United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region IV
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

The ESB Site consists of the former ESB battery manufacturing facility and the approximately 16 private properties immediately surrounding the facility.  There are two removal actions underway.  The facility is conducting an enforcement-lead action within the facility grounds and EPA is conducting a fund-lead removal action at the private residential properties.  The contaminant of concern is lead.  The private properties have lead contaminated soil from stack deposition that occurred during the facility operational history.  

Additionally, an old drainage ditch trending from the facility and ending at University Drive has been determined to be high in lead and will be removed under this action.  The area is proposed for inclusion into the Atlanta Beltway Project.

During this reporting period removal actions were completed at 1243 Allene Ave, 1255 Allene Ave, 1259 Allene Ave, 1263 Allene Ave, 786 Hartford Pl, 790 Hartford Pl, and the property between 1259 and 1263 Allene Ave.  Excavation is completed and restoration activities continue for 1283 Allene Ave, 1289 Allene Ave and 1293 Allene Ave.

In addition, 793 Hartford Pl, 1299 Allene Ave and 735 Erin Ave were screened and had lead levels greater than 400 ppm.  At the request of concerned residents of neighboring properties, 791 Hartford Pl, 690 Erin Ave, 721 Erin Ave and 785 Erin Ave have been placed on the list to be screened.

Also during this reporting period, approximately 10 tons of previously segregated soils determined to be an EPA hazardous waste due to the toxicity characteristics for lead were disposed of at a Subtitle C landfill.

During the next reporting period, removal activity should be completed at all properties begun to date.  The next properties scheduled for excavation are 1299 Allene Ave, 1276 Allene Ave, 1272 Allene Ave, 707 Erin Ave and 703 Erin Ave.

EPA intends to demobe ERRS and START on Friday, 01 SEPT 06 for the Labor Day Holiday.  The crews are scheduled to return on 04 SEPT to begin work on 05 SEPT 06.

A key issue is that additional properties continue to be added to the lists for screening and excavation because there has been significant turnover of property owners/tenants during this removal.  New owners/tenants are requesting that their properties be screened, where previous owners denied access for sampling or were unable to be reached during the earlier sampling event.  Screening and, as needed, excavation at these additional properties has increased both ERRS and START costs for the site, as well as time required to complete the removal.  As a result, a ceiling increase to the Action Memo will be required to request additional funding to complete the project.  The new Action Memo will also include a request for a 12 Month Statutory Exemption, since the additional properties have extended the life of the project.