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.. ~r= i =f 0~= f:t... ~ oX -: ! ; :::! " ;x: ~ COMMUNITY RELATIONS PLAN i~~ ;::[ PARKER LANDFILL ":0. LYNDON, VERMONT r; s= COMMUNITY RELATIONS SUPPORT ~e h "' ~ n.-= ~ 0 .," Prepared for: :lilt ~ :a -.....) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency = = ~ Contract No.: 88-W9-0003 Work Assignment No.: C01099 ,_, TES6 1...0
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,......
Richard r..ighton Marc h 1 , 1991 Regional Projec t O!t'icer U. S . Environmental Protection Agenc y Waste Hanage11ent Divhion JFK Federal Building , Room 2203 Beeton, Maaaachusette 02203
Reference: Contract No. 68-W9-000J, TES 6 Work Assignment Np . C01099 Parker Landtill, Lyndon, Vermont Community Re lations Support
Subject: Deliverable: Community Relations Plan
Dear Rick:
In accordance with the reporting requirements ot the subject Work Aseign•ent, enclosed is one copy ot the tina! Community Relations Plan (CRP) tor the Parker Landfill site . This submittal uthties the second deliverable requirement tor this Work Assignment.
Please note that this tinal CRP incorporates the comme nts received J' !rom EPA (dated February 13, 1991) regarding the draft CRP prepared by Alliance. The WAH reviewed the revised CRP (via FAX) on February 21, 1991. Her final comments have been addressed .
At the requeat of the WAH, Sheila Eckman, four bound copies and one unbound copy ot the CRP have been delivered direc tly to her.
Questions regarding this submisaion should be directed to the Alliance Project Manager, Naida Gavrelis at (508) 970- 5757 ext 514 5 , or me.
Sincerely yours,
Peter Spawn Regional Manager
PS/km
Enclosure
Sheila Eckman/ EPA Work Assignme nt Manager Jill £ . Robbinsj TES-6 Contracting Officer (letter only) Jack Lewis, Jr . / Alliance TES - 6 Contracts Manager (letter only) Naida Gavrelisj Alliance Project Manager
Boon M1115 Sov!h Fool o1 John S1ree1 lowell Massachusens 01852 (508) 970-5600 r I r I
COMMUNITY RELATIONS PLAN
PARKER LANDFILl. Srre LYNOON, VERMONT COMMUNITY RELATIONS SUPPORT
Prepared for
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Waste Manaacmcnt Division JFK FederaJ BuildinJ Boston, Musachusetu 02203
Work Assignment No.: COI099 EPA Reaion: EPA/Site Facility 1.0 . No.: VTI>981062441 Contnct No.: 68-W9-0003 (TES-6) Alliance Document No.: A91 -049 Alliance Project No.: 1-63S-177·Q.I884.() Alliance Project Manaacr: Naida Gavreli s Telephone No. : (S08) 970-S600 SubcontraCt No.: N/A Subcontractor Project Mana&cr: N/A Telephone No.: N/A EPA Work Assignment Manager: Sheila Eckman EPA Telephone No.: (6 17) S73-S784 Date Prepared: February 27, 1991
ALLIANCE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION Boou Mills South Foot of John Street lowell, Massachuscll! 018.52 (S08) 97Q.S600
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TABLE OF CONnNTS
A. Overview ol Communiry Relations Plan
B. Site Backcround 1. Site Description 2. History of Site Investieations
C. Community BackJrOUnd 1. Community Profile 2. History of Community Involvement 3. Key Community Concerns
D. Development o( the Community Relations ProiJ'&fl'l I2 1, Objectives I2 l . Community Recommendations I4 3. Techniques and Timin& IS
References I9
Appendices
' A Offtcials, Key Contacts, and Interested Panics A-I B Jn(oonation Repositories and Suaat:sted Meetinc Locations 8-I C Media Contacts C-I FIGURES
Numbtr Pace
Lyndon Area Map Site Map
...c:
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COMMUNITY RELATIONS PLAN PAIUCEit LANDflLL SITE LYNDON, VERMONT
A. OVERVIEW OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS PLAN
This community relations plan has been developed to identify lnues of community concern
rtJudinJ the Parker l..andfillshe (the •li te ~ ) in Lyndon, Vermont, and to present suuested community rtlations activities to be conducted by the U.S. Environment.a1 Protection Acency (EPA) durin& the remedial investi &ation and feasibilhy study {Rl.IFS) activitiea at this she. The community relations proaram outlined in this document is in tended to keep local officials and resldtnu Informed of the investiaations and provide opponunities for involvement in the procen. This community relations plan hu been prepared in order to usist EPA in implemcntina a community relations proJfiJTl that is apccif.Wly tailored to the coacc:rru: and needJ ol the Lyndoa communhy. EPA conducts community relations activities to ensaue that the local public bu input 10 the decisions about Superfund actions and iJ well informed about the JII'OiftU of thole actions.
The community relations plan is based on interviews conducted by EPA whh local officials and Lyndon residenu, most of whom live in close proximity of the site, and on information
contained in EPA she fa.les . The in·penon in~c:rview s were conducted in Lyndon on December !5 and 6, 1990. Community and she bac: kJfOund information was compiled with the usistance of town officiaJs and throu&h reference to the literature cited at the end of this repon.
A moderate amount of community interest in the Parker Land/iU site appears to exist based on the interviews conducted. Residen ts in the immediate area are ctrta.inly concerned about the contaminated residential drinkina water wells in the area and other potential site related contamination. Commu nity members interviewed want to be kept infonned of the findings of the upcoming site investigation .
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The followina .ections are presented in this Community Relations Plan which describe the she, key community concerns. and sugc.sltd community relations activities:
Site llackiPO"nd; Community BockiPO"nd; Development of Community Relations Proaram; Appendix A: List of Officials, Key Contacts, and Interested Parties; Appendix B: Information ~posltories and Suuested Meetina Locations; and Appendix C: Media Conu.cts.
B. SITEBACKCROUND
I. Sht Doocripllon
The Parker Landfill is a 2.5-am IOlid wasce landfill located on a 7!1i-acre parcel of land. The parcel is situaled on the southeastern side of Lily Pond Road in the southeucem portion of
the fOW!I of lyndon, Caledonia County, Vermont (Fiaure 1 and EPA, 19901). The landfill is bounded by Lily Pond Road to the west; a trailer park to lhe north; an unnamed stream to the ean; and woodlands 10 1he south {FiJIU,. 2, EPA, 1990b; and EPA, 1989).
The terrain in the arta of the landfill is extremely hilly. An unnamed stream runs Ilona the eastern border o( the landfill and drains into the Passumpsic River kss than I mile downstream. Several fums, includin&: dairy farms, are located within I mile of the propeny and alarae trailer park is located along the northern border of the landfill (EPA, 1989). The Village of Lyndonville's municipal well field, which provides drinkin& water for approximately 3.200 people, is located 1.7S miles nonh of the landflJ I. In addition, approximately S24 people draw drinking water from private wells within 3 miles of the site (EPA, 1990b).
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L Parker Llndflll Community Relations Firure 1: A ALUANCE -' Lyndon Artl Mlp m .. --" r I r I -
• •
•
Community Relations A ALUANCE Figurt 2: ~--~ SRt Map r I r I
T1le lind on which tbe Parker LaadfUl is kaled wu tint used for wute diapolll in the mid
19~. laitially, lhe land wu UMd u tiOUite rA JaDd and ,ravel and u a dwnpin& aru for local"oide"" (EPA, 1989). The -was 11m porminod u • diJposll !acUity lind aanilary lladflll by •- lind loc:ll beahh lind enYironmentll •aencies in 1971. Formal llndfillin& opem!OIU be&ID in 1m (EPA, 19901>). The llnd!U1 wu owned by Dean Puker until 1984, when the property wu transftmd to Ray 0 . Parker and Son, Inc. {EPA, 1990b).
Accordifta to previous State and Federal inYCstiaatioru, lar&e amounts of liquid indusaial
waste and mixed liquid. semi-solid, and solid wute wert; disposed at the landfill between 1972 and 1913 (EPA, 1990b). Indusaial dc:pusinaaolvcnu and flammable materials were
amon& the wu&e types known to have been disposed at the site.
In 19S4, routine umpli na conducted by the Vcnnont A,ency of Environmental Conservation (VT AEC) c:l four monhorina wells at the Parker Landfill and of an unnamed stream Ilona the pe:rimelt:r of the landfill revealed lhe presence of volltile DrJAnic compounds (VOCs). · VOCs are 1 poup of chemical compounds that are chancteriu.d by their tendency to evapcnte into the air from water and soil. Many VOO are known to be common industrial deJrCUinasolvents. The only potential source of contamination was determined to be the Parker Landfill.
Subsequent samplina concluded that the landfill soils, the stream, and five private drink:inJ water wells to the south were also contaminated with VOCs (ESE. 1990). The predominant VOCs dettettd include trichloroethene (TCE), 1,1.1-trichloroethane (TCA), and trans- 1.2-dichloroethene (1,2-DCE). Additional VOCs (methylene chloride, ethyl benzene, toluene,
xylenes, and 2-butanone) we~ detected in the landfill soils (EPA, 1990b). Treatment systems have been installed on five contaminated drinking wells in the area.
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In 1985, the VT AEC compleiCd.a Preliminary Aueument whlch revealed that approximately
1,330,000 pllonl ~liquid inchlsai.a! waste and 688,900 ldloanms ~mixed liquid, semi· IOlid, and IOlid wutes were disposed at the lanMill between 1972 and 1983. Industrial wute known to biYe been diJposed at the she l.oc:hMies TCE, TCA, flammable paint slud&e, waste oil, elecuoplatina slud.JC, and platin& rinte waten (EPA, 1990b).
Based on the rtsulu of the Preliminary Assessment and an Unconaolled H.awdous Waste Si!e Evalualioo (olto conducled by the VT AEC), the EPA proposed the Porur Landfill for inclusion on the Narional Priorities LiJt (NPL) on June 21, 1988 (EPA, 1990b). The NPL iJ a lill of the nation'• most contaminated hazardous waste sites. Placement on the NPL prioritiles the she for federal fundina under the EPA 's Superfund propam and makes profenional assistance more tndily available to those responsible for site cleanup. The Pukc:r LandfiU was officially placed on the NPL on Februuy 16, 1990.
In Aupst 1990, the EPA enM:red into Adminisntive Orden by Consent with four pocentially responsible panies (PR.PI ): Dean Parker, Ray 0 . Parker and Son, Inc., Vcnnoru Tap and Die, and Nonheut Tool. The •JrCCment Rquires the four panics to pay the cost of the Rl/FS, a
Jtudy intuded to de~~tm~ine the extent of contamination 11 the she and the best possible
means to clean it up, and 10 ~imburse EPA for the cost of ovenec:in& the RI/FS (EPA,
1990b). These parties also alfCCd 10 ~ i mbune EPA and the State of Vennont a portion or their put costs related to investiaalions at the si1e. EiJht olher parties known to have disposed or or transported indusaial waste to !he landfill have not yet agreed to assist in lhe cleanup (EPA, 1990b).
The RI/FS will beain in the Sprin& of 1991.
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C. COMMUNrrY BACKGROUND
1. Commuolty Profile
The Town of Lyndon wu chartered on June 27, 1711 when Vennont wu srlU an independent republic:. When Vennont joined the Union in 1791, the population of Lyndon wu fifty -nine .
By the mid-nineteenth century, the town prospered in the millinJ business 11 a result of ils
proximity to the Pusumpsic R,j~r . Other kxal indusaics included hone buUY manufacturin.J, pocato fannin&, and maple su&arinJ.
The town was oriJinally divided into four burrouahs: East Lyndon, Lyndon Center, Lyndon Comer, and Lyndonville, each whh a small villaae center. East Lyndon is no lon&cr fonnally
recopiz:td. Lyndon Center, Lyndon corner, and Lyndonville ~ still recoanized, althouch Lyndonville is the only incorporated villaae. due mainly to lhe fact that it has its own electric company and warer system. Prcsent-dly Lyndon cncompastes an arta of 23,061 acres and bas a populadon of abot.u 4,900.
The economy of the Lyndon area relies heavily on the tool manufac rurinJ industry. Four larp manufacturin& companies, Northeast Tool, Vennont Tap & Die, and EHV-Weid.mann employ a sipificant percenta,e of the local population. Apicultural products such as lumber and produce still provide much of the: local revenue and small business and n:crc:ational areas have become increuincly evident. Fifty percent of the land within the Town of Lyndon is developed for commercial, industrial, or residential uses; twenty percent is used as crop and pasturt land; the rc:mainin& thiny percent is woodland.
Local educational institutions include Lyndon State Collece and the Lyndon Institute, a private high school that town resideniS can attend free of charce.
The Town of Lyndon is governed by a town cle rk and three selectmen. Environmental issues -- are handled by the Lyndon Town Health Officer. The Village of Lyndonville is aovemed by
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ft¥C U\lllllel whole ducies include controlllnJ the operation of the elecaic plant, manacinl the upkeep ol the wale!' mains, and appointinJ police oft'"tcen. Town of Lyndon ofru:i.als hold
jurildictioa over the remainina branches of office. A Municipal Assistant wu ~d in March 1990 to belp "witb the ever-powin1and diverse issues of dly-10-day businen opmdons of tho TOWII and Villa&e" (AMIIII Repon, 1989).
Tbc mono chosen for the Town of Lyndon bicentennial may help to clwacleriu the flavor of the town - "a town 100 tou&h to die".
l. Hlstory ot Community lnvolvemtnt
MOlt residents interviewed f111t learned of potential contamination associated with the Parker l..PdfUI in 1914 throu&h word-ol'-moulh. Individuals on tn.il bikes reponedl y discovered plDda: with peen UquMI on the sire. In response, individual residents and membe rs of Citizens for Responaiblc Waste Disposal, a Jf'OUP o( Lyndon residents that had been active in
1982 in opposition of 1 proposed '1and farm " in the uu.. pursued this findina. The State was
consulled and confirmed the ~se~ of trichloroethene (TCE) contamination in cround water lftd in the SIJ'Cim on the site. Add.itionalrcstina; revealed that several nearby residential wells
weR<:OftWDinatcd..
Dr. Lloyd Thompson, who resided in what is now the Rivenide Day School, became concerned about the health of the sheep he raised after leaminJ of the contamination in the stream above his property. After TCE was discovertd in one of the sheep throu&h laboratory
tcstina. Dr. Thompson had nearly ~0 of h.is animals destroyed. Word of th is "sheep-kiW heiahtened the concem of local residen ts and the community 11 larae. Site neiahbors met reaularly durina the mid-1980s 10 discuss their conce rns, un til treatment systems were installed on five affected residential wells.
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Local new~ have reponed on the Parter Landfill site periodically since the conwninalion wu tint detected. Nearly everyone interviewed kept apprised of the situation by IUdinJ the newspaper.
The initial outraae of local residcnu over the contamination tppean to have subsided. Several individuals interViewed stated that one of the p-eatest challenJCS they faced when they fint discovered a pocential problem wu obtaininJ the necessary recopition. Most residenu interviewed stated that now that EPA hu become involved, they are satisfaed that the site is finally reccivina: the attention it deserves. All individuals interviewed are interested in keepin&i nformed of the results or the remedial investigation due 10 cet underway in the spr;naor 1991.
3. Kty Community Conctrns
Ot'flcials and midenu intervM:wcd in Lyndon expressed vuyinclevels of concern rc&Udin a: the Parker Landfill site. Most individuals inteTViewcd were lifclona rcsidenlS of the Lyndon areL Residents in the immediate area of the lite, particularly those with contaminated wells, are clearly concerned about the quality of the around water in the area. There is also concern over poccntially contaminated soils and streams. However, the town health officer hu not
received inquiries from ~sidents rea:ardina: the Parker Landfill. A fe w town officials sugested that h is possible that community memben ouuide the immediate m a may not be awm of the fact that cenain private wells m contaminated and have trutment systems.
Other environmental concerns in the area include the Darlin&Hill Superfund site, solid waste disposaJ. and substandard housina. DarlinJ Hill's proximity to tow n water supply wells seems to have resul ted in a somewhat higher level of concern over this site compared to Parker Landfill accordina; to many of those interviewed. In light of the state-mandated
c l os~n of the Parlcer Landfill in 1992, solid waste issues are of great concern. Effons are underway within the Northeast Kingdom to organize a feasible waste management system . A
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~ic ~~ town subsidized '")'Clina Pf'OIRnl has been established u one means of addressina the solid z ~; 0... wuce problem. p ;:; ~~ '" The overridinJ inue in the Lyndon area is the economy accord.ina to those interviewed. ~i Education wu also named u anocher key community concern. Nonetheless, most ~sidents ~~ interviewed rmbd the Patter Landfill hi&h on their list of community priorities. As the results of the remedial investipdoa become available, the lcV1:l of concern may chan~ "' "~ ;: dependina on the fll\dinas . The speciflC concerns that community memben presently have ;= reaardinJ the Parker Landfill are detailed below. "!:I s:a;.. Ground Water Quality. Residenu and town oCficials interviewed eKpreued JMlt concern reaardina the quality of the around water in the Parker Landfill area and the '"i:i~ " potential neaative imp.cts on human health. Residtnu with treatment sys~ems n r expressed mixed fcelinas over havin& these treatment systems in their homes. While 0 most perceived their water 10 be safe, and were satisfied with the service received ""' from the maintenance company, residents are still upset over the fact that their ., drinkin& walel' wells are contaminated. One resident sutcd that for yean "cold, fresh , ,.. JOOd wcina" water was enjoyed; now, even with the treatment system, the water tqJOnedjy just docs DOC lUte that ~·L Another resident stated that the filter wu an :::a inconvenatnce and that h wu diffiCuh to understand some of the operation and maintenance requiremenu. Oesphe the filtration system, the ~II water is not bein& = used for drink.ina at the Rivenidc Day School accordina 10 school officials. =,.:a A resident intuVie'Ned who Uves on Brown Fann Road expressed concern that lhe wells in that area may become impacled in time . In addition, one resident had heard that the contamination had moved to water supply we Us across the Passumpsic River.
VUlllf Water u an Alternate Source of Drlnklna Watu. Water qualiry is an important issue town wide. Town officials reponed that more inquiries are received about the town water supply than from residents near the Parker Landfill. Residents UJ interviewed in the Parker Landfill area are apprehensive about tappin& into the village water supply because of reponed TCE contamination. The effectiveness of the treatment system beinJ instaJled at the town wells was questioned by some. One C:J interviewee noted that more people have been observed purc:hasin& bottled water. Parker Landfill area residents also inquired about who would pay for tying into the town water supply if the lines are extended to their neighborhood as is anticipated. Most individuals interviewed felt that they should not have to incur this cost as their -C private wells represent significant investments.
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Air Emllliou. Residents interViewed also upressed c:oncem reaardinJ the potential air cmbsions from the landfill, includ.in& the ml&ntion of subsurface aases into dirt -~ . Surfac:e Wattr Quilty (Streams and Riven). Several residents commented on the fact that the u.nnamed stream wu once a ftlce place 10 fish but now no fish are seen in this waltrway.
Hallh Haurdl to Tr...-n. One resident interViewed recommended that a sian be posted by the unnamed stream to alen passers by that this waterway is contaminated. Concern reaardina potential health hazards posed to children playin& in the area was also expressed.
Extent of Contamiutioft. Residents interviewed seem to have a sense oC the hazards identified 10 date at the site but some are concerned about contaminants that may not have yet been klentified. One individual intc:rviewed sensed skepticism amonast community members in tcnns or the investiaarive process revealin& the actual exltnt o( the problem. This lndividual thou&ht this attitude stemmed rrom the community's pen:eption that the Darline Hill lnvestiaarlon hu not revealed many slpificant (mdinJS.
JmpKts of the SUe lnvtstlption and Cleanup. One inquiry wu received relaltd to bow sile cleanup may atrect kJcal midents (Brown Farm Road, the niler park, Pine Knoll Nllnin& Home, Pine Rid&e Estates, and Red Villa&e Road). Specific concerns include rears or uccnive trUCk lnffic and dust. Another individual expressed concern dw disturbin& the materials dwin& the site invesdaarion and cleanup may create additional probLems. Concern was also nOICd re&ardin&lhe continued operation of the landfill resultina in disposal of wastes in areas which will later need to be cleaned up.
FeuibUily ot Cleanup. Several inquiries were received durin& the interviews reaardina the likely methods to be used to clean up the Parker Landfill site (e.a.• could pound waltr quality be restored, how could soils be cleaned?).
Tlmin&and Cost of Remedial lnvestlplion and Actions. Most individuals interviewed realize that the investi&ation and cleanup of the Parker Landfill will take a lot of time, money, and effon. Residents in aeneral feel that site inveniaations take too long and that ultimately the taxpayen of Lyndon will carry the brunt in terms of costs. c:a
Property Values. Ahhouch most area residents interviewed have lived in their present homes for several years and have no immedi:ue plans to sell, there was a great concern about the resale values of their homes, especially those with known contaminmted wells. One resident had aied to sell a few years ago but was unsuccessful.
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= ~i i .• 0 i! F..aun ~ Acc:ordin110 n:sidcncs and otfic:ia1s, development of land in .,. tbe ua ol the she hu been proposed. The land was not chosen as a site for a new ~i :!.o ICbool, but residential development has not been ruled out. Given the absence ot [~ ;::::! • n zoninJ resaicdonlln Lyndon, scvenl of those interviewed questioned how and if .. -.;m poead&J t'wure midentJ would be auurecl of livina a •normal, bulthy life" on :~ ~ ccatamiaaled land. ;'a ~~ ~ Potential Impact on Wlldllfe and Plants. A few residenu interviewed expressed coneem owr the poential imp.ct site conwninanu may have on uta wildlife (e.J., deer, rabbiu). In addition, one c:oncemcd citizen noted that ve,etation is missina in area around the site where it would be expected.
Home Veptablt Gardens. Azu residents ukcd whether &atdenina in potentially eontaminatecl soils in their yards is aate. Rcsklenu stated that occasional floodin& in the area occun, therefore, they are concerned about the ssmad of contamination.
Lc. ot Jolal. The local companies and parties deemed potentially responsible for conwninadon 11 the Parter Landfill and who will be payina for the RJ/FS have been majcl' employers in the Lyndon area for many years. Those interviewed fear, pven the poor economic times coupled with the cost of the investiaation and cleanup, that financial hatcWiip may ultimttely lead to the lou of jobs.
eo.-.ily lmlp. One IOWn otrtcialexpruaed ccncem tlw two Superfund shes are klcaled witbin Lyndon and stated thai many residents have the impression that Lyndon may have been sinPcd out, that the~ arc many other "dumps" not on the NPL which probably have eonwninated lfOW'd water. Bad publicity is a concern. Residcnu ICCmCid proud ot their Vennont hcritase and one resident emphasized the point that Vermont ot all places ahould have clean water.
Devtlopmeot: ola Uned Landfill in the lrnmtdirite Am . As mentioned earlier, the Parter Landf'lll ilschcduled 10 close in approx.imltely two yean. A few individuals interViewed ex.presiCd concern that a new lined landfill may be sited on the land adjacent 10 Brown Fltm Road.
D. DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROGRAM
1. Objectives
Interviews and discussions with local officials and residenu revealed that there is 1 moderate
interest in the Paricer Landfill site and 1 great desire to be kept informed of site activities.
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The community rt:lations procnm should be aauaed ICCOfdinJIO the communhy's need for information, anc1 iu interest and willinpss to participate in the remedial proceu. The community relations procram ahou1c1 provide a means to keep the entm community informed of major dcYCiopmenu 11 the site and aware o( the opportunities for involvement in the Superfund process. The overall loa! of the community relations proaram is to maintain an open line of communicalio.1 bctwt:en EPA and affecled community residents. Sccmin&IY disinterested residents may show JTC&ter interest it the results of the invcstiaation arc sipi(lCltlt
The community relations procram for the Parker Landfill site has the followina objectives :
To provide the public with ICXUI'IIt Information reprdin&lilt activities. It is • important that the community be kept informed of the pro,ress and major milestones oC the sile investiptions. The community relations propam will establish and maintain reaular communication between residents, cown officials, and EPA. Wonnadon will be accurate, up-IO-date, and easily u.ndc:rs&andable in order 10 muimize the credibility of EPA and other aacncies involvccl in the procram .
To Inform communlly awmben about the Superfund procas and the rolt of EPA. The Lyndon community members interviewed expressed an inltftst in better l undcntandina the Superfund process. Efl'ons should be made to deacribe the steps involved in the remediaJ investiaation and the criteria used to determine if and how the site should be rcmcdiated.
To 1Upporf the lnterpretlllon ot technical lntonn.~tkMI . Concise and euily· undcncood information should be made available to aU residents and offiCials on the schedule of technical activi ties, their purpose, and their outcome. Community rt:lations stafT should attempt to identify special siruations or concerns whe~ more specialized infonnation may be ~quired, or where certain types of infonnation are needed by sin&le individuals or poups.
The community relalions proeram should provide a means for interested residents, officials, and local environmental groups to interpret technical infonnation when necessary. (See the discussion of the Technical Assistance Grant pro&ram in the next I section.) -..J L
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SevenliUQCitioN were made by individuab interviewed reprdina the best ways for EPA to bcp the public informed about lice acdvities. One penon interviewed stresiCd the imporu.oce d DOC allowin& J!'Cit time lapses between information updates because people in toWn may ba:cxne suspkious and disb'Ustful o( the process.
Community membc:n offered the followina recommendations.
Media. Citizens interViewed indica1ed that the media is the best way to act information to the community. Most community memben interviewed indicated lhat the newsp.tper is one of the best vehicles for informina the public of imponant issues. Many hid learned the decails of the Parker Landfill problem via the local newspapen. The p1pen racl by most n:sidcnu teem 110 be the Cdedonian Record and the Weekly News. Mi.ud.mpontet were received from retidcnu who were asked whclher they watched lhe news on Lyndon Scare Colleae cable station. Few of lhcse residents watched Owlncl 2 news, primarily due 10 the inconvenient time. 1bercforc, use of Chuoel 2 10 two.dcut sicc--rdarcd informacion may no1 ruch that many community memben.
fKt Sheela. Neuly every individual in&erviewed was in~erestcd in receivinJ by mail fact lhcc:u pauinina to the aile investiaation. One community member sugesled a quealion and lftiWCf romw for the fact sheets. In lddition, one individual stared that people want bouom lines. For example, Lyndon resklents receive: replar reporu on the 10Wn pound waer supply •• contaminants are present but at low levels. Residents want 10 know whit lhls inlonnation really means. II wu also rtCOmmended thai any fact sheet mailinJ be marked import4nl so llw it is noc: overlooked by the recipient
Public Mtetinp. Lyndon residcnu in1erviewed expressed mixed feelinas over the effectiveness of boldine public meelincs to discuss Pari:er Landfill rela1ed issues. It was indicated that public mcetinJS are not well attended unless the communi!)' is emotionally involved wilh the issue beina: addressed. One individual sunested that it mia:ht be more useful to hold informational meetincs for small groups (e.g., for the Chamber of Commerce, Rowy Club, Lyndonville Women's Club).
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J. T--.-udThllina
EPA Superfund pidance ~uirt:s a number of community relations activities durin& the RJJFS. 1bele include providinaa public comment period on the RIJFS and Proposed Plan and prepvina a responsiveness summary. Other activities are suuested based on the spccif'x:: needs rJ the Lyndon comrnunhy. Those community members interViewed expressed a deflnice inla'est in beinJ kepc informed of site activities throu&h the maintenance of an information repository, mailinJs, news releases, and publk meetinas.
Requited and SUIJCSied community relations activities forlhe Parker Landrlll site and the central time frame for their implementation are described below.
Eltabllah information contacts. The EPA she Remedial Project Manaaer and the Corrununily Relations Coordinator will serve u infonnation contaCts throuJhout the Superfund invcstiptions at the Parker Landfill Pte. Ready access to these individuals will ensure that conccms and QIJCStions of of'fw::ials, community poups, and residents are lddrnled cf'fcctively. Appendix A lists the names and telephone numbers o( the twO EPA information contacts.
TIM1: Two contacts have already been desicnated. Their names and telephone numbers should be included in all maiUnJs and news releases.
Eltabllah and maintain information repo•ilories. Fact sheets. technical summaries, site reporu (includina the community relations plan), Superfund infonnadon, and Other siae-relatec:l material will be readily &\lailabtc 10 all interested parties. Information repositories will be located at the Town Hall, Coblei&h Public Library, and Lyndon Swe Colleae Library. The addresses and houn of operation are included in Appendix B.
Timill1: Jnfonnation repositories have already been established at eac h of the above mentioned localions. The infonnation repositories will be maintained for the duration of Superfund remedial activities, and infonnation will be added to them in a timely and continuous manner.
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Maiataln 1 liN mailinalilt. All interesled olflcials, residenu, community JfOUps, raponaible parties, and news media representatives will be included on a site mailin& list. This Wa wUI be used to dislribute fact sheets and other she-related information. ne maillna Ust will be updated primarily on the buis ot mcetina sicn·in aheeas and communications with the lnlormation contacts mentioned atxwe.
TfMMr: EPA it devclopinJ a mai.linalist for the Parker l..andfUJ site. This mailin& liJt sbould be continually updalod. The key '"'"*"' and ofllclalo (Appendix A) and media contacts (Appendix C) will be inc:IOOed on the mai.lin& Ust.
lllue news releuel and public notkes. ~~~ releases may be i.uucd 10 provide timely nodficadon ol project milestones and upcomin1 activities. The lanpaae in the press releases should be clear and concise to minimize the risk of misinterpretation.
Tbrlblt: Press releases can be prepared periodically. Public notices announcinJ the Proposed Plan and Record of Decision are required by law. The appropriate media contacts for this purpose are listed In Appendix C.
Preplrt aad dlltrtbute F1ct lheeb. Fact sheets can be issued to provide information 011 Superfund and activities at the Parker Landfill site. All pcnons inll:rvicwed expmted a 11r'OnJ inla'est ln ~ivinJ by mail pertinent information reJudinJ she ICtivities. AU information should be presented in euy-to-undentand format. Fact sheets that may be wrinen include one that describes W: Superfund process, one that will prexnt the ~sulu or the remedial investiaation, and one chat outlines the propo~ed remedial action plan and the rcsuhs or the feasibility study.
TU.W.r: Fact sheets can be disaibuted periodically. Facu sheets may be issued at milesklnes suc:b u the completion or the remedial invcstiaation or when there is any new infonnarion 10 rcpon.
Technical Alllllanct Gnnll (FAGs). In 1988, EPA established a arant proaram to enabie community JfOilPS to hire tec:hnical consultants to uslst In interpretina sire-rclaiCd technical information. Specifically, poops may want to perform their own evaluation or samplinJ data and proposed cleanup alternatives. The Lyndon community mi&ht benefit £rom this prolfl111 . EPA will inform Lyndon area citizen lfOUpS that these funds exist and encourage TAG proposals to be written.
Timi111: The local community will be informed of TAG fundin& opponunities as early u possible in the RI/FS process to allow ample ti me for proposal prcpantion - and processing.
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Hold public ...clap. EPA may hold public meednp 10 inform community memben oliCCi.vides at the Parker Landfill aile and 10 provide a forum for citizens to uk q..acltions. A~visual aidl and face·to-face discussions may facilitate the undenlandina ol men complex t~CCbnicalluues . The supcsled meetinalocations m llJtod In Appendix B.
TiMlllr: At a mini.mwn, a pnenJ Wormatioaal meetina early in the rtmedial invesdaatior. is recommended 10 provide community members with ,eneral factual information addrenin& site history, planned she activities, and the Superfund process in ,enenl. A second meetin1 could present the results of the R.l and plans for furure activities. A lhird mcetina miJht be held to present the results of the FS and the Propotcd Plan.
Communlly/Civic Groups. EPA will be available, upon invitation, to speak 10 community croups such u the Chamber of Comme~. Rowy Club, Lyndonville Women's Club, or civic oraaniutions. These forums will provide an opponunity for interu~ed community memben 10 ask: questions reaardina site ac ti vities.
Tt.U.1: EPA will schedule meetinas. upon request.
Allow a public comment period on the RIIFS and Proposed Plan. EPA will provide a minimum of 30 days for public comment on the RIIFS and Proposed Plan. Oral and written comments provided dwin& this period will be considered in the process or selectin& cleanup alternati ves.
TI.W.t: The public comment period will rollow preparation or the RJ/FS and Propotcd Plan.
Hold a Public Harlnc. A public hearin& will be held durina the Rl/FS comment period in order to Jive intensted parties the opportunity to provide oral comments on the Proposed Plan.
Timi11t: A public hearinJ will be held sometime during the public comment period on the RI/FS and the Proposed Plan.
Prepare a Responslvtne:a Summary, EPA will prepare a Responsive ness Summary, which summarizes all oral and written comments and concerns submiued during the comment period on the RI/FS and the Proposed Plan, and EPA's responses to these - comments. The Responsiveness Summary must accompany the Record or Decision (ROO) for the site. The ROD is a public document that explains the cleanup alternatives chosen ror the site by EPA. -- Timing: The Responsiveness Summary will be prepared following the public comment period on the RI/FS and Proposed Plan.
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...,.,-..itJ rtlatialll plaa. 'I1UI community n:ladons plu m1y be 18YiM, ll...... -y, CollowinJI.uuance of a Record of Decision for the sile. Oanp:s ODd__, 10 tho plan may occur prior to tho ROO, based on chanpnJ caaunwUcy CODCCI'Ill. It lnl)' be nec:euary to conduct addidonal penonallnteniews to evabaUB chanacs in communicy pc:n:eptions and concerns.
n.Ja,: EPA may revile the community relations plan u necessary durin& the remedial deaiplremediallttion phue of she investiptions.
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REFERENCES
Annual Repon for the Year Endin& December 31, 1989, Town of Lyndon, Vermont, 1989.
DeLorme Mappi.na Company. TM v.,-,,.,,., Atlas Gild GGZt"'"· DeLorme. 1988.
ESE. Environmenll.l Sciences and EnJinccrinJ, Inc:. Umi11d Fltld lt~vtsrittJ/IotU WOI'k Plan. fartlr L4tt4/f.ll, Lyttdott, VtnNOIII. Prepared for the Parker Landfill Tuk Group, Lyndonville, VennonL Sepcembc:r 7, 1990.
U.S. EPA, 19901. U.S. Environmental Pmcection A~ncy . EPA ElfViroMUitla/ Ntws Pr111 RlltGJt /Of' dtl Sitttllll of a~~ Admiflistrarfvt A.trttmllll with Four PMdts. Aucust 16, 1990.
U.S. EPA, 1990b. U.S. Environmental Protection Aaency. AdminiJtrativt Ordtr by Constnt for Rtmtdia/ fllvtstifatioftlFtcuibiliry Study for lhl Parktr Landfill. Auaust 10, 1990.
U.S. EPA, 1989. U.S. Environmental Protection Apncy, Environmental MonitorinJ Systems l..abontory. EI'A Sltt ANJ/ysis of tM Parktr l.Aitll,/lllln Lyndonvlllt, Vtrmont. Auaust, 1989.
USGS, 1988. U.S. Geol()jical Survey. ProvislontJI Map of till Burb MoUIIUlin, Vtrmolll Q...Uanrl•. 1988.
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~rri :o f; API't:NDIX A --=r l·0 OmCJALS, KEY CONrACTS, AND INI'EilESTED PARTIES ~· ~-""' .. &f! ~
A. ~i~; , ...... - OllldoJI ~r~~ I. Senator James Jeffords :w2·224-5141 Wuhin11011. DC 20!110 ~ DUirict Offi I. Shcill Eckman 617·51l·l184 Remedial Project Manaaer U.S. EPA, ReJion 1 IFK Federol Bui1din& (liPS-CAN 1) Boston, MA 02203 u... 2. Dou& GutrO 617-565-3383 Community Relations Coordinator U.S. EPA, Re&ion 1 JFK Fedcrtl Building (R.PA) -- Boston , MA 02203 -C ..J A91-049.lJ.I A· 1 A~!A~E r -, r -, RHi·- :ora c. - Elodod Oflldolo er~~~ ao..r.or JUchonl Socllina 1102-1211·3333 n~·~ 109 Swc Snet .. ::: ~ Moaopelier. VT 03602 ~i~~ 2. Seoworlohn M 2. wmiam Ahearn. DUoctot 802-244-8702 Division o( Hazardous Waste Acency or Natural Resources 103 S. Main, West BuildinJ Waoerl>ury. VT 05676 3. Tim Burke 802-244-8755 Commissioner of Environmenlll Conservation Division of Water Resources Aaency of Natural Resource s 103 S. Main Street Waterbury. VT 05676 A91-Gt9.ut A·2 r I r I r- •if: :oraR • f 4. 0..-id ClooJh, OU.CUlr 802-244-69S I !i=l~ Diviskln of Wuer Quality 1.. ~.::! Aaency of NINRI RA:soun:es - &:: ~ 103 s. Mains.... BWldin1 10 North ~ii~ wa-..y, VT OS676 ~i~~ s. Edward Leonard, Director 802-224-7831 > Division of W~~~e Manapmcnt 0 Ap:ncy ol Nahnl Resowces ~ .. 103 S. Main Saeet Watetbury, VT OS676 ~~ 6. Roben O'GOOy 802-863-7200 hNo Director of Environmental Health Vennont Dept. of Health Main Street 0<'=~ 60 0 P.O. Box 70 ,. 0 BurlinJton, VT ~402 ., 7. J. Tunothy VanZandt, Dlrccwr 802-244-7331 ,.. Vcnnonc Dept. of F1Sh A Wildlife 103 s. Main s.... :a Watetbury, VT OS676 = E. Locll OflldiiS =,. 1. Da.-idC. Dill 802-626-S834 Municipal Assistant Town/Villa.ae of Lyndon(ville) P.O. Bo1t 167 Lyndon vil ~ . VT OSSSI 2. Raben E. Lawrence 802-626-S78S 1- Town Clerk. Town of Lyndon P.O. Box 167 Lyndonville, VT 05851 3. Dean G. Parker 802-626-SSSS Chainnan, Board of Selectmen P.O. Box 2S Lyndonville, VT 05851 A9i-049.ut A-3 r -, r -, Ri!i· :ora 4. Eric PuiJ 102-626-326.5 Sdec:.,an !i~l~ P.O. Box 167 !i !:~ Lyndonville, VT 038~1 • =:• rn :i~; ~. Bruce lames 102-626-3317 Selec""an ~f~~ P.O. Box 1387 Lyndonville, VT 038~1 !; 6. DooaldBLake 102 - 626-~338 Cbainnan, Boan:l of Trus~ees P.O. Box43 Lyndonville, VT ~~ h., 7. Donna Edwards .. TNitce :o:!..... P.O. Box 344 0 Lyndonville, VT 038~ 1 ,."" " 8. lollnW. Emery 802-626-9346 -a Truloec ,.. P.O. Box "8 Lyndonville, VT 038~ 1 :a c::::t 9. PaW Gm:nwood 802-626-9029 TNStec c::::t P.O. Box 279 ,. Lyndonville, VT 0~8~ 1 10. Junes Nicol 102-626-86ll TNSoec P.O. Box 27 Lyndonville, VT Ol8ll UJ 11. Charles Brousseau 802-626-ll86 Chairman, Board of Listers P.O. Box 167 Lyndonville, Vf OS8S I -- A91~9 . tll.t A-4 n- RHi :ora ---. 12. ldla E11ioo. MD 102-626-8298 Lyndon Town Health Officer ei~t~ RFD2 ~i !.~ Lyndonvillc, vr ~851 • =:= ~ 13. H.P. Fuchen 102-626-8424 ~i~~ Depury Lyndon ;i ~~ Town Health Ofllcer P.O. Box 575 Lyndonvillc, VT~851 !: 14. Wendell CuSJdy 802-626-5606 Town FIR 0\lef ~~ P.O. Box 134 !: Lyndonville, VT ()j:8!51 ..~E ., 15. Jim Dziobek 802-626-m9 0<'= ~ Town Police Chief 0 P.O. Box 1176 ,. Lyndonvme, vr 05851 .," 16. Drury Vinton 802-626-5322 ,.. Clllitman, Plannins-Zonins Board P.O. Box 55 :a Lyndon, vr ~849 17. Brian Bona, President 802-626-5339 = Lyndon Atu Chamber ol Commerce = ~ Lyndon, vr ~849 18. William Norrie 802-626-5468 Supt. of Water and Streets Villaae of Lyndonville Lyndonville, VT 0!5851 I f. F. Environmental Groups I. Green Mountain Environmental Alliance P.O. Box 4081 St. Johnsbury, VT 0!1819 -...1 A91.(!49.txt A-5 _&!"-u~e r -, r -, 2. Adopc·•Strwn 102·741-2372 Main and Prospect Sa.et SL loluubttry, Vf ~819 Attn: OwtesBrown All1~9 . U! A·6 r I r I APPENDIX I INFORMATION REPOSITORIES AND SUGGESTED MEETING LOCATIONS A. Wonnatloo Repclli- Town !WI Town al Lyndon l4 Main Street P.O. Box 167 Lyndonville. VT OS83 I Contact: Hours: Mon.•fri., 7:30 am to 4:30pm 2. Cobkiah Public Ubrary 70 Depots.... P.O. Box 147 Lyndonville. VT osm Contact: Pat lhulhurst. 802-626-3473 lloun: Mon., Noon to 7:00pm Tues., Thun., Noon to S:OO pm Wed., 10:00 am 10 5:00 pm Fri., 10:00 am to 7:00 pm Sat., 10:00 am to 2:00pm 3. Lyndon State CoUcJe Library Vennont Room Lyndonville, VT 05851 Contact: Jerome Halpin, 802-626.9371 Houn: Mon.-Thurs., 8:00 am to Midnight Fri., 8:00 am to S:OO pm Sat, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Sun., Noon to Midnight (w hen school is in session) A9t.().t9.ut B·l r -, r -, I . 1. L)'lldon lluliluoo L)'lldon Cenoer L)'lldonvi!Je, VT ~831 Conracc Bob llealh (8:00 lll1 10 2:00pm), 802-626-3337 f'ac:illdes : J)'mauiwn, cafeteria, audhorium Ctpocity; 600 (auditorium) 2. L)'lldonville Glided School 20 Park Avenue L)'lldonvi!Je, VT ~83 I Conw:t Mary Reinhart (8:00 lll1 10 3:00pm), 802-626-3373 Fadlitics: tymnuium Cap.city: approximately 2.50 B·2 _A~ANCE r -, r I APPENDIX C MEDIA COlO"ACTS A. ~- Calodonla Reccnl 1. L)'Ddoaville Bweau 802-626-3328 P.O. Box l69 FAX' 802-748-1613 Lyndonville, vr Ol8lt (SL lolmsbwy) Ann: Jan Newpher 2. L)'l"bbviUe Weelc.J y News 802-626-9263 P.O. Box 1638 Lyndonvi lle, VT Ol8ll Attn : Richard Beck 3. Hazardout Materials Ncwdcncr I P.O. Box 204 Bam, VT0l611 r ,:) 4. The Cridc 802-626-9371, xlll Box L966 I Lyndonville, VT Ol8ll l . The Tunes AtJus 802-479-0191 540 North Main Street Bam, VTOl641 6. The Associated ~u 802-229-0l77 P.O. Box 866 Montpelier, VT 0!!602 Attn : Christopher Graff 7. United Prtss International 802-223-7201 Box 611 Montpelier, VT 0!!602 I Attn : Steven Bredice L v C-1 A91~9 . txt r -, r -, n ~ Ri[f ~~ra 8. Burlinp:~n fRe Press 80().642-3124 !f~~ ~ t9t CDUeae s.... , (.a~. ::! P.O. Bo• 10 D lz• ~ Bortin...., VT ~ 'a :; i! Attn: Kevin Ellis • a • B. RaclloSiolloou ~r~! 1. WG NT 802-626-9000 .. Bok9! FAX: 802-626-8300 " Eut Burla:, VT OS832 s= Attn: Paul Mann, News Director =a 2. WSKI AM 802-223-S27S s:g;... P.O. Bo• 487 .. ., Montpelier, VT OS602 .....,.:o~ ~~ 3. WSTJ AM 802-748-2344 P.O. Box 249 .," SL lalutsbury, VT OS819 ,.. 4. WWLRFM 802-626-S881 Lyndoo Stau: CDUeae :a Bokf Lyndooville , VT OS8SI = c. Coble Ttltvltlon =,. 1. Newt Ccnlet 2 102-626-SSJJ Lyndoo State Colle&• Lyndoovillc, VT OS8S 1 A91419.on C-2