United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region I
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

For approximately 20 years, the property owner operated a junkyard until his death in March of 2003.  The Site contains a two-story wood house (constructed in 1890), a 12’ x 20’ corrugated metal shed/lean-to, and a 16’ x 16’ corrugated metal shed that houses a crushing machine. During the junkyard operation, the owner burned automotive parts onsite to remove non-recyclable materials from recyclable metal, resulting in lead- and PBC-contaminated soil.  

The Site is within one mile of the Little River, a tidally influenced river that flows into Passamaquoddy Bay.  Access is not restricted.

It is bounded:
• to the north by woods;
• to the south by Gleason Point Road and private residences;
• to the east by private residences and a marine fabrication business; and,
• to the west by private residences.

All of the private residences utilize wells for their drinking water supply.

EPA has removed the contaminated soil and a number of cylinders. MEDEP disposed of oil and oil-contaminated water from the crusher pit. Remaining on site are scrap-metals, piles of tires, batteries, mooring buoys, hot water heaters and automobile parts.

On 31 October 2006, OSC McKeown issued a purchase request amendment to Shaw Environmental, Inc. (EPA Region 1 Emergency Rapid Response Services (ERRS) contractor) increasing the funding from $80,0000 to $180,000.  This included the contingency from the action memorandum and a shift of funds ($12,000) from START.

On 7 November 2006, the ERRS transportation and disposal coordinator awarded the disposal subcontract to American Waste Management Services.  Since the Site is near the Canadian border the least expensive option was disposing of the waste at Horizon Environnement in Quebec.

On 8 November 2006, EPA OSC McKeown, ERRS (1 response manager and 1 equipment operator) and MEDEP mobilized to the Site.  ERRS mobilized a 200 LC John Deere Excavator, a 580C John Deere front-end loader, a generator, and two portable restrooms.

Removal activities included the excavation of lead and PCB contaminated soils and staging on polyethylene sheeting for disposal. EPA and MEDEP set up a 10- by 10-foot grid in the excavation area.  MEDEP provided in-situ screening of the soils via x-ray fluorescence (XRF).  ERRS excavated an area approximately 30- by 30-feet to approximately 6-inches to 1-foot below ground surface (bgs). Samples were collected for PCB analysis to be conducted during the week of November 13, 2006.

On 9 November 2006, EPA OSC McKeown, Weston Solutions, Inc. (WESTON®) Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team (START), MEDEP and ERRS arrived on Site.  ERRS gathered acetylene and oxygen cylinders from the side of the garage and the debris pile.  The cylinders were disposed of at Can-Am Welding supply in Baileyville, Maine.  ERRS continued to excavate lead- and PCB-contaminated soil and stockpiled it on Site.

EPA and MEDEP continued to grid the excavation area and analyze the soils in-situ via XRF analysis.  MEDEP staff departed the Site and START assumed the duties of the in-situ screening of the soils via XRF and sample collection for future PCB analysis. ERRS excavated an additional area approximately 30- by 30-feet to approximately 6-inches to 1-foot below ground surface (bgs).  START SL Benoit photo documented current Site conditions.

On 10 November 2006, Town of Perry Selectmen Dick Adams and Jeanne Guisinger visited the Site and received an update from OSC McKeown.

From 10 November until 13 November 2006, START deployed low-flow sampling pumps and pDRs for lead analysis and particulates, and continued XRF in-situ screening for lead and soil sample collection.  START and OSC McKeown continued to grid the excavation area and collect soil samples. ERRS continued the excavation of lead and PCB contaminated soils.

On 14 November 2006, MEDEP returned to the Site and took over the analytical duties. MEDEP used a portable GPS and documented the sample points and the extent of contamination. The MEDEP-procurred mobile laboratory broke down en route to the Site, therefore, MEDEP had the samples transported to the state laboratory in southern Maine. Additionally, MEDEP collected samples from crusher petroleum storage tank for disposal characterization.

On 16 November 2006, ERRS completed the staging of the soil, placed plastic tarps over both piles, and secured them with tires and other heavy items found on the Site.

In December of 2006, MEDEP disposed of 250 gallons of oil from the crusher pit at the Clean Harbors facility in South Portland, ME.

On 5 January 2007, EPA HQ notified OSC McKeown that the "EPA Acknowledgement of Consent" which documented the approval to ship was to Canada was signed.

On 17 January 2007, ERRS (1 response manager and 1 equipment operator) and MEDEP remobilized to the Site.

On 18 January 2007, ERRS loaded 335.62 tons of contaminated soil into 14 trucks for disposal at Horizon Environment, Grandes Piles, Quebec. ERRS scrapped soil underneath the polyethylene sheeting and removed a stained area of soil from the driveway.

On 19 January 2007, ERRS and MEDEP demobilized from the Site.

During the week of 18 June 2007, MEDEP disposed of 7,900 gallons of oil-contaminated water from the pit under the crusher. The last load was processed at the Clean Harbors facility in South Portland, ME on 25 June 2007.