# ( M, 

# \ UNITE D STATE S ENVIRONMENTA L PROTECTIO N AGENC Y REGIO N 6 144 5 ROS S AVENUE , SUIT E 120 0 DALLAS , T X 75202-273 3

MEMORANDU M SUBJECT : FROM : TO : THRU : Amendmen t t o th e Actio n Memorandu ma t th e Hig h Acces s Area s o f th e Man y Diver$ifiecWnterestSxInc . Superfun dSite , Houston , Harri s County , Texa s Greg<6r y Fife , On-Scen e Coordinato r Sit e Respons e Sectio n (6SF-R2 ) Myro n O . Knudson , P.E. , DirectOy f Superfun dDivisio n (6SF ) Charle s A . Gazd aCh i Respons e an dPr e r>^~- _ —- - -- - ^\ 

### ~S 

### \

I . PURPOS E Thi s memorandu mdocument s you r verba l approva l fo r

aceilin g increas e an da n amendmen t

t o th e Remova l Actio n pursuan t t o th e Comprehensiv e Environmenta l Response , Compensatio n an dLiabilit y Ac t (CERCLA) , a s amended , 4 2 U.S.C . §§960 1 e t seq. . a t th e Hig h Acces s Area s o f

th e Man y Diversifie dInterests , Inc . Superfun dSit e ("MDI " o r "Site" ) locate di n Houston , Harri s County , Texas . Th e propose damendmen t involve s th e excavatio n an d consolidatio n o f

contaminate dsoi l i n 3 3 additiona l Hig h Acces s Area s (HAAs ) o f th e Site . II . SIT E CONDITION S AN D BACKGROUN D CERCLI S #TX000228808 2 Category o f

removal : Tim e Critica l Sit e I D #06F

E



# 16117 2

Interne t Addres s (URL ) - http://www.epa.aov/earth 1 r6 / Recycled/Recyclabl e - Printe d wit h Vegetabl e Oi l Base d Ink s o n Recycle d Pape r(Minimu m 30 % Postconsumer )MEMORANDU M

SUBJECT : Amendmen t t o th e Actio n Memorandu mat th e Hig h Acces s Area s o f th e Man y Diversifie d Interests , Inc . Superfun dSite , Houston , Harri s County , Texa s FROM : Gregor

y Fife , On-Scen e Coordinato r Site Respons e Sectio n (6SF-R2 ) TO : Myro n O . Knudson , P.E. , Directo r

Superfun dDivisio n (6SF) THRU : Charle s A . Gazda , Chie f

Respons e an d Preventio n Branc h (6SF-R) 

### I . PURPOS E Thi s memorandu mdocument s you r verba l approva l fo r

aceilin g increas e an da n amendmen t

t o th e Remova l Actio n pursuan t t o th e Comprehensiv e Environmenta l Response , Compensatio n an d Liabilit y Ac t (CERCLA) , a s amended , 4 2 U.S.C . §§960 1 e t seq. . a t th e Hig h Acces s Area s o f

th e Man y Diversifie d Interests , Inc . Superfun dSit e ("MD F o r "Site" ) locate d i n Houston , Harri s County , Texas . Th e propose damendment involve s th e excavatio n an d consolidatio n o f

contaminated soi l i n 3 3 additiona l Hig h Acces s Area s (HAAs ) o f th e Site . H . SIT E CONDITION S AN D BACKGROUN D CERCLI S #TXD008083404 Category o f

removal : Time Critica l SiteID#06C N

CONCURRENCE : ETERSEN L

BROYLE S -CASANOV A SUTTICE NAN N PEYCKE 6RC- S 6RC- S

### A . Site Descriptio n

1 . Remova l sit e evaluatio n Se e attache doriginal Actio n Memorandum . 2 . Physica l locatio n Th e MD I Site , locate da

t 361 7 Bae r

Stree t i n Houston , Harri s County , Texa s i s a n abandone dfoundr y facilit

y locate dapproximatel y 2 mile s eas t o f downtow n Housto n an deas t o f th e intersectio n o f

Highwa y 5 9 an dInterstat e Highwa y 10 . Attachmen t 2 ha s atopographi c layou t o f th e Site . Thi s portio n o f

Housto n i s know n a s th e "Fift h Ward. " Th e MD I fence d propert y occupie s approximatel y 3 6 acre s i n a n are ao f mixe dindustria l an dresidential lan duse . Th e MD I propert y i s bounde db y Har e Stree t t o th e north ; Nationa l Vinega r Compan y an dPres s Stree t t o th e east ; th e forme r

Texa s & Ne w Orlean s Railroa dright-of-wa y beyon dth e easemen t t o th e south ; an dBringhurs t Stree t t o th e west . Ther

e are i n exces s o f

10,000 peopl e withi n a mil e o f th e Site , includin g several hundre dchildre n attendin g th e local elementar y school . 3 . Sit e characteristic s Ther e are approximatel y 5 9 Hig h Acces s Area s a t th e Sit e wit h lea dcontaminatio n greate r than th e establishe d50 0 pp mactio n level . Thes e HAA s includ e th e Blanc e Kels o Bruc e Elementar y School , th e Fift

h WardMulti-purpos e Community Center , achurch , an dresidentia l properties . Th e propertie s wer e prioritize dbase do n leadlevel s an dpresenc e o f childre n o n th e property . Priorit y On e comprise s o f propertie s abov e 50 0 pp mleadwith childre n les s tha n 6 year s ol dresidin g i n thes e properties . Priority Tw o comprise s o f propertie s abov e 100

0 pp mlead with n o children residin g i n thes e properties . Priority Thre e comprise s o f propertie s wit h 50 0 - 100 0 pp mlea dwith n o childre n les s than 6 year s ol dresidin g i n thes e properties . EPA' s Respons e Actio n Contractor , Tetr aTec h EM , Inc. , conducte dsamplin g activitie s an dfoun dleadcontaminatio n i s soi l i n residential area s o f th e Site . Th e are ainvestigate dwa s determine db y ai r

modelin g an dinclude s area s withi n th e 40 0 pp misopleth . Th e soi l i n al l th e HAA s exceed s 50 0 pp man di s a s hig h a s 277 9 ppm . 4 . Release s o r

threatene dreleas e int o th e environment o f ahazardou s substance , pollutan t o r contaminan t Se e attache doriginal Actio n Memorandu m 5 . NPL statu s Se e attache dorigina

l Actio n Memorandum .

### 6 . Maps , Picture s an dothe r graphi c representation s Attachmen t

1 Origina l Actio n Memorandu m Attachmen t

2 MD I Sit e Topographi c Map B . Othe r Action s t o Dat e 1 . Previou s action s Se e origina l Actio n Memorandum . 2 . Curren t

action s Th e EP A i s currentl y performin g an RI/F S at th e Site . Th e purpos e o f

th e RI/F S i s t o determin e th e natur e an dexten t o f contaminatio n an dt o gathe r sufficien t informatio n abou t

th e Sit e t o suppor t

a n informe dris k

managemen t

decisio n regardin g whic h remed y i s th e mos t appropriat e fo r

th e Site . Th e EP A began remedia l samplin g activitie s a t th e Sit e i n Januar y 2003 . Remova l Actio n currentl y bein g don e a t th e sit e began o n Jul y 15 , 2003 . Followin g you r verba l approva l o f

th e ceilin g increas e an damende daction s o n Septembe r 8 , 200 3 , EP A bega n wor k o n th e additiona l properties . Remova l Actio n at mos t o f Priorit y On e an dPriorit y Tw o propertie s ar e complete . Remova l Actio n i s currentl y bein g don e i n Priority Thre e properties . C . Stat e an dLocal Authorities ' Role s 1 . Stat e an d loca l action s t o dat e Se e origina l Actio n Memorandum . 

### 2 . Potential fo r

continue dState/loca l respons e Se e origina l Actio n Memorandum .



### III . THREAT S T O PUBLI C HEALT H O R WELFAR E O R TH E ENVIRONMENT , AN D STATUTOR Y AN D REGULATOR Y AUTHORITIE S A . Threat s t o Publi c Healt h o r Welfar e Th e curren t

condition s a t

th e sit e mee t

th e followin g factor s whic h indicat e tha t th e sit e i s athrea t t o th e publi c health , welfar e an dth e environmen t an daremova l actio n i s appropriat eunde r

§300.415(b)(2 ) o f

th e Nationa l Contingenc y Plan . An y o r al l o f thes e factor s ma y b e presen t at asit e ye t an y on e o f

thes e factor s ma y determin e th e appropriatenes s o f aremova l action . 1 . Exposur e t o Huma n Populations , Animal s o r th e Foo d Chain , NC P Sectio n 300.41 5 (b)(2)(i ) Se e origina l Actio n Memorandum . 2 . Contaminant s i n Soil ; NC P Sectio n 300.41 5 (b)(2)(iv ) Th e soil s i n th e HAA s excee dth e actio n level s establishe dt o protec t th e huma n population . Leadwas foun din concentration s up to 1,89 9 ppm . The soi l at the Blanc e Kels o Bruc e Elementary School , th e Fift h War dMulti-purpos e Communit y Center , achurch , an d residentia l propertie s hav e lea dcontaminatio n i n soi l exceedin g th e respons e actio n level . 3 . Weathe r

Condition s Tha t

Ma y Caus e Hazardou s Substance s o r Pollutant s o r Contaminant s t o Migrat e o r b e Released . NC P Sectio n 300.41 5 (b)(2)(v ) Se e origina l Actio n Memorandum . 4 . Availabilit y o f

Othe r Mechanisms , NC P Sectio n 300.41 5 (b)(2)(vii ) Se e origina l Actio n Memorandum . B . Threat s t o th e Environmen t Se e origina l Actio n Memorandum . V . ENDANGERMEN T DETERMINATIO N Actua l o r threatene drelease s o f

hazardou s substances , pollutant s o r contaminant s fro m thi s Site , i f

no t addresse db y implementin g th e respons e actio n i n thi s amendment , ma y presen t a n imminen t

an dsubstantia l endangermen t t o th e publi c health , welfare , o r th e environment .VI . PROPOSE D ACTION S AN D ESTIMATE D COST S

A . Propose d Action s 1 . Propose d Actio n Descriptio n Se e origina l Actio n Memorandum . 2 . Contributio n t o remedia l performanc e Se e origina l Actio n Memorandum . 3 . Descriptio n o f

alternativ e technologie s Se e origina l Actio n Memorandum . 4 . Applicabl e o r

relevan t an dappropriat e requirement s Se e origina l Actio n Memorandum . 5 . Projec t schedul e Th e duratio n o f

activitie s i s expecte dt o b e a n additiona l tw o month s ( 5 month s total) , dependin g upo n weathe r

condition s an dscheduling , an dth e availabilit y o f disposa l contractor s an dothers . B . Estimate dCost s Extramura l Cost s Cleanu p Contracto r

$850,00 0 STAR T $600,00 0 Previou s Cost s $353,457.2 6 TOTAL , EXTRAMURA L COST S $1,803,457.2 6

### VII . EXPECTE D CHANG E I N TH E SITUATIO

N SHOUL D ACTIO N

B E DELAYE D O R NO T TAKE N Se e origina l Actio n Memorandum . VIII . OUTSTANDIN G POLIC Y ISSUE S Se e origina l Actio n Memorandum . IX . ENFORCEMEN T Als o se e origina l Actio n Memorandum . (Direc t Cost ) + (Othe r

Direct ) + (42.14 % o f

Total Direc t

{Indirec t Cost} ) = Estimate d EP A Cos t fo r aRemova l Actio n ($1,803,457.26 ) + ($180,346 ) + (42.14 % x 1,983,803.26 ) = $2,819,777.9 5 Als o se e origina l Actio n Memorandum . X . RECOMMENDATIO N Thi s decisio n documen t

represent s th e selecte dremova l actio n fo r th e HAA s o f

th e MD I Superfun dSit e locate di n Houston , Harri s County , Texa s develope di n accordanc e wit h CERCL A a s amended , an dno t inconsisten t

wit h th e NCP . Thi s als o document s you r verba l approva l fo r

th e ceilin g increas e an dth e amende dactio n o n Septembe r 8 , 200 3 Thi s decisio n i s base do n th e Administrativ e Recor dfo r th e Site . Condition s at

th e Sit e mee t

th e criteri aa s define db y 4 0 CF RSectio n 300.415(b)(2 ) o f th e NC P fo r aremoval . Th e tota l projec t ceilin g wil l b e $1,803,457.26 . APPROVE D fyi X I

UW^W

-} DAT E Attachment s> ^ \ UNITE D STATE S ENVIRONMENTA L PROTECTIO N AGENC Y REGIO N 6 144 5 ROS S AVENUE , SUIT E 120 0 DALLAS , T X 75202-273 3 

# r0

MEMORANDU M SUBJECT :

FROM :

TO : THRU : Reques t

fo r aRemova

l Actio n an dWaive

r t o th e Twelv e Mont h Statutor y Limi t a t th e Hig h Acces s Area s o f th e Man y Diversifie dInterests , Inc . Superfun dSite , Houston , Harri s County , Texa s Rafae l Abreg o Casnova , Remedia l Projec t Manager Stace y Bennett , Remedia

l Projec t Manager ' Gregor y Fife , On-Scene Coordinato£ 2 (%U ^ Site Respons e Sectio n (6SF-R2 ) / Myro n O . Knudson , P.E. , Directo r Superfun dDivisio n (6SF) -fr"Charle s A . Gazda , Chief 0(wlfaQ Respons e an d Preventio n Branc h (6SF-R) L PURPOS E Thi s memorandu mrequest s approval fo r aRemoval Actio n pursuan t t o th e Comprehensiv e Environmental Response , Compensatio n an d Liabilit y Ac t (CERCLA) , a s amended , 4 2 U.S.C . §§960 1 et seq. , a t th e Hig h Acces s Area s o f th e Man y Diversifie dInterests , Inc . Superfun dSit

e ("MDI " o r

"Site" ) locate di n Houston , Harri s County , Texas . Th e propose d actio n involve s th e excavatio n an dconsolidatio n o f contaminate dsoil i n Hig h Acces s Area s (HAAs ) o f

th e Site . Thi s actio n meet s th e criteri afo r initiatin g aremoval actio n under th e Nationa l Contingenc y Pla

n (NCP) , 4 0 CF

R§300.415 . Thi s actio n i s expecte d t o requir e les s tha n $ 2 millio n to complete . Previou s action s too k plac e fro mNovember

2 , 199 8 to Septembe

r 30 , 1999 . Hence , th e action s propose di n thi s memorandu mwil l exceed th e 1 2 mont h laps e tim e fro mth e date o f th e initia l response . Th e Actio n Memorandu mfo r th e previou s action s take n i s i n Attachmen t

1 .

Interne t Addres s (URL ) - http://www.epa.gov/earth 1 r6 / Recycled/Recyclabl e - Printe d wit h Vegetabl e Oi l Base d Ink s o n Recycle d Pape r(Minimu m 30 % Postconsumer)II . SIT E CONDITION S AN D BACKGROUN D

CERCLI S #1X000228808 2 Category o f

removal : Tim

e Critica l Site I D #06F

E A . Site Descriptio n 1 . Remova l site evaluatio n I n 1926 , th e Texa s Electri c Stee l Castin g Compan y (TESCO ) bega n operation s a s ameta l castin g foundry . TESC O primaril y manufacture dspecialt y molde dpart s suc h a s larg e wheels , tracks , an d minin g equipment . Th e proces s are aconsiste do f castin g plants . Bot h plant s maintaine dseparate san dsystems , core ovens , mol dmakes , electri c arc furnaces , pourin g facilities , an d cleaning , annealin g an d hea t treatin g proces s areas . Durin g th e mid-1980s , th e southern portio n o f th e Site wa s leased t o Can-A mResourc e Grou p (Can-Am) . Can-A mconducte daspent catalys t recyclin g Operatio n usin g an experimenta l process . Can-A mreportedl y obtaine dbetwee n 2,000 an d 4,000 drum s o f spent catalys t fro m chemica l plant s an drefinerie s alon g th e Housto n Shi p Channel . Byl988 , Can-A mceased operation s an dabandone dth e drum s o f spent catalys t o n th e Site . I n 1990 , MD I bough t

th e TESC O not e for mth e Texa s Commerc e Bank . TESC O cease d operation s i n Februar

y 1991 , an dMD I foreclose do n th e property . MD I reopene da s th e Sa n Jacint o Foundr

y (SJF ) o n Marc h 1 , 1991 . SJ

F continue doperation s unti l abou t Jun e 1 , 1992 . MD I file dfo r

Chapte r 7 Bankruptc y i n th e U.S . Bankruptc y Cour t fo r th e Southern Distric t

o f Texa s o n Ma

y 1992 . Th e on-sit e facilitie s were demolishe da s asalvag e operatio n unde r orde r o f th e U.S . Bankruptc y Court betwee n Marc h 1995 an d Januar y 1996 . In 199 8 an d 1999 , th e Potentiall y Responsibl e Partie s remove dove r 5,000 drum s containin g wast e materials , with EPA' s oversight . Th e TCE Q conducte daremova l an d restoratio n o f

8 9 residential yard s t o th e wes t an dnort h o f

th e MD I facility . Th e remova l actio n wa s conducte dt o remov e surfac e soi l with concentration s o f lea dtha t equale do r

exceede d50 0 part s per millio n (ppm ) t o reduc e th e exposure t o lead . 2 . Physica

l locatio n Th e MD I Site , locate da

t 3.61 7 Bae r

Stree t i n Houston , Harri s County , Texa s i s a n abandone dfoundr y facility locate dapproximatel y 2 mile s eas t o f downtow n Housto n an deas t o f th e intersectio n o f

Highwa y 5 9 an dInterstat e Highway 10 . Attachmen t 2 ha s atopographi c layou t o f th e Site . Thi s portio n o f Housto n i s know n a s th e "Fift h Ward. " Th e MD I fence d propert y occupie s approximatel y 3 6 acre s i n a n are ao f mixe dindustria l an dresidential lan duse . Th e MD I propert y i s bounde db y Hare Stree t t o th e north ; Nationa l Vinega r Company an dPres s Stree t t o th e east ; th e forme r

Texa s & Ne w Orlean s Railroadright-of-way beyon dth e easement

### t o th e south ; an dBringhurs t Stree t t o th e west . Ther

e ar e i n exces s o f

10,000 peopl e withi n a mile o f th e Site , includin g several hundre dchildren attendin g th e loca l elementary school . 3 . Sit e characteristic s Ther e are approximatel y 3 3 Hig h Acces s Area s a t th e Sit e wit h lea dcontaminatio n greate r tha n th e establishe d50 0 pp mactio n level . Thes e HAA s include th e Blanc e Kels o Bruc e Elementar y School , th e Fift

h WardMulti-purpos e Communit y Center , achurch , an d approximatel y 3 0 residentia l properties . Th e schoo l i s locate don e bloc k wes t o f th e MD I Site . Attachmen t

3 ha s th e layou t

o f th e elementar

y school . EPA' s Respons e Actio n Contractor , Tetr aTech EM , Inc. , conducte d sampling activitie s an dfoun dlea

dcontaminatio n i s soi l i n residentia l area s o f th e Site . Th e are ainvestigate dwa s determine db y air

modelin g an dinclude s area s withi n th e 40 0 pp misopleth . Th e soi l i n al l th e HAA s exceed s 50 0 pp man di s a s hig h a s 189 9 ppm . 4 . Release s o r

threatene dreleas e into th e environmen t o f ahazardou s substance , pollutan t o r contaminan t Lea di s th e primary contaminan t o f concer n a t th e Site . Lea

d i s adesignate dhazardou s substanc e a s define di n Sectio n 101(14 ) o f CERCLA , 4 2 U.S.C.§9601(14) , an d4 0 CFR§302.4 . Analytical dat ashow s tha t lea da t concentration s rangin g fro m51 1 t o 1,89 9 pp mare presen t i n th e soil s (surfac e t

o 1 8 inches ) a

t th e Site . Lea

di s know n t

o caus e primaril y neurologica l damag e i n human s a s th e resul t o f ingestio n o f

th e metal . Children are th e mos t susceptibl e grou p o f peopl e t o th e advers e effect s o f lead . Attachmen t

5 ha s th e ToxFaQ s fo r

Lead . 5 . NPL statu s Th e "Fina l Rule " addin g th e Sit e to th e National Prioritie s Lis t wa s publishe di n th e Federa l Register o n January 15 , 1999 . A Recordo f Decision , describin g th e chose n remedia l action , ha s no t

been issue dfo r

th e Site ; however , thi s propose dremova l actio n wil l b e consisten t wit h an y subsequen t

remedial activitie s tha t

may b e take n at

th e Site . 6 . Maps , Picture s an dothe r graphi c representation s Attachmen t

1 Previou s Actio n Memorandu m Attachmen t

2 MD I Site Topographi c Ma p Attachmen t

3 Bruc e Elementary Schoo l Layou t Attachmen t

4 Enforcemen t

Attachmen t Attachmen t

5 ToxFaQ s fo r

Lea dB . Othe r

Action s t o Dat e 1 . Previou s action s In 199 8 an d 1999 , th e Potentiall y Responsibl e Partie s remove dover 5,00 0 drum s containin g wast e materials , wit h th e EPA' s oversight . Th e TCE Q complete daremova l an d restoratio n i n 199 9 o f

8 9 residential yard s to th e wes t an dnort h o f

th e Site . Th e removal actio n wa s conducte dt o remov e surfac e soi l wit h concentration s o f lea dtha t equale do r

exceede d50 0 pp mto reduc e th e exposur e to lead . 2 . Curren t

action s 

### i The EP A i s currentl y performin g an RI/F S a t th e Site . Th e purpos e o f th e RI/F S i s t o determin e th e natur e an dexten t o f contaminatio n an dt o gathe r sufficien t informatio n abou t

th e Sit e t o suppor t

an informe dris k

management

decisio n regardin g whic h remed y i s th e mos t appropriat e fo r

th e Site . Th e EP A bega

n remedia l samplin g activitie s a

t th e Site i n Januar y 2003 . C . Stat e an d Loca

l Authorities ' Role s 1 . Stat e an dloca

l action s to dat e Th e Stat e o f

Texas , throug h th e TCEQ , wa s significantl y involve di n th e previou s activitie s a

t th e Sit e an d continue s to provide dtechnical assistanc e durin g th e RI/FS . Th e TCE Q conducte daPreliminar

y Assessment

i n November

199 5 an daScreenin g Site Inspectio n i n January 1996 . Further , th e TCE Q entere d into acontrac t wit h EP A i n Marc h 31 , 1999 , t o conduc t aTime-Critica

l Remova l Actio n fo r

th e off-sit e portio n o f

th e Sit e unde r th e Stat e Removal Pilo t

Program . 2 . Potentia l fo r

continue dState/loca l respons e Th e TCE Q wil l continu e t o provid e technical assistanc e t o th e EP A durin g th e RI/F S fo r th e Site . Th e Texa s Departmen t o f Healt h i s currentl y gatherin g dat aconcernin g th e historical an drecent bloo dlea dstudie s conducte dat

th e Sit e an dplan s t o provid e informatio n t o th e publi c durin g th e upcomin g publi c meetings . HI . THREAT S T O PUBLI C HEALT H O RWELFAR E O RTH E ENVIRONMENT , AN D STATUTORY AN D REGULATOR Y AUTHORITIE S A . Threat s to Publi c Healt h o r Welfare

### Th e curren t condition s at

th e sit e meet th e followin g factor s whic h indicat e tha t th e sit e i s athreat t o th e publi c health , welfar e an dth e environmen t an daremova l actio n i s appropriat e unde r §300.415(b)(2 ) o f

th e Nationa l Contingenc y Plan . An y o r al l o f thes e factor s may b e presen t at asite ye t an y on e o f

thes e factor s may determin e th e appropriatenes s o f aremoval action . 1 . Exposur e t o Huma n Populations , Animal s o r th e Foo dChain , NC P Sectio n 300.41 5 (b)(2)(i ) Th e soil s i n th e HAA s o f

th e Site contai n lea

dconcentration s tha t

rang e fro m51 1 t o 1,89 9 ppm , based o n recen t dat a(additiona

l dat ai being reviewe dan dvalidated) . Th e EPA' s goal a t lea dsite s i s to attemp t

to limit exposure to soi l lea

dlevel s suc h tha t

atypical childo r grou p o f similarly expose dchildren woul dhav e an estimate dris k o f n o more than 5 % o f exceedin g a1 0 |ig/d

l bloo dlea

dlevel . Th e 50 0 pp mremoval actio n leve l meet s th e 5 % benchmark , base do n th e experienc e gaine dfro mothe r lea dsite s i n EPA Regio n 6 . Th e Center for Diseas e Contro l consider s th e 1 0 \ig/d\ bloo dlea dlevel a s elevate dfo r

youn g children . Th e EPA believe s that

th e lea di n thes e soil s i s attributabl e to th e historical foundr y operation s a s wel l a s othe r possibl e sources . Exposur e t o animal s an dfoo dchai n receptor s ar e no t know n at thi s time . Thi s informatio n wil l b e gathere ddurin g th e ongoin g RI/F S fo r th e Site . 2 . Contaminant s i n Soil ; NC P Sectio n 300.41 5 (b)(2)(iv ) Th e soil s i n th e HAA s exceedth e actio n level s establishe dto protec t th e human population . Lea

dwa s foun di n concentration s up to 1,89 9 ppm . Th e soi l a t th e Blanc e Kels o Bruc e Elementar

y School , th e Fift

h WardMulti-purpos e Community Center , achurch , an d approximatel y 3 0 residentia l propertie s hav e lea

dcontaminatio n i n soi l exceedin g th e respons e actio n level . 3 . Weather

Condition s Tha

t May Caus e Hazardou s Substance s o r Pollutant s o r Contaminant s to Migrate o r b e Released . NC P Sectio n 300.41 5 (b)(2)(v ) Th e are ai s subjec t

to hurricanes , floodin g an dothe r sever e weather . Th e sever

e floodin g event s coul deasil

y transport

contaminate dsoil withi n th e residentia l areas . 4 . Availabilit

y o f Othe r Mechanisms , NC P Sectio n 300.41 5 (b)(2)(vii ) A t thi s time , ther e are n o othe r mechanism s availabl e t o respon dt o th e evacuatio n o f soil contaminate dwith lead . B . Threat s t o th e Environmen tTh e propose dactio n t o b e take n durin g thi s respons e i s designe dt o addres s apubli c

health threa t

resultin g fro mth e contaminate dsoil s withi n th e residential area s o f th e Site . Thes e actions , althoug h no t

specificall y designe dt o d o so , wil l significantl y reduc e o r mitigat e an y potentia l ecologica

l threats . IV . CRITERI A FO RA N EXEMPTIO N FRO M STATUTOR Y LIMIT S Consistenc

y Exemptio n Sectio n 10 4 (c)(l)(c ) limit s Fun dfinance dremoval actio n to unde r $ 2 millio n an dtwelve-month s i n duratio n unles s th e Agenc y determine s that continue drespons e actio n are otherwis e appropriat e an dconsisten t wit h th e remedia

l actio n t o b e take aTh e action s propose di n thi s memorandu mi s expecte d to require les s tha n $ 2 millio n to complete . Previou s action s loo k plac e fro mNovembe r

2 , 199 8 to Septembe r

30 , 1999 . Hence , th e action s propose di n thi s memorandu mwil l excee d th e 1 2 month laps e time fro mth e dat e o f th e initia l response . Also , th e action s propose dwithi n thi s Actio n Memorandu mar e appropriate , consistent , an dd o no t hinder an y additional conceivabl e futur e remedia l action s t o b e taken . Th e Sit e wa s adde dt o th e NP L o n Januar y 15 , 1999 . Th e action s propose di n thi s Actio n Memorandu mwil l preven t direc t human contac t

wit h th e contaminate dsoils . Al l surfac e an dsubsurfac e contaminate dsoil s wil l b e excavate dan dwil l b e store don-site . I f thi s Actio n Memorandu mi s approved , action s wil l b e take n to remov e contaminate dsoil fro mth e Hig h Acces s Areas . Al l thes e actio n hav e been closely coordinate dwith th e Remedia l Projec t Manager s an dare consisten t wit h th e planne d remedia l actio n fo r

th e site . V . ENDANGERMEN T DETERMINATIO N Actua l o r threatene drelease s o f

hazardou s substances , pollutant s o r contaminant s fro m thi s Site , i f

no t addresse d b y implementin g th e respons e actio n selecte di n thi s Actio n Memorandum , ma

y presen t an imminent

an dsubstantial endangermen t t o th e publi c healtli , welfare , o r

th e environment . VI . PROPOSE D ACTION S AN D ESTIMATE D COST S A . Propose dAction s 1 . Propose dActio n Descriptio n Th e propose dactio n fo r

th e Site involve s th e removal o f soil s contaminate dwit h lea d fro mth e HAA s a

t th e Site . Soi l wit h lea

dcontaminatio n greater

than 50 0 pp mwil l b e excavated . Th e area s wil l b e backfille dto prope r grad e an d sodded . Th e contaminate dsoil wil l b e place da t th e MD I Site . Sidewalks , driveways , an dothe r suc h structure s wil l b e replace dwit h comparabl e structure s accordin g t o loca l codes . Othe r

item s remove do r

damage da s aresul t

o f th e removal actio n wil l b e replace do r

compensatio n wil l b e give n i n accordanc e wit h EP A polic y a t th e

### appraise dvalue .

I t i s critical t o conduc t

th e actio n at

th e Blanc e Kels o Bruc e Elementar y Schoo l i n Jul y t o coincide wit h schoo l closing . Othe r activitie s wil l b e conducte dt o facilitat e interactio n wit h th e public . 2 . Contributio n t o remedia l performanc e Th e propose d actio n i s consisten t with any futur e remedia

l respons e a

t thi s Site sinc e th e respons e actio n constitute s contaminan t removal . 3 . Descriptio n o f

alternativ e technologie s Ther e ar e n o alternativ e technologie s that coul dfeasibl y b e applied . < 

### 4 . Applicabl e o r

relevant an dappropriat e requirement s Thi s removal actio n wil l b e conducte dto eliminat e th e actual o r

potential releas e o f

a hazardou s substance , pollutant , o r contaminan t

t o th e environment , pursuan t t o CERCLA , 4 2 U.S.C . § 960 1 e t

seq. , an di n amanner

consistent wit h th e Nationa l Contingenc y Plan , 4 0 CFR . Part 300 , a s require da

t 3 3 U.S.C . § 1321(c)(2) an d 4 2 U.S.C . § 9605 . Pursuant t o 4 0 CF RPart 300.415(1) , fund-finance dremoval action s unde r CERCL A § 10 4 an dremoval action s pursuan t to CERCL

A § 10 6 shall , to th e exten t practicabl e considerin g th e exigencie s o f th e situation , attai n th e applicabl e o r

relevant an dappropriat e requirement s unde r Federa l environmental law . I f consolidatio n an doff-sit e disposa l are th e principal element s o f thi s removal action , RCRA wast e analysi s requirement s foun da t 4 0 CFR§ § 261.2 0 an d261.30 , RCR A manifestin g requirement s foun da

t 4 0 CFR§ 262.20 , an dRCRA packagin g an dlabeling requirement s foun d a t 4 0 CFR§ 262.3 0 are deeme dto b e appropriat e requirement s fo r thi s removal action . Applicabl e RCRA requirement s fo r landfil l closure , 4 0 CF R§ 264.Ill , Subpart G , may apply , whic h specif

y aca p wit h apermeabilit

y les s than o r

equal t o th e permeabilit

y o f an y botto mline

r o r natural sub-soil s present

a t th e plant site . I n addition , applicable specifi c closur e requirement s whic h are provide dfo r

surfac e impoundments , 4 0 CFR§ 264.228 , Subpar t K , an dapplicabl e requirement s fo r

landfills , 4 0 CFR§ 264.310 , Subpar t N ma y als o apply . Post-closur e an d monitorin g requirement s ma y b e applicable , 4 0 CFR§ 264.117(a)(l) , a s wel l a s RCRA requirement s fo r

locatio n o f

aTransportation , Storag e o r Disposa l facilit y i n a100-yea

r floo d plain , 4 0 CFR§ 264.1 8 an d4 0 CFR6 , Appendi x A . Th e selecte d removal actio n doe s no t trigger placemen t

unde r th e RCRA Lan dDisposa

l Restrictions , sinc e al l wast e wil l b e move d onl y withi n th e are ao f

contaminatio n o r

RCRA unit , 5 5 Fed . Reg . 8760 (Marc h 8 , 1990) . Ambien t air qualit y standard s a

t 4 0 CFR5 0 wil l b e used , a s applicable , to protec t th e quality o f ai r durin g th e implementatio n o f th e action .5 . Projec t schedul e Th e duratio n o f

activitie s i s expecte d to b e thre e months , dependin g upo n weathe r condition s an d scheduling , an d th e availabilit y o f disposa l contractor s an d others . Th e respons e at th e schoo l mus t

b e conducte d i n Jul y an dcoordinate d wit h th e principal . B . Estimate d Cost s Extramura l Cost s Cleanup Contracto r

$600,000 STAR T $300,000 Previou s Cost s j... $353,457.26 TOTAL , EXTRAMURAL COST S $1,253,457.2 6 VII . EXPECTED CHANG E I N TH E SITUATIO N SHOUL D ACTIO N B E DELAYE D O RNO T TAKE N Shoul d th e action s describe d i n thi s Actio n Memorandu mb e delaye d o r no t taken , th e soil s contaminate d wit h lea d wil l continu e t o contribut e t o th e direc t exposure o f

children an d adults . Th e soil s i n th e HAA s o f th e Site contai n lea

d concentration s that

rang e fro m51 1 to 1,89 9 ppm , base d o n recent dat a(additiona

l dat ai s bein g reviewe d an d validated) . VIII . OUTSTANDIN G POLIC Y ISSUE S Ther e are n o outstandin g polic y issue s associate d with thi s remova l actio n o r

th e Site . IX . ENFORCEMEN T Fo r administrativ e purposes , informatio n concernin g confidentia l enforcement

strateg y fo r thi s sit e i s containe d i n th e Enforcemen t Confidential Attachmen t

4 . (Direc t Cost ) + (Othe r

Direct ) + (42.14 % o f

Total Direc t

{Indirec t Cost} ) = Estimate d EP A Cos t fo r aRemova

l Actio n ($1,253,457.26 ) + ($125,346 ) + (42.14 % x 1,378,803.26 ) = $1,959,830.9 5 Direc t cost s includ e direc t

extramura l cost s an d direc t intramura l costs . Indirec t cost s are calculate d base d o n a

n estimate d indirec t

cos t rat e expresse d a s apercentag e o f site-specifi c

### direc t

costs , consisten t

wit h th e ful l cos t

accountin g methodolog y effectiv e October 2 , 2002 . Thes e estimate s d o no t

include pre-judgemen t

interest , d o no t

tak e int o accoun t

othe r enforcemen t

costs , includin g Departmen t o f Justic e costs , an dmay b e adjuste ddurin g th e cours e o f aremoval action . Th e estimate s are fo r illustrativ e purpose s only , an dthei r us e i s no t intende d t o creat e an y right s fo r

responsibl e parties . Neither th e lack o f atota l cos t

estimat e no r

th e deviatio n o f

actua l tota l cost s fro mthi s estimat e wil l affec t th e Unite dStates ' righ t

t o cos t recovery . X . RECOMMENDATIO N Thi s decisio n documen t

represent s th e selecte dremoval actio n fo r th e HAA s o f

th e MD I Superfun dSit

e locate d i n Houston , Harri s County , Texas developed i n accordanc e wit h CERCL A a s amended , an dno t

inconsisten

t with th e NCP . Thi s decision i s base do n th e Administrativ e Recordfo r th e Site . Condition s a

t th e Sit e meet th e criteri aa s define db y 4 0 CFRSectio n 300.415(b)(2 ) o f th e NC P fo r aremoval , an dI recommen dyou r approval o f

th e propose dremoval action . Th e tota l projec t ceiling wil l b e $1,253,457.26 . APPROVED ^/"Tr^lS, /^^Kz^£S

- DAT ESEQUATE S T O 40 0 PP M LEA D I N SOI L I