On October 22nd, 2002, EPA received a referral from the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VADEQ) concerning the Coeburn Disposal Site. It was reported by VADEQ Keene that he had observed battery casing parts and plates on the Site. VADEQ requested that EPA further investigate the Site.
In March of 2003, EPA and START conducted a site assessment at the property. Analytical results revealed elevated levels of lead in the site soils up to 8,060 ppm and in the site sediment up to 627 ppm. OSC Kelly reviewed the analytical data and determined that a removal action was warranted at the site. OSC Kelly submitted an action memo for the site and received approval July of 2004. OSC Kelly made arrangements for ERRS and START to mobilize to the site to begin operations on August 10, 2004.
Week of August 8, 2004
a. EPA, START, and ERRS mobilized to Norton, Virginia, on August 9, 2004.
b. During the morning of August 10, 2004, all personnel mobilized to the site, met for a briefing, and reviewed and signed the site health and safety plan.
c. The command trailer and portable toilets arrived on site August 10, 2004, and all personnel unpacked equipment and supplies.
d. OSC Kelly met with local officials in order to inform them that site work has begun and explain what actions will be taken during the removal. OSC Kelly also corresponded with state and federal officials concerning activities at the site.
e. During August 11 and 12, 2004, ERRS constructed high-vis fencing along the site perimeters and restricted access to the site. ERRS arranged for security to be on site during non-operational hours to further restrict site access.
g. Throughout the remainder of the week, ERRS removed vegetation and cleared the grounds for access to the eastern portion of the site. ERRS completed construction of the high-vis fencing along this boundary.
h. START set up high-volume air sampling equipment along the site perimeters in order to monitor dusts that will be migrating off site into the residential areas.
j. START prepared the personal air monitoring equipment for use during excavation activities.
k. START conducted photographic documentation of all site activities throughout the week.
l. EPA and START drafted a community bulletin/fact sheet and hand delivered the information to the local residents and businesses on August 14, 2004 and August 15, 2004.
Week of August 15, 2004
m. START collected background air samples from the high-volume air samplers during a non-operational day, August 15, 2004.
n. OSC Kelly, ERRS, and START established hot, warm, and cold zones on site. ERRS constructed a decontamination area for entry into the hot zone. The health and safety plan was finalized to include these zones and egress points from the site.
p. ERRS began excavation at the northeast corner of the northern section of the site and continued through August 18, 2004. ERRS then began excavation at the southwestern corner of the northern section of the site. While excavation occurred, dust suppression was performed utilizing an on-site water tank and hoses. Decontamination of the debris that was excavated was performed with water. The debris and soil were separated into two piles for disposal. ERRS constructed a bermed area to stage the contaminated soil pending sampling and disposal.
q. During excavation operations, START monitored the dust levels in the hot zone by assigning personal data rams to three ERRS personnel; the particulate levels were monitored to determine if an upgrade of personal protective equipment, specifically level C PPE, was required. The monitors showed that level D PPE was adequate at the time.
r. ERRS made arrangements for a disposal facility for the site rocks/debris.
s. START collected high-volume air samples during two days of excavation activities.
t. START procured laboratory services for analysis and validation for air and soil samples that were anticipated to be collected during the removal action.
u. START received a portable X-ray fluorescence instrument to analyze site soils for lead. START made preparations for sampling with the instrument and drafted a sampling plan for its use.
v. START continued photographic documentation of all site activities throughout the week.
w. OSC Kelly continued correspondence with all local, state and federal officials, and continued to monitor site work per the work plan.
Removal Actions will include the following: excavation of contaminated soils on the site, to a lead concentration of less than 400 ppm or at a maximum depth of two feet; analytical testing of surface soils during and following excavation activities; backfilling the volume of excavated soils with clean fill; and restoration of the unnamed tributary that flows through the site.
a. ERRS will continue to excavate the contaminated soils from the northern section of the site.
b. ERRS will determine a testing and disposal method for the water that is utilized for dust suppression and decontamination of the rocks excavated from the site. ERRS will propose this method to the OSC and the OSC will determine if the method is feasible and adequate for operations.
c. START will continue to monitor site personnel for exposure to dust in order to recommend the proper respiratory protection during site operations.
d. START will continue to collect high-volume air samples to determine the amount of metals and particulates that are contained in the dust that is migrating from the site.
e. START will construct a site grid and begin to collect soil samples that will be analyzed for lead both on and off site, with the use of X-ray fluorescence technology. START will receive validated analytical results within two weeks to confirm that the XRF equipment is performing within the required accuracy to utilize the data received from in-situ sampling.
f. Throughout the site activities, the OSC will correspond with all local, state, and federal officials. The OSC will monitor all site activities to ensure that the scope of work is being executed properly.
Elevated levels of lead have been found in the site soils up to 8,060 ppm. The lead has migrated into the unnamed tributary that flows through the site, as evident in a 627 ppm lead sample in the tributary.
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