2/11/1997 FINANCE COMMITTEE Minutes

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7 January 1997 Mashpee Board of Health Town Hall Masphee, MA 02649 Gentlemen At one of the board's meetings late last year, the environmental firm representing Augat made a presentation of the results of the field investigation to define the plume of chlorinated solvent contamination emanating from the Augat facility in Mashpee. I have some thoughts and concerns that I would like to share with the board at this time. The limits of the plume were defined based on the results of a series of monitoring wells. The contractor only presented two lateral cross sections of the plume. As depicted, considering the vertical scale utilized in the fancy laminated plans, the actual magnitude of the plume tended to be minimized due to the estimated depth to bedrock. When questioned whether an axial cross-section had been prepared, the answer was no. This is an important piece of information as it would show the vertical relationship of the plume to the ground surface and ground water table along it's entire length from the source area beneath the facility, under the homes until ultimately its discharge point at Shoestring Bay (their statement). This missing piece is important as it would allow an evaluation of potential receptor pathways, information that one would need to determine the risks associated with allowing a portion of the plume to naturally attenuate. Augat's contractor, is preparing a remedial action plan for submittal to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). That plan, they said, was to be submitted this month to the DEP for review. The contractor, acting as a licensed site professional (LSP) in accordance with the requirements of.the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (which sets the guidelines for response actions when a release of hazardous material has occurred) proposes the remedial solution to the problem. No public meeting or public input is required. If DEP looks it over and all the MCP requirements have been addressed, the DEP will let Augat know that the plan is acceptable or needs modification. First question is "does the Board of Health get a copy of the plan?" The presentation at the meeting informed those in attendance that the plan they were looking at proposed using an air sparging system to cleanup the first 1500 feet of the plume extending from the Augat facility towards the area of Sampson's Mill Road. The remainder of the plume would then be allowed to flow unimpeded and discharge to the Shoestring Bay. This was because the concentration levels of the solvents, although an order of magnitude above the maximum contaminant levels for drinking water would not pose a risk if released into the bay.