Site Description
The Powhatan Mining Company site is the location of a former asbestos processing facility. The mill operated from approximately 1920 to 1980 primarily processing anthophyllite asbestos. Asbestos ore for the mill was mined in Maryland until about the 1940s and later brought in from several States including California, Georgia and Alabama. The site is bordered on all sides by residential properties and the residential yards to the southwest lie within feet of the former processing facility and in the path of site runoff. In 2006, the property to the east of the former mill was subdivided into residential lots for new home construction. From 2006 to 2008, the residential lots were cleared and graded and retention ponds were installed. Development ceased after only two homes were constructed.
The former processing facility is a multi-story building with a loading area on the northeast end (cement block portion) and a processing area at the southwest end (rusted metal portion). The asbestos fiber extraction process took place inside the building complex. Asbestos ore was reportedly received and first dried in the cement block portion of the complex. Further processing of the rock ore is believed to have occurred in the metal portion of the facility, a multi-level, timber-framed structure with stone foundation and corrugated metal siding. In the milling operation believed used at this facility, the asbestos ore was first crushed to a normal, even size and then dried. Fiber extraction then occured through a series of crushing operations, each followed by vacuum aspiration of the ore running on a vibrating screen. On the screen, the fibers were released from the ore and collected into a vacuum system. Fibers recovered from consecutive vibrating screens were brought to cyclone separators, and the air filtered to remove the finer, suspended fibers.
The property was brought to EPA's attention by the Maryland Dept of the Environment. After an initial assessment, a non-emergency Removal Action primarily intended to secure building openings was initiated by the OSC in a Special Bulletin dated August 11, 2009. More recent sampling data and conditions warranted a time-critical action. A time-critical Action Memorandum for the site, concurred on by HQ, was signed on June 8, 2010. In addition, a memorandum authorizing demolition and compensation to the property owner was approved by the Region and HQ on this date.
EPA will be conducting removal activities at the site in order to deconstruct the facility and remove/cover soil which may pose a threat to public health and/or the environment. During activities which will cause significant disturbance of interior dust or outdoor soils, air samples periodically will be collected from personal sampling devices on cleanup personnel to determine if proper levels of protection are being used at the site. Additional air samples will be collected along the perimeter of the site to confirm that engineering controls are protective of the surrounding community.
Interior building cleanup is the primary task.
1/17/11 - The OSC worked on editing the geoprobe report for the adjacent Portrait Homes Development (PHD) property. Worked on completing the Administrative Record for the site.
1/18/11 - The OSC continued work on the geoprobe report. CIC Taylor arrived and assisted in completing the Admin Record. The ERRS RM sent the subcontract consent package for the new building construction to the EPA contracting officer (CO). EPA management set up a conf call with the OSC to discuss the EPA/owner agreement on new building construction. The ERRS RM contacted bidders on the old factory demolition in order to clarify several issues: waste disposal, scrap metal disposition and fill used for the old factory basement once demolished.
1/19/11 - The OSC contacted MDE Solid Waste Management to dicuss placement of the factory concrete walls into the basement after demolition occurs. MDE tentatively agreed. Will send an inspector out during demo. MDE Asbestos Program also indicated they are ok with this plan.
The bank holding the mortgage on the PHD property asked about progress on the geoprobe report. I suggested she stop by to meet, view the area and see photos and data. She agreed.
The OSC discussed the owner/EPA agreement for new building construction with EPA management. Information was needed because the Div Director must brief the RA.
1/20/11 - The OSC provided the owner with two agreements for review: the agreement on new building design and agreement to receive funds for discarded items. The owner is not satisfied with the grading design around the planned building and wants electrical service to his home installed before he will permit removal of items from Bay 1. I sent the owner's recommended grading changes to the Weston engineer.
The OSC received emails from MDE Solid Waste and MDE E&S programs. Solid Waste will be sending out an inspector soon for a "look-see" and E&S recognizes EPA does not need a permit for this action but expects EPA to submit E&S plans for review.
Waiting for re-bids from demo bidders. ERRS attempted to remove two of the owner's vehicles from the factory basement but wheels are locked. WIll try again tomorrow with the owner present.
1/21/11 - Two companies sent in revised bids for demolition. Still some question about bid costs for one vs two-phase demolition. The ERRS crew continues to try and unlock wheels to move cars from basement. The CO has concerns about the subcontract consent package for new building (conf call scheduled 1/25).
1/22/11 - The OSC continued work on geoprobe report. Crew continued with interior cleaning.
1/24/11 - OSC arrived ~11:30 am. The ERRS RM made some progress with the owner on access to Bay 1. MDE Haz Waste rep stopped by for an update. Weston Engineer here to discuss grading design with owner. Mtg among Weston engineer, owner, ERRS RM and OSC. We agreed to go with the owner's grading/layout idea. Weston to put to paper. The OSC and the Weston engineer discussed stormwater and E&S needs per MDE regs. Decided on a plan to submit to MDE.
1/25/11 - The OSC went over START costs with the EPA START project officer . The OSC worked on language for the two agreements with the owner. The ERRS RM and OSC had a conference call with the CO. We discussed her comments on the subcontract consent package for the new building, subcontracting electrical work in the garage, and her needs for the demolition subcontract consent package.
The ERRS crew was able to remove the cars from the basement with owner oversight.
1/26/11 - The EPA Field Accountant (FAS) here today. The OSC and FAS discussed costs to date and cost projections. The OSC sent comments on the geoprobe report to Weston.
The OSC provided a copy of a slightly revised building agreement to the owner for signature.
One of the demo bidders was contacted and informed this is the last chance to submit required forms.
1/27/11 - 8" snow overnght. The OSC arrived at site ~12:30 pm. ERRS spent good part of the day digging out snow. The OSC worked on contracting issues and discussed future work with the ERRS RM.
1/28/11 - START here to conduct personal air samples on ERRS crew members. Both samples collected on individuals cleaning the back second floor of the factory. Also placed a stationary air sampler in the rest area.
The owner agreed to have us enter Bay 1 tomorrow to clean and remove specific personal items. The OSC also dropped off to the owner a slightly revised version of the agreement for reimbursement for loss of personal items. The EPA CO had a few additional comments on the subcontract package for the new building.
1/29/11 - The OSC reviewed portions of the EPA/Kemron contract as a refresher. The owner indicated he and a friend will move specific items to the door of Bay 1 so ERRS crew members can clean and move them into Bay 2 tomorrow.
The building subcontractor does not want his work area covered with any materials as he is concerned about trips and falls. The area soil may be asbestos-contaminated. The OSC will arrange for soil and ABS sampling by START to determine any health risk. We will also obtain boot brushes and implement other measures if needed.
- Get the building subcontractor on board.
- Progress toward obaining the services of a demolition subcontractor.
- Clean items in Bay 1.
- Complete interior cleaning.
- Complete an E&S/Stormwater plan.
- Get two EPA/owner agreements signed.
- Obtaining coordination among electrician, BG&E and County on how to connect owner's home and new building to electrical service.
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