Corrective Action Investigation Plan for Corrective Action Unit 340, Pesticide Release Sites, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada - Revision No.: 0 - January 1998

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Investigation Plan for Corrective Action Unit 340, Pesticide Release Sites, Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada Controlled Copy No.: Approved for public release; further distribution is authorized. U.S. Department of Energy

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This report has been reproduced directly from the best available copy. Available to DOE and DOE contractors from the Office of Scientific and Technical Information, P.O. Box 62, Oak Ridge, TN 37831; prices Available to the public from the National Technical Information Service, U.S. Department of Commerce, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA

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INVESTIGATION PLAN FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION UNIT 340, PESTICIDE RELEASE SITES, NEVADA TEST SITE, NYE COUNTY, NEVADA DOE Nevada Operations Office Las Vegas, Nevada Controlled Copy No.: Approved for public release; further distribution is authorized.

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This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States Government. Neither the United States Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or use fulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any spe cific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufac turer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recom mendation, or favoring by the United States Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or any agency thereof.

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INVESTIGATION PLAN FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION UNIT 340, PESTICIDE RELEASE SITES, NEVADA TEST SITE, NYE COUNTY, NEVADA Janet Appenzeller-Wing, Project Manager Industrial Sites Subproject Michael O. Giblin, Acting Project Manager Nevada Environmental Restoration Project

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Table of Contents List of Acronyms and Abbreviations.................................................................................................... vi 2.1.1 Location and Description of the Investigation Area(s)..............................6 2.2.1 CAS 23-21-01 Area 23 Quonset Hut 800.................................................. 13 2.2.2 CAS 23-18-03 Area 23 Skid Huts................................................................13 2.2.3 CAS 15-18-02 Area 15 EPA Farm Quonset Hut 15-11.............................14 2.5.1 CAS 23-21-01 Area 23 Quonset Hut 800.................................................. 16 2.5.2 CAS 23-18-03 Area 23 Skid Huts...............................................................16 2.5.3 CAS 15-18-02 Area15 EPA Farm Quonset Hut 15-11..............................18 2.5.4 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Requirements................... 18 3.1.2 Site-Specific Conceptual Model for Quonset Hut 800............................ 24 Page i of vii

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Table of Contents (Continued) 3.1.3 Site-Specific Conceptual Model for Skid Huts....................................... 24 3.1.4 Site-Specific Conceptual Model for Quonset Hut 15-11........................ 26 3.2 Contaminants of Potential Concern................................... .......................................27 3.3 Preliminary Action Levels........................................................................................... 27 3.4 Data Quality Objectives Process.................................................................................. 28 4.1 Two - Staged Sampling Strategy......................................................... ..................... 32 4.2 Sample Collection and Decontamination Procedures.............................................. 37 4.4 Contingency Subsurface Soil Sampling Methods.................................................... 38 6.0 Duration and Records Availability........................................................................................... 44 Appendix A - Data Quality Objectives Process Summary Page ii of vii

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Table of Contents (Continued) A.5.0 Inputs: Information Needed to Resolve the Decisions...................................................... A-8 A.6.0 Define the Study Boundaries and Constraints................................................................... A-9 A.7.5 Sampling methods and investigative approach..................................................... A-12 Page iii of vii

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List of Figures Number Title Page 1-1 Location of the Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada..................................................... 2 1-2 General Location of the Area 23 and Area 15 Pesticide Release Sites............................. 3 2-1 General Layout of Area 23 Quonset Hut 800 Investigation Area......................................7 2-2 Location of the Area 23 Quonset Hut 800 and Skid Huts Investigation Areas.............. 8 2-3 General Layout of the Area 23 Skid Huts Investigation Area............................................. 9 2-4 General Layout of the Area 15 Quonset Hut 15-11 Investigation Area..........................10 2-5 Area 23 Quonset Hut 800 Preliminary Surface-Soil Sample Locations 2-6 Area 23 Skid Huts Preliminary Surface-Soil Sample Locations August 27, 1997 ... 19 2-7 Area 15 Quonset Hut 15-11 Preliminary Surface-Soil Sample Locations 4-1 Area 23 Quonset Hut 800 Planned Sample Locations................................. ...................34 4-2 Area 23 Skid Huts Planned Sample Locations.................................................................. 35 4-3 Area 15 Quonset Hut 15-11 Planned Sample Locations...................................................36 Page iv of vii

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Page v of vii List of Tables Number Title Page 1-1 References and Supporting Documentation for the Corrective Action Investigation Plan for CAU 340 by Topic..........................................................................5 2-1 Area 23 Quonset Hut 800 Summary of the Preliminary Sampling Analytical Results for June 9, 1994, for Total Pesticides................................................................. 18 2-2 Area 23 Skid Huts Summary of Preliminary Sampling Analytical Results August 27,1997 for Selected Parameters........................................................................20 2-3 Area 15 Quonset Hut 15-11 Summary Preliminary Sampling Analytical Results for September 30,1997 Total Pesticides and Herbicides..............................................22 3-1 Explanation of Various Aspects that may Potentially Affect or Impact the Corrective Action Site Conceptual Models...............................................................25 3-2 Laboratory Analytical Requirements for the CAU 340 Pesticide Release Sites..........29 3-3 Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure Analytical Requirements for the CAU 340 Pesticide Release Sites.......................................................................... 31 5-1 Action Levels for Investigation-Derived Waste Contaminants......................................41 A. 1 -1 Data Quality Objectives Process Participants and Roles..............................................A-2 A.5-1 Inputs for the Decision Making Process........................................................................A-8

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Page vi of vii List of Acronyms and Abbreviations AEC U.S. Atomic Energy Commission bgs Below ground surface CADD Corrective Action Decision Document CAIP Corrective Action Investigation Plan CAS Corrective Action Site(s) CAU Corrective Action Unit(s) COPC Contaminant(s) of potential concern DOE U.S. Department of Energy DOE/NV U.S. Department of Energy, Nevada Operations Office DOT U.S. Department of Transportation DQO Data Quality Objective(s) EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ERD Environmental Restoration Division FFACO Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order ft3/s Cubic feet per second HASP Health and Safety Plan HWAA Hazardous Waste Accumulation Area IT International Technology Corporation

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Page vii of vii List of Acronyms and Abbreviations (Continued) H’g/L Micrograms per liter MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet NAC Nevada Administrative Code NDEP Nevada Division of Environmental Protection NEPA National Environmental Policy Act NTS Nevada Test Site NTSWAC Nevada Test Site Waste Acceptance Criteria PAL Preliminary Action Level(s) Q800 Area 23 Quonset Hut 800 Q15-11 Area 15 EPA Farm Quonset Hut 15-11, Pesticide Storage Area QA/QC Quality assurance and quality control QAPP Quality Assurance Project Plan RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act SAA Satellite Accumulation Area svoc Semivolatile organic compound(s) TCLP Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure VOC Volatile organic compound(s)

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The Corrective Action Investigation Plan (CAIP) for Corrective Action Unit (CAU) 340, Pesticide Release Sites, at the Nevada Test Site (NTS) has been developed in accordance with the Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) that was agreed to by the U.S. Department of Energy, Nevada Operations Office (DOE/NV); the State of Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP); and the U.S. Department of Defense. Corrective Action Unit 340 consists of the following three Corrective Action Sites (CAS): • CAS 23-21-01, Area 23 Quonset Hut 800 Pesticide Release Ditch • CAS 23-18-03, Area 23 Skid Huts Pesticide Storage • CAS 15-18-02, Area 15 Quonset Hut 15-11 Pesticide Storage The CAU was originally identified in the FFACO as having only a single CAS, the Quonset Hut 800 site. However, during the Data Quality Objectives process for the CAU, other sites were identified for possible inclusion into the CAU based on similar historical use and the release of pesticides and herbicides. Preliminary sampling at these sites indicated their presence. Therefore, as a logical and cost-effective approach, the Area 23 Skid Hut and the Area 15 Quonset Hut 15-11 sites were proposed by DOE/NV for inclusion into CAU 340 at the FFACO quarterly meeting in November 1997. The inclusion of these sites was approved by the NDEP on December 1,1997. At Area 23 Quonset Hut 800, contaminants of potential concern (COPCs) were released through pesticide and herbicide container rinsing practices associated with a nearby steam-cleaning pad. Rinsate was contained in a solids/oil separator; however, overflow from the separator resulted in release to a ditch at the site. The Area 23 Skid Huts were used for pesticide and herbicide storage and container rinsing, resulting in release of COPCs from spills and from disposal of rinsate. The Area 15 Quonset Hut 15-11 was historically used for pesticide and herbicide storage; COPCs were likely released through spills. The COPCs consist mainly of pesticides and herbicides with potential for other volatile organic compounds, semivolatile organic compounds, and petroleum hydrocarbon products that may have been components of or additives to the pesticides and herbicides.

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To support the Data Quality Objectives process, conceptual site models for the CASs were developed. The following general model elements apply to all three sites: • The future uses of the area will probably be similar to current uses. • Groundwater impacts are not expected because of the large depth to groundwater • Environmental conditions at the site are not conducive to significant downward migration of COPCs (i.e., arid climate, high evaporation rates, soil type, and generally low permeabilities). • The extent of COPCs is localized, and vertical and lateral migration is not significant. • The most likely exposure pathway is inhalation of dust containing COPCs from excavation activities by site workers (e.g., heavy equipment, shovels, drilling). Site-specific conceptual models for the individual CASs are presented in Section 3.0 of the CAIP. The sampling investigations are designed to test each of the conceptual models; contingencies or rescoping points are identified for site-specific or contaminant-specific conditions that fall outside the The sampling approach consists of a two-staged investigation. The first stage is designed to evaluate the nature and extent of COPCs throughout the. investigation area on a wide scale and at expected worst-case locations. Samples collected for laboratory analysis during the first stage will be analyzed for a broad suite of parameters. The second stage will be scoped based on the results of Stage I sampling. For example, sampling depth, parameters, and sampling methods may be reduced or expanded in Stage II as justified by Stage I results. Field-screening methods will be used to detect volatile organic compounds, semivolatile compounds, total petroleum hydrocarbons, and some pesticides in soil samples. Radiological surveys will also be conducted at each investigation site. All wastes generated during this investigation will be managed under applicable federal, state, and local regulations and requirements. Details of the waste management plan for the CAU are included in Section 5.0 of the CAIP. Investigation-derived waste soil will be containerized and managed within the investigation area until a final waste determination can be made.

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Under the FFACO, the CAIP will be submitted to the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection by March 31,1998. The field investigation will be conducted following NDEP approval of the CAIP, and the results of the field investigation will be used to support an evaluation of corrective action alternatives in the Corrective Action Decision Document.

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This Correction Action Investigation Plan (CAIP) has been developed in accordance with the Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO) that was agreed to by the U.S. Department of Energy, Nevada Operations Office (DOE/NV); the State of Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP); and the U.S. Department of Defense. As required by the FFACO (1996), this document provides or references all of the specific information for planning investigation activities associated with three Corrective Action Sites (CASs) located at the Nevada Test Site (NTS) (Figure 1-1). These CASs are collectively known as Corrective Action Unit (CAU) 340, Pesticide Release Sites. According to the FFACO, CASs are sites that may require corrective action(s) and may include solid waste management units or individual disposal or release sites. These sites are CAS 23-21-01, Area 23 Quonset Hut 800 (Q800) Pesticide Release Ditch; CAS 23-18-03, Area 23 Skid Huts Pesticide Storage; and CAS 15-18-02, Area 15 Quonset Hut 15-11 Pesticide Storage The purpose of this CAIP for CAU 340 is to direct and guide the investigation for the evaluation of the nature and extent of pesticides, herbicides, and other contaminants of potential concern (COPCs) that were stored, mixed, and/or disposed of at each of the CASs. The CAU was originally identified in the FFACO as having only a single CAS, the Quonset Hut 800 site. However, during the Data Quality Objectives (DQO) Process for the CAU, other sites were identified for possible inclusion into the CAU based on similar historical use and release of pesticides and herbicides. Preliminary sampling at these sites indicated the presence of pesticides and/or herbicides. Therefore, as a logical and cost-effective approach, the Area 23 Skid Huts site and the Area 15 Quonset Hut 15-11 were proposed by DOE/NV for formal inclusion in CAU 340 at the November 1997 FFACO quarterly meeting. This proposal was agreed to and approved by the NDEP This CAIP was developed using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) DQO process to clearly define the objectives for the CAS investigations (EPA, 1994). The DQO process aids in the

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> Test Range area ■ Road or Highway Location of the Nevada Test Site, Nye County, Nevada

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Page 3 of 491 Iff 00' Nevada Test Site boundary General Location of the Area 23 and Area 15 Pesticide Release Sites

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development of investigative decisions and inputs to ensure data will be of sufficient quality and quantity to support defensible corrective action decisions. At the same time, the investigation developed should reduce data collection costs by eliminating unnecessary, duplicative, or overly precise data (FFACO, 1996). The results of the DQO process are presented in Appendix A and include the DQO methodology and its application to this plan. The scope of this CAIP is to describe the overall investigation strategy, sampling and analytical methods, and data needs that will be used to guide the CAS investigations. The investigations will include the collection of soil samples and evaluation of the analytical data to identify the nature and extent of COPCs and resolve the DQO problem statement (i.e., insufficient data exist to make This section provides a matrix of FFACO requirements and indicates where these requirements are met in the CAIP or in other available documents (Table 1-1) (FFACO, 1996).

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References and Supporting Documentation for the Corrective Action Investigation Plan for CAU 340 by Topic Topic Reference to CAIP Section or Document Project Management Project Management Plan. Rev. 0. Environmental Restoration Investigation Duration - Section 6.0 Technical Aspects CAIP - Sections 3.0, 4.0, and Appendix A Quality Assurance/Quality Control Industrial Sites Quality Assurance Project Plan (DOE/NV, Health and Safety Health and Safety Plan. Environmental Restoration Project Site-Specific Health and Safety Plan (to be prepared prior to Public Involvement Public Involvement Plan, Appendix V, FFACO (none specifically planned for this CAIP) (FFACO, 1996) Field Sampling CAIP - Section 4.0 Waste Management CAIP - Section 5.0 Duration of Investigation CAIP - Section 6.0

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The NTS is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) research and development facility that has historically been associated with above-and below ground nuclear weapons testing. Corrective Action Unit 340 is located at the NTS, which is about 88 kilometers (55 miles) northwest of Las Vegas, The following provides the CAS locations, description of the investigation areas, and general physical and ambient aspects of each site. 2.1.1 Location and Description of the Investigation Area(s) The Q800 and Skid Huts are located in Area 23, the southern part of the NTS, while Q15-11 is located in Area 15, the northern part of the NTS (Figure 1-2). The investigation area for CAS Q800 (Figure 2-1) includes the entire length of the ditch that extends from the edge of the solids/oil separator southward approximately 150 meters (m) (500 feet [ft]) to an intersecting flood control channel. The …