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WESTINGHOUSE SHARONSUPERMINI) SITESharon, Mercer County, Pennsylvania

COMMUNITY RELATIONS PLANMARCH 1999

Prepared for:I : ' ' ' .

U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyRegion HI

1650 Arch StreetPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 OVERVIEW OF THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS PLAN ....... 2

2 SITE DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY ................... 42.1 Site Description . ......... .:,. ............................ 42.2 SiteHistoiy ..................;......................:.. 4

. 2.3 Site Contamination ........ .... . . . .................. . . ... 8

3 COMMUNITY BACKGROUND ........................... 113.1 Community Profile.. ................ \ ............. . . ..... 113.2 History of Community Involvement , ... ...................... 113.3 Summary of Community Concerns ........................... 13

4 COMMUNITY RELATIONS OBJECTIVES ...../............. 15

5 COMMUNITY RELATIONS ACTIVITIES ................. ... liS

6 EPA BACKGROUND . .;............................... . . . . 226.1 Superfund Program ...................................... 226.2 EPA Groups ........:..,..... . .,......:........... .'. .. 236.3 State and Other Agency Roles . ,. ........................... 24

Figure! Site Layout Map ...................................... 10Figure 2 Summary of Community Relations Activities ................. 21

Appendix A Interested Party and Contact ListAppendix B Repositories, Meeting Locations and Other Informational SourcesAppendix C Glossary of Technical TermsAppendix D Technical Assistance Grant InformationAttachment 1 Sample Fact Sheet .Attachment 2 Sample Public Notice

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This CRP includes the following sections:

SITE DESCRIPTION AND HISTORYA description of the site property, its characteristics and history, and a briefsummary of the contaminants and their potential health effects.

COMMUNITY BACKGROUNDA profile of the local community around the site, a history of communityinvolvement, and a summary of current community issues and concerns regardingthe site and its cleanup.

• COMMUNITY RELATIpNS OBJECTIVESA listing of the goals EPA has set to keep the site community informed andinvolved during cleanup actions.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS ACTIVITIESA description of the specific activities EPA will conduct to achieve its communityrelations goals.

EPA BACKGROUNDAn overview of the Superfund program and a description of the roles of EPA,state agencies and other parties involved in the study and cleanup of the site.

APPENDIXES AND ATTACHMENTSA listing of the names, addresses and. telephone numbers for federal, state and localofficials; local media outlets; and other interested parties. Also included arelocations for a public meeting, details about the information repository and otherinformation sources, a glossary of technical terms and a sample fact sheet andpublic notice.

This CRP draws on information from many sources including: EPA files; City of Sharon andMercer County documents; public meetings, briefings and community interviews; conference callsand informal discussions involving EPA and the local media; and input from state and localofficials, community groups and other interested parties.

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2.1 Site Description -

The Westinghouse Sharon Site encompasses approximately 50 acres at 369 Sharpsville Avenue inthe City of Sharon, Mercer County, Pennsylvania,. Between 1922 and 1985, WestinghouseElectric Corporation operated a transformer production facility on the property. Prior to 1922,the site was occupied by the Savage Arms Corporation., The property is divided into three areas,the North Sector, the Middle Sector and the'South Sector. During plant operations, most of themanufacturing and assembling operations were conducted in the Middle Sector buildings. Currentsite features include vacant buildings on the Middle and North sectors which range from 200 to'800 feet in width, an oil pump house, abandoned storage tanks, a concrete dike and a paved lot.The entire facility extends along Sharpsville Road for nearly one mile. (See map on page 10 for alayout of the site.)

The site is bordered on the north by the City of Sharpsville; on the east by Sharpsville Avenue andresidential homes; on the south by Winner International and the City of Sharon; and on the westby ARMCO Steel Corporation. Railroad tracks owned by Conrail Corporation also border theproperty to the west and pass directly behind the site. In addition, several small industrial parksare located to the west and south of the site property. The Shenango River is locatedapproximately one-half mile west of the site and flows south toward the City of Sharon. Located1,600 feet downstream from the site, along the Shenango River, is the Shenango Valley WaterCompany which provides drinking water to approximately 75,000 people.

2.2 Site History

Between 1922 and 1985, Westinghouse Electric Corporation manufactured and repaired a varietyof distribution and power transformers as well as electrical apparatus including reactors,regulators, rectifiers and mobile transformers. All manufacturing operations at the site ceased in1985. During manufacturing, a portion of the liquid-cooled transformers were filled with acoolant called inerteen, a special dielectric fluid which is non-flammable. Inerteen consists ofeither undiluted polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or a mixture of PCBs and trichlorobenzene.Inerteen was first used at the Sharon plant in 1936, and was utilized in varying concentrationsuntil 1976.

Early Warnings •, . / t . , .' • • • . '•-•,- '' . '

In response to clinical studies which showed that PCBs may be a human carcinogen (cancer-causing agent), Westinghouse discontinued using PCBs in their operations in 1976. In addition,

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Westinghouse removed and incinerated 48,000 gallons of PCBs and 15,000 gallons of organicsolvents from the site in 1976.

During operations in the late 1970s and early 1980s, plant spills and occasional PCB surfacing insoils occurred at the site. As these incidents occurred, and instead of facing enforcement actions,Westinghouse removed the spilled materials and cleaned the contaminated areas.

In 1984, two major incidents occurred at the site which released PCBs and other chemicals intothe environment. The first incident occurred when approximately 6,000 gallons of a mixturecontaining transformer oil, a petroleum product and silicone fluid was released after amalfunction in one of the facility's heat exchanger units. The heat exchanger malfunction causedthe mixture to be released from Its underground storage tank into the surrounding soil andgroundwater. Because this storage tank housed PCBs in the 1960s, EPA believes that the soilaround the tank was already contaminated with PCBs. Therefore, the released liquid flowedthrough the soil,, absorbed PCB contamination, and collected in a pond near the plant drainagearea, called the moat. (See map on page 10.) EPA also believes that during this time, PCB-contaminated oil leaked into sewers at the site and drained into the Pine Run tributary of theShenango River.

The second release, in November, 1984, involved the facility's coal-crusher sump. Upondiscovering a dense liquid in the drainage area of the plant, facility officials investigated the sourceof the material and discovered that approximately 104 gallons of PCBs remaining in the sump hadleaked and collected in the onsite moat. Although contamination from these two events wascontained from spreading further, the moat, soils and groundwater at the site remainedcontaminated, :

Site Investigations and Regulatory Actions ,

In April 1985, after initial site investigations, the Pennsylvania Department of EnvironmentalProtection (PADEP) [formerly the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources] issuedan Administrative Order to Westinghouse to investigate the sources and amount of PCB-oil andindustrial solvent contamination at the site. Under the Administrative Order, Westinghouseconducted a study of the subsurface conditions at the site and, in August 1986, submitted toPADEP a report detailing the study and its findings. The 1986 study revealed that soils andgroundwater at the site contained hazardous substances, including PCBs and other organiccompounds.

In November 1985, at the request of PADEP, EPA investigated the site and detected PCBs attwo of the four locations where Westinghouse discharged plant water into the Shenango River.This caused concern because the Shenango Valley Water Company, located downstream, uses theShenango River as its water source. PCBs also were detected in river sediments collected near .the site. .

As a result of these findings, EPA proposed the site for inclusion on the National Priorities List(NPL) in June 1988. In anticipation of the site being listed on the NPL, PADEP andWestinghouse entered into a Consent Order and Agreement on September 21,1988. This orderand agreement requires Westinghouse to conduct a remedial investigation and feasibility studyat the site. The Westinghouse Sharon Site was formally included on the NPL in 1990.

As part of the remedial investigation, samples were collected from several site monitoring wellsduring field work in 1992 and 1993. Sampling results from these wells indicated that PCS-contaminated oil was present in the groundwater beneath the site, The discovery of thiscontamination led to further investigations which revealed that an estimated 5,000 to 10,000gallons of oil contaminated with PCBs, dioxins, chlorinated solvents and trichlorobenzeneformed a separate aqueous layer which was floating on top of the groundwater beneath the site.Because of the potential for this oil to travel to the Shenango River and affect the ShenangoValley water supply, EPA issued a Unilateral Administrative Order to Westinghouse in February1994. The Unilateral Administrative Order required Westinghouse conduct actions to removeand dispose of the contaminated material located on top of the groundwater at the site. laresponse to the order, Westinghouse installed recovery wells to collect contaminated material andprevent it from traveling into the Shenango River. In addition, Westinghouse began pilot studiesto determine the best long-term method for addressing the contaminated material.

•• • *- • ' ' ' . •In August 1994, in response to questions and concerns about airborne emissions during plantoperations, EPA collected soil samples from several residences across from the site to determine ifcontaminants had traveled offsite. EPA analyzed the samples for PCBs and other site-relatedcontaminants, however, no contamination was found above normal levels. EPA also providedeach homeowner with the analytical data confirming the sampling results, ,

In March 1995, EPA Investigated and collected samples from the abandoned Middle Sectorbuilding which revealed PCBs and other contamination. EPA determined that this contaminationmay pose a threat to future workers onsite. However, because the building was abandoned andthe contamination is contained inside, there was no current threat to health or the environment,and no immediate actions were required. Subsequent to this sampling, Westinghouse completedfield work and submitted a final Remedial Investigation Report to PADEP in April 1996. TheRemedial Investigation Report summarizes the results of Westinghouse's investigation andidentifies the types and amounts of contamination at the site. In July and October 1996,Westinghouse prepared two Risk Assessments for the site. In July, Westinghouse submitted aScreening Level Ecological Risk Assessment identifying potential impacts to the ecology as aresult of site contamination. In October, Westinghouse submitted a Human Health RiskAssessment identifying the potential impacts the site contaminants posed to human health. .

Cmrfijff t_Siift ActivityAfter EPA and PADEP reviewed the Remedial Investigation Report, Westinghouse began workon the feasibility study which is currently ongoing. During this study, Westinghouse will evaluate

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several cleanup methods available to address the contamination at the site. In addition,Westinghouse has conducted treatabiSity studies to ensure that the evaluated cleanup methodswill effectively treat the contaminants at the site. Once the Feasibility, Study Report is approvedby EPA and PADEP, EPA will hold a public meeting in the Sharon community to present cleanupoptions for the site. .

Winner Steel Services, one of the occupants of the site, performed sporadic excavations ofconcrete flooring and the underlying soil within the Winner Steel building onsite. Theseexcavated materials were staged onsite for sampling and analysis of contaminants. Westinghousecontractors submitted reports and revisions to the reports regarding a pilot-scale cleanuptechnology to demonstrate various ways the Middle Sector building could be cleaned up. Amajor site meeting with PADEP, EPA and representatives for the PRPs was held in June 1998 toevaluate the pilot study and investigation.

Also in June 1998, Westinghouse representatives suggested that the site be administrativelydivided into a "soils" operable unit and a "groundwater/river sediment" operable unit for thepurposes of developing the feasibility study. In July 1998, PADEP and EPA reviewed theWestinghouse's revisions to the Pilot Study Report pertaining to the interior cleanup of theMiddle Sector building. - ',.

In August 1998, representatives from PADEP, EPA, USAGE and Winner Steel Services mat atthe site to discuss the ongoing and future activities at the site involving Winner Steel. WinnerSteel has purchased from CBS, the southern portion of the "moat" area onsite and intends toextend a railroad spur across the moat. Winner Steel also plans to expand its current building in asoutherly direction and conduct environmental sampling on the southern portion of the moat area.EPA also requested Westinghouse to contact CONRAIL to initiate cleanup discussions sincesome of the site's contamination is located on CONRAIL property which adjoins theWestinghouse property.

CBS (formerly Westinghouse) was onsite in September 1998 to conduct an inventory ofremovable materials within the Middle Sector building. This is pan of the cleanup process for thePCB and lead-contaminated buildings. CBS's preliminary schedule for ttte cleanup of thebuildings shows initial cleaning and debris removal activities began in mid-October 1998.Because of the size of this building complex, full-scale cleaning activities are expected to extendinto November 2000. CJ5S hired a contractor in late 1998 to perform the initial phase of thecleaning and debris removal in the Middle Sector building.

In late 1998, CBS submitted a technical memorandum summarizing the results of an evaluation ofthe conditions of the existing monitoring wells at the site and recommended the abandonment ofcertain wells and the construction of new wells.

In early 1999, CBS continued to clean equipment and machinery and removed cleaned items fromthe Middle Sector building. Industrial cleaning contractors will then clean the floors and walls ofthe Middle Sector building which encompasses approximately 2 million square feet of area that

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requires cleaning to remove lead-based paint and PCB contamination. This activity is scheduledto begin in April/May 1999 and is expected to be complete in late 2000.

• • '. . •• . . . .. ;•• , •" ' ; .- .Site Property Acquisitions f See map on page 10.)

. , . ' • . ' . / ' • ' > • '• 1985 - ARMCO Steel Corporation purchased the North Sector property and buildings. .

Although some PCB contamination was discovered inside and outside of the North Sectorbuildings, ARMCO paved the outside property, removed contaminants and cleaned theinside of the buildings.

* 1989- American Industries purchased the "Y" building. No contamination was found onthis property.

• 1 994 - Winner International purchased the "A/B" building and surrounding property onthe South Sector portion of the site. Investigations of this portion of the propertyrevealed contamination in site soils. Winner removed contaminated soil located on theproperty and under the building floor.

• 1 998 - CBS Corporation purchased Westinghouse. Following the purchase, CBSrepresentatives and their contractors have been actively engaged with P ADEP and EPA inefforts to study and submit plans which will lead to cleaning up the site.

2.3 Site Contamination ,

During environmental investigations at the site, EPA discovered three contaminants of concernwhich may pose a potential threat to human health and the environment. Below are descriptionsof the contaminants found at the Westinghouse Sharon Site and their potential health effects.

• polychlorinated bipkenyls (PCBs)PCBs are a family of man-made chemicals with varying toxicity. Because of theirinsulating and non-flammable qualities, PCBs were used as coolants and lubricants intransformers manufactured at the Westinghouse facility, PCB manufacturing in the UnitedStates was stopped in 1977 due to evidence that PCBs accumulate in the environment andmay cause health hazards, including cancer. However, PCBs are still persistent in theenvironment today and can accumulate in aquatic life, such as fish, and be passed on toother animals and humans through consumption. PCBs can also enter the body through,contaminated air and through skin contact.

health effects:Although no studies can directly confirm that PCB exposure can lead to cancer in humans,animal studies have shown that PCBs can produce adverse health effects including skinirritations; liver, kidney and stomach damage; reproductive and developmental effects; andcancer. Based on these studies, EPA has classified PCBs as a probable human carcinogen.

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trichlorobenzene (TCB)TCB is a colorless non-flammable organic liquid, The largest users of TCB are companiesthat use it as a solvent to make dyes and other chemicals. It can also be added todielectric fluids, transformer oils and lubricants, as it was during operations at theWestinghouse facility In the environment, TCB evaporates slowly in the air and does notmix well with water. However, TCB does bind to soil and when consumed, can be storedin plants and animals. In addition, studies have revealed that TCB is highly toxic toaquatic life. TCB can enter the body through contaminated air, food and water, and oncein the body, TCB remains stored in fat tissue. .

.'• • "..'•• ' • ' ; f .' ' • -•'•• 'health effects:The health effects of TCB vary and depend on how much and the frequency of exposure.Acute exposure to TCB can cause skin and eye irritation and respiratory problems.

. Studies have also indicated that acute exposure to large doses of TCB can cause liverdamage and nervous system effects such as tremors. Long-term exposure studies Haveshown that TCB can adversely affect the liver, the kidney, and the adrenal gland.

diexins andfurans (chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and chlorinated dibenzofurans)Dioxins and furans are a family of highly toxic substances that are generated as by-products of certain processes. Some of the common processes include burning materialsat insufficient temperatures, bleaching products using chlorine and producing pesticidesand wood preservatives. At the Westinghouse facility, dioxins and furans were generatedform the PCBs burned at the plant. Some dioxins are highly lethal in small doses toaquatic organisms, birds, mammals and humans. Because dioxins and furans can originatefrom a variety of sources, they can be transported in the atmosphere over long distancesand can easily enter the body through contaminated air and food.

health effects: ,Because dioxins and furans are soluble in fat, they can accumulate in the bodies of allanimals, including humans. However, like PCBs, most research on their health effects islimited to animal studies. Based on these studies, the liver is a target organ for acuteexposure to dioxins and furans. In addition, prolonged exposure can produce adverseeffects including weight loss, skin disorders, effects on the immune system and senses,birth defects, impaired liver function and tumors. .

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u3.1 Community Profile

The City of Sharon isjocated in Mercer County, approximately 90 miles north of Pittsburgh alongthe Pennsylvania and Ohio border. Sharon is one of eight communities in northern Pennsylvaniaand Ohio which make up the Shenango Valley. Because of its location, at the crossroads ofInterstates 19 and 80, and Route 60, the Shenango Valley provides easy access to the highly .industrialized and commercially-rich areas of Ohio and Pennsylvania. The Shenango Valley is thelargest economic center within Mercer County, accounting for a population of 60,242 residents.Historically, the area has been a major contributor to the nation's iron and steel industry.However, with the steel industry's decline, the City of Sharon and the Shenango Valley havediversified their economic bases to include light industry, high-tech manufacturing, health servicesand tourism. Sharon constitutes the largest community in the Shenango Valley and boasts the top

. two major employers. - . . • . "'

The City of Sharon, located in the western portion of Mercer County, is home to 17,500residents. The city is governed by an elected mayor, and a board of five council members. Thecity also has a full-time Health Officer and a Community Development Director. Residents in thecity are serviced by public water and sewer facilities, as well as a full-time police force and firedepartment. The largest employers include the Sharon Regional Health System, ARMCO/SawhillTubular Steel Corporation, and the Shenango Valley Medical Center. Various media outlets fromPennsylvania and Ohio serve the Shenango Valley including two daily newspapers, threetelevision stations and seven radio stations. The valley is also home to several recreational parksand a large number of churches and synagogues. -

The immediate site community is located less than 100 feet east and upgradient of the site in aresidential neighborhood along Sharpsville Avenue. Many in this community have lived here forover thirty years and most were employed at the Westinghouse facility during its operation. Manyin this community also belong to the Westinghouse Sharon Retirees Association which has amembership between 500 and 800, meets once a month and sponsors various activities during theyear. In addition to these residents, several small businesses including a restaurant, barbershopand hobby shop are located directly across from the site. A number of the local residents alsobelong to the Shenango Valley Initiative, a community group headed by the pastors of localchurches.

3.2 History of Community Involvement

Community involvement and concern in Superfund activities at .the Westinghouse Sharon Site hasbeen moderate. Most of those aware and involved of activities at the site are associated with the

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Shenango Valley Initiative. This group is a church-based cooperative formed by leaders ofseveral community churches to promote social change, justice and development in the ShenangoValley. According to community interviews conducted in January 1998, many residents in the site v Jarea became aware .of contamination at the site in 1985 after operations at the plant ceased. Manystated that they obtained their information from the local newspapers which published articlesabout PADEP's investigation into contaminated soils at the property. Several residents in theimmediate community stated that they are former employees of Westinghouse and believe that'concerns about contamination are exaggerated. Most of those interviewed indicated they wereexposed to PCB-oil on a regular basis and have not experienced any problems over the years.Furthermore, residents questioned the length of time spent to study the site and expressed interestin making the property available for other business or community use.

During initial site investigations in 1984, PADEP representatives met with local officials to informthem about the Administrative Order with Westinghouse and the future work Westinghousewould conduct at the site. From the time site investigations began up until 1993, EPA andPADEP officials met with various community leaders and local officials. During these meetings,EPA kept these parties appraised of site investigations, contamination present at the site andpotential hazards. In 1994, EPA went door-to-door in the neighborhood adjacent to the site toinform local residents of ongoing work including the collecting of soil samples from surroundingproperties. Also, on March 31, 1994, EPA held a public meeting at the Case Avenue ElementarySchool to,discuss EPA's Unilateral Administrative Order to Westinghouse. Approximately ISpeople attended this meeting including residents, local officials and the media.

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Community interest and involvement in the site peaked in November and December 1996 when • . Jthe Shenango Valley Initiative circulated a petition in the community and organized a letter- ^-^writing campaign to EPA to remove the Superfimd designation from the site. The leaders of theShenango Valley Initiative believe that the Superfund label attached to the site will prevent localgovernment from reclaiming the property and redeveloping it for industrial or other beneficial use.Also at this time, several articles were published in the Sharon Herald and YottngstownVindicator highlighting the efforts of the Shenango, Valley Initiative and the local community toredevelop the site property. In December 1996, EPA prepared a fact sheet summarizing the sitehistory and current cleanup status. EPA mailed this fact sheet to resident* and officials on the sitemailing list and also placed copies in various locations throughout the community. EPA alsocontacted the leaders of the Shenango Valley Initiative to address their concerns about the siteand its cleanup and will continue to keep them informed of progress at the site.

In January 1998, EPA began gathering information for this CRP by conducting interviews withresidents of Sharon including representatives of the Westinghouse Sharon Retirees Associationand the Shenango Valley Initiative, as well as local officials and members of the media. EPAdiscussed the community's concerns with the site, how EPA can meet their needs effectively andupdated them on the site investigations and cleanup work. The Summary of CommunityConcerns below provides a brief summary of the. issues and concerns EPA received during thecommunity interviews.

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3.3 Summary of Community Concerns

EPA conducted personal interviews with local residents and officials on January 28 and 29, 1998.EPA also obtained information from phone conversations with various community leaders, mediarepresentatives, and other interested parties. Although the community possesses a vastknowledge of the Westinghouse Sharon Site and its history, initial interest and involvement incleanup work was moderate. Over the past several years, the site community has become moreinvolved in EPA's work at the site and this can be directly attributed to the existence andparticipation of the Shenango Valley Initiative. Many of those interviewed believe that a majorityof the community is highly sensitive to environmental issues, however, they believe that theWestinghouse Site does not pose a significant threat to their health or the environment. Duringinterviews, community members identified the following issues and concerns about the site, EPAand the Superfund process. • •

Timeliness pfthe Cleanup

Most residents interviewed expressed a strong desire for the conclusion of cleanup activities.Although most residents indicated their approval with EPA's and PADEP's involvement at thesite, many believe the length of time to clean the site has greatly impacted the economy bypreventing an opportunity to bring more jobs into the community. Many also believe that thepresence of a federal hazardous waste site greatly hampers potential development in other areas ofthe community. Several community members stated that some actual development plans havebeen affected by the long-term cleanup at the Westinghouse Sharon Site. Many feel the site ismore of an economic burden and not an environmental concern to the community. A fewresidents stated that the longevity of the cleanup is a direct result of Westinghouse's reluctance tospend money and conduct actions to Clean the property, and the slow nature of the governmentenforcing its regulations. .

Condition of the Middle Sector Building

Many residents expressed a concern about the appearance and condition of the remainingbuildings on the site. Most stated the abandoned site is an eyesore to the community and believethe remaining buildings have deteriorated over the years. The main concern is centered aroundthe concrete roof on the largest Middle Sector building. Residents indicated that a lack of heat inthe building in the winter months has caused concrete on the roof to crack, exposing the steelsupport beams. Residents fear that continued inactivity in this building may cause the roof tocollapse, endangering neighboring residents. >

Communication Between EPA and the focal Community

Most residents noted that although many in the community are aware of the Westinghouse SharonSite, some are not aware of the contamination and EPA's involvement in cleanup actions. Oneresident stated that many in the community are not well-informed because a majority of the

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information about the site is obtained either through newspaper articles or community gossip.Those interviewed expressed a desire for EPA and/or P ADEP to provide them and local officialswith regular updates on the cleanup studies and actions at the site. Residents believe that thelength of time involved in investigating the site has contributed to the passive nature of the generalcommunity towards the site. However, residents indicated that most in the community see theShenango Valley Initiative as a "watchdog" over activities at the site. Some residents suggested.EPA provide fact sheets twice a year and hold a public meeting at least once a year to inform thecommunity on the status of the site. ,

Future Impact of Site Contamination .

Current community concern about health effects from site contamination is moderate. None ofthe residents interviewed expressed any major health concerns from current site conditions.However, some community members expressed concern about the possible future impact of sitecontamination on the community. Because most local residents are former employees of thefacility and are unfamiliar with the contaminants, they were concerned about potential healtheffects from direct long-term exposure. Many stated that they are aware of various healthproblems in the community, but are unable to determine if those were related to the site. Manyresidents expressed a desire for EPA to provide specific information about the contaminants andtheir health effects to the local newspapers, as well as include this information in fact sheets andpublic meetings. •

Future Use of the Site

Many community members interviewed questioned the use of the site after cleanup activities are -completed. Several individuals stated that there is a stigma associated with "Superfund" sites andexpressed a desire for EPA to provide information to the community and especially local officialson how to return the property to beneficial use after the cleanup. Because the local economy washighly dependent upon the Westinghouse facility during its operation, many believe that theproperty, when cleaned, will provide for new development, stimulate the economy and provide aninflux of jobs and community pride into the area.

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EPA designed this CRP to help facilitate community participation during the Superfund process atthe Westinghouse Sharon Site. EPA*s decision-making process in Superfund is greatly enhancedthrough community involvement and participation. This enables community members to createthe context for EPA's decisions .and allows them to provide informed input so that EPA can bettermeet their needs and concerns. / >

EPA will meet the four objectives below by conducting the community relations activities-described in Section 5 on page 14.

• Establish and maintain effective communication between EPA and the sitecommunity.EPA will regularly update local residents, the Shenango Valley Initiative and communitygroups, and other interested parties on the progress of the site cleanup. EPA will producefact sheets, public notices, update newsletters, news releases and hold public meetings asneeded to "keep community members updated on site activities. In addition, EPA willrespond to the site-related comments and questions voiced by local community members.

•i ' . l N• Provide community members with timely and easy-to-understand information

• regarding the cleanup process. . ,EPA will use conference calls, briefings, fact sheets, newsletters, public notices, publicmeetings, news releases and other means to explain site-related activities such as theProposed Remedial Action Plan (Proposed Plan), remedial design and remedialaction steps in the site cleanup. EPA will explain site activities in general terms so thatcommunity members can easily understand the Superfund process.

• Communicate with local officials, community groups and the media to increase theirawareness and understanding of the site and its cleanup.EPA will provide City of Sharon and Mercer County officials with timely informationabout site activities and will invite and address questions from them. EPA also willdistribute and explain site-related information to the local media, the Shenango ValleyInitiative and the Westinghouse Sharon Retirees Association so that they can conveyinformation about the cleanup to other community members. .

• Foster community participation In Superfund activities at the site.EPA will encourage the site community to take an active role in the Superfund processthrough community outreach activities at the Westinghouse Site. Such activities mayinclude availability sessions, public meetings, site tours, and community interviews. Onlyby taking an active role in the Superfund process can citizens truly feel that their bestinterests are being served in regards to the site cleanup.

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To effectively achieve the community relations objectives previously outlined in Section 4 of thisCRP, EPA recommends the activities described below as community relations actions to be takenat the Westinghouse Sharon Site. EPA will conduct these activities throughout the Superfundprocess to ensure that the community is informed during all work at the site. A table summarizingthese activities and their anticipated time frame is located in Figure 2, on page 21.

Designate an EPA Community Involvement Coordinator to handle siteinquiries .

Objective: To ensure prompt, accurate and consistent responses and Informationabout the site, ongoing cleanup work and other related activities.

Method: Patrick Gaughan has been designated as EPA's Community InvolvementCoordinator (CIC) for the Westinghouse Sharon Site. He is located in EPA'sWheeling, West Virginia office and works closely with Victor Janosik, EPA'sRemedial Project Manager (RPM) for the site. See Appendix A, for theiraddresses and phone numbers.

Respond promptly and accurately to inquiries from local residents, theShenango Valley Initiative, Westinghouse Sharon Retirees Association andother community groups, local officials and the media

Objective: To maintain two-way communication between EPA and the sitecommunity. Prompt responses will strengthen community involvement andenhance cooperation between EPA and other cleanup stakeholders. Keeping localresidents, community groups, local officials and the media informed on a timelybasis will increase overall public awareness and understanding of site activities.

Method: Personal replies, meetings and printed material will provide the basis forprompt responses from EPA to inquiries from the community. EPA's CIC willdirect all inquiries to the proper contacts and ensure that a response is returned tothe community in a timely manner.

Notify the local community of cleanup work and milestones on a regular basis

Objective: To keep those directly affected by the site constantly informed, createeffective two-way communication, minimize communication gaps and enhancepublic participation in the Superfund process.

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Method: EPA will provide printed material, make telephone palls, and holdmeetings and availability sessions to focus on current and upcoming site work.EPA will also use these methods to announce the release of important sitedocuments, to discuss milestones, and to publicize the time, place and purpose ofpublic meetings. In the event of a site-related emergency, EPA may notifyresidents in an timely manner vja radio and/or television broadcasts, door-to-doornotification or through emergency responders.

• • . i• Maintain contact with City of Sharon and Mercer County government

officials ./.' '': . • / ' . . • ' •' ' - • '

; Objective: To maintain good communication between EPA and loca! government,and to provide officials with information to disseminate to local residents. SeeAppendix A for the names, addresses and telephone numbers of contact personsfor the City of Sharon and Mercer County. '

Method: EPA will make personal visits when at the site, initiate phone calls and/orprovide written materials to inform local officials of site developments andupcoming community relations activities.

• Keep the local media informed about upcoming site activities on a regularbasis , ' ' ' ' • ' - , . .

Objective: To ensure the distribution of accurate and consistent information about* - •site activities, and to minimize misinformation, rumors, and speculation aboutspecific site activities or cleanup work.

Method: EPA will make personal visits when at the site; issue news releases,make telephone calls and hold briefings to detail current and upcoming site .activities; announce the availability of documents; and invite media representativesto public meetings.

• Prepare and distribute site fact sheets and technical summaries

Objective: To provide an easy-to-read summary of site activities. Fact sheets andtechnical summaries generally review ongoing work at the site and are mailed toresidents; community groups; federal, local and state officials; media; and otherinterested parties.

." > - - ' ' . . ' 'Method: EPA will mail fact sheets and technical summaries to all parties on thesite mailing list and will also place copies in various locations in the site communityincluding the information repository. Fact sheets generally include informationabout past, current and upcoming site activities; EPA-sponsored events; questionand answer sections focusing on community concerns; overviews of cleanup

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technologies; site maps; listings of EPA and other relevant contacts; and mailingreturn forms so that community members can submit questions and add theirnames to the mailing list. See Attachment 1 for a sample fact sheet. \J

Publish public notices in local publications

Objective: To inform the community of key site developments, public meetingsand the release of site-related documents.

Method: Public notices will appear in the local news sections of the SharonHerald and the Youngstawn Vindicator, and may be published in other communitypublications as well. Notices include relevant dates, times and locations ofmeetings or activities, as well as the name, address and phone number of the , *primary EPA contact person. Public notices regarding site-specific documents,such as the Proposed Plan, will summarize the document. EPA will also publishpublic notices as site activities warrant. See Attachment 2 for a sample notice.

Hold public meetings and/or availability sessions

Objective: To update the community on site developments and address anyquestions, comments and concerns.

Method: Public meetings will be held in the evening at a central location in the sitecommunity so that all interested parties will be able to attend. Availability sessions , jare usually day-long events where community members can attend at theirconvenience. The EPA CICt the EPA RPM and other agency representatives willbe present at these events. EPA will hold meetings and availability sessions as siteactivity warrants, as site-related documents are released and as needed. SeeAppendix B for EPA public meeting/availability session locations.

Hold a public meeting and a public comment period following the release ofthe Proposed Remedial Action Plan

Objective: To present the information in the Proposed Plan to the community,allow the community to ask questions and provide input on all of the cleanupalternatives, including EPA's recommended cleanup action for the site.

Method: EPA will hold a public comment period for a minimum of 30 daysfollowing the release of the Proposed Plan. EPA also will conduct a publicmeeting within the dates of the public comment period and announce the comment -,period and meeting in the Sharon Herald and the Youngstown Vindicatornewspapers.

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Prepare a Responsiveness Summary

.Objective: To document and summarize community input received by EPA duringthe public comment period,

Method: EPA will prepare a Responsiveness Summary outlining the commentsand questions EPA received during a public comment period and at any publicmeeting which occurs during a comment period. EPA will include in theSummary, an overview of the site status and EPA's responses to communitycomments and questions. EPA will include the Responsiveness Summary as pan .of the Record of Decision.

. • iMaintain and update the local information repository

Objective: To provide a reference source in the local community where the publiccan review the latest information on work at the site. EPA will update thiscollection of site-specific material as cleanup documents are released so thatcitizens can follow the progress of the site cleanup and provide informed input toE P A , • ' • • ' '»-if f\, , - •, , - .

Method: As documents are finalized and released, EPA will place them into thelocal information repository and the repository maintained at EPA's Region IIIoffice. These repositories serve as a reference collection of site informationcontained in the Administrative Record File. The repositories also include theCRP, information about the Technical Assistance Grant program and otherinformation about the Superfund process. EPA has established one localinformation repository at the Shenango Valley Community Library (formerly theBuhl-Henderson Library). See Appendix C for the address, telephone number andbusiness hours for the Shenango Valley Community Library and the AdministrativeRecord Room at EPA's Region III office.

Identify and promote the availability of additional EPA information sources

Objective: To provide.community members with various ways to receiveinformation about EPA, the Superfund program, other EPA programs and theWestinghouse Sharoh Site.

Method: Information and other resource documents regarding the WestinghouseSharon Site, EPA, other Superfund sites, and different EPA programs are availableby phone, computer or mail. EPA has established toll-free. Superfund and businessassistance hotlines, electronic mail (e-mail) access and an interactive site on theWorld Wide Web. In addition, reference documents are available from severalEPA offices. See Appendix C to find out how to access these information sources.

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Maintain and update site mailing lists

Objective: To use in distributing site fact sheets, providing telephone updates andconducting other community involvement activities.

Method: EPA has established and maintains an up-to-date listing of federal, stateand local officials; Local media; community groups; and other interested parties forthe Westinghouse Sharon Site. EPA also maintains a separate and private list ofresidents, obtained from county tax records, public meeting sign-in sheets andcommunity interviews. To protect the privacy of local residents, EPA will notrelease the mailing list to the media or general public. See Appendix A for thenames, addresses and telephone numbers of federal, state and local officials; localmedia; community groups; and other interested parties. If you would like to beadded to EPA's mailing list for the Westinghouse Sharon Site, please contactPatrick Gaughan, EPA's CIC for the site. His address and telephone number canbe found in Appendix A. v

Revise the Community Relations Flan

Objective: To identify and address community needs, issues or concerns regardingthe site and/or the cleanup that are not addressed in this CRP. ,

Method: EPA will revise the CRP as community concern warrants, or at the timea cleanup decision is changed at the site. The revised CRP will update the ^ Jinformation presented in the previous version of the plan.

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Activity Timjng

• Designate and EPA Community An EPA CIC, Patrick Gaughan, has beenInvolvement Coordinator designated for the site.

• Respond Promptly to Inquiries from EPA will promptly respond to all inquires asResidents, Community Groups, Officials they are received and as site conditionsand the Media warrant.

• Notify the Local Community of Site EPA will notify the community on a regularActivities/Milestones on a Regular Basis basis and as 'site activities warrant.

• Maintain Contact with Local EPA will notify officials on a regular basis andGovernment Officials , as site activities warrant.

• Keep Local Media Informed about Site EPA will notify the media at technicalActivities milestones, meetings and other site events.

• Prepare and Distribute Fact Sheets and EPA will prepare fact sheets as cleanup workTechnical Summaries . progresses.

• Publish Public Notices EPA will publish notices at milestones and toannounce meetings or other site events

• Conduct Public Meetings/Availability EPA will hold meetings/availability sessions asSessions ' requested and as site activity warrants.

• Hold a Public Comment Period and EPA will hold a comment period and meetingMeeting Following the Proposed Plan following the release of the Proposed Plan

• Prepare a Responsiveness Summary EPA will prepare a responsiveness summary: following the public comment period.

• Maintain and Update the Information EPA maintains and will update the repositoryRepository as documents are released.

• Promote the Availability of Other EPA has established and maintains a hotline,Information Sources e-mail access and a World Wide Web site.

• Maintain and Update Site Mailing Lists EPA established mailing list and updates themregularly.

* Revise the Community Relations Plan EPA will revise as community concernwarrants.

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6.1 Superfund Program

Superfund is the federal government's program to clean up uncontrolled or abandoned hazardouswaste sites. The National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP)guides Superfund. Congress passed Superfund, officially known as the ComprehensiveEnvironmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), in 1980, and thenamended it in 1986 with the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA).Superfund gives EPA authority to:

• Stop ongoing releases or prevent potential releases of hazardous substances.• . Make the parties responsible for contaminating a site pay for its cleanup.• Provide funding for cleanup, through a tax on the chemical and petroleum

industries, when money from responsible parties is not available.

Identifying Sites for Cleanup

Under the Superfund program, EPA investigates hazardous waste sites throughout the UnitedStates and American territories. EPA conducts a preliminary assessment and a site inspection toinitially review each site and determine whether further action is necessary. EPA then evaluatesthe site using the Hazard Ranking System. The Hazard Ranking System is a measurement toolused to assign each site a numerical score based on the possibility that contamination will spreadthrough soil, groundwater, surface water or air. It also takes into account other factors, such asthe Ideation of nearby residences. EPA places the most serious sites (i.e., those with scores above28.5) on the National Priorities List (NPL), which contains the sites identified for possible cleanupusing Superfund money. * '

Selecting and Implementing the Cleanup Plan

After placing a site on the NPL, EPA conducts a remedial investigation and feasibility study. Theremedial investigation examines the site's contamination to find out what it consists of, how muchis present, how extensive it is and what types of health or environmental damage it couldpotentially cause. A feasibility study reviews the different ways the contamination can be cleanedup and includes treatability studies to evaluate the effectiveness of different cleanup options. Theresult of this study helps determine what will work best for a particular site and the surroundingcommunity. EPA announces the recommended cleanup method in a document called a ProposedPlan. Whenever EPA issues a Proposed Plan, EPA also announces a public comment period sothat the community may offer its comments on EPA's proposed cleanup actions. During thistime, EPA holds a public meeting to present the Proposed Plan, solicit public input and address

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the community's questions. EPA takes all comments into consideration and may change therecommended cleanup method based on citizen input. After reviewing all public comments, EPAmakes a final decision and selects a cleanup method. This selection is announced in a documentcalled the Record of Decision (ROD); .

The next steps are the remedial design and remedial action, during which EPA supervises thedesign and implementation of the cleanup plan outlined in the ROD. When necessary, EPA canmodify the ROD to reflect minor changes to the cleanup plan. If any changes are recommendedfor the ROD, EPA announces these changes in a document called an Explanation of SignificantDifferences (ESD). After appropriate cleanup actions have been completed at a Superfund site,EPA will delete that site from the NPL. EPA continues to monitor deleted sites every five yearsto ensure that appropriate cleanup levels are being achieved. ' '

6.2 EPA Groups

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., EPA has ten regional offices, each of which have communityinvolvement and technical staff involved in SuperfUnd site cleanups. EPA Region III encompassesDelaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington D.C. The EPARegion III office is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and houses several divisions, branchesand sections. The SuperfUnd program in Region III operates under the Hazardous Site CleanupDivision. The EPA branches and sections most likely to be involved at the Westinghouse SharonSite are described below. '

* Superfund Community Involvement Section ,This section oversees communication among EPA and residents, public officials, mediarepresentatives and community groups associated with or affected by Superfund sites. TheSuperfund Community Involvement Section is responsible for the planning, coordination andimplementation of activities designed to enhance communication and community involvementfor each site. Each site is assigned a Community Involvement Coordinator (CIC) who worksclosely with EPA technical staff to keep thelocaT community informed and involved duringSuperfund cleanup work. The current CIC for the Westinghouse Sharon Site is PatrickGaughan. See Appendix A for his address and telephone number.

• Pennsylvania General Remedial SectionThis section is responsible for all long-f erm technical work at Superfund sites in Pennsylvania,

' including site assessments, remedial investigations and feasibility studies, treatability studies andcleanup designs and actions. Each site has a Remedial Project Manager (RPM) who'supervisesthe work performed by EPA technical staff, private contractors and other parties involved inthe site study and cleanup. The current RPM for the Westinghouse Sharon Site is VictorJanosik. See Appendix A for his address and telephone number.

• Superfund Removal BranchEPA's Superfund Removal Branch manages short-term actions and emergency removal

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responses. These actions include responses to immediate threats or accidental releases ofhazardous substances, as well as short-term work at sites on EPA's NPL. Immediate removalactions are supervised by EPA On-Scene Coordinators (OSCs).

Environmental Response TeamThe Environmental Response Team (ERT)is a branch of the Emergency Response Division ofEPA's Office of Emergency and Remedial Response. ERT includes hazardous waste expertswho provide 24-hour technical assistance to EPA regional offices. ERT conducts tests ofcleanup technologies throughout the country and provides assistance during Superfund sitecleanups.

Office of Research and DevelopmentThe Office of Research and Development (ORD) conducts research, engineering support, ,technology transfer, technical training and related activities. ORD's assistance at Superfundsites includes evaluating cleanup technologies and providing guidance on work plans andtreatability studies.

6.3 State and Other Agency Roles•\• Pennsylvania 'Department of Environmental ProtectionPADEP is the state support agency for EPA-led studies and cleanup at federal Superfund sitesin Pennsylvania. PADEP conducted initial site investigations into contamination at theWestinghouse Sharon Site before EPA placed the site on the NPL. During study and cleanup v Jwork, PADEP reviews and comments on site work plans and studies, participates in communityrelations activities and provides technical assistance to EPA when needed. See Appendix A forthe name, address, and telephone number of the PADEP contact person for theWestinghouse Sharon Site.

• U.S* Army Corps of EngineersA branch of the Department of Defense, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USAGE) is staffedby civilian personnel who assist EPA during the design, implementation and monitoring ofSuperfund cleanup technologies. Working in cooperation with EPA, USAGE also solicits bidsand awards contracts for construction and cleanup activities at Superfund .sites across thenation.

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A. Federal Elected Officials

Senator Arlen Spector '711 Hart Senate Office Building (202) 224-4254Washington, D.C. 20510-3802 . - Fax:(202)228-1229

Federal Building, Suite 2031Liberty Avenue and Grant Street -' (412)644-3400

. Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Fax:(412)244-4871

Senator Rick Santorum2777 Russell Senate Office Building ' (202) 224-6324Washington, D.C. 20510 Fax: (202) 228-0604

Landmarks Building, Suite 2501 Station Square (412)562-4313Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Fax:(412)562-4313

Senator George V. Voinovich (Ohio)317 Hart Senate Office Building < (202)224-3353Washington, D.C. 20510 , Fax:(202)224-7983

Senator Michael DeWine, (Ohio)140 Russell Senate Office Building v (202) 224-2315Washington, D.C. 20510 Fax:(202)224-6519

Representative Phil English .1714 Longworth House Office Building (202J 225-5406Washington, D.t. 20515 Fax:(202)225-3103

900 North Hermitage RoadSuite 6 , (724)342-6132Hermitage, PA 16148 Fax:(724)342-6219

Representative Ron Klink1130 Longworth House Office Building (202) 225-2565Washington, D.C. 20515 Fax:(202)226-2274

134 North Mercer Street (724)654-9036New Castle, PA 16101 Fax: (724)654-9076

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Representative James A. Traficant (Ohio) \ J'2446 Rayburn House Office Building (202) 225-5261Washington, D.C. 20515 Fax: (202) 225-3719

B. State Elected Officials

Governor Tom RidgeCommonwealth of Pennsylvania225 Main Capitol Building (717) 787-2500Harrisburg, PA'17120' Fax: (717) 772-8284

Governor Robert ToftState of Ohio Riffe Center, 30* Floor77 South High Street (614)466-3555Columbus, OH 43266 Fax: (614) 466-9354

Senator Robert Robbins ,. '259 Main Street (724) 588-1323Greenville, PA 16125 Fax: (724) 983-5711

. Senator Anthony J. Latell, Jr.Ohio Senate Statehouse (614)466-7182 ' , JColumbus, OH 43215 Fax: (614) 466-3691 S-X

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Senator Robert HaganOhio Senate Statehouse . (614) 466-8285Columbus, OH 43215 Fax: (614) 466-4120

Representative Michael Gruitza487 South Dock StreetP.O. Box 625 (724) 981-4655Sharon, PA 16146 Fax: (724) 981-6528

Representative Frank A. LaGrotta718 Lawrence Avenue (724)656-3266Ellwood City, PA 16117 Fax: (724) 656-3266

Representative Howard Fargo ^315 Elm Street (724)458-4911Grove City, PA 16127

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Representative Rod E. Wilt.2 S. Mercer Street (724) 588-8911Greenville, PA 16125 Fax: (724) 588-5464

• ' • ' ' . ' .Representative Michael G. Verich250 Country Club Lane N.E. (614)466-5976Warren, OH, 44484 Fax: (614) 644-9494

, Representative June Lucas1435 Locust Street (330)652-7201Mineral Ridge, OH 44440

C. Local Officials ,

City of Sharon Municipal Building Robert T. Price, Mayor155 West Coanelly Boulevard Raymond M. Fabian, Council PresidentSharon, PA lSl46 Fred Hoffinan, Council Vice-President(724) 983-3220 Chris Outrakis, Council MemberFax:(724)983-1961 George Gulla, Council Member

Joseph L. Baldwin, Council Member' Joseph A. Caminiti, Community :

Development Director' June Gulla, Code/Health Officer

.. '" .'• • ' - • • "• "'- • ^ ' • '•-." '."Mercer County Administration Office Richard Stevenson, CommissionerMercer County Courthouse Cloyd Brenneman, CommissionerRoom 103 Olivia Lazor, Commissioner

- - Mercer, PA 16137(724)662-3800 ' ' 1Fax:(724)662-1530 .

D. EPARegion ffl Officials

Patrick Gaughan (3HS43)Community Involvement CoordinatorU.S. EPA Region m .1060 Chapline StreetWheeling, WV 26003 (304)234-0238gaughan.patrick@epamail.epa.gov

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Victor Janosik (3HS22)Remedial Project ManagerU.S. EPA Region HI1650 Arch StreetPhiladelphia PA 19103 (215) 814-3217janosik.victor@epamail.epa.gov

E. State Agency Official

Mark GermanProgram Manager, Hazardous Sites CleanupPennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection230 Chestnut Street (814) 332-6648Meadville, PA 16335-3481 Fax:(814)332-6125

*F. Other Interested Parties

, Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce41 Chestnut StreetSharon, PA 16146 (724)981-5880

Shenango Valley Initiative786 East State Street (724) 346-4142Sharon, PA 16146 Fax:(724)346-4150

Westinghouse Sharon Retirees Associationc/o Dorothy Morris282 Sharpsville AvenueSharon, PA 16146 (724)346-3720

Shenango Valley Community Library11 North Sharpsville AvenueSharon, Pennsylvania 16146 (724) 981-4360

G. Media

NewspapersSharon HeraldNoel Carroll, EditorP.O. Box 51 (724)981-6100Sharon, PA 16146 Fax:(724)981-5116

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Youngstown VindicatorHarold Gwin, Editor (Sharon, PA) .P.O. Box 656 (724)346-4867Sharon, PA/16146 Fax:(724)346-3350

TelevisionWKBN-TV27Peter Speciale, News Director3930 Sunset Boulevard (330)782-1144Ypungstown,OH44512 Fax:(330)782-3504

WYTV-33Tom Mock, News Director3800 Shady Run Road (330)783-2930Youngstown, OH 44502 - 'v Fax:(330)782-6661

WYFM-TVMMora Alexander, News Directpr .101 West Boardman Street , (330) 744-8821,Youngstown, OH 44503 Fax:(330)742-2472

RadioWPIC RadioJoe Biro, News Director .2030 Pine Hollow Boulevard (724)346-4113Hermitage, PA 16148 Fax: (724) 981-4545

WKBNRadioPeter Speciale, News Directpr • . ,3930 Sunset Boulevard (330)782-1144Youngstown, OH 44512 , Fax:(330)782-3504

WWIZWL1FRadioSteve Charles, News DirectorP.O. Box 1120 (724)981-4580Hermitage, PA 16148 Fax:(724)981-9050

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o,Information Repositories

EPA has established a local information repository containing site-related information, as well as acopy of the Administrative Record File. The Administrative Record File contains materials usedby EPA to select the cleanup plan for the site. EPA places site-related documents in theAdministrative Record File as they are prepared and finalized. The community is encouraged toreview the information in the Administrative Record File at the address listed below.

Shenango Valley Community Library11 North Sharpsville AvenueSharon, Pennsylvania 16146

(724)981-4360

Hours: Monday - Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.Friday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Sunday 1:00 p,m. to 5:00 p.m.

EPA also maintains a copy of the Administrative Record File at the Region III office for publicreview. Please call in advance for an appointment.

i

U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyAdministrative Record Room

1650 Arch StreetPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania 19103

(215)814-3234

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Public Meeting Locations

EPA holds public meetings as significant events occur at the Westinghouse Sharon Site. Publicmeeting facilities are available at the locations listed below.

1 Case Avenue Elementary School36 Case Avenue

Sharon, Pennsylvania 16146(724)983-4015

Contact: William Dunsmore - Principal

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Public Meeting Locations

Sharon Municipal Building155 West Connelly BoulevardSharon, Pennsylvania 16146

(724)983-3220Contact: Mary Beth Fragle - Clerk

Sharon High School1129 East State Street

Sharon, Pennsylvania 16146(724)983-4034

Contact: Robert Alcaro - Principal

Other Information Sources . ' ,

Other information regarding EPA, Superfund and other programs is'available through thefollowing sources. - , . . • ( /

\J. • Center for Environmental Research InformationOffice of Research and Development Publications ,26 West Martin Luther King DriveCincinnati, Ohio 45268 ,(513)569-7562

• U.S. Environmental Protection AgencySuperfund Community Relations Hotline(800)553-2509 ,

• U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyBusiness Assistance Hotline ,(800)228-8711 .

• . National Technical Information Service .(to order EPA Superfund publications)(800)553-6847

• - - - . l '• EPA World Wide Web Site: http://www.epa.gov

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Administrative Order: An order issued by an agency, and entered into federal court, directingan individual, business or other entity to take corrective action(s) or refrain from a particularactivity at a site.

Administrative Record File: The official file containing the Remedial Investigation report, RiskAssessment, Feasibility Study and; all other documents that provide the basis for EPA's selectionof a remedial cleanup alternative at a Superfund site.

Chlorinated Solvents: An organic solvent containing chlorine atoms, commonly used in aerosolspray containers and in paint.

Cleanup: An action taken to deal with a release or threatened release of hazardous substancesthat could adversely affect public health and or the environment. The word cleanup is used torefer to both short-term removal actions and long-term remedial response actions at Superfundsites.

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA):CERCLA, known as Superfund, is a federal law passed in 1980 and modified in 1986 by theSuperfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA). CERCLA gives EPA the authority toinvestigate sites where there is a suspected threat to public health and or the environment causedby the release or potential release of hazardous substances. CERCLA also created a special taxon the chemical and petroleum industries. Money collected under the tax is deposited into a trustfund to be used to clean up abandoned or uncontrolled waste sites. Under the law, EPA can payfor site cleanup when the parties responsible for site contamination cannot be located or areunwilling or unable to perform the cleanup, or EPA can take legal action to force partiesresponsible for site contamination to clean up the site or pay back the federal government for thecost of the cleanup.

Consent Order: A legal document, approved by a judge, that formalizes an agreement betweenan agency and potentially responsible parties (PRPs), through which the PRPs agree to: conductall or a part of a cleanup action at a Superfund site; stop or correct actions or processes that arepolluting the environment; or otherwise comply with regulatory enforcement actions to resolvecontamination problems at a site.

Dielectric Fluid: A non-conducting, insulating substance which can maintain an electric field witha minimum amount of power loss. Commonly made up of a chemical mixture of non-flammableliquids and used in transformers and other electrical apparatus.

Diozin: A colorless and odorless substance which occurs throughout the environment as anunintended by-product of certain manufacturing processes and combustion activities. Dioxins are

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u- one of the more highly-toxic man-made chemicals. ,

Explanation of Significant Difference (ESD): EPA issues this formal explanation of significantchanges to the ROD. This occurs when the action, stated in the ROD changes due to additionalsite-specific information collected during treatability studies, or the implementation of the selectedremedy. .

Feasibility Study (FS): A study that identifies and screens site cleanup alternatives, and analyzesthe technologies and costs associated with these alternatives.

Groundwater: Fresh water usually located in geological formations beneath the earth's surfacecontaining fresh water aquifers. Groundwater is a major source of drinking water. .

i , . . .Hazard Ranking System (HRS): A scoring system used by EPA to evaluate sites based mainlyon the potential threat of hazardous substances spreading through groundwater, surface water andair. The HRS also takes into account other factors, such as the location of residents in relation tosites. An HRS score of 28.5 or higher qualifies a site for inclusion on the National Priorities List.

Information Repository: A collection of documents about a specific Superfund site and the (general Superfund process. EPA usually places the information repository in a public building thatis conveniently located, is accessible to the handicapped and contains a photocopying machine.

National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP): The federalregulation that guides the Superfund program, revised in 1990.

* " •National Priorities List (NPL): EPA's list of the nation's most serious uncontrolled orabandoned hazardous waste sites identified for possible long-term cleanup using Superfund 'money. EPA updates the NPL at least once a year.

Organic Compounds: Carbon-based chemicals commonly used as industrial solvents,degreasers, and fumigants. Can be classified as volatile (VOC) or semi*volatile (SVOC).

Poly chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): a group of toxic, persistent chemicals commonly used intransformers and capacitors for insulating purposes and in gas pipeline systems as a lubricant.

Proposed Remedial Action Plan (Proposed Plan): A Superfund site document that reviews thecleanup alternatives presented in the site Feasibility Study and identifies EPA's PreferredAlternative. EPA must actively solicit public review of, and comment on, all the alternativesunder consideration.

Public Comment Period: A period during which the public can review and comment on variousdocuments and EPA actions. For example, EPA holds a public comment period when it proposesto add sites to the NPL. EPA also holds a minimum 30-day public comment period to allowcommunity members to review and comment on Proposed Plans,

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Record of Decision (ROD); A public document that announces and explains the cleanupmethods EPA wilt use at an NPL site. The ROD is based on information and technical analysisgenerated during the Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study and on EPA's consideration ofcomments received .during the public comment period.

/Remedial Action (RA): The actual construction or implementation phase that follows theRemedial Design of the selected cleanup alternative at an NPL site.

Remedial Design (RD): An engineering phase that follows the ROD in which technical drawingsand specifications are developed for the remedial action at a site.

Remedial Investigation (RI): A study that identifies the nature and extent of site contaminationand determines the threat this contamination poses to human health and the environment.

Remedial Response: A long-term cleanup action that stops or greatly reduces a release orthreatened release of hazardous substances that is serious, but does not pose an immediate threatto public health or the environment

Removal Action: An immediate, short-term cleanup action that addresses a release or threatenedrelease of hazardous substances that does, or potentially could, pose an immediate threat to publichealth and/or the environment.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA): A federal law that established aregulatory system to track hazardous substances from the time of generation to disposal. The lawrequires that safe and secure procedures be used in treating, transporting, storing and disposing ofhazardous substances. RCRA is intended to prevent the creation of new, uncontrolled hazardouswaste sites.

Responsiveness Summary: A summary of oral and written comments that EPA receives duringthe public comment period, and EPA's responses to those comments. The ResponsivenessSummary is part of the ROD.

Risk Assessment: A study, normally conducted during the Remedial Investigation, that evaluatesand describes the risks to human health and the environment posed by site contamination. The riskassessment uses statistical models and mathematical calculations.

Sediment: Soil, sand and minerals washed from land into water, usually after rain.

Superfund: The name commonly used to refer to the Comprehensive Environmental Response,Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA).

Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA): Modifications to CERCLAenacted on October 17,1986.

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Surface Water: Ponds, lakes, rivers and other bodies of water naturally open to the atmosphere.

' " • • • ' ' ' -Technical Assistance Grant (TAG): An EPA grant of up to $50,000, which can be awarded toa bona fide citizens.group in a Superfund site area. The grant enables that group to hire atechnical expert to review and interpret site reports issued by EPA or other parties.

" \Treatability Study: A laboratory or field test designed'to provide data needed to evaluate andimplement a treatment technology.

Trichlorobenzene (TCB): An aromatic, colorless, organic liquid which is cqmrnonly used indyes; to make herbicides and other organic chemicals; as a solvent; as a wood preservative; and inabrasives.

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EPA provides Technical Assistance Grants (TAGs) of up to $50,000 as part of its SUperfundcommunity relations program. The TAG program enables citizens in a site area to hire a technicalexpert to review and interpret site reports generated by EPA or other parties. Completeinformation on TAGs is contained in an EPA document titled The Citizens' Guidance Manual forthe Technical Assistance Grants Program. This document is available at the local informationrepository designated in Appendix B of this Community Relations Plan. For additionalinformation on how to apply for a Technical Assistance Grant, contact:

Patrick Gaughan (3HS43)Community Involvement Coordinator

U.S. EPA - Region ffl1060 Chapiine StreetWheeling, WV 26003

(304) 234-0238e-mail: gaughan.patrick@epamail.epa.gov

EPA accepts applications for.TAGs as mandated by the Comprehensive Environmental Response,Compensation and Liability Act, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and ReauthorizationAct. Only one group per site can receive a TAG, so EPA urges local groups to join together toapply. The following are federal publications on the TAG program which can be obtained bycalling EPA's publications number: (800)553-6847.

• Resource Distribution for the Technical Assistance Grant ProgramOrder No, PB90-249459/CCE

• Superfund Technical Assistance Grant BrochureOrder No. PB90-273772/CCE

• Superfund Technical Assistance Grant HandbookOrder No. PB91-238592/CCE

• Update: Superfund Technical Assistance GrantsOrder No. PB90-273715/CCE

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Westinghouse Sharon Superfund Site

Sharon, Pennsylvania December 1996 - Fact Sheet

Westinghouse-SharonSuperfund Site

The former Westinghouse Electric SharonTransformer Plant (Westinghouse) sits ona 50-acre site along the Shenango River inSharon, Mercer County, Pennsylvania.;

During its operations from 1922 to 1985, Westinghousemanufactured and distributed electrical transformers.Between 1936 and 1976, Westinghouse used blends ofpolychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) andtrichlorobenzene in the manufacture of transformers atthe plantDuring operations in the late 1970s and early 1980s. tank which released over 6,000 gaUons of PCB-plant spills and occasional PCB surfacing occurred at the contaminated oil. Some of the spilled contaminated oilsite. As these incidents occurred. Westinghouse removed leakcd into sewers *« drained int° "» Pine Run uibutathe spilled materials and cleaned the contaminated areas. of me Shenango River PADER>S

that Westinghouse contained and cleaned up the spill.Currently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) and the Pennsylvania Department ofEnvironmental Protection (PADEP), are workingtogether with Westinghouse to study contamination at thesite and develop appropriate clean-up actions. PADEP,formerly known as the Pennsylvania Department ofEnvironmental Resources (PADER), conducted initialinvestigations at the site. In order to better address thecontamination, the site was divided into three areas; theNorth Sector, Middle Sector, and South Sector (see mapon page 2). This fact sheet contains an informationaltimeline detailing the site history and tells you whathappens next at the site.

"Wnenum

A Site Timeline History

PCBs became known as apossible human carcinogen.Westinghouse discontinued PCBuse and removed and incinerated48,000 gallons of PCBs and15,000 gallons of organicsolvents from the site.

December 1984PADER investigated a spill from an underground storage

Aoril 1985PADER issued an order to Westinghouse to determine thesources and amount of PCB-oil and industrial solventcontamination at the site.

ARMCO (Sawhill Tubular) purchased the North Sectorproperty and buildings at the site and remains in operationtoday. Although ARMCO found low to moderate levels ofPCBs inside and outside the buildings, ARMCO paved theoutside of the property and cleaned the inside of thebuildings.

November 1985 vEPA detected PCBs at two of the four locations whereWestinghouse discharged plant waste water into meShenango River. These discoveries caused concernbecause the Shenango Valley Water Company, supplier o*public drinking water to an estimated 75,000 people,water from the Shenango River downstream as its watersupply source. PCBs were also detected in river sedimentand fish near the public water source. ,

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Westinghouse Sharon Superfund Site , _____ December 1996

Site Timeline History (continued)- . ' ' • '• ' ' •' • ' '*•• . ' ' : ' . 'September 1988. February 1995Westinghouse found that site soils and ground water ' EPA announced that future owners of the Westinghousecontain hazardous substances, including PCBs and other ' property may be released from liabilities fororganic compounds. - environmental hazards that exist at the site.In anticipation of the site being listed on the National March 1995 .Priorities List (NPL), PADER and Westinghousc entered EPA collected samples from the Middle Sector building,into a Consent Order and Agreement, requiring still owned by Westinghouse, to check for PCBs andWestinghouse to implement a Remedial Investigation/ lead. Analyses found significant levels of bothFeasibility Study (RI/FS). contaminants in certain areas of the building.1989 April 1996American Industries purchased the "Y" building where it PADEP (formerly PADER) accepted the final Remedialremains in operation today. ^ Investigation Report produced by Westinghouse.August 199Q Julv 1996EPA added the site to the Superfund NPL. Westinghouse submitted a Screening-Level Ecological

Risk Assessment to address ecological concerns at theEPAissuedMiordertoWestinghouseRquiringthecompany to develop and implement a response actionplan for removing oil lying on top of ground water at the October 1996site. . EPA prepared a Baseline Risk Assessment for me

/ '-.nr ' * * _ «i i rnr x L j .u A m Middle Sector building which indicated significant( l Winner International (Winner) purchased the A/B .,_,.' _. t .^ ...VV. .... ,_ . _ .\ '* „_ . potential risk to workers who might occupy the vacant" building and sunounduig property. Winner removed f~ , :contaminated soil found under the building floor. m** .m. '_. ,nn- Westinriiouse submitted a baseline Human Health RiskMarch 1994 . *^ ;, . . ..«« L t j i-i- .- L ^ ' Assessment to address human health concernsEPA held a public meeting at the Case Avenue . . .. . . . ^. . «.jT-, . * t. , * j-. - • c.u « i • associated with the contamination at the site. This( Elementary School Auditorium in Sharon, Pennsylvania, J , . . . - . • . . n«nr^ ^i j. r-««. _i . «r .- . assessment currently is under review by PADEP andto discuss EPA's order to Westinghouse. *

- , . , ••,''•• EFA.

Westinghouse Site Layout Mi

I———\ South Sector ——^———| Middle Sector [——\ North Sector

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Westinghouse Sharon Superfund Site December 1996

What Happens Next?y L Westinghouse win develop a Feasibility Study^ 9 (FS) based on the Remedial Investigation (RI)

^ * !f"jl and Risk A586881115111 to evaluate andmmaamiSam compare possible clean-up methods for thesite. Following review of the draft Feasibility Study byPADEP and EPA, Westinghouse will make the necessaryrevisions.

'Next, EPA will develop the Proposed Remedial Action Plan(Proposed Plan). The Proposed Plan summarizes the findingsof the Remedial Investigation, the Risk Assessments, and theFeasibility Study for the Westinghouse site. It also explainsproposed clean-up alternatives and recommends a preferredalternative based on EPA's evaluation criteria (see box below).Following the release of the Proposed Plan, EPA will hold apublic comment period lasting a minimum of 30 days. Duringthis time, EPA will also hold a public meeting to discuss theProposed Plan and address the community's concerns.

After the public comment period ends and EPA has consideredall community input, EPA will issue a Record of Decision(ROD) for the Westinghouse Site. The ROD will announceEPA's final selection of a clean-up action. Following theROD, EPA will oversee implementation of the clean-up action.

EPA's Evaluation CriteriaEPA evaluates each alternative against the ninecriteria below to select a preferred clean-upalternative.• Overall protection of human health and theenvironment;

• Compliance with federal, state, and localrequirements;

* Long-term effectiveness;• Reduction of toxicity, mobility, or volumeof contaminants;• Short-term effectiveness:• Implemcntability;• Cost• Community acceptance; and• State acceptance

*Glossary

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) - a groupof toxic and persistent organic chemicals usedin electrical transformers, capacitors, and as aheat exchange fluid. Sales of PCBs fornew usewere discontinued in 1979. PCBs are possiblehuman carcinogens.

Remedial Investigation! Feasibility Study - atwo-part scientific report composed of the RIand FS. The RI determines the type and extentof contaminants present at the site and problemscaused by their release. The FS develops andevaluates options for site cleanup.

Carcinogen - a cancer-causing agent~.

Ground water- water found beneath the earth'ssurface.

National Priorities List (NPL) • EPA's list ofthe nation's most serious hazardous waste sitesthat are eligible to receive Federal money forclean-up action under Superfund.

Superfund - common name for theComprehensive Environmental ResponseCompensation and Liability Act (CERCLA).Enacted by Congress in 1980, Superfund givesEPA the authority to stop releases or potentialreleases of hazardous substances. It alsoprovides funding for clean up when responsibleparties are not able to do so.

Trichlorobenzene • chemical used in electricaltransformers, capacitors, and as a heatexchange fluid.

Risk Assessment - a means of estimating theamount of risk posed by a Superfund site tohuman health or the environment.

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Westinghouse Sharon Superfund Site _______. . . ____ December 1996

Information RepositoryEPA maintains a collection of documents called the

- Administrative Record File, which is located at theinformation repository. The Administrative Record Hiecontains information used for (he Westingjiouse Sharon Victor Janosik (3HW22)Administrative Record File « they are prepared and Remedial Project Manager*.,. j>, . . . . . . U.S. EPA Region fflflnilfarrt Community members are encouraged to review «-».»-« 6the information in the Administrative Record File. The

Shcnango Valley Community Library(formerly Buhl Henderson Library)

. ' Contact: Karen Spat11 North Sharpsville Avenue

Sharon, PA 16146412-981-4360

Monday-Thursday 10:00 ajn. to 8:00 pjn.Friday - Saturday 10:00 ajn. to 4:00 pjn.

Sunday 1:00 pjrt to 5:00 p.m

EPA/PADEP Contact InformationFor more information about the Westinghouse SharonSuperfund Site please contact one of the following EPAor PADEP officials:

841 Chestnut Building

Pa. Department of Environmental Protection. . Northwest Regional Office

230 Chestnut StreetMeadvillc.PA 16335

Patrick Gaughan (3HW43) 814-332-6648

Community Involvement'Coordinator. EPA Region m

410 Methodist BuildingWheeling. WV 26003

304-234-0238

• If you have questions or concerns about other issues, please contact John Armstead,C)rabucUinan,«t J-800-438-2474. If you haven EPAbusiness-reined question, please contact the EPA Business Assistance Information Hotline, 1-800-228-8711.

United StatesEnvironmental Protection AgencyRegion m (3HW43 - Gaughan)841 Chestnut BuildingPhiladelphia, PA 19107

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