EPA v. LORING AIR FORCE BASE

Case summary

09/22/22 The ESD formally adds in-situ enhanced bio-remediation treatment (ISEB) of residual source ground water contamination at the former Loring AFB Entomology Shop/Jet Engine Buildup Shop (ES/JEBS) South Plume and the Contractor Storage Shed (CSS) Plume within Groundwater Management Zone -1 (GMZ-1). The 1999 OU-12 Record of Decision for Base-Wide Groundwater established six (6) geographically distinct GMZs representing residual ground water contamination associated with past Air Force release/disposal activities. The selected remedy for OU-12 relies on; 1) monitored natural attenuation (MNA) of residual contaminated ground water, 2) establishment of land use control boundaries (i.e., GMZs) for ground water exceeding OU-12 remediation goals, and 3) provision of an alternate drinking water supply for properties within the GMZs until such time ground water RGs have been met. ISEB pilot studies were initiated in 2015 to evaluate the technology?s ability to improve the progress of ground water MNA within the ES/JEBS South Plume and CSS Plume within GMZ-1. The performance monitoring associated with the ISEB pilots validated the effectiveness of the technology in treating this residual ground water contamination and improving ground water restoration time frames within GMZ-1. 12/16/20 ESD Loring AFB OU-12: The ESD formally adds in-situ bio-sparging treatment of residual source contamination at the former Loring AFB Fire Training Area (FTA) site, GMZ-6 within Operable Unit -12 (OU-12). The 1999 OU-12 Record of Decision for Base-Wide Groundwater established six (6) geographically distinct GMZs representing residual ground water contamination associated with past Air Force release/disposal activities. The selected remedy for OU-12 relies on; 1) monitored natural attenuation (MNA) of residual contaminated ground water, 2) establishment of land use control boundaries (i.e., GMZs) for ground water exceeding OU-12 remediation goals, and 3) provision of an alternate drinking water supply for properties within the GMZs until such time ground water RGs have been met. A bio-sparging pilot study was initiated in 2014 to evaluate the technology?s ability to improve the progress of ground water MNA within GMZ-6. Since 2014, the bio-sparge system has been systematically scaled up over subsequent operational years to adequately treat residual areas of petroleum-related contamination. The performance monitoring associated with the bio-sparging pilot studies validated the effectiveness of the technology in treating this residual contamination and improving ground water restoration time-frames within GMZ-6. 03/28/2019 ROD amendment 10/21/2013: ESD Loring AFB Operable Unit 8 Soil Excavation

Defendants (1)

• LORING AIR FORCE BASENamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• LORING AIR FORCE BASE

  5100 TEXAS ROAD, LIMESTONE, ME, 047515000

  Registry ID: 110071101003

Statutes cited

• CERCLA 120E — Federal Facility Interagency Agreement

Enforcement conclusions (4)

• LORING AIR FORCE BASE (OU12)entered 2022-09-22

  Primary law: CERCLA

• LORING AIR FORCE BASE - OU12entered 2020-12-16

  Primary law: CERCLA

• LORING AIR FORCE BASEentered 2019-03-28

  Primary law: CERCLA

• LORING AIR FORCE BASEentered 2013-10-21

  Primary law: CERCLA

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 1990-09-28Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2006-09-16Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2022-09-22Final Order Issued