The Pennsboro Glass site is a defunct glass manufacturing facility located in the "old" industrial area in Pennsboro, Ritchie County, West Virginia. The site is comprised of three buildings and is situated over a small stream. The largest of three buildings is partially damaged/demolished. Access to the site is only restricted by caution tape.
I. Situation (1830 hrs, Friday, August 26, 2005)
A. On July 28, 2005, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) requested assistance from EPA Region III via a Division of Water & Waste Management (DWWM) complaint/emergency response report. WVDEP Kevin Campbell forwarded the request for assistance regarding a defunct glass manufacturing facility located in Pennsboro, Ritchie County, WV. This facility was purchased by an acquisitions limited liability corporation following a sheriff’s sale of the property due to backed taxes. The previous owner was Champion Glass Company, also a limited liability company. Champion acquired the property from the Pennsboro Glass Company who operated the site from the late 1930s through 1998. The WVDEP report indicated that several potentially hazardous contaminants were present at the site with no restriction of access to the building. The main building (one of three) is listed as partially demolished.
B. OSC Easton tasked START to conduct a windshield assessment of the property. The OSC also requested a file review and a deed search for the site property.
C. START researched the information provided by the WVDEP and located the contact phone number for the present site owner and subsequently forwarded this information to the OSC. OSC Easton contacted the property owner in an attempt to obtain a mailing address for access agreement correspondence. A post office box mailing address was provided.
D. Personnel On-Scene (8/26/05): START-2
E. Weather: 8/26/05 overcast, drizzle, temps in the low 70's
II. Actions Taken
Friday, August 26, 2005
A. At 1115 hours, START arrived at the site and began conducting a windshield assessment of the subject site and surrounding properties. START used a micro R radiation meter to screen the site and surrounding area for gamma radiation as per health and safety protocol. START observed no access restriction measures other than caution tape. START observed several piles of glass cullet in the vicinity of the site that appear to be used in marble production at the champion agate company. This facility, which appeared to be currently operational, is within close proximity to the site. START noted key features such as road and stream locations, drains and utilities, and proximity to residential housing and a nearby school. START conducted written and photographic documentation of all windshield assessment activities.
B. At 1245 hours, START visited the pennsboro local library to obtain copies of historical information pertaining to the site and surrounding area.
C. At 1345 hours, START departed the library for the Ritchie County Courthouse in Harrisville, WV.
D. At 1450 hours, START arrived at the Ritchie County Courthouse and began conducting a deed search for the property parcel(s) associated with the site area. START was successful in obtaining all deed copies that directly involve the parcels associated with the site property.
E. At 1610 hours, START departed Harrisville, WV, and returned to the wheeling START office.
III. Future Plans
A. OSC to continue attempting to gain access from the current property owner to conduct a sampling assessment at the site.
B. OSC Easton will continue to coordinate with WVDEP and the City of Pennsboro regarding the status of the assessment.
Sampling Assessment
Access for Sampling Assessment
Access and possible responsible party attribution.
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