This polrep focuses on the activities performed from 11/22/08 through 11/24/08. For more general information regarding EPA's activities at the Site, please see the Site description or previous polreps.
The primary focus of EPA's activities on Site at this time is to ensure that contaminated soils are excavated and removed from the South Hill neighborhood in a manner which is safe for the community.
On Saturday November 22, The Chief of the City of Chesapeake Fire Department convened an onsite meeting of the Unified Command. The purpose of this meeting was to develop a strategy for future excavation work on residential properties.
The meeting was attended by City of Chesapeake Fire Officials, EPA, VDH, and representatives from Allied Terminals, Inc.
During excavation of soils on a residential property this week, readings became elevated for short bursts of time. These readings quickly dissipated.
Several other areas are scheduled for excavation including the ditch surrounding the corner of Banks and Hannah Streets, the City right-of-way property at the corner of Rosemont and Middle Streets, and impacted soils on a residential property.
As a precaution, Chief Best and Dr. Nancy Welch (VDH) recommended that residents in the IMMEDIATE vicinity to the excavation areas be offered the opportunity for temporary relocaiton during the next excavation. Allied agreed to arrange for temporary relocation of 4 residences if needed. These residences were selected by VDH upon EPA's recommendation of their proximity to the impacted areas and on air monitoring readings to date.
However, the excavation schedule is based upon access to a private property. Access has been denied to date.
A flyer has been developed for this action. When the excavation is scheduled, EPA will work with VDH, CFD, and Allied to meet with the residents individually to determine if they are willing to relocate. However, this schedule has not been finalized. As of 11/24/08 at 1630 hours, access had still not been granted.
Other work at the Site continues. HEPACO continued dressing and revegetating a residential property on Banks Street. HEPACO also continued working on the ditches on Hannah and Banks Street.
City of Chesapeake Public Works Department was on scene to mark City right-of-way property to the extent possible. However, some of the lines could not be accurately detected.
Work on Site focused on pumping a draining ditch in the fuel tank area. This area was impacted when fertilzer from the tank overflowed the loading rack area. This area still contains product and may the source of some of the unrecovered product previously reported. VDEQ J. Settle was on scene. VDEQ informed Allied that product cannot be discharged from this area because doing so violates the stormwater permit for the facility. VDEQ also advised Allied to excavate the contaminated soils in this area because the dike is earthen. Therefore, the contaminated soils will leach product into the groundwater. HEPACO began work in this area today.
CTEH continues air monitoring for Allied. Ammonia readings have dropped significantly since excavation is stopped in the residentiial area. Ambient readings range from non-detect to 2 ppm. The highest readings are just above the ditch near the residence where Allied does not have access. Readings in this area were generally 6-8 ppm.
Allied's insutance company was onsite on 11/24/08 to inspect the damaged and impacted areas. Allied's insurance company will begin their own investigation next week. Following this investigation, Allied's contractors will begin cutting the collapsed tank and removing it for disposal.
Deputy Fire Msrshal Fowler on scene on 11/22/08 and 11/24/08. Chesapeake Fire Marshal's office is involved in the investigation and is requesting Federal assistance in the investigation. OSC Casillas is coordinating these actions with EPA Region III.
As Incident Commander, the City of Chesapeake is requesting EPA maintain a presence at the scene until residential cleanup is complete and the threat of further migration of fertilizer and/or ammonia vapors is mitigated.
Since access was not granted to the impacted area by 4 pm on 11/24/08, excavation will not begin until next Monday at the earliest. EPA and CFD agree that temporary relocation of residents over the Thanksgiving holiday would be burndensome to the residents.
One area remains heavily impacted. Allied cannot proceed to excavate this area without permission of a property owner. This property owner is represented by legal counsel. EPA has strongly recommended that access be granted so that the remaining impacted areas can be excavated. This delay may result in continued ammonia vapor emissions from this area, may contribute to the migration of spilled fertilizer, and may increase the risk of exposure for the resident.
Air monitoring will continue through the Thanksgiving holiday to ensure ammonia vapors are not exceeding levels which pose an imminent and substantial threat to public health.
Formal investingation of the cause of the collapes will begin on 12/2/08 and is expected to be completed within the week.
A resident in the South Hill neighborhood sought medical attention on 11/21/08. The OSC provided the contact information for this resident to Dr. Welch and ATSDR.
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