Site activities for the week of 5/21/07-5/25/07 focused on stream excavation of creosote-contaminated soils and backfilling of these areas.
Hazel Court Enterprises continues to be operational while Site activities are ongoing. EPA's contractor, Guardian Environmental Services, Inc. is working around the business activities. The property operator is being cooperative, allowing EPA to perform the necessary activities in the stream.
Work began on the east side of the stream, which runs parallel to the Kinder-Morgan facility and perpinducular to Freeman Ave. The natural flow of the stream runs underneath the property line part way along the property fence and empties into a City of Chesapeake right-of-way.
ERRS dug test pits every 10 feet along the fence property line. These test pits were inspected by the OSC to determine areas requiring excavation. The OSC deternined that visible cocontamination stopped approximately 20 feet from the property line crossover of the steam. Excavation began at this point and was directed toward the north.
The area on the east end of the stream was excavated at a mimimum of 1.5 feet (closest to Freeman Ave) and up to four feet as the stream approaches the curve on Site. The area was backfilled with sand and regraded. The area was surveyed to determine the proper slope for backfilling. Excavation of the east end of the stream was completed this week.
Once the east area of the stream was completed, ERRS began excavation on the curve of the stream, which is located in the far northeast corner of the Site. This area was heavily contaminated. Contaminated soils are being dumped into dewatering boxes (2) on Site and allowed to drain. Once the boxes stop draining, the soils are then being transferred to the soil staging pile on the opposite end of the Site.
Containment measures remain in place to protect the Elizabeth River from creosote discharge. No evidence of discharge due to EPA's activiites has been noted. The stream is monitored many times throughout the day and especially when the tide is receding.
On Wednesday, May 23, EPA Elizabeth River Liasison R. Sturgeon and Mr. J. Reiger from the Elizabeth River Project toured the Site. Mr.Koubsky, construction engineer for the Elizabeth River Project accompanied Mr. Rieger. ERP will be dredging creosote from the Elizabeth River next year. The purpose of the visit was to determine any impact from EPA's activities on the dredging operation. However, at this time, EPA predicts the stream excavation work will be 100% complete by the time dredging operations begin. The OSC and ERP discussed options for the "apron" leading from the stream to the River. ERP will consult with the natural resource trustees and give the OSC a recommendation on either rip-rap (rock) or planting in this area. Planting may have limitations due to the tidal influences.
On Thursday, May 24, Deputy Fire Marshall D. Fowler was onsite to perform an inspection of the Hazel Court Enterprises Site. This is not particularly related to EPA's activities. However, the City of Chesapeake has asked the property operator for a Phase II assessment. Since EPA will need to document post-removal Site conditions, OSC Wagner explained to Mr. Fowler that much of this data will be the same. EPA will provide the needed data to the Chesapeake Fire Department as it becomes available.
EPA Site Administrative Officer J.R. Wright on Site this week to review administrative and financial documentation.
OSC Wagner discussed RCRA listing of stream waste with Virginia Dept. of Environmental Quality representatives. Based on several discussions, the stream waste will be coded as F014 waste. ERRS Transportation and Disposal Coordinator sent out a bid package for possible disposal of these wastes.
Weather was pleasant all this week. No impact on Site conditions due to inclement weather.
All personnel demobed for the holiday weekend on 5/25/07. Work will resume on 5/29/07.
Transportation and disposal of creosote-contaminated soils to begin once bids are received and subcontractor package is signed by the Contracting Officer.
Removal actions will continue in the stream. EPA is awaiting bids on transportation and disposal so that disposal of contaminated soils can resurme.
In the OSC's opinion, the contaminated sediments sediments in the stream originated from a variety of sources. The general area was historically used for creosote operations during the active operations of Eppinger & Russell, Bernuth Lembcke, Republic Creosote and others. Thie stream was likely the downgradient catch basin for these facilities. EPA has no evidence to show that the contamination in these sediments is specifically related to the operations at Hazel Court Enterprises. However, Hazel Court Enterprises is the current owner of the Site.
Furthermore, there does not appera to be subsurface soil creosote contaminatio beteween the tank area and the stream.
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