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April 2, 2008
On April 2, 2008, water and land based recon teams were deployed.
The land-based recon team (Team 1) started in the developed area in Vernonia, Oregon. Team 1 located numerous smaller HHW containers, electrical transformers, and several groups of drums in the Anderson Park area. Team 1 also searched around the elementary and high schools, and around Hawthorn Park, but found only some smaller HHW containers. Geographical coordinates, photographs, and field notes were recorded for the larger containers, but not for the smaller HHW containers, in order to expedite the Team's progress. The transformers appeared to be leaking dielectric oil, but were labeled as Non-PCB.
The water-based recon team (Team 2) started near Nehalem RM 102 and floated down to near Nehalem RM 97. Team 2 located a vented 55-gallon drum, an approximately 500-gallon leaking propane tank, and an approximately 500-gallon vented steel tank with fuel odors. Geographic coordinates, photographs, and field notes for these containers were recorded. Smaller containers were recovered in the boat, such as quart-sized oil bottles, gas cans, and other HHW. Detailed information for the smaller containers was not recorded in order to expedite the progress of Team 2.
Oregon DEQ SOSC Garner performed community outreach tasks. A simplified property access agreement was developed, specific for the search and removal activities for this response. A community HHW Collection Event advertisement/information flyer was also developed. The Collection Event is scheduled for this weekend (April 5, 6, and 7). The advertisement/flyers were distributed to the Vernonia Chamber of Commerce, the United States Post Office in Vernonia, The Learning Center/Flood Support Center, the Washington Elementary School, the Sentry Market, the Mist Fire Department, and to some individual residents.
April 3, 2008
Team 1 (Land Recon) located drum dump sites and a diesel fuel tank in a field and wooded area west of Vernonia Lake. Team 1 continued recon downstream of Verononia to the vicinity of Big Eddy Park, locating and recovering HHW. Team 1 also stopped to investigate reports of several containers near a residence at on Nehalem Highway North. An estimated 500 to 1000 gallon fuel tank, a smaller estimated 200 gallon stainless steel tank, and smaller containers were observed and recorded.
Team 2 (Water Recon) continued floating to approximate Nehalem RM 87.5. Only smaller HHW containers were noted until a 500+ gallon used oil tank, an empty 300-500 gallon storage tank, and two 55 gallon steel drums were observed between approximately Nehalem RM 88.5 and RM 87.5.
The small container recovery team (Team 3) recovered numerous HHW containers from an unmarked and apparently unofficial solid waste and hazardous waste drop off site south of Mist, off the side of Highway 47.
The National Response Corporation Environmental Services company (NRCES; ODEQ contractor) large container recovery team (no team number assigned as this team will not recon any unknown containers) recovered conatainers from a local neighborhood, a dairy, and private residences. Some full containers were not recovered because a Vac-Truck will need to be scheduled to pump off the contents before the containers can be moved.
ERRs determined a location for the HHW Collection Event across from Vernonia City Hall. In order to satisfy the property lease conditions, the property requires before and after Collection Event surface soil sampling.
Oregon DEQ SOSC Garner continued gathering property and owner information, obtaining property access agreements, and community outreach.
April 4, 2008
Team 1 (Land Recon) searched Nehalem RM 62 to RM 84. Team 1 reported seeing few containers downstream of Mist, Oregon. Upstream of Mist, Oregon, a significant number of HHW size and 55-gallon drum size containers were found near Nehalem RM 74. A drum was found near Nehalem RM 79 and slightly downstream from RM 81. A debris pile was found near Nehalem RM 79.
A second land recon team (Team 4) was created for today. Team 4 surveyed the Nehalem from RM 105 to RM 97.5. Very little HHW and debris was found along this section, and the team believes they bracketed the upstream extent of flood-related HHW and HW/HAZMAT. Team 4 also searched for containers at the O-Black Road bridge near Big Eddy Park and Nehalem RM 79, and investigated access routes to the containers observed by Team 2 (see below) in the field across from Ellis Dairy downstream of Nehalem RM 87.
Team 2 (Water Recon) floated from approximately Nehalem RM 87.5 to RM 81. The team found a large group of containers across from the Ellis Dairy, including a 55-gallon drum leaking oil that appears to have been used for target practice. The team found a second debris pile approximately 1/4 mile to a 1/2 mile long near Nehalem RM 85. Team 2 performed a partial assessment of the debris pile, but found many containers, and moved on.
Team 3 (small container recovery team) continued to work at various locations along the river recovering known small containers and searching known debris piles for hidden containers.
The large container recovery team completed removal of containers at the Ivy Street neighborhood and at Anderson Park, except for one drum that cannot be relocated (T1-011).
START collected one surface soil 7-point composite sample of the property that will be used for the HHW Collection Event this weekend. The sample was labeled 08041001 and will be submitted for VOCs (5035 method), NWTPH-Gx, SVOCs, TAL metals, and NWTPH-Dx to Test America laboratory in Beaverton, Oregon by 1200 hours on April 5, 2008.
ICS Activity
The ICS operational period remains at 24 hours, beginning each day at 0000 hours and ending at 2400 hours. USEPA and ODEQ have formed a Unified Command (UC). Four branches continue operate: recon, water ops/recovery, waste disposal, and emergency response (ER). The ER branch will continue to staff the ICP and manage data generated during the response.
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