Halaco Engineering Company began operation as a metal reclaiming facility at 6200 Perkins Road in Oxnard in 1965. The approximately 38-acre facility consists of two separate parcels on either side of the Oxnard Industrial Drain: a smelter and a waste disposal area (which includes the waste management unit, or WMU). Different types of waste were deposited on the WMU including heavy metals and radioactive contaminated slag (a byproduct of the smelting process). It is estimated that more than 710,000 cubic yards of waste make up the WMU. Halaco also deposited waste in the area north of the WMU. Current estimates of waste process solids in the smeler exceed 7,000 cubic yards. An additional 5,000 cubic yards of waste process solids have been discovered in the Ormond Beach Wetlands.
Halaco’s waste disposal practices have been cited by federal, state and local authorities for many years. The facility received various orders and notices of violation from EPA, the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, the California Department of Health Services Radiological Health Branch, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control and the City of Oxnard Fire Department.
In 2002, Halaco filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In 2006, after Halaco ceased operations, the bankruptcy was converted to a Chapter 7 (liquidation) bankruptcy. Later that year, Chickadee Remediation Co purchased the waste management area and assumed the lease to the former smelter property. Alpha and Omega Development LLC subsequently acquired the waste management area from Chickadee.
On March 7, 2007, Halaco was proposed for inclusion on the National Priorities List.
From February 20 - March 2, OSC Richard Martyn on-site. Grading operations continued in the WMU. The ERRS awarded a contract for the installation of a temporary bridge to cross the Oxnard Industrial Drain (OID). The existing brige did not meet the weight specifications needed for site activities. On March 5-6, 2007, the existing bridge was removed and cut up for scrap and the new bridge was installed. This bridge will be removed at the completion of the removal action.
The START and PST continued air surveillance activities on the WMU and the smelter. Data collected documents contaminant concentration levels below the site action levels.
Beginning on March 7, 2007, waste process solids from the smelter were transferred to the WMU for consolidation.
On February 16, 2007, OSC Wise and the START discovered what appeared to be process solids from the Halaco WMU in the Ormond Beach Wetlands, directly south of the end of Perkins Road. During the week of February 19, 2007, scientists from the Radiation and Indoor Air National Laboratory (RIANL) conducted a radiation survey of this area. The survey documented elevated levels of gamma and alpha radiation. Based on the survey results, the START collected a number of samples. The samples documented the presence of thorium isotopes identical to those found at the Halaco WMU. The laboratory analysis documented radiation activity levels in excess of the residential radiation PRGs for thorium 228, 230 and 232. The activity levels were up to 10x the action levels. The data was recieved on March 2, 2007. After consulting with OSC R. Martyn, RIANL scientists, the California Department of Health Radiologic Health Branch and the city of Oxnard, OSC Wise ordered access to the impacted areas of the Ormond Beach Wetlands closed to prevent exposure to members of the public.
During the week of March 5, 2007, the START planned and executed additional assessment of this impacted area to define the horizontal and vertical extent of contamination in the Ormond Beach Wetlands. The samples will analyzed in the field using a XRF (heavy metals) and screened for alpha radiation. Based on the screening results, 20% of the samples will be sent to the laboratory for definitive analysis.
OSC Wise has consulted with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the California Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers on issues related to removal activities in the Ormond Beach Wetlands.
The media interest in Halaco has been intense. There have been several articles in the Ventura Star and the Los Angeles Times since the commencement of the stabiliztion action. On March 6, 2007, The Los Angeles NBC affiliate was on-site for an interview. This resulted in a story the evening news for the greater Los Angeles market. On March 7, 2007, EPA held a press day. Representative from the Ventura Star and the LA Times were on-site as well as a number of Oxnard City officials. The press day resulted in articles in both papers.
1. Removal of all waste process solids from the smelter for incorporation into the WMU. Removal of waste process solids from the smelter and a gross decon of the former solids storage areas is expected to take 2 weeks. Upon completion of this issue the HAZWOPER restrictions on the smelter will be released.
2. Removal of the solids from the Ormond Beach Wetlands. This activity is expected to begin sometime next week and take approximately 1 week. EPA will be consulting with USFWS and the CADFG on endangered species issues. The volume of solids to be removed is estimated at approxiately 5000 cubic yards.
3. Completion of WMU grading activities.
4. Placement of coir matting on the WMU.
1. Continuation of grading activities.
2. Removal of solids from the smelter.
3. Submittal of a workplan on the removal of solids from the Ormond Beach Lagoon to USFWS for consultation on the endangered species issues.
1. Contamination in the Ormond Beach Lagoon. The START will be assessing other areas in and around the Lagoon and wetlands to determine there are any additonal deposits of the waste process solids.
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