U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
East Ellijay Orphaned Drum - Removal Polrep
Initial Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region IV
Subject: POLREP #1
Initial POLREP
East Ellijay Orphaned Drum

East Ellijay, GA
Latitude: 34.6757292 Longitude: -84.4744027

To:
From: Matthew Huyser, On Scene Coordinator
Date: 11/25/2010
Reporting Period: 11/25/2010

1. Introduction
  1.1 Background
   
Site Number:      Contract Number:  
D.O. Number:      Action Memo Date:  
Response Authority: CERCLA    Response Type: Emergency
Response Lead: EPA    Incident Category: Removal Action
NPL Status: Non NPL    Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date: 11/25/2010    Start Date: 11/25/2010
Demob Date:      Completion Date:  
CERCLIS ID:    RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:    State Notification:
FPN#:    Reimbursable Account #:


1.1.1 Incident Category
Emergency

1.1.2 Site Description
On 11/24/2010, GAEPD was notified of 27 orphaned drums at an abandoned construction site in East Ellijay, GA. Ellijay PD believes that the drums were recently dumped at the site illegally and is investigating who accessed the site and when. The drums were reportedly disorganized, in an unstable condition, many were rusted and/or dented, and some were reported leaking. Also, several responders noted a "chemical" odor in the vicinity. 

1.1.2.1 Location
The drums were dumped at the rear of an abandoned construction site off Maddox Drive in East Ellijay, Georgia.  The site is a flat surface cut into a hillside and there are several open stormwater drains nearby.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
The drums contain unknown, potentially hazardous, materials; some of the liquids which appear to be used oil have leaked and many of the drums are in unstable condition which require over-packing.  Any labels that were found on the drums have been worn and may be outdated, so their true contents is uncertain despite the existence of any labels at all.  A trend of labels suggests that many of the drums may contain outdated roofing installation products, many of which are flammable and some of which are reactive.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
GAEPD requested EPA assistance in responding to the release. EPA Telephone Duty Officer OSC Garrard dispatched R2 OSC Huyser to respond; EPA mobilized START contractor, TTEMI, and ERRS contractor, ER. Initial efforts will consist of assessing the immediate hazard posed by the drums and stabilizing site conditions.

OSC Huyser met with Gilmer County FD at the site and conducted an initial perimeter survey with air monitoring equipment.  No adverse air quality issues were found and no odors were observed as had been previously reported (however, wind speed was approximately 3-8 mph and FD responders reported that the odors had been observed when there was no wind).  A total of 27 drums were counted, most of which were laying on their side.  Also, a series of truck tracks was observed leading to and from the location of the drums that had been made by a large vehicle; Gilmer County FD reported that these tracks had not been made by the FD or the PD, and it was believed that the Georgia Power employees who discovered the drums had entered from the opposite end of the property.
2. Current Activities
  2.1 Operations Section
    2.1.1 Narrative
On 11/24/2010, GAEPD was notified of 27 orphaned drums at an abandoned construction site in East Ellijay, GA. Ellijay PD believes that the drums were recently dumped at the site illegally and is investigating who accessed the site and when. The drums were reportedly disorganized, in an unstable condition, many were rusted and/or dented, and some were reported leaking. Also, several responders noted a "chemical" odor in the vicinity.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
OSC Huyser, START TTEMI, and ERRS ER mobilized to the Site at apporximately 22:00 on 11/24/10.  With assistance from the Gilmer County Fire Department the drums were stablized.  The drums were secured and placed in the City of Ellijay maintenance lot for storage.  OSC Huyser and START contractors will remobilize to the Site on Monday 11/29/10 to further characterize the contents of the drums for disposal.   

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

No PRPs have been identified.  City and Ellijay Police Department are currently investigating the illegal dumping of the drums.  EPA CID has been notified of the illegal dumping. 

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

Waste Stream Medium Quantity Manifest # Treatment Disposal
           
           
           



  2.2 Planning Section
   

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
EPA OSC Huyser and START TTEMI will remobilize to the Site to further characterize the contents of the drums and develope waste streams for disposal.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

2.2.2 Issues
  2.3 Logistics Section
    No information available at this time.
  2.4 Finance Section
    No information available at this time.
  2.5 Other Command Staff
    No information available at this time.
3. Participating Entities
  3.1 Unified Command


3.2 Cooperating Agencies
GA EPD
Gilmer County Fire Department

4. Personnel On Site
  EPA OSC Huyser
START TTEMI (2)
ERRS ER

5. Definition of Terms
  No information available at this time.
6. Additional sources of information
  No information available at this time.
7. Situational Reference Materials
  No information available at this time.