STATEMENT: PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION FOR THE BENEFIT OF ANDERSON, INDIANA.  WITHOUT IT WE WON'T KNOW ANDERSON'S PLANS AND TIMING FOR PROVIDING RESIDENTS SAFE WATER.

TO: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5

ATTN: Ruth Muhtsun, Community Involvement Coordinator

RE: Request to Form Community Advisory Group pursuant to EPA Guidance OLEM 9230.0-38

CAG: ANDERSON COMMUNITY ADVISORY GROUP hereinafter called the ANDERSON CAG

STATEMENT OF CONCERN
We, the undersigned residents of Anderson, Indiana, and Madison County, are directly affected by contamination from the Broadway Street Corridor Superfund Site (EPA ID: INN000510915), which was added to the National Priorities List in September 2018.

And since 1992, chlorinated volatile organic compounds have contaminated groundwater in our community at levels at or above Safe Drinking Water Act Maximum Contaminant Levels. Therefore, the petitioners feel that Anderson strongly needs a Community Advisory Group to engage with the EPA in collaboration with the city of Anderson.

URGENT DEVELOPMENTS REQUIRING IMMEDIATE CAG FORMATION
Recent developments demonstrate the critical need for immediate community involvement and awareness:

Contamination Severity Confirmed: In November 2025, Anderson admitted to state regulators (IURC Cause No. 46171) that all Ranney wells contain PFAS and VOCs above EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels, production capacity has dropped 70%, and the city's water loss rate is 39% (which regulators called "unacceptable").

Official Superfund Designation: Mayor Thomas Broderick Jr. testified to state regulators that "wells supplying water to the plant are in a federal 'super fund' site and production has dropped by 50%."

Massive Remediation Underway: City has been authorized to borrow $130 million for well replacement and infrastructure improvements, with a 2029 EPA compliance deadline for PFAS remediation.

Lack of Community Involvement: Despite the scale of contamination and remediation efforts, no formal community oversight structure or involvement exists. Residents learn about water quality issues through regulatory filings rather than direct communication.

On-going Litigation: As of October 2025, at least 600 residents had filed lawsuits related to water contamination in Anderson, demonstrating widespread community concern, and further, the urgent need for organized citizen representation with the city.

FORMAL CAG REQUEST
Pursuant to federal policy, we formally request that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:

1. RECOGNIZE AND SUPPORT FORMATION OF A COMMUNITY ADVISORY GROUP (CAG)
We request EPA assistance in establishing a CAG for the Broadway Street Corridor Superfund site, including:

• Scheduling a CAG Information Meeting within 30 days to introduce the CAG concept to the broader Anderson community
• Providing guidance on appropriate CAG size and composition to ensure diverse representation
• Assisting with solicitation of CAG nominees from affected community members
• Facilitating the selection process for CAG members
• Supporting CAG operations as outlined in EPA guidance

2. PROVIDE ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
As specified in EPA Guidance OLEM 9230.0-138, we request EPA provide:

 Assistance arranging and documenting CAG meetings

• Preparation and distribution of meeting notices and agendas
• Duplication of site-related documents for CAG review
• Maintenance of CAG mailing and distribution lists
• Translation services if needed for non-English speaking community members
• Meeting facilitation support
• Technical briefing materials
• Site tours for CAG members

3. ENSURE MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION
We request that EPA commit to:

● Providing CAG members with advance copies of all proposed plans, feasibility studies, and remedy selection documents

● Allowing adequate review time (minimum 30 days) for CAG comments on key documents

● Formally responding to CAG concerns and recommendations in writing

● Including CAG representatives in site meetings and decision-making discussions

● Holding public meetings at convenient times and accessible locations in Anderson

● Maintaining transparent communication throughout the investigation and cleanup process

4. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANT (TAG) ELIGIBILITY
We request information and application materials for a Technical Assistance Grant of up to $50,000 to enable the CAG to hire independent technical advisors to:

● Review and interpret EPA's Remedial Investigation data

● Evaluate proposed cleanup alternatives

●  Attend meetings and provide expert testimony

CAG GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Anderson CAG will:

1.     Monitor EPA's Superfund Investigation: Provide community involvement and oversight of EPA's remedial investigations thus providing transparency throughout the process.

2.     Facilitate Direct EPA Communication: Establish clear communication channels between affected residents and EPA decision-makers throughout the investigation and cleanup process.

3.     Promote Community Engagement: Provide a structured forum for citizen participation in all environmental decision-making processes affecting our community.

4.     Monitor Compliance with Federal Requirements: Ensure EPA and responsible parties adhere to CERCLA requirements, National Contingency Plan procedures, and community involvement mandates.

5.     Protect Surface Waters: Request the EPA provide all available information relating to contamination plumes current known locations as well as potential plume migration.  With this information, ANDERSON CAG, assisted by experts in geology and environmental science, can advocate for comprehensive environmental protection measures.

LEGAL AUTHORITY
This petition is submitted pursuant to:

1.     EPA Guidance for Supporting Community Advisory Groups at Superfund Sites (OLEM 9230.0-138, December 2020)

2.     Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq., which mandates meaningful public participation in Superfund cleanup decisions

3.     National Contingency Plan (40 C.F.R. § 300), requiring community involvement throughout the Superfund process

CAG DUTIES TO RESIDENTS
The proposed Broadway Street Corridor Community Advisory Group will serve as a public forum for Anderson residents to:

1.     Receive timely information about site investigations and cleanup activities

2.     Present community concerns and preferences to EPA decision-makers

3.     Review and comment on technical documents and proposed remedies

4.     Ensure cleanup protects public health and the environment

5.     Monitor long-term effectiveness of remediation measures

6.     Advocate for our community's best interests throughout the Superfund process

COMMUNITY SUPPORT
The signatures below demonstrate strong community interest in forming a CAG and participating meaningfully in decisions affecting our health, safety, and environment.

SIGNATURE SECTION
I support the formation of a Community Advisory Group for the Broadway Street Corridor Superfund Site.