### UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION 7 11201 Renner Boulevard Lenexa, Kansas 66219 OFFICE OF THE REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR 

### MAY 

## 2 9 2013
The Honorable Dave Heineman Governor ofNebraska P
.O. Box 94848 Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-4848 Dear Governor Heineman: The United States Environmental Protection Agency is consideringproposing the PCE/TCE 1Northeast Contamination site and the PCE Southeast Contamination site, both located in York, Nebraska, for inclusion on the Superfund National Priorities List. TheNPL is a list compiled by EPA pursuant to Section 105 ofthe Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. § 9605, ofuncontrolled hazardous substance releases that are priorities for long-term remedial evaluation and response. It is EPA's policyto determine the state's position on a potential listing before proposingthe listing. A site mustbe listed on the NPL to be eligible for Federal Funding to address the groundwater contaminationplume
. With this letter, EPA is seeking the concurrence of the Governor on adding these sites to the NPL. The PCE/TCENortheast Contamination site includes multiple contamination sources contributing to groundwater plumes that have contaminated certain residential water wells. In addition, the City of York has constructed a new well-field downgradient ofthe contaminant plume
. Additional residential water wells are also located downgradient ofthe plumes, and since the plumes are uncontrolled, they too maybecome contaminated. To date, six residential water wells havebeen contaminated bythe plumes. Two oftheseresidences were connected by EPA to York's municipal water supply and the other four havebeen provided carbon filtration systems by EPA. In the same general vicinity is the PCE Southeast Contamination site. The PCE Southeast Contamination site includes multiple sources and groundwater contaminantplumes which, to date, have contaminated four residential water wells. EPA has provided carbon filtration systems to three ofthese residences; the fourth resident already had a treatment system inplace. Further evaluation ofthese sites, the rate and extent ofcontamination, and the potential responsible party liability /viability still needs to be determined. EPA is committed to working cooperatively with the state and local community throughout the listing and subsequent Superfund cleanup process, and to ensuring that EPA's actions are conducted in an open and transparent manner. For a fund-financed remedial action, EPA and the state will collaborate in the development ofa superfund state contract prior to initiation ofthe remedial action to provide the state assurances required by CERCLA, including, for example, the state's statutory cost share for the remedial action and the assumption ofoperation and maintenance responsibilities
.

1 PCE and TCE are common abbreviations used to refer to the chemicals tetracholoroethylene and trichloroethylene.
Printed on Recycled PaperEPA is requesting a written response to this letter from your Governor's office or from the Nebraska Department ofEnvironmental QualitybyJuly 1, 2013. EPA has set this date to allow adequate time to meet the proposed rule schedule. The response letter should indicate whether the state supports listing of the site on theNPL. Ifthe state does not support**list~n,g,** the state should describe how the releases will be addressed. Ifwe do not receive a responsebythe above date, or a request for further dialogue, EPA mayproceed to make a listing decision without any formal state input. EPA will be sharing information with the communityregarding the state's position, including posting the information on the internet. EPA will also invite NDEQ to participate in any communitymeetings during the listing process. We will continue to work closely with and seek input from the state as this process proceeds. We appreciate consideration ofthis matter. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (913) 551-7006 orhave your staffcontact Sarah Hatch, State Governmental Liaison, at (913) 551-7199.

cc: Mike Linder, NDEQ James Woolford, Office ofSuperfund Remediation and Technology Innovation, HQ

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