The US Forgecraft Site is located at 95 S. 3rd Street in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The Site is currently inactive and includes four tracts of property interspersed with two sets of railroad tracks, adjacent to the Fort Smith National Historic Site, and a city street. The property is owned by US Forgecraft Corporation (USFC) and has been used as part of their metal finishing and plating manufacturing process. USFC manufactured specialized hardware for parachute harnesses, fall protection systems, cargo and other restraint systems. Magnetic particle inspection and laboratory testing were also performed onsite.
In May 2004, ADEQ categorized and segregated liquid/solid waste located in various areas throughout the facility and staged the waste inside respective 55-gallon drums inside one of the buildings.
On October 15, 2004, the ADEQ requested the assistance of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Response and Prevention Branch to address the immediate threats to human health and the environment existing at the Site. Based on the previous ADEQ sampling analysis and investigation, and on observations made during a December 15, 2004 site walk, the EPA determined the need to begin a removal assessment.
On December 15, 2004, EPA and EPA START-2 contractors met with ADEQ representatives, Tammy Almand and Penny Wilson, at the Site to conduct a site walk and identify potential hazards and contaminants. START-2 conducted logbook and photo documentation. During the site walk, several filing cabinets and the basement to one of the buildings contained company records. An MSDS notebook of chemicals stored/used onsite, a Waste Management Plan updated June 1, 2000, and a facility layout map (not to scale) were found.
Over the coming weeks, a review of historical information from the ADEQ and National Park Service, waste generator(s)/site owner(s)/site operator(s) and other documents relating to past operator(s), will be conducted to obtain background information. A site visit to the ADEQ Little Rock office will be conducted the week of January 6, 2005 to copy file records on the US Forgecraft Site.
Once PRP addresses have been identified, site access will be initiated via letter. After background information has been reviewed, a Quality Assurance Sampling Plan and HASP will be generated to begin sampling activities.
Many unknowns exist on the Site. The Site borders the Arkansas River and a National Historic Site.
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