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Site Type: Site Awaiting NPL Decision (SAND) 
NORTH SMITHFIELD NIKE CONTROL AREA
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map of site |
| NORTH SMITHFIELD, Rhode Island |
| Providence County |
| Street Address: | 274 OLD OXFORD ROAD |
| Zip Code: | 02876 |
Congressional
District(s): |
01 |
| EPA ID #: | RID981064843 |
| Site ID #: | 0101363 |
| Site Alias: | |
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Description
The North Smithfield Nike Control Area property (property) is located at 274 Old Oxford Road in North Smithfield, Providence County, Rhode Island. Local tax assessment information is unknown. The 34-acre property is owned by the U.S. Air National Guard (ANG), and consists of an active communications-electronics unit. Ten buildings, one underground storage tank (UST), and nine aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) are located on the property. Most of the remainder of the property is paved, with the exception of small grassy areas. The property is located on a hill that is bordered to the south, north, and east by woodlands; and to the west by Old Oxford Road.
Land use prior to the 1950s is unknown. From the 1950s to 1972, the U.S. Army maintained a Nike missile radar control facility on the property. From 1972 to 1998, the ANG 102nd Air Control Squadron occupied the facility and operated an active radar unit providing mission control, identification, navigation/air rescue assistance, threat warning for friendly aircraft, and air traffic regulation. Spills and leaks of diesel fuel often occurred on the property. During ANG operations, hazardous wastes generated on the property included waste solvents or paint thinners [including 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA), toluene, ethylene glycol, PD-680, and xylene], oils, cleaners, and battery acid. Waste solvents and waste oils were stored in USTs or in barrels on the property. Solvents or paint thinners were used to control weeds on the property. Neutralized battery acid, paints, domestic cleaners, and possibly chlorinated solvents were discharged to a former leachfield. All other wastes were reportedly disposed of directly onto the ground surface, discharged to a leachfield via storm drains, or transported off site for disposal. In 1989, the on-site leachfield was removed and replaced by another leachfield located south of the property. In 1992, 133 tons of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH)-contaminated soil and a corroded UST, which formerly contained fuel, were removed from the property. In 1994, 15 older on-site buildings were demolished and replaced with 10 new buildings. In 1996, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) issued a Closure Certificate for the removal of eight USTs that formerly contained gasoline, diesel fuel, waste oil, or JP 5. In addition to the USTs, two oil/water separators were also removed in 1996. In 1998, the ANG 102nd Air Control Squadron was deactivated and replaced by a communications-electronics unit. Previous investigations of the property to date have included a Preliminary Assessment (PA) initiated in 1984 and completed in 1990; groundwater sampling by the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) between 1987 and 1998; source sampling by ANG personnel in August 1991; a Site Inspection (SI) completed in October 1991; a field investigation conducted by RIDEM in March 1992; surface soil sampling conducted by Trow Protze Consulting Engineers (TPCE) in 1992; groundwater sampling conducted by Pine & Swallow Associates, Inc. in May 1992; a subsurface investigation conducted by Triangle Engineering in 1993; a soil gas survey conducted by Aneptek Corporation in 1994/1995; and a Site Inspection Prioritization (SIP) completed in 1998.
The estimated population served by public and private groundwater drinking water supply wells located within 4-radial miles of the property is 20,790. The nearest public drinking water supply wells are located approximately 1.85 miles north of the property; the nearest private drinking water supply well is located on the property. Depth to groundwater is unknown. The property is located on a topographical high; therefore, groundwater most likely flows radially away from the property. Analytical results of groundwater samples collected from on-site monitoring and drinking water supply wells between 1984 and 1995 indicated the presence of TCA, trichloroethylene (TCE), benzene, xylenes, toluene, chromium, zinc, and TPHs. Analytical results of drinking water samples collected from nearby private drinking water supply wells from 1981 to 2000 indicated the presence of TCA, TCE, methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), ethyl benzene, toluene, xylene, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, and chloroform. As a result, nearby groundwater drinking water sources have been impacted. RIDEM is supplying bottled water to residents served by contaminated private drinking water supply wells.
Two surface water pathways exist. Stormwater runoff from the property is expected to flow north-northwest to Trout Brook or to the abutting woodlands. Additional water bodies located within 15-downstream miles of the property along both pathways include Trout Brook Pond, Slatersville Reservoir, Branch River, Blackstone River, Primrose Pond, Woonasquatucket River, Stillwater Reservoir, and Georgiaville Pond. No surface water drinking water intakes are located along the downstream pathway from the property. Sensitive environments located downstream of the property include a Clean Water Act (CWA)-protected water body, fisheries, 7.65 miles of wetland frontage, and an unknown number of Federally- and State-listed endangered or threatened species habitats. No sediment or surface water samples are known to have been collected from the surface water pathways relative to the property to date. As a result, potential impacts to sensitive environments located along the downstream pathways are unknown.
Approximately 20 and 350 employees work on the property during normal weekday and drill weekends, respectively. Approximately 610 people reside within 1-radial mile of the property. The nearest residence is located 700 feet (ft) southwest of the property. No terrestrial sensitive environments are located on the property. No schools or day-care facilities are located within 200 ft of the property. Access to the property is restricted by a perimeter fence and a gate. Analytical results of surface soil samples collected from the property from 1992 and 1994 indicated the presence of toluene, xylene, ethyl benzene, bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, butylbenzyl phthalate, TPHs, cadmium, chromium, lead, and zinc. Based on site observations and conditions, and property access restrictions, no impacts to nearby residential populations are suspected.
An estimated 40,051 people, 1,743 acres of wetlands, and an unknown number of Federally- and State-listed endangered or threatened species habitats occur within 4-radial miles of the property. No laboratory qualitative air samples are known to have been collected from the property. The soil gas survey conducted in 1994 by Aneptek indicated the presence of TCE, tetrachloroethylene (PCE), and other fuel-related compounds. Based on the available data, no impacts to nearby residential populations or sensitive environments are known or suspected.
Current Status
The North Smithfield Nike Control Area property is currently under a Department of Defense and State Memorandum of Agreement/Cooperative Agreement (DSMOA/CA) program. Under the program, a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study has been proposed to determine the nature, extent, and source of groundwater contamination in the area of the station, along with any appropriate remedial strategies.
Photos
Links to Other Information
Public Record Locations
EPA New England Records Center, One Congress Street, Boston, MA 02114 (617) 918-1440
Contacts
| Nancy Smith |
| Site Assessment Manager |
| Address: | One Congress Street, Suite 1100 (HBS)
Boston, MA 02114-2023 |
| Phone #: | 617-918-1436 |
| E-Mail Address: | smith.nancya@epa.gov |
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