US Environmental Protection Agency Requesting Public Comments on Olin Corporation Facility Cleanup Plan

CHICAGO (May 25, 2021) -- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will be accepting comments on the proposed cleanup plan for the Olin Corporation Facility in East Alton, Illinois. EPA has prepared a document called a Statement of Basis under the authority of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, or RCRA, to explain the proposed final cleanup plan for contaminated soil, sediment and groundwater at the facility. Comments on the cleanup document, or Statement of Basis, will be accepted from May 26 to July 25. The Statement of Basis can be obtained online at www.epa.gov/hwcorrectiveactionsites/hazardous-waste-cleanup-olin-corporation-east-alton-illinois and in person at the following locations:

EPA's proposed cleanup plan will address sources of contamination on the facility property where scrap ammunition, clay shooting targets, explosive residues, and other wastes were disposed of on soil. Under a Soil Management Plan, enforced through EPA's administrative order, Olin will have to prevent unauthorized digging and require sampling and protective equipment when doing work in these areas.

Areas of stockpiled ballistic sand at the facility are also addressed in EPA's proposed cleanup plan. Ballistic sand is sand used to stop ammunition during weapons testing and is often contaminated with lead and other metals. Olin will remove the top foot of contaminated soil in these areas and install a cap made of a low-permeability material to prevent future exposure to contamination.

EPA's proposed cleanup plan at the facility will also include:

• Removing contaminated sediment from two stormwater collection ponds and disposing in an off-site landfill
• Continued operation of an oil skimmer system where accumulated oil is pumped into a container for off-site disposal
• Groundwater monitoring for at least one year after completing the previous remedies to ensure conditions are stable at the facility
• Legal restrictions to limit the use of groundwater on the property for industrial purposes and to prevent use of groundwater for drinking

The Statement of Basis also includes an Environmental Covenant to manage long-term care for the site after cleanup. Through the agreement, Olin will perform ongoing maintenance and certify annually they're complying with the selected cleanup. The Environmental Covenant will stay with the property indefinitely with continual oversight by EPA.

EPA will select a final cleanup plan for the facility after it reviews comments received during the public comment period. EPA may modify the proposed remedy or select another remedy based on any new information or public comments.

Questions about the cleanup plan can be directed to Zack Sasnow ([email protected]), U.S. EPA Project Manager or 312-886-0258

Comments can be submitted to:

Your input is important. If you are unable to access the Statement of Basis or have any problem submitting your comment, please contact Ruth Muhtsun ([email protected]) or 312-886-6595.

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