UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 


REGION,+ 


i'ITLANTA FEDERAL CENTER 


f31 FORSYTH STREEf 


AfL.ANTA, GEORGIA 30303·8960 


JUN 1 7 2013 


Mr. Andy Binford 

Division of Remediation 

Tennessee Department of Environment 

and Conservation 

-J.O I Church Street, 4111 Floor L&C Annex 

Nashville, Tennessee 3 7243 

Dear Mr. Binford: 

The purpose of this letter is to solicit the support ofthe State ofTennessee on the listing ofthe Walker 

Machine Products Site (Site), located in Collierville, Shelby County, on the National Priorities List 

(NPL). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Tennessee Department of Environment and 

Conservation (TDEC) have evaluated the Site tor releases of hazardous substances, pollutants or 

contaminants under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act 

(CERCLA). The results of the site evaluation contirmed that there has been a release of hazardous 

substances to soil and groundwater at the Site, and TDEC and the EPA believe the Site poses a 

significant threat to pub! ic health or the environment. 

Walker Machine produced automated machine screw products. The company was in operation 

from 1953 until approximately 2002. Walker Machine Products used chlorinated solvents, 

including tetrachloroethene (PCE) and 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCJ\), to clean the finished products. 

i\ 1987 Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Inspection Report 

stated the company was draining spent solvent onto the ground and into the sewer drain in the 

rear of the building. An oiljwater separator was used by Walker Machine Products which received 

solvent waste as well. The primary source of soil and ground water contamination is tound in the area 

of the oil/water separator. 

Soil and groundwater below the site has been contaminated with PCE, TCA and their degradation 

products. The groundwater contaminant plume has migrated off-site under the adjacent industrial 

property-Witt International. The City of Collierville provides drinking water to residents from 5 

drinking water plants that pump water from 12 different wells. Well field #1, consisting of 3 wells, 

is approximately Vz mile from the Site, and only Y4 mile from the documented edge of the 

groundwater contaminant plume. This well field services 12,284 residents. Long-term action is 

needed to remediate risks at the Site, and the EPA is only able to obtain funds tor long-term remedial 

actions. or for oversight of private parties pertorming these long term remedial actions, if those sites are 

on the NPL. 

rhe EPA is completing the Hazard Ranking System documentation record tor the Walker Machine 

Products Site, establishing that this Site qualifies tor the NPL. TDEC and the EPA have maintained 

close communication throughout the Superfund evaluation process. To further coordinate with the State 

on the NPL listing decision process, we are soliciting the State· s written support tor the EPA to proceed 

\Vith the NPL listing process for this Site. This letter, therefore, solicits from the Governor of the State of 

Internet Address (URL) • http://www.epa.gov 


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l'enn~:ssee, or a delegated representative, the State's position on proposing the Walker Machine Products 

Site to the NPL Pkase respond to: 

!'vk A. Stanley Meiburg 

Acting Regional Administrator 

U.S. EPA Region 4 

61 Forsyth Street, SW 

Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3104 

We appreciate a prompt response so that the EPA may move forward expeditiously in the listing 

process. In order to stay on schedule to propose the Site in the next NPL update (anticipated to occur in 

October, :2013), we must receive State concurrence by July 3 L 2013. We look forward to working with 

your staff to promote our common goal of protecting human health and the environment. Should you 

desire any additional intormation, please do not hesitate to contact me at (404) 562-8599, or have your 

staff contact Jennifer Wendel, Region 4 NPL Coordinator, at (404) 562-8799. 

Superfund Division 

cc: 	 Mr. Terry Jeng, EPA-OSRTI 

Mr. Robert Myers, EPA-OSRTI