentrations greater than or equal to 15 Fg/L. Lead concentrations in drinking water can

be measured and the following response actions may be considered:
35

< No Action: This response action could be implemented if the lead concentration in

drinking water is less than 15 Fg/l.

< Alternative Water Supply: This response action could provide the replacement of

unsuitable drinking water with bottled water, municipal water, or a household

water treatment system could be installed.

< Replacement: The removal and replacement response could be appropriate for

residences with lead in drinking water from lead piping or soldering.

XI. STATUTORY DETERMINATIONS

Under CERCLA Section 121, EPA must select a remedy that is protective of human health and

the environment; that complies with ARARs; is cost effective; and utilizes permanent solutions,

and alternative treatment technologies, or resource recovery technologies to the maximum extent

practicable. In addition, CERCLA includes a preference for remedies that include treatment which

permanently and significantly reduces the volume, toxicity, or mobility of hazardous wastes as a

principal element. The Selected Remedy does not satisfy the statutory preference for treatment as

a principal element of the remedy. The following sections discuss how the Selected Remedy meets

statutory requirements.

Protection of Human Health and the Environment – The selected remedy is

protective of human health and the environment by addressing additional sources of lead in

conjunction with soil remediation (if required). Treatment is not practical and therefore is

not used.

Compliance with ARARs – The selected remedy will comply with all ARARs identified

in Appendix C to this ROD. No waiver of ARARs is expected to be necessary.

Cost Effectiveness – EPA has determined that the Selected Remedy is cost effective in

mitigating the principal risks posed by contaminated residential soils. Section 300.430

(f)(ii)(D) of the NCP requires evaluation of cost effectiveness. Overall effectiveness is

determined by the following three balancing criteria: long-term effectiveness and

permanence; reduction of toxicity, mobility, and volume through treatment; and short-term

effectiveness. Overall effectiveness is then compared to cost to ensure that the remedy is

cost effective. The Selected Remedy meets the criteria and provides for overall

effectiveness in proportion to its cost. The estimated cost for the Selected Remedy is

$4.84 million.

To the extent that the estimated cost of the Selected Remedy exceeds the cost for other

alternatives, the difference in cost is reasonable when related to the greater overall

effectiveness achieved by the Selected Remedy.
36

Utilization of Permanent Solutions and Satisfies the Preference for Treatment that

Reduces Toxicity, Mobility, or Volume – The selected remedy utilizes permanent

solutions to the maximum extent practicable but does not satisfy the preference for

alternatives that involve treatment to reduce the toxicity, mobility, or volume of

contamination.

Long Term Effectiveness and Permanence – Risk to residents would be reduced due to

selection of this remedial action for the reduction of total lead exposures. This remedy

would result in waste being left in place.

Reduction of Toxicity, Mobility or Volume through Treatment – The selected

alternative does not involve treatment; however, the total lead exposure for a given

residential living enviromnent will be reduced.

Short-Term Effectiveness – Short-term risks to workers and residents are acceptable.

Implementability – Implementation of the selected remedy is expected to be successful

based on the support of Lake County officials and the CDPHE, as well as elected

representatives from both the City of Leadville and Lake County. Community support for

the Kids First Program also indicates that implementation of the selected remedy will be

successful. This alternative utilizes common construction, home improvement, cleaning

equipment, and procedures defined in HUD guidance. This alternative allows for flexibility

in selecting the most appropriate response actions on a case-by-case basis, while

considering resident needs and preferences.

Cost – The estimated cost for the LCCHP is $4,839,250. The cost for this alternative is

mid-range with respect to other alternatives.

XII. DOCUMENTATION OF SIGNIFICANT CHANGES

EPA distributed a Proposed Plan outlining the preferred alternatives in November 1998. The

Proposed Plan identified Alternative 7, the LCCHP, as the preferred alternative for the Residential

Populated Areas Operable Unit. No significant changes have been made to the Alternative 7

decision described in the Proposed Plan. Public comment generally supported implementation of

the LCCHP. Public comments and EPA's responses to those comments are attached as Appendix

A.

The remedy will be continually monitored for effectiveness. Any problems with the program will

be identified and adjusted as necessary.
37

XIII. REFERENCES

References:

1907. The Downtown District of Leadville, Colorado, Samuel Franklin Emmons and John Duer

Irving, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.

1927. Geology and Ore Deposits of the Leadville Mining District, U.S.G.S., S. F. Emmons and J.

D. Irving.

1987. California Gulch Remedial Investigation, Leadville, Colorado, CH2M Hill, May.

1990. U.S. Bureau of Census

1992. Soil Inventory and Map, California Gulch Study Area, Leadville, Colorado, Walsh and

Associates, May.

1993. Final Smelter Remedial Investigation Report, California Gulch Site, Leadville, Colorado,

Walsh and Associates, April.

1994. Final Soils Investigation Data Report, Caffornia Gulch CERCLA Site, Leadville, Colorado,

Volume 1, Text, Camp, Dresser and McKee, Inc. July.

1994, Consent Decree between the United States, State of Colorado, ASARCO and Resurrection,

Lodged in U.S. District Court in Denver, May 17, 1994.

ASARCO, 1994. Work Management Plan for ASARCO Inc. at the California Gulch NPL Site,

Leadville CO. Prepared by Woodward Clyde. Appendix B to the Consent Decree.

ASARCO, Incorporated, 1994. Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis for Parks and Playground

Areas, Operable Unit 9, California Gulch, Leadville, Colorado. Prepared by Woodward Clyde

Consultants, November.

ASARCO, Incorporated, 1995. Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis for Mine Waste Piles,

Operable Unit 9, California Gulch Superfund Site, Leadville, Colorado. Prepared by Golder

Associates. December.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1993. Final Screening Feasibility Study for Remediation

Alternatives at the California Gulch NPL Site, Leadville, Colorado. September.
38

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1996a. Baseline Human Health Risk Assessment

California Gulch Superfund Site, Leadville, Colorado, Part A -- Risks to Residents from Lead, p.

8-6. Prepared by Roy F. Weston, Inc. January 1996.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1996b. Baseline Human Health Risk Assessment

California Gulch Superfund Site, Leadville, Colorado, Part B -- Risks to Residents from

Contaminants Other than Lead. Prepared by Roy F. Weston, Inc. January 1996.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1996c. Baseline Human Health Risk Assessment

California Gulch Superfund Site, Leadville, Colorado, Part C -- Evaluation of Worker and

Recreational User Scenarios. Prepared by Roy F. Weston, Inc. January 1996

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1996d. Interim Status Report, Consolidated Findings of

Soil-Lead Investigations at the California Gulch NPL Site. Prepared by Roy F. Weston, Inc. June.

Woodward Clyde Consultants, 1994. Final Work Plan for Kids First Program, California Gulch

NPL Site, Leadville, Colorado. Prepared for ASARCO, Incorporated, Denver, Colorado.

Golder Associates, 1998. Final Residential Soils Feasibility Study, California Gulch Superfund

Site, Leadville, Colorado. Prepared for ASARCO, Incorporated, Denver, Colorado.
Appendix A

SITE LOCATION MAP

Appendix B

RESPONSIVENESS SUMMARY
Responsiveness Summary

In November 1998, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a Proposed Plan describing the

Agency's preferred alternative to address risks to residents from lead in soils and other sources within

Operable Unit 9 of the California Gulch Superfand Site in Leadville, Colorado. A public meeting to

discuss the Proposed Plan was held in Leadville on November 19, 1998. Public comment on the Proposed

Plan was accepted from November 12, 1998 through December 14, 1998.

The purpose of this Responsiveness Summary is to provide all comments received on the

Feasibility Study, Proposed Plan, or during the public meeting and provide the Agency`s response to

those comments. All comments are included in the Administrative Record for this project.

FEASIBILITY STUDY

Following are comments from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) on

the Feasibility Study. Each CDPHE comment is followed by EPA's response.

CDPHE Comment 1

The text for Alternative 7 should be revised to more accurately reflect the current Kids First Program's

practice of accommodating the homeowner's preferences as part of the Kids First Work Group

deliberative process of remedy selection. Typically, the deliberative remedy selection process associated

with Alternative 7 should be in accordance with the property owner's preference. In addition, the

property owner should fully understand any institutional controls that would be associated with leaving

wastes on his/her property.

Response 1

Alternative 7 is based on the Kids First Program and has been designed to fully consider the views of the

property owner. No response action will be conducted without the permission of the property owner. An

extensive education and intervention program to manage lead exposure at the site will be an integral

component of each action considered.

CDPHE Comment 2

Section 3.4.3.5 of the FS mentions various institutional controls such as land use controls, deed

restrictions, permitting, etc., that could be used as a separate remedial alternative or as a component of

various other remedial alternatives. However, the FS fails to present an in-depth discussion of this issue.

A more detailed discussion of all the potential institutional controls is needed, especially a discussion of

how they would apply to remedial Alternative 7 (see previous comment). Such specifics as: which

institutional controls will be employed for the various
alternatives, how they will be employed, and by whom they will be employed should be fully discussed. In

order for the FS to adequately evaluate effectiveness, implementability and cost, this crucial issue should

not be deferred until the design phase of the remedial process. (Also see: CDPHE General Comment #2

in correspondence to EPA dated May 28, 1996, on the Draft residential Soils FS and General Comment

#7 in correspondence dated January 8, 1997, on the Redraft of Alternative 7a and 7b.) Also, please refer

to EPA's Draft Reference Manual on Institutional Controls, March 1998, for early integration of

institutional control considerations.

Response 2

Alternative 7, the Selected Remedy, includes the following institutional controls, to be developed during

design of the remedy, to ensure effectiveness of the Lake County Community Health Program (LCCHP).

ASARCO and Lake County will be responsible for implementing and maintaining these institutional

controls.

1. The creation of an overlay district to provide notification and information regarding the

LCCHP, including requirements that specify excavation activities or other uses would

result in referral of the property owner to the LCCHP.

2. A data management and tracking system such as a computer database, to maintain

sampling, response action and other information related to individual lots ro properties

within OU9. This information would be available to interested parties subject to

notification through the overlay district. The data management system will be accessible

by all parties of the LCCHP work group.

CDPHE Comment 3

An on-site repository for the disposal of residential soils is mentioned, however, there is no discussion of

where the repository will be located. The specific location, including size and a discussion of siting

criteria, should be included. Accordingly, State Solid Waste Regulations pertaining to Solid Waste

Disposal Site and Facilities (6CCR 1007-2) Sections 2 & 3 should be included as a potentially relevant

and appropriate ARAR.

Response 3

Any excavated soils will be removed to a suitable on-site repository. The specific location and size of an

on-site repository will be addressed during remedial design. Please refer to Appendix C to the Record of

Decision for a complete listing of all applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements. Specific State

Solid Waste Regulations are identified as ARARs.

CDPHE Comment 4

The CDPHE, APCD, Regulation 19 is currently being evaluated as potentially applicable or relevant and

appropriate (ARAR) for lead-based paint abatement (i.e., remediations). The CDPHE, as you know, is

currently actively working with E PA Region VIII lead-based paint
program representatives to determine which elements of this regulation may affect remedial activities in

OU9. Any issues in this context will be resolved as soon as possible.

Response 4

Comment noted. The agreed upon provisions from Regulation 19 have been included in the ARARs table,

Appendix C.

CDPHE Comment 5

In their Comment 5, CDPHE identified a number of ARARs for inclusion in the summation of ARARs

for Operable Unit 9.

Response 5

Please see Appendix C to the Record of Decision for a complete listing of all applicable or relevant and

appropriate requirements. CDPHE has concurred with the compilation of ARARs.

PROPOSED PLAN

Following are comments from CDPHE on the Proposed Plan. Each CDPHE comment is followed by

EPA's response:

CDPHE Comment 1

CDPHE's support that the ROD be revised to conforrn with CDPHE's understanding of the Kids First

Program's practice of accommodating the homeowner's preferences and concerns in the Kids First

Workgroup's deliberative process of remedy selection.

Response 1

Please see EPA's response to CDPHE's Comment 1 on the Feasibility Study.

CDPHE Comment 2

To the extent possible, and in conformance with EPA Institutional Control (IC) guidance, likely ICs

associated with the selected remedy should be identified and discussed in the ROD. This would facilitate

a better understanding by the parties (and participating property owners) of any duties, obligations, or

potential liabilities that may be associated with the implementation of the selected remedy.

Response 2

Please see EPA's response to CDPHE's Comment 2 on the Feasibility Study.
Following are comments from ASARCO on the Proposed Plan. Each ASARCO comment is followed by

EPA's response.

ASARCO General Comment 1

Throughout the Proposed Plan it states that all sources of lead will be addressed. Generally, Asarco

supports addressing all sources of lead, but as we have discovered through the implementation of the

Kids First Program this is impractical, if not impossible. The LCCHP will address primary sources of lead

exposure to children (i.e., soil, dust, paint, and water) and attempt to identify other potential pathways of

lead exposure.

Response 1

EPA recognizes soil as the primary pathway of exposure to the residential population at the site. Dust,

paint and water are other pathways of exposure. Other potential lead sources beyond an individual

residence, and within OU9, may be considered by the LCCHP work group for remediation and/or

education to address exposure.

ASARCO General Comment 2

As there has been some concern raised regarding the accuracy of the Superfund Site and Operable Unit

boundaries on the map attached to the Proposed Plan, ASARCO supports using the Operable Unit

boundary map included in the Consent Decree, Appendix C, Attachment 1 (also presented as Figure 2-1

in the Feasibility Study).

Response 2

The map included as Appendix C to the Consent Decree will be used to identify Operable Unit and Site

boundaries for the Record of Decision.

ASARCO Specific Comment 1

The proposed plan states, "The second approach compared the measured blood lead values in area

children with relevant national blood lead statistics in order to help evaluate the current impacts of actual

site exposures to lead."

The comparison to national blood lead statistics was a minor part of the way in which EPA used the

measured blood lead levels in the risk assessment. It would be more accurate to emphasize that the blood

lead levels were analyzed along with corresponding environmental data for soil, dust, water, paint and

other factors to help evaluate the current impacts of actual site exposures to lead.

Response 1

Comment noted.
ASARCO Specific Comment 2

The proposed plan states, "In 1991, geometric mean blood lead levels in children living within the site

boundaries were typically around 5-6 Fg/dl..."

The geometric mean blood lead level is a single value for a specific group, not a "typical" value in a

range. The geometric mean blood lead level for the 284 children age 0-72 months who were living within

the site in 1991 was 4.7 Fg/dl, as reported on page 5-3 of the Baseline Human Health Risk Assessment

(BHHRA), Part A. The range of 5-6 Fg/dl does not correspond with the values reported for subareas

from the University of Cincinnati study used in the BHHRA. Geometric mean blood lead levels within the

subareas designated A-G ranged from 3.9 to 6. 6 Fg/dl; geometric mean blood lead levels for the two

subareas within Lake County but outside of the Superfund Site boundaries were 3.1 and 6.0 Fg/dl.

Response 2

Comment noted.

ASARCO Specific Comment 3

Item 2 states in part that "Additional blood lead data collected by [the] county health agency from more

than 100 children per year for each year between 1991 and the present suggests that the incidence of

children in the community with blood lead levels above 10 Fg/dl is continuing to fluctuate between 6%

and 9%." This statement appears to overstate the current community blood lead levels observed in

Leadville. Using the guidelines for data reduction established in the memo to EPA from Dr. Bill Brattin,

EPA's toxicology consultant (December, 1997), we find that in 1997 5.8% (14 children) of all 240

children tested and living within the site had blood lead levels over 10 Fg/dl.

Response 3

Comment noted.

ASARCO Specific Comment 4

In the proposed plan it states, "It was concluded that soil and dust ingestion rates in this community were

probably somewhat lower than national average rates possibly because the ground is frozen or snow

covered approximately eight months out of the year. "

While ASARCO agrees with this conclusion, we would like to clarify that national average rates for soil

and dust ingestion are not known and that the precise amount of soil ingested anywhere is not well

understood. The assumptions used in the IEUBK model reflect results from a very limited number of soil

ingestion studies along with modifications to estimated soil ingestion rates by age group so that the

predicted blood lead levels appear to match the observed values. No soil ingestion studies specifically

support the age-specific soil ingestion rates used in the IEUBK model. Other possible reasons why the

IEUBK model predictions and the blood lead observations did not match is that the model may fail to

accurately predict true "background" blood lead levels due to non-soil sources, which may lead to a

failure to accurately predict blood lead increases due to soil exposure; and the model may overestimate

the importance of soil lead exposure in predicting blood lead levels.
Response 4

Comment noted.

ASARCO Specific Comment 5

With respect to the proposed trigger criteria for interior and exterior paint with lead concentrations above

1 mg/cm2 and in poor condition, Asarco would like to reiterate its desire to implement a tiered approach

where: 1) paint remediation abatement is performed if lead paint concentrations are found to be greater

than 6 mg/cm2 and paint is in poor condition; 2) education, and property owner requirements (based on

applicable federal laws), would be the measures taken for homes where lead paint concentrations are

found to be below 6 mg/cm2 and above 1 mg/cm2, or where lead paint concentrations are above mg/cm2

and paint is in good condition; and 3) no action is taken if lead paint concentrations are 1 mg/cm2 or

lower. Education will be performed on issues such as: encapsulation, avoidance, care and maintenance of

painted surfaces, and precautions to be taken during future remodeling projects by homeowner.

Asarco believes that the 6 mg/cm2 and poor condition action criteria currently being used under the Kids

First Program for remediation of paint is protective of human health and the environment, and upholds

the original intent of the Consent Decree. As indicated in the Work Area Management Plan (WAMP), the

concept of community-based lead reduction program such as the LCCHP was developed as an alternative

to wholesale soil removal to address sources of lead exposure to young children besides soil. Asarco

voluntarily agreed to remediate homes that pose significant lead paint risks (i.e., 6 mg/cm2 or greater and

paint in poor condition) as part of the overall lead risk reduction program, even though lead paint

abatement is not a CERCLA action. The voluntary nature of the agreement to include lead paint in a

community program attests to Asarco's support for reduction of lead risks in young children.

Response 5

The selected remedy includes a tiered approach to lead-based paint remediation. If lead levels are less

than 1 mg/cm2 , no action will be taken. If paint contains greater than or equal to 1 mg/cm2 and is in poor

condition (peeling, chipping, chalking) or coating a friction-surface, education, risk counseling, and

information on actions they may take themselves will be provided to residents. If paint has lead levels

greater than or equal to 6 mg/cm2, and is in poor condition, active remediation would be recommended. If

either encapsulation or removal is chosen for remediation, the remediated areas will have a surface

paint-lead level no greater than 1 mg/cm2.

ASARCO Specific Comment 6

Asarco feels that "and accessible" should be added to the trigger criteria for soil. The LCCHP is a risk

based program, thus, Asarco feels that the condition of soils or more specifically the accessibility to soil is

an important part of the trigger criteria for soil. The exposure pathway for soils is greatest when poor

vegetative conditions exist such as a bare area in the yard or a garden area where bare soils can be

exposed for part of the year. If there is a good year round vegetative cover the pathway is blocked. The

LCCHP Work Group should have the opportunity to recommend, and residents should have the

opportunity to select, education and
possibly some type of voluntary institutional controls and not destroy an existing vegetative cover. Also

for open areas, the Work Group could recommend vegetative enhancement without destroying the native

vegetation that exists.

Response 6

The selected remedy offers a wide range of options to address potential exposure from soils greater than

or equal to the trigger criteria for soil. Containment is one of the options and could rely upon vegetation

as a barrier to any exposure.

ASARCO Specific Comment 7

The following reference is missing as referred to on page 4 for (U.S. District Court, 1994).

"In the United States District Court for the District of Colorado (U.S. District Court). 1994. Consent

Decree with ASARCO, Incorporated, Resurrection Mining Company, Newmont Mining

Corporation, and the Res-ASARCO Joint Venture. August 25."

Response 7

Reference to the Consent Decree is made in the Record of Decision selecting the remedy for Operable

Unit 9 of the California Gulch Superfund project.

EPA received a number of comments from the general public during the public comment period.

Following are comments from the general public on the Proposed Plan. The complete text of each public

comment is available in the Administrative Record. Each comment is followed by EPA's response. In

addition to the comments presented below, EPA received 21 post cards from community residents in

support of Alternative 7, the Lake County Community Health Program. No post cards were received in

opposition to the preferred alternative.

Comment 1

As long as actual blood lead levels are used as the initial trigger for further action, I strongly support this

proposal.

Response 1

Blood lead levels in children are not the only trigger for remedial actions. Residents may elect to

participate in the environmental testing and remediation program without blood lead testing or to

participate without releasing information on their blood lead levels.

Demonstration of attainment of the performance standards for OU9 will, however, be based on actual

blood lead levels in children residing in Leadville. The overall effectiveness of the LCCHP will be

demonstrated through attainment of performance standards.
Comment 2

Institutional controls should, for the most part, be included as part of the Record of Decision

regarding this matter to assure that Lake County and other entities are not burdened with inappropriate

long range liabilities. These controls should be developed with the input of all interested parties to assure

that they are reasonable and science based.

Response 2

Institutional controls are discussed further in the Record of Decision (ROD) and will be finalized during

the design phase of the program with local community involvement. EPA and ASARCO are prepared to

work cooperatively with Lake County and the City of Leadville to develop institutional controls.

Discussions regarding the manner in which the LCCHP will be implemented and additional actions, if any,

required or desired once performance standards are met will be integral to the development of an

appropriate institutional controls program at this site. For this reason, institutional controls will be

developed as part of the remedial design and presented in detail within the Work Plan for the LCCHP.

Comment 3

The City of Leadville should also be included as an entity to be consulted in the review and approval

process (re: changes or variances to Standard Operating Procedures included in the LCCHP work plan).

Response 3

We agree that the City of Leadville should be involved with any changes made to the Standard Operating

Procedures for the LCCHP.

Comment 4

Institutional controls which include zoning changes or deed restrictions may have little community

support. In addition, use of lead concentration contour maps to delineate areas where institutional

controls would be implemented is likely to be disputed by home owners.

Response 4

EPA and Asarco are prepared to work directly with Lake County and the City of Leadville to identify

institutional controls that will be both effective and implementable. Several diverse groups, which include

members from the Leadville community, currently provide opportunities for citizens to take an active role

in the consultation and decision-making process for the site. These groups include the Site Activities

Coordinating Committee and Kids First Work Group.

EPA does not intend to identify areas for institutional controls based on concentration contour maps

previously presented in the Feasibi1ity Study. Instead, appropriate institutional controls will likely be tied

to the status of remediation at individual properties. For example, if
environmental lead sources have been tested but none of the trigger levels was exceeded, then no

institutional controls would be required specific to that property (such as land use restriction or deed

notice).

Comment 5

It might be reassuring to the community to extend blood lead monitoring beyond the children presently

tested in the voluntary program, so as to evaluate the potential effects of residential properties not

presently housing children.

Response 5

The LCCHP will be open to all residents in the site regardless of whether or not a child under 6 years old

resides at the property. Environmental testing at properties both with and without children under 6

insures the protection of children who may reside at a property in the future.

Comment 6

A sampling program involving the testing of domestic cats might provide a pioneering avenue of study ...

This might be a far less expensive and more effective program than resulted from the inconclusive effort

involving swine testing.

Response 6

Several lead researchers have suggesting using cats or dogs as monitors of lead exposure. Unfortunately

their use is still quite experimental, and unsuitable for our purposes. For example, Philip Berny studied

pets living in homes of children in Granite City, IL. While dogs and cats had blood lead levels more or

less in the range of childrens' levels, there was no reliable correlation. If a pet had a blood lead level over

10 Fg/dl, then there was a chance that a child living in the house did, as well, but the association was not

reliable enough to use the pet's measurement instead of the children's. Also, it is not really understood

what lead exposure is reflected in a dog's or cat's blood lead level. Dogs kept tied outside are not exposed

to house dust like children are, and cats kept inside are not exposed to yard soil. Cats that go outside may

roam away from the home and may not represent exposure at the home itself. Finally, pets will not be

exposed to direct sources of lead such as old toys or lead-based paint on staircases or window ledges in

the same way that children may be. In conclusion, we now feel that although pets may be somewhat

useful in the future as a screening tool in conjunction with other environmental data, it will always be

more effective to look at lead in the environment from the child's point of view.

Although the first swine-feeding test using Leadville soil was, inconclusive on its own, EPA has done

many swine tests and other extraction tests since then to study bioavailability of lead from many different

sites, including recent tests using soils from other sites in Leadville. EPA is hopeful that the new test

results for Leadville will help explain some of the unusual (higher or lower) blood lead results in different

neighborhoods of Leadville and will contribute to our understanding of the bioavailability of lead in soils

from residential areas of Leadville.
Comment 7

I believe that people are being bribed into testing blood lead levels [with savings bonds and gift

certificates]. Is this typical nationwide?

Response 7

There are other communities in the United States, both CERCLA and non-CERCLA sites, that offer

incentives to encourage participation in blood lead testing programs and to increase the accuracy and

effectiveness of those monitoring programs. The incentives currently used in Leadville appear to have

been effective in maintaining a high level of community participation in the county's blood lead

monitoring program. It is important to note that the blood lead program is voluntary under the CERCLA

action. Blood lead testing is not and will not be a requirement for environmental lead testing or, if

necessary, remediation.

Comment 8

I wish I could believe that all of this site work is needed and that it does pose an imminent and substantial

endangerment to public health and welfare. I prefer Alternative 1: No Action as the preferred alternative

for the residential area.

Response 8

EPA agrees that the risk to the citizens of Leadville is moderate as demonstrated by the on-going blood

lead program being conducted by Lake County. EPA prefers the LCCHP, because it will cause the least

amount of disturbance to the community while being protective to current and future residents at the site.

In addition to written comments received during the public comment period, EPA also received some

verbal comments during the public meeting conducted on November 18, 1998. Following are each of the

comments made during the public meeting followed by EPA's response.

Comment 1

Are there areas in the Site where children's blood lead levels are higher? Do you see any clustering of

children with elevated blood lead levels?

Response 1

Areas of the Site where children are more likely to have an elevated blood lead concentration include the

east side of Leadville near the historic mining district, Stringtown, and the Lake Fork trailer park near the

confluence of California Gulch and the Arkansas River.
Comment 2

What are the community protective measures, how are they being developed, and is the local community

going to have input on the community protective measures?

Response 2

Alternative 7, the Selected Remedy, includes the following institutional controls, to be developed during

design of the remedy, to ensure effectiveness of the Lake County Community Health Program (LCCHP).

ASARCO and Lake County will be responsible for implementing and maintaining these institutional

controls.

1. The creation of an overlay district to provide notification and information regarding the

LCCHP, including requirements that specify excavation activities or other uses would

result in referral of the property owner to the LCCHP.

2. A data management and tracking system such as a computer database, to maintain

sampling, response action and other information related to individual lots ro properties

within OU9. This information would be available to interested parties subject to

notification through the overlay district. The data management system will be accessible

by all parties of the LCCHP work group.

Comment 3

The County is opposed to using the 0-6 inch lead in soils distribution map as shown in the Feasibility

Study (Figure 2-2). This map was developed using samples from streets and alley ways instead of actual

yards.

Response 3

Any soil response actions will be based on property-specific data, not the lead in soils distribution map

presented in the Feasibility Study.

Comment 4

How will institutional controls be implemented as a voluntary program?

Response 4

EPA and ASARCO are prepared to work directly with Lake County and the City of Leadville to identify

institutional controls that will be both effective and implementable. Several diverse groups, which include

members from the Leadville community, currently provide opportunities for citizens to take an active role

in the consultation and decision-making process for the site. These groups include the Site Activities

Coordinating Committee and Kids First Work Group. Appropriate institutional controls will likely be tied

to the status of remediation at individual properties.
Comment 5

The County is opposed to institutional controls. Why are they listed in the feasibility study?

Response 5

Institutional controls are listed in the Feasibility Study to investigate these options further. EPA

understands that the County supports implementation of institutional controls as described in the ROD.

Comment 6

How may properties will need soil remediation?

Response 6

The estimate is 150 homes.

Comment 7

I am opposed to sweeping zoning restrictions. How will vacant lots and new development be addressed?

Response 7

The selected remedy will not influence zoning. In the event that development disturbs contaminated soils,

appropriate measures to manage the soils would have to be taken. Appropriate measures would depend

on eventual land use.

Comment 8

How were trigger levels established?

Response 8

Risk assessments were relied upon to establish trigger levels.

Comment 9

In the feasibility study it says that the program will last for 12 years. After that time, does the County

have to bare the cost?

Response 9

ASARCO is responsible for implementing the LCCHP until performance standards have been met.
Comment 10

Once the blood lead levels goals are met, how many years does the program have to continue?

Response 10

The Program will continue until performance standards have been met. EPA will conduct five year

reviews of the Site to ensure that the remedy remains protective.

Comment 11

What happens 10 years down the road when the program loses momentum, how will the remediation be

ensured?

Response 11

Incentives will be offered to ensure adequate participation in the program. EPA will conduct five year

reviews to ensure that the remedy remains protective.

Comment 12

Could the Site be delisted even if all properties do not have sampling/remediation conducted?

Response 12

Once performance standards have been met, EPA will proceed with delisting.

Comment 13

How long until the LCCHP can be implemented?

Response 13

We anticipate that the program will begin in 1999.

Comment 14

If a property owner refuses to participate, will fences be put around the property?

Response 14

No.
Appendix C

APPLICABLE OR

RELEVANT & APPROPRIATE

REQUIREMENTS
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SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL ARARS

Residential Populated Area (Operable Unit No. 9)

Standard,

Requirement, Criteria,

or Limitation

Citation Potentially

Applicable

Potentially

Relevant and

Appropriate

Description Comments

SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL CHEMICAL-SPECIFIC ARARs/TBCs

1. Clean Air Act,

National Primary and

Secondary Ambient Air

Quality Standards

42 USC Sect. 7401-

7642, 40 CFR Part

50

Yes --- National ambient air quality standards (NAAQS)

are implemented through the New Source Review

Program and State Implementation Plans (SIPs).

The federal New Source Review Program

addresses only major sources. See Colorado Air

Pollution Prevention and Control Act concerning

applicability of requirements implemented

through the SIP.

Emissions associated with proposed remedial

action at individual properties will be limited

to fugitive dust emissions associated with

earth moving activities during soil removals.

These activities will not constitute a major

source. Federal NAAQS more stringent than

State standards may be applicable.

Compliance with these standards will be

addressed in the Fugitive Emissions Dust

Control Plan. (See #10)

2. Colorado Ambient

Air Quality Standards

5 CCR 1001 Yes --- Primary and secondary standards for PM 10 in

ambient air. Federal and State TSP standards have

been replaced with PM 10 and PM2.5 standards.

Compliance with ambient air standards will

be achieved by adhering to a Fugitive

Emissions Dust Control Plan prepared in

accordance with Regulation No. 1 (see #10).

This plan will discuss monitoring

requirements, if any, necessary to achieve

these standards.

3. Colorado Air Pollution

Prevention and Control

Act, Regulation 8

5 CCR 1001-14; 5

CCR 1001-10 Part

C (I), Regulation 8

Yes --- Regulation No. 8 sets emission limits for lead.

Applicants are required to evaluate whether the

proposed activities would result in an exceedance

of this standard.

Fugitive dust emissions are expected to be of

limited nature, occur in isolated areas and for

short periods of time. Lead emissions may

occur but are not expected to exceed the

emission levels for lead. Compliance with

Regulation No. 8 will be achieved by

adhering to a fugitive emissions dust control

plan prepared in accordance with Regulation

No. 1 (see #10). This plan will discuss

monitoring requirements, if any, necessary to

achieve these standards
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SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL ARARS (Continued)

Standard

Requirement, Criteria,

or Limitation

Citation Potentially

Applicable

Potentially

Relevant and

Appropriate

Description Comments

SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL LOCATION-SPECIFIC ARARs

4. Resource

Conservation and

Recovery Act (RCRA),

Subtitle D

40 CFR Part

258.10-15

No Yes Facilities where treatment, storage or disposal of

solid waste will be conducted must meet certain

location standards. These include location

restrictions on proximity to airports, floodplains,

wetlands, fault areas, seismic impact zones, and

unstable areas.

May be relevant and appropriate if interim

disposal is conducted or if an onsite

repository is necessary.

5. Executive Order

11593 - Protection and

Enhancement of the

Cultural Environment

16 USC 470 Yes --- Federal agencies directed to institute procedures

to ensure programs contribute to the preservation

and enhancement of non-federally owned historic

resources. Consultation with the Advisory

Council on Historic Preservation required.

See #6 below.

6. National Historic

Preservation Act

(NHPA)

16 USC § 470 et

seq.; 40 CFR §

6.301(b); 36 CFR

Part 63, Part 65,

Part 800

Yes --- Expands historic preservation programs to

minimize harm to National Historic Landmarks;

requires preservation of resources included in or

eligible for listing on the National Register for

Historic Places (NRHP).

This Act is applicable within the Leadville

National Historic Landmark District. A

Programmatic Agreement exists between the

EPA, the Advisory Council on Historic

Preservation, and the Colorado State Historic

Preservation Officer in accordance with

Section 106 and 110(f) of NHPA.

7. The Historic and

Archaeological Data

Preservation Act of

1974

16 USC 469 

40 CFR § 6.301(c)

Yes --- Establishes procedures to preserve historical and

archeological data that might be destroyed

through alteration of terrain as a result of a

federal construction project or a federally

licensed activity program.

Remedial Activities may affect historical

and/or archeological data. A cultural

resources survey will be performed to

identify and evaluate all historic properties

which may be affected by remedial

activities.
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SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL ARARS (Continued)

Standard,

Requirement, Criteria,

or Limitation

Citation Potentially

Applicable

Potentially

Relevant and

Appropriate

Description Comments

8. Colorado Historical,

Prehistorical, and

Archaeological

Resources Act

Colorado Revised

Statutes (CRS) §§

24-80-401 to 411,

24-80-1301 to 1305

No Unknown Establishes procedures and requires a permit

for investigation, excavation, gathering, or

removal from the natural state of any

historical, prehistorical, or archaeological

resources on state lands for the benefit of

recognized scientific or educational

institutions. Also requires an excavation

permit and notification if human remains are

found on state land.

May be relevant and appropriate if

archaeological resources are removed or

human remains discovered during remedial

activities; coordination with state

archaeologist required, but no permit is

needed within the Superfund site.

9. Colorado Register of

Historic Places

CRS §§ 24-80-101 to

108 Unknown

--- Establishes requirements for protecting

properties of historical significance.

May be applicable if remedial actions impact

any property listed on the Register of

Historic Places.

SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL ACTION-SPECIFIC ARARs/TBCs

10. Colorado Air

Pollution Prevention and

Control Act, Fugitive

Dust Control

Plan/Opacity, Regulation

No. 1

5 CCR 1001-3;

§ III. D. 1.b,c,d.

§

lII.D.2.a,b,c,e,f,g

Regulation 1

yes Regulation No. 1 provisions concerning

fugitive emissions for construction activities,

storage and stockpiling activities, haul roads,

haul trucks, and tailing ponds.

Only provisions under Regulation 1

concerning fugitive emissions for

construction activities, including soil

removal, storage, transport and stockpiling

(5 CCR 1001-3; Sections III.D.2.b,c,e,f,g.),

are applicable.

11. Colorado Air

Pollution Prevention and

Control Act, APENs

Regulation No. 3

5 CCR 1001-5,

Regulation 3

Yes Establishes emissions control regulations for

construction or modification of stationary

sources.

Substantive requirements of an Air Pollution

Emission Notice (APEN) are applicable if

the removal actions disturb contaminated

soil. An APEN will be filed, although

permitting requirements such as this am not

typically required under CERCLA.

12. Colorado Air

Pollution Prevention and

Control Act, Odors,

Regulation No. 2

5 CCR 1001-4 Yes --- Applies to any remedial action that may

create regulated odors.

Planned remedial actions are not expected to

create regulated odors.
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SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL ARARS (Continued)

Standard,

Requirement, Criteria,

or Limitation

Citation Potentially

Applicable

Potentially

Relevant and

Appropriate

Description Comments

13. Colorado Air

Pollution Prevention and

Control Act,

Requirements for LeadBased Paint Abatement

Regulation No. 19

Colorado Revised

Statutes §§ 25-7-

1101-1107,

Regulation 19

Yes --- Establishes procedures and requirements for

lead-based paint abatements greater than 2

square interior feet and 10 square exterior

feet, including training and accreditation of

individuals and firms engaged in lead- based

paint activities and work practice standards

for performing such activities.

Applicable when lead-based paint abatement

activities are performed. On-site CERCLA

actions are exempt from administrative and

fee requirements. Subject to project-specific

variance per Sections IV.G and V.M of

Regulation 19.

14. Solid Waste Disposal

Act (SWDA) as amended

by RCRA, Criteria for

Classification of Solid

Waste Disposal Facilities

and Practices (Subtitle D)

42 USC Sect. 6901-

6987,

40 CFR Part 257

Yes --- Establishes criteria for use in determining

which solid wave disposal facilities and

practices pose a reasonable probability of

adverse effects on health.

Substantive requirements may be applicable

or relevant and appropriate to the

consolidation of soil removed from

residential areas in an on-site repository.

15. SWDA as amended

by RCRA Subtitle C

42 USC Sect. 6901 -

6987,

40 CFR Part 264

Yes --- Regulates handling, transportation, storage

and disposal of hazardous wastes.

Potentially applicable for lead-based paint

waste debris resulting from remediation.

16. Hazardous Materials

Transportation Act,

Regulations

49 USC Sect. 1801 -

1813, .

49 CFR Parts 107,

1710177

Unknown --- Regulates transportation of hazardous

materials.

Applicable only if the remedial action

involves off-site transportation of hazardous

materials. The regulations affecting

packaging, labeling, making, placarding,

using proper containers, and reporting

discharges of hazardous materials would be

potential ARARs.

17. Colorado Noise

Abatement Act

CRS §§ 25-12-101 

to 108

Yes --- Establishes maximum permissible noise

levels for particular time periods and land

use zones.

Applicable if construction activities occur in

residential areas.

18. Colorado Water

Quality Control Act

Stormwater Discharge

Regulations

5 CCR 1002.2 Yes --- Establishes stormwater control requirements

for construction activities.

Potentially applicable if construction

activities occur as part of the remedial

action.
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Standard,

Requirement, Criteria,

or Limitation

Citation Potentially

Applicable

Potentially

Relevant and

Appropriate

Description Comments

19. Colorado Solid

Waste Disposal Sites

and Facilities Act

6 CCR 1007-2 Yes --- Establishes standards for licensing, locating,

constructing and operating solid waste

facilities.

Substantive requirements may be applicable

or relevant and appropriate to the

consolidation of soil removed from

residential areas in an on-site repository.

20. Colorado

Hazardous Waste

Regulations

6 CCR 1007-3, Part

264: Section

264.301, (g), (h),

(i) and (j); Section

264.310 (a)(1)

through (a)(4);

Section 264.310,

(b)(1) and (b)(5)

No Yes Specific provisions of Section 264.301

concern run-on control, run-off control,

management of run-on and run-off control

systems and wind dispersal. Specific

provisions of Section 264.310 concern

placement of a cover to minimize

infiltration, minimize maintenance, promote

drainage and minimize erosion and

accommodate settling.

These specific provisions of the hazardous

waste regulations may be relevant and

appropriate in certain circumstances

depending on site specific conditions. The

determination of whether such requirements

will be both relevant and appropriate to the

activities to be undertaken in OU9 will be

based on best professional judgement and is

conducted on a site specific basis taking into

account the physical nature and location of

the media involved, whether the

requirements are well suited to the site

conditions, and other factors.

21. Colorado Mined

Land Reclamation Act

CRS 34-32-101 to 125;

Rule 3 of Mineral Rules

and Regulations

No Yes Regulates all aspects of land use for mining,

including the location of mining operations

and related reclamation activities and other

environmental and socio-economic impacts.

No mining or reclamation activities are

planned as part of remedy. If mining

activities are performed, then substantive

requirements of selected portions of Rule 3

regarding Reclamation Measures,

Water-General Requirements (except

portions relating to sitewide surface and

groundwater), wildlife and revegetation may

be applicable. However, certain provisions of

these regulations may be relevant and

appropriate to the OU9 remedial action.

22. Colorado Primary

Drinking Water

Regulation

5 CCR 1002, CRS

25-1-107, Section 

7.3.2

No Yes Requirements to control lead and copper

concentrations in tap water.

Tap water sampling requirements are

relevant and appropriate.