United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region II
POLLUTION REPORT



Date:
Tuesday, October 31, 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.:
5
Site #:
n/a
Reporting Period:
D.O. #:
029
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 #
EP-W-O4-055
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

OSC and ERRS RM conducted site walk-thru on 10/27, at which time distances from tank to staging areas were measured and strategy options were discussed.  It was decided that one wall of the deteriorated concrete block containment structure, and parts of the two adjacent walls, will have to be demolished in order for the crew to safely access the tank to remove piping and manoeuvre equipment, such as an air sparger, up to the tank.

There is a possibility that ERRS will be able to use existing internal steam coils to heat the viscous oil to the point it will flow.

After the walk-thru, OSC and RM met briefly with owner to discuss the project and start dates.


Planned Removal Actions

RM will draft a HASP and Work Plan for OSC review and approval.  T & D Coordinator is working on trying to locate potential buyers for the approx. 10,000 gals of #6 oil.


Next Steps

Full crew mobe to take place immediately after Thanksgiving.


Key Issues

Key issue is devising a Work Plan and preping the site for full crew mobe.


response.epa.gov/biotech_II