United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region X
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

For Site Description please refer to Initial POLREP.

Wednesday, June 25, 2003: EPA OSC (1), USCG PST (1)
1. RP contractor, Foss, secured on-site immediate utility clearance with Verizon during excavation of median strip contamination where fiber optic cable located.
2. Foss continued monitoring and replacement of absorbent materials in Wall Creek and Isthmus Slough as needed.  Minor sheen noted in containment in Wall Creek.  Minor sheen observed in Isthmus Slough after creek absorbent replacement.
3. Flagging and traffic control contractor closed both inside, fast lanes of HWY 42 in eastbound and westbound directions for excavation of median strip soils.
4. Foss utilized trackhoe and series of dump trucks to excavate and transport heavily-oiled soil from median strip to nearby ODOT staging area (approx. 1 mile east of incident).
5. Free-flowing waste oil observed in excavation.  SOSC requests hydrogeologist support from DEQ.
6. Median strip excavation approximately 150 feet long by 6 feet wide by 4 to 8 feet deep (depth dependant on slope between upper, eastbound, road bed and lower, westbound roadbed).
7. DEQ Hydrogeologist notes the presence of vertical fractures in thick clays and observes waste oil seeps from fractures in excavated areas.  Concern expressed about waste oil migration to groundwater and possibly to Isthmus Slough.
8. Unified Command requests asphalt cutter and excavation of test pit in fast lane of westbound roadbed to track fractures and possible migration of waste oil.
9. Survey of test pit in westbound fast lane, adjacent to median strip excavation, unable to track fractures from median excavation and with no waste oil being observed.
10. Hand-dug test holes along fiber optic cable reveals the presence of water with floating product.  DEQ Hydrogeologist notes that the fiber optic cable trench, running adjacent to median strip excavation, appears to bisect the fracture lines and may act like interceptor trench.
11. ODOT requests gravel backfill of test pit for night-time vehicle safety.
12. EPA FOSC coordinates with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) about ecological resources in area.  FOSC has already coordinated with three tribal entities and Oregon SHPO about potential cultural resources in area.
13. Flagging and traffic control operations to continue 24 hours until median strip excavation is backfilled.
14. An estimated 425 cubic yards of contaminated soil were excavated from the median strip area today and transported to the staging area.

Thursday, June 26, 2003: EPA OSC (1), USCG PST (1)

1. RP/Foss hired Industrial Hygienist to conduct ambient air monitoring based on the discovery of the presence of gasoline in the waste oil.
2. RP/FOSS hired geological contractor to collect median strip excavation confirmation samples and do hydrogeological assessment of area using trenching and possible push probe technology.
3. Foss continued excavation of contaminated soil in median strip.  Removed 2 trees to access remaining oil-saturated soil at east extent of visible oil in median strip.  Additional touch-up of seeping locations in excavation.  Total length of excavation is approx. 270 feet.
4. Foss hired backhoe and installed 4 test trenches in swale area between westbound lanes and  railroad to check for potential migration of waste oil under roadbed in direction of slough.  Depths of test trenches ranged between 13.5 and 15.5 bgs with groundwater being contacted in only one trench.  No product observed and no organic vapors detected.
5. ODOT established backfill requirements of road reconstruction plan for median strip excavation.  ODOT expressed concern about dessication fractures developing in wall of excavation supporting upper, eastbound lanes.
6. Unified Command developing approach to address groundwater and product discovered in fiber optic cable trench area.
7. Continued 24 hour flagging and traffic control operations.
8. Foss and ODOT identified a secondary staging area for contaminated soil as the primary area is nearing capacity.
9. Foss completed oil-sprayed vegetation removal in area just above creek culvert and installation of silt fence to control erosion.
10. Foss moved hard boom further upstream in Isthmus Slough to cover bank area potentially downgradient of release area.  Hard boom still covers Wall Creek outfall culvert to slough.
10. An estimated 220 cubic yards of contaminated soil were excavated from the median strip area today and transported to the staging area.

1. Continued scraping of waste oil seeps in median strip excavation.
2. Touch-up removal of patches of residual oil on creek side of roadway and further compaction of new gravel shoulder.
3. Utilizing a trackhoe, peel back soil and gravel to expose the top of fiber optic cable.  With Verizon assistance, determine flexibility of cable  and move in order to excavate contaminated area in cable trench or dig around cable to remove contamination.
4. ODOT to asphalt patch oil-stained area of eastbound lanes to increase traction and vehicle safety.  Also patch test pit area in lower, westbound lane.
5. Monitor and replace absorbent materials in Wall Creek and Isthmus Slough as needed.
6. Maintain hard containment boom in Isthmus Slough

1. DEQ Hydrogeologist and Foss geological contractor, with USCG-PST assistance, to utilize push-probe rig to install micro-wells, characterize lithology, and determine extent of contamination.
2. DEQ personnel and Foss geo-contractor to collect confirmation samples of median strip excavation walls and floor.
3. Await product sample analytical results to aid in determining analytical regimen for confirmation samples and backfilling operations.
4. With product analytical results, finalize disposal facility and start transportation for disposal
5. DEQ and EPA to determine analytical regimen for split product sample, surface water samples, and road shoulder soil sample.
5. Foss and subcontractors to prepare for road reconstruction actvities to commence during the weekend.
6. Discussions with State Police and Local Sheriff will result in stationing of patrol car in work area to enforce slow speed.

1. Volume and speed of traffic traveling past incident site continues to pose high risk to site workers.
2. Fractures in clay in median strip excavation provides potential migration pathways.  It is difficult to assess if and how much has migrated and presents a challenge in how much effort should be expended to track and capture.
3. Dessication fractures in wall beneath upper roadbed present a challenge in determining how long to keep excavation open for assessment of extent of contamination.
4. It is anticipated that the volume of weekend traffic headed to Coos Bay will increase thereby increasing risk to site workers and passing vehicles.
5. Running out of storage space for contaminated soil in Staging Area 1.  Will shift to secondary staging area or begin transportation to landfill.
6. Excavation around fiber optic cable is difficult and challenging.  There is uncertainty how much contaminated soil can be removed with limited access and work space without impacting cable.

Date            Amount of Wastes        Disposition

June 24, 2003   ~ 85  cu. yds. soil       Held in Staging Area 1
June 25, 2003   ~ 425 cu. yds. soil       Held in Staging Area 1
June 26, 2003   ~ 220 cu. yds. soil       Held in Staging Area 1

Total           730 cu. yds. soil