Quarterly Progress Report
Velsicol Superfund Site, OU1, OU2, OU3, OU4
September 30, 2020
Report Number: 91
Report Period: July 1, 2020-September 30, 2020
Grant Recipient: Pine River Superfund Citizen Task Force
Recipient Group Representative: Gary Smith, Treasurer
Report submitted by: Brittany B. Fremion, Secretary
Progress Achieved:
Heating concluded for Area 2, Phase 1 at the former chemical plant site on September 14, 2020.
Almost 183,000 pounds of DNAPL recovered from Area 2, Phase 1 of chemical plant site, more than double the amount expected.
The carbon amendment pilot study is complete in OU-3 with report expected in October.
The slurry wall investigation is complete, report expected in October.
Progress in Area 2, Phase 2 continues, with construction beginning in October 2020 and operations projected for April to November 2021.
Materials Produced this Quarter:
July, August, September Technical Committee meetings cancelled due to COVID-19.
The Executive Committee met twice, once in July and again in September.
General Membership meetings were held via Zoom in July, August, and September.
CAG leadership communication outside remote meetings continued via email and phone.
CAG membership received monthly updates from Chair, Jane Keon, via email and at remote meetings.
CAG Chair communicated with EGLE project manager, Erik Martinson, regarding several studies (i.e. bird/nest study and railroad spur).
CAG Chair interviewed by WCMU and Morning Sun about thermal treatment at former plant site (July).
CAG submitted a follow-up letter in response to EPA decision over technical consultant invoice.
CAG Chair communicated with hydrologist, former chemical plant worker, technical consultant, and executive committee about underestimation of DNAPL and potential migration of chemicals at former plant site.
CAG sends letter to EPA requesting Emergency Removal Action (ERA) following discussion at July general membership meeting.
CAG submitted additional letters following EPA response to underestimation of DNAPL collected in Area 2, Phase 1, as well as final reports for (1) carbon amendment pilot study, (2) slurry wall investigation, (3) downstream study, and (4) riverbank sampling near dam.
CAG Chair communicated concerns about final reports on various projects, as well as underestimation of DNAPL and potential migration of chemicals following heating at Area 2, Phase 1, with EPA project manager, Tom Alcamo.
CAG member (Lorenz) attended an EGLE webinar about PFAS contamination sites in Michigan in August.
CAG member (Lorenz) compiled research connected to possible PFAS contamination from Lobdell plant site, which he shared at the August and September general membership meetings.
CAG executive board members discuss archival collection at Alma College and consider transfer of materials to Central Michigan University’s Clarke Historical Library.
Additional CAG records donated to Clarke Historical Library at CMU.
CAG member (Smith) distributes digital document for in-kind reporting.
CAG member (Brabaw) develops Google spreadsheet to compile data for quarterly reporting, following EPA feedback on last TAG extension request.
Multiple press releases sent to local and national outlets about progress of Area 2, Phase 1 project at chemical plant site, virtual PBB community meetings, DNAPL quality, and slurry wall investigation.
Four CAG officers (J. Keon, N. Keon, Lorenz, Fremion) took part in monthly PBB Leadership Team conference calls with researchers from Emory University on July 10, August 14th, and September 11th.
CAG members present at (Lorenz, Keon, Fremion) and many others attend the PBB Registry virtual community meetings on September 22 and 26th (Hoyt, Brabaw).
CAG continues work to revise and produce new narratives for the organizational website in preparation for a major update, as led by the sVice Chair.
Agenda and minutes for monthly CAG membership meetings produced and distributed.
CAG officers submit time/expense sheets to Treasurer, Gary Smith.
All documents produced in accordance with TAG grant guidelines and paid for with TAG money are forwarded to Region 5 by our Treasurer and reference appropriate TAG deliverables.
The quarterly progress report was assembled and submitted.
Difficulties Encountered:
Reports on the slurry wall investigation and carbon amendment experiment are complete, and we are eager for the promised public presentations.
The second year downstream wildlife study is still three years overdue.
We still have not seen results for the bank sampling downstream from the dam.
CAG still waiting to see EPA design work for Burn Pit site.
We continue to use volunteer hours to dispute a withheld payment in the TAG program.
We still have no data on the spills along the Velsicol railroad siding.
CAG officers pay out-of-pocket to cover cost of a Zoom account in order to hold remote meetings to keep general membership updated on our efforts, as well as facilitate work with EGLE and EPA.
Outputs Outcomes
Remedy: Heating concluded for Area 2, Phase 1 at the former chemical plant site (9/14/2020). Almost 183,000 pounds of DNAPL extracted—more than double the amount estimated. Ongoing efforts to reduce contaminants at the plant site address community concerns about environmental health. The CAG’s ability to engage with EPA proves significant in helping to inform site remedies as well as translate work for the community.
Public Outreach: Press releases sent to local and national outlets providing updates on Area 2, Phase 1, DNAPL quality, thermal treatment, slurry wall investigation, general membership meetings, and virtual PBB community meetings. Press releases are an important means of relaying information about ongoing remedies to St. Louis residents and the wider Gratiot county community, as well as alert the general public of our progress. CAG Chair also participated in interviews with WCMU and The Morning Sun.
Community Engagement: Monthly CAG meetings resumed remotely via Zoom due to COVID-19. CAG officers host remote meetings monthly for the general membership, with approximately 18-26 participants at each meeting held via Zoom. These meetings are vital to our ability to keep community members updated, as well as facilitate work with EGLE and EPA. In addition, the CAG chair provides monthly updates to membership via email.
Presentations: Four CAG officers took part in monthly PBB Leadership Team conference calls with researchers from Emory University The PBB Registry community meetings were held virtually due to COVID-19. CAG members served on panel and gave presentations (9/22 and 9/26), facilitating community involvement in the investigation of long-term human health impacts tied to the Velsicol sites.
Communication: CAG submits several letters following up on EPA responses and delays with reporting. Communicating ongoing concerns about EPA investigations is vital to the community and facilitates a working relationship between both entities. At least 5 letters are drafted, reviewed, and sent.
Reporting: All documents produced in accordance with TAG guidelines and paid for with TAG money are forwarded to Region 5 by our Treasurer and reference appropriate TAG deliverables. These products keep everyone informed on the current challenges and successes of the CAG. Our ability to work with technical consultants facilitates ongoing work with EPA and empowers community members as stakeholders in remedies.
Education and Outreach:CAG continues to revamp website and work with local educators. Our CAG meetings are the focal point for community members to let EPA know of their concerns, such as disclosing information about other dump sites. Our efforts can be grown by enhancing the organizational website to better reflect our purpose, offer opportunities to connect, and share sources relative to our work.
Documentation: CAG explores opportunities to grow historical record by expanding archival collection. The CAG, in collaboration with faculty, staff, and students at Alma College, has built a collection of archival documents spanning nearly two decades. Some of the materials were digitized by MDNR (now EGLE) and a portion preserved in the Clarke Historical Library at CMU. We continue to consider how to best make the materials accessible to community members, but also educators and researchers.
Activity Anticipated in Next Quarter:
Preliminary results and presentation of carbon experiment in the downstream flood plain.
Results and presentation on slurry wall investigation.
The report from the second year of study downstream (OU-3).
A formal report on riverbank sampling for DDT levels around the edge of the high school athletic field.
The Design Plan for the Velsicol Burn Pit Superfund Site.
The wildlife toxicology study for OU-4 of the downstream portion of the Pine River.
Resolution of the dispute with EPA over payment to our technical advisor.
Website updates.