EPA continues removal actions on the creosote tanks and contaminated soils at the Site.
EPA is coordinating closely with the property operator, the City of Chesapeake Fire Dept. and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
On Monday 6/26/06, ERRS toppled Tank #3. Photos of this activity are found in the "Photos" section of the main website. 47 drums of creosote liquid sludge were removed from this tank, totalling 2,505 gallons. Tank #3 was estimated to have a capacity of 12,000 gallons based on height and diameter estimates.
Approximately 5.1 feet of product was discovered inside the tank, which contained both liquid sludge/product and solid sludge material.
Heavy rains again adversely impacted Site operations to the point where the work area was completely flooded. The Site now had to be continually pumped to prevent the staged soils and drums from being submerged. ERRS set up a submersible pump in the northwest corner of the work area to try and drain the clean rainwater. Also, the ERRS operator dug a "moat" around the large million gallon empty tank to enhance drainage.
On Wednesday, 6/28/06, ERRS began work on Tank #4.
The OSC updated VA DEQ C. SaintClair-Canaii on Site operations and also coordinated with EPA PA/SI Coordinator L. Baxter.
Also on 6/28/06, Hazel Court Enterprises hired a contractor to pump out other drums on the Site. These aforementioned drums do NOT contain creosote and are oils from the salvage and refurbishing activities from Hazel Court Enterprises, Inc.
ERRS continued and pumping decontamination of Tank #4 for the remainder of the week. On Thursday and Friday, EPA SAO Wright oversaw Site activities because the OSC had to leave for an emergency.
ERRS began work on Tank #4 as weather permitted. Tank #4 is the largest of the four tanks in this area and contains the greatest amount of waste.
EPA, START, and ERRS demobed from the Site on 6/30/06 for a week due to the 4th of July holiday. Because of limited EPA resources available next week (MLB All-Star Game and Preparations for OSC Readiness), Site operations will resume on July 10.
ERRS will continue to pump and deconaminated Tank #4. Also, the OSC approved the purchase of backfill to level the areas excavated of creosote-contaminated soil.
Several Key Issues are of Current Interest:
* The significant increase in ERRS costs this week is due to the addtion of $100k in pending disposal costs;
* Extent of Contamination: Significant contamination is still being found at groundwater level in all areas of excavation. The OSC has made the onsite decision not to excavate below the groundwater table since no preventive containment measures are in place;
* ARARs: Due to contamination found at the groundwater table, the OSC will be unlikely to meet the State ARARs for cleanup goals
* International Disposal - Because the waste from the Site is a listed hazardous waste, disposal options are limited. The OSC is working closely with ORC to determine viable options.
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