managing strategies into tactical action

Managing Strategies into Tactical Action

15990 N. Barkers Landing Rd. 713.468.5004 tel Suite 325 713.468.4515 fax Houston, TX 77079 www.projectnavigator.com

March 14, 2018

Ms. Laura Stankosky U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region VI Superfund Division (6SF‐RL) 1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200 Dallas, Texas 75202‐2733

Response to Agency February 21, 2018 Letter and February 22, 2018 Conference Call – Ecological Risk Brine Service Company Superfund Site

Corpus Christi, Texas USEPA CERCLIS ID: TX0000605264/TCEQ ID SUP 100 (06JY RI)

Dear Ms. Stankosky:

On behalf of the Brine Cooperating Parties (the “Respondents”), Project Navigator, LTD (PNL) is responding

to the Agency letter dated February 21, 2018 with clarifications provided in the February 22, 2018

conference call concerning ecological risk at the Brine Service Company Superfund Site (the “Site”). The

letter states that the agencies are concerned that, based on results from the Screening Level Ecological Risk

Assessment (SLERA), the “Identification of Hot Spots in 0 to 0.5‐feet bgs1 Surface Soil Data” memorandum

(December 11, 2017), and the site walk evaluation conducted on February 5, 2018, that the Site presents an

unacceptable risk to ecological receptors.

Your requests and our responses are set forth below. The responses are based on clarifications provided by

the agencies in the February 22, 2018 conference call. The responses describe the actions that will be

undertaken in revisions to the SLERA, Remedial Investigation (RI) Report, and Feasibility Study (FS) to

implement the agencies requests.

1. Figure 37 from the revised draft RI identifies exceedance of human health screening criteria as

tangerine‐bounded areas. Using this figure and expanding the tangerine‐bounded areas to also

include the areas for sample points ESSB05, ESSB06, ESSB07, NPSS02, and NPSS07, locations

adjacent to the East Ditch with mercury contaminant levels at or greater than 10 times the

ecological screening level in both the 0‐6‐inch soil interval and in the 1‐foot to 2‐foot soil sampling

interval, would encompass the areas identified for risk management action to address ecological

risk.

Response: Figure 1 (North Pit Soil Areas for Evaluation) depicts within the blue dashed line the two

potential habitat areas identified for the ecological risk management evaluation in the FS. These

areas, which include NPSS02 and NPSS07, are adjacent to the East Ditch. Areas within paved and

improved portions of the North Pit or adjacent to pipelines are not included. Sample points ESSB05,

ESSB06, and ESSB07 are adjacent to the active pipeline corridor and are not included in the

1 bgs – below ground surface

009302

Brine Service Company Superfund Site Response to Agency Letter Dated February 21, 2018 Managing Strategies into Tactical Action of 3

evaluation area. Fate and transport will be discussed in the RI report and an appropriate ecological

risk management recommendation will be provided in the FS.

During the February 22, 2018 conference call, sample locations ENSB05 and ENSB04 on the east side

of the East Ditch were discussed. These locations are under the improved cover installed during the

commercial development of that lot. Attached are the boring logs for these two locations which

show that the samples were collected under the concrete or caliche cover and therefore are not

included in the evaluation area.

2. The SLERA report and the revised draft RI Report conclusion section should include a list of COPCs

that will be further evaluated/addressed in the FS.

Response: The SLERA conclusion section will include a list of final ecological COPCs. The final

ecological COPCs will be based on both community receptors (HQ >10) and wildlife receptors

[Average‐Toxicity Reference Value (TRV) HQ >1]. The RI Report will include a list of human health

and ecological COPCs that will be evaluated in the FS.

3. The FS should include a sensitivity analysis that shows risks to plants, soil invertebrates, and

measurement receptors with no observable adverse effects level (NOAEL) HQ > 1 for remaining

COPCs if the identified hot spot areas are addressed.

Response: The FS will include a sensitivity analysis that evaluates improvements in the HQs (or

reduction in the exposure point concentrations) if the identified hot spot areas are addressed in the

remedial action. The sensitivity analysis will be only for those COPCs with a soil or invertebrate

benchmark and as statistical outliers for the 0‐ to 2‐foot soil interval. These COPCs are barium, lead,

selenium, zinc, and mercury.

The FS will also include a sensitivity analysis for wildlife (measurement) receptors for those COPCs

with an average TRV HQ > 1 if the identified hot spot areas are addressed in the remedial action.

The following COPCs and wildlife receptors will be evaluated in the sensitivity analysis:

American robin: barium, lead, selenium, zinc

White‐footed mouse: selenium, zinc

Least shrew: selenium, zinc

Texas pocket gopher: selenium

Nine‐banded armadillo: selenium

A 95% upper confidence limit (UCL) on the mean will be calculated for these COPCs using the North

Pit soil data but excluding the samples shown within the blue dashed line in the attached Figure 1.

4. If any East Ditch soil or sediment COPCs are identified for further evaluation/action in the FS, the

agencies recommend the sensitivity analysis also include the identified COPCs with values adjusted

for areas that were capped as part of the East Ditch Response Action.

Response: Revised SLERA Figure 8 (Surface Water and Sediment Sample Location Map) shows the

sediment sample locations and the East Ditch Response Action cap location. A sensitivity analysis

009303

Brine Service Company Superfund Site Response to Agency Letter Dated February 21, 2018 Managing Strategies into Tactical Action of 3

that evaluates a reduction in exposure and risk to sediment ecological receptors will be conducted

for the freshwater portion of the East Ditch not included in the Response Action. The COPC for this

evaluation is barium.

5. EPA will accept removing or addressing soil to a reduced depth of 18‐inches below ground surface.

Response: As requested by EPA, the FS will include an alternative for a remedy for the 0‐ to 18‐inch

soil horizon.

If, during your review of this response, you have questions, please call me at (713) 468‐5004 or e‐mail me at

[email protected].

Very Truly Yours,

Marcus Ferries, P.E.

Respondents Project Coordinator

Enclosures: Figure 1 (North Pit Soil Areas for Evaluation)

Revised SLERA Figure 8 (Surface Water and Sediment Sample Location Map)

Boring Logs ENSB04 and ENSB05

cc: Ms. Anna Lund, TCEQ Natural Resource Trustees Brine Group Members

009304

Brine Service Company Superfund Site Response to Agency Letter Dated February 21, 2018 Managing Strategies into Tactical Action

FIGURES

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0 130 260

APPROXIMATE SCALE IN FEET

SJF

As

Shown

1

Date:Chk'd by:

Scale: Drawn by: Date:

Client:

File Name:Project No.:

Project:

Figure No.:

SUPERFUND SITE

BRINE SERVICE COMPANY

North Pit Soil Areas

Brine Service Cooperating Parties

for Evaluation

Title:

locations were surveyed by Frontier Surveying.

Topographic elevation contours and sample

65

- EXTENT OF HISTORICAL PITS

- PERMANENT MONITORING WELL (UTU)

- TEMPORARY MONITORING WELL

- SUBSURFACE SOIL BORING SAMPLE LOCATION

- TOPOGRAPHIC CONTOUR INTERVAL

15

- SURFACE SOIL SAMPLE LOCATION

For Evaluation.dwg

- PERMANENT MONITORING WELL (STU)

STU - Second Transmissive Unit

UTU - Upper Transmissive Unit

Note:

North Pit Soil Areas

60399892

MD/JH

FAX: 281-646-2401

PH: 281-646-2400

HOUSTON, TEXAS 77094

19219 KATY FREEWAY, STE. 100

Source:

2015 TOP Aerial Image from TNRIS -

0.5m Resolution

3-1-18

3-1-18

- VARIOUS PIPELINES

- NON-HABITAT AREA

- AREAS FOR EVALUATION IN THE FEASIBILTY STUDY

L E G E N D :

Exceeds 10x Ecological Screening Criteria (1.0 mg/Kg)

Exceeds in 0 - 0.5' Exceeds in 1' - 2'

009306

UP RIVER ROAD

I H - 3 7

DIT

CH

NORTH PIT

SOUTH PIT

GO

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EDBSD08 /EDBSW04

EDBSD07 /EDBSW03

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EDSSD08

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EDDSD02

EDDSD04

EDDSD06 /EDSW08

EDDSD07

EDDSD08 /EDSW09

EDDSD03 /EDSW07

EDDSD05

EDNSD02 /EDSW04

EDBSD03 /EDBSW01

EDBSD05

EDBSD04

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UPSD02UPSW02

UPSD01UPSW01

UPSD05UPSW05

UPSD06UPSW06

UPSD07UPSW07

UPSD03UPSW03

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UPSD04UPSW04

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SG-2

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SG-3 EDNSD06

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EDBSD10

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EDSSD01 /EDSW01

EDSSD02

EDSSD03

EDSSD04 /EDSW02

SG-6

EDSSD03E

EDSSD03CEDSSD03D

EDSSD03BEDSSD03A

0 300 600

APPROXIMATE SCALE IN FEET

SJF 3-1-18AsShown 860399892

Date:Chk'd by:

Scale: Drawn by: Date:Client:

File Name:Project No.:

Project:

Figure No.:

SUPERFUND SITEBRINE SERVICE COMPANY

MD/JH 3-1-18Surface Water and

Brine Service Cooperating Parties

Title:

locations were surveyed by Frontier Surveying.Topographic elevation contours and sample

150

Sediment Sample Location

- STAFF GAUGE LOCATION

STU - Second Transmissive UnitUTU - Upper Transmissive Unit Note:

- BACKGROUND SAMPLE LOCATION

- SURFACE WATER / SEDIMENT SAMPLE LOCATION

Sample Location Map

FAX: 281-646-2401PH: 281-646-2400HOUSTON, TEXAS 7709419219 KATY FREEWAY, STE. 100

L E G E N D :

- EXTENT OF HISTORICAL PITS

Source:2015 TOP Aerial Image from TNRIS -0.5m Resolution

Map.dwg

Surface Water and Sediment

- 2017 EAST DITCH SEDIMENT LOCATION

- EAST DITCH EROSION CONTROL MAT

009307

Brine Service Company Superfund Site Response to Agency Letter Dated February 21, 2018 Managing Strategies into Tactical Action

BORING LOGS

009308

LITHOLOGIC DESCRIPTIONSOILGRAPH

15

DEP

TH IN

FEE

T

INCH

ESDR

IVEN

INCH

ESRE

COVE

RED

SAMP

LING

MET

HOD

PID

HEAD

SPAC

E

SAMP

LE NO.

SAMP

LEDE

PTH (p

pm)

UNIF

IED

SOIL

CLAS

SIFI

CATI

ON

SAMP

LE FO

RLA

B AN

ALYS

IS

CBBLANK PVCCASING

2-INCH DIA.

5

102-INCH DIA.PVC WELLSCREEN(0.010" SLOT)

BOREHOLE8.5-INCH DIA.

CEMENTBENTONITE

GROUT

GRADEDFILTER SAND

PROTECTIVE COVER

4' x 4' CONC.PAD

WELL DIAGRAM

Gray Clayey Silty SAND, loose, moist

Road Base Fill, Caliche26.7

SM

CB

CB

CB

PELLET SEALBENTONITE

STIC

K-UP

SP

CL

59.6

121

184

253

407

688

589

567

Gray Silty CLAY, stiff, calcareous

- becomes dark gray, medium stiff at 4' bgs

- becomes silty sandy clay, soft, moist at 5' bgs

- becomes light gray, soft at 7' bgs

- gray sand seam, loose, moist at 10.5' bgs- gray silty clay, medium stiff at 10.8' bgs

Gray Silty Sandy CLAY, moistGray Silty SAND, loose, moist to wet

CL

ENSB04

3' - 5'

2'

5'

ENSB04

9' - 11'

9'

11'

1'ENSB04

1' - 2'

3'

Brine Service Co. Superfund Site

Track-Mounted Geoprobe 7720 DT

2-inchMONITOR WELL DIA.:

SOIL BORING LOG:

DRILLING METHOD:

DRILLING CONTRACTOR:

RIG TYPE:

SITE:

CLIENT:

LOCATION:

JOB No.:

BOREHOLE DIA.:

DATE:

E: 1304745.08

December 9, 2010Corpus Christi, Texas

5' Core-Barrel with acetate liner

25012501ENSB04/MWGW04

Truck Repair - Lot 8B

CONDITION:

DRILLER:

GROUND SURFACE ELEV.: 13.05' MSL

-

13.7' bgsD. CrowelTOP OF CASING ELEV.:

TOTAL DEPTH OF BORING:20' bgsDRILLING STARTED: 0905 DRILLING COMPLETED: 1150LOGGED BY: A. Holmes

16.22'

WELL INSTALLED: Permanent

8.5-inchGainco

INITIAL GROUNDWATER DEPTH:

COORDINATES:N:17187457.70NAD83,TX State Plane,South Zone

PAGE: 1 OF 2

STANDARD PENETRATIONTEST SAMPLER

CORE BARREL SAMPLER

GEOPROBE SAMPLER

SPT

CB

GPSPLIT-SPOON SAMPLERSS

SAMPLER KEY:

POCKET PENETROMETERPPBELOW GROUND SURFACEBGS

NOT APPLICABLE orNANOT AVAILABLE

STATIC WATER LEVEL

INITIAL WATER LEVELDURING DRILLINGHOLLOW-STEM AUGERHSA

HAND AUGERHA

MEAN SEA LEVELMSL

MEASURED 12-13-10

009309

brenda.basile

Highlight

brenda.basile

Highlight

30

35

WELL CAP Boring terminated at 20 feet below ground surface.

25

20Monitor well installed inside borehole.

3-INCHPVC SUMP

SP



2-inchMONITOR WELL DIA.:

SOIL BORING LOG:

DRILLING METHOD:


RIG TYPE:

SITE:

CLIENT:

LOCATION:

JOB No.:

BOREHOLE DIA.:

DATE:

E: 1304745.08

December 9, 2010Corpus Christi, Texas


25012501ENSB04/MWGW04


CONDITION:

DRILLER:


-

13.7' bgsD. CrowelTOP OF CASING ELEV.:

TOTAL DEPTH OF BORING:20' bgsDRILLING STARTED: 0905 DRILLING COMPLETED: 1150LOGGED BY: A. Holmes

16.22'

WELL INSTALLED: Permanent

8.5-inchGainco



PAGE: 2 OF 2


DEP

TH IN

FEET

INCH

ESDR

IVEN

INCH

ESRE

COVE

RED

SAM

PLIN

GM

ETHO

D

PID

HEAD

SPAC

E

SAMP

LE NO.

SAMP

LEDE

PTH (p

pm)

UNIF

IED

SOIL

CLAS

SIFI

CATI

ON

SAMP

LE F

ORLA

B AN

ALYS

IS

WELL DIAGRAM


CORE BARREL SAMPLER

GEOPROBE SAMPLER

SPT

CB


SAMPLER KEY:



STATIC WATER LEVEL


HAND AUGERHA

MEAN SEA LEVELMSL

MEASURED 12-13-10

(CONT'D)

009310


15

DEP

TH IN

FEE

T

INCH

ESDR

IVEN

INCH

ESRE

COVE

RED

SAMP

LING

MET

HOD

PID

HEAD

SPAC

E

SAMP

LE NO.

SAMP

LEDE

PTH (p

pm)

UNIF

IED

SOIL

CLAS

SIFI

CATI

ON

SAMP

LE FO

RLA

B AN

ALYS

IS

CB 48/48

Boring terminated at 12 feet below ground surface.

5

10

WELL DIAGRAM

Gray Clayey SILT, sandy, very moist

CL

Top 1" Brown Clay then

CB

CB

0

48/44

48/45

No

Wel

l Ins

talle

d

Dark brown Silty CLAY, medium stiff, slightly plastic,

ML6.9

73.7

19.6

476

529

433

Compacted Caliche Base - FillDark brown Clayey SILT, hard, dry

slightly moist

- odor at 4' bgs

- slightly sandy at 6' bgs

Gray Clayey SAND, wet to saturated- grading to less clay content

ML

SC

ENSB05

2' - 4'

2'

4'

ENSB05

7' - 9'

7'

9'

1'ENSB05

1' - 2'



NAMONITOR WELL DIA.:

SOIL BORING LOG:

DRILLING METHOD:


RIG TYPE:

SITE:

CLIENT:

LOCATION:

JOB No.:

BOREHOLE DIA.:

DATE:

E: 1304700.01

November 8, 2010Corpus Christi, Texas


25012501ENSB05


CONDITION:

DRILLER:


-

11' bgsD. CrowelTOP OF CASING ELEV.:

TOTAL DEPTH OF BORING:12' bgsDRILLING STARTED: 1445 DRILLING COMPLETED: 1545LOGGED BY: A. Waddail

NA

WELL INSTALLED: NA

2-inchGainco



PAGE: 1 OF 1


CORE BARREL SAMPLER

GEOPROBE SAMPLER

SPT

CB


SAMPLER KEY:



STATIC WATER LEVEL


HAND AUGERHA

MEAN SEA LEVELMSL009311

brenda.basile

Highlight

brenda.basile

Highlight

brenda.basile

Highlight

managing strategies into tactical action

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