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Otero County Asbestos

Notices  Posted Category
Initial Response 9/16/2020 01 Background

Municipal and county officials identified properties that pose a threat to public health and the environment and requested State and EPA assistance. EPA conducted a removal site evaluation in July 2020 identifying 2 properties that met the criteria from EPA to initiate a time-critical removal action.
Site Description 9/16/2020 01 Background
This time-critical removal action involves the cleanup and proper disposal of debris from partially collapsed residential houses that are burned, abandoned, and known to contain non-friable asbestos. Two non-contiguous properties which contained the remnants of former residential structures that had burned and two trailers that are missing exterior walls. An evaluation determined that non-friable asbestos-containing material (ACM) is present in building materials and debris scattered throughout both properties. There has been a release of friable asbestos to the environment from the ACM at both properties. These properties are in rural neighborhoods with other residences located nearby.
Response Objectives 9/16/2020 02 Sept. 8 - Sept. 12
  1. Safely remove asbestos material and debris from all properties.
  2. Transport asbestos contaminated material to an approved off site disposal facility. 
  3. Keep stakeholders informed of response actions.
Response Operations 9/16/2020 02 Sept. 8 - Sept. 12

Property #1:

EPA ERRS contractor mobilized to the site on September 8th, along with an excavator, skid steer and front end loader. Demolition began and completed on September 9th.  The approved landfill was closed for several days due to the weather, so demolition debris was properly staged on site for later disposal. 

Property #2

EPA ERRS contractor mobilized to the second property on September 9th and began demolition activities on September 10th.  The ACM was located in the window glazing, and prior to demolition activites, the windows were removed and disposed of at the first property.  The approved landfill was closed for several days due to the weather, so demolition debris was properly staged on site for later disposal.
Planned Activities 9/16/2020 02 Sept. 8 - Sept. 12
  1. Begin and finish transportation and disposal week ending September 18..
  2. Continue to keep stakeholders informed of response actions.
Safety Issues 9/16/2020 02 Sept. 8 - Sept. 12
Cold stress and slips, trips and falls are of concern given current weather conditions (35F and snow).  Weather will continue to improve and move to hot as the weekend approaches.
Response Objectives 9/21/2020 03 Sept. 13 - Sept. 19
  1. Finish safely removing asbestos material and debris from all properties.
  2. Finish transporting asbestos contaminated material to an approved off site disposal facility. 
  3. Keep stakeholders informed of response actions.
Response Operations 9/21/2020 03 Sept. 13 - Sept. 19

Property #1

Finished removal of all ACM on 9/18.  Mayor notified of completion of site work.

Property #2

Finished removal of structure on 9/17.  County notified of completion of site work. 
Planned Activities 9/21/2020 03 Sept. 13 - Sept. 19
Site work is complete.  No further action is anticipated.