Title
Resolution Urging the USEPA to Expedite Remediation Efforts at the Koppers Superfund Site (B)
Explanation
Staff has worked in concert with Alachua County Environmental Protection Department (ACEPD) staff to prepare parallel resolutions urging expedited action by USEPA to remediate the Koppers Superfund site. ACEPD staff indicated they would be presenting the proposed resolution at the 3/9 County Commission Meeting.
Staff made a presentation to the City Commission on the Koppers site at the October 20, 2003 City Commission Meeting. The City Commission approved staff recommendations to request actions from USEPA to require: 1) Within 90 days, develop options to implement interim measures to stop any discharge to the Floridan Aquifer while site assessment activities proceed and initiate removal of source material in the surficial aquifer; 2) By June 1, 2004, implement the selected interim measures to prevent further discharges to the Floridan Aquifer; and 3) Pursue necessary activities to complete the site assessment to select and start implementing permanent remedial action by June 1, 2005.
The General Manager presented these requests in an October 22, 2003 letter to USEPA. In addition, as approved by the City Commission, Mayor Bussing wrote letters to the City's congressional delegation asking them for assistance.
USEPA has not responded to the requests for development of interim measures to stop the discharge of contaminants to the Floridan Aquifer, or for source removal in the surficial aquifer. In addition, recent sampling completed in November 2003 has confirmed high levels of contaminants in the lower Hawthorn Group formation, and low levels of contaminants in the Floridan Aquifer below the site.
Utility staff presented a status update on the Koppers site to the Joint City/County Water Supply Policy Committee on February 12, 2004. Based on issues and concerns raised by Utility and ACEPD staff, this committee requested that a joint...
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