[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 147 (Tuesday, July 31, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36838-36844]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-16257]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 300

[EPA-HQ-SFUND-1983-0002; FRL-9981-39--Region 6]


National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan; 
National Priorities List: Partial Deletion of the South Valley 
Superfund Site

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 is issuing 
a Notice of Intent to Delete Operable Units 1, 2, and 5 of the South 
Valley Superfund Site (Site) located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from 
the National Priorities List (NPL) and requests public comments on this 
proposed action. The NPL, promulgated pursuant to section 105 of the 
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act 
(CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, is an appendix of the National Oil and 
Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). The EPA and the 
State of New Mexico, through the New Mexico Environment Department, 
have determined that all appropriate response actions at these 
identified parcels under CERCLA have been completed, other than five-
year reviews and operation and maintenance activities. However, this 
deletion does not preclude future actions under Superfund. This partial 
deletion pertains to Operable Units 1, 2, and 5. The remaining Operable 
Units 3, 4, and 6 will remain on the NPL and are not being considered 
for deletion as part of this action.

DATES: Comments must be received by August 30, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID no. EPA-HQ-
SFUND-1983-0002, by one of the following methods:
    <bullet> http://www.regulations.gov . Follow the online 
instructions for submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot 
be edited or removed from Regulations.gov. The EPA may publish any 
comment received to its public docket. Do not submit electronically any 
information you consider to be Confidential Business Information (CBI) 
or other information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. 
Multimedia submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be accompanied by a 
written comment. The written comment is considered the official comment 
and should include discussion of all points you wish to make. The EPA 
will generally not consider comments or comment contents located 
outside of the primary submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or other 
file sharing system). For additional submission methods, the full EPA 
public comment policy, information about CBI or multimedia submissions, 
and general guidance on making effective comments, please visit http://www2.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets.
    <bullet> Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a1c9c4c3c4d3d58fccc8c2c9c0c4cde1c4d1c08fc6ced7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="97fff2f5f2e5e3b9fafef4fff6f2fbd7f2e7f6b9f0f8e1">[email protected]</span></a>.
    <bullet> Mail: Michael A. Hebert, Remedial Project Manager, EPA 
Region 6, Mail Code--6SF-RL, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75202-
2733.
    <bullet> Hand delivery:

[cir] Michael A. Hebert, Remedial Project Manager, EPA Region 6, Mail 
Code--6SF-RL, 7th Floor Reception Area, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas 
75202-2733.
[cir] Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket's normal 
hours of operation (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and 
special arrangements should be made for deliveries of boxed 
information.

    Instructions: Direct your comments to Docket ID no. EPA-HQ-SFUND-
1983-0002. The http://www.regulations.gov website is an ``anonymous 
access'' system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact 
information unless you provide it in the body of your comment. If you 
send an email comment directly to EPA without going through http://www.regulations.gov, your email address will be automatically captured 
and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket 
and made available on the internet. If you submit an electronic 
comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact 
information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you 
submit. If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties 
and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to 
consider your comment. Electronic files should avoid the use of special 
characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or 
viruses.

[[Page 36839]]

    Docket: All documents in the docket are listed in the http://www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some 
information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other information 
whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other material, such 
as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only in the hard 
copy. Publicly available docket materials are available either 
electronically in http://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at:

Zimmerman Library, Government Information Department, University of New 
Mexico, Albuquerque NM 87131, 505.277.9100, Monday-Thursday--7 a.m.-2 
a.m., Friday--7 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday--10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday--12 p.m.-
2 a.m.
New Mexico Environment Department, Harold Runnels Building, 1190 St. 
Francis Drive, Santa Fe, NM 87505, 505.827.2855, Monday-Friday--8 a.m.-
5 p.m.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael A. Hebert, Remedial Project 
Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6, Mail Code--
6SF-RL, 1445 Ross Avenue, Dallas, Texas, 75202-2733, (214) 665-8315, 
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cca4a9aea9beb8e2a1a5afa4ada9a08ca9bcade2aba3ba"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="600805020512144e0d09030801050c200510014e070f16">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Introduction
II. NPL Deletion Criteria
III. Deletion Procedures
IV. Basis for Intended Partial Site Deletion

I. Introduction

    EPA Region 6 announces its intent to delete Operable Units 1, 2, 
and 5 of the South Valley Superfund Site (Site), from the National 
Priorities List (NPL) and requests public comment on this proposed 
action. The NPL constitutes Appendix B of 40 CFR part 300 which is the 
National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP), 
which EPA promulgated pursuant to Section 105 of the Comprehensive 
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 
1980, as amended. EPA maintains the NPL as those sites that appear to 
present a significant risk to public health, welfare, or the 
environment. Sites on the NPL may be the subject of remedial actions 
financed by the Hazardous Substance Superfund (Fund). This partial 
deletion of the South Valley Superfund Site is proposed in accordance 
with 40 CFR 300.425(e) and is consistent with the Notice of Policy 
Change: Partial Deletion of Sites Listed on the National Priorities 
List. 60 FR 55466 (Nov. 1, 1995). As described in Sec.  300.425(e)(3) 
of the NCP, a portion of a site deleted from the NPL remains eligible 
for Fund-financed remedial action if future conditions warrant such 
actions.
    EPA will accept comments on the proposal to partially delete this 
site for 30 days after publication of this document in the Federal 
Register.
    Section II of this document explains the criteria for deleting 
sites from the NPL. Section III discusses procedures that EPA is using 
for this action. Section IV discusses Operable Units 1, 2, and 5 of the 
South Valley Superfund Site and demonstrates how the operable units 
meet the deletion criteria.

II. NPL Deletion Criteria

    The NCP establishes the criteria that EPA uses to delete sites from 
the NPL. In accordance with 40 CFR 300.425(e), sites may be deleted 
from the NPL where no further response is appropriate. In making such a 
determination pursuant to 40 CFR 300.425(e), EPA will consider, in 
consultation with the State, whether any of the following criteria have 
been met:
    i. Responsible parties or other persons have implemented all 
appropriate response actions required;
    ii. all appropriate Fund-financed response under CERCLA has been 
implemented, and no further response action by responsible parties is 
appropriate; or
    iii. the remedial investigation has shown that the release poses no 
significant threat to public health or the environment and, therefore, 
the taking of remedial measures is not appropriate.
    Pursuant to CERCLA section 121(c) and the NCP, EPA conducts five-
year reviews to ensure the continued protectiveness of remedial actions 
where hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants remain at a 
site above levels that allow for unlimited use and unrestricted 
exposure. EPA conducts such five-year reviews even if a site is deleted 
from the NPL. EPA may initiate further action to ensure continued 
protectiveness at a deleted site if new information becomes available 
that indicates it is appropriate. Whenever there is a significant 
release from a site deleted from the NPL, the deleted site may be 
restored to the NPL without application of the hazard ranking system.

III. Deletion Procedures

    The following procedures apply to deletion of Operable Units 1, 2, 
and 5 of the Site:
    (1) EPA consulted with the State of New Mexico before developing 
this Notice of Intent for Partial Deletion.
    (2) EPA has provided the State of New Mexico 30 working days for 
review of this notice prior to publication of it today.
    (3) In accordance with the criteria discussed above, EPA has 
determined that no further response is appropriate.
    (4) The State of New Mexico, through the New Mexico Environment 
Department, has concurred with the deletion of Operable Units 1, 2, and 
5 of the South Valley Superfund Site, from the NPL.
    (5) Concurrently, with the publication of this Notice of Intent for 
Partial Deletion in the Federal Register, a notice is being published 
in a major local newspaper, the Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com. The newspaper announces the 30-day public comment 
period concerning the Notice of Intent for Partial Deletion of the Site 
from the NPL.
    (6) The EPA placed copies of documents supporting the proposed 
partial deletion in the deletion docket, made these items available for 
public inspection, and copying at the Site information repositories 
identified above.
    If comments are received within the 30-day comment period on this 
document, EPA will evaluate and respond accordingly to the comments 
before making a final decision to delete Operable Units 1, 2, and 5. If 
necessary, EPA will prepare a Responsiveness Summary to address any 
significant public comments received. After the public comment period, 
if EPA determines it is still appropriate to delete Operable Units 1, 
2, and 5 of the South Valley Superfund Site, the Regional Administrator 
will publish a final Notice of Partial Deletion in the Federal 
Register. Public notices, public submissions and copies of the 
Responsiveness Summary, if prepared, will be made available to 
interested parties and included in the site information repositories 
listed above.
    Deletion of a portion of a site from the NPL does not itself 
create, alter, or revoke any individual's rights or obligations. 
Deletion of a portion of a site from the NPL does not in any way alter 
EPA's right to take enforcement actions, as appropriate. The NPL is 
designed primarily for informational purposes and to assist EPA 
management. Section 300.425(e)(3) of the NCP states that the deletion 
of a site from the NPL does not preclude eligibility for future 
response actions, should future conditions warrant such actions.

[[Page 36840]]

IV. Basis for Partial Site Deletion

    The following information provides EPA's rationale for deleting 
Operable Units 1, 2, and 5 of the South Valley Superfund Site from the 
NPL:

Site Background and History

    The EPA ID for the South Valley Superfund Site is NMD980745558. The 
South Valley Superfund Site is in the southern portion of Albuquerque, 
in Bernillo County, New Mexico, directly across Interstate 25 from the 
Albuquerque International Airport and the University of New Mexico Golf 
Course. The South Valley Superfund Site consists of an area of 
approximately one square mile proximate to the intersection of South 
Broadway Boulevard and Woodward Road and is divided into two 
properties: the former Air Force Plant 83 site and the Univar site. The 
Air Force Plant 83 site is further divided into two parcels located 
north and south of Woodward Road known as North Plant 83 and South 
Plant 83, respectively. Various manufacturing operations occurred at 
the Air Force Plant 83 site from the 1940s until 1967, when the United 
States Air Force took ownership of the property and its contractor, 
General Electric Aircraft Engines (GEA), began manufacturing aircraft 
engine components at the property. GEA purchased the Air Force Plant 83 
in 1983 and continued operations until October 1997, when North Plant 
83 was closed, and until October 2010, when South Plant 83 was closed. 
Groundwater beneath the Site is in the Santa Fe Group which is 
comprised of several layers within the formation. The shallow zone 
aquifer (approximately 175-225 below ground surface [bgs]) beneath the 
North Plant 83 area has a continuous silty clay layer underneath it and 
is therefore primarily perched and does not have a uniform flow 
direction. The shallow groundwater in the South Plant 83 area flows 
east to west. Unlike North Plant 83, the silty clay layer beneath the 
South Plant 83 area is discontinuous and therefore is in hydraulic 
connection with the deeper aquifer zones. The deeper aquifer sand zones 
(approximately 225-355 bgs, 255-415 bgs, and 415-515 bgs) have 
discontinuous silts and clays interbedded within them which are not 
laterally extensive but may limit downward movement through the 
formation. Groundwater flows generally east to west in all the deeper 
aquifer zones.
    Groundwater contamination was first suspected in the late 1970s in 
two municipal wells--San Jose No. 6 and San Jose No. 3. The wells were 
taken out of service after subsequent sampling indicated contamination. 
Groundwater monitoring results in the vicinity of the wells indicated 
the potential for a number of sources, including several industrial 
operations located in close proximity to the contaminated wells. When 
the Site was proposed to the NPL on December 30, 1982, (47 FR 58476), 
it was the number one priority of the State of New Mexico. EPA 
finalized the NPL listing on September 8, 1983, (48 FR 40658).
    The Operable Units at the South Valley Superfund Site are as 
follows:
    Operable Unit 1 (OU1) (included in partial deletion)--OU1 consists 
of the City of Albuquerque San Jose 6 (SJ-6) and San Jose 3 (SJ-3) 
wells, which were contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs). 
EPA signed the Record of Decision (ROD) for OU1 on March 22, 1985 but 
did not identify a Potentially Responsible Party (PRP). The remedial 
goal was to eliminate the threat to human health posed by introducing 
water from the San Jose 6 and San Jose 3 wells into the City of 
Albuquerque drinking water supply. The objective was achieved by EPA 
replacing wells SJ-6 and SJ-3 with the Burton No. 4 well, which was 
completed in April 1987.
    Operable Unit 2 (OU2) (included in partial deletion)--The remedial 
goals of OU2 were to eliminate the conduit(s) for contaminant migration 
from the shallow to the deeper aquifers and to restrict groundwater use 
under the Site. EPA signed the OU2 ROD on September 30, 1988 and 
identified GEA as a PRP. GEA implemented the remedial action by 
plugging SJ-6 and SJ-3 and any shallow wells that could act as conduits 
for contaminant transport from the shallow to the deeper aquifers, 
restricting groundwater use, and implementing groundwater monitoring. 
GEA integrated the OU2 groundwater monitoring program into Operable 
Unit 6 and continues the monitoring program today.
    Operable Unit 3 (OU3)--The remedial goal of OU3 included reducing 
the concentrations of site-related VOCs in groundwater to acceptable 
levels (aquifer restoration) via a pump-treat-injection system. EPA 
signed the ROD on June 28, 1988 and identified Univar as the 
Potentially Responsible Party. Univar initiated groundwater recovery 
system in April 1992 and a vapor recovery system in November 1999. 
Univar shut off both systems in November 2006. Subsequent monitoring 
has shown that the groundwater and vapor recovery systems reduced the 
dissolved chlorinated VOC concentrations to levels below and compliant 
with applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements as defined in 
the ROD. On June 10, 2014, the EPA acknowledged that Univar completed 
all requirements of the Consent Decree dated March 27, 1990, as they 
relate to the constituents of concern in groundwater identified in the 
ROD and the subsequent Explanation of Significant Differences dated 
September 26, 2006, except for addressing 1,4-dioxane contamination. 
The EPA acknowledged that Univar is addressing 1,4-dioxane in 
groundwater at OU3 pursuant to Section XVI(D) of the above Consent 
Decree.
    Operable Unit 4 (OU4)--OU4 consists of the vadose zone at the 
Univar site. As the PRP, Univar was required to investigate the soil 
around a pit on its property to establish the source of the solvents 
under their plant. The investigation found no evidence in the vadose 
zone that a release occurred at this location. EPA signed the ROD on 
June 28, 1988 and specified No Further Action.
    Operable Unit 5 (OU5) (included in partial deletion)--OU5 consists 
of the unsaturated and saturated portion of the shallow zone aquifer at 
North Plant 83 and South Plant 83. EPA signed the ROD on September 30, 
1988, and identified GEA as the PRP. The remedial goals for this 
operable unit were remediating shallow zone groundwater and eliminating 
source materials via enhanced dewatering, soil flushing, and soil vapor 
extraction (SVE) to result in aquifer restoration. GEA conducted soil 
vapor surveys and collected soil borings in the South Plant 83 area and 
the North Plant 83 area to identify VOC contamination. The result of 
these investigations indicated that the concentrations of VOCs would 
best be remediated using SVE. GEA operated SVE systems at the North 
Plant 83 and South Plant 83 areas in 1992 and 1993. Prior to 
remediation, the groundwater contamination encompassed approximately 
twelve acres at North Plant 83 and approximately seven acres at South 
Plant 83. GEA initiated shallow groundwater recovery systems at the 
North Plant 83 and South Plant 83 areas in May 1994 and completely shut 
down the groundwater recovery systems in July 2010. GEA completed 
compliance groundwater monitoring and on September 22, 2014 requested 
closure of OU5 stating that GEA had satisfactorily completed all 
requirements of the Administrative Order dated July 3, 1989. All wells 
and infrastructure associated with the OU5 groundwater treatment system 
have been plugged and

[[Page 36841]]

abandoned or removed as approved by EPA.
    After the closure of South Plant 83 in October 2010, GEA performed 
additional remedial activities associated with OU5 soils. Specifically, 
GEA performed investigations within the North Plant 83 and South Plant 
83 building footprints and excavated and disposed of hexavalent 
chromium contaminated soil from the East and West Tank Line area in 
South Plant 83. In addition, GEA filed a deed restriction in the 
Bernalillo County records covering areas where semi-volatile organic 
compounds (i.e., polyaromatic hydrocarbons) or hexavalent chromium 
contamination remained above industrial soil screening levels.
    Operable Unit 6 (OU6)--OU6 consists of the deep aquifer at North 
Plant 83 and South Plant 83. EPA signed the ROD on September 30, 1988 
and identified GEA as the PRP. The remedial goals of OU6 are 
hydraulically containing the plume to protect the City of Albuquerque's 
water supply wells and reducing the concentrations of site-related VOC 
compounds in groundwater to acceptable levels (aquifer restoration). 
The original plume was approximately 100 acres in size but as of 2018, 
only two wells have constituents above cleanup levels. The groundwater 
remediation system at OU6 began operation in March 1996. Remedial 
action activities have hydraulically contained the plume and shrunk it 
significantly from its former volume and mass. To date, over 7.5 
billion gallons of contaminated water have been recovered, treated, and 
reinjected back into the deep aquifer.
    The South Valley area of Albuquerque has experienced ongoing 
development and redevelopment for decades. The proposed extension of 
Sunport Boulevard from east of Interstate 25 to west of Interstate 25, 
if constructed, is expected to spur local economic growth and 
redevelopment.

Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study

    Operable Unit 1 (OU1)--Other than the sampling that established 
that San Jose No. 6 and San Jose No. 3 municipal water supply wells had 
been impacted, there was no remedial investigation performed for OU1. 
Upon detection of contamination, the City of Albuquerque discontinued 
use of the water supply wells. Subsequently, the EPA, the City of 
Albuquerque, and other stakeholders conducted several meetings to 
discuss potential sites for a replacement municipal well, which 
culminated in the final design and ultimate installation of a 
replacement municipal water supply well, Burton Well No. 4. In 
addition, a remedial investigation was initiated which provided 
information utilized to develop remedial activities for the remaining 
operable units at the Site.
    Operable Unit 2 (OU2)--GEA conducted a remedial investigation for 
OU2 because of the contamination identified in OU1. As part of the 
remedial investigation, GEA compiled existing investigative information 
and collected additional soil, groundwater, surface water, and sediment 
information associated with the one-square-mile boundary area of the 
South Valley Superfund Site. In addition, GEA identified contamination 
associated with several different sources. Based upon the remedial 
investigation data, GEA determined in the feasibility study that 
contaminated groundwater in the shallow zone was potentially migrating 
into the intermediate zone throughout the Site through improperly 
constructed groundwater wells. The contaminants of concern identified 
in the remedial investigation were VOCs, with the main contaminant 
being trichloroethylene (TCE).
    Operable Unit 5 (OU5)--GEA conducted a remedial investigation for 
OU5 because of the contamination identified in OU1. As part of the 
remedial investigation GEA, compiled existing investigative information 
and collected additional soil, groundwater, surface water, and sediment 
information associated with the one-square-mile boundary area of the 
South Valley Superfund Site. Further, GEA identified contamination 
associated with several different sources. The contaminants of concern 
identified in the remedial investigation were VOCs, with the main 
contaminant being TCE.
    Based upon the remedial investigation data, GEA determined in the 
feasibility study that OU5 soil contamination occurs in areas 
associated with the two areas, North Plant 83 and South Plant 83, and 
groundwater contamination occurs in the shallow aquifer below portions 
of both the North Plant 83 and South Plant 83 areas. GEA also 
identified groundwater contamination comprising of similar constituents 
of concerns as in OU5 in several other hydrogeological units beneath 
the Site, which are addressed in OU6.
    After the closure of South Plant 83 in October 2010, GEA performed 
additional remedial activities associated with OU5, including soil 
investigations within the North Plant 83 and South Plant 83 building 
footprints. GEA identified 68 separate areas as a potential concern 
with 41 of these locations being identified for investigation. In 
addition, GEA sampled soil borings for VOCs, semi-volatile organic 
compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls, and selected metals. GEA did not 
detect VOCs above industrial soil screening levels and did not detect 
any polychlorinated biphenyls. GEA detected semi-volatile organic 
compounds (i.e., polyaromatic hydrocarbons) and hexavalent chromium in 
a few of the 41 locations investigated. In addition, GEA inspected, 
investigated, and cleaned out sanitary sewer lines for both North Plant 
83 and South Plant 83. While GEA detected concentrations of metal 
contaminants in sediments within the sewer lines, it did not identify 
impacts in the soils adjacent and beneath the sewer lines.

Selected Remedy

    Operable Unit 1 (OU1)--EPA signed the ROD for OU1 on March 22, 
1985. The selected remedy was installation of a new water supply well 
to replace the capacity of the contaminated well San Jose No. 6. The 
remedial goal was to eliminate the threat to human health posed by 
introducing water from this well into the City of Albuquerque drinking 
water supply.
    Operable Unit 2 (OU2)--EPA signed the ROD for OU2 on September 30, 
1988. The selected remedy consisted of cleaning out and sealing 
abandoned wells that were acting as conduits for contaminant migration, 
groundwater quality monitoring during and after implementation of any 
remedial action, and the imposition of access restrictions regarding 
well construction specifications and depth of completions through the 
State Engineer's office. The remedial goals were eliminating conduit(s) 
for contaminant migration from the shallow to intermediate aquifers and 
preventing the use of contaminated groundwater in the site area.
    Operable Unit 5 (OU5)--EPA signed the ROD for OU5 on September 30, 
1988. The selected remedy consisted of further investigation to define 
the extent of soil and groundwater contamination, soil remediation 
utilizing SVE on portions of North Plant 83 and South Plant 83, 
groundwater remediation through extraction, treatment with air 
stripping followed by carbon adsorption, and reinjection into the 
aquifer for shallow (OU5) groundwater contaminated zones located under 
portions of North Plant 83 and South Plant 83 along with intermediate/
deep (OU6) groundwater contaminated zones on-site and off-site. The 
remedial goals for OU5 were remediating shallow zone groundwater and 
eliminating source

[[Page 36842]]

materials via enhanced dewatering, soil flushing, and SVE. Further, as 
a result of the investigations performed by GEA after closure of South 
Plant 83 in October 2010, GEA conducted removal of soil proximate to 
the East and West Tank Line area in South Plant 83 in 2011.

Response Actions

    Operable Unit 1 (OU1)--The United State Corps of Engineers 
completed a final design for a new municipal water supply well in late 
1986. The remedial action performed at OU1 was the replacement of wells 
SJ-6 and SJ-3 with the Burton No. 4 well, which was completed in April 
1987.
    Operable Unit 2 (OU2)--GEA completed a final design dated July 20, 
1990, that contained plans to install monitoring wells, clean out and 
plug abandoned wells including the SJ-6 well (OU1), and conduct a 
groundwater monitoring program. GEA completed the installation of new 
monitoring wells and the plugging and abandonment of wells that could 
act as conduits for contaminant transport to lower groundwater zones by 
the end of 1992. GEA initiated an OU2 groundwater monitoring program, 
which in 1996 was combined with the OU6 groundwater monitoring program 
to simplify groundwater monitoring and reporting at the Site. The New 
Mexico State Engineer's office issued a restriction concerning 
groundwater well construction within the boundaries of the South Valley 
Superfund Site on December 19, 1988.
    Operable Unit 5 (OU5)--Because the remedial investigation 
identified both soil and groundwater contamination, the response 
actions for OU5 were separated by media into soil and groundwater 
actions. For soils, GEA finalized the remedial design for the SVE 
systems in late 1991, which EPA subsequently approved on January 24, 
1992. GEA installed and operated SVE systems on both the North Plant 83 
and South Plant 83 areas. The North Plant 83 SVE system operated for 
approximately four months from June 1992 to June 1993. The South Plant 
83 SVE system operated for approximately five months from October 1992 
to March 1993. For groundwater, GEA's contractor, Canonie 
Environmental, completed a final design dated July 21, 1993, that 
contained construction details for the remedial systems for the shallow 
zone groundwater remediation on the North Plant 83 and South Plant 83 
areas. The North Plant 83 system initially was comprised of seven 
extraction wells, and the South Plant 83 system was comprised of three 
wells. These systems were augmented through their operational lifetime 
to adapt to changes in groundwater concentrations and flow patterns.
    After the closure of South Plant 83 in October 2010, GEA performed 
additional remedial activities associated with OU5. GEA conducted 
removal of soil proximate to the East and West Tank Line area in South 
Plant 83 in 2011. Approximately 3.5 tons of contaminated soil and 
concrete were removed and transported for final disposal at an off-site 
hazardous waste disposal facility. Following removal, GEA backfilled 
the area with clean fill and capped the area with a five-inch-thick, 
3,000 pounds/square inch layer of reinforced concrete. GEA filed a deed 
restriction in the Bernalillo County records covering areas where semi-
volatile organic compounds (i.e., polyaromatic hydrocarbons) or 
hexavalent chromium contamination remained present above industrial 
soil screening levels. GEA removed approximately 1,750 feet of primary 
4-inch to 8-inch diameter cast iron process sewer lines, 435 feet of 
similar smaller branch lines, and seven manholes and disposed these 
materials at a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act treatment, 
storage, and disposal facility. Finally, GEA cleaned and abandoned in 
place the South Plant 83 sewer system piping and plugged the connection 
to the City of Albuquerque sewer system.

Cleanup Levels

    Operable Unit 1 (OU1)--There were no cleanup levels established for 
OU1, as the remedy was simply replacement of a municipal water supply 
well to replace the capacity lost by the contaminated SJ-6 well.
    Operable Unit 2 (OU2)--There were no cleanup levels established for 
OU2, as the remedy was simply the installation of additional 
groundwater monitoring wells, the plugging and abandonment of wells 
that could act as conduits for contaminant transport to lower 
groundwater zones, the imposition of access restrictions regarding well 
construction specifications and depth of completions through the State 
Engineer's office, and the establishment of a groundwater monitoring 
program to obtain data concerning groundwater contamination.
    Operable Unit 5 (OU5)--The investigations and remediation work for 
OU5 was separated by media into soil and groundwater work. For soil, 
the ROD required the utilization of SVE for soil remediation but did 
not specify cleanup levels. The ROD stated, ``Soils treatment will 
continue until the vapor extraction system ceases to produce volatile 
contaminants and will be followed by sampling to confirm soil 
remediation.'' GEA obtained post remediation soil samples after the SVE 
systems ceased operations and proposed cleanup levels for soils in 
April 1993. The proposed cleanup levels considered soil exposure 
pathways including dermal contact, inhalation, and ingestion (i.e., by 
children ages 2 to 6) as well as the potential for contaminants to 
leach from soil into groundwater that would exceed drinking water 
standards. GEA based the cleanup levels on the assumption of an 
operating manufacturing facility with restricted access but also on the 
worst-case exposure scenario that the site could be converted to 
residential use. During a meeting with GEA on November 2, 1993, EPA 
verbally agreed to the proposed cleanup levels. In a letter dated June 
21, 1994, EPA indicated that the levels of contaminants found in the 
soils were below limits that required removal. In addition, out of an 
abundance of caution, as part of the 2017 Remedial Action Report for 
OU5, GEA performed a comparison of the post remediation soil 
concentrations to the EPA Industrial and Residential Soil Screening 
Levels (November 2015) which indicated all the post soil remediation 
soil concentrations were below the EPA Industrial and Residential Soil 
Screening Levels. For groundwater, the ROD specified that cleanup 
levels would be maximum contaminant limits from the Safe Drinking Water 
Act and levels in the New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission 
regulations, whichever was more stringent. These levels were updated in 
an Explanation of Significant Differences dated October 16, 2006, which 
added a level for tetrachloroethylene promulgated under the Safe 
Drinking Water Act in 1992. GEA implemented and conducted a groundwater 
monitoring program throughout the operation of the shallow zone 
groundwater remediation systems. After six years of monitoring 
indicating that none of the off-site wells of the North Plant 83 system 
well network exceeded cleanup levels, EPA approved closure of the off-
site wells and conveyance system. GEA flushed, cleaned, and abandoned 
conveyance piping in place and plugged and abandoned wells in 2010. One 
on-site well associated with the North Plant 83 system remained 
slightly above cleanup levels. In 2010, GEA performed in-situ chemical 
oxidation around this well which subsequent sampling confirmed that 
contaminant concentrations fell and

[[Page 36843]]

remained below cleanup levels. The South Plant 83 system experienced a 
similar history to the North Plant 83 system. By 1999, all wells 
associated with the South Plant 83 system except for two wells were 
below cleanup levels. By 2006, only one well had concentrations above 
cleanup levels. Like the North Plant 83 system, GEA performed in-situ 
chemical oxidation in 2010 around this well, which subsequent sampling 
confirmed that contaminant concentrations fell below cleanup levels 
shortly after the in-situ treatment and remained below cleanup levels 
through 2012.
    After the closure of South Plant 83 in October 2010, GEA performed 
additional remedial activities associated with OU5. Utilizing 
investigations results, GEA completed an assessment of the risk for the 
contaminants identified in the investigation. This assessment indicated 
that hexavalent chromium contamination in deep soils would not pose a 
risk to human health and the environment assuming that an impermeable 
cover remained in place and institutional controls were implemented. 
The assessment also indicated that the semi-volatile organic compounds 
(i.e., polyaromatic hydrocarbons) identified in soils would not pose a 
risk to human health and the environment if the existing concrete cap 
was left in place. GEA removed soil with concentrations of hexavalent 
chromium above 50 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) but did not remove 
soil with hexavalent chromium contamination ranging from 5.6 to 50 mg/
kg at depths between 5 to 14 feet below the existing concrete slab. GEA 
filed a deed restriction in the Bernalillo County records covering 
areas where semi-volatile organic compounds or hexavalent chromium 
contamination remained above industrial soil screening levels.

Operation and Maintenance

    Operable Unit 1 (OU1)--The operation and maintenance concerning the 
Burton No. 4 replacement well is performed by the City of Albuquerque.
    Operable Unit 2 (OU2)--There is no operation and maintenance 
associated with OU2. The restriction concerning groundwater well 
construction within the boundaries of the South Valley Superfund Site 
issued by the New Mexico State Engineer's office on December 19, 1988, 
remains in effect but is now monitored under OU6. This restriction is 
not needed and does not affect the protectiveness of the actions 
performed at OU2.
    Operable Unit 5 (OU5)--Since the soil and groundwater remediation 
systems associated with OU5 have met their associated cleanup levels 
and have been dismantled, there are no operation and maintenance 
activities required or ongoing for the OU5 SVE and groundwater 
remediation systems. In addition, while still in effect, the New Mexico 
State Engineer's restriction concerning groundwater well construction 
is no longer required for the protectiveness of the OU5 remedy because 
groundwater concentrations are below the maximum contaminant limits 
from the Safe Drinking Water Act and levels in the New Mexico Water 
Quality Control Commission regulations. After ceasing operations in 
September 2010 and completing demolition of the South Plant 83 
buildings in May 2011, GEA performed investigations of the South Plant 
83 property which included evaluating soil impacts near any existing 
sub-grade foundation features as well as the North Plant 83 and South 
Plant 83 sewer systems. In addition, GEA cleaned out and abandoned in 
place the sewer systems. Because of the soil investigation, GEA removed 
hexavalent chromium contamination near the location of the East and 
West Tank Line on the South Plant 83 property. Some contamination 
remained in place and, as a result, GEA filed a declaration of 
restrictive covenants on September 9, 2014 in the Bernalillo County 
property records. The declaration identified five areas where semi-
volatile organic compounds or hexavalent chromium contamination exceed 
industrial soil screening levels. The declaration also contained the 
following: Identification of the abandoned sanitary sewer lines and 
existing sewer line locations; restriction that the property use is 
limited to commercial and industrial; restriction that groundwater 
beneath the site cannot be used; and engineered barriers must remain in 
place on portions of the property where semi-volatile organic compounds 
and hexavalent chromium remain above industrial soil screening levels. 
GEA performs normal property maintenance inspections of the North Plant 
83 and South Plant 83 to identify fencing integrity issues and to 
maintain weed control. These inspections also observe the integrity of 
the concrete cap over the East and West Tank Line removal area to 
ensure it is competent. GEA also ensures that the deed restriction 
remains in the Bernalillo County records.

Five Year Review

    Operable Unit 1 (OU1)--A five-year review is not necessary for OU1 
because no hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants remain at 
the site above levels that allow for unlimited use and unrestricted 
exposure.
    Operable Unit 2 (OU2)--A five-year review is not necessary for OU2 
because no hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants remain at 
the site above levels that allow for unlimited use and unrestricted 
exposure. While still in effect, the New Mexico State Engineer's 
restriction concerning groundwater well construction is no longer 
required for the protectiveness of the OU5 remedy because groundwater 
concentrations are below the maximum contaminant limits from the Safe 
Drinking Water Act and levels in the New Mexico Water Quality Control 
Commission regulations. In 1996, the OU2 groundwater monitoring program 
was combined with the OU6 groundwater monitoring program, which is and 
has been the subject of ongoing five-year reviews associated with the 
Site. The next five-year review for the Site is due in July 2020.
    Operable Unit 5 (OU5)--A statutory five-year review is necessary 
for OU5 because hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants 
remain at the site above levels that allow for unlimited use and 
unrestricted exposure. OU5 has been the subject of ongoing five-year 
reviews with the next review due in July 2020. No issues and/or 
recommendations were identified in the 2015 five-year review for OU5.

Community Involvement

    The major community involvement activities associated with the 
operable units proposed for deletion are as follows:
    <bullet> Open Houses and Workshops: September 1988; November 1993; 
July 1995; October 1997; September 1998; November 1999, October 2000; 
November 2001; January 2013.
    <bullet> Original Proposed Plan Fact Sheet and Public Meetings: 
June 1988; July 1988; August 1988; February 1989.
    <bullet> Public Meetings: October 2000; November 2001.
    <bullet> Original ROD Fact Sheets: July 1988; November 1988; April 
1989.
    <bullet> Milestone Fact Sheets: May 1989; March 1990; April 1990; 
June 1990; March 1991; November 1993; June 1995; April 1996; December 
2011; January 2013; June 2015; July 2015; June 2018.
    <bullet> Citizens on Site Mailing List: 590.
    Other notable community involvement activities are:
    <bullet> Pre Five-Year Review public notices published in local 
newspapers indicating Five-Year Reviews were being initiated.
    <bullet> Post Five-Year Review public notices published in local 
newspapers indicating Five-Year Reviews were

[[Page 36844]]

completed and available in the local repository or from the State or 
EPA.
    <bullet> Monthly site status summaries that were made available to 
the public or more recently, updates to site activities made on the 
site web page available on the internet.
    <bullet> September 23, 2010, newspaper article in the Albuquerque 
Journal concerning the closure of the General Electric plant.
    <bullet> Discussion of the site at public meetings associated with 
the Sunport Boulevard Extension from approximately 2010 to the present.
    <bullet> Fact sheets and public notices have been provided in both 
English and Spanish.

Determination That the Criteria for Deletion Have Been Met

    The implemented remedies have achieved the degree of cleanup or 
protection specified in the OU1, OU2, and OU5 RODs for the portions of 
the Site proposed for deletion. The selected remedial action goals and 
associated cleanup levels for the OU1, OU2, and OU5 portions of the 
Site proposed for deletion are consistent with EPA policy and guidance. 
No further Superfund response for the OU1, OU2, and OU5 portions of the 
Site proposed for deletion are needed to protect human health and the 
environment. The State of New Mexico, in an August 11, 2017, letter 
from the New Mexico Environment Department, concurred with the proposed 
partial deletion of the OU1, OU2, and OU5 portions of the Site from the 
NPL.
    The NCP specifies that EPA may delete a site from the NPL if all 
appropriate response under CERCLA has been implemented and no further 
response action is appropriate. 40 CFR 300.425(e)(1)(ii). EPA, with the 
concurrence of the State of New Mexico, through NMED, believes that 
this criterion for the deletion of the OU1, OU2, and OU5 portions of 
the Site has been met and the OU1, OU2, and OU5 portions of the Site no 
longer pose a threat to public health or the environment. Consequently, 
EPA is proposing to delete the OU1, OU2, and OU5 portions of the Site 
from the NPL. Documents supporting this action are available in the 
Docket.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 300

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Chemicals, 
Hazardous waste, Hazardous substances, Intergovernmental relations, 
Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Superfund, Water 
pollution control, Water supply.

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1321(d); 42 U.S.C. 9601-9657; E.O. 13626, 
77 FR 56749, 3 CFR, 2013 Comp., p. 306; E.O. 12777, 56 FR 54757, 3 
CFR, 1991 Comp., p. 351; E.O. 12580, 52 FR 2923, 3 CFR, 1987 Comp., 
p. 193.

    Dated: July 19, 2018.
Arturo Blanco,
Acting Regional Administrator, Region 6.
[FR Doc. 2018-16257 Filed 7-30-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P


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