On January 6, 2008, the Marshall County Emergency Management Agency contacted the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) regarding the discovery of drums that had been dumped on the side of Union Valley road adjacent to Cuffawa creek.
DEQ dispatched environmental contractor, USES, out of Southaven, MS, to the scene to observe situation and conduct stabilizing measures as needed. USES stood drums up, as able, placed absorbents on spilled materials, and covered the drums with visqueen.
On January 6, DEQ contacted OSC Spurlin and requested that EPA asssist with further evalaution and mitigation of the drums.
On January 8, OSC Spurlin responded to the incident. EPA met with DEQ and the Marshall County EMA at the Site. The OSC observed 30, 55-gallon drums dumped in the right-of-way of Union Valley road. The drums were in poor condition, and liquids had spilled from the drums onto the surrounding soils. The drums were located with 30'-40' of Cuffawa creek. A chemical odor was noticeable near the drums.
Based on the site conditions, the OSC utilized his warrant authority to hire ERRS contractor, USES, to conduct an emergency response. USES was tasked to overpack and stage the drums in an attempt to prevent further releases. USES collected samples from the drums and field testing was conducted on-site to determine the likely nature of the material.
Sampling and testing indicated 28 drums contained liquids of various quantities and 2 drums were empty. Field testing verified the drums contained potential hazardous substances and RCRA waste, including flammable and coorosive liquids.
The drums in poorest condition were overpacked, and all the containers were moved out of the right-of-way and staged and covered on nearby property.
Due to the forecast of severe weather in the area the afternoon of January 8, EPA, DEQ, EMA, and USES demobilized from the site once the staging was completed. USES returned to the site on January 9 to collect and transport samples to a lab for analysis in anticipation of future disposal.
Once sample data is received from the lab, EPA will review the data with ERRS and determine the appropriate options for disposal.
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