On September 9, 2013, crews worked on backfilling excavation areas that have either been cleared by confirmation samples, or were excavated to the concrete foundation of the original building. START screened Grids 8 and 9 with an XRF, which indicated lead values >500ppm. Grids excavated an additional 6 inches. Crews also worked to cut large trees and pieces of timber into pieces small enough to dispose of.

On September 10, 2013, crews loaded trucks with remainder of Pile F for off site disposal. Crews also continued work on backfilling. Grids 8 and 9 were excavated until START XRF screening indicated lead values below 400. Confirmation samples were collected for Grids 8 and 9. Crews worked to excavate area in northeastern corner of site, along western edge of excavation pit. Soil is being staged in Pile G on eastern edge of site.

On September 11, 2013, crews removed protective steel sidewalk plates from site. Crews also worked to spread top soil over backfilled parts of site. OSC and START conducted XRF screening of temporary walkway between site and railway east of site, and found lead levels between 700-100ppm. 20 yards of mulch were dropped off and used to cover dirt pathway.

On September 12, 2013,crews loaded trucks with treated soil from pile G for off site disposal and used a hoe-ram to break up large pieces of concrete for disposal. Crews resumed backfilling and treating/excavating soil along eastern edge of site.

During all Site operations, START operated and maintained DataRam and Personal DataRam (pDR 1500) units to monitor all dust/particulates on and off Site. The personal data ram has been deployed to the cab of the excavator to monitor dust levels near on-site personnel. All personal data ram readings have been near or at back ground dust levels for the area (10-100 ug/m3). Average concentrations of dust have been 15-45 ug/m3. All site operations are being conducted using a water fog with a fire hose to minimize dust levels. The action level for nuisance dust is 500 ug/m3.


2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
US EPA's contractor Environmental Restoration is in the process of treating and excavating soil from 2 feet below ground surface to the original building's concrete foundation (approximately 5-5.5' below grade). Treated and excavated soil is being staged on the eastern edge of property for off-site disposal. Crews are then backfilling excavated areas with engineered sand.  Top soil and seed will be graded on top of the sand fill to complete the site.

Samples collected from the treated soil and demolition debris were analyzed and results indicate that the constitutes of concern are under regulatory limits.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
The owner of the property has been identified, but has been non- responsive to repeated attempts to arrange for access to the property.

The U.S. EPA has obtained a warrant from a U.S. Magistrate to conduct the Site Assessment and Emergency Removal Action.

U.S. EPA has recently identified that an investment firm, Sabre Investments LLC, has purchased the back taxes for the property but has not yet filed the deed. 

ERRS contractors will continue fixation and excavation of soil until XRF screening confirms  lead levels in soil are below 400 ppm.  The excavated area will continue to be back-filled with engineered sand from a local manufacturer.  Also, a 6-12 inch layer of top soil will be spread over the sand and seeded to prevent erosion.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
ERRS will excavate the Site down to approximately 5.5 feet in areas where there is a basement and it will be back-filled with clean material.  In areas where there is no basement, test pits have been conducted and the sand and clay layer is at 2.2 to 3.0 feet.  The excavated material will be fixated on-site and shipped off for disposal. An XRF analyzer unit will be used to field screen excavated areas and composite confirmation samples will verify that the removal clean-up standard has been achieved.    

2.2.1.2 Next Steps
ERRS contractors will continue with the excavation and disposal of soil and concrete as necessary. Free Flow 100 will be used at a 4-5% mix rate to stabilize on site hazardous soil to render the material non-hazardous. Crews will continue to backfill excavated areas and cover backfill with top soil..
Confirmation Sampling is being conducted in grids where no concrete floor is found.  Screening of the concrete is being conducted in the grids with a concrete floor.

2.2.2 Issues
Monitoring of weather forecasts will be included in the morning Site Health and Safety Meeting.

The property to the East of the site has been sampled and results have shown elevevated lead levels along the paved walk way and along the BNSF railroad property and City of Chicago Right of Way.  U.S. EPA has been meeting with the owners of these parcels to get these areas addressed.