Controlled Correspondence For REGION 6 1 CONTROL NO: — R6-0200161 ORIG. DUE DATE: 09/12/2002 FILE CODE: 127 State, Local, Tribal and International Non-Elected Officials STATUS: CLOSED ‘CORRES. DAT! 08/15/2002 RECEIVED DATE: ‘08/22/2002 ASSIGNED DATE: 08/22/2002 CLOSED DAT! (09/26/2002 CARLOS M. RAMIREZ, P.E,, COMMISSIONER INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY & WATER COMMISSION UNITED STATES. AND MEXICO COOKE/GREGG A EPA-R6 SUBJECT: AMERICAN CANAL RELINING PROJECT AND POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF THE AMERICAN DAM COMPLEX ASSIGNED: COPIES OF INCOMING PROVIDED TO: 6RA, 6RD, 6RC, 6XA SIGNATU R6 COMMENT: REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR - GREGG A COOKE RG INSTRUCTIONS: Lead - Please return to Jan Wilson, XA, X7331, for control, Assigned Date Assigned Code7Status | Date Completed by | Date Rewrned To Assignee RG: [adler (872372002 RETION (9748/2002 (0871872002 (6en (0872272002 | Provide input to fead | 0974972002 ‘09/19/2002 ‘oD 08/22/2002 | Provide input tolead | 09/24/2002 09/24/2002 lore 08/22/2002 | Provide input to lead | 09/24/2002 09/24/2002 ‘awa 08/22/2002 | Provide input to lead | 09/31/2002 09/24/2002 l6ew (09/18/2002 ACTION 09/24/2002 (09/26/2002 lene 09/24/2002 cONcUR 09/24/2002 09/24/2002 lexa 09/24/2002, concur 09/25/2002 09/25/2002 l6Ra 09/25/2002 SIGNATURE 09/26/2002 09/26/2002 (Untitled)they 8 Ste UNO a hoe HUN Or oes RH ane oe wey aad Ie TEM = i ioe A Pome eae ered Loa»ny, UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY a REGIONS SZ i 1445 ROSS AVENUE, SUITE 1200 oe DALLAS, TX 75202-2733 SEP 25 2002 Mr. Carlos M. Ramirez, P.E. Commissioner International Boundary and Water Commission 4171 N. Mesa St., Suite 310 El Paso, TX 79902 * Subject: American Canal Relining Project and Possible Contamination of the American Canal (ates Dear Mr ez: Thank you for your letter of August 16, 2002, informing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of your concems regarding contamination from Asarco which may result in increased construction costs to your canal Project. EPA has discussed the matter with your staff, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), and Asarco. Asarco is under a State order and a joint Federal and State judicial consent decree to remedy contamination stemming from its smelting operations. EPA and the TCEQ met in El Paso with Asarco on September 9, 2002, and with members of the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) on September 10, 2002, to address the matter of contamination and hhow to remedy the problem. Asarco has agreed in principle to accept contaminated soils and ground water from your construction project and to treat them as part of their overall remedial activities. The details of this work will require direct communication and coordination between the IBWC and Asarco. It is EPA's understanding that IBWC is developing a Memorandum of Understanding with Asarco to formalize the work to be performed. The final remedy to the problem will have to be approved by TCEQ, which is the lead agency for remediation under the consent decree, EPA is ready to assist the IBWC as needed. Should you wish to discuss this matter further please contact Mr. Robert Wilkinson of my staff at (214) 665-8316. Sincerely yours, Bl CL (© Gregg A. Cooke Regional Administrator ‘ acyeincPecycabl «Peed wah Vegwabe O¥ Based Ikon 100% acyl Pape (40% Pstomoumer