Community input was an important factor in the final decision on groundwater cleanup methods at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). Based on input received during the public comment period, several changes were made to the originally proposed remedy. The revised remedy is documented in the Operable Unit III Record of Decision (ROD), which is expected to be signed by the regulators in the fall of 1999.
Early community input
Community members had an opportunity early in the decision-making process to provide input on the alternatives being considered for groundwater cleanup. In response to this early public input, the Lab evaluated two additional alternatives, one of which was incorporated into the final cleanup remedy.
Comments sought on remedy
On March 1, the Lab distributed the proposed groundwater cleanup plan for public comment. The Lab held three information sessions and a public meeting in March to provide information about the proposed groundwater cleanup remedy and to solicit input. A total of 75 members of the public attended these four events.
In addition, Brookhaven sought comments from the Community Advisory Council (CAC), an independent group that was formed to provide input directly to Laboratory management on issues of concern to the community. On this council, 32 individuals and organization representatives with a broad range of perspectives work together to learn about Laboratory activities and provide advice to Laboratory management.
The CAC and other stakeholders requested an extension of the public comment period to allow additional time to review the large volume of material. In response to these requests, DOE granted a 30-day extension.
Comments received
The focus of the CAC meeting in April was the proposed groundwater cleanup plan. At this meeting, BNL, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Suffolk County Department of Health Services (SCDHS) representatives answered questions from CAC members. By the end of the meeting, the CAC had reached consensus on a formal recommendation. Their recommendations were:
In total, twenty-eight written comments on the groundwater cleanup plan were received during the public comment period. Concerns included the length of time required for cleanup, the volume and complexity of the cleanup reports, and a perceived decline in area property values. Concern was also voiced about the limited studies of groundwater in the deeper Magothy aquifer. Several comments requested additional treatment systems to address VOCs migrating towards the Carmans River. Also, there were concerns about the potential health impact of airborne emissions from the existing and planned groundwater treatment systems. Responses to all comments are included in the Responsiveness Summary, which is part of the final Record of Decision.
Response to comments
In response to public and regulator comments, the final remedy differs from the remedy proposed in March in four ways:
In order to be finalized, the Record of Decision must be signed by DOE and EPA, and concurred with by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. This will be an important milestone in the Lab's environmental cleanup program and will clear the way for construction of additional on- and off-site cleanup systems.
What's next
After the Record of Decision is signed, it will be available to the public in local libraries. At that point, the design phase of the cleanup can begin and the details of the groundwater cleanup will be finalized. These details include specific treatment system locations, numbers of wells to be installed and groundwater monitoring requirements. All groundwater treatment systems are expected to be operational by the year 2006 or earlier.