From September 2006 through May 2007, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) conducted a removal action at the HCC that involved the excavation, transportation and disposal of the pesticide-contaminated soils underneath a deteriorating asphalt cap. In September of 2007 the USEPA conducted a removal assessment and a structural inspection of the Mixing Plant Building (MPB) in preparation for the final phase of the Removal Action.
The final phase will consist of demolishing the MPB, removal of debris associated with the demolition, removal of the foundation, testing soils underneath the MPB for the presence of pesticide contamination, disposal of contaminated soils and finally site restoration.
Demolition activities continue at the site. The roof and approximately 85% of the walls have been demolished. Approximately 900 cubic yards of construction debris has been staged on the east side of the MPB awaiting disposal. The debris has been characterized as Class I non-hazardous waste and will be transported to the Rio Grande Valley Landfill in Donna, Texas.
Removal of approx. 3000 square feet of asbestos containing material (transite) on the roof at the south end of the MPB is expected to begin February 22nd and will last 1-2 days. The work will be done by Turnstone EH&S a licensed asbestos removal contractor in Mcallen, TX.
Approximately 20% of the slab on the north end of the MPB has been broken and is in the process of being removed. An underground vault was uncovered at the northeast corner of the MPB. It appears that the RP conducted a removal action of the contents in the vault however there are still visibly contaminated soils around the perimeter of the vault area which need to be addressed.
The area underneath the MPB to be sampled has been laid out into 10 grids from which a 9 point composite sample will be collected from each grid. Soil sampling of the first four grids located at the north end of the MPB should begin February 22nd.
Air monitoring activities continue at the site on a daily basis. There have been no exceedances in either the daily particulate monitoring or in the laboratory analysis for pesticides.
An additional ERRS contractor was added today to help set up the truck wash decontamination station which will be utilized during transportation and disposal of debris and contaminated soils.
Transportation and disposal of the staged debris should begin on February 25th.
The remaining building structure will be demolished as soon as the asbestos removal action is concluded.
Once the MPB has been demolished and the slab removed, soil sampling will continue until the entire area underneath the MPB has been characterized
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