United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region II
POLLUTION REPORT



Date:
Tuesday, June 6, 2006
From:
Paul Kahn

To:
Doug Kodama, USEPA Region 2 ERRD
James Daloia, USEPA, Region 2, ERRD-RPB
Tim Grier, USEPA Headquarters 5202G
Eric Mosher, USEPA , Region 2, ERRD-RPB
USCG-NPFC Case Management Teams IV & II, USCG
John Higgins, USEPA, Region 2, ERRD-RPB
Bob Marino, NYSDEC
Andrew Raddant, Department of Interior
Michael DiPietro, NYSDEC
John Kushwara, USEPA Region 2 DECA-WCB
Dennis Farrar, NYSDEC
Jocelyn Scott, USEPA
Mark Landry, US Coast Guard

Subject: 

Initiation of Action
Bio-Tech Mills OPA Removal Site
RFD 2, Battenville, NY
Latitude: 43.1097000
Longitude: -73.4225000


POLREP No.:
2
Site #:
n/a
Reporting Period:
D.O. #:
Start Date:
6/6/2006
Response Authority:
OPA
Mob Date:
 
Response Type:
Non-Time-Critical
Demob Date:
 
NPL Status:
Non NPL
Completion Date:
 
Incident Category:
Removal Action
CERCLIS ID #:
Contract #
RCRIS ID #:
Reimbursable Account #
2005HR02H0X71302D91CZ271
FPN#
E05204
 

Site Description

Site is a defunct paper converter which manufactured tissue and toilet paper, and is located within 10 feet of the Battenkill River in upstate rural NY. Owner operates a business office at the site, but manufacturing ceased 12 years ago.

Since April, 2004, OSC has been working with the owner to remove approx. drums of hydraulic fluid, PCB fluids, waste oil and other chemical substances.  The CERCLA removal action was completed in June, 2005.

During the removal action, the OSC observed a large oil tank on the property.  Closer examination revealed the presence of approx. 10,000 gallon of aged #6 oil being stored in what was a deteriorated metal tank that had inadequate secondary containment.

Inasmuch as the mill has been shut down for 12 years and will never operate again, the OSC determined that the oil being stored in the deteriorated tank, with less than adequate secondary, constituted a significant threat of a release of petroleum to a navigable waterway of the United States.  Because of the Petroleum Exclusion in CERCLA, the oil will be now be addressed with funding authority under CWA-Oil Pollution Act '90.  The owner has agreed to cooperate with EPA and have the oil removed.  

See separate site profile for "Bio-Tech Mills-CERCLA", for additional information.




Current Activities

At the present time a remediation contractor has been selected (Earth Tech), and a delivery order for $50,000 has been issued by EPA.  Selected contractor has been notified, and a site tour will be scheduled for sometime in June, 2006.


Planned Removal Actions

Initial work will be to clear brush and small trees from around the tank and from the area leading from the parking lot to the tank.

Concurrent with this work, the contractor will begin to make phone contact with prospective buyers of the oil.  If a buyer cannot be found, efforts will be made to either 1)give the oil to an end user, such as a cement plant, school or large public building or, as a last resort, pay for the oil to be recycled at a permitted waste oil dealer.


Next Steps

Mobilize crew to site to clear brush and prep the area.  As as spill preventive measure, contractor will also deploy sorbent boom and construct a dirt berm at the downstream end of the tank.

Make initial contact with prospective buyers/end-users for the oil.


Key Issues

Spill prevention and locating end-user for the oil.


response.epa.gov/biotech_II