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 and removing the debris associated with the demolition. EPA will also remove the foundation and test the soils underneath the MPB for the presence of pesticide contamination. Phase II will conclude with disposal of any contaminated soils, site restoration and an Open House/Public Meeting.
Demolition and restoration activities have been completed at the site. The Mixing Plant Building has been demolished and approximately 1900 cubic yards of construction debris has been transported and disposed of at the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Landfill in Donna, TX. The debris was characterized as Class I non-hazardous waste.
Approximately 1200 cubic yards of soils excavated from underneath the building were sampled and shipped off as non-hazardous wastes to the RGV Landfill.
Approximately 200 cubic yards of soils from underneath the building were sampled and characterized as hazardous due to elevated concentrations of Heptachlor. These soils were shipped to a Clean Harbors permitted waste facility for incineration.
Backfilling and levelling low lying areas around the site was completed and a soil erosion control mat was installed along the south and east boundaries of the site to help prevent soil erosion and washout during a rainfall event.
Air monitoring and air sampling activities concluded on Tuesday March 25th as the last hazardous soils were shipped offsite for disposal. Results will be posted as soon as they are received from the laboratory. No Effects Screening Levels (ESL's) were exceeded during Phase II activities.
Phase II will not be fully completed until an Open House/Public Meeting is held in late April to explain Phase II activities to residents and answer any questions they may have regarding the site.
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