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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENC Y *>2S)2S 

J

 REGION I 

JFK FEDERAL BUILDING, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02203 

N 

MEMORANDUM 

iter 

/ • 

Date: 

Subject: 

September 29, 1998 

F. O'Connor Superfund Site, Augusta, Maine 

Remedial Action Report 

SDMS DocID 525125 

From: ) IP— 

Through: 

To: 

) 

Leslie McVickar 

Project Manager v 

Mary Jane O'DonnelUChief

 v 

ME/VT/CT Superfund Section 

Don Berger, Chief 

Remediation & Restoration II 

Attached hereto is the Remedial Action (RA) Report for the second operable unit at the 

O'Connor Superfund site in Augusta Maine. The RA Report documents the completion of the 

Remedial Action for the second operable unit for the Site and certifies that construction is 

complete and that the remedy is operational and functional. The RA Report was prepared by 

consultants hired by the performing Settling Defendant. Consistent with EPA guidance, this 

report also serves as an informative document outlining experiences gained throughout the . 

remedial action. The remedial action for the second operable unit required excavation of 

contaminated soils, off-site disposal, backfilling with native soils, restoration of on-site wetlands 

and establishment of compensatory wetlands. The only Operation and Maintenance necessary 

for this operable unit is short-term monitoring the wetlands to ensure that is has properly been 

established. Attached is the executive summary of the activities that occurred. 

A final inspection of the site for this operable unit was conducted by EPA and the Maine DEP on 

November 12, 1997, during which is was concluded that the source control action had been 

implemented in accordance with the 100% Remedial Design. A summary of projected costs for 

OU2 activities conducted between July 1996 and December 1997 totaled $6,872,000. 

9/xkrDon Berger, Chiei 

Remediation & Restoration II Branch 

Date 

A 
7 . FINAL V.. 

SOURCE CONTROL REMEDIAL ACTION 

REPORT 

-/>• • 

j : 

VO' CONNOR COMPANY SUPERFUND SITE 

3 v' • AUGUSTA, MAINE;'::': 

SEPTEMBER 1998 

^ WOODARD &CURRAN 

tt^L. Engineering • Science • Operations 

Prepared by 

WOODARD & CURRAN INC 

41 Hutchins Drive 

Portland, Maine 04101 

(207-774-2112) 
. J 

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

\ 

The Source-Control Remedial Action (SCRA) at the O'Connor Company Superfund Site (Site) was 

completed on November 11, 1997. The remediation of the Source Control Operable Unit (OU-1) was 

completed in accordance with the Consent Decree (USEPA, 1991), Record of Decision (ROD) (USEPA, 

1989), Explanation of Significant Differences (USEPA, 1994a), Revised Statement of Work (USEPA, 

1994b), and the Source Control (SC) 100 Percent Remedial Design (CMP, 1996). Soils and sediments 

were remediated to meet the target cleanup goals established in these documents. By meeting the required 

target cleanup goals for site soils and sediment and removing site surface waters, the SCRA has achieved 

the remedial action objectives established for the Source Control component of the Selected Remedy in the 

ROD. The completed SCRA has: 

v 

I • reduced the potential present and future public health and environmental risks from direct contact, 

' ingestion, and or dermal absorption with the polychlorinated biphenyl- (PCB), carcinogenic 

polyaromatic hydrocarbon- (cPAH), and lead-contaminated soils and sediments on-site; 

reduced the potential present and future public health risks from the inhalation of PCB vapors from the 

Site; and 

reduced the potential present and future environmental risks to aquatic and terrestrial wildlife from 

exposures to the PCB- and lead-contaminated on-site surface water. 

Phase I of the SCRA was conducted in 1996. During Phase I, Stage 1 soils were remediated, the barn was 

decontaminated, demolished and disposed of off-site, and non-native debris was collected and disposed of 

off-site and the Support Area was constructed for Phase II activities. Phase II activities, completed in 

1997, included collection and disposal of on-site surface waters, remediation of soils and sediments in 

Stage 2 through Stage 6, reconstruction of the Upper Lagoon, Lower Lagoon and the Upland Marsh, and 

final restoration of the Site. 

All soils and sediments within OU-1 containing greater than 10 ppm PCBs, 10 ppm cPAHs, 248 ppm total 

lead were excavated, and disposed of at approved off-site disposal facilities. A total of 19,357 tons of soil 

and sediments were excavated and disposed of off-site as Special Wastes, Toxic Substance Control Act 

WOODARD & CURRAN (97137.05) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY -Page i 9/2/98 

LT/KT/ms/CMP SCRA/SCRARPT.DOC 

FINAL 
(TSCA) wastes, and/or Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) wastes at the following 

approved facilities; 

• A total of 8,010 tons of soil and sediment were disposed as Special Wastes at Waste Management Inc., 

in Norridgewock, Maine and Sawyers Environmental Services in Hampden, Maine; 

. A total of 11,222 tons of soil and sediment were disposed as TSCA and/or RCRA wastes at Chemical 

Waste Management (CWM), Inc., in Model City, New York; and 

A total of 125 tons of soil and sediment were disposed as RCRA wastes at Stablex, Inc., in Blainville, 

Quebec. 

Approximately 3,000 to 4,000 tons of soil and sediments containing between 1 and 10 ppm PCBs or 

cPAHs and less than 248 ppm total lead located outside the designated area (DA) were excavated and 

placed within the DA. Soils and sediments within the DA containing less than or equal to 10 ppm PCBs or 

cPAHs and less than 248 ppm total lead were not excavated. 

i 

The limits of excavation were based on the following three criteria: 1) analytical results; 2) isopachs 

(illustrated in Drawings C-05 through C-09 in Appendix B of the SC 100 Percent Remedial Design 

Remedial Action (RA) Work Plan (CMP, 1996); and 3) visual evidence of contamination (see Section 3.1). 

Following excavation, confirmation samples were collected at the base of the excavation to determine if the 

concentrations of PCBs, cPAHs and lead were below the respective target cleanup goals. If a sample 

exceeded the target cleanup goals, excavation continued. If the target cleanup goals were met, the sample 

was used as a confirmation sample, and the area* represented by the sample node was confirmed as closed. 

Pre-excavation and most confirmation samples were collected at specified locations on a sampling grid, that 

was developed to provide a statistically valid approach for confirming that the Site had met the target 

cleanup goals. Additional random samples were collected as determined necessary in the field to confirm 

attainment of target cleanup goals. The statistically valid field sampling program is detailed in the Field 

Sampling Plan (FSP). 

As shown in Figure 3 in the FSP, the Site was divided into five (5) sample areas based on contaminants, 

target cleanup goals, the Site history, geology, and a review of the RI data. 

WOODARD & CURRAN (97137.05) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - Page ii , 9/2/98 

LT/KT/ms/CMP SCRA/SCRARPT.DOC 

FINAL 
Sample Area 1 is the DA. A total of 209 confirmation samples were collected in Area 1, and analyzed for 

PCBs. Based on a statistical evaluation, the 95 percent upper confidence limit of the mean of the data is 

0.63 ppm, which is well below the target cleanup goal of 10 ppm PCBs for the DA. In addition, the 

maximum value of the PCB results used to determine Site closure is 9.63 ppm. Since 100 percent of the 

analytical results are below the target cleanup goal of 10 ppm, the proportional test for Site closure is also 

met. 

Sample Area 2 is outside the DA. A total of 114 confirmation samples were collected in Area 2, and 

analyzed for PCBs. Based on a statistical evaluation, the 95 percent upper confidence limit of the mean of 

the data is 0.23 ppm, which is well below the cleanup standard of 1 ppm PCBs for the area outside the DA. 

In addition, the maximum value of the PCB results used to determine Site closure is 0.81 ppm. Since 100 

percent of the analytical results are below the target cleanup goal of 1 ppm, the proportional test for Site 

closure is also met. 

Sample Area 3 consists of two subareas, and is delineated by the limits of the Riggs Brook Wetlands within 

the fenced portion of the Site. A total of 49 confirmation sediment samples were collected in Area 3, and 

analyzed for PCBs. The maximum value of the PCB results used to determine Site closure is 4.3 ppm, 

which indicates that 100 percent of the analytical results are below the target cleanup goal of 5 ppm for 

Area 3. 

Sample Area 4 consists of five subareas almost entirely within the DA. A total of 209 confirmation 

samples were collected in Area 4, and analyzed for total lead. Based on a statistical evaluation of the data, 

the 95 percent upper confidence limit of the mean of the data is 52.1 ppm, which is well below the target 

cleanup goal of 248 ppm for total lead. In addition, the maximum value of the total lead results used to 

determine closure is 222 ppm. Since 100 percent of the analytical results are below the target cleanup goal 

of 248 ppm, the proportional test for Site closure is also met. 

A total of 26 samples were also collected at specified grid locations (see the FSP) in Area 4 and analyzed 

for TCLP lead, for disposal characterization purposes. Based on the analytical results, two samples were 

contaminated with TCLP lead exceeding 5 mg/L. The maximum concentration of TCLP lead was 55.6 

WOODARD &CURRAN (97137.05) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY-Page hi 9/2/98 

LT/KT/ms/CMP SCRA/SCRARPT.DOC 

FINAL 
mg/L. Based on analytical results, these soils were disposed of as RCRA-hazardous wastes at CWM and 

Stablex\ 

Sample Area 5 consists of two subareas and includes all cPAH contamination outside the DA. Nine 

confirmation samples were collected in subarea 5 A. The maximum concentration of cPAHs was 0.237 

ppm, and the analytical results of all nine samples were below the target cleanup goal of 1 ppm. Following 

two rounds' of excavation and sampling in subarea 5B (adjacent to Route 17), three final confirmation 

samples were collected. The concentrations of these three samples ranged from 1.2 to 6.6 ppm cPAHs, at 

depths Ranging from 1.4 to 3.3 feet below ground surface. Based on a letter dated October 27, 1997, 

Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MEDEP) approved that no further action was warranted 

in subarea 5B (MEDEP, 1997b). United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) had provided 

previous verbal approval for no further action in subarea 5B. 

Prior to remediation of the on-site wetland sediments, surface water was pumped out of the wetlands and 

handled in accordance with the 100 percent design. Based on the result of an Upper Lagoon sediment 

sample (295 ppm PCBs), surface water from the Upper Lagoon was pumped into frac tanks and disposed 

of off-site at Clean Harbors Inc., Braintree, Massachusetts facility as a TSCA waste. Based on analytical 

results of surface water samples (non-detect) collected from the Lower Lagoon, and approval from USEPA 

and MEDEP, surface water was pumped out of the Lower Lagoon, and discharged on-site in the Stage 6 

Area, adjacent to the Upland Marsh, prior to remediation of this area. The discharge of surface water from 

the Lower Lagoon was monitored and controlled to prevent oversaturation or runoff from the Stage 6 Area. 

Surface water from the Upland Marsh was pumped into frac tanks to facilitate the remediation of the 

Upland Marsh. 

Approximately 24,000 cubic yards of clean backfill (containing less than or equal to 1 ppm PCBs, 1 ppm 

cPAHs, and 248 ppm lead) were brought on Site to regrade the Site. The entire DA was covered with an 

additional 12 inches of clean fill to ensure that, even if those soils contaminated with between 1 and 10 ppm 

PCBs or cPAHs were ever disturbed by potential future activities at the Site, the PCB and cPAH levels at 

the surface would likely be less than 1 ppm due to mixing with the clean soil. 

WOODARD & CURRAN (97137.05) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - Page iv 9/2/98 

LT/KT/ms/CMP SCRA/SCRARPT.DOC 

FINAL 
Site restoration included re-establishing drainage patterns to achieve discharges to Riggs Brook similar to 

those which existed prior to remediation of the Site. It also included restoration of on-site wetlands and the 

establishment of approximately 0.4 acres of compensatory wetlands. 

A final site inspection was completed by USEPA and MEDEP on November 12, 1997 concluding that the 

SCRA appeared to have been implemented in accordance with the SC 100 Percent Remedial Design. The 

final inspection'also noted that several action items remained to be completed (see Appendix A). A 

summary of projected actual costs for SCRA activities conducted between July 1996 and December 1997 

/ 

are listed in Table 6 (total of $6,872,000). 

WOODARD &CURRAN (97137.05) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY - Page v 9/2/98 

LT/KT/ms/CMP SCRA/SCRARPT.DOC 

FINAL 
LD OJ l m t^ocX ftpf rtmX \dfer 

\ 

_fm % UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 

REGION 1 

JOHN F. KENNEDY FEDERAL BUILDING 

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02203-0001 

/ 

August 6/1998 

/ 

i • 

Norman Michaud 

Central Maine Power 

Technical Services Dept. NAOA 

41 Anthony Avenue 

Augusta, Maine 04330 

\ 

Re: Draft Source Control Remedial Action Report - dated April 27, 1998 

f Dear Mr. Michaud: 

• \ 

\ 

EPAkand the ME DEP has reviewed the above referenced document and associated responses to . 

our comments, dated December 22, 1997, and has no further comments. Please prepare the final 

-,copy for submittal to both EPA and the ME DEP by September 1, 1998. EPA needs three copies 

i of this document. 

) If you have any questions pertaining to this matter, please contact me at (617) 573-9689. 

Thank you. 

Sincere! 

Leslie McVickar 

Project Manager 

cc: Wilkes Harper, ME DEP 

Lori Truesdale, Woodard and Curran 

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

Recycled/Recyclable • Printed with Vegetable Oil Based Inks on Recycled Paper (Minimum 25% Postconsumer) 
S, WOODARD &CURRAN 

Engineering • Science • Operations 

CORPORATE OFFICES: Maine, Massachusetts, 

New Hampshire, Connecticut, Illinois, Florida 

Operational offices throughout the U.S. 

September 4, 1998 

Ms. Leslie McVickar 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 

90Canal/Street(lsl Floor) 

Boston, MA 02114" 

( 

/ 

RE: ( O'Connor Company Superfund Site 

) Final Source Control Remedial Action Report 

Dear Leslie: 

In accordance with your letter dated August 6, 1998, enclosed for submittal are three copies of the Final 

Source Control Remedial Action Report. 

Please call me at 207-774-2112 if you have any questions or comments. 

. ; Sincerely, 

; WOODARD & CURRAN, INC 

•uu&c 

Lori E. Truesdale, P.E. 

Project Engineer 

cc: Michael Penzo, Raytheon Environmental Services - 2 copies 

Wilkes Harper, MEDEP - 2 copies 

Norm Michaud, CMP - 2 copies 

Henri Vincent, W&C - 1 copy 

41 Hutchins Drive i Portland, Maine 04102 i 207-774-2112 o 207-774-6635 (Fax) • 1-800-426-4262 • www.woodardcurran.com "