Decommissioning and Redevelopment JEA - Southside Generating Station Jacksonville, Florida February 2014

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1 Fact Sheet Update No. 8 Decommissioning and Redevelopment JEA - Southside Generating Station Jacksonville, Florida February 2014 Introduction This is the eighth update to the November 2002 Fact Sheet on the decommissioning, demolition, environmental restoration and redevelopment of the JEA Southside Generating Station (SGS) in Jacksonville, Florida. The last update was published in December Topics covered in this update include a site description; an update of the activities performed at the site since December 2012; the current status of the site; a summary of future activities proposed for the site; and, information for public participation in the Brownfield Site Redevelopment process. Site Description The SGS site is the former location of a fuel-oil and natural gas-fired electric generating station. The station originally went on line in The station was taken off-line in October 2001 due to replacement by newer production facilities in Jacksonville. A new gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) substation was constructed in the southern portion of the site in This GIS serves the south side area of the City and represents the first reuse of the property. The site comprises approximately 42 acres on the south bank of the St. Johns River in downtown Jacksonville proper. The site s western side adjoins the eastern terminus of the City Riverwalk; the eastern side is defined by an unnamed tributary to the St. Johns River; the northern side abuts the River; and, the southern side adjoins residential and commercial properties. The site has undergone decommissioning, demolition, and environmental activities in order to prepare for redevelopment. Closure of the SGS site is being performed jointly under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Brownfield Site Rehabilitation Program administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). Activities To Date Based on site operational history, thirteen Areas of Concern (AOCs) were identified and used subsequently to plan and execute an environmental investigation and remediation of the site. Soil Interim source removals (ISRs) commenced in 2003 and were completed in Completion Reports detailing the results of the ISRs have been approved by FDEP. Approximately 2.5 feet of clean unrestricted clean fill was placed as a cap across the site to prevent potential exposure to residual contamination in soil. The Soil Corrective Measures Study was completed in March 2006 and was approved in May The recommendation of No Further Action for the remaining soil at the site was accepted contingent upon the Groundwater Corrective Measures Study addressing the arsenic concentrations in soil exceeding the leachability criteria and a commitment to provide a cap over an area of residual PCB contamination in AOC 2. However, JEA Southside Generating Station February 2014

2 JEA - Southside Generating Station Page 2 EPA Region IV agreed with JEA s position that a concrete cap was not necessary and that the FDEP-approved restrictions and clean soil cap to prevent exposure to residual contamination in soil were appropriate for residual PCB contamination in AOC 2. Implementation of the FDEP-approved restrictions have been accomplished by a restrictive covenant that is part of the property deed. The restrictive covenant requires notification of FDEP prior to any site operations that may disturb the clean soil cap on the site and cause potential exposure to residual soil contamination. This restriction allows either residential or commercial/industrial redevelopment of the site. Groundwater Figure 1 is an aerial photograph showing the site and adjacent properties, AOCs, and locations of monitoring wells. Arsenic, nickel and vanadium are the analytes of main concern for groundwater at the site. Approximately 90 wells have been installed during the course of investigations at the site. A Groundwater Corrective Measures Report was submitted to FDEP in April 2006 and conditionally approved in October The initial approved corrective measure for groundwater included installation of a slurry wall along the northern and western property lines to funnel the flow of groundwater to two reactive barrier gates. JEA requested that its team of environmental consultants revisit the proposed corrective measures with regard to cost, schedule and appropriate use of the technology. An amendment to the Groundwater Corrective Measures Report was prepared and submitted to FDEP in July 2007 and approved by FDEP in Figure 1 Current Monitoring Well Network

3 JEA - Southside Generating Station Page 3 January 2008 which recommended the following measures: Hydraulic control to prevent migration of the contaminated groundwater into the St. Johns River. Targeted in-situ sequestration of arsenic in two AOCs. Monitoring of groundwater quality at selected other AOCs. In accordance with the approved amendment to the Groundwater Corrective Measures Report, a Corrective Measures Design/Remedial Action Plan was submitted to FDEP in August 2009 and approved in February 2010 with minor comments. The hydraulic control system (HCS) was designed to capture arseniccontaminated groundwater that has migrated to the west of the site and will prevent potential discharge of arseniccontaminated groundwater into the St. Johns River. Figure 2 shows the capture zone of the hydraulic control system. The HCS construction was completed and operations initiated in January The HCS has been operating as designed. Implementation of the in-situ stabilization program is being further evaluated and designed based on data generated during operation of the hydraulic control system. Figure 3 shows the hydraulic control system. The assessment of contamination in groundwater was completed in As a result of additional investigations and monitoring, the routine groundwater monitoring system was reduced from over 60 wells to 16 wells. Figure 2 Hydraulic Control System Arsenic Capture Zone in Lower Surficial Aquifer

4 JEA - Southside Generating Station Page 4 Figure 3 Groundwater HCS Piping Plan As Built Drawing Site Redevelopment The first part of the site to be redeveloped was the former south percolation pond (AOC 1) where the new Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) is now located. The remainder (approximately 30 acres) is available for redevelopment by the private sector. Current Status All decommissioning, demolition and soil remediation activity has been completed. To date, approximately $28,500,000 has been spent, including costs for demolition, disposal, HCS installation and general environmental activities. In addition to the reductions in the number of monitoring wells in the monitoring system, the frequency of groundwater monitoring has been reduced from quarterly to semiannually. In conjunction with reduction in groundwater monitoring requirements, FDEP has also approved No Further Action recommendations for groundwater in four AOCs. Approval of No Further Action recommendations for groundwater in three additional AOCs is also expected upon receipt of FDEP comments regarding the latest Groundwater Monitoring Report. If approved, along with the Declaration of Restrictive Covenant for soil dated 12 February 2013, the corrective action for the eastern approximately two-thirds of the Site will be complete. The estimated cost for the planned additional active remediation and monitoring is approximately $500,000 over three years. All activities are being performed under the Brownfield Site Rehabilitation Agreement. Proposed Activities Operation and Maintenance of the HCS will be performed monthly. Groundwater monitoring and reporting will be conducted semi-annually. Based on the data collected during the operation of the HCS and

5 JEA - Southside Generating Station Page 5 results of further studies, the need for insitu arsenic fixation may be evaluated. Public Outreach A repository of relevant documents has been established in the JEA offices at 21 W. Church St, 8 th floor in Jacksonville. These documents may be reviewed by contacting one of the following: Matt McClure Jennifer McCollum Jaclyn Taricska