United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region III
POLLUTION REPORT



Date:
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
From:
Dominic Ventura

Subject: 

Continuation of work
Elkton Farm Firehole
183 Zeitler Rd., Elkton, MD
Latitude: 39.6292184
Longitude: -75.8681150


POLREP No.:
41
Site #:
A3DH RV
Reporting Period:
5/21 - 5/25, 2007
D.O. #:
Start Date:
1/31/2006
Response Authority:
CERCLA
Mob Date:
1/31/2006
Response Type:
Time-Critical
Demob Date:
 
NPL Status:
Non NPL
Completion Date:
 
Incident Category:
Removal Action
CERCLIS ID #:
Contract #
RCRIS ID #:
 

Site Description

Work Mission Statement:

Safely and efficiently investigate and remove Munitions and Explosives of Concern (MEC); Materials Potentially Possessing an Explosive Hazard (MPPEH), Munitions Debris (MD) and explosively contaminated soil(TNT) from the Elkton Farms Firehole Site, as defined in EPA's geophysical study.            


Current Activities

USA Environmental under sub contract to GES continues to work the mag and dig approach, within Phase I.  Two teams of 5 people are separated under the MSD of 200ft.  Phase I geographical area consists of the low density grids surrounding the fireholes.  It is estimated that there are 30 to 35 Phase I grids.    

The following stats apply since remobilization occurred on April 24, 2007:
1. Total Grids Cleared Gov't QA: 11
   C4b,K4c,K4d,C4c,C3d,C3a,B3b,G5c,B3a,F2a,F2b
2. Total digs this reporting period(anomalies): 3836
3. Total MEC found: 564
   MEC items include detonators,grenade fuze,blasting caps,tracer elements, etc. etc.
4. Total MD found: 245lbs
5. Scrap metal found: 219lbs

On 5/22 EPA, GES and USA met with Alliant TechSystems (ATK) representatives on site to discuss communication and coordination issues.  ATK borders the southern portion of the site and manufactures rocket motor systems for advanced weapons systems and space systems.  As a result testing of these systems is conducted under controlled environments with high volatility propellants causing numerous explosions.  Therefore the need to communicate regarding planned tests is paramount for safety of site personnel.  During this meeting the OSC learned that ATK may own a small portion of the southern tip of the site.  According to ATK this area was acquired so that a safe distance radius from their test building could be maintained.  This radius is not delineated in anyway in the field.  EPA personnel and its contractors will not be entering this area to perform removal activities.  


Specific grids that were worked and passed QA  this reporting period included F2b and F2a. Grids worked and that did not get completed included grid C3b and D3a.

Advent Environmental (developer's contractor for geophysical survey) did not mobilize to the site as planned this reporting period.  It is unknown when the actual mobe will occur.


response.epa.gov/elktonfarmfirehole