Pollution Report Profile - EPA OSC Response

Powhatan Mining Company
Woodlawn, MD - EPA Region III
POLREP #22

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On-Scene Coordinator - Jack Kelly	4/23/2011
Time-Critical - Removal Action	Pollution Report (POLREP) #22
Start Date: 8/16/2010

Site Description
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.

Current Activities
4/11 - OSC worked on additional funding paperwork for site activities.

4/12 - OSC discussed scheduling for ongoing work activities with contract personnel.  ERRS, Rasche Bros, and Weston PE discussed and agreed on final design plans.  A retaining wall and foundation wall will be constructed.  OSC discussed erosion control options with contractors for the site area directly above residential yards.  Discussed options to mitigate flooding along side of property near the PHD.  START collected soil samples from the top soil/clean fill supplier.  EPA dropped off 100+ updated fact sheets to community residents.  Demolition to begin May 9, 2011 after discussions with LVI, the demo subcontractor.  As agreed previously, the OSC reminded the owner we need to remove items from Bay 1 prior to demolition.  The owner significantly upset with EPA's needs -- does not want his cars outside in the weather longer than necessary, concerned about his tools even if in a locked conex box. Following a "cool-off" period, the OSC and owner came to an agreement on what to do with items in Bay 1 once removed.

4/13 - ERRS crew continues conducting removal operations within the building.  The OSC discussed building permit approval requirements with Regional Counsel per the NCP.  ORC recommends obtaining the building permit from the County as it will protect the owner when EPA work is completed.

4/14 - The OSC visited the County permitting office with Rasche Bros to assist in acquisition of appropriate building permits.  Building permits were obtained from the County this day.

4/15 - OSC and ERRS met with contractors during the walkthrough prior to beginning of demolition activities.  Discussed planned phases, work specifics and timeline for demolition.  Demolition is estimated to require approximately  2 to 3 weeks.   The OSC discussed with Weston PE engineer appropriate state regulations regarding E&S and stormwater runoff controls both during and after former building demolition and new building construction.

4/16 - OSC reviewed rthe evised E&S Plan and provided comments to the Weston PE.

4/18 through 4/20 - OSC not on site.  Attending Vapor Intrusion Conference.

4/21 - The OSC finalized parking arrangements with adjacent Church for site personnel once disposal trucks are running.  OSC signed off on disposal option to Cumberland County Landfill for asbestos waste. The  subcontract modification was received from the CO to add construction of a retaining wall and foundation (was not in the original approved design).

4/22 - The OSC inspected removal activities completed on the former facility hopper and conveyor.  The OSC requested a meeting with MDE Erosion and Sediment Control personnel regarding upcoming work.  The OSC formally informed the owner that ERRS needs to get into Bay 1.  The owner requested additional time.

4/23 - OSC not onsite,  ERRS continued cleanup in former facility.

Planned Removal Actions
- Complete removal ops in former processing section of old facility and enter Bay 1 to begin cleanup.
- Obtain Work Plan and H&S Plan from the demo subcontractor.

Next Steps
- Demolition of former processing building and new garage construction to begin soon.

Key Issues
- Resolve Bay 1 issue with owner.

Disposition Of Wastes
Friable and Non-Friable asbestos-containing waste (ACM) has been disposed of. This includes porous, contaminated personal items and demolition waste. Beginning in late July, asbestos-contaminated soil will be disposed of.

Approximately twenty 30 cu yd containers of concrete were sent off for recycling to Machado Construction primarily from May 13 to June 6 after demolition.

The demolition subcontractor arranged for the recycling of approximately ten containers of scrap steel.

Personal "white good" items that were cleaned of asbestos but identified as not needed by the owner were sent off to the local county landfill for disposal.

Waste Stream	Quantity	Manifest #	Disposal Facility
Asbestos from interior cleaning	40 cu yds	057176	Old Dominion Landfill, Richmond, VA 10/16/10
Asbestos from interior cleaning	40 cu yds	057177	Old Dominion Landfill, Richmond, VA 11/11/10
Asbestos from interior cleaning	40 cu yds	057178	Old Dominion Landfill, Richmond, VA 12/17/10