U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Hoosier Wood Preservers ER - Removal Polrep
Initial Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region V
Subject: POLREP #1
Initial Report
Hoosier Wood Preservers ER

Indianapolis, IN
Latitude: 39.7224100 Longitude: -86.2212300

To:
From: Shelly Lam, On-Scene Coordinator
Date: 5/26/2015
Reporting Period: May 26 - 27, 2015

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: 5/26/2015    Start Date: 5/26/2015
Demob Date:      Completion Date:  
CERCLIS ID:    RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:    State Notification:
FPN#:    Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category
Emergency Response at Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Incident Category:  Manufacturing/Processing/Maintenance - Lumber and wood products/wood preserving/treatment

1.1.2 Site Description
The site is the former Hoosier Wood Preservers.  The facility was operated as a wood treating business that used chromated copper arsenate (CCA) and borate in pressurized wood treatment cylinders.   The facility has been abandoned for several years. 

The site is 7.75 acres in size and has eight buildings, including process buildings, storage buildings, a garage, and office.  

1.1.2.1 Location
Hoosier Wood Preservers is located at 3605 Farnsworth Street in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana.  Site coordinates are 39.7224100 degrees north latitude and 86.2212300 degrees west longitude.  The site is located approximately 3.5 miles southwest of downtown Indianapolis.

The surrounding area is primarily industrial, although commercial properties are located to the south.  Residential properties are within 200 feet to the east and northeast.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
The facility caught fire on May 25, 2015.  On May 26, 2015, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) reported the fire to the National Response Center (NRC # 1117591), and requested assistance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in securing abandoned containers of hazardous materials.   Containers included drums, totes, tanks, and small containers labeled as flammable, corrosive, toxic, and oxidizing materials.

The conditions at the Hoosier Wood Preservers Site present a threat to the public health or welfare, and the environment, and meet the criteria for an emergency response action as provided for in the National Contingency Plan (NCP), 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 300.415(b)(2).  These criteria include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Actual or potential exposure to nearby human populations, animals, or the food chain from hazardous substances or pollutants or contaminants; 
  • Hazardous substances or pollutants or contaminants in drums, barrels, tanks, or other bulk storage containers, that may pose a threat of release;
  • Weather conditions that may cause hazardous substances or pollutants or contaminants to migrate or be released;
  • Threat of fire or explosion; and
  • The availability of other appropriate federal or state response mechanisms to respond to the release.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
EPA identified flammable, corrosive, toxic, and oxidizing materials abandoned at the property.  The facility is unsecured.  It is not fenced on all sides and there is evidence of trespassing.  In addition to the fire on the May 25th, there is evidence of spot fires in several buildings.
2. Current Activities
  2.1 Operations Section
    2.1.1 Narrative
On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) Shelly Lam mobilized to the site on May 26th and met with representatives from Wayne Township Fire Department, Marion County Public Health Department (MCPHD), and IDEM.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.  As such, Wayne Township Fire Department has control of the scene.

EPA gained verbal access from the property owner on May 26th, which was followed by written access on May 27th.  OSC Lam mobilized the Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team (START) and Emergency and Rapid Response Services (ERRS) contractor on May 26th.  

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
On May 26, 2015, EPA surveyed the site with Wayne Township Fire Department, MCPHD, and IDEM.  EPA gained verbal access from the property owner on May 26th.

On May 27, 2015, EPA and its contractors:
  • Conducted site reconnaissance;
  • Ordered Conex boxes for temporary waste storage;
  • Procured laboratory for waste characterization;
  • Conducted air monitoring using a MultiRAE multigas meter and a radiation meter; 
  • Overpacked degraded containers; and
  • Staged 16 275-gallon totes; 50 55-gallon drums; 2 100-lb propane cylinders, 39 5-gallon buckets; and 115 small containers (1 gallon or less).  This count represents a partial inventory list of hazardous materials at the site.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
EPA identified the current property owner and the former operator of the wood treating business.  Information on these parties is in the site file.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

Waste Stream Medium Quantity Manifest # Treatment Disposal
Pending          
           
           


  2.2 Planning Section
    2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
The following sections detail anticipated activities.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
EPA and its contractors will continue relocating containers to the Conex boxes.  EPA will collect samples to analyze for waste disposal parameters.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps
EPA will dispose of waste once analytical results are received.

2.2.2 Issues
None
  2.3 Logistics Section
    The ERRS contractor is providing logistical support.
  2.4 Finance Section
    No information available at this time.
  2.5 Other Command Staff
    2.5.1 Safety Officer
OSC Lam is the Safety Officer for EPA's response.  START prepared a Health and Safety Plan for the site.

2.5.2 Liaison Officer
Not applicable (NA)

2.5.3 Information Officer
There was media interest in the fire.  News stories can be found at:

http://fox59.com/2015/05/25/sixty-firefighters-battle-west-side-fire/
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/50-firefighters-called-to-massive-blaze-in-wayne-township

EPA has not received any requests for media interviews.  OSC Lam will coordinate any such requests with the Office of Public Affairs.
3. Participating Entities
  3.1 Unified Command
EPA is working under Wayne Township Fire Department, who has control of the scene because they are investigating the cause of the fire.

3.2 Cooperating Agencies
EPA is receiving assistance from IDEM and MCPHD.
4. Personnel On Site
 
Agency/Company # Personnel
EPA 1
START 2
ERRS 4
Wayne Township Fire Department 4
IDEM 1
MCPHD 2


5. Definition of Terms
 
CCA Chromated copper arsenate
CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
ERRS Emergency and Rapid Response Services
IDEM Indiana Department of Environmental Management
MCPHD Marion County Public Health Department
NA Not Applicable
NRC National Response Center
OSC On-Scene Coordinator
PolRep Pollution Report
PRP Potentially Responsible Parties
START Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team


6. Additional sources of information
  6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
For additional information, refer to www.epaosc.org/hoosierwoodpreservers 

6.2 Reporting Schedule
OSC Lam will submit the next PolRep on May 28, 2015.
7. Situational Reference Materials
  Refer to refer to www.epaosc.org/hoosierwoodpreservers.