Polution Situation Report

During this operational period, the Central Tennessee Operations Branch divided into two assessment teams lead by OSCs Dixon and Garrard. The two assessment teams utilized boats provided by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) to assess impacts along the Cumberland River from the presence of oil and hazardous materials.

The Western Tennessee Operations Branch lead by OSCs Gaughan and Byrd began assessment and documentation activities in Dyer, Shelby, Crockett, Haywood and Tifton counties. OSC Byrd assessed counties near Memphis, TN and OSC Gaughan assessed counties near Jackson, TN.

Central Tennessee Operations Branch

East Cumberland River Recon (from LP Field/Titans Stadium upriver to Old Hickory Dam)

Oil releases documented: evidence of “bath tub” ring observed on vegetation in a small canal adjacent to Ingram property.
One empty AST (400-gal capacity) observed in Dry Creek adjacent to the Waste Water Treatment Plant. AST is in good condition and owner may want to retrieve the unit. EPA will follow up with the owner.

Trinity Marine (1050 Trinity Road, Ashland City, Cheatham County, Tennessee)

This was an incident report given to EPA by TDEC for assessment.
EPA met with Facility Manager and Environmental Manager
- The facility has hired a consultant to oversee their cleanup efforts.
The facility reported they were only able to return to facility May 7th due to flooding.
The pit area in one building at the site contained miscellaneous paints, solvents, hydraulic oils and various other materials, all of which were under water. Elevated VOCs (greater than 400 ppm) were initially identified but have been reduced to less than 50 ppm through cleanup efforts and venting. The staff will continue cleanup efforts and are conducting waste characterization sampling of various materials for disposal. The staff will continue to remove contaminated water from the pit area (approximately 16,000 gallons removed to date).
EPA will continue contact with the facility during their cleanup efforts.

West Cumberland River Recon (from LP Field/Titans Stadium downstream to Cheatham Dam)

The Assessment Team traveled downstream on the Cumberland River to the Cheatham County Dam to identify hazardous materials and/or petroleum oil releases.
OSC Garrard was informed that the Cheatham County Fire Department had conducted their own assessment of the area, marking all drums and ASTs to be further assessed.
The Assessment Team met with members of the fire department to receive documentation from the county’s assessment, including GPS coordinates and descriptions of all debris and hazardous materials observed.
During the river assessment, two poly drums and two metal drums, all of which were 55 gallon were observed. One of the poly drums sited was empty. One floating propane tank and four secured tanks (one of which was a petroleum tank) were observed during the reconnaissance.
At TrussCraft Marina, items observed that require reassessment include: five 55 gallon hydraulic oil drums, one 55 gallon drum of motor oil (15W-40), three 55 gallon drums of transmission fluid, two 55 gallon drums of unknown materials (one of which was empty, one with residue powder still inside).
On the north side of the main facility were five 55 gallon poly drums which were empty. Three 55 gallon drums unmarked in the woods were observed north of the debris pile.
A container of used motor oil (approx. 250 gals) on its side missing the top had an observed leak.
A 2,000 gallon tank in the water on its side with no markings was located to the left of the road leading to TrussCraft, LLC.
These locations will be reassessed May 9, to further determine the extent of contamination.

Western Tennessee Operations Branch

Northern Shelby and Southern Tipton Counties, Tennessee

OSC Byrd arrived at 1000 CST to perform ESF-10 related assessment functions.
- Activities were concentrated along the areas adjacent to Big Creek and its tributaries in northern Shelby and southern Tipton Counties.
- Residences and businesses near the naval air station, airport and park were most affected. Homeowners were observed removing household hazardous waste along with household garbage for removal.
- Businesses along this area included a recycling center, a public storage facility and cabinet manufacturer.
- No hazardous materials were observed or reported to be released in this vicinity. OSC Byrd spoke with the fire chief of Munford, TN who reported two areas of illegal garbage disposal but no hazardous materials. Bridges crossing Big Creek and other waterways had accumulations of debris and trash only.

Shelby County (Memphis Area)

OSC Byrd met with Sammy Crews representing the Shelby County EMA. Mr. Crews gave a detailed report of the extent of the flooding in Shelby County.

o The majority of the flooding was located in northern Shelby County. Mr. Crews identified three chemical facilities with the largest concentration of chemicals and hazardous substances, none of which were impacted by flood waters.

o A trailer park consisting of approximately 200 structures was destroyed but no hazmat related releases were observed.

o Shelby County Sheriffs Department has offered a helicopter overflight of the county on Monday morning (May 10) to better assess the damage. Shelby County has a primary focus on relocation of residents.

Dyer, Lauderdale and Haywood Counties

OSC Gaughan contacted the EMA director in Dyer County. Dyersburg, TN is still 50% under floodwaters making assessment difficult. EPA will need to reassess once flood waters recede.

OSC Gaughan contacted the local Henning Fire Department Chief in Lauderdale County to discuss facilities of concern for possible hazardous materials release. Localized minor flooding was observed; however, no hazmat or oil spills were reported.

OSC Gaughan contacted the local Brownsville Sheriff Department in Haywood County to discuss facilities of concern for possible hazardous releases. The area experienced local flooding; however, there were no facilities of concern observed.

EPA also started to work with TDEC and TDOT to begin the process of identifying temporary staging areas for hazardous materials collected during the recovery phase.

EPA Water Division Under ESF-3

The EPA Water Team mobilized two individuals to the TN EOC in response to assist TDEC with water system repairs and sampling. The mission for the EPA Water Teams will fall under ESF-3, Public Works and Infrastructure. The team will gather intel on the impacted universe of water and waste water systems. The highest priority is to get the impacted utilities back on line.