EPA Seeks Public Comments on Proposed Cleanup Plan for Chevron Release in Chillum, Md.

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced its proposed cleanup remedy for the gasoline release that occurred at a former Chevron service station in Chillum, Md., and which impacted the adjacent community in Washington D.C. known as Riggs Park. A 60-day comment period begins today and ends Oct. 29.

To answer residents’ questions about the plan, representatives from EPA and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry will be available from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 6, at the Jessica LaSalle Elementary School at 501 Riggs Road NE, Washington, D.C. EPA also will hold a public meeting from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., following the availability and poster session, at the same location.

“EPA recognizes the level of concern about this site and the selection and implementation of the proposed remedy,” said Donald S. Welsh, mid-Atlantic regional administrator. “That’s why we are holding these informational sessions and offering a 60-day public comment period. All of the comments will be considered in making a final decision.”

The proposed remedy includes cleaning up the contaminated ground water resulting from the Chevron release by expanding the existing groundwater remediation system that is operating in Maryland by installing additional recovery wells at an angle across Eastern Ave. Since, the drinking water supply for the area is from a public water supply, there is no known risk to the drinking water from the underground contamination.

The proposed remedy also includes preventing exposure of subsurface gasoline vapor into homes by installing individual vapor mitigation systems in homes above the plume where measured vapor concentrations exceed EPA’s remediation standards.

Public comments on the proposed remedy or a request for a public hearing on the proposal can be sent to EPA Project Manager Andrew Fan, U.S. EPA - 3WC23, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, by fax to 215-814-3113, or by email to fan.andrew@epa.gov. The proposed plan is online at www.epa.gov/reg3wcmd/pdf/ChillumSB-8-22.pdf.