COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAN
VIBURNUM TREND LEAD HAUL ROADS SUPERFUND SITE DENT, IRON AND REYNOLDS COUNTIES, MISSOURI
April 2009
U. S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION 7 i ! 30216103 THE U. S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY'S (EPA)
SUPERFUND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM IS COMMITTED
TO PROMOTING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN CITIZENS AND THE AGENCY.
ACTIVE PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IS CRUCIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF ANY PUBLIC PROJECT.
EPA's COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES AT THE
VIBURNUM TREND LEAD HAUL ROADS SUPERFUND SITE
ARE DESIGNED TO
INFORM THE PUBLIC OF THE NATURE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH THE SITE,
INVOLVE THE PUBLIC IN THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL AFFECT THEM,
INVOLVE THE PUBLIC IN THE RESPONSES UNDER CONSIDERATION TO REMEDY THESE ISSUES, AND
INFORM THE PUBLIC OF THE PROGRESS BEING MADE TO IMPLEMENT THE REMEDY! Table of Contents
Section Page
1.0 Overview of the Community Involvement Plan 2 2.0 Capsule Site Description 2 3.0 Community Background 3 4.0 EPA's Community Involvement Program 5
Appendices: A Key Contacts 10 B Meeting Locations 14 C Repository Locations 15 D Community Involvement Interview Questionnaire 16
1 Section 1.0 Overview of the Community Involvement Plan
The EPA developed this Community Involvement Plan to facilitate two-way communication between the community surrounding the Viburnum Trend Lead Haul Roads Superfund Site (site) and EPA and to encourage community involvement in site activities. The EPA will utilize the community involvement activities outlined in this plan to ensure that residents are continuously informed and provided opportunities to be involved.
EPA drew upon several information sources to develop this plan, including community interviews and site files. EPA's Regional Office will oversee the implementation of the community involvement activities outlined in this plan.
Section 2.0 Capsule Site Description
2.1 Site History
The Viburnum Trend is commonly known as the New Lead Belt which began producing lead in the early 1960s around Viburnum, Missouri and continues production to this day. Ten mines were opened along the north-south trending ore body during the next two decades. The older mines were generally established in the northern part of the trend, and the mining progressed about 40 miles southward to Corridon, Mo.
Ores from the mines have been crushed, milled and processed to form a lead concentrate. The lead concentrate has been hauled by truck or rail to one of the smelters in the region. Lead concentrate commonly contains lead at concentrations greater than 70 percent (700,000 parts per million). Over the years, some lead concentrate has accumulated on the soils at some residential properties along the haul routes.
2.2 Site Description/Location
The site includes residential yards along lead-concentrate haul routes in Dent, Iron and Reynolds counties where high concentrations of lead have been identified through EPA's investigations and sampling activities.
2.3 Site Inspections and Cleanup Activities
EPA and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) conducted investigations and sampled residential properties along lead-concentrate trucking routes from 2001 to 2003. Some properties with lead contamination above 1,200 parts per million (ppm) were identified during
2 these investigations. At this contamination level, EPA prioritizes properties for cleanup as time- critical removals.
On March 1, 2005, EPA reached an agreement with five mining companies regarding time- critical cleanup of residential yards in the Viburnum Trend Mining District. The agreement required the companies to continue sampling activities, dig up and replace soil at properties where lead concentrations exceed 1,200 ppm, provide vacuums with special filterst o each home where soil-lead concentrations exceed 1,200 ppm, and clean home interiors at residences where soil has been removed. EPA has overseen these activities.
In June 2007, EPA signed another agreement with the five mining companies to address residential properties where lead contamination between 400 and 1,199 ppm has been identified through ongoing sampling activities. The mining companies have prepared an Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) report which recommends the best alternative for addressing lead contamination at these properties. EPA is currently reviewing the EE/CA report. When the EE/CA is ready to share with the site community, EPA will open a thirty-day comment period to obtain comments about the proposed cleanup alternative from interested members of the public.
Section 3.0 Community Background
3.1 History of Community Involvement
EPA, with the participation of the MDNR, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), hosted meetings to inform the local community about site activities on the following dates: June 10, 2004; June 7-9, 2005; June 27, 2006; and March 27, 2007.
EPA hosted a public meeting at the Viburnum City Hall on June 10, 2004. The purpose of the meeting was to educate the local community about upcoming sampling activities. EPA mailed a fact sheet to the site mailing list to invite them to the meeting. EPA also placed an advertisement the Quad County Star newspaper on June 9, 2004, as another way to inform the public about the meeting.
From June 7 through June 9, 2005, EPA hosted three consecutive public meetings to inform the site community about upcoming time-critical removal activities. The evening meetings were scheduled at the Centerville Elementary School in Centerville; the Arcadia Valley High School in Ironton; and the Viburnum City Hall in Viburnum. EPA issued a fact sheet in May to the site mailing list to announce the meetings. EPA also placed display ads in the Mountain Echo newspaper on June 1, 2005, and in The Reynolds County Courier newspaper on June 2, 2005.
EPA convened a public meeting on June 27, 2006, at the Quad County Fire Protection District in Viburnum to announce the proposal to issue a Remedial Action Plan permit to the Doe Run Co.
3 for disposal of site soils. EPA mailed a fact sheet to the site mailing list in June to invite the public to the meeting and to announce a 30-day comment period for the proposed permit action. EPA placed display ads iri the Quad County Star and the Mountain Echo to announce the 30-day comment period. EPA also scheduled radio broadcasts on KTJJ Radio in Farmington, Mo. as another way to announce the public meeting and comment period.
EPA hosted a public meeting at the Viburnum City Hall on March 27, 2007, to inform the community about progress on the Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis being prepared by the - mining companies. On February 15, 2007, EPA reached an agreement with The Doe Run Resources Corporation to implement specific work practices related to the company's handling and transportation of lead materials. During the March public meeting, EPA reported on this agreement and detailed the work practices that the company would be required to perform. A fact sheet was issued to the site mailing list in February to invite the community to the meeting. EPA also placed display ads in following newspapers: 1) News Democrat Journal on February 25, 2007; 2) The Mountain Echo on February 28, 2007; and 3) Reynolds County Courier on March 1,2007.
Copies of important site documents are available in the administrative record which EPA maintains at the Ozark Regional Library in Ironton; the Reynolds County Library in Centerville, the Viburnum City Hall and EPA Region 7.
3.2 Analysis of Key Community Issues and Concerns
EPA conducted community interviews in June 2005 and April 2006 with a cross section of community residents, municipal, county and state officials, and business and church representatives. EPA staff also answered questions from affected residents and resolved any outstanding issues related to ongoing soil removal activities. Questions used during the interviews are in Appendix D of this plan. The issues and concerns heard by EPA during the interviews are summarized below.
Public Awareness about the Site - All of the people interviewed were aware of the site. Interviewees had received copies of fact sheets. Some interviewees had heard reports about the site on J98 Radio in Farmington, Mo.
Meeting Locations, Timing and Publicity - Interviewees agreed that the Viburnum City Hall was an appropriate location for EPA's community meetings. One interviewee also suggested the local high school as a meeting location. Weeknights were identified as the best time to schedule meetings. However, it was suggested that Wednesday evenings be avoided because some churches schedule services on Wednesday evenings. One interviewee stated that the Quad County Star was an appropriate newspaper for placement of display ads. Another interviewee stated that some residents purchase the Sunday edition of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch so EPA might also consider placing ads in that newspaper. J98, a Farmington radio station, was identified as a station that covers the site area. This radio station receives copies of all site fact
4 sheets and press releases and has consistently followed up with requests for on-air interviews about upcoming public meetings.
Community Information Needs - Everyone interviewed wanted to be kept informed about site cleanup activities. EPA has relied on a variety of methods to inform the community including issuance of press releases and fact sheets, establishment and maintenance of the site repository, and presentation of site progress at public meetings.
Health Concerns — Some interviewees stated that local residents have expressed concern about lead contamination in the site area. As a consequence, many residents are pleased that EPA is addressing the contamination through the Superfund program.
Section 4.0 EPA's Community Involvement Program
4.1 Goals
This community involvement program is designed to keep the public informed of site progress, establish two-way communication, and provide opportunities for public input during site activities. A primary goal is to involve the community in site cleanup decisions as required under Superfund law.
4.2 Objectives
EPA will strive to achieve the following objectives through implementation of the community involvement program:
1. Share site information with the community on a timely basis and in nontechnical language. 2. Encourage and publicize opportunities for community input regarding site activities and proposed cleanup plans. 3. Notify local officials, residents, and businesses in the site area before field work or other site actions take place. 4. Maintain site information in the community and make it accessible to all interested residents and other stakeholders. 5. Increase the level of awareness and understanding of the Superfund process and specific activities involved in the process.
4.3 Key Messages
EPA will use the following key messages for community involvement activities related to the Viburnum Trend Lead Haul Roads Superfund Site:
5 1. EPA is addressing the site using the Superfund process and will comply with Superfund requirements and EPA technical criteria. 2. Throughout site activities, EPA will share information about the site and include community stakeholders in cleanup decisions.
4.4 Target Audiences
The community involvement program will focus on the following audiences:
• Residents and businesses located within the site location. • Elected and administrative officials of local, state and federal agencies serving the site community. • Area news media as a vehicle for informing the general public.
Appendix A, Key Contacts, lists government officials, community groups, and local news media. EPA has developed a site mailing list that includes the key contacts, residents and others in the target audience. The site mailing list will be expanded and updated as needed.
4.5 Community Involvement Activities
Activities outlined in this plan are designed to fulfill public involvement requirements under Superfund, address community concerns regarding the site, and provide a variety of opportunities for interested individuals to participate in the cleanup process.
EPA will continue the following community involvement activities during cleanup activities for the site:
• Publicize a point of contact for site information. • Maintain the site information repository and administrative record file. • Update the site mailing list. • Prepare and distribute fact sheets/updates about site activities. • Prepare and distribute press releases/public notices at key milestones. • Provide informal briefings for interested public officials or community groups. • Hold public meetings or availability sessions about site activities, as required by Superfund or community interest. • Hold a public comment period when an EE/CA is proposed for site cleanup.
4.5.1 EPA, MDNR and ATSDR Points of Contact
JeffWeatherford On-Scene Coordinator U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 212 Little Bussen Drive Fenton, MO 63026 6 Tel: 636-326-4720 weatherford.j effrey@epa. gov
Dianna Whitaker Community Involvement Coordinator U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 901 North 5th Street Kansas City, KS 66101 Tel: 913-551-7598 Fax:913-551-7066 whitaker.dianna@epa. gov
Kristen Nazar Attorney U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 901 North 5th Street v Kansas City, KS 66101 Tel: 913-551-7450 Fax:913-551-7925 nazar.kri [email protected]
Gregory Bach Project Manager • Hazardous Waste Program Missouri Department of Natural Resources 75 Highway 32 1 Park Hills, MO 63601 Tel: 573-431-5322 [email protected]
Denise Jordan-Izaguirre Regional Representative Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 500 State Avenue, Suite 182 Kansas City, KS 66101 Tel: 913-551-1310 Fax: 913-551-1315 [email protected]
4.5.2 Site Administrative Record
-'EPA has established an administrative record for the site at three community locations: Ozark Regional Library, Ironton, Mo.; Viburnum City Hall, Viburnum, Mo.; and Reynolds County Library, Centerville, Mo. On March 16, 2005, EPA placed a display ad in the Mountain Echo, a
7 weekly Ironton, Mo newspaper, to announce the availability of the administrative record for the Middlebrook Railhead Operable Unit. On May 5, 2005, EPA placed a display ad in the Mountain Echo to announce the availability of the administrative record for the Time Critical Removal Action. The public was given 30 days to submit comments on both administrative records.
The administrative record includes documents that form the basis for the Agency's actions such as site work plans, sampling results, technical reports, fact sheets and the community involvement plan. The administrative record is also housed at the EPA Region 7 offices in Kansas City, Kansas. Appendix C includes specific location information for the site administrative record.
4.5.3 Site Mailing List
EPA has developed and will maintain a mailing list for the site. The list includes local, state and federal officials representing the site community, community residents and property owners, and local news media contacts. EPA will update the list before each mailing.
4.5.4 Fact Sheets or Site Updates
EPA will provide fact sheets or site updates at key stages of the site cleanup process to summarize findings or other important information. EPA will make every effort to use clear, nontechnical language. All written materials will include site contact names and phone numbers, repository locations, and opportunities for community involvement.
4.5.5 Public Notices and Comment Periods
EPA will issue notices to the local news media to announce key milestones and/or to notify the community of important events, such as public comment periods.
EPA will place a public notice in the form of a paid display ad in the most widely read local newspaper serving the site area when the Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis report is completed. The ad will include a brief summary the recommended cleanup alternative, dates for the public comment period and contact information for additional information.
4.5.6 Public Meetings or Availability Sessions
Public meetings or availability sessions will be held to explain major site developments. Public meetings will be held in a facility that is conveniently located for the site community.
4.5.8 Other Sources of Information
Information is available online about the Superfund program in EPA Region 7 at http://www.epa.gov/region7/cleanup/index.htm. In addition, EPA Headquarters' Office of Solid 8 Waste and Emergency Response maintains a web site with general information about Superfund and related programs at http://www.epa.gov/superfund/index.htm. Site-specific questions should be directed to the EPA Community Involvement Coordinator Dianna Whitaker at 913-551-7598 or whitaker.dianna(S>epa.gov.
4.6 Evaluation of Community Involvement Program
EPA will monitor community needs and input regarding the usefulness of the communication activities undertaken in this program. EPA will make every effort to address citizen concerns about the site using channels and formats suggested by community members. Appendix A Key Contacts
A. Federal Elected Officials
The Honorable Christopher Bond U.S. Senate Washington. D.C. Office St. Louis Office 274 Russell Senate Office Building 7700 Bonhomme, #615 Washington, D.C. 20510 St. Louis, MO 63105 Tel: 202-224-5721 Tel: 314-725-4484
The Honorable Claire McCaskill U.S. Senate Washington. D.C. Office St. Louis Office Hart Senate Office Building, SH-717 5850 A Delmar Blvd. Washington, D.C. 20510 St. Louis, MO 63112 Tel: 202-224-6154 Tel: 314-367-1364
The Honorable Jo Ann Emerson U.S. House of Representatives Washington. D.C. Office Cape Girardeau Office 2440 Rayburn House Office Building 555 Independence Street, Suite 1400 Washington, D.C. 20515 Cape Girardeau, MO 63703 Tel: 202-225-2404 Tel: 573-335-0101
B. State Elected Officials
The Honorable Jay Nixon The Honorable J. C. Kuessner Governor, Office of the Governor Missouri House of Representatives P.O. Box 720 District 152 Jefferson City, MO 65101 201 West Capitol Avenue, Room HOB Tel: 573-751-3222 Jefferson City, MO 65101 Tel: 573-751-2112 The Honorable Kevin Engler Missouri State Senate, District 3 State Capitol Building, Room 331 Jefferson City, MO 65101 Tel: 573-751-3455
10 C. Local Officials
Terry Nichols Reggie Burns Presiding Commissioner Associate Commissioner Iron County Commission Iron County Commission County Courthouse County Courthouse Ironton, MO 63650 Ironton, MO 63650 Tel: 573-546-2912 Tel: 573-546-2912
Dwayne Warncke Associate Commissioner Iron County Commission County Courthouse Ironton, MO 63650 Tel: 573-546-2912
Darrell Skiles Bobby Simpson Presiding Commissioner Associate Commissioner Dent County Commission Dent County Commission 400 North Main Street 400 North Main Street Salem, MO 65560 Salem; MO 65560 Tel: 573-729-4144 Tel: 573-729-4144
J.J. Tune Associate Commissioner Dent County Commission 400 North Main Street Salem, MO 65560 Tel: 573-729-4144
Donald Barnes Wayne Henson Presiding Commissioner Associate Commissioner Reynolds County Commission Reynolds County Commission County Courthouse County Courthouse Centerville, MO 63633 Centerville, MO 63533 Tel: 573-648-2494 Tel: 573-648-2494
Doug Warren Associate Commissioner Reynolds County Commission County Courthouse Centerville, MO 63633 Tel: 573-648-2494
11 Dana Mayberry Donna Nichols Viburnum City Clerk Disabled Citizen's Alliance Viburnum City Hall, P.O. Box 596 P.O. Box 675 Viburnum, MO 65566 Viburnum, MO 65566
Lance Mayfield Rev. Cletus Nichols Viburnum Economic Development Area Corp. Viburnum Ministerial Alliance P.O. Box 577 Free Will Baptist Church Viburnum, MO 65566 Iron County Road 2 & Hwy 49 Viburnum, MO 65566 D. Federal Agency Officials
Jeffrey Weatherford Kristen Nazar On-Scene Coordinator Attorney U.S. Environmental Protection Agency U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 212 Little Bussen Drive 901 North 5th Street Fenton, MO 63026 Kansas City, KS 66101 Tel: 636-326-4720 Tel: 913-551-7450 weatherford.j effrey@epa. gov [email protected]
Dianna Whitaker Denise Jordan-Izaguirre Community Involvement Coordinator Regional Representative U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease 901 North 5th Street Registry (ATSDR) Kansas City, KS 66101 500 State Avenue, Suite 182 Tel: 913-551-7598 Kansas City, KS 66101 Fax:913-551-7066 Tel: 913-551-1310 [email protected] Fax: 913-551-1315 [email protected] E. State Agency Officials
Gregory Bach Lorena Locke Missouri Department of Natural Resources Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Hazardous Waste Program Bureau of Environmental Epidemiology 75 Highway 32 P.O. Box 570, 930 Wildwood Park Hills, MO 63601 Jefferson City, MO 65102 Tel: 573-431-5322 Tel: 573-526-6946 [email protected] [email protected]
12 G. Media Contacts
Newspapers
Quad County Star Daily Journal 3 Missouri Avenue 1513 St. Joe Drive Viburnum, MO 65566 Park Hills, MO 63601 Mountain Echo Reynolds County Courier HON. Main Street 370 Main Street Ironton, MO 63650 Ellington, MO 63638
Suburban Journals St Louis Post-Dispatch 14522 S. Outer 40, 3rd Floor 900 North Tucker Chesterfield, MO 6301? St. Louis, MO 631 OH
Television
KMOV-TV (Channel 4) KSDK (Television 5) One Memorial Drive 1000 Market St. Louis, MO 63102 St. Louis, MO 63101
KPLR (Channel 11) KTVI (Television 2) 2250 Ball Drive 5915Berthold St. Louis, MO 63146 St. Louis, MO 63146
Radio
KSMO-AM Radio KTJJ (J98) Radio 800 South Main P.O. Box 461 Salem, MO 65560 Farmington, MO 63640
13 Appendix B Meeting Locations
Viburnum City Hall 1 Missouri Avenue Viburnum, MO 65566 573-244-5520
Centerville Elementary School Centerville School District 2354 South Green Street Centerville, MO 63633 573-648-2285
Arcadia Valley High School 520 Park Drive Ironton, MO 63650 573-546-3933
Quad County Fire Protection District Highway 49 South Viburnum, MO 65566 573-244-5575
14 Appendix C Repository Locations
Ozark Regional Library 402 North Main Street Ironton, MO 63650 573-546-2615
Viburnum City Hall Dana Mayberry, City Clerk 1 Missouri Avenue Viburnum, MO 65566 573-244-5520
Reynolds County Library Joyce Sylox, Librarian P.O. Box 175 2306 Pine Centerville, MO 63633 573-648-2471
EPA Region 7 Records Center 901 North 5th Street Kansas City, KS 66101 913-551-8746
15 Appendix D Community Interview Questionnaire
1. How long have you lived in this community?
2. What do you think is the most important environmental problem facing your community today?
3. What do you know about the Superfund Program? Are you aware of the possible presence of elevated lead concentrations in residential yards along roadways in your area?
4. From what you know or have heard of the situation, do you have any major concerns about your own health or safety?
5. Have you had any problems on your property that you think are attributable to site activities? ,
6. Have you heard anyone express other concerns? Have you been hearing any talk about the site from residents or visitors or business people?
7. What do you perceive as the public's attitude toward the site and the decision to conduct a removal? In your opinion, does the public have expectations that are not being addressed by the cleanup?
8. Are you aware of any media coverage regarding the Superfund cleanup? How would you describe the media coverage—accurate, complete, positive, negative?
9. Can you suggest any individuals or groups that should be contacted for additional interviews regarding the site? Do you want to suggest individuals or groups who should be included on the project mailing list?
10. When EPA schedules public meetings about the site, what day and time would be most convenient for you?
11. What do you think would be the best location for public meetings in your area?
12. How can EPA or the State best provide you with information concerning site activities? How would you like to be informed (mail, newspapers, television, radio)?
13. How often do you want to receive information about the removal?
14. What radio and television stations and newspapers do you listen to/watch or read?
16 15. An information repository has been established for the site environmental studies at the Ozark Regional Library in Ironton, the Reynolds County Library in Centerville and the Viburnum City Hall. Would you visit the information repository or the website for more information?
16. Do you have any other comments or ideas that you'd like to express?
17