United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region V
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

EU002 is in Saginaw Township, Saginaw County, Michigan, and is contaminated with dioxins and furans from Dow Chemical Company's Midland Plant.

EU002 is located along West Michigan Avenue and is generally located approximately 7 miles to the west and 1 mile to the south of the intersection of Interstate 75 and State Route 46 in Saginaw, Saginaw County, Michigan.  EU002 is approximately 3,000-foot long by 500-foot wide area along the northeast bank of the Tittabawassee River, 3 miles upstream of the confluence of the Tittabawassee and Shiawassee Rivers.  EU002 includes a 5-acre public park named West Michigan Park (WMP); a condominium complex located directly adjacent to and west of WMP; several residential properties directly adjacent to and east of WMP.  Site activities will be concentrated to the areas of WMP; two elevated contamination areas near single condominiums and four elevated contamination areas near single-family residents (ECAs); and a moderate-use zone (MUZ) in several areas located on the wooded portion of the residential properties.  EU002 is located approximately 15 miles down river from the Midland Plant.

During the period of March 24 through May 16th, the Dow mobilized its contractors to conduct pre-removal activities that include: obtain access agreements from individual property owners; conduct site survey, conduct initial assessment of the identified ECAs and MUZ; install perimeter fencing around West Michigan Park (WMP); closure of WMP and removal of park objects (guardrails, playground equipment, grills, and benches); instillation of silt fence around the perimeter of WMP, and construction of a truck turn-around.  During the period of April 27 through May 4, no site activities were conducted due to flooding at the park.

Monday, May 18, 2009, soil excavation activities began.  Soil is being excavated to a depth of 1 foot below ground surface (ft bgs) from WMP, and this is confirmed through real-time survey work. Crews also began installation of the rock toe along the shoreline to assist in stabilization.  Contractors for Dow begin conducting particulate monitoring of park perimeter.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009, soil excavation activities continue and rock toe installation is completed.  U.S.EPA START contractors begin turbidity monitoring of Tittabawassee River outside silt fence extents.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009, soil excavation activities continue.  Transportation of excavated soil begins.  Trucks are decontaminated using dry brushes and visually inspected prior to leaving the site to prevent soil migration offsite. Wood chips are placed on trucks path and crews use a water truck to minimize dust generation.   A street sweeper is also mobilized to clean West Michigan Avenue immediately adjacent to WMP

Thursday, May 21, 2009, soil removal and hauling activities continue.

During the reporting period 4825 tons of contaminated soils have been transported to the disposal facility.

Security has been mobilized to keep trespassers from entering the park during non-working hours.

After soil removal activities, installation of a demarcation layer, backfilling with verified clean-fill, and restoration activities will begin at the Site. After the vegetation has been re-established, re-installation of park equipment will begin and the park will be re-opened to the public.

Dow will continue with removal activities at WMP.  It is anticipated that activities for ECA and MUZ areas and institute barrier control plan will begin.

Dust and turbidity monitoring will continue at the site until excavation and fill activities have been completed at the site.  Since the inception of monitoring activities, all readings have been recorded below action levels  A Post Removal Site Control plan will be finalized for EU002 to conduct sampling and monitor the integrity of the cleanup after flood events.  Schedule and completion date are subject to weather conditions.

Contaminated soils are being transported to Waste Management's People's Landfill located in Birch Run, Michigan for disposal.