United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region III
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

The facility was known to use chromated copper arsenate (CCA) to treat fence rails and mine lumber. RCRA had notified the facility regarding the proper disposal of CCA tanks located on-site, but residual product remains on-site with the potential to affect groundwater in the surrounding community.

Arsenic contamination has been determined as the main contaminant of concern at the site, and an Action Memorandum has been approved for the removal action at the site.

EPA removal action activities continue at the Site.

A significant amount of wood debris had been placed on the concrete pad by the RP prior to EPA's initiation of removal action activities. ERRS is in the process of removing and relocating this large pile of debris in an effort to provide much needed space for continuing the removal action activities.

START has collected XRF samples, and has sent samples to a CLP lab to be analyzed from the sampling grids along portions of the site that have been deemed as contaminated, to further refine the extent of the removal of soil and sediment. Preliminary XRF data indicates mass Arsenic contamination across the grids. Because of this, additional sampling grids have been set up, and START is in the process of initiating sampling activities in these areas to further refine the extent of contamination. Lab data is anticipated to be received on May 12 from the first XRF sampling event, with validated data expected May 19 from the first sampling event. Additional XRF sampling, lab data, and validated data across the newly established grids, will be forthcoming.

The rail line has been removed, along with the majority of concrete that had supported the rail line along the pad. The rail line and concrete from this area have been placed on poly, and are covered during off site hours to ensure that the CCA contamination does not leach. Hay bales and silt fencing have also been placed around the area in an effort to reduce any release of product onto areas that are not contaminated.

The area of the concrete pad slated for removal has been scored, and portions of this pad area will be removed beginning this week. The removed concrete will be pressure washed in a contained system in an effort to determine if residual contamination of the concrete, where the pad met the soil below ground, can be removed. This process will assist in determining if portions of the concrete pad could be disposed of as non-hazardous debris. Analytical sampling of the concrete will also be conducted to determine appropriate disposal options.

Crews will begin installing safety lighting within the treatment facility building in an effort to conduct tank evaluations and sampling within the building. Floors and walkways need to be cleaned due to debris spread across the facility which is impeding safe operations.

The Removal Action will consist of the removal and disposal of arsenic contaminated soil, sediment, water, and residual CCA product remaining in several treatment tanks onsite. The Removal Action will also consist of the placement of clean fill material, and regrading and revegetation of the soil and sediment areas that are to be removed. Portions of the concrete pad will be removed to allow access to contaminated soil beneath the pad which is to be excavated and sent for disposal. The pad area which is to be removed will also be repaired upon completion of removal action activities.

The 65' rail line along the pad was removed due to CCA contamination identified as a result of ERRS pad cleanup activities. The rail will be cleaned using a drill and metal brush to remove CCA product from the surface of the rails. This action will be conducted in a contained system to ensure that CCA contamination remains contained and will not be released. All CCA product contained during this procedure will be collected and disposed of as hazardous waste, along with the containment system upon completion of this activity. The rails will then be sampled to determine disposal options. Soil sampling will be conducted on the soil beneath the rail line to determine if contamination is present in this area. The concrete which supported the rail line will be disposed of as hazardous material due to visible CCA staining.  

Air monitoring is being conducted to determine if any contamination is being released off site into residential areas adjacent to the facility.

Concrete Pad demolition will continue this week. Contractors will work in Level C, and can downgrade as conditions allow. Air monitoring continues to be conducted in the work zone and along the perimeter of the site to ensure that any dust emissions released as a result of the pad demolition are not traveling offsite.

Crews will begin working inside the treatment facility building, setting up safety lighting and removing scattered debris across the floor of the building to provide safe access and walkways through the building. The treatment tanks will be opened through existing man-ways, if possible, to determine if hazardous waste or residual contamination exists in the tanks. Tank content sampling will be conducted to determine disposal options, and the tanks will be pressure washed as necessary, to reduce the amout of any residual waste remaining in the tanks. Any waste water generated from this operation will be collected, analyzed, and disposed of properly.

WVDEP officials visited the site this week. The OSC provided a site tour, and discussed the goals of the removal action, and the processes involved in achieving the removal action goals.