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Site Number: |
C5X6 |
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Contract Number: |
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D.O. Number: |
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Action Memo Date: |
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Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
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Response Type: |
Emergency |
Response Lead: |
EPA |
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Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
5/1/2014 |
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Start Date: |
4/29/2014 |
Demob Date: |
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Completion Date: |
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CERCLIS ID: |
ILN000501562 |
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RCRIS ID: |
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ERNS No.: |
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State Notification: |
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FPN#: |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
Emergency
1.1.2 Site Description
The facility was operated by Lawrence Hardware, Inc. until 2006, when the Site was closed and abandoned. Lawrence Hardware, Inc. historically manufactured numerous products including metal door hinges, hinge pins, steel barn door hangers, bolted wheelbarrows, hay fork pulleys, and nails. On-site operations included wastewater treatment, plating, machining, and paper box manufacturing. The City of Sterling, Illinois acquired the Site through an involuntary taking due to delinquent taxes and is the current owner. The Site is part of a continued downtown development for the City of Sterling. The Site consists of one multi-story building that occupies approximately 3.5 acres and a railroad spur located north of the building. The Site is bordered to the north by a Union Pacific Railroad, with commercial and industrial properties and East 2nd Street beyond; to the east by undeveloped land; to the south by the Rock River with the City of Rock Falls, Illinois beyond; and to the west by 1st Avenue/Illinois Route 40 with industrial properties beyond.
1.1.2.1 Location
The Site is located at 2 1st Avenue, Sterling, Whiteside County, Illinois. Figure 1‑1 shows the Site location. The Site’s approximate geographical coordinates are 41°47'11.31" North latitude and 89°41'32.28" West longitude.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
The Site was referred to EPA after fire fighters discovered hazarrdous waste in response to an arson fire caused by trespassers in August 2013. EPA conducted its site assessment in Dec. 2013 and documented the following:
At least two drums of Sulfuric acid, Lab waste including cyanide, containers of reactive waste, solvents, at least 12 drums of contaminated used oil;. The site assessment also noted the presence of very old transformers on-stie. In addition there are at least three industrial size mercury switches.
On April 4, the City of Sterling reported another break-in by trespassers at the Site and EPA consequently decided to conduct an Emergency Removal action to prevent a release of hazardous substances to the community and to prevent anyone from being exposed to the hazardous substances on-site.
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2.1.1 Narrative
The EPA OSC and Removal Contractor conducted a site walk-through to plan for the mobilization on 4/30/14. After one day of preparation and logistics EPA and ERRS contractors mobilized to the site on 5/1/14.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
Response actions previous to 5/2/2014 are documented in Polrep #1.
On 5/2 and 5/5 The following response actions were taken:
- Initiated Hazard categorization of containers containers container hazardous or suspected hazardous substances.
- Ongoing collection of hazardous materials and contaminated oil at the Site, including lab related waste, paints, solvents, etc..
- Collected and secured all mercury switches that can be found.
- Completed inspection which found 12 intact suspected PCB transformers plus one transformer which fell off its mount and spilled oil on the ground (spill is historical).
- Completed sampling of the suspected PCB transformers (samples were sent off-site for lab analysis).
- Collected sample of suspected asbestos material to confirm no asbestos finding during the site assessment.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
- EPA is currently investigating the past ownership and operators of the Site and is planning to send out information request letters under CERCLA.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
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