WEST BURN PADS AREA - GROUNDWATER

 

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. Ash generated from the burn operations was disposed of in the adjacent landfills. The landfills are approximately three acres in size and heavily vegetated.

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.

This 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, the RI was completed in 1996. Groundwater monitoring began in 1994. Relatively high levels of explosives and Freon have been found in groundwater after the soil removal was completed.

Low levels of explosives were detected in the creek south of the WBPLF during 2000. A supplemental RI was completed in 2003, and a groundwater model was created in 2004.

Phase progress will be tracked at this PBC Site, but funding requirements will be tracked under Site PBC at Iowa.  Post PBC costs will be covered under Site IAAP-020.

CLEANUP STRATEGY

This site is included in the PBC awarded in 2004.  The remedial approach for this site, as well as others outside the Brush Creek watershed, will be addressed in the FS.  At present, it is presumed that localized areas of contamination will be remediated.

STATUS

RRSE RATING: Medium

CONTAMINANTS: Metals, VOCs, Explosives

MEDIA OF CONCERN: Groundwater

COMPLETED IRP PHASE: PA/SI

CURRENT IRP PHASE: RI/FS

FUTURE IRP PHASE: RD, RA(C), RA(O), LTM