Active Western Region TOSC Communities

Community Group: Dewey-Humboldt Town Council Environmental Committee
Location: Dewey-Humboldt , AZ
TOSC Contact: Jerry Orlando, jerry.orlando@oregonstate.edu, 541-737-5736
Date TOSC learned about the community: August 2005
Date Letter of Agreement signed: 07/06/06

Contaminants: Lead, Arsenic

Description: The Arizona DEQ alerted TOSC about this community. The community has several environmental issues pending including a voluntary cleanup in process, an old mine site and an EPA NPL listing investigation. After speaking with the EPA project manager for the area, TOSC decided to see if there is a need for their services.

5/2006

TOSC has been providing assistance to this community since April 2006 reviewing a Voluntary Remediation Plan, presenting the plan to the community and helping the Committee through various other environemental issues.

10/2006

TOSC reviewed a Dust Control Plan prepared by an industry in the area and offered comments and a comparison to the OSHA Dust Control Handbook.

Community Group: Quemetco
Site: Quemetco
Location: City of Commerce , CA
TOSC Contact: Michael Fernandez, michael.fernandez@oregonstate.edu, 541-737-4023
Draft Letter of Agreement: 11/8/05

Contaminants: lead, sulfuric acid, antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium and zinc

Description: The community is concerned about hazardous waste releases and air emissions from this battery recycling facility.

Items in Letter of Agreement: Review and comment on a risk assessment prepared by the local air quality management district; review and comment on hazardous waste permitting and cleanup documents as needed; participate in community group meeting and make presentations to the group as appropriate.

5/2006

TOSC reviewed the Title V air quality permit for this facility and submitted comments on behalf of the community group. TOSC will continue to review documents on the facility's cleanup and air quality permitting.

10/2006

No activity this quarter. TOSC will assist the group in holding a public meeting to update local residents on facility activities, the permit appeals process, and possible future community actions.

 

 

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Community Group: CIAAO
Site: Univar
Location: City of Industry , CA
TOSC Contact: Michael Fernandez, michael.fernandez@oregonstate.edu, 541-737-4023
Draft Letter of Agreement: 1/12/06

Contaminants: VOCs

Description: The community is concerned about the health effects of the contaminants, the best methodology for the cleanup, and the safety issues involved in tearing down contaminated buildings in the area.

Items in Letter of Agreement: Give presentations to the community describing the investigation and cleanup work at the facility and provide information on potential health effects from exposure to site contaminants.

05/2006

TOSC is reviewing site cleanup documents and researching possible health effects caused by exposure to chlorinated solvents.

10/2006

TOSC provided comments to the community on an air sampling report submitted to the Department of Toxic Substances Control.

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Community Group: OSP Community Group
Site: Oregon State Penitentiary
Location: Salem , OR
TOSC Contact: Michael Fernandez, michael.fernandez@orst.edu, 541-737-4023
Date Letter of Agreement signed: 8/31/98

Contaminants: PCE and TCE

Description: TOSC provided assistance to the Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP) community group regarding an imminent interim removal action measure (IRAM) and health concerns related to PCE and TCE groundwater contamination and cleanup. TOSC also helped evaluate air quality concerns in local residential basements and possible exposures though ingestion of local produce, soil contact, and incidental ingestion of soil.

Items in Letter of Agreement: Evaluate and comment on IRAM and air stripping towers; provide information on the long and short-term health effects of P/TCE exposure; review and comment on the Human Health Risk Assessment; evaluate air quality concerns in local residential basements; evaluate possible exposures though ingestion of local produce, soil contact, and incidental ingestion of soil.

05/2006

TOSC continues to work with this community by reviewing annual remedial action and groundwater monitoring summary reports.

Community Group: Concerned Citizens for Clean Air
Site: Georgia-Pacific Kraft Mill
Location: Toledo , OR
TOSC Contact: Michael Fernandez, michael.fernandez@oregonstate.edu, 541-737-4023
Date TOSC learned about the community: 9/15/05

Contaminants: pulp mill emissions

Description: The community is concerned about the health effects of the pulp mill emissions. Community members experience headaches, burning eyes, nausea, and dizziness. They are also concerned about the incidence of cancer.

05/2006

TOSC is supporting this community group in its efforts to bring about reduced emissions from the Georgia Pacific Toledo Pulp Mill. TOSC meets with the community regularly to discuss specific emissions issues and strategies for bringing about emissions reductions.

10/2006

TOSC continued to meet with the community group to promote emissions reductions at the Toledo Pulp Mill.

Community Group: Railroad Pollution Coalition

Site: Union Pacific Railyard
Location: Eugene, OR
TOSC Contact: Michael Fernandez, michael.fernandez@oregonstate.edu
541-737-4023
Date TOSC learned about the community: 12/01/2003
Date Letter of Agreement signed: 12/2004

Contaminants: Petroleum, PAHs, chlorinated solvents
Description: The community is concerned about cleanup of a Union Pacific Rail Yard in Eugene, OR.
Items in Letter of Agreement: RI and Risk Assessment review
Notes on TOSC Involvement:

2/01/2005

TOSC is reviewing RI documentation. TOSC will visit DEQ's Eugene office this week to review DEQ correspondence and UPRR soil vapor data. TOSC is scheduled to meet with the community in February.

05/2005

TOSC met with the RPC on March 7 to discuss the Eugene Railyard investigation and the City of Eugene's plan to construct a bike and pedestrian path along the western border of the railyard.

10/2005

TOSC met with the RPC in May to discuss its assessment of the groundwater interim remedial action measure (IRAM).

05/2006

TOSC continues to assist this community by reviewing and commenting on site cleanup reports. TOSC is currently reviewing the site risk assessment and a work plan for an interim groundwater remedial action measure.

 

Community Group: Wyle Labs CAG

Site: Wyle Labs
Location: Norco, CA
TOSC Contact: Jerry Orlando, jerry.orlando@oregonstate.edu
541-737-5736
Date TOSC learned about the community: 04/2003
Date Letter of Agreement signed: 03/2005

Contaminants: TCE, others

Notes on TOSC Involvement:

2/01/2005

TOSC has been working with this communty on vapor intrusion and risk assessment issues.

05/2005

TOSC attended the March CAG meeting and made a presentation on the NAS report on perchlorate and the resulting EPA reference dose.

10/2006

TOSC reviewed a radiation scan done on the Wyle property and answered community questions about detecting radiation, specifically depleted uranium in soil.

 

Community Group: Skykomish Environmental Coalition

Site: Burlington Northern Santa Fe RR Maintenance Yard
Location: Skykomish, WA
TOSC Contact: Michael Fernandez, michael.fernandez@oregonstate.edu 541-737-4023
Date TOSC learned about the community: 3/2/2004
Date Letter of Agreement signed: 5/1/2004

Contaminants: Petroleum (diesel, Bunker C)

Notes on TOSC Involvement:

6/20/2004

Since encountering this community, TOSC has attended community group meetings on the RI/FS process, reviewed a technology option for cleaning up the site and reviewed the site cleanup plan set forth by the RP. TOSC presented the results of the FS/cleanup plan review to the community.

10/11/2004

TOSC recently reviewed BNSF's proposed revisions to the feasibility study and met with the community to discuss the report and future site activities.

02/01/2005

TOSC is reviewing the preferred alternative report prepared by BNSF. The remedial actions proposed by BNSF include excavation of contaminated soil, removal of free product by recovery trenches, and treatment of groundwater in select areas using enhanced bioremediation.

05/2005

TOSC discussed appropriate locations for follow-up dioxin sampling locations with Washington Department of Ecology.

10/2005

TOSC participated in a communty meeting to discuss BNSF's Feasibility Study. TOSC recommended that a more agressive remedy be required.

05/2006

TOSC is assisting this community by reviewing and commenting on site cleanup reports. TOSC recently reviewed several cleanup documents including a draft environmental impact statement, draft engineering design plan for soil and sediment cleanup work, a draft NPDES permit, and the public participation plan.

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Community Group: Spokane Indian Tribe

Site: Midnite Mine
Location: Spokane, WA
TOSC Contact: Michael Fernandez, michael.fernandez@oregonstate.edu
541-737-4023
Date TOSC learned about the community: 1/1/2004
Date Letter of Agreement signed: pending

Contaminants: uranium, heavy metals

Description: Community has concerns about contamination related to the uranium mining Superfund site. They would like information and training on health risk assessment and other issues.

Items in Letter of Agreement: pending

Notes on TOSC Involvement:

6/20/2004

TOSC is working with an associate at TOSNAC (Technical Outreach Services for Native American Communities) in putting on a workshop in August for tribal members on remedial investigation and contaminant fate and transport.

10/11/2004

TOSC participated in a workshop on risk assessment in Wellpinit, WA on August 24, 2004. The workshop was organized by TOSNAC and included presentations on various aspects of risk assessment by TOSNAC, TOSC, and EPA Region 10 staff.

10/2005

TOSNAC has been in contact with the community and plans to meet with them in late July. TOSNAC will also meet with EPA's community involvement coordinator during that visit. TOSC will be assisting TOSNAC with reviewing documents to be released in the fall.

05/2006

TOSNAC worked with the S.H.A.W.L. Society to complete comments on EPA's proposed plan. The S.H.A.W.L. Society formally submitted the comments to EPA before the January 18, 2006 deadline.

Community Group: Perchlorate Citizens Advisory Group

Location: San Martin, California
TOSC Contact: Jerry Orlando, jerry.orlando@oregonstate.edu, 541-737-5736
Date TOSC learned about the community: 2/22/2003
Date Letter of Agreement signed: June 2003

Contaminants: perchlorate

Description: A large number of domestic water supply wells in the San Martin area are contaminated with perchlorate from a now closed flare manufacturing facility.

Items in Letter of Agreement: Review and summarize technical documents and communicate such information. Attend and present information at PCAG meetings as mutually agreed upon.

Notes on TOSC Involvement:

3 /19/2003

TOSC first contacted the San Martin Neighborhood Alliance.

4 /14/2003

TOSC attended the organizational meeting for the Perchlorate Citizens Advisory Group (PCAG). The meeting was organized by the San Martin Neighborhood Alliance, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the Santa Clara Valley Water District. The Regional Board proposed forming the PCAG as a means of helping the community understand the investigation and cleanup process, participate in the process in meaningful ways, and disseminate information as broadly as possible.

5 /12/2003

TOSC attended the second meeting of the PCAG and presented simplified interpretations of the consultant's reports that are suitable for distribution throughout the community and a poster chart explaining the groundwater cleanup technologies that will be used at future community-wide meetings.

2/04/2004

TOSC participates in monthly meetings of the PCAG as a non-voting member and continues to work closely with the PCAG summarizing technical documents, providing comment on them and finding information for the community when it is requested. Several work plans have been issued by the responsible party that TOSC has summarized and sometimes presented at the monthly meetings. TOSC has also assisted the community in increasing community participation and involvement in the PCAG.

6/20/2004

TOSC continues to attend the monthly PCAG meetings and provides summaries of technical documents and gathers information for the PCAG members as needed. Most recently, TOSC summarized an evaluation of alternative water supply options filed by the RP.

10/11/2004

TOSC is evaluating its relationship with this community. The community is receiving much attention and assistance from local agencies, diminishing TOSC's role. Talks are underway to adjust TOSC assistance.

02/01/2005

TOSC continues to summarize and present information for this group, the latest being a presentation on the National Academy of Science report, "Health Implications of Perchlorate Ingestion".

05/2005

TOSC gave a presentation at the March 4 PCAG meeting regarding the EPA reference dose for perchlorate and the Texas Tech study of perchlorate in breast milk.

10/2005

TOSC attended the September PCAG meeting to reconnect with this community. TOSC has agreed to begin summarizing the more pertinent documents being generated by the stakeholders in the perchlorate issue affecting the community.

05/2006

TOSC continues to review and summarize reports and documents for the PCAG and present the summaries at PCAG meetings. Examples are two research proposals by the Santa Clara Valley Water District and a large, much-anticipated groundwater characterization report for the Llagas Subbasin.

10/2006

TOSC reviewed a feasibility study for cleanup of the Llagas Subbasin prepared by the consultant to the RP and presented it to the community. TOSC also facilitated an open discussion of the Study at the August PCAG meeting.

Community Group: Air Force Plant 42 ERAB

Site: Air Force Plant 42
Location: Palmdale, California
TOSC Contact: Michael Fernandez, michael.fernandez@oregonstate.edu 541-737-4023
Date TOSC learned about the community: 1/1/2002
Date Letter of Agreement signed: 3/1/2002

Contaminants: TCE in groundwater

Notes on TOSC Involvement:

3 /11/2002

TOSC attended the 2/26 community meeting. Staff from Department of Toxic Substances Control and the Regional Water Quality Control Board also attended the meeting. The ERAB would like TOSC to review and comment on the facility Remedial Investigation report; comments due 3/30.

8 /5 /2002

TOSC participated in the July 31 ERAB meeting. The Air Force has not yet completed responses to comments received on its draft Remedial Investigation. Responses will be included in the final Remedial Investigation which is expected to be completed in October or November.

3 /25/2003

TOSC participated in the community ERAB meeting, providing a brief presentation on reviewing environmental investigation and cleanup reports.

6 /23/2003

TOSC participated in the June 12 community ERAB meeting for Plant 42. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Air Force's responses to comments on the draft RI submitted by the community, TOSC, and the agencies. In general, participants seemed satisfied with the responses they received. Final comments on the revised RI are due.

2/04/2004

TOSC will participate in the February ERAB meeting.

6/20/2004

TOSC will attend RAB meetings and take part in discussions on the RI/FS for the facility.

09/13/2004

TOSC reviewed a draft work plan for soil removal action at two sites.

05/2005

  TOSC participated in the March 2 ERAB meeting.

10/2005

TOSC participated in the quarterly ERAB meeting and will review groundwater monitoring data and proposed additional work for Site 29.

05/2006

No activity this quarter.

10/2006

TOSC participated in the September 13 ERAB meeting where the main topics of discussion involved the results of a pilot SVE study on the suspected TCE source area at Site 29, the hanger where TEC was released.

Community Group: Willits Citizens for Environmental Justice

Site: Abex-Remco Hydraulics
Location: Willets, California
TOSC Contact: Michael Fernandez, michael.fernandez@oregonstate.edu 541-737-4023
Date Letter of Agreement signed: 4/1/2000

Contaminants: Hexavalent Chromium in soils and groundwater; TCE and other VOCs in groundwater

Items in Letter of Agreement: Review and comment on remedial investigation reports, sampling plans, health risk assessments; conduct public environmental education workshops.

Notes on TOSC Involvement:

12/3 /2001

Over the past year and a half, TOSC has provided comments on the Consent Decree between the City of Willits and Potentially Responsible Parties, the draft Preliminary Endangerment Assessment, and a proposed pilot test using calcium polysulfide to reduce hexavalent chromium in groundwater. TOSC has also assisted Cal-EPA with community interviews as part of its Public Health Assessment process.

7 /1 /2002

Community leaders requested TOSC give a presentation on the risk assessment process to interested community members. They are interested in learning about the RA process so they can ask meaningful questions.

10/28/2002

TOSC received input from CA Department of Health Services and Willits Trust about things that it would be helpful to include in a presentation on risk assessment.

2 /3 /2003

TOSC participated in a meeting regarding proposals for pilot groundwater remediation projects at the site. The meeting included representatives from the Willits Trust and its consultants, regional board staff, and TOSC. The proposals included the use of molasses and a yeast and sugar combination to clean up chromium and VOCs in groundwater.

3 /10/2003

The community requested that TOSC provide comments on the recently submitted work plans for pilot studies on in- situ treatment of hexavalent chromium and VOC groundwater contamination. TOSC will review and comment on these work plans during April 2003.

5 /7 /2003

TOSC submitted comments on the proposed hexavalent chromium interim remedial action work plan and the proposed VOC pilot study work plan.

6 /23/2003

CA Department of Health Services is in the process of completing its final review of the air modeling study and expects to hold a public meeting to discuss the findings of the study sometime in July.

7/28/2003

TOSC participated in the July 24, 2003 public meeting for the Remco facility. The Willits Environmental Remediation Trust (WERT) made presentations on its proposed pilot VOC treatment study and interim remedial action for hexavalent chromium. Both projects will use substrate addition to enhance bioremediation of the contaminants in groundwater. TOSC was asked to review a journal publication on a particular dehalogenating bacterium.

8/11/2003

TOSC completed a review of the Public Health Assessment for hexavalent chromium exposures. The assessment concluded that chromium exposures could have been high enough to result in both non-cancer health effects and an increased risk of cancer. The assessment made a number of recommendations including evaluating the feasibility of medical monitoring for those who were exposed, stress support for residents and workers, and mitigation of chromium resuspension during cleanup activities. The Trust produced its own cancer study which reportedly refuted the findings of the state's assessment.

9/15/2003

The regional board will recommend approval of permit requirements for the Remco Interim Remedial Action (IRA) for hexavalent chromium and the pilot treatment project for VOCs on September 24. TOSC expressed support for the permit requirements and the remedial action approach.

10/6/2003

TOSC submitted comments on the public health assessment.

 

2/04/2004

No activities this quarter.

6/20/2004

TOSC is helping the community develop a website that will be used to locate persons who lived in the community and who might have been affected by contamination. TOSC will also review and comment on a public health assessment for the community.

10/11/2004

TOSC gave a presentation on risk assessment at the September 21, 2004 community meeting. TOSC is helping the community to create a Web site. The community has also asked TOSC to review the final Public Health Assessment report which is being prepared by the CA Department of Health Services.

02/01/2005

The City of Willits made a presentation to its city council regarding the CA DHS public health assessment recommendations. The city's consultants questioned some of the assessment's findings and recommendations but did not rule the possibility of the recommendations providing benefit to the community. DHS prepared a rebuttal to the consultants' remarks and submitted it by mail to the city council.

05/2005

TOSC is supporting the community's efforts to obtain funding for medical monitoring.

10/2005

TOSC continues to seek grant opportunities to support a workshop on medical monitoring for Willits residents who were exposed to hexavalent chromium and VOCs from the Abex-Remco facility.

05/2006

No activity this quarter.

10/2006

TOSC reviewed the Baseline Risk Assessment and submitted comments to the Willits Environmental Remediation Trust on October 9.

Community Group: Fort Ord Environmental Justice Network

Site: Fort Ord
Location: Marina, California
TOSC Contact: Michael Fernandez, michael.fernandez@oregonstate.edu, 541-737-4023
Date TOSC learned about the community: 1/1/2000
Date Letter of Agreement signed: 4/1/2000

Contaminants: Ordnance and explosives, landfill gases, carbon tetracholoride, TCE

Description: TOSC is assisting the community in participating in the base cleanup and redevelopment process. TOSC will also assist the community by providing document review and information on health effects.

Items in Letter of Agreement: Review and comment on technical documents; assistance in preparing for community meetings with the Army and regulatory agencies; and attending community group meeting and relevant public meetings when possible.

Notes on TOSC Involvement:

12/3 /2001

TOSC reviewed the Ordnance and Explosives Sampling Plan and has begun discussions about this site cleanup with the community group. TOSC has attended community involvement meetings and cleanup symposia presented by the US Army.

7 /15/2002

TOSC attended the July 10 community involvement workshop. The workshop focused on the three groundwater contaminant plumes on the base.

8 /23/2002

TOSC participated in community meetings and discussions of prescribed burning at the base and the Army's voluntary relocation plan. The Army has proposed prescribed burning as the primary means of vegetation clearance prior to ordnance and debris removal. The community is concerned about health effects of the burning. The relocation plan addresses the temporary relocation of Monterey County residents who wish to avoid exposure to smoke from prescribed burns.

9 /11/2002

TOSC submitted comments on the draft final voluntary relocation plan prepared by the Army.

10/14/2002

On September 15 EPA issued a Record of Decision (ROD) on the Interim Action for the Multi-range area at Fort Ord. The ROD calls for a prescribed burn to clear vegetation and detonation with engineering controls to address the unexploded ordnance hazard. The prescribed burn could take place as early as this week if weather conditions are appropriate for dispersion of smoke. On October 11 TOSCl participated in a stress workshop for the FOEJN. Dr. Robert Johnson of ATSDR (Atlanta) made a presentation on typical responses of residents to the stresses of environmental contamination in their communities and solicited input from participants regarding stresses at Fort Ord.

1 /24/2003

TOSC attended the January 14 community involvement workshop. Topics included discussion of the status of the voluntary relocation plan and the carbon tetrachloride groundwater investigation.

3 /27/2003

TOSC will participate in the April 8 community involvement workshop. TOSC will also meet with FOEJN to discuss continuing technical assistance.

4 /14/2003

FOEJN anticipates receiving an EPA technical assistance grant (TAG) this spring. TOSC may provide further assistance, depending on need.

2/04/2004

TOSC is assisting FOEJN with organizational issues.

6/20/2004

TOSC participated in the first FOEJN Technical Assistance Grant Meeting. The agenda included presentations on the groundwater cleanup report and the disparity in health and health care among Americans. The meeting concluded with a a presentation on the vision for Ft. Ord which included affordable housing and living wage jobs.

10/11/2004

TOSC has been working with the community to find funding for activities not covered by its TAG. TOSC will make a presentation on risk assessment at the October 11 2004 community group meeting.

02/01/2005

TOSC spoke with the community leader and will participate in a meeting with FOEJN in February. TOSC will make a presentation on groundwater cleanup progress at Fort Ord.

05/2005

TOSC participated in the February 21 FOEJN community meeting and the March 21 environmental health forum.

10/2005

TOSC continues to search for funding opportunities for environmental health support and in finding local partners to work with FOEJN.

05/2006

TOSC continues to assist the group with its quarterly newsletter and reviewing documents concerning cleanup of the former Fort Ord. TOSC recently reviewed the Army's proposal to discontinue its voluntary relocation program for prescribed burns and submitted comments on behalf of FOEJN.

10/2006

TOSC continued to provide assistance in preparing the FOEJN quarterly newsletter.

Community Group: Elem Tribe

Site: Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine
Location: Clearlake, California
TOSC Contact: Michael Fernandez, michael.fernandez@orst.edu, 541-737-4023
Date TOSC learned about the community: 6/1/2001

Contaminants: Mercury and other heavy metals

Notes on TOSC Involvement:

12/3 /2001

TOSC is assessing available resources to assist the tribe in participating in the cleanup process.

11/11/2002

TOSC submitted comments on the Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine feasibility study to Brenda Brandon of TOSC's sister program, Technical Outreach Services for Native American Communities (TOSNAC). Brenda will add TOSNAC comments and submit them to the Elem.

05/2006

TOSC and TOSNAC are discussing opportunities for educational workshops with Elem environmental staff. The workshops will address cleanup issues associated with the Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine.

10/2006

TOSC submitted materials to TOSNAC for a training workshop that will be presented this month.