United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region III
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

The Twin Cities Iron and Metal Site (Site) Site is located along 950-1000 Fairview Street in Bristol, Virginia.  The property is bordered by Beaver Creek to the west and south and by residential and commercial properties to the north and east.  Alongside Beaver Creek, the Site includes an area containing battery casings and other debris comprising a steeply sloped embankment.

The analysis of soil and sediment samples during a Sampling Assessment that was conducted in December, 2008, revealed elevated concentrations of PCBs and lead, which are hazardous substances as defined in Section 101 (14) of CERCLA, 42 U.S. C 9601 (14).  

On September 15, 2009, an Approval of Funding for a Removal Action was signed for $1,944,000.  OSC Kelly initiated the Removal Action with mobilization of the ERRS contractor to the Site.  Mobilization occurred on October 28, 2009.  ERRS mobilized heavy equipment to the Site and began construction of an access road.  Under direction of the OSC, TechLaw (START) also mobilized to the Site, to provide support to the OSC via documentation, sample collection, and air monitoring activities.

This Removal Action involves the excavation of lead and PCB-contaminated soils.  The known contaminated areas of the Site span approximately 400 feet along the bank of Beaver Creek, and rise approximately 20 feet.  The depth of the battery casings in this area is unknown at this time.

A Command Post has been established on Site.  Security has been established at the Site, and visible fencing has been used to identify the Site boundaries to provide for safety of the public during non-working hours.

ERRS have begun removal of vegetation and debris and installed access roads to implement response activities.  ERRS have installed temporary erosion and sedimentation controls with silt fencing along Beaver Creek to minimize the potential for migration of soil containing lead and PCBs.  START and ERRS have worked together to identify the contaminated areas of the Site.

1.  Remove contaminated sediment from Beaver Creek such that average concentrations along the entire length of the Site do not exceed 91.3 mg/kg lead and 1 mg/kg PCB;
2.  Remove soils and debris with lead over 1,000 mg/kg and PCBs over 25 mg/kg;
3.  Prepare Site for permanent erosion controls by grading and/or removal of soil and debris;
4.  Install permanent erosion controls that intend to protect the integrity of the response action and minimize the erosion of the installed cover;
5.  Sample and consolidate or otherwise prepare the soils and sediments removed for appropriate off-Site disposal pursuant to Section 121(d)(3) of CERCLA and 40 CFR 300.440;
6.  Dispose of off-Site all soils and sediments removed in accordance with Section 121(d)(3) of CERCLA and 40 CFR 300.440.

Through use of XRF instrumentation and collection of samples for laboratory analysis, START will verify the extent of contamination in the Site soils.  START will also collect samples from Beaver Creek to determine PCB and lead concentrations in the sediment and surface water.

ERRS will complete removal of vegetation and debris and construction of access roads to implement excavation activities.  ERRS will collect samples from the excavated soils to determine TCLP concentrations for T&D activities.

Engineering controls will be established by ERRS in order to suppress the dust that may evolve from the Site during excavation activities.  START will establish locations in order to conduct monitoring of particulates in the air.  The locations will be chosen along the perimeter of the site where residences are located.  START will monitor these concentrations daily, as weather permits.

1.  Concentrations of lead in Site soils were determined up to 149,000 mg/kg.
2.  Concentrations of lead in Site sediments were determined up to 677 mg/kg.
3.  Concentrations of PCBs in Site soils were determined up to 66 mg/kg.
4.  Concentrations of PCBs in Site sediments were determined up to 2 mg/kg.