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. During this report period the OSC negotiated the type of contract mechanism for the site response with the USACE Environmental Remediation Resident Office (ERRO.) It was decided that a pre placed design build type environmental contract would be the most expedient contract mechanism to execute the Scope of Work developed during the previous report period.
C. PLEXUS Scientific has the pre placed Design Build Contract with USACE and this project is scheduled to be the first delivery order under the contract. PLEXUS is an Environmental Engineering firm that is local to the site, with it's HQ in Columbia,MD.
B. The ERRO was given project management and primary responsibility for managing all phases of the project from the Assessment Phase through the Investigation Phase and finally to the Remediation Phase. ERRO developed a Project Management Plan (PMP)with the OSC and shared the Plan with MDE UST Branch for their input.
C. With the drafting of the basic PMP the Project Delivery Team (PDT) which includes representatives from EPA (the OSC), USACE, MDE and PLEXUS the Contractor.
D. On Thursday, 4 March the first PDT meeting, or kickoff meeting was held at the ERRO in Edgewood Area of Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD. This meeting was for the team to meet face to face and to discuss any changes to the PMP. There were several minor changes made to the PMP and the plan will be finalized and distributed to the PDT for signature.
E. It was reported on Monday, 8 March that the Request for Proposal had been issued to PLEXUS Scientific so the project could commence. A copy of a portion of the MDE and USEPA OSC files on the 2020 Daniels Site were sent by overnight delivery to the Contractor on 9 March, so they could expedite their records research on the project. The records research is required not only to help in discovering the source of the pollution at the site, it also is needed to establish the safety program and right to know briefing for the initial site visit.
A. The Contractor's Proposal for the project is due at the end of the second week of March. Price and scope negotiations should commence immediately after the receipt of the proposal.
B. It is anticipated that the Initial Site Visit should occur near the end of March.
C. Shortly after the site visit the Contractor will install sorbent material harbor boom(s) to control and capture the oil released from the site to the Patapsco River. This will release MDE from maintaining the boom presently in place.
A. Invite the Maryland Department of Natural Resource to join in the Project Delivery Team.
B. The Assessment Phase will be completed in the Spring of 2004.
C. The Investigation Phase of the project, including sampling and remediation design will start immediately thereafter.
D. Open communication between the PMT, the regulatory community and the community at large.
A. Installation and maintenance of the sorbent material harbor boom(s) to control the release of oil from the site into the Patapsco River.
B. Locate the source of the oil pollution from the site.
C. Contain and / or eradicate the oil pollution.
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