A. On September 26, 20002, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) employees (Inspector Scott McCurley and Geologist Ken Carter) responded to the above referenced site in response to a report of oil seeping into the Patapsco River. The river was accessed near the end of Daniels Road and was followed downstream approximately 200 yards past the railroad bridge where a sheen was observed off the right (as facing downstream) bank. Further investigation revealed oil 'seeping' from the bank along an area at least 50 feet in length (e.g. As the soil along the water's edge was disturbed, both a sheen and globules of oil would float to the surface). Holes were dug along the river bank and heavy fuel was encountered ~6 inches below grade (A sample of this saturated soil was retrieved and placed in a plastic bag. A sample of the oil globules was placed in a glass jar). MDE placed four 10 ft sections of oil-sorbent boom along the edge of the river and contacted MDE Emergency Response Division (ERD). ERD arrived on scene with 100 ft of sorbent sweep and recommended that in light of the weather forecast for heavy rains, that the booms be removed and placed higher up on the bank and that the sweep not be deployed until after the rains. At the end of Daniels road, MDE observed what appeared to be an old industrial property (2020 Daniels Road). The property was entered and the owner of the property was found. The owner of the property stated that he and his wife and son run a mulching business (Mulch Factory) on the front of the property and that he leases some of the buildings to several other small businesses. The property borders the Patapsco River and the area of contamination corresponds with the back of this property where several old and several partially demolished buildings are located. These buildings appear to be the remnants of some industrial operation. The property was briefly investigated for possible sources, however, due to the heavy rains, the investigation was limited.
B. MDE returned to the Site on Sept 30th, 2002. Multiple holes were dug along the river bank ~2-3 ft off the edge of the water and ~6-10 in deep. Possible limit of oil contamination established via this method (e.g. waiting for the hole to fill with water and observing whether oil globules or sheen appeared). Possible breadth of contamination ~75 ft. MDE inspected the opposite bank of the river with the same method. No evidence of oil observed. Opposite bank appeared to be heavily forested parkland. Using a shovel, a ~2-3 ft hole was dug in the side of the bank ~8ft from the rivers edge. No evidence of petroleum product was observed in the excavated soils. The immediate area up on the 2020 Daniels Road property corresponding with the oil contamination was inspected. No evidence of a UST or likely source was observed at this time.
C. MDE spoke with the current owner and was provided with the following ownership history based on his (owner's) memory. CD Daniels operated the property until selling it in 1972. The new owner used it for storing grain. It was again sold to two brother's who ran a roof trussing operation. This business went under and the property was picked up by the lending "Building and Loan" from which the present owner purchased the property in 1982. The present owner stated that he has owned the property since that time.
D. On October 17th, 2002, MDE returned to the Site to determine the condition of the deployed sweep following heavy rains on October 16th. The sweep was found to be in place but completely submerged as the river was running ~2-3 ft higher-up the bank then previously observed. The sweep was removed from the property. A new sweep was not deployed due to the height and heavy flow of the river. Neither a sheen nor glubules of petroleum were observed. MDE Scott McCurley walked more of the property and observed several large pools of water amidst the piles of mulch. No sheen or oil were observed on the pools except in one case. This pool of water had collected beneath a large mulch grinder. Free-phase petroleum product was observed on this pool of water. A sorbent pad was spread on the water and it absorbed the product. It was fairly clear (did not appear weathered) and smelled of new motor oil or hydraulic fluid. The owners were shown the area of concern. They agreed to clean the spill and provide disposal manifests for the recovered petroleum product and any sorbent materials used in the process.
E. On October 17th, 2002, MDE (Mick Butler) contacted Emergency Response Section Chief Charlie Kleeman and requested an On-Scene Coordinator to go to Site and provide technical and funding advise.
A. MDE UST Branch Environmental Scientist Mick Butler contacted OSC Kelly and requested that EPA take the lead on the remediation of the oil discharge for this property into the Patapsco River. MDE provided OSC Kelly with all documentation related to the Site.
B. OSC met with MDE on Site and observed the property owner removing two Underground Storage Tanks that were discovered during MDE's investigation.
C. OSC Kelly observed oil still seeping out into the Patapsco River and determined that there was an on-going release that needed to be remediated. At this time, OSC Kelly gave a verbal Notice of Federal Interest to the property owner. On September 24, 2003, the OSC sent a Legal Notice to Suspected Discharger to the property owner and did not receive any response
D. OSC Kelly contacted the National Pollution Fund Center and opened the Fund for $20,000 for initial investigation. The OSC issued a PRFA to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for the amount of $15,000 to have an initial meeting and conduct a Site visit.
E. The OSC and Representatives from the USACE met and discussed the project along with providing a copy of the site files to USACE on October 15, 2003.
F. On October 23, 2003, the OSC and USACE met at the site and conducted a site reconnaissance and assessment along with looking for visual contamination at the site.
G. USACE after performing a site visit and inspection of files, drafted a plan to address the on-going release of oil into the Patapsco River and to perform an investigation on the source of the oil on the property.
H. OSC Kelly, along with MDE, reviewed the plan of action and made key changes to the plan. The USACE made the changes and the OSC signed off on the plan.
I. The OSC submitted an OPA 90 Plan to the National Pollution Fund Center on January 28, 2004 to increase the PRFA to the amount of $350,000 to initiate cleanup actions at the Site. This Plan was approved on February 3, 2004 and the OSC increased the PRFA to USACE to $315,000.00.
Through a PRFA, the OSC has directed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to perform an Assessment and Investigation into the discharge of oil into the Patapsco River. Remediation of the oil discharge will occur after the source of the problem is established.
A. The OSC will continue to coordinate activities related to Site with the USACE and MDE.
B. The OSC will finalize the scope of work (SOW) for the USACE to begin work related to the remediation of the Site during the week of February 9, 2004
Heavy oil is being released to the Patapsco River on a daily basis.
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