U.S. Navy Announces Proposed Plan

Transcription

1 PROPOSED PLAN FORMER NAVAL TRAINING CENTER Installation Restoration Site 12, Boat Channel Sediments San Diego, California N00247_ NTC SAN DIEGO SEPTEMBER 2016 SSIC NO A June 2016 U.S. Navy Announces Proposed Plan The U.S. Navy encourages the public to provide comments on its proposed cleanup plan for Installation Restoration (IR) Program1 Site 12, Boat Channel Sediments. IR Site 12, Boat Channel Sediments is located at the former Naval Training Center (NTC) in San Diego, California (Figure 1). The Public Comment period and meeting information are found at the bottom of this page. The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board (San Diego Water Board) worked with the Navy to evaluate cleanup alternatives for the Boat Channel Sediments and concurs with this Proposed Plan. The Navy evaluated eight cleanup alternatives, which are summarized on page 7. The Navy proposes to select Alternative 6, the dredging of the contaminated sediment from the Boat Channel Sediments area of ecological concern (AOEC) and the disposal of the sediment in a permitted and regulated solid waste landfill. Alternative 6 includes: Dredging the extent (approximately 23,200 cubic yards) of the AOEC. Loading sediment on to trucks and transporting sediment to an off-site landfill. Monitoring and control of re-suspended sediments during dredging. Public comments will be accepted from September 22, 2016 through October 24, 2016, and public comments can be submitted via mail, , or fax throughout the comment period. A public meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. on October 6, 2016, at the Liberty Station Conference Center in San Diego, California. Members of the public may submit written and oral comments on this Proposed Plan at the public meeting. INTRODUCTION: The Navy is responsible for investigating and remediating contamination at IR Site 12, Boat Channel Sediments, that resulted from historical operations at former NTC San Diego (Figure 1). These investigations were completed according to the requirements of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). This Proposed Plan identifies and summarizes the proposed cleanup plan for contamination in the Boat Channel Sediments. The Navy, in consultation with the regulatory agencies, will select a final cleanup action for the site in the Record of Decision (ROD) after all information submitted during the public comment period has been reviewed and considered. The public comment period will be from September 22, 2016 to October 24, This public comment period allows the public to review and comment on the Navy s Proposed Cleanup Plan. The Navy may modify its proposed cleanup plan or select another cleanup plan based on new information or public comments. Therefore, the community is strongly encouraged to review and comment on all of the alternatives during the public comment period. See the instructions on how to comment in the text box on page 12. NOTICE Public Comment Period September 22, 2016 to October 24, 2016 Public Meeting October 6, 2016 Liberty Station Conference Center 2600 Laning Road, Room 205A 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 1 Words in bold italics type are defined in the glossary beginning on page CONTENTS Introduction... page 1 The CERCLA Process... page 2 Site Background... page 3 Nature and Extent of Contamination... page 3 Summary of Site Risks... page 4 Remedial Action Objectives and Sediment Cleanup Goals... page 6 Summary of Cleanup Alternatives... page 6 Evaluation of Alternatives... page 10 Summary of the Proposed Cleanup Plan... page 10 The Next Step... page 10 Information Repositories... page 11 Project Contacts... page 11 Opportunities for Community Participation. page 12 Glossary of Terms... page 12

2 (Figure 2). The Navy s proposed cleanup plan to address contamination in the Boat Channel Sediments is presented in this Proposed Plan. THE CERCLA PROCESS The Navy is addressing the sediment contamination at IR Site 12 Boat Channel Sediments (Figure 1) pursuant to CERCLA and the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). The Navy is issuing this Proposed Plan as part of its public participation responsibilities under CERCLA and the NCP. This Proposed Plan has been prepared to highlight key information and conclusions from the Navy s investigations into potential contamination at the IR Site 12 Boat Channel Sediments and evaluations of cleanup alternatives presented in the final Feasibility Study (FS) Report, issued September The FS Report and other documents that provide detailed information about site conditions and Navy activities are available for public review at the locations listed on page 11. The ROD will identify: the selected cleanup plan, the remedial action objectives (RAOs) and sediment cleanup goals, and outline performance standards that will summarize the requirements that must be met to complete the cleanup. After the ROD, remedial design (RD) and remedial action (RA) are the next steps in the CERCLA process that involve planning and implementing the selected cleanup plan. In response to feedback from the community or new information, and in consultation with regulatory agencies, the Navy may modify the cleanup plan or develop a different cleanup plan. Therefore, the community is encouraged to review and comment on this Proposed Plan. A final cleanup decision, documented in the ROD, will not be made until all community comments are considered. The flowchart (following page) illustrates the status of the Boat Channel Sediments in the CERCLA process Figure 1. Location of IR Site 12 Boat Channel Sediments 2

3 SITE BACKGROUND The former NTC occupied approximately 541 acres adjacent to San Diego Bay. NTC expanded in the 1930s and the early 1940s by filling tidelands and a river bed with hydraulic fill from San Diego Bay. The Boat Channel divides former NTC property into two sections, with San Diego Bay bordering the property on the south (Figure 1). The water depth in the center of the Boat Channel is approximately 15 feet below mean lower low water (MLLW), except in the basin at the northern end where water depths range from 18 to 25 feet below MLLW. Eelgrass beds, a sensitive habitat, are present within the Boat Channel along portions of the shoreline and extend down to approximately 8 feet below MLLW. The Boat Channel Sediments were identified because of possible impact by discharges from the stormwater outfalls along the channel. Approximately thirty-three storm drains discharge into the Boat Channel from drainage areas that include former NTC, Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), San Diego International Airport (Lindbergh Field), and properties within the San Diego Unified Port District and the city of San Diego (City). Sedimentation is generally minimal in the Boat Channel. As part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Program process and in preparation for property transfer out of federal ownership, former NTC was divided into ten transfer parcels. All the parcels have been transferred except for two parcels associated with the Boat Channel. Redevelopment of the former NTC as Liberty Station is largely completed. Figure 2. Current Phase in CERCLA Process NATURE AND EXTENT OF CONTAMINATION Environmental investigations of the surface and subsurface sediments of the Boat Channel were conducted to characterize the nature and extent of chemicals in the sediment and collect information to assess whether the Boat Channel Sediments posed a potential risk to people and/or the environment. During the remedial investigation (RI) sampling, surface and subsurface sediment samples were collected at 26 locations in the Boat Channel and five project reference locations. Tests conducted on the sediment samples included chemistry, toxicity, and composition of the benthic invertebrate community. Sediment pore water and surface water samples were collected and analyzed from multiple locations. Beach sediment was collected from 10 locations in the Boat Channel and chemically analyzed. Three species of fish were collected from the Boat Channel and tissue samples were analyzed for chemicals of potential concern. 3

4 The RI Report identified an AOEC where the data indicated potential risk to the benthic invertebrate community. The Boat Channel Sediments AOEC is comprised of a northern portion and a southern portion with a combined extent of approximately 9 acres and total volume of approximately 23,200 cubic yards (Figure 4). Contaminated sediments in the AOEC vary in depth from the surface to approximately 1 to 2 feet below the mud line. Surface water and beach sediments were not found to contain elevated levels of chemicals. Sediment was the only media within the Boat Channel identified as containing elevated levels of chemicals. PRESENT AND FUTURE SITE USE The Boat Channel is currently used primarily for recreational boating purposes, with a small marina located on the northeast portion of the channel. Significant changes to site usage are not anticipated. SUMMARY OF SITE RISKS Risk is the likelihood or probability that a hazardous chemical, when released to the environment, will cause effects (such as cancer or other illnesses) to exposed humans or wildlife. The Navy evaluated the risk to humans from exposure through beach and water recreational use, and evaluated risk to both recreational and subsistence fishermen. Recreational fishermen eat the fish they catch recreationally, while subsistence fishermen rely on fish for a large part of their protein intake. The Navy evaluated ecological risk to benthic invertebrates living in or on the sediment and aquatic wildlife that feed on other species or are in direct or close contact with the sediment. The risk assessment results are summarized in the following sections. One additional cancer case in a population of 1,000,000 Cancer Risk HUMAN HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT The human health risk assessment evaluated the potential risks to beach and water recreational users, consistent with the proposed reuse for the Boat Channel, and to both recreational and subsistence fishermen. The two kinds of fishermen evaluatedrecreational and subsistence-are assumed to be exposed through consumption of fish throughout the year and incidental contact with beach sediment while fishing. Both kinds of fishermen are also assumed to live nearby for 30 years. The incremental cancer risk to recreational users (beach goers, swimmers, and fishermen, excluding consumption of fish caught in the Boat Channel) was calculated to be approximately 3 in 1,000,000. Under both recreational and subsistence fishermen consumption rates, eating fish caught in the Boat Channel represents a much greater source of risk than exposure to the beach sediment while fishing, swimming, or other direct contact with beach sand and water. Results indicate that eating fish is the primary risk pathway, and that the potential health risk is greater for subsistence consumers than recreational consumers. However, the human-health risk from eating fish caught in the Boat Channel is not substantially different from health risks posed by eating fish caught in the greater San Diego Bay. A Hazard Index is a measure of non-cancer risk. A Hazard Index less than 1 indicates that harmful effects to the body or organs, from exposure to beach sediment, are unlikely under recreational conditions. The risk assessment associated with exposure to beach sediment and surface water by both the child and adult recreational user are less than 1. One additional cancer case in a population of 10,000 Generally Acceptable Risk Further action generally is not required Risk Management Range Further action is generally not required but may be necessary based on site-specific factors Generally Unacceptable Risk Further action may be required Figure 3. Decision to Take CERCLA Cleanup Action 4

5 Figure 4. Areas of Ecological Concern, NTC Boat Channel 5

6 ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT An ecological risk assessment was conducted for the Boat Channel Sediments to estimate potential effects to the environment if the site is not remediated. Based on the results of the risk assessments, no unacceptable risk was identified for aquatic birds and aquatic mammals (such as Harbor Seals and the Great Blue Heron). The primary concern from the ecological risk assessment is the potential for chemicals of ecological concern (COECs) to impact benthic invertebrates (such as worms and crabs). The chemicals of ecological concern identified for the Boat Channel Sediments were copper, lead, zinc, and the pesticides total dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), and total chlordane. The RI Report and subsequent evaluations identified an AOEC consisting of five locations (referred to as sediment stations ) (S1S1, S1S4, S1S5, S1S6, and S2S4) where the ecological risk assessment for benthic invertebrates (bottom-dwelling organisms such as worms and crabs) indicated potential risk. Although risk to benthic invertebrates was not identified for the sediment represented by Stations S2S9 and S2S10, the Navy has elected to include these stations in the AOEC due to concentrations of total DDT in the subsurface sediment. REMEDIAL ACTION OBJECTIVES AND SEDIMENT CLEANUP GOALS As part of the FS for IR Site 12, Boat Channel Sediments, RAOs were developed to identify and screen cleanup alternatives that protect the environment and are consistent with reasonably anticipated land use. RAOs are statements containing a cleanup goal for the protection of human or ecological receptors from one or more chemicals in a specific medium (such as sediment) at a site. The following RAO was developed for the Boat Channel Sediments AOEC: Prevent direct contact between benthic invertebrates and concentrations of chemicals of ecological concern in the AOEC sediment that may be harmful to them. The sediment cleanup goals, in Table 1, for the five chemicals of ecological concern (copper, lead, zinc, total chlordane, and total DDT) are risk-based sediment concentrations that would not be expected to cause toxic effects or an altered benthic invertebrate community. These sediment cleanup goals were developed in conjunction with the San Diego Water Board. Cleanup of the Boat Channel Sediments AOEC to these concentrations will attain the RAO. Table 1. Boat Channel Sediment Cleanup Goals Chemical of Concern Copper Lead Zinc Total Chlordane Total DDT Notes: DDT mg/kg µg/kg Goal 166 mg/kg 183 mg/kg 329 mg/kg 16 µg/kg 84 µg/kg Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane Milligrams per kilogram (sometimes referred to as parts per million) Micrograms per kilogram (sometimes referred to as parts per billion) SUMMARY OF CLEANUP ALTERNATIVES The FS Report evaluated several technologies to remediate the contamination in the sediment, including treatment and institutional controls (ICs). However, it was determined that monitored natural recovery, containment, and removal of sediment were best suited for the Boat Channel Sediments. Eight cleanup alternatives were developed for the Boat Channel Sediments using a combination of these technologies. These alternatives were developed to address the potentially unacceptable risk to benthic invertebrates and represent a range of remediation strategies that fulfill the RAO. Alternative 1: No Action Alternative 2: Institutional Controls Alternative 3: Monitored Natural Recovery Alternative 4: Containment In Situ Capping with Clean Imported Sediments Alternative 5: Open-Water Discharge Level-Bottom Capping Removal and On-Site Containment of Sediments Alternative 6: Confined Disposal Removal of Sediments to an Off-site Landfill Alternative 7: Beneficial Reuse Removal and Use of Sediments as General Fill Alternative 8: Beneficial Reuse Removal and Use of Sediments at an Off-Site Landfill as Daily Cover Table 2 (page 7) summarizes the cleanup alternatives evaluated in the FS Report. The Navy has identified Alternative 6, shown in the blue shaded row, as the proposed cleanup plan. Table 3 (page 9) provides a summary of the comparative analysis of the preferred alternative. 6

7 Table 2. Summary of Cleanup Alternatives Cleanup Alternative Cost Components of Alternatives Alternative 1: No Action N/A No actions or costs; this alternative is required by CERCLA as a baseline for comparison with other alternatives. Under this alternative, the contaminated sediments of the Boat Channel AOEC would remain in place. Alternative 2: Institutional Controls Alternative 3: Limited Action Monitored Natural Recovery Alternative 4: Containment In Situ Capping with Clean Imported Sediments $0.3M- $0.4M $2.0M- $3.2M $5.0M- $5.7M This alternative would implement institutional controls to prohibit certain activities (e.g., dredging) within the Boat Channel that would disturb and possibly disperse the contaminated sediments. The institutional controls would be monitored to ensure protectiveness of the remedy. The contaminated sediments would remain in place and no measures would be implemented to reduce chemical concentrations, alter transport or exposure pathways, or reduce environmental risk. This alternative is similar to Alternative 2 in that no sediment removal would be conducted, but the progress of natural processes (primarily sedimentation) in remediating the Boat Channel Sediments would be monitored. A monitoring program would be developed that would include sampling and analysis to evaluate changes in sediment quality. This alternative includes the same institutional controls and monitoring that would be implemented in Alternative 2 This alternative would leave the contaminated sediments of the Boat Channel AOEC in place and add a cap of approximately 6 feet of clean, imported sediment. Capping can substantially reduce the exposure to the contaminated sediments by the benthic community that recolonizes the cap surface. Similar to Alternative 2 monitoring and institutional controls would be implemented to protect the cap from potentially damaging activities. Alternative 5: Open-Water Discharge Level- Bottom Capping Removal and On-Site Containment of Sediments Alternative 6: Confined Disposal Removal of Sediments to an Off-site Landfill $4.9M- $5.5M $7.3M- $8.2M This alternative would remove the contaminated sediments from the southern portion of the AOEC and deposit these sediments within the central, deepest location of the northern portion of the AOEC. A cap of 6 feet of clean imported sediments would be placed on top of the consolidated sediments. As with Alternative 4 monitoring and institutional controls would be implemented to protect the cap from potentially damaging activities. Under this alternative, the contaminated sediment of the Boat Channel AOEC would be dredged to a depth of 1 to 2 feet. The dredged sediment would be loaded on a barge and then loaded on to trucks for transportation to a permitted and regulated solid waste landfill. Alternative 7: Beneficial Reuse Removal and Use of Sediments as General Fill Alternative 8: Beneficial Reuse Removal and Use of Sediments at an Off-Site Landfill as Daily Cover $2.1M- $2.4M $5.9M- $6.7M Notes: Blue shading indicates the preferred alternative. AOEC: Area of Ecological Concern RCRA: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act NA: Not Applicable Under this alternative, contaminated sediments of the Boat Channel AOEC would be dredged to a depth of 1 to 2 feet. The dredged sediment would be placed on barges for transportation to a designated project site and used at development projects or other regional sediment management programs. This alternative is nearly identical to Alternative 6, except that the contaminated sediments dredged from the Boat Channel AOEC would be used as daily cover at a permitted and regulated solid waste landfill. The use of the dredged material as daily cover, rather than fill, is less expensive and results in a slightly lower cost range for this alternative 7

8 -.c -... Overall Protection of Human Health and the Environment I- Compliance with Applicable or Re levant and Appropriate Requirements (ARARs) "'ts 0... "'...cu.c u cu How the risks are eliminated, reduced, or controlled through treatment, engineering, or institutional controls. Federal and state environmental statutes met or grounds for waiver provided. Long-term Effectiveness Maintain reliable protection of human health and the environment over time, once cleanup goals are met. Reduction of Toxicity, Mobility, or Volume (TMV) through Treatment Ability of a remedy to reduce the toxicity, mobility, and volume of the haza rdous contaminants present at the site. -uc Short-term Effectiveness -m~ ftl ftl ftl... Protection of human health and the environment during construction and implementation period. >-..i: :a E Implementability u Technical and admin istrative feasibility of a remedy, including the availability of materials and services needed to carry it out. Cost Estimated capital, operation, and maintenance costs of each alternative. State Acceptance at c -~ -~ a ftl.. =t u State concurs with, opposes, or has no comment on the preferred alternative. Community Acceptance Commu nity concerns addressed; commu nity preferences considered Figure 5. NCP Cleanup Action Evaluation Criteria 8

9 Cost Implementability Short-Term Effectiveness Reduction of Toxicity, Mobility, or Volume Through Treatment Long-Term Effectiveness and Permanence Compliance with ARARS Overall Protection of the Environment Table 3. Summary of Comparative Analysis of Cleanup Alternatives Cleanup Alternative Alternative 1 No* N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Alternative 2 Institutional Controls Alternative 3 Limited Action - Monitored Natural Recovery Alternative 4 Containment - In Situ Capping with Clean Imported Sediments Alternative 5 Open-Water Discharge - Level- Bottom Capping - Removal and On-Site Containment of Sedi- Alternative 6 Confined Disposal - Removal of Sediments to an Off-Site Landfill Alternative 7 Beneficial Reuse - Removal and Use of Sediments as General Fill Alternative 8 Beneficial Reuse - Removal and Use of Sediments at an Off-Site Landfill as Daily Cover No* Yes No* Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes ($0.3M to ($2.0M to ($5.0M to ($4.9M to $5.5M) ($7.3M to ($2.1M to ($5.9M to Notes: For the cost criterion, a range of estimates are provided for each alternative in 2015 present value dollars. Costs above $3M received a poor rating; costs between $3M and $1M received an average rating; costs below $1M received a good rating. * = Is not currently protective of the environment (poor) = the alternative does not perform as well as other alternatives in this criterion (average) = the alternative performs equally with other alternatives in this criterion (good) = the alternative outperforms other alternatives in this criterion 9

10 EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVES These alternatives were evaluated against the evaluation criteria (listed in Figure 5, page 8) that are prescribed in the NCP. The results of applying the first seven of the NCP criteria are summarized in Table 3 (page 9). The last two NCP criteria (state acceptance and community acceptance; shown in Figure 5) will be addressed through public comment on this Proposed Plan. State and community acceptance are factored into a final determination of the preferred cleanup plan. State acceptance is documented in the Proposed Plan. SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED CLEANUP PLAN The proposed cleanup plan for the Boat Channel Sediments is Alternative 6: Confined Disposal Removal of Sediments to an Off-Site Landfill. Alternative 6 is preferred for the reasons summarized below: It would provide protection to the environment by removing the contaminated sediment from the Boat Channel. It would meet federal and state applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements (ARARs). It would provide long-term effectiveness and permanence because the contaminated sediments would be removed and placed within an engineered, regulated, and monitored off-site disposal facility. There would be no requirements for land use controls or five-year reviews. The new (post-dredging) sediment surface at the Boat Channel would provide an environment suitable for benthic community recolonization. It would result in relatively minor short-term risk to the environment, community and site workers. It would allow redevelopment and use of the site in a manner consistent with recreational and boating purposes. A final decision will not be made until all comments are considered. State and community acceptance will be evaluated after the public comment period for this Proposed Plan. The Navy will address these comments in a responsiveness summary presented in the ROD. A public notice will be published in The Peninsula Beacon announcing when the ROD is available to the public in the information repositories. THE NEXT STEP After the comment period has ended, the Navy, and the San Diego Water Board, will review and consider the comments received on this Proposed Plan before making a final decision for the Boat Channel Sediments. The final decision will be documented in a ROD which will include a responsiveness summary for all comments received on this Proposed Plan. MULTI-AGENCY ENVIRONMENTAL TEAM CONCURS WITH THE PROPOSED CLEANUP PLAN Representatives of the Navy and San Diego Water Board have worked together to coordinate environmental investigation, protect human health and the environment, and expedite environmental cleanup. The Navy obtains a consensus on issues regarding the installation s environmental activities and makes a concerted effort to integrate current and potential future uses into the cleanup decisions. The San Diego Water Board has reviewed all major documents and activities associated with the Boat Channel Sediments. This review included the remedial investigation and FS reports. Based on reviews and discussions of key documents and activities, the multi-agency team recommends Alternative 6: Confined Disposal Removal of Sediments to an Off-site Landfill. 10

11 INFORMATION REPOSITORIES The Point Loma Public Library provides public access to the primary technical reports that support this Proposed Plan. The administrative record file is a collection of reports and historical documents used in the selection of the cleanup plan. POINT LOMA PUBLIC LIBRARY 3701 Voltaire St. San Diego CA (619) Library Hours: Monday: 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday: 11:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Wednesday: 11:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Thursday: 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday: 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday: 12:30-5 p.m. Administrative Record File Contact: Ms. Diane Silva, Records Manager Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest Naval Base San Diego, Building Mole Road San Diego, California Telephone: (619) You may view all documents in the NTC Administrative Record File by appointment during working hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Please contact Ms. Silva at the number provided above to make an appointment. Former Naval Training Center San Diego, Boat Channel Sediments documents are available in the information repositories and administrative record locations listed above. The Administrative Record Index, that lists documents such as meeting minutes and fact sheets related to the Boat Channel Sediments, can be found on the Navy s website at Select BRAC bases, then select California. On the left-hand side select San Diego NTC. Site-related documents can also be viewed at the Water Boards website at Enter Site 12-NTC Boat Channel, San Diego in the site search box. Once the Summary Page has displayed, select Site Maps/Documents to view links to PDFs of documents. PROJECT CONTACTS For more information on the environmental program at former Naval Training Center San Diego, or the Proposed Plan, please contact the following: Navy Contact Mr. Keith Forman BRAC Environmental Coordinator Department of the Navy BRAC Program Management Office West Nixie Way, Building 50 San Diego, CA (619) or Fax (619) Water Board Contact Ms. Sherrie Komeylyan California Regional Water Quality Control Board 2375 Northside Drive, Suite 100 San Diego, CA (619) Chehreh.Komeylyan@waterboards.ca.gov 11

12 OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION Community involvement is essential to selecting a cleanup plan, and we encourage you to provide comments. The 30-day public comment period for the Proposed Plan is September 22, 2016, through October 24, COMMENTS There are two ways to provide comments during this period: Public Meeting October 6, :00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Liberty Station Conference Center, 2600 Laning Road, Room 205A San Diego, California You are invited to this public meeting to discuss the information presented in this Proposed Plan for Boat Channel Sediments. Navy and San Diego Water Board representatives will provide information on the environmental investigations conducted for the Boat Channel Sediments. You will have an opportunity to ask questions and formally comment on the Navy s proposed cleanup plan for the Boat Channel Sediments as presented in this Proposed Plan during that meeting. Submit Comments We encourage you to comment on this Proposed Plan during the 30-day public comment period. You may provide written or oral comments on the Proposed Plan at the public meeting or submit your comments in writing after the public meeting. You may mail or written comments on this Proposed Plan to the Navy contact person provided on page 11, postmarked no later than October 24, GLOSSARY OF TERMS Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements (ARARs): Federal or more stringent state environmental standards, requirements, criteria, or limitations that need to be attained (or waived) by the cleanup action for a CERCLA site. Area of ecological concern (AOEC): The AOEC includes five areas (S1S1, S1S4, S1S5, S1S6, and S2S4) where the chemistry, toxicity, and benthic community structure data used in assessing ecological risk for benthic invertebrates indicated potential risk to the benthic invertebrate community. The AOEC also includes two stations (S2S9 and S2S10) that possess concentrations of total DDT in deep sediment but do not currently pose a risk for benthic invertebrates. Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Program: Program established by Congress under which Department of Defense installations undergo closure, environmental cleanup, and property transfer to other federal agencies or communities for reuse. Benthic invertebrates: Benthic invertebrates are organisms that live in and on the ocean floor, including worms, clams, crabs, lobsters, and sponges. Chemicals of ecological concern (COECs): Chemicals identified as potentially posing an unacceptable risk through an evaluation called an ecological risk assessment. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA): A federal law that created a program to identify hazardous waste sites and to establish procedures for cleaning up sites to protect human health and the environment. The Navy implements its Installation Restoration Program at hazardous waste sites to meet the requirements of CERCLA. DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane): DDT was developed as the first of the modern synthetic pesticides in the 1940s. DDT was banned in 1972 because of adverse environmental effects, such as those to wildlife, as well as its potential human health risks. DDT is known to be very persistent in the environment. DDT is present in shallow sediment throughout San Diego Bay at levels similar to those observed in the Boat Channel Sediments. Ecological Risk Assessment: An analysis of the potential negative impacts to ecological health caused by exposure to contaminants released at a site. 12

13 Feasibility Study (FS): An FS is a study that identifies and evaluates cleanup technologies for a site based on effectiveness, availability, cost, and other criteria. The FS for IR Site 12 was completed in Human health risk assessment (HHRA): An analysis of the potential negative impacts to human health caused by exposure to contaminants released from a site. Installation Restoration (IR) Program: The program initiated by the Department of Defense, in compliance with CERCLA (see above), to identify, investigate, assess, characterize, clean up, or control past releases of contaminants at military facilities. Institutional controls (ICs): Administrative and legal controls, established and administered to restrict use of property to limit exposure to contaminated waste, soil, sediment, or groundwater, and/or protect the integrity of the remedy. Mean lower low water (MLLW): The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration describes the mean lower low water as the average of the lower low water height of each tidal day over a 19-year period to obtain mean values. In San Diego Bay, MLLW is approximately mean sea level. National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP): The National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan, more commonly called the National Contingency Plan or NCP, is the federal government's blueprint for responding to both oil spills and hazardous substance releases. The NCP is the result of efforts to develop a national response capability and promote coordination among the hierarchy of responders and contingency plans. Proposed Plan: A document that presents the cleanup alternatives evaluated in an FS, summarizes the proposed cleanup plan, explains the reasons for selecting the plan, and solicits comments from the public. Record of Decision (ROD): A decision document identifying the cleanup action chosen for implementation at a CERCLA site. The ROD is based on information contained in the administrative record file (for example, the RI and FS), on public comments, and community concerns. Remedial Action Objectives (RAOs): A description of methods that will protect human health and the environment from the release of CERCLA hazardous substances. The RAO will identify, based on existing information, site-specific remedial action objectives to protect human health and the environment should be developed. The objectives should specify the contaminant(s) and media of concern, the exposure route(s) and receptor(s), and an acceptable contaminant level or range of levels for each exposure route (i.e., preliminary remediation goals). Remedial Action (RA): The remedial action phase follows the remedial design phase and involves the actual construction or implementation of site cleanup. Remedial Design: The remedial design is a step in the CERCLA process (see Figure 2) following the ROD that provides the detailed description and plan to implement the cleanup action. Remedial Investigation (RI): The RI identifies the nature and extent of potential contaminants at a site and assesses human health and environmental risks. Risk: Likelihood or probability that a contaminant released to the environment will cause adverse effects on exposed humans or ecological receptors. Adverse health effects for humans can be classified as carcinogenic (cancer-causing) or noncarcinogenic. San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board (San Diego Water Board): The San Diego Water Board is a part of the California Environmental Protection Agency. Its mission is to preserve, enhance, and restore California s water resources. The San Diego Water Board makes critical water quality decisions, including setting standards, issuing permits (waste discharge requirements), determining compliance with those requirements, and taking appropriate enforcement actions. Sediment Cleanup Goals: In the FS the sediment cleanup goals are defined as follows: copper 166 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg); lead 183 mg/kg; zinc 329 mg/kg; total chlordane 16 micrograms per kilogram (µg/kg) and total DDT 84 µg/kg. Following dredging of sediment, concentrations of these contaminants must be below these levels in the Boat Channel Sediments AOEC. 13

14 FORMER NAVAL TRAINING CENTER Boat Channel Sediments PUBLIC MEETING October 6, :00 8:00 p.m. Liberty Station Conference Center 2600 Laning Road, Room 205A San Diego, CA Proposed Plan Comment Form The public comment period for the Proposed Plan for the Boat Channel Sediments at the former Naval Training Center, San Diego, California, is from September 22, 2016 through October 24, You may provide oral comments at the public meeting listed above, where comments will be recorded by a court reporter. Alternatively, you may provide written comments in the space provided below or on your own stationery. All written comments must be postmarked no later than October 24, After you complete your comments and your contact information, please mail this form to the address provided on page 11 or submit this form to a Navy representative at the public meeting. Comments are also being accepted by and fax. Please address comments sent by to Mr. Keith Forman at keith.s.forman@navy.mil or send comments via fax to the attention of Mr. Keith Forman at (619) Name: Representing: (optional) Phone Number: (optional) Address: (optional) Please check the appropriate box if you would like to be added to or removed from the Navy s Environmental Mailing List for former NTC Boat Channel Sediments: Add me Remove me Comments 14

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16 Mr. Keith Forman BRAC Environmental Coordinator Navy BRAC Program Management Office West Nixie Way, Building 50 INVITATION TO COMMENT On the Proposed Cleanup Plan for Installation Restoration Site 12, Boat Channel Sediments Former Naval Training Center, San Diego, CA IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER Public Comment Period September 22, 2016 through October 24, 2016 See details inside. Public Meeting October 6, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. Liberty Station Conference Center 2600 Laning Road, Room 205A San Diego 16