Investigation
Cleanup
Community Engagement Tar Lake Site 2018 Revised Community Involvement Plan Redevelopment Tranquil, rural Mancelona Township.
i INTRODUCTION 1 Describes the purpose of this CIP and presents EPA’s community outreach objectives.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT GOALS AND ACTIVITIES 5 Highlights EPA’s goals, activities and timeline for conducting site-specific activities to keep residents and local officials informed and involved.
THE COMMUNITY 11 Shares information about the composition of the Mancelona Township, Antrim County, the village of Mancelona and Custer Township and the history of community involvement with the site.
THE SITE 17 Presents a description and history of activities at the site.
COMMUNITY CONCERNS AND QUESTIONS 25
Summarizes what community members are concerned about, the questions they asked and what they told EPA. APPENDICES Appendix A – Glossary – Initials – Acronyms: Lists the definition of key words, initials and acronyms (words are in bold throughout the document).
Appendix B - Community Resources: Identifies places where community members can find more information about the site and possible meeting locations.
Appendix C – List of Contacts: Provides a list of federal, state, and local agencies and interested groups.
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 – Fact Sheets: Includes fact sheets on contaminants of concern and site-related fact sheets.
Appendix F – Community Interview Questions: A list of questions asked during community interviews.
Appendix G – Environmental Justice and EPA’s commitment to the affected communities. 43
ii iii INTRODUCTION This CIP describes EPA’s plan for addressing concerns and keeping residents informed and involved in activities at the site. We will use this document as Describes the purpose of this CIP and presents EPA’s community a guide to involve and communicate with residents, businesses and the local outreach objectives. governments in Mancelona and Custer Townships, the village of Mancelona and Antrim County. If you are interested in submitting comments or have The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency prepared this revised Community questions or suggestions concerning this CIP, please contact: Involvement Plan, or CIP, to inform, engage and support the community near the Tar Lake Superfund site located in Mancelona Township, Michigan. Heriberto León Our community involvement effort is committed to promoting effective and Community Involvement Coordinator The role of the CIC is to meaningful communication between the public and the Agency. We always EPA Region 5 make sure the community want to make sure the community’s current concerns and information needs 312-886-6163 is meaningfully engaged are considered. When the public is involved it results in a better outcome for [email protected] in site activities. everyone. What is a CIP? In 1985, EPA developed a Community Relations Plan, the previous term for a Community Involvement Plan, for the site. Another CIP was also completed in The CIP is a “living” document that will evolve 1998. Those plans noted that primary concerns expressed by those interviewed as activities at the site continue and input is included the loss of property values and poor-quality, bad-tasting water; the received from the community. The CIP identifies inconvenience of dealing with contaminated groundwater; concern that the the community’s issues, needs, and concerns, cleanup would stir up the contamination and cause it to move; inadequate as well as specific activities, outreach products, follow-up with homeowners with sampling results; the lack of definition of and programs EPA will use to address the the contamination boundaries; potential effects on redevelopment of the site; community’s concerns. It is a flexible guide for and the cost of the investigation and cleanup. EPA prepared this revised CIP EPA’s communications with community residents, primarily to support current and future activities related to the Agency’s five-year businesses, and organizations. reviews of the Tar Lake site cleanup (see Page 3 for an explanation of the five- year review process). We used several information sources to develop this plan, including research, discussions with community members, information gathered at meetings and community interviews. We conducted interviews with 21 residents and local officials interested in the site activities and cleanup efforts from June 5-8, 2018. Most of the people we interviewed had lived and worked in the area for a few decades or more, several having lived in Mancelona all their lives.
(Words in bold are defined in Appendix A.)
EPA met with state officials to discuss the Tar Lake site. 1 Brief Site Overview soil excavation and an expansion of the groundwater treatment system was required. This new cleanup is in the design phase. Operation and maintenance The 200-acre Tar Lake site is in Mancelona Township, Michigan. From activities for existing parts of the remedy are ongoing and will continue after 1882 to 1945, an iron works facility operated on site. Disposal of tar-waste the next phase of cleanup. More information about the site can be found on contaminated soil and groundwater with hazardous chemicals. Cleanup Pages 17 - 23. of the site included excavation and disposal of tar and contaminated soils, groundwater extraction and treatment, and institutional controls. As the remedy was put in place, EPA removed two areas of the site from the Superfund Program’s National Priorities List, or NPL. In 2005 and 2012, EPA deleted Tar Lake Site Location Map 45 acres and 75 acres respectively. In 2013, EPA determined that additional
Wells like the one above installed throughout the Tar Lake site monitor groundwater contamination.
2 Community Engagement is Essential to the Success Five-year review process of Superfund This site is in the final stage of cleanup process, which involves review of the remedy every five years. The Superfund law requires Ongoing input and involvement by the community is essential to our efforts to regular checkups of sites that have been cleaned up – with waste provide effective community engagement. We have learned that its decision- managed on-site – to make sure the cleanup continues to protect making ability is enhanced by actively seeking input and information from people and the environment. This is called the five-year review the community. Community members need to be involved in all phases of the process. Therefore, most of the community input opportunities cleanup, including the five-year review phase, so that the site remains protective of people and the environment. will center around providing comments on the five-year reviews. However, we are committed to helping the community understand the cleanup that was done and the additional Residents, business owners and local government officials may be able to work that will be done by providing information as needed provide valuable information about a site and the effectiveness of a cleanup. through the production of fact sheets, holding meetings, making Information can help identify any problems associated with the cleanup, where information available on the Web, etc. While conducting the contamination might remain and how people may still be exposed to the contamination. community interviews to develop this plan, we learned the scope of the questions people had about the site. EPA has developed a partnership with the Michigan Department of Environmental Residents and officials of Quality to address community questions and concerns. See Page Mancelona and Custer Townships, 30 of this CIP for a list of the questions asked by area residents. the village of Mancelona and Antrim County gave valuable information to the EPA about their community. They told us about past activities at the site and explained their concerns about the quality (taste and smell) of the “Community engagement allows the Agency to area groundwater; redevelopment interact with communities using various tools and of the property, potential odors resources. It empowers communities to be partners and fumes being released during the additional cleanup, the stigma in decisions that affect cleanups and ultimately the of having a Superfund site in the environmental quality of their lives.” township, and the messaging being used by the Agency. These Heriberto León and other concerns are explained in the Community Concerns and EPA Community Involvement Coordinator Questions section.
Local historian Herb Tipton explained the history of Mancelona and Antrim Iron Works to EPA. 3 Mancelona Township building.
4 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT GOALS AND ACTIVITIES Highlights EPA’s goals, activities and timeline for conducting site-specific activities to keep residents and local officials informed and involved.
When establishing the objectives for a site-specific community involvement program, we consider several factors, including federal requirements and EPA policy that assess the nature and extent of known or perceived site contaminants and known community concerns and requests.
To be effective, our community involvement program is designed to meet the community’s need to know, give information in a timely manner and accommodate the community’s interests and its willingness to participate. We must also share information in language the public can understand.
To meet the needs of the community and to respond to information obtained during community interviews and meetings and to meet federal requirements, we have established the following objectives for our community involvement efforts: • Engage, collaborate and coordinate with officials and community leaders from Mancelona and Custer Townships, the village of Mancelona and Antrim County. • Involve, collaborate and coordinate with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. • Monitor citizen interest in the site and respond accordingly. • Keep the community well informed of ongoing and planned site activities. EPA is coordinating efforts with MDEQ. Here, MDEQ Site Manager for the Tar Lake site, Keith Krawczyk • Explain technical site activities and findings in an understandable (right), explains the water treatment system, called air sparging. format for residents. • Provide opportunities to comment on the five-year reviews. • Modify planned activities, where warranted, based on community input. • Update EPA’s website regularly and provide useful information on it for the community. • Update officials from Mancelona and Custer Townships, the village of Mancelona and Antrim County on a periodic basis even if no activities are occurring at the site. • Hold public meetings, when necessary, within the community to give all residents an opportunity to attend.
EPA has or will put in place the activities described below to meaningfully and actively engage the community in activities related to the Tar Lake Superfund site. The following plan is intended as opportunities for communication between the community and EPA and to address key concerns and questions raised during the community interviews conducted in June 2018. 5 Specific Community Involvement Activities newspaper advertisements and include the toll-free number in all fact sheets and our other communications with the public. To address community concerns and questions described in the Community Concerns section, EPA has conducted (or will conduct) the activities described ¾¾ Maintain communication with local officials, agencies and below. Through these activities, it is our goal to inform, involve and engage the community residents. We interviewed residents and local officials community in activities associated with the Tar Lake site. As the needs of the from Mancelona and Custer Townships, the village of Mancelona and community change, we will modify the community involvement strategies to Antrim County. They indicated that they would like to be contacted with address them. updated site information on a periodic basis so that they can update their constituents. We will continue to maintain communication with the local ¾¾ Maintain point of contact. Heriberto León is the community involvement officials throughout the remainder of the cleanup process. coordinator, or CIC, for the site and is the primary liaison between EPA and the residents and officials of Mancelona and Custer Townships, the ¾¾ Share site information on village of Mancelona and Antrim County. Mr. León serves as the point of the Internet. We will provide contact for community members and fields general questions about the site. information on site activities For technical site issues, Mr. León coordinates with EPA’s remedial project and past communications for manager, or RPM, for the site, Mary Tierney. the site on the EPA website. The We will include current contact information for the project staff on all website will be updated as events written and electronic information and will notify the community of any occur. contact information changes. www.epa.gov/superfund/tar-lake
¾¾ Establish a toll-free number for residents to ask questions and ¾¾ Update and maintain the receive information. Mr. León (ext. 66163) is in the Chicago office and site mailing list. We have Ms. Mary Tierney (ext. 64785) is in the Grosse Ile office. Both can be established a mailing list reached using the of residents, organizations, toll-free number listed EPA has designated the following people as businesses and officials for the in the box at right. primary site contacts for residents: site. This list will be used for Ask for them by name Heriberto León mailing fact sheets, site updates, or use the telephone Community Involvement Coordinator invitations to public meetings and events and other site-related information extensions listed above. 312-886-6163 mailed to the community. We will update the list regularly to reflect address Residents can call this [email protected] changes and changes in elected officials and to add new people interested in number as questions or site activities. concerns arise instead Mary Tierney of waiting for a public Remedial Project Manager meeting or to receive 312-886-4785 EPA uses the site mailing list to distribute written information such as fact written information. [email protected] sheets and meeting notifications. This is a way to ensure that those who We will provide this They can also be reached weekdays toll-free at do not have access to the Internet or other information sources still have toll-free number 800-621-8431 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. a way to receive information directly about the site and are notified about periodically in local important meetings. The mailing lists are for EPA use only and are not shared with outside entities. If a community member is interested in being placed on the mailing list, they can contact Heriberto León. 6 ¾¾ Prepare and distribute fact sheets and site updates. We will prepare ¾¾ Conduct public meetings, hearings and information sessions. A and distribute fact sheets, letters and site updates to those on the site mailing public meeting is an opportunity for EPA to present specific information and e-mail lists summarizing current information about the site and and a proposed course of action. EPA staff is available to share information describing upcoming activities. These documents are written in non-technical and answer questions. A public meeting is not a formal public hearing language and typically done to coincide with important site activities. where testimony is received. Instead, it might be a meeting to exchange information or comments. In addition, we may hold an informal open- We use these types of documents to give the community detailed house style meeting, called an availability session, where residents can meet information in a relatively quick, simple and easy-to-understand manner. EPA experts one-on-one to discuss the activities at or associated with the In addition to being shared with individuals on the site mailing list, we also site. Either type of meeting allows community members an opportunity place the fact sheets and site updates in the information repository and to express their concerns and ask questions of the Agency, state or local post them on EPA’s website: government officials. We typically schedule a meeting when there are technical milestones or the community has expressed an interest in having www.epa.gov/superfund/tar-lake a meeting.
¾¾ Establish and maintain a site-specific information repository.We have A public hearing is a formal meeting where we hear the public’s views and set up a local information repository for the site at the following location: concerns about an EPA action or proposal. There are specific regulations Mancelona Township Library about when the Agency is required to consider such comments when 202 W. State St. evaluating its actions. Public hearings are recorded by a professional Mancelona transcriber and become part of the administrative record. The comments are also posted on the Web. The repository is a reference collection of site information EPA will consider conducting additional meetings at various times and available to the public for reading, various locations throughout the community to give all residents an printing or photocopying. opportunity to attend as needed. Documents include fact sheets, technical reports, the CIP, general Several people interviewed said that meetings would be helpful. A few of Superfund information and Mancelona Township Library. people said that to reach the most people, EPA should hold and or attend other documents. EPA adds new numerous local meetings. One person said one big meeting will “not documents about the sites as the happen”. A couple also said that it would be important to hold the meetings documents become available. Information repositories give residents local in the summer to reach the part-time residents. Several people stated that access to site information in forms that can be easily read and photocopied the meetings should be hosted by a local government agency. One person for future use. An online information repository is also available on the suggested holding both afternoon and evening meetings and a combination of formal presentation and open house style meetings. site’s web page www.epa.gov/superfund/tar-lake for the community to access information electronically. ¾¾ Participate in locally-sponsored events. On occasions, the city, local agencies or community groups will put on events where the EPA can ¾¾ Establish and maintain the administrative record. A copy of the participate to provide site information and respond to residents’ concerns Administrative Record for the site can be found at the library listed above and and questions. The EPA considers invitations and offers to speak to at the EPA Region 5 Superfund Records Center in Chicago (see Appendix B). community groups based on the event’s capacity to reach meaningfully the We will update the Administrative Record as necessary. The Administrative members of the public. Record gives residents a paper trail of all documents EPA relied on, or considered, to reach decisions about the site cleanup. 7 ¾¾ Write and distribute news releases and public notices. We will prepare and release announcements to the local newspaper such as the Traverse City Record Eagle and the Antrim Review to share information about events such as significant site investigation findings, completion of major milestones, and other important site-related information. We will also share this information with officials of Mancelona Township and others for additional dissemination. News releases allow us to reach large audiences quickly. We will also post the news releases on the website, www. epa.gov/superfund/tar-lake.
¾¾ Evaluate community involvement and outreach efforts and make adjustments as warranted. CIPs are designed to consider site- and community-specific factors as well as to comply with federal requirements. Community concerns, the objectives of the community involvement program for the site and specific activities to address these concerns were based, to a large-extent, on information obtained during interviews with residents and village and state officials. We recognize that changes in areas such as community perceptions, information needs and population demographics can occur over time and that such changes may require a revised approach to conducting community involvement activities. For this reason, as well as to determine whether the activities in this plan are achieving their intended objectives, EPA has prepared this revised CIP and we will also continue to conduct periodic reviews to evaluate if additional activities are needed or if changes to current methods of starting up the activities outlined in this plan are necessary. As the needs of the community changes, we will modify the community involvement strategies to address The Buck Pole above, located in the village of Mancelona, is used every fall during deer them in another CIP revision. hunting season for hunters to register their bucks for various prizes. It is local events like the Buck Pole where EPA may make staff available to meet and talk with community members. The following page presents the status of the activities above.
8 Status of Community Involvement Activities
Maintain point of contact Heriberto León 312-886-6163 [email protected]
Establish a toll-free number 800-621-8431, Ext. 66163 Conduct community interviews Establish and maintain a site-specific Conducted June 2018 information repository Mancelona Township Library Develop Community Involvement Plan 202 W. State St. Community Involvement Plans were completed in Mancelona 1985 and 1998. Revised Community Involvement Plan completed in 2018. Establish and maintain the administrative record Establish and maintain communication with local Mancelona Township Library officials, agencies and community residents 202 W. State St. Mancelona Create site webpage and share site information on the Internet Conduct public meetings, hearings and information sessions www.epa.gov/superfund/tar-lake Write and distribute news releases and public Create and maintain site mailing list notices Prepare and distribute fact sheets and site Evaluate community involvement and outreach updates efforts and make adjustments as warranted
Status = Completed = Ongoing 9 Highway M-88 above connects Mancelona with the chain of lakes and Shanty Creek Resort which bring tourists for summer recreation and Schuss Mountain, which attracts skiers.
10 THE COMMUNITY This section describes the composition of Mancelona Township, Antrim County, the village of Mancelona and Custer Township and the history of community involvement with the site. Community Profile Mancelona Township Mancelona Township is a rural township located in Antrim County in northern Michigan. It was founded in 1871 and was named after the daughter of one of the township’s first settlers - Mancelona Andress. The earliest settlers were farmers, but when the railroad reached the township, it connected the residents to areas of trade. In 1882, a man named John Otis utilized the plentiful area trees to build a blast furnace to make iron. His company, which became the Historic photo of Antrim Iron Company. Antrim Iron Company when it was purchased Mancelona Township. by businessmen from Grand Rapids, helped the winter, a Bass fishing festival in the town grow to the largest in the county summer and a buck pole during by 1900. The iron manufacturing deer hunting season in the fall. drew workers from neighboring states Ernest Hemmingway, having spent and immigrants from Sweden. The his first 21 summers in northern Antrim Iron Company closed in 1945 Michigan (Petoskey), wrote about when the area wood became scarce Mancelona. and there were newer technologies for making iron. Governmental structure The Mancelona township In the 1960s, numerous recreation government is made up of a areas were developed both nearby A beautiful sunset looking over Lake Bellaire, township board including a Mancelona Township Building. and in communities all around one of the chain of lakes from Shanty Creek supervisor, clerk, treasurer and two Resort. northern Michigan. With Mancelona trustees. All are elected to 4-year terms. The township also has four paid staff. located along the roads leading to these communities, these areas brought tourists to and through the town. For decades, people have come to ski area mountains and trails; fish in the clean Sources: rivers and ponds; boat, swim and water ski on the beautiful lakes; enjoy the https://www.mancelonatownship.com/community-a-photos/auto-generate-from-title incredible foliage in the fall; hunt for plentiful deer during deer season; and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antrim_Iron_Company pick mushrooms in the woods. Mancelona holds a cross-country ski race in the 11 Antrim County States ceding the remaining one third of the land that is now Michigan to the United States, including a large amount of land in Antrim County. Over the years, the United Mancelona Township States broke the treaties many times and the federal government refused to recognize is in Antrim County in the Tribe. It was not until 1980 that the federal government re-recognized the Tribe Northern Michigan. The as the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. The Band retains their county was originally named Meegisee, which hunting, fishing and gathering rights on the land. means eagle, and was Governmental structure formed in 1840. The The county government consists of an administrator, board of commissioners, clerk and name is in honor of the assessor. The board, clerk and assessor are elected. The board appoints the supervisor Chippewa chief who who oversees the day-to-day operations of the county as directed by the board. The board signed the Treaty of makes the budget for the county. The county is responsible for maintaining rural roads, a Chicago in 1821 and the county jail, county courts, property records, public health and social services. Treaty of Mississinwas in 1826.
In 1843 the name of the county was changed to Antrim after a county in Ireland, which reflected the considerable number of Irish and Scottish settlers that had moved into the This map from the early 1840s shows Meesigee County, area. Elk Rapids was the albeit misspelled as “Neesigee”. (A New Map of Michigan original county seat in the With Its Canals, Roads & Distances by H.S. Tanner; 1800s, but in 1904 it was Engraved by E.B. Dawson. Published in Philadelphia by Carey & Hart around [1842]) moved to Bellaire. Beautiful downtown Bellaire, the county seat for Antrim County. Source: Michigan State University Map Library Torch Lake, which draws tourists in from all over the Midwest, gets its name from an Indian name - Was-Wah-gonink, which means “lake of torches.” The name refers to torches, or spears, used for fishing. Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians In 1836, the United States government asked the Odawa (Ottawa) the Ojibwa (Chippewa) and Bodowadomi (Pottawatomi) people to sign a treaty with the United States ceding land to the United States. As a result, in 1837, the state of Michigan was formed with the ceded land, which includes two thirds of the land that is now the state of Michigan. As part of this treaty, the people kept their hunting, fishing and gathering rights on the land. In 1855, they signed another treaty with the United
Sources: http://www.antrimcounty.org/history.asp Torch Lake attracts visitors from all over to Antrim County. 12 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antrim_County,_Michigan http://www.gtbindians.org/history.asp Village of Mancelona The village of Mancelona, which was incorporated first in 1889 and then again in 1895, is located in Mancelona Township in southeast Antrim County. The village government is made up of five board members who are elected by the residents of the village. The board has one president and four trustees. The board hires staff to run the day to day operations of the village. The village also has its own police department. The village is located just north of the Tar Lake site. Source: http://www.villageofmancelona.org/
Village of Mancelona offices.
A park in downtown Mancelona provides An electronic sign in Mancelona announces exercise equipment for residents. local events. Interviewees suggested using the sign to announce meetings for the Tar Lake site.
A history museum in Mancelona houses A bicentennial quilt hangs in the history numerous local artifacts including many museum. from the Antrim Iron Company. Custer Township Custer Township is a rural area located west of the Tar Lake site and Mancelona Township. It was founded in 1875. The government of Custer Township consists of a supervisor, clerk, treasurer and two trustees. Source: https://www.custertownshipantrim.org/
Downtown Mancelona. 13 Demographics Mancelona Township Demographics from the 2010 U.S. Race* in the Mancelona Township Age Groups in Mancelona Township Education in the Mancelona Census on the following pages Age in years Township White indicates that the race make-up 96.2% 0 to 4 7.2% 1.8% No High School Degree of Antrim County, Mancelona 5 to 14 15.9% Hispanic 1.1% 12.9% 19.5% Township, the village of Mancelona 15 to 24 13.3% High School Gradudate / GED Black/African American 25 to 34 11.0% 0.2% Some College (No Degree) and Custer Township is relatively 35 to 44 13.0% Median age: 37.4 years. 20.3%
American Indian/Alaska Native 14.1% similar with only minor differences. 1.3% 45 to 54 45.5% Associate's / Bachelor's Degree 55 to 64 12.0% However, other demographic Two or More Races 2.3% Graduate/Professional Degree 65 + 13.5% information shows differences between the areas. With regard to Median House Value and Income in age, both the Mancelona Township Household Income Levels Mancelona Township $80,000 Housing in Mancelona Township Mancelona Township and the village of Mancelona $70,000 $0 to $25,000 36.6% have a much younger population $60,000 $25,000 to $49,999 32.6% $50,000 $73,900 $36,392 than Antrim County and Custer $40,000 $50,000 to $99,999 26.7% 34% $30,000 Occupied Vacant Township. Similarly, the education $100,000 to $20,000 $149,999 2.1% 66% levels in Antrim County and Custer $10,000 $150,000 + 2% Township are higher than those in $0 Median House Value Median Income Per Household Mancelona Township and the village Median household income: $36,392
of Mancelona. The income levels in Antrim County and Custer Township are also higher than in Mancelona Antrim County Township and the village of Mancelona. This trend also continues Race* in Antrim County Age Groups in Antrim County Education in the Antrim County Age in years with housing values. The value of the White 96.8% 0 to 4 4.9% Hispanic 10.2% 9.4% No High School Degree homes in Antrim County and Custer 1.7% 5 to 14 12.0% Township are greater than those in Black/African American 0.2% 15 to 24 9.9% High School Gradudate / GED 16.5% American Indian/Alaska Native 1.0% 25 to 34 8.7% Mancelona Township and the village 33.1% Some College (No Degree) 35 to 44 11.1% of Mancelona. However, the village of Asian 0.2% 45 to 54 15.4% Median age: 47.4 years. 22.4% Associate's / Bachelor's Degree Some Other Race 0.4% Mancelona and Mancelona Township 55 to 64 15.9% Graduate/Professional Degree Two or More Races 1.4% 65 + 22.1%
have the lower percentages of vacant housing compared to Antrim County Median House Value and Income in and Custer Township. Household Income Antrim County $160,000 Housing in Antrim County Antrim County $140,000 $0 to $25,000 22.4% $120,000 $25,000 to $49,999 28.9% $100,000 $145,100 $80,000 $50,000 to $99,999 33% Occupied Vacant $60,000 $48,825 45% $100,000 to $40,000 55% $149,999 9% $20,000 $150,000 + 6.7% $0 Median House Value Median Income Per Household Median household income: $48,825
14 Village of Antrim
Race* in the Village of Mancelona Age Groups in the Village of Mancelona Education in the Village of * The U.S. Census Bureau considers race Age in years Mancelona and ethnicity separate and distinct White 94.9% 0 to 4 7.8% 2.2% No High School Degree identities and the Hispanic/Latino origin Hispanic 0.9% 5 to 14 17.2% is considered an ethnicity. In addition 16.5% 17.4% 15 to 24 14.8% High School Gradudate / GED to being asked an individual’s race, all Black/African American 0.1% 25 to 34 11.5% Median age: 34.1 years. Some College (No Degree) respondents are categorized into one 35 to 44 13.4% American Indian/Alaska Native 40.0% of two ethnic categories, which are 1.2% 45 to 54 13.3% Associate's / Bachelor's Degree 23.9% “Hispanic or Latino” and “Not Hispanic 55 to 64 9.9% Two or More Races 3.7% Graduate/Professional Degree or Latino.” Therefore, the population that 65 + 12.1%
self-identified ethnicity as “Hispanic/ Latino” is also represented within the Median House Value and Income in “Race” chart shown above, typically the Household Income in the Village of Mancelona $80,000 Housing in the Village of Mancelona the Village of Mancelona “some other race” category. In Mancelona $70,000 $0 to $25,000 37.4% $60,000 Township, 1.1 percent defined their ethnicity as Hispanic/Latino. $25,000 to $49,999 29.7% $50,000 $69,400 14% $40,000 $34,688 $50,000 to $99,999 Occupied Vacant 28.3% $30,000 The education level is for the population $100,000 to $20,000 aged 25 and older. Associate’s and $149,999 2.8% $10,000 86% Bachelor’s Degrees are typically 2- to $150,000 + 1.8% $0 4-year degrees. Graduate academic Median House Value Median Income Per Household Median household income: $34,688 or professional degree programs are composed of advanced studies, including but not limited to MS, MA, PhD, EdD, DPH, Custer Township MD, DDS, DSW, DO, JD, and ThD. Source: 2010 U.S. Census Race* in Custer Township Age Groups in Custer Township Education in Custer Township Age in years White 97.0% 0 to 4 4.7% Hispanic 2.1% No High School Degree 5 to 14 10.3% 8.1% 7.5%
Black/African American 0.3% 15 to 24 9.3% High School Gradudate / GED American Indian/Alaska Native 0.4% 25 to 34 6.9% 28.1% 32.7% Some College (No Degree) 35 to 44 14.4% Asian 0.4% 45 to 54 16.3% Median age: 47.3 years. Associate's / Bachelor's Degree Some Other Race 0.4% 55 to 64 16.9% 23.6% Graduate/Professional Degree Two or More Races 1.6% 65 + 12.3%
Median House Value and Income in Household Income in Custer Township $140,000 Custer Township Housing in Custer Township $120,000 $0 to $25,000 15.8% $100,000 $25,000 to $49,999 35% $80,000 $122,500 $50,000 to $99,999 40.3% $60,000 $49,663 36% Occupied Vacant
$100,000 to $40,000 $149,999 4.7% 64% $20,000 $150,000 + 4.2% $0 Median House Value Median Income Per Household Median household income: $49,663
15 Community Involvement Efforts • June 1998 – EPA developed a Community Involvement Plan for the site. A graphic in Appendix D shows the types of community involvement • June 1999 – EPA developed and distributed a fact sheet explaining the activities EPA organizes at a site and how they follow along with removal of tar from the site and the long-term cleanup plan for the site. the investigation and cleanup process. The following is a list of past • Sept. 21, 2005 – EPA placed a public notice of intent to partially delete community involvement activities at the site: the East Tailing portion of the Tar Lake Superfund Site from the NPL in • 1983 – The site was placed on the NPL. the Federal Register. • • Aug. 1985 –EPA developed a Community Relations Plan to outline Date unknown – An information repository was established at the its strategy for keeping the community informed. Mancelona Public Library. • March 7, 1986 – EPA issued a press release seeking comments on • The EPA website is updated regularly. an administrative order issued to the Fifty-Sixth Century Antrim Iron Company to investigate the contamination at the Tar Lake site. • July 15, 1992 – EPA placed an advertisement in the Antrim County News announcing a public meeting and comment period on the proposed cleanup plan for the site. • July 17 – Aug. 17, 1992 - EPA held a public comment period on the proposed cleanup plan for the site. • Aug. 6, 1992 – EPA held a public meeting on the proposed cleanup plan for the site. A transcript of the meeting was taken. • Feb. 27, 1997 – EPA issues a press release announcing the awarding of a Technical Assistance Grant, or TAG, to the Antrim County Community Resource Center. Mancelona High School students helped create a video tape about • April 30, 1997 – EPA and MDEQ held a community meeting with the Tar Lake site (ca. 2000). local civic and business leaders to discuss coordination of several construction projects planned in Antrim County, including possible construction activities at the Tar Lake site. • July 9, 1997 – EPA placed an advertisement announcing the filing of a letter of intent from the Antrim County Community Resource Center to apply for a TAG. • Nov. 1997- EPA held an information exchange with local civic officials in Mancelona. • Dec. 15 – 17, 1997 – EPA conducted community interviews in Mancelona and Antrim County.
16 THE SITE Presents a description and history of activities at the site. Tar Lake Site Site Location Map
17 Site History tested by Michigan DNR and the District Health Department in 1980, residents were told that their water was drinkable. Tar Lake was proposed for the NPL in December, The 189-acre Tar Lake Superfund site surrounds a dry 4-acre pond in 1982 and added to the list in 1983. Mancelona Township, Michigan. From 1882 until 1945, Antrim Iron Company operated an iron works facility that disposed of wastes in the pond, referred to Cleanup activities included removal of tar waste, contaminated soil as well as as Tar Lake. Disposal practices resulted in groundwater contamination. In the containment and treatment of groundwater. EPA deleted the 45-acre Eastern Tailings late 1940s shortly after the closing of the iron works, residents as far away as Area, or ETA, of the site from the NPL in 2005, after completing cleanup activities. three miles from the site reported that their well water had a chemical taste and In 2009, Mancelona Renewable Resources, or MRR, purchased a 115-acre area of unpleasant odor. According to one resident, his well had been contaminated the site, including the deleted ETA area. In 2011, EPA deleted the remaining 75-acre for “forty years.” Samples taken by the Michigan Geological Survey in 1949 portion of the site purchased by MRR from the NPL. MRR considered constructing indicated that phenol-contaminated ground water had affected eight private a biomass alternative energy facility on the site, but has not moved forward with wells, located to the west and northwest of Tar Lake. In the 1960s, the surface that plan. Community Resources Development, or CRD, a nonprofit agency (see sludges on site caught fire and burned out of control for several weeks. Limited box below), owns 54 acres of the site. EPA and MDEQ have been working with CRD water sampling conducted since 1980 has confirmed the 1940 findings of and a railroad company to redevelop 24 acres of CRD’s property adjacent to Route phenol in the area ground water. In addition, the Michigan Department of 131 for industrial use. In 2014, Great Lakes Central Railroad purchased 5 acres of Natural Resources found evidence of heavy metals in Tar Lake sludge in 1980. CRD’s property. EPA and MDEQ continue to facilitate reuse of the site. Commercial This evidence of heavy metal contamination was not, however, confirmed by businesses also operate on the site and a municipal wood waste storage area is on- monitoring samples taken by EPA’s Field Investigation Team in 1982, or by site. MDEQ continues to operate the groundwater treatment system and conduct on-site testing conducted by Gulf and Western in 1983. After private wells were groundwater monitoring.
Community Resource Development Corporation The non-profit CRD facilitated the following community organizing and mobilization efforts that led to the cleanup of the Tar Lake site: • The creation of a county level Brownfield Redevelopment Authority; • The creation of the Mancelona Area Water and Sewer Authority; • Funding for the development of a regional municipal water system in response to the need to provide safe drinking water to property owners affected by environmental contamination from the Tar Lake and the unrelated Wickes TCE plume; and • The acquisition of the Tar Lake property in order to position the property for redevelopment. A depression where the “lake” dubbed “Tar Lake” used to exist. The CRD was developed with EPA Technical Assistance Grant, or TAG, funds. 18 Groundwater monitoring well used to monitor the air sparging system. Air sparging well. Air sparging equipment.
Temporary groundwater monitoring wells. A building on the site houses air sparging equipment.
19 Historic Timeline
Discovery of Manufacturing Contamination
Sampling of 4 wells by the Michigan Iron was manufactured creating Geological Survey Division collected a tar-like waste, which was up to 3 miles from the site found discharged into a low-lying area phenol (cresol and o-cresol) at called Tar Lake. levels ranging from .4 to .6 parts per million.
1882-1945 1950s
19491949
Before 1949, Mancelona water supply lines were extended to the residential area northwest of site.
20 Historic Timeline
Discovery of Manufacturing Contamination EPA entered into an administrative State Inspection order on consent, or AOC, with Fifty- The Antrim County Health Sixth Century Antrim Iron Works Co. Department contacted MDNR about Sampling of 4 wells by the Michigan The Michigan Department of (56th Century) (formerly Gulf & Tar Lake. MDNR began a Iron was manufactured creating Geological Survey Division collected Natural Resources inspected Western Industries, Inc.) to conduct a hydrogeological study of the site a tar-like waste, which was up to 3 miles from the site found Tar Lake and found the preliminary endangerment and discovered Gulf & Western discharged into a low-lying area phenol (cresol and o-cresol) at water in Tar Lake was black assessment, or PEA, and a Remedial Industries, Inc. (formerly Mt. called Tar Lake. levels ranging from .4 to .6 parts per and the sample collected Investigation, or RI at the site. 56th Clemens Metal Products) had million. from the lake was yellow Preliminary Century constructed a fence around disposed of 41 barrels of sludge in with a creosote odor. Assessment/Site the 14 acres of the site. the Tar Lake area. Investigation completed. 1882-1945 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s
19491949 67 69 79 81 82 83 86
State Groundwater Study Placed on the National Tar Lake caught fire and Priorities List, burned for several months Pursuant to Superfund Law, Before 1949, Mancelona or NPL. before the fire naturally Gulf & Western Industries, Inc. water supply lines were burned out. submitted a Notification of extended to the residential Hazardous Waste for the Tar area northwest of site. Lake site claiming iron and NPL Placement wood derivative chemical waste to be on the property and there was suspected release.
21 Historic Timeline
Split into EPA issued a unilateral Remedial Investigation Operable Units administrative order, or UAO, to 56th Century to remove the tar EPA divided the cleanup work at at the site. 56th Century did not the site into two portions called conduct the work, but agreed to Operable Units, or OUs. OU1 pay a portion of EPA's fund-lead Feasibility Study, or FS, involved the removal of tar from removal costs in a 1999 completed for cleanup of 1999-2002 Tar Lake. OU2 involved cleanup of settlement agreement. the tar (Operable Unit, or MDEQ provided the groundwater contamination OU1). Record of Decision, bottled water and remaining soil below the tar or ROD, signed for OU1 to residents. and other areas on the site. cleanup.
1990s
92 98 99
EPA selected recycling/reusing the tar for energy recovery in a 1998 Explanation of Significant Difference, or ESD (change in the cleanup plan). EPA MDEQ installed an on-site began a fund-lead cleanup at the site. A total of 47,043 groundwater treatment EPA awarded a grant to tons of tar and tar debris was removed from Tar Lake system (called air sparging) Antrim County to and taken to an energy recovery facility as part of OU1. including extraction wells, evaluate redevelopment EPA backfilled the excavation with 1 foot of clean soil downgradient of the tar options for the site. and installed a temporary liner in the lower areas of removal area. the excavation. In 1998, EPA also began a fund-lead RI/FS, for OU2 to address the soil below the excavated tar, groundwater, and other site areas.
22 Historic Timeline
EPA issued an ESD Expansion of the air clarifying that, under sparging system and certain conditions, Antrim County completed extraction wells to capture groundwater use at the the Tar Lake Superfund Site the groundwater site would be acceptable. Redevelopment Plan 45 acres contamination to keep it proposing recreational, deleted from from moving off of the site EPA conducted the first civic, and commercial uses NPL. expected to be completed. five-year review for the Air sparging equipment of the site, with residential site. use of less contaminated Groundwater monitoring well portions of the site. Additional cleanup ROD signed for cleanup of of tar and Groundwater sampling contaminated soil OU2 – including removal found contamination EPA conducted of foundations, debris, the second five- on the site beyond the extraction expected to be etc. and groundwater well boundaries. year review. circulation and soil completed. bioventing. Drill rig used to install 2000s Groundwater monitoring wells 2010s 2020s 00 02 04 05 07 09 12 13 14 18 19 20 21 22
EPA completed the RI/FS for the groundwater EPA issued an ESD for OU2 to ESD documented EPA is contamination document a change from bioventing additional amounts conducting the (OU2). and groundwater circulation to Groundwater sampling and cleanup third five-year excavation and off-site disposal. EPA necessary to address review. MDEQ connected residents cleaned up additional tar identified. contamination. to the Mancelona water EPA removed the temporary liner over supply. A water line was Additional 75 contaminated subsurface soil in the also installed along Elder acres deleted Tar Lake excavation area, on-site Road to provide water for from NPL. foundations, and other debris. A total future site development. of 21,482 tons of contaminated soil in the Tar Lake excavation area and tar in the creosote area was excavated and disposed of at an approved landfill. Test pit
23 Furnace at Antrim Iron Works in Mancelona.
24 COMMUNITY CONCERNS AND QUESTIONS Preserving the environment Summarizes what community members are concerned about, Most of the people EPA spoke with talked about how important the environment was to the area. Several talked about how they would like to see it the questions they asked and what they told EPA. preserved for future generations. What We Heard This section focuses on the concerns and issues that EPA heard from community members about the site. To learn about concerns, questions and informational needs related to the Tar Lake Superfund site, we conducted interviews with 21 residents, local officials and other interested community members in June 2018. Postcards were mailed to residents near the site announcing the interviews and asking them to schedule an interview to talk with EPA about their concerns. Other interviews were scheduled by direct phone calls. Pages 25-30 explain the concerns and comments expressed. The township maintains a recycling center. Mancelona is a beautiful rural environment that people would like to see preserved. Note to the reader: Poverty This summary is intended to faithfully record and reflect the issues and concerns expressed to the EPA by residents, officials, and Many people we interviewed talked about the tough times Mancelona was others on the days of the community interviews. As such, this is a having, particularly since the closing of the Dura Plant. One official said, collection of opinions, thoughts and feelings. Therefore, please be “This town is really suffering.” He went on to explain that the people didn’t cautioned that the statements contained in this section may or may leave, just the jobs, which has put a strain on the community. Another said, not be factual and the opinions and concerns expressed are those of “There is nothing for a man to do here.” Still another interviewee said, “It is an individual interviewees alone. impoverished, desperate community.” She went on to explain that some people are too busy trying to make ends meet to get involved or learn about the work EPA is doing. She said that some just think “they [EPA]are taking care of me.” Used to hang out at the site
Comments and Concerns A few people we spoke to said that they used to visit the Tar Lake site as kids. Comments: One talked about swimming and fishing in Pecham Lake and shooting rats at the landfill on the site. He said they would watch Tar Lake “bubble”. Another Familiarity with the site said it was where the kids went to “hang out”. She said there were no signs, just Virtually everyone EPA spoke with was familiar with the Tar Lake site, a big fence with barbed wire at the top, which made it intriguing. She said, “We however, most thought it was already cleaned up and all the work was wondered what was back there.” One person said that most of the talk about Tar completed. Several said they were not aware of the five-year reviews, but Lake is, “What is behind the fences?” said they were glad to know EPA was monitoring the site and welcomed the additional cleanup. A couple of the people who were new to the area said they were not aware of the Tar Lake site. 25 Transient community Wickes Manufacturing TCE Plume A couple of people talked about Mancelona being a There is another area of groundwater contamination in the Mancelona transient community. They area, which is more well-known than the Tar Lake site. It is called the Wickes Manufacturing Trichloroethylene, or TCE, Plume and it is said that people don’t all live in unrelated to the Tar Lake site. The Wickes site is being handled by the the area year-round. Because Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. Mount Clemens of this, they suggested EPA Industries Inc., later known as Wickes Manufacturing, used TCE in reach out to the community vapor degreasers as part of the manufacturing of auto parts in Mancelona during the summer months from 1947 to 1967. Waste containing TCE was discarded on the ground when most people would be in and in lagoons, where it seeped through the soil and became dissolved town. The fences surrounding the Tar Lake site intrigued into the groundwater. Both companies went out of business many years residents. ago. As a result, MDEQ funds have been allocated to address the TCE Video tape contamination. Many people interviewed told EPA about a video produced by local students Everyone we interviewed was aware of TCE contamination in the and community members with the support of the EPA Technical Assistance groundwater and said that, when EPA talks about a “groundwater and Environmental Justice Grant funds providing a history of the site, the plume”, people think you are talking about the TCE. In fact, many said village and its residents. Technical support for the video was also provided that the TCE plume overshadows the Tar Lake site. One said that people by the EPA Superfund Redevelopment Initiative, the Mancelona Community have probably forgotten about Tar Lake because of the TCE plume. A few people recommended that EPA not use the word “plume” when Resource Development, Inc. and the Traverse Group, Inc. People told us how referring to Tar Lake contamination because people equate the word the tape was presented at an EPA Brownfields conference in Chicago and how “plume” with the TCE contamination. Several individuals asked EPA well-received it was. They also said the tape would provide us with a good to develop better maps and visuals to show the various parts of the Tar background on the community and the site and the efforts that had been put Lake site as well as to help people differentiate between the Tar Lake site forth toward the redevelopment of the property. After the interviews, EPA and the TCE contamination. One person expressed concern that the located a copy of the video and had it digitized for placement on the EPA TCE contamination is close to parks and businesses. One person said website and can be found at: www.epa.gov/superfund/tar-lake under the tab that there was a higher cancer rate in the TCE plume area. Another said “Site Documents & Data.” people are fearful of the TCE plume. Still another said, that when talking about the TCE plume, “It is about our lives.” A few people talked about Concerns: how frustrated they were with trying to get Mancelona to grow because of the stigma of the TCE plume. They pointed out that Mancelona has Water quality good drinking water. One individual said that he was not convinced the TCE contamination was from Wickes. He questioned, “Don’t dry The biggest concern raised about Tar Lake was about the quality (taste and cleaners used TCE?” smell) of the water. One person that said his biggest concern was the quality of the water said that cows do not like to drink the water. He went on to say that The map on Page 27 depicts the different areas. the people are on “city water”, so the water quality is not really a problem. A Information about the Wickes Manufacturing TCE Plume can be found at: couple of officials said that people used to complain about the odor and taste of https://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,4561,7-135-3311_4109_9846_30022- their well water before they were hooked up to city water. 385691--,00.html
26 N
8/2/2018 G:\G\1852\194 Lake RD\mxd\FactSheet-1.mxdTar m.banh
27 Redevelopment Redevelopment plans Many people said that they wanted to see the Tar Lake site redeveloped. They talked In June 2005, the CRD hosted a dedication to mark the completion of about how the area was in dire need of cleanup activities at the site. The site was renamed Antrim Crossing jobs. One person said, “Development is our and volunteers planted trees, shrubs and flowers. The CRD worked to develop a plan for redevelopment of the property. The CRD built upon only motivation, otherwise no one is really information it had helped gather, which was presented in the Tar Lake concerned.” A few asked for information about Site Redevelopment Plan – Mancelona Community Redevelopment Area, the parts of the site that were delisted and ready A sign still stands, which was installed to 1999. The Tar Lake Site Redevelopment Plan – Mancelona Community for development. They explained the efforts announce a redevelopment plan for the site. Redevelopment Area from 1999 was developed, in part, to answer the they had made in trying to secure development questions regarding future land use of the Tar Lake site. The Antrim deals. County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority entered into a cooperative Not concerned agreement with EPA in August 1999 to establish the Mancelona Community Redevelopment Area Superfund Redevelopment Pilot Many of the people interviewed said that they were not concerned about the Tar Program to: Lake site – stating that they thought the cleanup was done. Several local officials • Support involvement by local governments, community leaders and stated that they had not received any calls expressing concern about Tar Lake and the public in the Superfund cleanup process by enabling them to did not recall there being any concerns when the cleanup was done. provide information important to the selection or implementation of Odor/fumes during cleanup cleanup remedies at the Tar Lake Superfund site. A couple of people stated that during the last cleanup at the site, it smelled terrible. • Identify the reasonably anticipated future land uses of the site to help One said he could see the cleanup from his yard and questioned why it smelled ensure that the efficient implementation of a cleanup remedy will so bad. One local official said that she thought the main issue with the upcoming allow for the intended use of the property. cleanup work at the site will be the odor. She questioned whether the work should • Build on community involvement mechanisms that have already be done in the winter? She also said that contractors should look at wind direction been set in motion for land use planning. when doing the digging. A couple of people said to make sure to inform people of the odors before digging again. One person said he was concerned about inhalation • Provide an important catalyst to overall sustainable development of the fumes. He suggested EPA come up with a plan to detect the odor, how to deal potential for the community without duplicating efforts put forth with the odor when it is detected, and how EPA determines whether it is harmful from previous grants or investigations at the Tar Lake site. or not. He went on to suggest EPA develop a fact sheet that explains what is causing Over the years, the community has put forth a great deal of effort in trying the odors, if they are harmful, and if so, what to do if you smell them and distribute to redevelop the property. A plan put forth by one of the property owners, it before the digging begins. MRR, who considered constructing a biomass alternative energy facility on A few people talked about an incident that occurred when crews were working the site, was the most recent to fail to come to fruition. In 2014, a railroad on installing water lines along Elder Road in the mid-2000s. They said that the company purchased 24 acres of the site next to their existing rail line for industrial use. EPA and MDEQ have been working with CRD and a railroad crew “broke into” something, causing fumes to be released, which resulted in company to redevelop 24 acres of CRD’s property next to Route 131 for several members getting hurt – one seriously. One person explained that the crew industrial use. EPA and MDEQ continue to facilitate reuse of the site. then monitored the air and took precautions to complete the job. One person we Commercial businesses also operate on the site and a municipal wood waste interviewed questioned if EPA’s upcoming work would address the cause of the storage area is on-site. Redevelopment remains the main interest in the site. fumes. Although EPA was not involved in the water line installation, for cleanup
28 work EPA conducts under Superfund, the Agency Fracking prepares a site-specific Health and Safety Plan, A few of people expressed concern about fracking in the area. A couple said that or HASP, that establishes general site operating they thought the most prevalent voice in the fracking debate was people wanting procedures, safety guidelines and contingency plans. it to be allowed, but wanting to be sure it could be done safely. They said that the driving factor was jobs. One person said she was concerned about the potential Stigma effect that it could have on the groundwater contamination. Several people expressed frustration that the Tar Lake Health concerns Superfund site has created a stigma about the area. One person said, “The stigma of Superfund scares people.” He A couple of people interviewed expressed concern about increased incidence of cancer said that it is hard to convince people that the drinking in the area. They said that a lot of people in Mancelona have cancer and that all those water is good because of the stigma. Another person said people seem to be life-long residents, so it could have been caused by past environmental the area is already low income, so the negative image of the exposure. contamination is another blow. One person The Mancelona Area Water and Sewer Other means of communication recommended said that it really impacts her business – real Authority has been the regional winner of Interviewees were also asked for recommendations as to how EPA could best get estate. She said people are buying houses the water taste-off for the past eight years. elsewhere. information out to the community. The most common means people recommended to get information out to the public was to use local officials and community leaders Messaging – to educate those individuals so that they can, in turn, inform the public. One person Several people EPA spoke suggested that EPA use repeated exposure to the information such as running multiple with said that the two areas of advertisements, etc. Other means of communication recommended included: groundwater contamination ¾¾ Placing fact sheets in the post office, local water and sewer authority office and is confusing to people. They local businesses requested EPA to develop ¾¾ Placing information on or have local websites link to EPA’s website better visuals to show the ¾¾ Utilizing social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (although a difference. A couple suggested Awards for best tasting water fill a shelf in the Mancelona couple of people suggested EPA not use social media saying that the information EPA not use the word “plume” Area Water and Sewer Authority offices. can get “distorted”.) when referring to Tar Lake to ¾¾ Giving presentations at local meetings distinguish it from the TCE plume. ¾¾ Including the local schools and involve the science classes A couple of people also requested EPA to focus on the positive information, ¾¾ Announcing meetings, etc. on the village electronic signboard particularly that the drinking water has won awards for taste and that the Agency is ¾¾ Conducting site tours monitoring the site. Another told us to make sure people know that EPA checks the ¾ site every five years. He said he did not think people knew that and they would be ¾ Educating Rotary members glad to know. ¾¾ Placing ads in the Antrim County Review – utilize color to make them stand out (A couple of people said that they felt the newspaper might sensationalize Ceded land the information and the only way to control the message would be to place The area in which the Tar Lake site resides is in land that was ceded to the Grand advertisements.) Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. This means that the Tribe NOTE: One person pointed out that many people in the community cannot read. She maintains hunting, fishing and ceremonial rights to the land. Because of this, the said she was not sure there was an effective way to reach those folks and told us Tribe would like to see the environment preserved. that we would just have to “act in their best interest”. 29 Everyone we spoke with talked about how special the area is. Questions people asked during the interviews When we asked them what was special about their community, ¾¾ Who owns the property? people said: ¾¾ Which part was delisted? ¾¾ It has a beautiful environment. ¾¾ Which area is getting more cleanup? ¾¾ It has such a precious ecosystem with the chain of lakes – you can swim in 22 feet of crystal clear water. ¾¾ When digging, will there be monitoring? ¾¾ There are so many natural areas and open space including 45 miles of ¾¾ Beyond sparging, is there any other plan to address contamination? interconnected water. ¾¾ What are the different plumes? ¾ ¾ It has a slower pace. ¾¾ Are contaminants getting into the river? ¾ ¾ We take care of our own. ¾¾ Was DDT sampled for? ¾ ¾ It is a close-knit community. ¾¾ What is driving the extra cleanup? ¾ ¾ It is known for the best water in Michigan. ¾¾ What are the key contaminants associated with Tar Lake? ¾ ¾ It has a nice mix of rural life combined with city amenities nearby – ¾¾ What is the primary concern - VOCs, health or taste? Traverse City is close. ¾¾ What about metals? ¾¾ It has a variety of summer and winter activities. ¾¾ What are the health risks? ¾¾ The people are good – they work hard and live hard. ¾¾ Would you use a local contractor? ¾¾ A lot of people were related and so had great get-togethers with music, etc. ¾¾ Will you be addressing the contamination that was exposed and made those workers sick? ¾¾ It is a great place to live. ¾¾ Why did it smell so bad during the cleanup? ¾¾ We have a great school system – people come from all over the county. ¾¾ Can the property be redeveloped? ¾¾ I have lived here all my life and raised my family here – it means a lot ¾¾ Are the ponds clean? to me. ¾¾ Will you do more testing? ¾¾ People that live here have really deep roots. ¾¾ A lot of people are very poor, but they stick it out because they have deep roots here. ¾¾ I want my kids and grandkids to have the environment to enjoy.
30 Appendix A Community Involvement. The term used by EPA to identify its process for engaging in dialogue and collaboration with communities affected by Superfund Glossary – Initials -Acronyms sites. EPA’s community involvement approach is founded in the belief that people have a right to know what the Agency is doing in their community and to have a say in it. Its purpose is to give people the opportunity to become involved in the Administrative Record. The body of documents that forms the basis for the Agency’s activities and to help shape the decisions that are made. selection of a particular response at a site. For example, the Administrative Record for remedy selection includes all documents that were considered or Community Involvement Coordinator. relied upon to select the remedy through the record of decision. 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 Brownfields. EPA’s Brownfields Program provides grants and technical involvement requirements set forth in the National Oil and Hazardous assistance to communities, states, tribes and others to assess, safely clean up and Substances Pollution Contingency Plan. sustainably reuse contaminated properties. Community Involvement Plan. A plan that outlines specific community CERCLA. See Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and involvement activities that occur during the investigation and cleanup at the Liability Act. 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 CIC. See Community Involvement Coordinator. that may affect the final actions at the site. The document is available in the site’s information repository maintained by EPA. The CIP may be modified as CIP. See Community Involvement Plan. necessary to respond to changes in community concerns, information needs and activities. Cleanup. Actions taken to deal with a release or threat of release of a hazardous substance that could affect humans and/or the environment. The term Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability “cleanup” is sometimes used interchangeably with the terms “remedial action,” Act. A federal law passed in 1980 and modified in 1986 by the Superfund “remediation,” “removal action,” “response action,” or “corrective action.” Amendments and Reauthorization Act. Commonly known as Superfund, CERCLA is intended to protect people’s health and the environment by Community. An interacting population of various types of individuals, or investigating and cleaning up abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. species, in a common location; a neighborhood or specific area where people Under the program, EPA can either: live. • Pay for site cleanup when parties responsible for the contamination cannot Community Engagement. The process of involving communities in all phases be located or are unwilling or unable to do the work; or of the cleanup process. Communities are asked to provide input on how the cleanup will be conducted and how it may affect community plans and goals. See • Take legal action to force parties responsible for site contamination to clean also Community Involvement. up the site or pay back the federal government for the cost of the cleanup.
A-1 Consent Decree. A legal agreement that formalizes an agreement between Health and Safety Plan (HASP). Is a document written with the objective of EPA and a party requiring that party to perform a cleanup. implementing a program that protects workers and the general public through the identification, evaluation, and control of health and safety hazards and to Contaminants. Any physical, chemical, biological or radiological substance provide for emergency response contingency planning. or matter that have an adverse effect on air, water or soil. Information Repository. A file containing current information, technical reports and reference documents regarding a site. The information repository Contamination. Introduction into water, air and soil of microorganisms, usually is in a public building convenient for local residents such as a public chemicals, toxic substances, wastes or wastewater in a concentration that makes school, town hall or library. the medium unfit for its next intended use. Also applies to surfaces of objects, buildings and various household use products. National Priorities List. EPA’s list of serious uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites identified for possible long-term cleanup under Superfund. Environmental Justice. Environmental justice is the fair treatment and The list is based primarily on the score a site receives from the Hazard Ranking meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, System. EPA is required to update the National Priorities List at least once a year. or income with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies. NPL. See National Priorities List. Five-Year Review. The Superfund laws require that cleanups that result in any hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants remaining at the site be Phenol. Phenol is both a manufactured chemical and a natural substance. It is subject to a five-year review. a colorless-to-white solid when pure. The commercial product is a liquid. Phenol has a distinct odor that is sickeningly sweet and tarry. Short-term exposure to Groundwater. Underground supplies of drinking water. phenol in the air can cause respiratory irritation, headaches, and burning eyes. People who had skin exposure to high amounts of phenol had skin burns, liver damage, dark urine, irregular heartbeat, and some died. Ingestion of high con- Hazardous Substance. Any material that poses a threat to human health centrations of phenol has resulted in internal burns and death. More informa- and/or the environment. Typical hazardous substances are toxic, corrosive, tion can be found on the following website: www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tfacts115. ignitable, explosive or chemically reactive. Any substance designated by EPA to pdf. be reported if a designated quantity of the substance is spilled in the waters of the United States or is otherwise released into the environment. Plume. A visible or measurable discharge of a contaminant from a given point of origin. Can be visible or thermal in water, or visible in the air as, for example, Hazardous Waste. Byproducts that can pose a substantial or potential hazard a plume of smoke. to human health or the environment when improperly managed. Hazardous wastes usually possess at least one of four characteristics (ignitability, Public Comment Period. A formal opportunity for community members to corrosivity, reactivity or toxicity) or appear on special EPA lists. review and contribute written comments on various EPA documents or actions.
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
A-2 is for the EPA to obtain public testimony or comment and not to address Superfund. The program operated under the legislative authority of substantial matters. Formal public hearings usually involve the use of a court CERCLA that funds and carries out EPA solid waste emergency and long- reporter to record a transcript of the testimony or comments. In the Superfund term removal and remedial activities. These activities include establishing process, formal public hearings are required only for the proposed cleanup plan the National Priorities List, investigating sites for inclusion on the list, and Record of Decision amendments. determining their priority and conducting and/or supervising cleanup and other remedial actions. Public Meeting. A formal public forum that is open to the general public. It usually features a presentation by the CIC and the RPM about activities and Technical Assistance Grant. TAGs provide money for activities that help plans for a site followed by a question-and answer session. EPA relies on such communities participate in decision making at eligible Superfund site. meetings to deliver information at large group gatherings, to receive feedback from the community and to foster interaction between a site team and residents TAG. See Technical Assistance Grant. near EPA projects. TCE. See Trichloroethylene. Public. The community or people in general or a part or section of the community grouped because of a common interest or activity. Trichloroethylene. A chemical that is used as a solvent to remove oils and grease from metal products and is found in adhesives, paint removers, Record of Decision. A ROD is a legal, technical and public document that typewriter correction fluids and spot removers. TCE is colorless liquid explains which cleanup alternative will be used at a Superfund NPL site. with an odor similar to ether and is a manufactured substance which The ROD is based on information and technical analysis generated during does not occur naturally in the environment. It minimally dissolves in the remedial investigation and feasibility study and consideration of public water and can remain in groundwater for a long time. TCE evaporates comments and community concerns. from surface water and soil, although it evaporates less easily from soil. Exposure from TCE is most commonly through breathing air that has Remedial Project Manager. The EPA official who is the technical lead on a TCE vapors, drinking or showering in contaminated water, or direct project. contact with contaminated soil. Long-term exposure to this family of chemicals is suspected of causing cancer, as well as problems of the liver and weakening of the immune system. More information can be found on ROD. See Record of Decision. the following website: www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tfacts19.pdf.
RPM. See Remedial Project Manager.
SARA. See Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act.
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act. Modifications to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, enacted on October 17, 1986.
A-3 Ralph Metcalfe Federal Building.
Mancelona Township library.
A-4 Appendix B
Information Repository, Administrative Record, Websites and Public Meeting Location
Local Information Repository Mancelona Township Library 202 W. State St. Mancelona, MI 46959 231-587-9451 https://www.mancelonatownship.com/library Mancelona Township Official Information Repository library.
EPA Region 5 Superfund Records Center Room 711, 7th Floor Ralph Metcalfe Federal Building 77 W. Jackson Blvd. Chicago, IL 60604
EPA Site Web Page www.epa.gov/superfund/tar-lake
Ralph Metcalfe Public Meeting Location Federal Building.
Mancelona Township Building 9610 S M-88 Highway Mancelona, MI 46959 231-587-8651, Ext. 1 Capacity - 80
Mancelona Township building. B-1 EPA officials tour the site.
B-2 Appendix C List of Contacts (Information is current as of September 2018)
U.S. Environmental Protection Federal Elected Officials State Elected Officials Agency Officials Debbie Stabenow Rick Snyder Mary Tierney U.S. Senator Governor Remedial Project Manager 731 Hart Senate Office Building P.O. Box 30013 Superfund Division Washington, DC 20510 Lansing, MI 48909 EPA 202-224-4822 517-373-3400 9311 Groh Road https://www.stabenow.senate.gov/contact [email protected] Grosse Ile Township, MI 48138 Northern Michigan Office Brian Calley 312-886-4785 or 800-621-8431, Ext. 64785 3335 S. Airport Rd., West, Suite 6B Lt. Governor [email protected] Traverse City, MI 49684 P.O. Box 30013 Heriberto León 231-929-1031 Lansing, MI 48909 Community Involvement Coordinator 517-373-6800 Gary Peters [email protected] Superfund Division SI-7J U.S. Senator EPA 724 Hart Senate Office Bldg. Wayne Schmidt 77 W. Jackson Blvd. Washington, DC 20510 State Senator Chicago, IL 60604 202-224-6221 201 Townsend St., Suite #4600 312-886-6163 or 800-621-8431, Ext. 66163 https://www.peters.senate.gov/contact/email-gary Lansing, MI 48933 [email protected] 517-373-2413 Traverse City Office Jennifer Manville https://www.senatorwayneschmidt.com/ 818 Red Drive, Suite 40 contact/ EPA Tribal Liaison Traverse City, MI 49684 400 Boardman Ave. 231-947-7773 Triston Cole Mail Code: TRAVER State Representative Traverse City, MI 49684 Jack Bergman P.O. Box 30014 231-941-0237 U.S. Representative Lansing, MI 48909-7514 [email protected] 414 Cannon House Office Bldg. 517-373-0829 Washington, DC 20515 Tribal Coordinator http://gophouse.org/representatives/ 202-225-4735 northernmi/cole/contact/ Superfund Division ST-6J https://bergman.house.gov/contact/ EPA 77 W. Jackson Blvd. Traverse City Office Chicago, IL 60604 1396 Douglas Drive, Suite 22B Traverse City, MI 49696 231-944-7633 C-1 Michigan Department of David Heeres, District 1 Mark Haynes Environmental Quality Officials [email protected] Building Official Melissa Zelenak, District 2 203 E. Cayuga St. Keith Krawczyk [email protected] P.O. Box 188 Senior Project Bellaire, MI 49615 Manager (Tar Lake Karen Bargy, District 3 231-533-8373 Site Manager) [email protected] [email protected] Site Assessment & Site Management/Superfund Ed Boettcher, District 4 Section [email protected] Mark Stone Remediation and Redevelopment Division Drain Commissioner Bryan Smith, District 5 MDEQ 203 E. Cayuga St. [email protected] 525 W. Allegan St., 5th Floor South P.O. Box 287 Lansing, MI 48933-7926 Brenda Ricksgers, District 6 Bellaire, MI 49615 517-284-5122 [email protected] 231-264-6800 [email protected] Dawn LaVanway, District 7 [email protected] [email protected] Antrim County Officials Leslie Meyers Scott Kruger, District 8 Emergency Operations Manager Peter Garwood [email protected] 3500 S. Derenzy Road Administrator P.O. Box 333 203 E. Cayuga St. Christian Marcus, District 9 [email protected] Bellaire, MI 49615 P.O. Box 187 231-533-6569 Bellaire, MI 49615 Daniel Bean [email protected] 231-533-6265 Sheriff [email protected] 107 Grove St. Sherry Comben Bellaire, MI 49615 Treasurer Sheryl Guy 203 E. Cayuga St. Clerk 231-533-8627 [email protected] P.O. Box 544 203 E. Cayuga St. Bellaire, MI 49615 P.O. Box 520 Al Meacham 231-533-6720 Bellaire, MI 49615 Transportation Director [email protected] 231-533-6353 4700 S. M-88 Highway [email protected] P.O. Box 120 Mancelona Township County Board Members Bellaire, MI 49615 Chuck Johnson P.O. Box 520 231-533-8644 Supervisor Bellaire, MI 49615 [email protected] 9610 S M-88 Highway P.O. Box 332 Mancelona, MI 49659 231-587-8651 https://www.mancelonatownship.com/ C-2 Amy Jenema Kathy Pintcke David Allen Assessor Libarian Trustee 9610 S M-88 Highway 202 W. State St. 10524 Bailey Road P.O. Box 332 P.O. Box 499 Mancelona, MI 49659 Mancelona, MI 49659 Mancelona, MI 49659 231-587-5118 231-587-4737 231-587-9451 [email protected] https://www.mancelonatownship.com/contact/4- https://www.mancelonatownship.com/contact/5- assessor librarian Gina Grote Trustee Mike Biehl Jim MacQuarrie P.O. Box 235 Clerk Mancelona Area Water and Sewer Authority Mancelona, MI 49659 9610 S M-88 Highway 9610 South M-88 231-587-0533 P.O. Box 332 Mancelona, MI 49659 [email protected] Mancelona, MI 49659 231-587-0744 231-587-8651, Ext. 1 [email protected] Robert Logee https://www.mancelonatownship.com/contact/1- Assessor clerk Custer Township P.O. Box 193 Alden, MI 49612 Roxann Flake Ed Sayre 231-331-7303 Supervisor Fire Chief P.O. Box 606 P.O. Box 332 Village of Mancelona Mancelona, MI 49659 Mancelona, MI 49659 231-587-5363 Village of Mancelona 231-587-5311 [email protected] 120 W. State St. https://www.mancelonatownship.com/contact/6- P.O. Box 648 mancelona-fire-chief-ed-sayre Renee Elder Mancelona, MI 49659 Treasurer 231-587-8331 Sue Robinson P.O. Box 505 http://www.villageofmancelona.org/contact Treasurer Mancelona, MI 49659 9610 S M-88 Highway 231-587-5446 Maureen Naumcheff, Clerk P.O. Box 332 [email protected] RaeAnn Thompson, Treasurer Mancelona, MI 49659 Craig Hart, Public Works Supervisor 231-587-8651, Ext. 2 Stacy Simon https://www.mancelonatownship.com/contact/2- Clerk Trustees treasurer P.O. Box 814 Mike Allison, President Mancelona, MI 49659 Lori Derror, Trustee Rod Vesey 231-587-4773 Justin MacDonald, Trustee Trustee [email protected] Teresa Mizgala, Trustee 9610 S M-88 Highway Aaron Biehl, Pro-Tem P.O. Box 332 Mancelona, MI 49659 William Robbins, Police Chief 231-564-0444 231-587-8462 C-3 Interested Parties Catholic Human Services, Inc. The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Traverse City Chippewa Indians Mancelona Regional Chamber of Commerce 1000 Hastings 2605 N. West Bay Shore Dr. P.O. Box 558 Traverse City, MI 49686 Peshawbestown, MI 49682 Mancelona, MI 49659 231-947-8110 866-534-7750 231-587-5500 [email protected] http://www.gtbindians.org/default.asp [email protected] Older Adult Resources Family Resource Center Newspapers 1832-A Oak Hollow Drive 205 Grove St. Traverse City MI 49686 Traverse City Record Eagle Mancelona, MI 49659 231-929-7070 120 W. Front St. 231-587-5044 [email protected] Traverse City, MI 49684 231-946-2000 Communities in Schools of Northwest Gaylord www.record-eagle.com Michigan 829 W. Main St., Suite C3 Publishes daily 205 Grove St. Gaylord, MI 49735 Mancelona, MI 49659 989-732-6761 Antrim Review 231-356-4385 [email protected] P.O. Box 313 http://cisnwmi.org/ Bellaire, MI 49615 Cadillac 231-533-5651 Health Department of Northwest Michigan 421 S. Mitchell www.antrimreview.net/ Mancelona Family Resource Center Cadillac, MI 49601 Publishes weekly on Thursdays 205 Grove St. 231-775-6581 Mancelona, MI 49659 [email protected] Radio http://www.nwhealth. UCMW - Public Radio org/mancelona.html Alpena 1999 E. Campus Dr. 154 S. Ripley Blvd. Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859 Dental Clinics North Alpena, MI 49707 989-774-3105 205 Grove St. 989-356-6385 https://www.wcmu.org/ Mancelona, MI 49659 [email protected] 231-587-5068 WJML – News Radio 1110 AM/1210 AM/101.1FM http://www.nwhealth.org/dcnmancelona.html Community Resource Development Inc. 205 Grove St. 120 W. State St. Women’s Resource Center of Northern Mancelona, MI 49659 Traverse City, MI 49684 Michigan 231-587-5085 231-348-5000 205 Grove St. https://www.facebook.com/mancelonacrd/ http://www.wjml.com/ Mancelona, MI 49659 WTCM – News Talk 580 231-587-8891 Ironmen Health Center 300 E. Front St., Suite 450 http://www.wrcnm.org/ 205 Grove St. Mancelona, MI 49659 Traverse City, MI 49684 231-587-9840 231-947-7675 http://www.nwhealth.org/ihc.html http://wtcmradio.com C-4 Television WPBN (NBC affiliate) 8513 East Traverse Highway Traverse City, MI 49684 231-995-5830 [email protected] http://upnorthlive.com/
WWTV/WWUP-TV 9&10 (CBS affiliate) P.O. Box 627 Cadillac, MI 49601 231-775-3478 [email protected] http://www.9and10news.com/about-us/ contact-us/
C-5 Downtown Mancelona.
C-6 If the site poses an immediate threat Appendix D to public health or the environment, Community Engagement and the Superfund Process EPA can intervene with an emergency response action. The goal of EPA’s Superfund is an environmental cleanup program enabled by a federal law Emergency Response and Removal enacted in 1980 known as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Program is to protect the public and the Compensation, and Liability Act. In 1986, another law, the Superfund environment from immediate threats Amendments and Reauthorization Act, or SARA, reauthorized CERCLA posed by the release or discharge of to continue Superfund cleanup activities. The CERCLA law gives EPA the hazardous substances. authority to require those parties responsible for creating hazardous waste sites to clean up those sites or to reimburse the government if EPA cleans up The Superfund program encourages the site. EPA compels responsible parties to clean up hazardous waste sites active dialogue between communities through administrative orders, consent decrees and other legal settlements. affected by the release of hazardous EPA is authorized to enforce the Superfund laws within Indian reservations, substances and the agencies responsible for carrying out or overseeing in all 50 states and in U.S. territories. Superfund site identification, monitoring cleanup actions. EPA considers community involvement to be an important and response activities are coordinated with state, tribal and territorial part of the Superfund program and opportunities for community environmental protection or waste management agencies. involvement occur throughout the process. At each step in the process, there are opportunities for various levels of community involvement (see There are several steps involved in cleaning up a contaminated site. Once EPA Page D-2 of this CIP). has been made aware of a contaminated site from individual citizens, local, tribal or state agencies or others, EPA follows a step-by-step process (see the next page of this Appendix) to determine the best way to clean up the site and protect human health and the environment.
Visit these EPA websites for more information on the Superfund process:
Superfund: www.epa.gov/superfund
Cleanup Process: https://www.epa.gov/superfund/cleaning-superfund-sites
Community Involvement: https://www.epa.gov/superfund/superfund-community-involvement
D-1 Superfund Community Involvement Process Steps Opportunities • Gather historical site condition information to • Provide any information you have about the site determine if further investigation is needed Preliminary to the U.S. EPA • Use Hazard Ranking System to evaluate risks Assessment/Site Inspection
• Publish notice in Federal Register and local media • Read information about U.S. EPA’s proposal to list the announcing proposed listing and public comment National site period Priorities List • Contact U.S. EPA for questions or additional information • Once listed, U.S. EPA publishes notice in Federal Process • If concerned, submit comments during the Public Register and responds to comments Comment period
• Determines the nature and extent of contamination, Remedial • Consider forming a Community Advisory Group and evaluates human health and ecological risk applying for a Technical Assistance Grant Investigation/ • Participate in public meetings Feasibility Study • Contact community involvement coordinator with questions
• Presents the cleanup alternatives and is issued for • Read proposed plan a 30-day public comment period Proposed • Participate in public meetings Plan • Visit Information Repository
• Contains the selected remedy for a site and the • Read the ROD for site cleanup Responsiveness Summary which provides • Participate in public events or visit the information responses to all comments received during the Record of Decision repository public comment period • Contact site CIC with questions
• Includes preparing for and doing the bulk of the • Learn about the final design cleanup at the site Remedial Design/ • Work through your CAG, TAG or Technical Assistance • Final design is developed Services for Communities provider for information Remedial Action • Attend meetings and site visits • Contact CIC with questions
• Any necessary physical construction has been • Attend meetings and site visits completed (even though final cleanup levels may Construction • Contact CIC with questions not have been reached) Completion
• Ensures that Superfund cleanups provide • Work through your CAG, TAG or TASC provider for long-term protection of human health and Post-Construction information environment • Visit the site or arrange a site tour through U.S. EPA • Monitoring continues Completion • Contact CIC with questions
• All site work completed • Read U.S. EPA’s proposal and Responsiveness • U.S. EPA requests comments on upcoming NPL Summary deletion of site from NPL list • Read the final deletion report Deletion • Plan a community event to celebrate deletion from NPL
After site is clean: • Work with U.S. EPA and neighbors to plan the • U.S. EPA works with community to help return site redevelopment to productive use Reuse • Explore U.S. EPA’s tools and resources • U.S. EPA will ensure that any land use restrictions • Be supportive of redevelopment plans once they’ve continue to be met D-2 been agreed upon Appendix E Fact Sheets Contaminant of Concern Fact Sheets:
Phenol
Site-Related Fact Sheets:
Tar Lake Superfund Site – Tar Removal Completed, June 1999
EPA Reviews and Expands Cleanup; Seeks Community Input, May 2018
E-1 Phenol - ToxFAQs™ CAS # 108-95-2 Phenol This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions (FAQs) about phenol. For more information, call the CDC Information Center at 1-800-232-4636. This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries about hazardous substances and their health effects. It is important you understand this information because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure CAS # 108-95-2 to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other chemicals are present. irregular heart beat, and some died. Ingestion of high • Always store household products and over-the- concentrations of phenol has resulted in internal burns counter medications that contain phenol in their and death. original labeled containers out of the reach of children. HIGHLIGHTS: Phenol is both a manufactured chemical and a natural substance. In animals, breathing air with high levels of phenol resulted in irritation of the lungs. Repeated exposures Phenol is used as a disinfectant and is found in a number of consumer products. Skin Is there a medical test to determine induced muscle tremors and loss of coordination. whether I’ve been exposed to phenol? exposure to high amounts can produce skin burns, liver damage, dark urine, irregular Exposure to high concentrations of phenol in the air heart beat, and even death. Ingestion of concentrated phenol can produce internal for several weeks caused paralysis and severe injury to Phenol can be measured in blood and urine. A higher- burns. Phenol has been found in at least 595 of the 1,678 National Priority List (NPL) the heart, liver, kidneys, and lungs, and in some cases, than-normal concentration of phenol in the urine may death. Some animals that drank water with very high suggest recent exposure to phenol or to substances that sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). concentrations of phenol suffered muscle tremors and are converted to phenol in the body. loss of coordination. The detection of phenol and/or its metabolites in your Phenol can have beneficial effects when used medically urine cannot be used to predict the kind of health effects What is phenol? How might I be exposed to phenol? as an antiseptic or anesthetic. that might develop from that exposure. Phenol is both a manufactured chemical and a natural • You may be exposed to phenol if you live near How likely is phenol to cause cancer? Has the federal government made substance. It is a colorless-to-white solid when pure. The landfills or hazardous waste sites that contain The International Agency for Research on Cancer recommendations to protect commercial product is a liquid. Phenol has a distinct odor phenol or near facilities manufacturing phenol. human health? that is sickeningly sweet and tarry. (IARC) and the EPA have determined that phenol is not • You may be exposed to very low levels in your classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans. The EPA has determined that exposure to phenol in home because it is found in a number of You can taste and smell phenol at levels lower than those drinking water at concentrations of 6 mg/L for up to 10 consumer products, including mouthwashes and that are associated with harmful effects. Phenol evaporates How can phenol affect children? days is not expected to cause any adverse effects in a child. throat lozenges. more slowly than water, and a moderate amount can form Vomiting and lethargy were the most frequent signs of The EPA has determined that lifetime exposure to 2 mg/L a solution with water. • You may be exposed to phenol if you undergo toxicity observed in children who accidentally ingested phenol in drinking water is not expected to cause any “chemical peels” to remove skin lesions with phenol and were treated at a poison control center. We Phenol is used primarily in the production of phenolic adverse effects. resins and in the manufacture of nylon and other phenol-containing products or are treated for do not know whether children would be more sensitive synthetic fibers. It is also used in slimicides (chemicals chronic pain or spasticity with injections of phenol. than adults to the effects of phenol. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a limit of 5 parts per million (ppm) of that kill bacteria and fungi in slimes), as a disinfectant • Low levels of phenol are found in some foods, Phenol has caused minor birth defects and low birth phenol in air to protect workers during 8-hour work shifts. and antiseptic, and in medicinal preparations such as including smoked summer sausage, fried chicken, weight in animals generally at exposure levels that also mouthwash and sore throat lozenges. mountain cheese, and some species of fish. were toxic to the pregnant mothers. References What happens to phenol when it enters • Smoking or inhaling second hand smoke will expose you to phenol. How can families reduce the risks of Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). the environment? 2008. Toxicological Profile for Phenol. Atlanta, GA: U.S. • Low levels of phenol can be present in air and exposure to phenol? Department of Health and Human Services, Public • Following small, single releases, phenol is rapidly drinking water. • Avoiding environmental tobacco smoke, which Health Service. removed from the air (generally, half is removed in contains phenol, will reduce phenol exposures. less than a day). How can phenol affect my health? • Phenol generally remains in the soil only about 2 to Most of the phenol that you may inhale or ingest will 5 days. enter the bloodstream; less will enter if there is contact • Phenol can remain in water for a week or more. with the skin. • Larger or repeated releases of phenol can remain in Short-term exposure to phenol in the air can cause Where can I get more information? the air, water, and soil for much longer periods of time. respiratory irritation, headaches, and burning eyes. People who had skin exposure to high amounts of For more information, contact the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Division of Toxicology and • Phenol does not build up in fish, other animals, Human Health Sciences, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-57, Atlanta, GA 30329-4027. or plants. phenol had skin burns, liver damage, dark urine, Phone: 1-800-232-4636. ToxFAQsTM Internet address via WWW is http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/index.asp. ATSDR can tell you where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize, evaluate, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. You can also contact your community or state health or environmental quality department if you have any more questions or concerns. Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences
CS265956-A September 2008 Page 2 of 2
E-2 United States Office of Public Affairs Illinois, Indiana, Next Step Following a period of public review and comment on the Environmental Protection Region 5 Michigan, Minnesota, For Additional Information Agency 77 W. Jackson Blvd. Ohio, Wisconsin In early June, U.S. EPA began soil, ground water, and cleanup alternatives, the U.S. EPA, in conjunction with Chicago, Illinois 60604 the Michigan DEQ, will select a cleanup plan. Anyone interested in learning more about the Tar Lake site in encouraged to review the information surface water sampling from several areas of the 200- acre Tar Lake site. Water from private drinking wells repository for the Tar Lake site. The information repository is located at the Mancelona Public Library, 202 Local Group Formed West State Street, Mancelona. For additional information on the Tar Lake site, please contact: Tar Lake Superfund Site near the site as well as Saloon Creek, Peckham Lake, and Lake Nelson will also be sampled. The sampling is to Study Redevelopment U.S. EPA Contacts State Contact TAR REMOVAL COMPLETED the first step in cleaning up contaminated soil and ground Recently, a group of residents and local officials from the (To the left) A berm and ditch water that may have migrated away from Tar Lake itself Village of Mancelona, Townships of Mancelona and Custer, has been constructed around Stuart Hill (P-19J) Mark Henry Mancelona, Michigan June 1999 to other parts of the site. The results of the sampling will Antrim County, and state and federal agency representa- Tar Lake to control runoff . Community Involvement Coordinator Site Project Manager help U.S. EPA determine the nature and extent of the tives formed a group to discuss future uses of the Tar Lake (312) 886-0689 Michigan DEQ This Fact Sheet Will Introduction contamination. site after U.S. EPAs cleanup is completed. The group is [email protected] P.O. Box 30426 known as the Brownfield Action Team (continued on Tell You About After the sampling results are obtained, U.S. EPA will Lansing, MI 48909-7926 U.S. EPAs tar removal at the Tar Lake Superfund site in Mancelona, page 3). prepare a report called a Remedial Investigation (RI). Thomas Bloom (SR-6J) (517) 335-3390 The recently completed Michigan was completed in May. Since the tar removal began in summer The RI will document the nature and extent of soil and Remedial Project Manager [email protected] tar removal 1998, a total of 46,678 tons of wood tar and debris was transported off-site. ground-water contamination at the Tar Lake site. The RI (312) 886-1967 In June, U.S. EPA regraded the area where the tar was removed, covered it AND NOW Local Contact The long-term cleanup with topsoil, and planted grass. is scheduled to be completed in September. [email protected] plan Following completion of the RI, U.S. EPA will assess Gary Knapp U.S. EPA Region 5 The recently formed Tar Removal the risk posed by soil and ground-water contamination at Community Development Coordinator 77 West Jackson Boulevard Brownfield Action the site. After the risk level is established, U.S. EPA can Mancelona Family Resource Center Excavating wood tar and contaminated debris from Tar Lake itself removed Chicago, IL 60604 Team develop alternative methods to adequately address the 205 Grove Street a major source of contamination from the Tar Lake site, but it did not clean Toll Free: 1-800-621-8431 contamination to minimize human and ecological risks. Mancelona, MI 49659 up all the contaminated ground water and soil on the 200-acre site (see http://www.epa.gov A report called a Feasibility Study (FS) documents the (616) 587-5085 Next Step on page 2). risk assessment and the alternatives developed to ad- The recently completed tar removal resulted in the excavation of over (To the right) Water will be dress the contamination. The FS is scheduled to be 46,000 tons of wood tar and tar-contaminated soil and slag from Tar Lake. collected at the lowest point completed in December. The wood tar was trucked to Niagara Falls, New York where it was burned of the reconfigured Tar Lake to produce power. Tar-contaminated soil and debris that could not be THEN to prevent seepage and al- decontaminated was transported to appropriate landfills. Decontamination low evaporation. Vegetation and excavation procedures resulted in over 1.2 million gallons of wastewa- along the gradually sloped walls of the former deep pit U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ter. Region 5 will also control moisture. Office of Public Affairs (P-19J) At the same time tar was being removed, MDEQ installed a biosparge 77 West Jackson Blvd. system on site. The system of 19 wells and a compressed air source intro- Chicago, Illinois 60604 duces air into the bottom of the shallow aquifer to supply oxygen for the Official Business, Penalty for breakdown of the ground-water contaminants. Private Use $300 FIRST CLASS Warmer-than-expected temperatures in late winter resulted in a foul odor drifting from the site. The odor was caused by tar being exposed to warm air. (Continued from page 2) Cold temperatures had kept the odor from spreading off site over the winter. ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED (Photos to the left) The Tar Lake site near Mancelona, U.S. EPA implemented several steps to control the odor problem, which Michigan as it appeared early in the year (bottom) The teams goal is to improve the quality of life in the were explained at a public meeting in March. These measures included and as it looked recently (top) before the site was Mancelona community by facilitating the recovery and re- covering all tar stockpiles and other odor sources during non-working seeded. In the bottom left photograph, heavy equip- use of environmentally impacted sites in the area. U.S. EPA hours, covering open excavation areas with sawdust, and minimizing the ment busily removes tar substances from the area has awarded a $200,000 grant to investigate brownfield areas of exposed tar during working hours. while the top left photograph shows a heavy vinyl sites in the Mancelona and Custer communities. The group is preparing an application for a $100,000 grant to be used A latex foam was used to suppress vapors and a concentrated effort to move liner which will prevent moisture from seeping through specifically to help redevelop the Tar Lake site has been material from the site also reduced odors. the freshly applied clean soil layer into the ground water system. U.S. EPA has completed a nearly $10 submitted to U.S. EPA. By the end of April, all tar stockpiles had been removed from the site, and million removal of tar-contaminated material, land- Ross Powers is the U.S. EPA Brownfields Coordinator for only a few truckloads of tar-contaminated slag remained on site. Covering scaped the area to control erosion and runoff and the Mancelona grant. the excavated areas with clean topsoil in early May effectively eliminated prepared the way for the next phase of the remedial the odor problem. In addition to U.S. EPA brownfield grant, the Michigan process of cleaning up Tar Lake. DEQ also has programs intended to help redevelop This fact sheet is printed on paper made of recycled fibers. brownfields.
4 1 2 3
E-3 United States Office of Public Affairs Illinois, Indiana, Next Step Following a period of public review and comment on the Environmental Protection Region 5 Michigan, Minnesota, cleanup alternatives, the U.S. EPA, in conjunction with For Additional Information Agency 77 W. Jackson Blvd. Ohio, Wisconsin In early June, U.S. EPA began soil, ground water, and Chicago, Illinois 60604 surface water sampling from several areas of the 200- the Michigan DEQ, will select a cleanup plan. Anyone interested in learning more about the Tar Lake site in encouraged to review the information acre Tar Lake site. Water from private drinking wells repository for the Tar Lake site. The information repository is located at the Mancelona Public Library, 202 near the site as well as Saloon Creek, Peckham Lake, Local Group Formed West State Street, Mancelona. For additional information on the Tar Lake site, please contact: Tar Lake Superfund Site and Lake Nelson will also be sampled. The sampling is to Study Redevelopment the first step in cleaning up contaminated soil and ground Recently, a group of residents and local officials from the (To the left) A berm and ditch U.S. EPA Contacts State Contact TAR REMOVAL COMPLETED water that may have migrated away from Tar Lake itself Village of Mancelona, Townships of Mancelona and Custer, has been constructed around Mark Henry Mancelona, Michigan June 1999 to other parts of the site. The results of the sampling will Antrim County, and state and federal agency representa- Tar Lake to control runoff . Stuart Hill (P-19J) help U.S. EPA determine the nature and extent of the tives formed a group to discuss future uses of the Tar Lake Community Involvement Coordinator Site Project Manager contamination. site after U.S. EPAs cleanup is completed. The group is (312) 886-0689 Michigan DEQ This Fact Sheet Will Introduction known as the Brownfield Action Team (continued on [email protected] P.O. Box 30426 After the sampling results are obtained, U.S. EPA will Tell You About U.S. EPAs tar removal at the Tar Lake Superfund site in Mancelona, page 3). Lansing, MI 48909-7926 prepare a report called a Remedial Investigation (RI). Thomas Bloom (SR-6J) (517) 335-3390 The recently completed Michigan was completed in May. Since the tar removal began in summer The RI will document the nature and extent of soil and Remedial Project Manager [email protected] tar removal 1998, a total of 46,678 tons of wood tar and debris was transported off-site. ground-water contamination at the Tar Lake site. The RI AND NOW (312) 886-1967 In June, U.S. EPA regraded the area where the tar was removed, covered it is scheduled to be completed in September. Local Contact The long-term cleanup with topsoil, and planted grass. [email protected] plan Following completion of the RI, U.S. EPA will assess Gary Knapp U.S. EPA Region 5 The recently formed Tar Removal the risk posed by soil and ground-water contamination at Community Development Coordinator 77 West Jackson Boulevard Brownfield Action the site. After the risk level is established, U.S. EPA can Mancelona Family Resource Center Excavating wood tar and contaminated debris from Tar Lake itself removed Chicago, IL 60604 Team develop alternative methods to adequately address the 205 Grove Street a major source of contamination from the Tar Lake site, but it did not clean Toll Free: 1-800-621-8431 contamination to minimize human and ecological risks. Mancelona, MI 49659 up all the contaminated ground water and soil on the 200-acre site (see http://www.epa.gov A report called a Feasibility Study (FS) documents the (616) 587-5085 Next Step on page 2). risk assessment and the alternatives developed to ad- (To the right) Water will be The recently completed tar removal resulted in the excavation of over dress the contamination. The FS is scheduled to be collected at the lowest point 46,000 tons of wood tar and tar-contaminated soil and slag from Tar Lake. completed in December. of the reconfigured Tar Lake The wood tar was trucked to Niagara Falls, New York where it was burned THEN to prevent seepage and al- to produce power. Tar-contaminated soil and debris that could not be low evaporation. Vegetation decontaminated was transported to appropriate landfills. Decontamination along the gradually sloped and excavation procedures resulted in over 1.2 million gallons of wastewa- walls of the former deep pit U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ter. will also control moisture. Region 5 Office of Public Affairs (P-19J) At the same time tar was being removed, MDEQ installed a biosparge 77 West Jackson Blvd. system on site. The system of 19 wells and a compressed air source intro- Chicago, Illinois 60604 duces air into the bottom of the shallow aquifer to supply oxygen for the Official Business, Penalty for breakdown of the ground-water contaminants. Private Use $300 FIRST CLASS Warmer-than-expected temperatures in late winter resulted in a foul odor drifting from the site. The odor was caused by tar being exposed to warm air. (Continued from page 2) Cold temperatures had kept the odor from spreading off site over the winter. ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED (Photos to the left) The Tar Lake site near Mancelona, U.S. EPA implemented several steps to control the odor problem, which Michigan as it appeared early in the year (bottom) The teams goal is to improve the quality of life in the Mancelona community by facilitating the recovery and re- were explained at a public meeting in March. These measures included and as it looked recently (top) before the site was covering all tar stockpiles and other odor sources during non-working seeded. In the bottom left photograph, heavy equip- use of environmentally impacted sites in the area. U.S. EPA has awarded a $200,000 grant to investigate brownfield hours, covering open excavation areas with sawdust, and minimizing the ment busily removes tar substances from the area areas of exposed tar during working hours. while the top left photograph shows a heavy vinyl sites in the Mancelona and Custer communities. The group liner which will prevent moisture from seeping through is preparing an application for a $100,000 grant to be used A latex foam was used to suppress vapors and a concentrated effort to move the freshly applied clean soil layer into the ground specifically to help redevelop the Tar Lake site has been material from the site also reduced odors. submitted to U.S. EPA. water system. U.S. EPA has completed a nearly $10 By the end of April, all tar stockpiles had been removed from the site, and million removal of tar-contaminated material, land- Ross Powers is the U.S. EPA Brownfields Coordinator for only a few truckloads of tar-contaminated slag remained on site. Covering scaped the area to control erosion and runoff and the Mancelona grant. the excavated areas with clean topsoil in early May effectively eliminated prepared the way for the next phase of the remedial In addition to U.S. EPA brownfield grant, the Michigan the odor problem. process of cleaning up Tar Lake. DEQ also has programs intended to help redevelop brownfields. This fact sheet is printed on paper made of recycled fibers. 4 1 2 3
E-4 EPA Reviews and Expands EPA would like to hear from you!
Cleanup; Seeks Community Input U.S. Environmental Protection Agency representatives are interested in your comments. They will be in Mancelona on June 5-8 to talk with area residents about the cleanup of the Tar Lake Superfund site. If you have questions or concerns Tar Lake Superfund Site Mancelona, Michigan May 2018 about the site and want to tell us the best way to keep you informed, contact EPA contractor Meg Moosa at 216-513-9966 or [email protected] to schedule a 30-minute talk, daytime or evening, at the Mancelona Representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will be in the Township building, 9610 S M-88 Highway, Mancelona. Contact EPA Mancelona area June 5-8 to talk with local residents and officials about the Tar For more information about the site, Lake Superfund site. The site is just east of Highway 131, about a mile south of You may also contact EPA Community Involvement Coordinator Heriberto León toll-free at contact one of these team members: Mancelona, where Antrim Iron Works used to be. EPA is reviewing past cleanup actions as required by law every five years and, starting next year, will 800-621-8431, Ext. 66163, weekdays 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., or at [email protected]. Heriberto León also be doing more cleanup work based on additional investigations done in Community Involvement Coordinator 2015. EPA representatives want to get a more up-to-date picture of the current Community interviews provide the basis for a Community Involvement Plan to help the Agency handle concerns and 312-886-6163 concerns and interests of the community. We invite you to meet with us during keep residents, businesses and local officials informed and involved in the cleanup. Visit [email protected] our visit to the area. (See back page or left-hand box to set up a meeting.) www.epa.gov/superfund/tar-lake for more information.
Mary Tierney Five-year review Remedial Project Manager This year EPA is conducting a five-year review of the site. The Superfund law 312-886-4785 requires regular checkups of sites that have been cleaned up – with waste [email protected] managed on-site – to make sure the cleanup continues to protect people and the environment. The five-year review is also an opportunity for you to tell EPA You may call EPA’s Chicago office about any concerns you have. The review is expected to be completed by early toll-free at 800-621-8431, 2019, so now is a good time to give us comments and express any concerns. 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. weekdays. More cleanup work planned For more information When collecting samples in 2015, EPA found more tar and contaminated soil at
To find more details about the Tar the Tar Lake site. To address these, cleanup work will begin in 2019 and
uiyInput munity Com eeks S eanup; Cl Expands nd a Reviews
Lake Superfund site, visit the EPA continue for several years. EPA will provide more information about the EPA
SITE: SITE: UPERFUND S webpage at cleanup as work plans develop. We would like to know the best way to keep LAKE TAR www.epa.gov/superfund/tar-lake. you informed about these upcoming plans. Documents and reports about the Community Involvement Plan site can also be found at the The purpose of a CIP is to provide EPA with information about community Mancelona Township Library, concerns and enhance communication between residents and EPA. Residents 202 W. State St., Mancelona. often provide valuable insight that assist the Agency with its cleanup decisions. Residents also help the EPA understand how the community wants to receive information and the type of information they would like to receive. This helps the Agency provide meaningful engagement opportunities to you throughout the cleanup process at Superfund sites.
Site background The 200-acre Tar Lake site is in Mancelona Township. From 1882 to 1945, Antrim Iron Works operated there. Disposal of tar waste led to the contamination of soil and groundwater with hazardous chemicals. In 1983, the site was placed on EPA’s National Priorities List, a list of Superfund sites nationwide. Cleanups took place in 1998 and 2004 and included excavation and disposal of tar and contaminated soil, groundwater extraction and treatment, and use restrictions. In 2005 and 2012, EPA “delisted” or dropped a total of 120 acres from the Superfund program.
E-5 Park in downtown Mancelona.
E-6 Appendix F Community Interview Questions
A list of questions asked during community interviews.
Community Interview Questionnaire Tar Lake Superfund Site – June 5-8, 2018
Name: ______Address: ______Home Phone: (_____) ______Cell Phone: (_____) ______E-Mail Address: ______Date: ______
1. Do you live or work on or near the site? If no, are you affiliated with any organization that has an interest in the site? [What organization]? 2. How long have you been a resident in the area? 3. Do you live in an area potentially affected by contamination? Have you been affected? In what way? 4. Have you had any sampling or work conducted at your property? What was the result of that sampling? Was everyone respectful? Did you get a copy of the results in a timely manner? 5. Do you have a well? Or, are you on city water? 6. What concerns do you have about the site/cleanup? 7. Where are you getting your information about the site? From whom? In what form? 8. Do you feel that you have been adequately informed about the site from EPA? If not, what other kind of information would you like/need? 9. How would you like to be informed concerning future site activities (mail, e-mail, telephone, newspapers (which?), television, radio, social media such as Facebook)? 10. Do you have any suggestions about how we might reach people? 11. If EPA holds a public meeting or availability session, would you attend? Yes ___ No ____ a. What day and time would be most convenient for you? b. What format do you think works best? Public meeting verses availability session? (explain formats) c. If not, what obstacles keep you from attending? d. Do you have suggestions about locations for future meetings? 12. Which groups in the area have regular meetings, which are fairly well attended? Do you know if these are the types of meetings where EPA could be added to the agenda so that we could give updates on the site periodically? 13. Have you received or read any EPA fact sheets about the site? If so, were they understandable? 14. Site information is posted on the EPA’s website. Have you used the EPA website? If so, did you find the information you needed? 15. An information repository is located at the Mancelona Township Library. Have you ever looked at the site information at the library? If so, did you find the information you needed? 16. Are there any other people or groups you think we should talk to about the site either because they have unique information or would like to know more from EPA? 17. What is special/important to you about your community? 18. Do you have any questions? V 19. Is there anything else you would like to add regarding the site or the EPA’s involvement with the local community? 20. Are you aware of the Wickes Manufacturing site? 21. Are you aware of the high iron content in drinking water wells to the west of the Tar Lake site? Do you remember how far back (in time) this goes? 22. What are your main concerns about pollution and the environment in the nearby area and/or in general? F-1 Downtown Mancelona.
F-2 Appendix G Environmental Justice and EPA’s commitment to the affected communities.
EPA defines environmental justice as fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people--regardless of race, color, national origin or income-- with respect to development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
Fair treatment means that no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental, or commercial operations, or the execution of federal, state, local, and tribal programs and policies.
Meaningful involvement means that potentially affected community residents have an appropriate opportunity to participate in decision-making about a proposed activity that will affect their environment and/or health.
G-1 ACTIVITIES KEY AREAS & LEAD EPA OFFICES
EJ 2020 Action Agenda Implementation Rulemaking - Office of Policy, Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution The EJ 2020 Action Agenda (EJ 2020) is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) strategic plan for EJ 2020 will be implemented using Prevention, Region 7 environmental justice for 2016-2020. EJ 2020 will build on the foundation established by EPA’s previous plan, a cross-agency approach. The Permitting - Office of Air and Radiation, Region 2 Plan EJ 2014, as well as decades of significant environmental justice practice by the Agency, communities and various priority areas and actions Compliance and Enforcement - Office of Enforcement and Compliance our partners. in this plan will be led by programs Assurance, Region 8 and regional offices in an effort to Science - Office of Research and Development, Region 1 VISION “EJ 2020 continues EPA’s strong leadership and incorporate environmental justice States and Local Governments - Office of Water, Region 5 y 2020, we envision an EPA that demonstrates a deep commitment to equity. As President into every aspect of EPA’s work. Bintegrates environmental justice of ECOS (the Environmental Council of States), I appreciate Therefore the responsibility for the Federal Agencies - Office of Land and Emergency Management, Office of into everything we do, cultivates strong the increased acknowledgement of the role of states as successful implementation will truly Environmental Justice, Region 4 partnerships to improve on-the-ground co-regulators, our shared responsibility, and the value of be a cross-agency endeavor. Community-Based Work - Office of Land and Emergency Management, collaboration as partners in achieving environmental justice. results, and charts a path forward for Stakeholder Outreach Office of Environmental Justice, Region 3, Region 10 Advancing equity at all levels is among our most important achieving better environmental outcomes Vibrant stakeholder engagement Tribes and Indigenous Peoples - Office of International and Tribal Affairs, jobs in government. By working together and learning from and reducing disparities in the nation’s most and partnerships are the backbone Office of Environmental Justice, Region 6 each other we can most effectively reduce disparities and overburdened communities. of EJ 2020 and essential to strengthen the capacity of communities to create their own National Measures - Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Region 9 achieving meaningful outcomes Achieving this vision will help to make our healthy futures.” vulnerable, environmentally burdened, and for overburdened communities. - John Linc Stine economically disadvantaged communities Through early, ongoing and Commissioner, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency meaningful stakeholder healthier, cleaner and more sustainable President, Environmental Council of States engagement, EPA will catalyze a places in which to live, work, play and learn. new level of stakeholder dialogue and collaboration during the course of implementation. EPA will continue to hold webinars and meetings on the plan, solicit input and feedback, and offer other opportunities for stronger stakeholder engagement and collaboration. In addition, EPA will continue to use partnership mechanisms with advisory GOALS & KEY AREAS committees and federal, state, tribal and local government We will achieve this vision through three goals, eight priority areas, and four national challenges: organizations to solicit feedback. Through EJ 2020, EPA will advance EPA’s environmental justice efforts Goal I: Deepen environmental justice practice within EPA programs to improve the health and to a new level in improving the health and environment of overburdened environment of overburdened communities Annual Reporting communities. By 2020, we will: Priority areas: (1) Rulemaking, (2) Permitting, (3) Compliance and Enforcement, and (4) Science EPA will produce annual reports • Improve on-the-ground results for overburdened communities; on our EJ 2020 progress starting • Institutionalize environmental justice integration in EPA decision- Goal II: Work with partners to expand our positive impact within overburdened communities at the end of 2017 through 2020. making; Priority areas: (1) States and Local Governments, (2) Federal Agencies, (3) Community-Based Work, and We are doing this in an effort to • Build robust partnerships with states and co-regulators; (4) Tribes and Indigenous Peoples be transparent and accountable to • Strengthen our ability to take action on environmental justice and Goal III: Demonstrate progress on significant national environmental justice challenges the public in our implementation of cumulative impacts; and Challenges: (1) Lead Disparities, (2) Drinking Water, (3) Air Quality, and (4) Hazardous Waste Sites these important efforts. • Better address complex national environmental justice issues.
Office of Environmental Justice [email protected] October 2016 www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/ej-2020-action-agenda (202) 564-2515 Office of Environmental Justice 300S16001
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