NCD003446721_19860101_Celeanse Corporation - Shelby Fiber_FRBCERCLA PM CI_Community Relations Plan January 1986-OCR

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COMMUNITY RELATIONS PLAN
FOR
CELANESE FIBERS OPERATIONS SITE
SHELBY, NORTH CAROLINA
JANUARY 1986
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION IV
JU.COURTLAND STRIEIET
ATLANTA, GEORGIA J0JII
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COMMUNITY RELATIONS PLAN
FOR
CELANESE FIBERS OPERATIONS SITE
SHELBY, NORTH CAROLINA
JANUARY 1986
Prepared by:
H. Michael Henderson
Superfund Community Relations Coordinator u. s. Environmental Protection· Agency
Region IV
Atlanta, Georgia
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SECTION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Community Relations Plan
Celanese Fibers Operations Site
Shelby, North Carolina
Purpose of Plan
Section A -Background and
Key Issues
1. Site History
2. History of Community Concerns
3, Key Issues and Potential
Community Concerns
Section B -Community Relations Techniques
and Objectives
Section C -Schedule and Staffing Plan
Appendix A -List of Interested Parties
A. Federal Representatives
B, Federal Agency Officials
c. State Officials and Representatives
D. CFO Plant Officials
E, Local Media
F, Other Interested Parties
G. Information Repositories
Appendix B -Glossary
Appendix C -Acronyms
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PAGE
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5
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A-1
A-1
A-1
A-1
A-3
A-3
A-4
A-5
B-1
C-1
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Community Relations Plan
Celanese Fibers Operations Site
Shelby, Cleveland County, North Carolina
This Community Relations Plan describes community concerns
related to the Celanese Fibers Operations (CFO) site located
between Shelby and Earl, Cleveland County, North Carolina,
approximately six miles south of Shelby. The Plan outlines
proposed community relations activities which will be performed
by Reqion IV of the u. s. Environmental Protection Agency
during the Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study. The
community relations proqram outlined in this plan focuses on
activities designed to provide interested citizens, officials,
and local environmental organizations, such as the United
Neighbors For Cleanup at Earl, with information about site
developments and activities as they occur durinq the remedial
process. It is also designed to address specific areas of
community concern as they emerge.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Region IV Office, with Meredith Clarke Anderson as the project
manager, will have the overall responsibility for all technical
and community relations work at the Celanese site. She will be
assisted in the community relations effort by Michael Henderson,
one of the Region's Superfund Community Relations Coordinators.
Officials of the North Carolina Department of Natural Resources
and Community Development and the North Carolina Department of
Human Resources will also be consulted prior to the implementation
of various technical and community relations activities related
to the site. CFO may assist in implementing various community
relations activities, as designated by EPA.
This plan is based on information gathered during the
months of September and October 1985, including information
obtained during an informal meeting held on September 12, 1985
at the home of a concerned citizen and a public meeting held
on September 24, 1985. Both meetings were held in Earl, N.C.
Information was also obtained as a result of written comments
from interested citizens and environmental groups, newspaper
articles from the Shelby Star, the files of the State of
North Carolina, and Celanese Fibers Operations personnel •
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A. BACKGROUND AND KEY ISSUES
1. Site History
The CFO plant, located on North Carolina Highway 198 approxi-
mately two miles south of Patterson Springs, N. C. and one
mile north of Earl, N. C. (See Figure 1), began operations
at the Shelby facility in April of 1960. Manufacturing
operations included the production of polyester polymer
chip and filament yarn. The principal chemicals involved
in polymer production are dimethyl terephthalate and ethylene
glycol. Other small quantity additives include titanium
dioxide and antimony.
The CFO waste treatment plant was constructed in phases
concurrent with the manufacturing plant (See Figure 2).
During part of the early years, chemical wastes were dis-
charged through a ditch draining in a generally easterly
direction. The ditch began near the western edge of what
is now known as the former drum storage area, and travelled
east to the northeast corner of the present emergency spill
ponds. The ditch was replaced with pipes when the waste
treatment plant became fully operational in the mid-1960's •
In 1973, the plant was expanded with the addition of a
polishing pond, two emergency spill ponds, and an additional
aeration basin. The treated effluent from the waste treatment
plant is piped to a discharge point on Ruffalo Creek.
The concrete lined portions of the waste treatment facility
include a chromate reduction pond which is no longer in use,
a digester, three equalization basins, two aeration basins,
and two clarifiers. The unlined plant units include the
three polishing ponds, two sludge ponds, and two emergency
spill ponds.
In addition to the discharge from the wastewater treatment
plant, the Celanese facililty also discharges alum treated
bandcaster water directly to Ruffalo Creek. Bandcaster water
is used to cool the polymer products. Both of these discharges
are covered by permits from the North Carolina Department of
Natural Resources.
Several areas around the plant have been used for waste disposal.
Normal plant wastes (primarily polyester and miscellaneous trash)
were disposed of in old burning pits located just north of the
aeration basins. North and east of the burning pits, glycol
recovery unit (GRU) sludge was buried during the early 1960's
in trenches. West of the GRU sludge burial area is a former
drum storage and staging area. Solutions which failed to
polymerize were stored here during the early 1960's. The drums
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Site History (continued)
were removed in the mid-1960's and the storage area was back-
filled, Two soak away ponds located west of the existing
aeration basins were used to contain treated sanitary sewage
during the period from 1960 to 1964.
Four areas of buried waste are reported to be located to the
north and outside of the main plant perimeter fence. The
polymer and fiber landfill reportedly contains primarily non-
hazardous inert materials such as excavation spoil, polymer,
and waste yarn. The construction debris landfill contains
items such as old cinder blocks and steel strapping bands.
The contents of the waste drum burial area and buried waste
area are unknown. Approximately 21 acres of the northwest
quadrant of the property have been issued permits by the North
Carolina Department of Natural Resources for sludge disposal
since 1978.
In the period from 1970 to 1978, approximately 2000 to 3000
drums of waste chemicals and solvents, including lab packs,
were stored temporarily in the area shown as the drum
storage area near the former burning pits. All drums were
removed from the area by 1978 and sent to outside disposal
facilities.
Investigation of the Celanese Fibers Operations Site began
in October 1981 when CFO contracted with the firm Soil &
Material Engineers, Inc. (S&ME) to install 23 groundwater
monitor wells. In conjunction with the groundwater monitor
well installation program, SHE also conducted a hydrogeologic
evaluation. Subsequently, CFO initiated a groundwater
sampling and analysis program under the supervision of
Davis & Floyd Laboratories, Inc.
Soil & Material Engineers, Inc. also conducted an electro-
magnetic survey and excavated test pits at the site. Most
recently, CFO had S&ME install nine additional monitor
wells. The results of S&ME's work indicates that there is
contamination by organic compounds of shallow groundwater
in several areas on the plant site, however, there is no
indication of off-site groundwater contamination associated
with plant activities •.
The results of S&ME's work is summarized in three documents:
Hydrogeologic Evaluation Fiber Industries Inc., Shelby
Facililty, Shelby, North Carolina, Soil and Material
Engineers, Inc. February 5, 1982 •
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Site History (continued)
Electromagnetic Survey Report Waste Treatment Area,
Shelby, North Carolina, Soil and Material Engineers,
Inc., November 8, 1983.
Summary of Findings and Suggested Future Work, Waste-
Water Treatment Plant Area, Shelby, North Carolina,
Soil and Material Engineers, Inc., April 3, 1984.
In October 1984, CFO was proposed for EPA's National
Priorities List. Also in October 1984, CFO initiated
a series of meetings with the u. s. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) to discuss the preparation of a Work. Plan
for a Remedial Investigation (RI) and Feasibility Study (FS).
by their contractor, S&ME. Concurrent with this, EPA's
contractor, Camp Dresser & McKee, Inc.(CDM), prepared a report
that included a review of the data collected during previous
site investigations and identified information deficiencies
and data gaps to provide a basis for development of Remedial
Investigation activities. These events resulted in the
submission of a draft Work Plan by S&ME, on behalf of CFO,
with a final Work Plan submitted to EPA in November 1985 •
A meeting was held between EPA's Project Manager and citizens
of the CFO plant area on September 12, 1985 to discuss
citizen involvement at the site. EPA also held a public
meeting to present the draft Work Plan to the citizens of
the community on September 24, 1985 at the Numher Three
Elementary School, 1224 Davis Road, in Shelby. An information
repository containing all documents pertaining to the
Celanese Fibers Operations site was established at the
Cleveland County Memorial Library, 104 Howie Drive in
Shelby and at the Lavender residence in Earl, N. c., at the
request of the United Neighbors For Cleanup at Earl (UNC).
2. History Of Community Concerns
Citizens of the Earl/Shelby area have expressed great interest
in activities relating to the Celanese Fibers Operations site.
The citizens of Earl, N.C., with the assistance of Diana
Travis and other staff members of the Clean Water Fund of
North Carolina, organized the United Neiqhbors For Cleanup
at Earl because of· their concern about the quality of
water for their families. Les Brown, Conservation Chair
of the Broad River Sierra Group of Boiling Springs, has
also expressed an interest in the site. Many newspaper
articles have been written by Donna Clemmer of the The
Shelby Star concerning contamination at the site.
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3. Key Issues and Potential Community Concerns
The community appears to be particularly desirous of the
following:
1) Investigation of potential off-site disposal sites,
specifically those located at Route 2226 Lavender
Road, Austell Graham Road, and Route 2225 Bettis
Road:
2) Documentation confirming the proper disposal of
hazardous and non-hazardous waste drums which were
removed from the Celanese Fibers Operations facility
during the 1970's:
3) Testing of off-site wells of non-Celanese employees,
as well as other private wells which are located
near the site:
4) Inclusion of a representative of the United Neighbors
For Cleanup in joint meetings of EPA and Celanese
in the development of the remedial activities: and
5) Establishment of an information repository in the
town of Earl, N.C., as well as in Shelby.
Another concern expressed by some residents is that the
site is a "time bomb." They feel that Celanese and EPA
seem to want to discredit their fears, as one resident
stated,• to protect us.• One citizen expressed the
feeling that EPA must be Celanese's conscience and watchdoq
because the community is virtually helpless against a
giant corporation like Celanese. There was a feeling
expressed by another citizen that EPA and Celanese are
patronizing the community •
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B. COMMUNITY RELATIONS TECHNIQUES AND OBJECTIVES
The following community relations techniques and objectives
are suogested for this site:
Technique
1) Establish and
maintain information
repositories
2) Establish an
information contact
Methodology
Objective: To ensure that
accurate, understandable
information is provided
to interested citizens.
Fact sheets, site reports
(including the Work Plan,
Community Relations Plan,
RI report, and FS report),
other pertinent site
information, and general
information on the Superfund
Program will be included in
the information repositories.
Repositories will be located
in Earl and Shelby, N. C.
(Page A-5)
Objective: To provide accurate
and timely responses to questions
from citizens, local officials,
area environmental groups, and
the press throughout the RI/FS.
Michael Henderson or Beverly
Mosely of the EPA Region IV
Community Relations staff, in
coordination with Meredith
Clarke Anderson, the EPA
Remedial Project Manager for
the CFO site, will be available
to respond to questions from
interested parties. (Page A-1)
Specific questions about the
CFO plant should be referred
to Mr. James Pullen. (Page A-3)
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Technique
3) Meetings and
telephone updates
with state and
local officials
4) Fact sheets and
technical summaries
for area residents
and other interested
parties
Methodology
Objective: To inform officials
of the schedule of
activities and any major
findings during the RI/FS.
Officials of Earl and
Shelby should be informed
by EPA about all site
activities. Meetings with
local officials should include
EPA, the N.C. Department of
Human Resources, and the North
Carolina Department of Natural
Resources. Notification of
any significant delays or
changes in the schedule of
on-site activities will be
provided by periodic telephone
updates.
Objective: To explain the purpose
and plans for activities during
the RI/FS, and to inform the
community of EPA findings upon
the completion of various stages
of the RI/FS.
An introductory fact sheet will
be developed by EPA technical
staff to inform area residents
of EPA's site plans during the
RI/FS at the Celanese site.
Additional fact sheets, along
with technical summaries, will
be prepared to explain and
summarize both the Remedial
Investigation and Feasibility
Study reports. A final fact
sheet will be prepared to
describe EPA's remedial
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action plans upon reaching a
decision on the remedy for
the site •
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Technique
5) Informal meetings with
citizens and area
environmental groups
6) News releases
Methodoloqy
Objective: To continue
to monitor and assess
concerns, answer questions,
and explain plans and
activities.
An introductory meeting will
be held with area residents
before the RI and FS to explain
the purpose and rationale
for EPA's site activities and
to answer questions from area
residents. Area environmental
groups such as the United
Neighbors for Cleanup at Earl,
the Clean Water Fund of North
Carolina, and the Broad River
Sierra Group are also interested
in receiving information
about site findings and
developments. The groups are
particularly interested in
groundwater and surface water
quality. They will be included in
meetings when possible. Meetings
should include both Meredith
Clarke Anderson, the Remedial
Project Manager, and Michael
Henderson, the Community Relations
Coordinator.
Objective: To ensure that the
general public receives accurate
information on findings and
developments as they occur
throughout the RI/FS process.
News releases will be issued as
needed and upon completion of the
Draft Feasibility Study Report •
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Technique
7) Public Meeting
8) Public Comment Period
on the Draft Feasibility
Study Report
9) Responsiveness
Summary
Methodology
Objective: To facilitate citizen
input during the public comment
period on the Draft Feasibility
Study Report.
A public meeting will be held
to receive citizen questitins and
comments on EPA's suggested
remedial alternatives presented
in the FS. The Public Meeting
should be held in the gymnasium
of the Number Three Elementary
School, 1224 Davis Road, Shelby,
N.C., or an equivalent location
in the town of Earl.
Objective: To provide for public
input to site-related issues
and decisions.
Following the public meeting on
the Draft Feasibility Study Report,
a period of at least three (3)
weeks will be allowed for the
public to comment on the report.
Objective: To ensure that public
input and comments are incorporated
into the selection of the remedial
alternative(s) for the site.
A Responsiveness Summary is
required as part of the Record
of Decision (ROD) for each site.
The summary records public concerns
and issues raised during the public
comment period on the Draft Feasi-
bililty Study and documents the
responses provided by EPA •
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10) Community Relations
Plan revisions
Objective: To reflect changes
in the level and nature of
community concern during the
remedial investigation and
feasibility study process and
to update the schedule of
community relations activities as
necessary.
The community relations plan
should be revised during the
RI/FS if there are indications
of major changes in community
concerns or scheduled work
activities •
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C. SCHEDULE AND STAFFING PLAN
Community relations activities at the CFO site will be conducted by Meredith Clarke Anderson, the
EPA Region IV Remedial Project Manager, and Michael Henderson, the EPA Region IV Superfund Community
Relations Coordinator. Technical and community relations contractor assistance may also be involved
as requested by EPA. Community relations activities at the CFO site should coincide with the technical
milestones for the site.
Community Relations
Technique
1) Information
Repository
2) Information
Contacts
3) Meetings and
telephone updates
4) Fact sheets and
Technical Summaries
5) Informal meetings
6) News releases
Finalization
of the Work
Plan
Technical Milestones
During
Remedial
Investiaation
Completion
of RI Study
During
Feasibility
Study (FS)
Completion
of Draft FS
Report
Completion
of Final FS
Report
------------------------------------update repositories as need--------------
------------------------------------update information contacts as needed----
X x---------x x------x
X X X X
-------------------------meet with residents/groups as needed------------
X X
7) Public Comment Period (3 weeks) x-------x
x--------------x 8) Public Meeting X
9) Responsiveness Summary
10) Community Relations
Plan revisions
X
---------------------if significant changes in community interest----------
and concern occur
NOTE: THIS IS A SUGGESTED SCHEDULE AND THEREFORE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
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APPENDIX A -LIST OF INTERESTED PARTIES
A. Federal Representatives
u. s. Representative James T. Broyhill
United States House of Representatives
2340 Rayburn Building
Washington, D. c. 20515
[phone]
u. s. Senator John P. East
United States Senate
716 Hart Building
Washington, D. c. 20510
[phone]
u. s. Senator Jesse Helms
United States Senate
403 Dirksen Building
Washington, D. c. 20510
[phone]
B. Federal Agency Officials
Meredith Clarke Anderson
Remedial Project Manager u. S. Environmental Protection Agency
345 Courtland Street N. E.
Atlanta, GA 30365
[phone]
Michael Henderson
Superfund Community Relations Coordinator
u. s. Environmental Protection Agency
345 Courtland Street N. E.
Atlanta, GA 30365
[phone]
C. State Officials and Representatives
Governor James G. Martin
State Capitol Building
State of North Carolina
Raleigh, NC 27611
[phone]
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Ollie Harris
State Senator
District 25
P. o. Box 627
Kings Mountain, NC 28086
[phone]
John J. Hunt
State Representative
District 48
Lattimore, NC· 28089
[phone]
Edith L. Lutz
State Representative
District 48
Lawndale, NC 28090
[phone]
Lee Crosby
N. C. Department of Human Resources
P. o. Box 2091
Raleigh, NC 27502 -2091
[phone]
Lee Laymon
N. C. Department of Natural Resources
and Community Development
P. o. Box 27687
Raleigh, NC 27611
[phone]
Donald R. Link
N. c. Department of Natural Resources
and Community Development
P. o. Box 370
Asheville, NC 28802 -0370
[phone]
Steve Reid
Public Affairs Office
N. c. Department of Human Resources
Albermarle Building
325 North Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27611
[phone]
A-2
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D. Celanese Fibers Operations Plant Officials
J. M. Norman
Celanese Fibers Operations
P. o. Box 87
Shelby, NC 28150
( 704) 482-2411
James c. Pullen
Celanese Fibers Operations
P. o. Box 32414
Charlotte, NC 28232
[phone]
Carl M. Spangler
Employee Relations Superintendent
Celanese Fibers Operations
P, o. Box 87
Shelby, NC .28150
[phone]
E. Local Media
Newspapers:
The Shelby Star
315 E, Graham Street
Shelby, NC 28150
[phone]
ATTN: Donna Clemmer
The Cleveland Times
213 s. Washington Street
Shelby, NC 28150
[phone]
The Charlotte Observer
P. o. Box 32188
Charlotte, NC 28232
[phone]
ATTN: Jack Horan
Radio:
WADA Radio
P. o. Box 2388
Shelby, NC 28150
( 704) 482-1390
A-3
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WOHS/WXIK Radio
P. o. Box 1590
Shelby, NC 28150
[phone]
ATTN: Ellen Fitzgerald
WSOC Radio
P. o. Box 34665
Charlotte, NC 28334
ATTN: News Director
WBTV Radio
One Julian Price Place
Charlotte, NC 28208
ATTN: News Director
WAYF Radio
400 Radio Road
Charlotte, NC 28216
ATTN: News Director
Television:
WSOC-TV
P. o. Box 34665
Charlotte, NC 28334
ATTN: News Director
WBTV-TV
One Julian Price Place
Charlotte, NC 28208
ATTN: News Director
F. Other Interested Parties
Joe Austell
Mayor of Earl
Earl, NC 28038
[phone]
George Clay, Jr.
Mayor of Shelby
Shelby City Hall
300 s. Washington Street
Shelby, NC 28150
[phone]
Huqh J. Dillingham, Jr.
Mayor of Patterson Springs
1817 s. Post Road
Shelby, NC 28150
[phone]
A-4
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L. E. "Josh" Hinnant
Chairman, Cleveland County Commissioners
100 Justice Place
Shelby, NC 28150
(704) 484-4R00
Richard G. Steeves
Director, Cleveland County Health Department
315 Grover Street
Shelby, NC 28150
Jerry Mcswain, Principal
Number Three School
1224 Davis Road
Shelby, NC 28150
[phone]
Les Brown
Conservation Chair
Broad River Sierra Group
P. o. Box 856
Boiling Springs, NC 28017
Ms. Jackie Lavender
United Neighbors for Clean-up at Earl
Box 113
Earl, NC 28038
Diana Travis
Clean Water Fund of North Carolina
2300 E. 7th Street
P. o. Box 9586
Charlotte, NC 28299
[phone]
G. Location of Information Repositories
Cleveland County Memorial Library
104 Howie Drive
Shelby, NC 28150
[phone]
ATTN: Doug Perry
Lavender Residence
Corner of Highway 198 South
and Cemetary Street
Earl, NC 28038
ATTN: Ms. Jackie Lavender
[phone]
A-5
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APPENDIX B -GLOSSARY
Aquifer - a zone (layer of rock or soil) below the ground
surface that is capable of producing useable
quantities of qroundwater to wells and springs.
Community Relations Plan -the planning and management
document that guides the community relations
program at Superfund sites. The plan contains:
an assessment of citizen concerns: a list and
schedule of communications activities to be
conducted at the _site: a brief site history;
and a list of technical and community relations
staff responsible for implementation of the
plan. It also contains a list of interested
parties outside of the u. s. Environmental
Protection Agency.
Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and
Liability Act (CERCLA) -also known as •superfund,"
this law authorizes the Federal Government to
respond directly to releases (or threatened
releases) of hazardous substances that may
endanger public health, welfare, or the
environment. The u. s. Environmental Protection
Agency is responsible for managing the Superfund
program.
Electromaqnetic Survey -an exploration of subsurface soils
based on the measurement of alternating magnetic
fields associated with currents artificially
maintained in the subsurface. This exploration
is used to detect conductive bodies, such as
buried drums and debris, beneath the earth's
surface.
Feasibility Study (FS) -Under Superfund, the FS evalutes
alternatives for cleanup based on cost-effective-
ness, engineering feasibility, and environmental
impact. It recommends the most cost-effective
solution that will adequately protect public
health, welfare, and the environment.
Groundwater -water beneath the ground surface that fills
pores in soils, or openings in rocks, to the
point of saturation.
Hydrogeology -the study of geologic material and its
interaction with water •
B-1
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Monitor Well - a well that extends into the aquifer in
order to extract samples of water to analyze
for specific parameters.
National Priorities List (NPL) - a list of the top-priority
hazardous waste sites in the country that are
eligible for remedial response under the
Superfund program.
Record of Decision (ROD) -the document prepared for approval
of the remedy by the EPA Administrator; it
includes the technical background of the site, a
summary of the alternatives· considered by EPA
for remedial response, and a detailed description
of the preferred remedy.
Remedial Investigation (RI) -Under Superfund, a field study
to determine the nature and extent of contamination
at a site and to gather all necessary data to
support the selection of a cleanup alternative
in the FS.
Remedial Response -.Under Superfund, a series of actions
intended to provide permanent solution of a
release or potential release, of a hazardous
substance from a site. Remedial responses
generally include the following sequence of
activities, RI, FS, remedial desiqn, and remedial
action. ·
Test Pit - a pit dug or drilled for subsurface reconnaissance.
Work Plan -the document prepared prior to the Remedial
Investigation/Feasibility Study that outlines in
detail the site status and history, the known
contamination problem, the tasks to be implemented
in the RI/FS, schedule, institutional issues,
and staffing. This document guides all site
activities from initiation of the pro_iect to
the preparation of the Record of Decision
(ROD) •
B-2
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APPENDIX C -ACRONYMS
COM -Camp Dresser & McKee, Inc.
CERCLA -Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation
and Liability Act of 1980 (more commonly known as the
Superfund Program)
CFO -Celanese Fibers Operations
CRP -Community Relations Plan
EPA -United States Environmental Protection Agency
FS -Feasibility Study
GRU -Glycol Recovery Unit
RI -Remedial Investigation
ROD -Record of Decision
RPM -Remedial Project Manager
S&ME -Soil & Material Engineers, Inc •
UNC -United Neighbors for Cleanup
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