Occidental Chemical Site, Whitehall, Michigan

U.S. EPA Proposed Remediation

The proposed actions to cleanup groundwater, soil, and sediment contamination at the OCC facility are:

• Groundwater Scenario I (purge well system), including baseline controls, plus additional collection and treatment measures to expedite cleanup (e.g., chemical oxidation, dual-phase extraction system).
• Site Scenario 2 (bioremediation), or in the alternative, Site Scenario 5 (incineration), and modified Site Scenario I (soil cover) at the Former Burn Pit Exposure Area; and
• White Lake Study Area Scenario 3 (bioremediation and capping) and "hotspot" removal of small area of most contaminated sediment, or in the alternative, White Lake Study Area Scenario 6A (dredging and PCB/ ACM conversion treatment).

The estimated net present value of the proposed remedy ranges from $14.6 to $16.5 million. The upper range includes alternative excavation and treatment of contaminated soil, and dredging and treatment of contaminated sediment. The estimate does not include costs associated with additional measures to expedite groundwater cleanup and remove small area of contaminated sediment.

U.S. EPA wants your opinion on the cleanup proposed for groundwater, soil, and sediment at the OCC facility. The March 1,2001 public meeting at Montague Township Hall, 8915 Whitbeck Road, Montague, Michigan, starts a 45-day public comment period that runs through April 15, 2001. The Administrative Record for the OCC facility is available at:

Montague Branch Muskegon County Library
8778 Ferry Street
Montague, Michigan 49437
(231) 893-2675

White Lake Community Library
3900 White Lake Drive
Whitehall, Michigan 49461
(231) 894-9531

U.S. EPA, Region 5
7th Floor Record Center
77 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 886-0902
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8AM -4PM

After consideration of the comments received, U.S. EPA will select the remedy and document the selection in a final decision. Public comments will be summarized and responses provided. To send written comments or request information, contact:

Mr. Kenneth Bardo U.S. EPA, Region 5
Corrective Action Section, DE-9J
77 W. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, Illinois 60604-3590
(312) 886-7566
E-mai1: bardo.kenneth@epa.gov