02-04-1997 - BKK Landfill Environmental & Regulatory Issues BriefingTo:
From:
Subject:
City of Wat Covina
Memorandum
A
GENDA
ITEM NO. F-1
DATE FEBRUARY 4, 1997
®PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
BKK Landfill Environmental January 29, 1997
and Regulatory Issues Briefing
City Manager
City Council
Environmental Services
Director
Summary: This report outlines the outstanding issues associated with the BKK
Landfill. Staff will provide an oral status report to the City Council on
these issues.
In a report to the City Council at the last meeting, staff indicated -there were several issues
associated with the BKK Landfill that were of concern. In several cases the staff had
taken steps to obtain more information. The goal was to be in the position to best advise
the City Council Some of these issues have already had City Council discussion and
direction given to staff. Staff will provide an oral status report on these issues.
The issues that are of concern to staff are:
1'. CAL -EPA Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment destruction of
records.
The November 6, 1996, Wall Street Journal reported destruction of some of these
records by the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. These records
were related to the cancer risk assessment study of from vinyl chloride emissions
from the BKK Landfill. Staff s 'concerns are what records were destroyed and did
they impact the credibility of the health risk assessment?
2, CAL -EPA Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) proposal to issue an
Order for the BKK Landfill Postclosure-Plan instead of approving a Permit.
State regulations call for the approval of Permit for the Post Closure Maintenance
Plan for the closed hazardous waste disposal unit. After advertising a public
review and hearing, DTSC pulled the Permit approach. They are now considering
the issuance of an Order.
3. 'Environmental Protection Agency's Consent Order regarding the characterization
and clean up of the contaminated ground water off -site from the BKK Landfill.
Off -site contamination of ground water has been under study since the mid-1983.
The contaminated ground water plumes continue to expand. A remediation plan
needs to implemented to prevent further expansion and there needs to be clean up
what of contamination exists today.
4. The proposal to transfer authority for the Consent Order from the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency to the CAL -EPA Department of Toxic
Substances Control
A remediation plan, a schedule for implementation, and funding for
implementation need to be in place before any transfer. The City and Community
do not have confidence that DTSC will enforce full compliance with the Order.
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5. Impacts of the leachate from the closed hazardous waste disposal unit flowing
under the closed non -hazardous waste disposal unit.
Leachate has been identified at wells MW50 AR and BR that indicates flow under
the non -hazardous waste disposal unit. Will compliance be enforced at these wells
or will the leachate be allowed to travel under the site and reappear downstream?
What are the implications of this hazardous waste being under the non -hazardous
waste disposal,unit?
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Recommendation
It is recommended that this report be received and filed.
Michael L. Miller
Environmental Services Director i
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