U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT Southern Mineralite - Removal Polrep Final Removal Polrep UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Region VI
Subject:	POLREP #2 Final POLREP Southern Mineralite A6AC New Orleans, LA Latitude: 29.9650505 Longitude: -90.0477869
To:
From:	Mike McAteer, On-Scene Coordinator
Date:	1/13/2017
Reporting Period:	November 7 to January 13, 2017
1. Introduction   1.1 Background     Site Number: A6AC    Contract Number: EP-W-06-077 D.O. Number:      Action Memo Date: 4/21/2016 Response Authority: CERCLA    Response Type: PRP Oversight Response Lead: PRP    Incident Category: Removal Action NPL Status: Non NPL    Operable Unit: Mobilization Date: 10/4/2016    Start Date: 10/4/2016 Demob Date: 1/13/2017    Completion Date: 1/13/2017 CERCLIS ID: LAN000607032    RCRIS ID: ERNS No.:    State Notification: FPN#:    Reimbursable Account #: 1.1.1 Incident Category The response was conducted as a Time-Critical Removal Action by the Responsible Party (W.R. Grace), with Oversight of all critical and related activities by EPA and/or START as directed by the On-Scene Coordinator (OSC). 1.1.2 Site Description The Southern Mineralite (SM) site was a former vermiculite exfoliation facility operated at one time by the W.R. Grace/Zonolite Company.    The former SM site is situated in an urban setting, with industrial, commercial, and residential properties located within a 1/8 mile radius of the site.  EPA determined that vermiculite exfoliation operations may have occurred from 1930 to 1964.  The EPA and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) site files do not indicate the precise location of the former exfoliation operating area, nor has a review of historical aerial photographs indicated the exact location of the exfoliation operation area.  The SM site consists of several areas; however, removal assessment (RA) analytical results indicated the presence of Libby Amphibole Asbestos (LAA) in concentrations exceeding 0.25 % in Area A West, and Area B (Undeveloped Lot). LAA was not detected in the other areas that were sampled during the RA field activities. Area A - West consists of the vacant lot owned by the Norfolk Southern Railroad Company (NSRC) and is bounded by Burgundy Street to the north, the NSRC railroad tracks and Press Street to the west, Dauphine Street to the south and the Southern Coating and Waterproofing (SC&W) facility fence line to the east.  Area A, West encompasses approximately 1.24 acres.  Area A West is not surrounded by a fence and is accessible to the general public.  During the RA field activities, EPA/START observed a transient population in the area and several local residents walking their dogs in Area A West. Area B  (Undeveloped Lot) consists of the vacant lot located north of Area A West associated with the former SM site and north of Burgundy Street.  Area B (Undeveloped Lot) is bordered to the north by N. Rampart Street; to the west by the NSRC railroad tracks and Railroad Right-of-Way; to the south by Burgundy Street, and to the east by residential properties situated along Montegut Street.  Area B (Undeveloped Lot) is approximately 51,600 square feet or 1.18 acres in size.  Approximately 26,246 square feet are covered with rock/gravel consistent with railroad ballast. The remaining 25,354 square feet is uncovered and partially vegetated.  It appears that the five (5) parcels of land comprising Area B are used as a NSRC railroad storage and maintenance yard, as evidenced by the rock/gravel railroad ballast stored on the property.  A railroad spur (owned by NSRC) enters the north section of Area B (Undeveloped Lot), via N. Rampart Road, and traverses through the property in a southerly direction for approximately 285 feet.  Based on field observations, it appears that the railroad spur is inactive.  Transient populations have been observed sleeping on the property and local residents walk their dogs in Area B (Undeveloped Lot). 1.1.2.1 Location The former SM site is located at 2930 Burgundy Street, New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana. Geographic coordinates for Area A, West, as taken from the center of the vacant lot are: 29.965453º N latitude and -90.047558º W longitude.  1.1.2.2 Description of Threat Asbestos contamination in the form of LAA was identified in the soil in Area A, West and Area B (Undeveloped Lot) associated with the former SM site. 1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) analyses of soil samples collected from Area A, West indicated concentrations of LAA ranging between 0.25% and 26.5% on the ground surface to 3 feet below ground surface.  Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analyses of the collected Activity-Based Sampling (ABS) air samples from an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) scenario, detected LAA (winchite) in concentrations up to 0.0049 f/cc.  PLM analyses of soil samples collected from Area B, (Undeveloped Lot) indicated concentrations of LAA ranging between trace concentrations (> 0% but < 0.25%) to 0.25% on the ground surface.  TEM analyses of the collected ABS air samples from an ATV scenario, detected LAA (tremolite) and non-LAA (anthophylite) in concentrations up to 0.0005 f/cc. 2. Current Activities   2.1 Operations Section     2.1.1 Narrative 2.1.2 Response Actions to Date Removal Assessment (RA) activities were conducted by the EPA in 2014 and resulted in the completion of a Removal Assessment Report which defined the required removal actions for the former SM site.  EPA subsequently entered into negotiations with W.R. Grace regarding the requirements of the Removal and each party signed the Administrative Order on April 21, 2016.  The following section briefly summarizes the activities conducted during the RP-led Removal activities: Week ending October 3, 2016:RP-led Removal activities began at the site and involved construction of fencing around all contaminated soil areas. Week ending October 10, 2016: RP contractors mobilized equipment and supplies to the site in preparation of Removal activities.  RP-consultant collected waste profile and backfill samples and shipped the collected soil samples to the procured laboratory for chemical analyses; START-3 conducted oversight of the RP-fence construction and collection of waste profile and backfill samples; Week ending October 17, 2016:  RP-contractor began excavation, loading, and disposal of asbestos contaminated soil from Area A West. The excavated ACS was transported to the state-permitted Jefferson Parish Landfill.  During all excavating and loading operations, the PR contractor conducted dust suppression activities to limit the amount of potential airborne asbestos fibers into the surrounding atmosphere.  While conducting the excavation and loading activities, the RP consultant collected perimeter air samples for fiber analysis by NIOSH 7400,  In addition, the RP consultant begin collecting soil confirmation samples from the grids that had been excavated.  START-3 conducted written and photographic documentation of all RP-led removal activities. Week ending October 24, 2016:  The RP contractor continued soil excavation, loading of excavated soil, dust suppression, and soil confirmation sampling activities in Area A West and continued perimeter air monitoring/sampling.  START-3  continued to conduct written and photographic documentation of all RP-led removal activities. Week ending October 31, 2016: The RP contractor continued soil excavation, loading of excavated soil, dust suppression, and soil confirmation sampling activities in Area A West and continued perimeter air monitoring/sampling.   In addition, the RP consultant began to conduct Activity-Based Sampling (ABS) in the excavated grids that had been cleared by CARB 435 analysis of collected soil confirmation samples.  START-3  continued to conduct written and photographic documentation of all RP-led removal activities. Week ending November 7, 2016: The RP contractor continued soil excavation, loading of excavated soil, dust suppression, soil confirmation sampling, ABS in Area A West and perimeter air monitoring/sampling.  The initial soil excavation in Area A West was completed during this reporting period and the RP contractor began to excavate the Haul Road built in Area A West.  On November 3rd, the RP contractor began the backfilling process in Area A West. Week ending November 14, 2016: Due to a substantial amount of rainfall in the New Orleans area during the reporting period, soil excavation/loading and dust suppression activities and perimeter air monitoring/sampling were not conducted. Week ending November 21, 2016:  The RP contractor completed the soil excavation and soil loading for transportation to the Jefferson Parish Landfill.  A total of 4,243 tons of excavated ACS was transported and disposed at the Jefferson Parish Landfill.  In addition the RP consultant conducted soil confirmation sampling and perimeter air monitoring/sampling during the soil excavating and loading processes. START-3  continued to conduct written and photographic documentation of all RP-led removal activities. Week ending November 28, 2016: The RP contractor continued to backfill Area A West and began to set up for soil excavation activities in Area B.  START-3  continued to conduct written and photographic documentation of all RP-led removal activities. Week ending December 5, 2016:  The RP contractor began conducting soil excavation in Area B, loading the excavated soil from Area B into disposal truck for transport to the Jefferson Parish Landfill.  In addition, the RP contractor continued to conduct dust suppression activities during the soil excavating and loading processes.  The RP consultant conducted perimeter air monitoring/sampling during the soil excavation and loading activities.START-3  continued to conduct written and photographic documentation of all RP-led removal activities. Week ending December 12, 2016: The RP contractor continued soil excavation, loading of excavated soil, dust suppression, and soil confirmation sampling activities in Area B.  The RP consultant continued perimeter air monitoring/sampling.   In addition, the RP consultant began to conduct Activity-Based Sampling (ABS) in the excavated grids that had been cleared by CARB 435 analysis.  START-3  continued to conduct written and photographic documentation of all RP-led removal activities. Week ending December 19, 2016: The RP contractor continued soil excavation, loading of excavated soil, dust suppression, and soil confirmation sampling activities in Area B.  The RP consultant continued perimeter air monitoring/sampling and ABS activities. START-3  continued to conduct written and photographic documentation of all RP-led removal activities. Week ending December 26, 2016: Soil excavation activities and the transportation of excavated soil from Area B was completed.  Approximately 3,120 tons of ACS was excavated from Area B.  Approximately 7,362 tons of ACS soil was excavated and transported to the Jefferson Parish Landfill for disposal as part of the Southern Mineralite Removal activities.  The RP consultant continued to conduct perimeter air monitoring/sampling.  START-3  continued to conduct written and photographic documentation of all RP-led removal activities. Week ending December 31, 2016:  The RP contractor began backfilling operations in Area B. START-3  continued to conduct written and photographic documentation of all RP-led removal activities.  All backfilling and site restoration activities weresto be completed on January 13th 2017.  A total of 7,498 tons of ACS were excavated and removed from the site.   2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs) W.R. Grace was identified as the primary responsible party and Grace agreed to conduct the defined Removal Action set forth in the Administrative Order signed on April 21, 2016. 2.1.4 Progress Metrics Waste Stream Medium Quantity Manifest # Treatment Disposal                                       2.2 Planning Section     2.2.1 Anticipated Activities All removal activities were completed on January 13, 2017.  No further activities are planned. 2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities The anticipated activities described above comprise the Planned Response Activities as agreed to in the Administrative Order signed on April 21, 2016.  2.2.1.2 Next Steps None 2.2.2 Issues   2.3 Logistics Section     No information at this time.   2.4 Finance Section     No information available at this time.   2.5 Other Command Staff     2.5.1 Safety Officer The RP and their consultants provide their own safety personnel, while EPA personnel and/or START personnel conducting Oversight operate under their own safety plans which are in general compliance with the RP-led activities. 2.5.2 Liaison Officer 2.5.3 Information Officer The information Officer (i.e., Community Involvement Coordinator) for the site was Bill Little, a SEE employee of the U.S. EPA, Region 6. 3. Participating Entities   3.1 Unified Command 3.2 Cooperating Agencies EPA was the primary Agency for the RP-Lead Removal Action. 4. Personnel On Site   EPA is represented on-site/off-site by OSC McAteer, with START personnel from CSS-Dynamac conducting Oversight under the direction of OSC McAteer. 5. Definition of Terms   Not Applicable 6. Additional sources of information   6.1 Internet location of additional information/report Southern Mineralite website located at EPAOSC.NET 6.2 Reporting Schedule 7. Situational Reference Materials   Additional site related reference documents are available on the EPAOSC.NET webpage for this site.