EPA Region 4 On Scene Coordinator initiated an emergency response action at the Crowders Mountain State Park after discovering numerous abandoned drums during a Removal Site Evaluation. Orphaned drums, containing product, are scattered about the site. Drums are in poor, dilapidated condition, unidentifiable or without legible makings. Located on the two-acre site are several open excavation pits and three stockpiles of soil/crushed drums & debris with contamination that tested as RCRA Hazardous or above TCLP concentrations for lead and VOCs.
Residential properties and a creek border the site. The OSC documented that erosion and sedimentation countermeasures were not in place. Organic vapors were identified in the ambient air throughout site. Source contamination was tentatively identified as miscellaneous paint/lacquers/organic solvents.
ERRS and START contractors were mobilized on 9/16/09 to support the response efforts.
ERRS began extricating drums from burial locations identified by magnetometer mapping conducted during the SESD geophysical survey in November 2009. Approximately 50 drum carcasses were recovered and spilled material stabilized and stockpiled.
START continues work area air monitoring and hazardous categorization (HAZCAT), HazMatID IR spectrometer, and XRF testing of samples submitted by ERRS. A bulking scheme is being developed for the product recovered from the drums. START will also develop a map that will serve as a census for the former drum burial locations.
ERRS: Continue drum/ product recovery
START: Maintain air monitoring and field testing recovered product and developing waste streams.
ERRS and START work will be on a routine per the Planned Removal Action (previous section) through the end of the month.
Magnetometer mapping from the November 2009 geophysical survey has proven effective in locating burried stockpiles that were not addressed in earlier site work. However, drums being unearthed in the southeast corner of the site are being recovered with little to no product or are falling apart on removal from the excavation areas. Contingencies to control spillage have been effective in minimizing contamination of the excavation zones and work areas.
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