WEST BURN PADS AREA
SITE DESCRIPTION
Due to the complexity in defining site boundaries, sites IAAP-032 (Burn Cages), IAAP-033 (Burn Cage Landfill), IAAP-034 (West Burn Pads), and IAAP-035 (West Burn Pads Landfill), were incorporated into one site.
Burn cages were used for the incineration of inert and explosives-contaminated packaging. The flashing of metals parts also was performed here. The site was used from 1949 to 1982 when the cages were removed. Metal parts, munitions casings and staining on the ground surface were observed during the site inspection in 1991.
The West Burn Pads were used for metals flashing from 1949 to 1982. Ash from the Burn Cages and West Burn Pads were disposed of at the Burn Cage Landfill (1949 to 1982) and the West Burn Pads Landfill (1950 to 1975). The WBPLF also received waste from the East Burn Pads and well as various solid waste to include sanitary and industrial. The landfills are approximately three acres in size and heavily vegetated.
The IRP site consists of the contamination from past activities. Any contamination from current and future activities will be addressed with non-ER,A funding.
The PA/SI was completed in 1991, and the RI was completed in May 1996. The Interim ROD requires the removal of 1451cy of contaminated soil to be taken to the Inert Disposal Area (IAAP-020) and sorted by contaminant level and type. However pre-design characterization of soils during 1998 located significant levels of barium contamination that were not previously known. Groundwater monitoring began in 1994.
Soil removal (~46,000cy) was completed in late 2000. Of that removal of ~19,000cy of soil were treated for barium contamination. Low levels of explosives were detected in the creek south of the WBPLF during 2000. Annual groundwater monitoring did not show an expected decline in explosive concentrations downgradient of the site. These groundwater results, historical records, and a site walk-over in 2001 indicated further soil investigation is warranted in an area that lies across the road to the south of the soil removal area. Also, explosive chunks were found on the surface. USACE notified AO for a safety review and some explosive chunks were removed and sampled.
Historical documents indicate the West Burn pads were used concurrently by the AEC (Atomic Energy Commission) and the Army from 1949 to 1975. Because of these AEC activities, the West Burn pads were included in FUSRAP for future evaluation. FUSRAP performed a Preliminary Assessment (published December 2001) of this site and determined it to be a former AEC area. In July 2002, the Corps designated this area to be under FUSRAP. Both radiological and nonradiological contamination attributable to former AEC operations will be addressed by FUSRAP for soil. FUSRAP will complete a supplemental RI for this site. The ER,A program will be responsible for GW contamination; it is anticipated that in situ bioremediation and MNA will be the remedy.
MEC and MC will be addressed under the MMRP.
This site is considered Response Complete under the IRP as documented in the Phase 1 and Phase 3 Soil Remedial Action Report (north side of road). The south side of the road was designated to FUSRAP in July 2002.