United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region IV
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

EPA Region 4 On Scene Coordinator initiated an emergency response action at the Crowders Mountain State Park after discovering numerous abandoned drums during a Removal Site Evaluation.  Orphaned drums, containing product, are scattered about the site.  Drums are in poor, dilapidated condition, unidentifiable or without legible makings.  Located on the two-acre site are several open excavation pits and three stockpiles of soil/crushed drums & debris with contamination that tested as RCRA Hazardous or above TCLP concentrations for lead and VOCs.  

Residential properties and a creek border the site.  The OSC documented that erosion and sedimentation countermeasures were not in place.  Organic vapors were identified in the ambient air throughout site.  Source contamination was tentatively identified as miscellaneous paint/lacquers/organic solvents.  

ERRS and START contractors were mobilized on 9/16/09 to support the response efforts.

ERRS  began treatment of three stockpiles (approx 1800 cu yards) of contaminated soil with triple superphosphate (TSP) (2.5% Fe + 1% P-TSP) fertilizer to stabilize lead and toluene to below TCLP and Land Band concentration levels.  The size and location of the stockpiles on-site have restricted safe and effective work space for continued drum removal operations.  Expedited removal of the stockpiles will begin pending receipt of data that supports treatment goals.  Removal of the  buried drums will recommence after removal of the stockpiles.  START completed sampling of 10 neighboring wells that service 16-residential properties.

Stockpile removal will commence after treatment and retest of the teated waste to qualify for Subtitle-D (non-hazardous) landfill disposal. After the stockpiles are removed and a geophysical survey is conducted, the remaining buried drums will be removed and disposed.

Once the site is cleared of the stockpiled waste, the Region 4 Science and Ecosystem Support Division (SESD) will conduct a geophysical survey of the site to delineate the potential locations of the remaining buried drum locations.