Keystone Corridor Ground Water Contamination Site Indianapolis, Indiana
Community Involvement Plan
April 2016 Intentionally left blank TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction...... 1 Describes the purpose and intended uses of this Community Involvement Plan. Site Overview...... 3 Provides the background information including the location and history of the site. Community needs and concerns...... 7 Summarizes what the community members are concerned about, the questions they asked and what they told EPA. Community involvement goals and activities...... 15 Highlights EPA’s goals, activities and timeline for conducting site-specific activities to keep the public informed and involved during the cleanup process. The Community...... 19 Provides background information on the city of Indianapolis, profiles the economic and ethnic makeup of the community, and summarizes the community’s history.
Appendices Appendix A – Glossary - Initials - Acronyms: Lists the definition of key words, initials and acronyms (words in bold throughout the text are defined in this appendix)
Appendix B – List of Contacts: Provides a list of federal, state, and local agencies and neighborhood organizations
Appendix C – Community Resources: Identifies places where community members can find more information about the site and possible meeting locations.
Appendix D – Community Engagement and the Superfund Process: Gives an overview of the step-by-step process the EPA follows to determine the best way to clean up a contaminated site and opportunities for community involvement throughout the process.
Appendix E – Environmental Justice: Describes Environmental Justice and EPA’s commitment to the affected community.
i Intentionally left blank INTRODUCTION
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prepared this Community Involvement Plan, or CIP, to engage and support the community affected by the Keystone Corridor Ground Water Contamination Superfund site hereinafter referred to as the Keystone Corridor site, located in Marion County, Indianapolis, Indiana. This CIP provides information about current If you are interested in submitting comments or community concerns and presents a plan to have questions or suggestions concerning this enhance communication between local residents CIP, please contact: and the EPA as the investigation and cleanup of Heriberto León this site progress. Community Involvement Coordinator This CIP also provides background information EPA Region 5 (SI-7J) about the site and recommends activities for 77 W. Jackson Blvd. the EPA to continue to inform the public and Chicago, IL 60604-3507 local officials about progress at the site and to 312-886-6163 encourage community involvement during the [email protected] site cleanup. The EPA wants the members of the community The CIP is a working document that will evolve to know and understand when and how they as the investigation and cleanup continue can participate in decision-making during and input is received from the community. It is intended to be flexible, adaptable and used the cleanup activities at this site. The EPA is as a guideline for EPA’s communication with committed to promoting effective and meaningful the community. communication with the community and wants to make sure the community’s concerns and information needs are considered as activities at Goals of EPA’s community the site progress. engagement program: » Assist the public in understanding the This CIP describes the EPA’s plan for addressing decision-making process during project community concerns and keeping residents design and cleanup and the community’s informed and involved in cleanup activities. We role in that process will use this document as a guide to communicate » Give the public accessible, accurate, timely with, and involve residents, businesses, and understandable information about the neighborhood organizations and local government project as it moves forward in the Indianapolis area. » Ensure adequate time and opportunity for (Words in bold are defined in Appendix A.) the public to give informed and meaningful input and for that input to be considered » Reflect community concerns, questions and information needs » Respect and fully consider public input throughout the process as the project moves forward
1 Intentionally left blank SITE OVERVIEW
This sections provides a brief overview of the background, including location and history, of the Keystone Corridor site. E 49th StE St E 48th StE St Hillside Ave
Allisonville Rd E 47th StE St Location and Ave Erie AveErie Site Features E 46th StE St E 46th StE St
The Keystone Corridor Primrose Ave Marcy LnMarcy Ln Ground Water Contamination E 45th StE St E 45th StE St E 45th StE St Crittenden Ave Norwaldo Ave Evanston Ave N Keystone Ave N site is located approximately Caroline Ave Ralston Ave Kingsley Dr 6 miles northeast of Duke StDuke St downtown Indianapolis, in an E 44th StE St il Old Allisonville Rd ra area that is both commercial y T Clay StClay St kw and residential. The center Fall Creek P E 43rd StE St Fall Creek of the site is designated as r D
N N Oxford St the intersection of Keystone y kw P Avenue and East Fall Creek ek re E 42nd StE St C l l ai Keystone Ave N Parkway North Drive. The al Tr F y E kw approximate boundaries are P k e Meadows Pkwy e 45th Street on the north, r C
l l Eastern Avenue on the east, a
F Millersville Rd
Eastern Ave Ave Eastern Eastern N N Tocoma Ave N N TempleTemple Ave Ave 38th Street on the south, N Tocoma Ave and Norwaldo Avenue on Millersville Rd
the west. Fall Creek well E 40th StE 40th St Hillside Ave Hillside field and potential sources Ave Hillside of the ground water E 39th StE 39th St contamination are located Millersville Dr within the site. E 38th StE 38th St E 38th StE 38th St
r D N y w k P E 37th StE 37th St Fairfield Ave k e
N Tocoma Ave re E 37th StE 37th St N Temple Ave
N Oxford St Caroline Ave Caroline C Ave Caroline N Rual StN Rual St ll a F
E Sutherland AveE 36th StE 36th St
Orchard Ave Ave Orchard Orchard
Schofield Ave Ave Schofield Schofield
Hillside Ave Ave Hillside Hillside
E 35th StE 35th St KEY Map of Keystone Corridor Ground Water Contamination site. The shaded area shows Fall Creekthe approximate site boundary which is located in an area near municipal wells. Municipal Wells E 34th StE 34th St
3 Site Background 2011 and IDEM asked for EPA’s help to finish the cleanup. A site assessment was conducted in 2012 History and cleanup at Tuchman Cleaners began. The site includes an approximate 4,500‑foot long IDEM also conducted an investigation at the by 1,500-foot wide plume or underground mass nearby former Vantage Point Cleaners property, of ground water contaminated with chlorinated which operated as a dry cleaner from 1986 to solvents located near the intersection of East 1997 using and disposing of PCE waste. IDEM’s Fall Creek Parkway North Drive and Keystone investigation showed elevated levels of PCE in Avenue. The plume consists of chemicals called the ground water on the property. volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. The IDEM’s investigations have not determined the chemicals are primarily tetrachloroethene, specific source or sources of contamination at the or PCE; trichloroethene, or TCE; cis-1,2- Keystone Corridor site due to the area’s complex dichloroethene, or cis-1,2-DCE, which is a geology, the number of potential sources, and breakdown product of PCE and TCE; and vinyl the mixing of the contamination. Over 40 known chloride. The sources of the contamination have users or handlers of solvents in the area have not yet been identified. been identified as possible sources. In 1989, elevated levels of VOCs Citizen’s The local water company, Citizen’s were found in soil near the former Water Water, operates 10 active municipal Tuchman Cleaners property, at removed the only identified well with drinking water wells in the Fall 4401 North Keystone Avenue. vinyl chloride above Creek Station well field. VOCs From 1953 until 2008, Tuchman SDWA maximum have historically been found in Cleaners, operating as a dry contaminant level five of the wells. But in only one cleaner, used PCE, generated PCE from service in of the 10 drinking water wells, vinyl waste and had documented PCE 2011. chloride was detected above the Safe releases at the property. Drinking Water Act, or SDWA, maximum Indiana Department of Environmental contaminant level. However, that well has been Management, or IDEM, has investigated removed from service. soil and ground water contamination near the To clean up the chemicals released into the soil property. The site owner also conducted some and underground water supplies at the Tuchman cleanup work from 2003 to 2006; however, the Cleaners property, in September 2012, the EPA Tuchman property remained contaminated. When began a time-critical removal action. The EPA the Tuchman Cleaners’ parent company declared calls the cleanup a time-critical removal action bankruptcy in 2008, all cleanup efforts at the because the pollution posed an imminent threat site stopped. to people. The cleanup included removing soil From 2009 to 2011, IDEM performed additional that posed a direct contact threat (danger from investigations and inspections at the Tuchman touching the soil); backfilling excavated areas; site and surrounding properties which included and transportation and disposal of hazardous Thomas Caterers of Distinction and Purtee material off-site. Plating properties. Elevated levels of PCE and Besides removing the contaminated soil from the TCE were found in ground water and soil. Tuchman Cleaners property, the EPA checked The City of Indianapolis oversaw the demolition nearby residential properties for gases seeping of the Tuchman Cleaners building in November into buildings through cracks and holes in their 4 foundations. These gases can cause unsafe indoor Caterers of Distinction, Vantage Point Cleaners, air pollution through a process known as vapor Purtee Plating, Lumberman’s Wholesale Supply, intrusion. The EPA installed vapor intrusion and Imperial Cleaners. In December 2013, mitigation systems at buildings where gasses had the Keystone Corridor site was placed on the accumulated to unsafe levels. National Priorities List, or NPL, mainly in response to the contaminated municipal drinking At the same time, an investigation at the water well that was removed from service Lumberman’s Wholesale Supply and nearby in 2011. former Imperials Cleaners properties was also completed. Soil and ground water samples The EPA’s 2016 plans include conducting ground collected at each property were inconclusive as to water, soil and air sampling as part of the site’s the source(s) of contamination. cleanup investigation. The EPA will use the sampling results to try to determine the source(s) A Hazard Ranking System, or HRS, report, of the contamination and identify appropriate completed in May 2013 by EPA, identified long-term measures for ground water cleanup. impacts to the City of Indianapolis’ well field. Once the investigation is completed, the EPA The HRS report identified the following six will inform the public of its findings and present properties as having historical releases of recommendations on future actions at the site. contamination: Tuchman Cleaners, Thomas
Fall Creek
5 Intentionally left blank COMMUNITY NEEDS AND CONCERNS
This section focuses on the concerns and questions community members shared with the EPA about the Keystone Corridor site during interviews held in 2012 and 2015.
Summary of Community Interviews EPA representatives first talked with residents and tested for potential health problems from the officials from Marion County and Indianapolis contamination. Those individuals stated that if the about the contamination associated with Tuchman EPA would not be testing people, the EPA should Cleaners in October 2012. The EPA developed explain why not. a CIP for the Tuchman Cleaners site based on Lag time these interviews. All individuals interviewed also expressed The EPA met one-on-one with residents, local concern about the lag time between the cleanup officials and business owners again in September started by Tuchman Cleaners, which stopped in 2015 to discuss current community issues and 2008, and the EPA cleanup that began in 2012. concerns about the Keystone Corridor They said they were concerned that the EPA site. In November 2015, additional Note knew about the contamination for interviews were held via to the reader: several years, but had not made telephone. A total of 25 people This summary is intended the community aware. They were interviewed in 2015. to faithfully record and reflect said they were particularly the issues and concerns expressed concerned that the people in 2012 interviews to the EPA by residents, officials, and others on the days of the community the neighborhood were only The following is interviews. By necessity, this is a collection now being told about the a summary of the of opinions, thoughts and feelings. potential vapor intrusion. community concerns Therefore, please be cautioned that the They also asked why it took expressed during the 2012 statements contained in this section so long to get the cleanup may, or may not, be factual and the community interviews about opinions and concerns expressed started again. the Tuchman Cleaners site. are those of individual Ground water contamination interviewees alone. Health concerns Several people said that they were The biggest concern raised by concerned about the ground water everyone interviewed in 2012 was contamination and the potential impact the potential risk to people’s health posed by to the community’s drinking water. They were the site. Those interviewed stated that they particularly concerned because of the proximity were concerned about getting sick from vapor to the Fall Creek Municipal wells. intrusion if it was found in the neighborhood. Lack of communication They expressed concern that they may have already been breathing contaminated vapors Three people interviewed said that they since the contamination at Tuchman Cleaners were especially concerned about the lack of was discovered years ago, but the potential for communication between the EPA and the vapor intrusion was only beginning to be studied. community during the lag time in the cleanup. Two interviewees asked if people would be 7 They expressed concern that the local residents 2 If so, what do you know about the site? How long and officials had not been informed about the have you been aware of the site? contamination or the potential for vapor intrusion during the years while the cleanup was at a Several people knew that the contamination standstill. They further stated that they wanted to was associated with Tuchman Cleaners and be sure that the EPA not only kept the community the chemicals they used. One interviewee informed while the current cleanup and vapor knew about the site for over 10 years; most intrusion investigation was ongoing, but would of the other interviewees had been aware of follow up with the community to ensure that the site between 1 and 6 years. the community knows when the issue has been resolved. Those interviewees said that they had 3 Where do you live in proximity to the Keystone had an experience at another EPA site where Corridor site? people still felt that the area was contaminated even though it has been cleaned up. They said Only three of the people interviewed that lack of information caused people in the actually live within the site boundary. other community to feel neglected and fearful and Several live within a few miles of the site. that potential investment into that neighborhood Five of the interviewees own commercial had been limited as a result. They said that they property within the site boundary; one did not want to see that happen at this site. person works in an office within the site boundary. Information requested Those interviewed asked for information on 4 What are your concerns about the contamination how far the contamination had spread. They at the Keystone Corridor site? said they would also like information on how high the contaminant levels were as well as the Most people interviewed were concerned results of the vapor intrusion testing. In addition, about water quality. This included drinking information on the track record of similar sites water, water for bathing and showering, was requested; they want to know if similar sites private wells on properties, and the threat to have been successfully cleaned up. creek water. 2015 interviews One person said he was worried about The following provides a summary of the renters in the site area not receiving questions asked by the EPA during the 2015 information from their landlords about interviews and answers provided by members of the contamination. the community: Other concerns mentioned included declining property values, vapors inside 1 Are you aware of contamination at the Keystone buildings, health of pets, community Corridor site? development, flooding, wildlife, available resources for low-income residents, and The majority of people interviewed were potential displacement of residents due to aware of the contamination at the site. cleanup activities.
8 5 Are you interested in receiving more information 8 How frequently do you think public meetings about the site? If yes, what’s the best way about the site should be held? Where is a good to provide that information to you (email, location for meetings? Would you attend? regular mail)? Some of those interviewed felt that having The majority of those interviewed said an initial public meeting was necessary, and they would be interested in receiving more then to have follow up meetings as activities information about the site and would prefer or updates occur. to receive it via email. Several stated they Suggested meeting places include: would prefer receiving information via regular mail. Greater Indianapolis Deaf Club Indiana State Fairgrounds Indianapolis Public Library-College 6 Do you feel the site has received adequate coverage by the local/regional media? Avenue Branch Marion County Public Health The majority of interviewees said that Department they felt the site had not received adequate School for the Deaf Auditorium coverage by the media. Local schools Sierra Club 7 What type of media (newspaper, Internet, social YMCA media, radio, TV) do you rely on for Indianapolis- area information? Are there particular 9 When possible, site information is posted newspapers, radio or TV stations, or Internet on the EPA’s website. Have you visited the sites that you prefer? EPA’s website? Newspapers, television and the Internet Most of those interviewed had not visited are the main types of media used to obtain the EPA’s website at the time of the information about the Indianapolis area. interviews, but many said that they would The Indianapolis Star and The Indianapolis look at it in the future. Business Journal were mentioned as the newspapers of choice. Television channels 10 The EPA typically houses its documents locally watched include WRTV, FOX 59, WISHTV- (usually public libraries). Would you look at Channel 8, and WTHR-Channel 13. documents pertaining to this project at a local public library? Several listen to radio stations to get news information including NPR, WIBC-93.1, The majority of people that answered this and the Amos Brown Show on AM 1310. question said that they would not go to a A few use social media (Facebook and library to look at documents that pertained Twitter) to obtain information. to the site.
9 Mapleton Fall Creek Development 11 What types of environmental issues, in general, interest you? Meadows Foundation The environmental issues that interviewees Mozel Sanders Foundation said they are most interested in are: Oaks Academy Clean healthy living Reconnecting our Waterways Coal Senior citizen groups Ecology United Way of Central Indiana Energy Forestry Visit Indy General sustainability Questions that the community asked the EPA Global warming Recycling The following is the list of questions asked by Redevelopment community members during the 2015 interviews Trash with answers provided by EPA. For more Waste information about the site, visit www.epa.gov/ Water superfund/keystone-corridor-groundwater. Wildlife Ground water contamination 12 Are there any other people or groups you think How was the contamination discovered? we should talk to because they have unique Site investigations have identified releases in the information to share—or they would like to know wellhead protection area of the Fall Creek well field more about the site from the EPA? that serves Indianapolis-area customers. The Site The following people/groups were consists of a plume of ground water contamination that suggested: impacts the municipal wells near Fall Creek and the potential sources of the ground water contamination. BWI Construction EPA added the site to the Superfund program’s Chamber of Commerce NPL in December 2013. Adding the site to the NPL Destination Fall Creek enables EPA to study site conditions further, identify Dirty Dozen Fishing Club Government officials possible sources of the contamination and develop a Hoosier River Watch Site comprehensive strategy to address all locations and Indiana Association for Community sources of the VOC contamination. Economic Development Is the contamination on both sides of the Indiana Deaf Club Fall Creek? Indiana University School of Public and Yes, according to historical ground water data for the Environmental Affairs area. However, EPA will be better able to determine the Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing nature and extent of contamination during the remedial Partnership investigation at the site. Field activities including soil Indy Parks Department and ground water sampling are anticipated to begin in Insight the spring of 2016. Local Initiatives Support Corporation of Indianapolis
10 Are the chemicals toxic now? By touch If the water is not safe to drink, is it safe to or ingestion? bathe in? Refer to the answer to “What side effects can we Citizens Energy’s 2014 Drinking Water Report states expect?” below. that they were in compliance for the contaminants that were tested. Indianapolis water quality data is found Why are we affected by ground water? If the VOCs are high, how high? at www.citizensenergygroup.com/My-Home/Utility- Services/Water/Water-Quality/Indianapolis-Water- The site poses a risk to the community due to actual Quality-Data-(1). and potential contamination in municipal wells and in several monitoring wells. The ground water has Raw water may contain cryptosporidium and other been affected by a chlorinated solvent plume. VOCs microbial contaminants. Water treatment technologies have historically been detected in five of the municipal effectively inactivate the microbial contaminants; wells that draw water from the ground water. In one of however, some people may be more vulnerable to the five wells, vinyl chloride has been detected above contaminants in drinking water than the general the SDWA maximum contaminant level of 2 parts population. Immuno-compromised people, such as per billion. However, that well has been removed people with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, people from service. The water company treats all water and who have undergone organ transplants, people with continuously monitors and blends the water before HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some distributing it to the public. elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about Does our water come from a well down the street? drinking water from their health care providers. U.S. Citizens Energy Group has information on its water Environmental Protection Agency and Centers for supply and sources at www.citizensenergygroup. Disease Control guidelines on appropriate means to com/My-Home/Utility-Services/Water/Supply-and- lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and Sources. other microbial contaminants are available from the Why does our water smell like chlorine or dead U.S. EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at fish? Why is our water blue? (800) 426-4791. (Source: Citizens Energy Group, As required by the EPA, Citizens Energy Group has 2014 Drinking Water Report.) a printable water quality report available at www. Could this be the cause of household appliances citizensenergygroup.com/My-Home/Utility-Services/ that use water wearing out quickly? Water/Water-Quality/Water-Quality-Report. If you have EPA recommends contacting household appliance any questions or concerns after reading this report, manufacturers directly for questions regarding you may contact Citizens Energy directly at appliance performance and the water used. 317-924-3311. Has the water tested better or worse since 1995? Is there something that we could put on our Public water systems oversee the drinking water water line to filter the water? If so, do we need something like that? delivered to your home. You should first contact your drinking water provider. If you do not obtain a The EPA has information and frequently asked satisfactory explanation, your next step should be questions regarding home drinking water filtration contacting your state drinking water program office, systems at www.epa.gov/your-drinking-water/home- which has the regulatory enforcement authority to drinking-water-filtration-fact-sheet. ensure water systems in the state are meeting all drinking water standards. Information on Indiana’s
11 water quality program can be found at http://in.gov/ Can this cause COPD? idem/cleanwater/. Also, the EPA may be able to help. EPA does not have any information on a relationship Contact the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at between contaminants of concern for the Keystone 800-426-4791 or go to www.epa.gov/your-drinking- Corridor site and COPD. water/safe-drinking-water-hotline if you need assistance in obtaining contact information. Cleanup What is the threat to the water in the creek? What is the process for cleaning up the site? Historical ground water data indicates that VOCs are Cleaning up Superfund sites is a complex, multi- potentially migrating to Fall Creek at concentrations phase process. See Appendix D or visit this web page that may pose a risk to ecological receptors. As a www.epa.gov/superfund/superfund-cleanup-process result, the ground water to surface water interface for more information on the cleanup process and pathway will be evaluated as part of the remedial opportunities for community involvement. investigation activities. What can you do to make the plume go away? What concerns should I have about the plume There are a number of technologies that have been impacting the recreational activities that involve developed to treat or remediate contaminated the creek? ground water. Ground water remediation systems The Indiana Department of Natural Resources remove contaminants and can use passive or active has certain fish consumption advisories for rivers methods. Passive ground water remediation allows and streams, which would include Fall Creek. An contaminants to biologically or chemically degrade ecological survey and risk assessment will be or disperse in situ (while it is still in the aquifer) conducted by EPA during the remedial investigation over time. Active ground water remediation involves to evaluate the surface water interface pathway in either treating contaminated ground water in situ or Fall Creek. extracting contaminated ground water from the aquifer in order to treat it. Active in situ methods generally Health Concerns involve injecting chemicals into the contaminant What side effects can we expect? plume to obtain a chemical or biological removal of It is important to note that the well contaminated with the contaminant. Extracting and treating contaminated vinyl chloride above the SDWA maximum contaminant ground water can involve physical, chemical, and/or level has been removed from service. This well is not biological processes. contributing to the city water supply. What is a vapor mitigation system? For more information on the most frequently asked Vapor mitigation systems are often used to reduce health questions regarding contaminants of concern naturally occurring radon that seeps into homes in at this site, visit the Agency for Toxic Substances & some geographic areas. These systems, called radon Disease Registry site: www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/ mitigation systems, also remove soil vapors from index.asp. below basements or foundations before they enter homes. Vapors are vented outside of the homes where Contaminants of concern at this site include: they become dispersed and harmless. Tetrachloroethene (PCE) Trichloroethene (TCE) cis-1,2-dichloroethene (cis-1,2-DCE) Vinyl chloride 12 What does the sampling effort look like from a How deep will you drill? resident’s perspective? During the first phase of the field investigation, soil Steps in the study of vapor intrusion: borings will be drilled to approximately 80 feet below the ground surface. EPA first takes samples of gas in the soil and ground water near a site with known contamination. If What are you going to sample for? we do not find the type of contamination that can The ground water plume consists of volatile organic turn into a gas – known as “volatile” – then vapor compounds, including tetrachloroethene (PCE), intrusion should not be a problem. If we find volatile trichloroethene (TCE), cis-1,2-dichloroethene contamination, we may widen the search to include (cis‑1,2‑DCE) which is a breakdown product of PCE sampling closer to or on individual properties. The and TCE, and vinyl chloride. next step is to take vapor samples from the soil under All samples will be analyzed for these chemicals along building foundations. These are called “sub-slab soil” with additional volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in gas samples. accordance with EPA-approved laboratory methods. The results of these samples will tell EPA if indoor air Will local residents be hired to help with sampling? samples are needed. The indoor air samples will tell us if there are vapors in the indoor air. The samples Local residents will not be hired to help with sampling. will also show if the vapors pose a health risk, or if EPA has hired a contractor to perform the sampling they are at levels normally present in most buildings. activities. When EPA hires a contractor, they have to meet specific requirements in accordance with federal EPA does not generally recommend indoor air acquisition regulations. sampling before sub-slab sampling because indoor air quality varies widely day to day. Also, household Do we have any financial recourse? products may interfere with sampling results. Finally, The Superfund program allows EPA to clean up we will determine if there is enough of a problem to hazardous waste sites and to force responsible parties take action. Environmental law and EPA regulations to perform cleanups or reimburse the government for tell us when we need to do something to protect your cleanups led by EPA. Citizens who are interested in family’s health. seeking individual financial recourse should consult personal attorneys. Would the drilling cause any impact to make the contamination worse? How will this affect property values? The drilling completed as a part of the investigation Many people that face the possibility or certainty will be conducted by professional well drillers licensed of a hazardous waste site in their community have to operate in the State of Indiana in accordance with questions about how their property values may be Agency-approved work plans. As such, precautionary affected. EPA suggests you consult a professional in measures will be taken to ensure that the drilling your community who can give you a more accurate activities do not inadvertently cause the spread of and current answer. Real estate agents, banks and the ground water contamination through cross- other lenders, appraisers, and public and private contamination of ground water zones. assessors should be able to answer this question for you. Local government agencies—such as your taxing
13 authority or planning commission—may also be able Superfund to give you information on property values. What does Superfund mean? Communication Superfund is the program operated under the legislative authority of the Comprehensive What is the timeline for cleanup activities? Environmental Response, Compensation, and The remedial investigation is anticipated to begin Liability Act of 1980, known as CERCLA, that funds in the spring of 2016. Superfund cleanups are very and carries out EPA solid waste emergency and complex and require the efforts of many experts in long-term removal and remedial activities. These science, engineering, public health, management, law, activities include establishing the National Priorities community relations, and numerous other fields. The List, investigating sites for inclusion on the list, cleanup activities could be long-term as it may take determining their priority and conducting and/ years to clean up the ground water contamination. or supervising cleanup or other actions. For more Why are we just hearing of this now if this has information, visit www.epa.gov/superfund. been going on for years? Are there any limitations for development on a Superfund sites are “discovered” when the presence of Superfund site? hazardous waste is made known to EPA. The presence EPA’s goal is to make sure site cleanup is consistent of contaminants is often reported by residents, local, with the likely future use of a site. Consideration of state, tribal or federal agencies, or businesses. reuse at a site can occur at any point in the Superfund Sometimes these hazardous wastes are found by EPA cleanup process, from site investigation activities to during inspections or investigations into complaints. deletion from the NPL. EPA works with communities Once EPA becomes involved in a site, the agency to make sure sites or portions of sites are used safely. encourages and engages in community involvement For more information, visit www.epa.gov/superfund/ throughout the Superfund cleanup process. You and about-superfund-cleanup-process. your community can be involved in this process throughout its various stages. See Appendix D or visit www.epa.gov/superfund/superfund-community- involvement for ways you and your community can be involved in the Superfund process in your community. How and when will the EPA inform the public about test results? EPA is currently in the process of updating the webpage for the Keystone Corridor Site. The webpage will track cleanup progress and activities to date. Test results also may be distributed by mail or email if requested by the public.
14 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT GOALS AND ACTIVITIES
This section highlights EPA’s goals, activities and timeline for conducting community involvement activities to keep community members informed and involved during the cleanup process.
When establishing the objectives for a site-specific community involvement program, the EPA considers several factors, including federal requirements and the nature and extent of known or perceived site contaminants, as well as known community concerns and requests. To be effective, a community involvement program must be To meet the needs of the community, to respond to designed to meet the community’s information obtained during community interviews and need to know, give information meetings, and to meet federal requirements, the EPA has established the following objectives for community involvement: in a timely manner and accommodate the community’s »» Enlist the support, coordination and involvement of local interests and its willingness to officials and community leaders participate in decision-making »» Monitor community interest in the site and respond processes. The EPA must also accordingly share information in language »» Keep the community informed of ongoing and planned the public can understand. site activities The EPA has, or will put in place, »» Explain technical site activities and findings in an understandable format processes to actively engage the community in decisions »» Get public input on key decisions regarding the cleanup of the »» Change planned activities, where warranted, based on Keystone Corridor site. The EPA community input developed this CIP to facilitate »» Update the EPA’s website regularly with useful information communication between the for the community community and the EPA and to »» Hold public meetings, when necessary, within the address key concerns and questions community to give all residents an opportunity to attend raised during the 2012 and 2015 community interviews.
15 Specific community involvement activities Heriberto León The EPA will inform, involve and engage the Community Involvement Coordinator community during cleanup decisions and efforts. Phone: 312-886-6163 or 800-621-8431, ext. 66163 As the needs of the community change, the [email protected] EPA will modify the community involvement strategies used to address them. To address Leslie Blake Remedial Project Manager the initial community concerns and questions Phone: 312-353-7921 or described in the community needs and concerns 800-621-8431, ext. 37921 section (see page 7), the EPA has conducted (or [email protected] will conduct) the following activities: »»Establish a toll-free number for residents to describing upcoming activities may be prepared ask questions and receive information. As and sent to those on the mailing and email lists. questions or concerns arise, Mr. León and Ms. The materials will be written in non-technical Blake can be reached using their respective toll- language. The EPA will include current contact free numbers. information for project staff on all written materials and will notify the community of any »»Maintain communication with local contact information changes. officials.The EPA will continue to maintain communication with local officials throughout In addition to being shared with individuals on the cleanup process. the site mailing lists, fact sheets and site updates are also placed in the information repository »»Share site information on the Internet. Site and posted on EPA’s website: www.epa.gov/ information is provided on the EPA website and superfund/keystone-corridor-groundwater. will be updated as events occur: www.epa.gov/ superfund/keystone-corridor-groundwater. »»Establish and maintain a site-specific information repository. The EPA has set up a »»Update and maintain the site mailing list and local information repository for the site at the email group. A mailing list and email group following location: comprised of local residents, organizations, businesses and officials have been established Indianapolis Public Library for the site. The mailing list and email group College Avenue Branch will be updated regularly to reflect address 4180 N. College Ave. changes, changes in elected officials, and to add Indianapolis, IN 46205 new people. The repository is a collection of site-related The EPA typically mails written information to documents available to the public for reading ensure that people who do not have access to the and photocopying or printing. Documents Internet still have a way to receive information. include technical reports, the CIP, fact sheets, general Superfund information and other These mailing lists are for EPA use only and are documents. The EPA adds new documents not shared with outside entities. If someone is about the site as they become available. interested in being placed on the mailing list, Information repositories give residents local they should contact Mr. León. access to site information in forms that can »»Prepare and distribute written materials. be easily read and photocopied or printed for Fact sheets, letters and updates summarizing future use. An online information repository is current information about the site and also available on the EPA’s website.
16 »»Establish and about an EPA maintain the action or proposal. administrative There are specific record. A copy of regulations about the administrative when the EPA is record, a file that required to consider contains all written such comments documents for the when evaluating Portion of Monon Trail over E. Fall Creek Parkway. site, can be found its actions. Public at the Indianapolis Public Library-College hearings are recorded by a professional Avenue Branch and at the EPA Superfund transcriber and become part of the Records Center in Chicago (see Appendix C). administrative record. The comments are also The EPA will update the administrative record posted on the Internet. as necessary. The administrative record gives In addition, EPA may hold an informal open residents a paper trail of all documents EPA house-style meeting, called an availability relied on or considered, to reach decisions session, where residents can meet EPA experts about the cleanup. one-on-one to discuss the activities at the site. »»Write and distribute news releases and Either type of meeting allows community place public notices. The EPA will place members an opportunity to express their large display advertisements in the local concerns and ask questions of the EPA, state newspaper, such as The Indianapolis Star, to or local government officials. Public meetings announce significant site investigation findings, or availability sessions can be held at various completion of major milestones, significant times throughout the investigation and cleanup scheduling information and other pertinent site- process. A meeting is typically scheduled when related information. there are technical milestones or the community has expressed an interest in having a meeting. News releases allow the EPA to reach large audiences quickly. They will also be posted The EPA will consider conducting additional on EPA’s website: www.epa.gov/superfund/ meetings at different times and different keystone-corridor-groundwater. The EPA will locations throughout the community to give all issue news releases and public notices as site residents an opportunity to attend as needed. activities progress. Copies of the news releases »»Assist the community in forming a and public notices will also be available at the community advisory group. A CAG is made information repository. up of local residents representing community »»Conduct public meetings, hearings and organizations, associations, businesses, etc. and information sessions. A public meeting is an provides a formal mechanism for community opportunity for the EPA to present specific members to have a voice in decisions. EPA information and a proposed course of action. encourages the formation of CAGs. CAGs EPA staff is available to share information meet periodically to discuss site events and and answer questions. A public meeting is create partnerships with the surrounding not a formal public hearing where testimony community. They also provide community is received. Instead, it might be a meeting to recommendations on cleanup decisions to the exchange information or comments. A public EPA. CAGs are best for communities willing hearing is a formal meeting where EPA to attend regularly scheduled formal meetings officials hear the public’s views and concerns for ongoing needs. More information on CAGs 17 can be found at www2.epa.gov/superfund/ needs, and population demographics can community-advisory-groups. occur over time. Such changes may require a revised approach to conducting community »»Evaluate community involvement and involvement activities. To determine whether outreach efforts and make adjustments as the activities in this plan are achieving their warranted. This CIP was designed to consider intended objectives, periodic reviews will be site- and community-specific factors as well done to determine whether other activities are as to comply with federal requirements. The needed or whether changes to current methods objectives of the community involvement outlined in this plan are necessary. As the needs program for the site and the specific activities to of the community change, the EPA will modify address these concerns described in this CIP are the community involvement strategies and based to a large extent on information obtained address them in a CIP revision. during the 2012 and 2015 interviews with local residents and officials. The EPA recognizes that changes in community perceptions, information
Timeframe for conducting community involvement activities The following table presents the general timeframe for the EPA’s community involvement activities.
Community Involvement Activities Timeframe
Maintain point of contact Completed
Establish a toll-free number Completed; publish on written materials and EPA website Maintain communication with local officials, agencies and Ongoing as needed community residents Share site information on the Internet Completed; update as needed
Update and maintain the site mailing list and email group Completed; update as needed
Prepare and distribute fact sheets and site updates If needed
Establish and maintain a site-specific information repository Completed; update as needed
Establish and maintain the administrative record Completed; update as needed
Conduct public meetings, hearings and information sessions If needed
Place public notices As needed Evaluate community involvement and outreach efforts and Periodically throughout the process make adjustments as warranted
Throughout the investigation, the EPA’s Community Involvement Coordinator (Mr. León) and Remedial Project Manager (Ms. Blake) will respond to questions and concerns from those interested in the site. They will also be available to speak to local citizen groups upon request. The EPA’s toll-free telephone number and Mr. León’s and Ms. Blake’s direct numbers and email addresses will be included on all community involvement material and email correspondence.
18 THE COMMUNITY
This section presents background information on the city of Indianapolis, profiles the economic and ethnic makeup of the community and summarizes the community’s history and past involvement at the site.
Indianapolis community profile History Indianapolis is the state capital and the county The area where the city now stands was home seat of Marion County. It is the largest city to the Delaware Nation, a small settlement on in Indiana, encompassing an area of about the White River at the mouth of Fall Creek that 372 square miles. It was founded in 1821 as a became the county seat of Marion County in planned city for Indiana’s state government. As 1821, and the Indiana state capital, in 1825. the result of a 1970 consolidation of city and Beginning in the early 1800s, Europeans and county governments, known as “Unigov,” the city Americans with European ancestry began to of Indianapolis merged most government services settle in Indianapolis, but later the city attracted with those of the county. This resulted in a union other ethnic groups. The city grew because of Indianapolis with its immediate suburbs. The of its geographic location, close to the state’s current government is a mayor-council type. geographic center. Indianapolis’ flat, rich soil, and central location within Indiana and the Midwest, Indianapolis is nicknamed the Crossroads of helped it become an early agricultural center. America because it is the intersection of four Being close to the White River provided power interstate highways, six U.S. highways, and three for the town’s early mills in the 1820s and 1830s, state roads. Other nicknames for the city include and the arrival of the railroads in the 1840s the Circle City, Naptown, and the Racing Capital established Indianapolis as a manufacturing of the World. hub and a transportation center for freight and Indianapolis is host to the largest single-day passenger service. sporting event in the world, the Indianapolis 500. The first steam railroad in Indiana arrived in Indianapolis has a diverse Indianapolis in 1847. By 1850, economy, relying on trade, eight rail lines reached the transportation, utilities, city and Indianapolis became professional and business a transportation hub for the services government, retail region, which helped improve trade, leisure and hospitality, the city’s commercial trade, and manufacturing. Three increased property values, Fortune 500 companies are and encouraged further based in Indianapolis: Anthem development. The Monon Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Railroad operated almost and Calumet Specialty entirely in the state of Indiana. Product Partners. (Source: www.monon.org/ history.php).
Railroad tracks near the site. 19 Indianapolis was ranked the worst in the nation for food deserts in 2014. In a food desert, residents must travel miles to get groceries. Getting fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthy food has become difficult for many east side residents since they do not own cars. (Source: www. indianapublicmedia.org/news/ indianapolis-ranks-worst-nation- food-deserts-67800/) The Indy Council approved a Indiana State Fairgrounds loan in September 2015 that Indiana’s first state fair was held on the grounds would bring in a new grocery store on the east of what became known as Military Park, west of side of Indianapolis and would serve an estimated downtown Indianapolis in 1852. In 1860 a new 4,600 customers. location for the fairgrounds was established north Other new construction projects and revitalization of the city. of businesses are increasing. New mixed-income During the American Civil War, the county housing units are being built in an area once fairgrounds was transformed into Camp Morton, called the Meadows. The Meadows was once a a prison camp for captured Confederate soldiers. thriving, vibrant neighborhood with shopping, a During the war years no state fair was held, but theater, and quality housing. The neighborhood it was resumed again in 1865 and held in Fort declined over the years when poverty and drugs Wayne. The Indiana State Fairgrounds on East made the area unsafe. 38th Street opened for the first time in 1892. The former Homer J. Williamson Chocolate Since then, the fair has continually been held in Factory has been vacant for many years. The Indianapolis and is host to numerous small and chocolate factory is now being renovated to large events throughout the year. become The Overlook at the Fairgrounds. It will Indianapolis had become a large automobile be a four-story, $13.5 million, 49-unit apartment manufacturer by the 1900s. Auto- complex with a rooftop terrace and balconies oriented areas and strip malls began being built after World War II. The population of Indianapolis began to grow rapidly. Parts of Indianapolis fell into disrepair in the 1970s and 1980s. There was an acceleration of growth in the outskirts of the metropolitan area of Indianapolis in the 1980s because of major revitalization of the city’s distressed areas. (Source: Sign showing the planned renovation of the former Homer J. Williamson www.wikipedia.org). Chocolate Factory. 20 overlooking the fairgrounds and will include a training center. (Source: www.unecdc.org/ overlook-at-fall-creek-ground-breaking/) Culture Indianapolis has seven designated cultural districts that hold historic and cultural importance to the city. The districts have become revitalized in recent years and are becoming major centers for tourism, business and residential living. Constructed between 2007 and 2013, the Indianapolis Cultural Trail is an urban bike and pedestrian path that connects the city’s five downtown cultural districts, neighborhoods and entertainment amenities, and serves as the downtown hub for the entire central Indiana greenway system. The trail includes benches, Cyclist enjoying the Fall Creek Trail. bike racks, lighting, bike rentals/drop-offs and local artwork. northeast to Fall Creek Road without stopping to cross a street. The Fall Creek Trail runs 7 miles from Skiles Test Nature Park to the Monon Rail Trail, with At the center of Indianapolis is Monument Circle, plans to extend the trail to the north and south. a traffic circle at the intersection of Meridian and The trail runs parallel to the Fall Creek. Users of Market streets, featuring the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ the Fall Creek Trail can travel from 38th Street Monument. Monument Circle is depicted on the city’s flag. The city has many other monuments. It is second only to Washington, D.C. for the number of war monuments inside the city limits.
Fall Creek Trail mile marker.
21 Indianapolis demographics The U.S. Census Bureau considers Indianapolis as two entities: the consolidated city and the city’s balance. The consolidated city covers an area known as Unigov and includes all of Marion County except the independent cities of Beech Grove, Lawrence, Speedway, and Southport. The city’s balance excludes the populations of 11 semi-independent locations that are included in totals for the consolidated city. The city’s consolidated population for the year 2012 was 844,220. The city’s balance population was estimated at 834,852 for 2012, a 2 percent increase over the total population of 820,445 reported in the U.S. Census for 2010.
Williams Creek
Meridian Hills
North Crows Nest Lawrence Lawrence Crows Nest Rocky Ripple Wynnedale Spring Hill
Speedway Speedway Clermont Warren Park Cumberland
Beech Grove Beech Grove
Homecroft
Southport Southport
Map of Indianapolis’ consolidated city, showing Map of Indianapolis’ city’s balance, showing the excluded independent cities. excluded independent cities and semi- independent locations.
February 29, 2016 1:200,000 Towns Parks 0 2.25 4.5 9 mi
BEECH GROVE Airports 0 3.5 7 14 km
LAWRENCE Airfields SOUTHPORT Schools 22 SPEEDWAY Parcels Interstates Ramps
Thoroughfare
Major Streets Streets
Railroad
Rivers Ponds
Streams
The EPA considers the neighborhood affected by the Keystone Corridor site an environmental justice community. This means it is a community that historically is under-represented, with minority and low‑income areas burdened with significant environmental challenges. 46205 ip Code Demographics Total Population: Average Age: 8 between 2010 and 2014
8.8
52.3 41 3.5 3.2 ispanic Other White 22.4 African-American
44.6 125 200 86.2 i i i 19.9 i 762 i 52.8 i 33.6 27 i 11 448 i i i i i i
28 916 i i 93.6 20.4 i i i i 58.8
Source of demographic data – 2010-2014 American Community Survey: www.factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml 23 Intentionally left blank APPENDIX A
Glossary - Initials - Acronyms
1,2-dichloroethene. A highly flammable, colorless liquid with a sharp, harsh odor. It is used to produce solvents and in chemical mixtures. This chemical evaporates rapidly into air. Most 1,2-dichloroethene in the soil surface or bodies of water will evaporate into air. It can travel through soil or dissolve in water in the soil. It is possible that it can contaminate ground water. In ground water, it takes about 13-48 weeks to break down. Exposure may come from breathing the chemical that has leaked from hazardous waste sites and landfills, drinking contaminated tap water or breathing vapors from contaminated water while cooking, bathing, or washing dishes. Breathing high levels of this chemical can make you feel nauseous, drowsy, and tired; breathing very high levels can kill you. More information can be found on the following website: www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=463&tid=82. Administrative Record. The body of documents that forms the basis for the selection of a particular response at a site. For example, the Administrative Record for the cleanup plan includes all documents that were considered or relied upon to select the remedy through the record of decision. Availability Session. An open-house style meeting where people can meet and talk one-on-one with EPA staff. CAG. See Community Advisory Group. CERCLA. See Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act. CIP. See Community Involvement Plan. cis-1,2-DCE. See 1,2-dichloroethene. Cleanup. Actions taken to deal with a release or threat of release of a hazardous substance that could affect people and/or the environment. The term “cleanup” is sometimes used interchangeably with the terms “remedial action,” “remediation,” “removal action,” “response action,” or “corrective action.” Community Advisory Group. A committee, task force, or board made up of residents affected by a hazardous waste site. CAGs provide a public forum for community members to present and discuss their needs and concerns about the decision-making process at sites affecting them. Community involvement coordinator. The EPA official whose lead responsibility is to involve and inform the public about the Superfund process and response actions in accordance with the interactive community involvement requirements set forth in the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan. Community Involvement Plan. A plan that outlines specific community involvement activities that occur during the investigation and cleanup at the site. The CIP outlines how EPA will keep the public informed of work at the site and the ways in which residents can review and comment on decisions that may affect the final actions at the site. The document is available in the site’s information repository maintained by the EPA. The CIP may be modified as necessary to respond to changes in community concerns, information needs and activities.
25 Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act. A federal law passed in 1980 and modified in 1986 by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act. Commonly known as Superfund, CERCLA is intended to protect people’s health and the environment by investigating and cleaning up abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. Under the program, the EPA can either: »»Pay for site cleanup when parties responsible for the contamination cannot be located or are unwilling or unable to do the work; or »»Take legal action to force parties responsible for site contamination to clean up the site or pay back the federal government for the cost of the cleanup. Contamination. Introduction into water, air and soil of microorganisms, chemicals, toxic substances, wastes or wastewater in a concentration that makes the medium unfit for its next intended use.Also applies to surfaces of objects, buildings and various household use products. Emergency response action. A quick response to immediate threats from hazardous substances. The first priority is to eliminate dangers to the public -- to make sites safe for those who live or work nearby. Emergency response actions are quick, relatively low-cost activities that address substantial threats from hazardous substances. Typical situations requiring emergency response actions include chemical fires or explosions, threats to people from exposure to hazardous substances, or contamination of drinking water supplies. Environmental justice. The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, culture, national origin, income, and educational levels with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of protective environmental laws, regulations, and policies. EPA. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Food desert. Parts of the country where fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthful whole foods are difficult to obtain, particularly for those without access to a car. Food deserts are usually found in impoverished areas. This is largely due to a lack of grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and healthy food providers. Ground water. Ground water is an environmental term for an underground supply of fresh water. Hazard Ranking System. A screening tool the EPA uses to evaluate uncontrolled waste sites for possible addition to the NPL. The system uses information from initial, limited investigations to assess the relative potential of sites that pose a threat to people’s health or the environment. The system assigns each site a score ranging from 0 to 100. Site receiving scores of 28.50 and above are eligible for the NPL. EPA generally considers additional factors before listing a site on the NPL. HRS. See Hazard Ranking System. IDEM. See Indiana Department of Environmental Management. Indiana Department of Environmental Management. State agency specializing in air, land, pollution prevention and water quality issues, whose mission is to implement federal and state regulations to protect people’s health and the environment.
26 Information repository. A file containing current information, technical reports and reference documents about a site. The information repository usually is located in a public building convenient for local residents such as a public school, town hall or library. National Priorities List. The EPA’s list of serious uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites identified for possible long-term cleanup under Superfund. The list is based primarily on the score a site receives from the Hazard Ranking System. The EPA is required to update the National Priorities List at least once a year. National Priorities List Deletion. EPA may delete a final NPL site if it determines that no further response is required to protect human health or the environment. NPL. See National Priorities List. PCE. See Tetrachloroethene. Preliminary assessment/site investigation. The PA/SI is the process of collecting and reviewing available information about a known or suspected hazardous waste site or release. The PA/SI usually includes a visit to the site. Public hearing. A public hearing is also a public meeting and may occur as part of a regular public meeting. But the main purpose of most public hearings is for the EPA to obtain public testimony or comment and not to address substantial matters. Formal public hearings usually involve the use of a court reporter to record a transcript of the testimony or comments. In the Superfund process, formal public hearings are required only for the proposed plan and Record of Decision amendments. Record of decision. A ROD is a legal, technical and public document that explains which cleanup alternative will be used at a Superfund NPL site. The ROD is based on information and technical analysis generated during the remedial investigation and feasibility study and consideration of public comments and community concerns. Remedial Design/Remedial Action. Remedial design is a phase in the CERCLA response process in which technical drawings are developed for the chosen remedy, costs for implementing the remedy are estimated and roles and responsibilities of EPA, states and contractors are determined. During the remedial action phase, the remedy is implemented generally by a contractor, with oversight and inspection conducted by EPA, the state or both. Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study. The remedial investigation is a study designed to collect the data necessary to determine the nature and extent of contamination at a site. The feasibility study is an analysis of the practicality of a proposal—e.g., a description and analysis of potential cleanup alternatives for a site such as one on the National Priorities List. The feasibility study usually recommends a selection of an alternative. It usually starts as soon as the remedial investigation is under way; together, they are commonly referred to as the remedial investigation/feasibility study. Safe Drinking Water Act. Congress enacted the SDWA in 1974 to ensure the quality of Americans’ drinking water. It authorizes the EPA to set national standards for drinking water to protect against health effects from exposure to naturally-occurring and man-made contaminants. Drinking water standards only apply to public water systems (not individual private wells). EPA works with states, localities, and water suppliers who carry out these standards.
27 SDWA. See Safe Drinking Water Act. Superfund. The program operated under the legislative authority of CERCLA that funds and carries out EPA solid waste emergency and long-term removal and remedial activities. These activities include establishing the National Priorities List, investigating sites for inclusion on the list, determining their priority and conducting and/or supervising cleanup or other actions. TCE. See Tetrachloroethene. Tetrachloroethene. A chemical used mainly as a solvent for dry cleaning and metal degreasing. PCE is also found in paint strippers and spot removers. It has a sweet odor and is a colorless liquid. PCE breaks down very slowly in the air and so it can be transported long distances in the air. It evaporates quickly from water into air, but is slow to break down in water. PCE may filter through the soil and into the ground water below. It is generally slow to break down in soil. Exposure to PCE is most commonly through breathing air that has PCE vapors, drinking or showering in contaminated water. Long-term exposure to this chemical is suspected of causing cancer, as well as problems of the liver and kidneys. More information can be found on the following website: www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=264&tid=48. Time-critical removal action. Removal action where on-site activities must begin within six months of determination by a site evaluation that the threat to public health or welfare of the environment is imminent. Trichloroethene. A chemical which is used as a solvent to remove oils and grease from metal products and is found in adhesives, paint removers, typewriter correction fluids and spot removers. TCE is a colorless liquid with an odor similar to ether and is a manufactured substance that does not occur naturally in the environment. It minimally dissolves in water and can remain in ground water for a long time. TCE evaporates from surface water and soil, although it evaporates less easily from soil. Exposure from TCE is most commonly through breathing air that has TCE vapors, drinking or showering in contaminated water, or direct contact with contaminated soil. Long-term exposure to this chemical is suspected of causing cancer, as well as problems of the liver and weakening of the immune system. More information can be found on the following website: www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/ tf.asp?id=172&tid=30. Vapor intrusion. Occurs when underground pollutants release chemical vapors that travel up through the soil and accumulate beneath building foundations. Air in the building becomes polluted when vapors enter through cracks or holes in foundations and crawl spaces. Vapor intrusion mitigation systems. A system installed to reduce health risks in buildings where chemical vapors from contaminated soil and ground water may be inhaled by occupants. Pipes are placed near the basement walls, in closets and in low-traffic areas. Vent pipes and a fan may be visible on the outside of the building. The fan in the system runs continuously.
28 Intentionally left blank Vinyl chloride. A colorless gas that has a mild, sweet odor that does not occur naturally. It can be formed when other substances like tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE) are broken down. Vinyl chloride is used to make polyvinyl chloride, or PVC. PVC is used to make a variety of plastic products, including pipes, wire and cable coatings, and packaging materials. Exposure to vinyl chloride occurs mainly in the workplace and long term exposure can result in permanent liver damage, immune reactions, nerve damage, and liver cancer. More information can be found on the following website: www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=281&tid=51. VOCS. See Volatile Organic Compounds. Volatile organic compounds. A type of organic compound that tends to change from a liquid to a gas at low temperatures when exposed to air. As a result of this tendency, VOCs disappear more rapidly from surface water than from ground water. Since ground water does not come into contact with air, VOCs are not easily released and can be remain in ground water that is being used for drinking water, posing a threat to people’s health. Some VOCs are believed to cause cancer in humans. More information can be found on the following website: www.atsdr.cdc.gov/substances/toxchemicallisting.asp?sysid=7.
30 APPENDIX B
List of Contacts
EPA Region 5 Project Contacts Heriberto León Leslie Blake Community Involvement Coordinator Remedial Project Manager 77 W. Jackson Blvd. (SI-7J) 77 W. Jackson Blvd. (SR-6J) Chicago, IL 60604 Chicago, IL 60604 312-886-6163 312-353-7921 800-621-8431, x66163 800-621-8431, x37921 [email protected] [email protected] Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Mark Johnson, Ph.D. 77 W. Jackson Blvd. Room 433, M/S 4J Chicago, IL 60604 312-353-3436 [email protected] Federal Elected Officials Dan Coats André Carson Senator Representative 1650 Market Tower 300 E. Fall Creek Pkwy. N. Dr. Indianapolis, IN 46204 Suite 300 800-382-9841 Indianapolis, IN 46205 317-283-6516 493 Russell Office Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20510 2453 Rayburn House Office Building 202-224-5623 Washington, D.C. 20515 202-225-4011 Joe Donnelly Senator 115 N. Pennsylvania St., Suite 3200 Indianapolis, IN 46204 317-226-5555 720 Hart Senate Office Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20510 202-224-4814
31 State Elected Officials Mike Pence Jean Breaux Governor State Senator State House 200 W. Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46204 Indianapolis, IN 46204 317-232-4567 800-382-9467 [email protected] Greg Porter Greg Taylor State Representative State Senator 200 W. Washington St. 200 W. Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46204 Indianapolis, IN 46204 800-382-9842 [email protected] [email protected] State and Local Agencies Douglas Petroff Pam Thevenow Environmental Manager Administrator Indiana Department of Environmental Management Marion County Public Health Department 100 N. Senate Ave. IGCN 1101 3901 Meadows Drive Indianapolis, IN 46204 Indianapolis, IN 46205 800-451-6027 317-221-2266 [email protected] www.mchd.com Local Officials Joe Hogsett William (Duke) Oliver Mayor City-County Councilor, District 9 2501 City-County Bldg. 241 City-County Bldg. 200 E. Washington St. 200 E. Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46204 Indianapolis, IN 46204 317-327-3601 317-201-6770 [email protected] Michael J. McQuillen Maggi Lewis City-County Councilor, District 4 City-County Councilor, District 10 POB 50022 200 E. Washington St., T241 Indianapolis, IN 46250 Indianpolis, IN 46204 317-374-1481 317-327-4242 [email protected] [email protected]
32 Christine Scales City-County Councilor, District 3 200 E. Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46204 317-578-8901 [email protected] Local Organizations United Northeast Community Development Corp. (UNEC) Indy Chamber 3636 E. 38th St. 111 Monument Circle, Suite 1950 Indianapolis, IN 46218 Indianapolis, IN 46204 317-546-6240 317-464-2222 www.unecdc.org www.indychamber.com Indiana School for the Deaf Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter 1200 E. 42nd St. 1100 W. 42nd St. Indianapolis, IN 46205 Indianapolis, IN 46208 317-550-4800 317-822-3750 www.deafhoosiers.com www.hoosier2.sierraclub.org Community Action of Greater Indianapolis 3266 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46208 317-396-1800 www.cagi-in.org Newspapers The Indianapolis Star The Indianapolis Business Journal 130 S. Meridian St. 41 E. Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46225 Suite 200 317-444-4000 Indianapolis, IN 46204 www.indystar.com 317-634-6200 www.ibj.com Indianapolis Recorder 2901 N. Tacoma Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46218 317-924-5143 www.indianapolisrecorder.com Television Stations WXIN-FOX59 WISH-TV (Channel 8) 6910 Network Pl. 1950 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46278 Indianapolis, IN 46202 317-632-5900 317-923-8888 www.fox59.com www.wishtv.com
33 WRTV (Channel 6) WTHR (Channel 13) 1330 N. Meridian St. 1000 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46202 Indianapolis, IN 46204 317-635-9788 317-636-1313 www.theindychannel.com www.wthr.com WIPX TV (Channel 27) 2441 Production Dr., #104 Indianapolis, IN 46241 317-486-0633 Radio Stations WOLT (103.3 FM) WNTR (107.9 FM) 6161 Fall Creek Rd. 9245 N. Meridian St. Suite 300 Indianapolis, IN 46220 Indianapolis, IN 46260 317-257-7565 317-816-4000 www.alt1033.com www.tunein.com/radio/1079-The-Mix-s23244 WIBC (93.1 FM) WYFI (90.1 FM) 40 Monument Circle, Suite 400 1630 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46204 Indianapolis, IN 46260 317-266-9422 317-636-2020 www.wibc.com www.wfyi.org WYXB (105.7 FM) WYFI (90.1 FM) 40 Monument Circle, Suite 400 1630 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46204 Indianapolis, IN 46260 317-681-1057 317-636-2020 www.b1057.com www.wfyi.org The Light (AM 1310) 21 E. St. Joseph St. Indianapolis, IN 46204 317-266-9600 www.praiseindy.com
34 APPENDIX C
Community Resources EPA Website The EPA maintains a website for the Keystone Corridor Ground Water Contamination site: www.epa.gov/superfund/keystone-corridor- groundwater Information Repositories and Administrative Record The EPA maintains information repositories where site information is available: Local Information Repository The Indianapolis College Avenue Branch Public Library serves the Indianapolis Public Library local community and houses the Information Repository. 4180 N. College Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46205 317-275-4320 Administrative Record Exhibit Hall and EPA Superfund Records Center Auditorium is just one of the possible Room 711 public meeting Ralph Metcalfe Federal Building venues at the 77 W. Jackson Blvd. Indianapolis State Chicago, IL 60604 Fairgrounds. 312-886-6541 (Call for an appointment) Possible Meeting Locations »»Greater Indianapolis Deaf Club »»Indiana State Fairgrounds »»Indianapolis Public Library-College Avenue Branch »»Marion County Public Health Department »»School for the Deaf Auditorium The School for the Deaf »»Local schools auditorium was suggested by several as a potential »»Sierra Club public meeting location. Marion County Public Health Department was suggested as a good »»YMCA location to hold public meetings. 35 Intentionally left blank APPENDIX D
Community engagement and the Superfund process Superfund is an environmental cleanup program individual citizens, local, tribal or state agencies enabled by a federal law enacted in 1980 or others, it follows a step-by-step process (see known as the Comprehensive Environmental the Superfund process steps illustration on the Response, Compensation, and Liability Act next page) to determine the best way to clean (CERCLA), also called Superfund. In 1986, up the area and protect people’s health and another law, the Superfund Amendments and the environment. Reauthorization Act, reauthorized CERCLA If a site poses an immediate threat to public to continue Superfund cleanup activities. health or the environment, the EPA can intervene CERCLA gives the EPA the authority to with an emergency response action. The require those parties responsible for creating goal of the EPA’s Emergency Response and hazardous waste sites to clean up those sites Removal Program is to protect the public and the or to reimburse the government if the EPA environment from immediate threats posed by the cleans up the site. The EPA compels responsible release or discharge of hazardous substances. parties to clean up hazardous waste sites through administrative orders and other legal The Superfund program encourages active agreements. The EPA is authorized to enforce dialogue between communities affected by the Superfund laws within Indian reservations, the release of hazardous substances and all of in all 50 states and in U.S. territories. Superfund the agencies responsible for carrying out or site identification, monitoring and response overseeing cleanup actions. The EPA considers activities are coordinated with state, tribal and community involvement to be an important part territorial environmental protection or waste of the Superfund program and opportunities management agencies. for community involvement occur throughout the process. There are several steps involved in cleaning up a contaminated location. Once the EPA has been made aware of a contaminated area from
Visit these EPA websites for more information on the Superfund process: Superfund: www.epa.gov/superfund Cleanup Process: www.epa.gov/superfund/superfund-cleanup-process Community Involvement: www.epa.gov/superfund/superfund-community-involvement
37 The Superfund Process
What will happen? What can I do?
• EPA reviews existing information about the site Preliminary • Provide EPA with any information you have about • The site is inspected Assessment/Site the site • Meetings are held with local officials and key Investigation • Request TASC* program if necessary community members to obtain historical information
• A Hazard Ranking System is used to evaluate • Read EPA’s proposal to add site to NPL dangers the site may pose to human health and Submit any comments during public comment environment National Priorities period Proposal published in the Federal Register, List Apply for TAG* if your community qualifies requesting public comments on whether site should be included in the NPL
• Soil, surface water, ground water, and waste • Participate in community interviews samples from site are analyzed Review site information at the information Remedial Cleanup methods are explored repository or on EPA website PUBLIC LIBRARY Community Involvement Plan is developed Investigation/ Join or form a CAG* Information repository is established Feasibility Study
• A cleanup plan is proposed, highlighting EPA’s • Review and comment on the proposed plan recommended cleanup method Attend public meeting discussing the proposed A public meeting is held Proposed Plan cleanup method 30-day public comment period issued
• The selected cleanup plan, including responses to • Read the ROD at the information repository public comments, are included in the ROD Record of or on EPA website Decision • Cleanup methods are developed • Read fact sheet about the work including planned A fact sheet is issued. EPA may hold meetings to work hours, truck traffic, noise and health and describe the final design Remedial Design/ safety precautions Construction or implementation Remedial Action Attend meetings stage of cleanup begins
• Routine maintenance takes place once construction • Work through your TASC or CAG for information ? is completed to protect human health and the Maintaining Site Contact EPA with questions ?? ? environment ? Cleanup over the ? ? EPA reviews the site every 5 years ? Long-Term
• The site may be deleted from the NPL if all cleanup • Provide comments about the site goals are met NPL Site Read the final deletion report Public comments are solicited on deletion of site Plan a community event to celebrate deletion Deletion from NPL from NPL
Reuse of site After the site is cleaned up, EPA will work with your community to help return the site to productive use.
38 For more information on the Superfund Process, visit: www.epa.gov/superfund/superfund-cleanup-process *See following page for more information about CAG and TAG groups and TASC program. Community Advisory Groups A Superfund Community Advisory Group, or CAG, is made up of representatives of diverse community interests. Its purpose is to provide a public forum for community members to present and discuss their needs and concerns related to the Superfund decision-making process. A CAG can assist EPA in making better decisions on how to clean up a site. It offers EPA a unique opportunity to hear-and seriously consider-community preferences for site cleanup and remediation. However, the existence of a CAG does not eliminate the need for EPA to keep the community informed about plans and decisions throughout the Superfund process. For more information about CAGs, visit www.epa.gov/superfund/community-advisory-groups. Technical Assistance for Communities The national Technical Assistance Services for Communities, or TASC, program provides independent assistance through an EPA contract to help communities better understand the science, regulations and policies of environmental issues and EPA actions. Under the TASC contract, a contractor provides scientists, engineers and other professionals to review and explain information to communities. The services are determined on a project-specific basis and provided at no cost to communities. This assistance supports community efforts to get more involved and work productively with EPA to address environmental issues. For more information about TASC, visit: www.epa.gov/superfund/technical-assistance-services-communities-tasc-program. Technical Assistance Grant Program A Technical Assistance Grant, or TAG, helps communities participate in Superfund cleanup decision-making. It provides funding to community groups to contract their own technical advisor to interpret and explain technical reports, site conditions, and EPA’s proposed cleanup proposals and decisions. An initial grant up to $50,000 is available to qualified community groups. For more information about TAGs, visit: www.epa.gov/superfund/technical-assistance-grant-tag-program.
39 Intentionally left blank APPENDIX E
Environmental justice The Keystone Corridor site is located in a low-income neighborhood of Indianapolis and qualifies as anenvironmental justice project. Environmental justice involves the fair treatment of all people affected by pollution and environmental laws. The Environmental Justice Act of 1992 obligates federal agencies to make environmental justice part of its overall mission by “identifying and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of its programs, policies, and activities on minority populations The EPA defines environmental justice as the and low-income populations.” Following this fair treatment and meaningful involvement order, EPA’s Office of Environmental Equity of all people regardless of race, color, became the Office of Environmental Justice. The national origin, or income with respect EPA considers the neighborhood affected by the to the development, implementation, Keystone Corridor site an environmental justice and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. community. This means it is a community that historically is under-represented, with minority Fair treatment means that no group of people and low-income areas burdened with significant should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences environmental challenges. resulting from industrial, governmental, or When making cleanup decisions and planning a commercial operations, or the execution of federal, state, local, and tribal programs community involvement program for a community, and policies. the EPA must take environmental justice issues into account. As part of this effort, the EPA collaborates Meaningful involvement means that potentially affected community residents have an with the state agencies, representatives from the appropriate opportunity to participate city of Indianapolis, and concerned citizens in in decision-making about a proposed addressing environmental challenges in more activity that will affect their environment and/ effective, efficient, and sustainable ways. or health.
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