U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Packard Plant Site - Removal Polrep
Initial and Final Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region V
Subject: POLREP #1
Packard Plant Site
B5ZR
Detroit, MI
Latitude: 42.3778170 Longitude: -83.0267950

To:
From: Brian Kelly, OSC
Date: 8/4/2011
Reporting Period:

1. Introduction
  1.1 Background
   
Site Number: B5ZR    Contract Number:  
D.O. Number:      Action Memo Date: 5/17/2011
Response Authority: CERCLA    Response Type: Time-Critical
Response Lead: EPA    Incident Category: Removal Action
NPL Status: Non NPL    Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date: 7/6/2011    Start Date: 7/6/2011
Demob Date: 8/2/2011    Completion Date: 8/2/2011
CERCLIS ID: MIN000510528    RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:    State Notification: Yes
FPN#:    Reimbursable Account #:


1.1.1 Incident Category

CERCLA Time-critial Removal

1.1.2 Site Description

On March 28 and 31, 2011, EPA, at the request of the city of Detroit Environmental Affairs, conducted a site assessment of the abandoned Packard Plant.  During the evaluation, seven drums were found partially buried in the northwest corner of the site. EPA sampled four of these drums, one of which showed a flash point of 93 degrees Fahrenheit (°F), which according to 40 CFR 261.21 Characteristic of Ignitability, a waste with a flash point less than 140 °F is a hazardous waste. The drums were rusted, two of them were breached, and the drums were exposed to the elements and could be accessed by anyone entering the site. There is extensive evidence of graffiti and arson at the site.

1.1.2.1 Location

The Packard Plant is located at 1539 E. Grand Blvd., Detroit, Michigan, 48211. The 35 acre facility has been nearly abandoned since the 1950s.  To the north, west, and south the site is boarded by industrial facilities; to the east by residential. I-94, a major expressway, is less than 250 feet from the location of the drums.

In 1996, U.S. EPA conducted a PCB cleanup in the southern end of the property owned by Berger Corporation.

In January of 1999, MDEQ conducted an interim response to remove asbestos, debris, and hazardous material. The response was halted in April of 1999, due to a court issued injunction by a party claiming a mortgage interest..

In 2001, MDEQ conducted an emergency removal of the waste stored during the 1999 work phase.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

During the evaluation, seven drums were found partially buried in the northwest corner of the site. U.S. EPA sampled four of these drums, one of which showed a flash point of 93 °F. According to 40 CFR 261.21 Characteristic of Ignitability, a waste with a flash point less than 140 °F is a hazardous waste.

2. Current Activities
  2.1 Operations Section
    2.1.1 Narrative

On July 6, 2011, U.S. EPA mobilized to the site to secure, sample, and characterize the wastes.  On August 2, 2011, U.S. EPA remoblized to dipose of the drums off-site.


2.1.2 Progress Metrics

Waste Stream Medium Quantity Manifest # Treatment Disposal
 Gasoline, Petroleum Distillates  solid/liquid  400 lbs  007675113JJK        Petro Chem Processing Group, Detroit, MI
 Assorted Oil Mixtures  liquid      2,000 lbs  007675113JJK    Petro Chem Processing Group, Detroit, MI
 Oil/Tar Solids  solid/liquid  4,000 lbs  007675113JJK    Petro Chem Processing Group, Detroit, MI



  2.2 Planning Section
   

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

None

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

None
  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
  No information available at this time.
4. Personnel On Site
  No information available at this time.
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.