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The Site has not been defined as a specific delineated area, but is considered to include the
Town of Chauncey. The Site's major locations of interest include the following areas: the
unnamed hollow containing Miller's Branch of Island Creek; Chaffin Hollow; Chauncey’s
residences; the old mining salvage recycling facility and surrounding grounds; Omar
Elementary School, including the playground area, and the UPS facility; and Island Creek.
Portions of the Site have been identified by local residents as the locations for illegal
dumping of hazardous materials and the possibility of dumping of transformer oil.
START Carter, Dallessandro, Elson, and Nance mobilized to the Site with the EPA mobile command post and a box truck. START Project Manager Dallessandro met with a UPS facility contact and determined the location to stage the command post and the box truck for sampling operations. START prepared the command post for EPA operations to conduct meetings with visiting residents and local officials. START set up the box truck for sample collection, labeling, and shipment.
OSC Kelly and Bartos and CIC Taylor met with START Dallessandro at the command post and reviewed the sampling plan. EPA and START discussed a sample strategy plan that START had proposed. The strategy was approved and START began sample collection activities at the impoundment, located upgradient from Miller's Branch. While START made preparations for sampling, EPA scouted the neighborhood and distributed flyers that explained what would happen during the assessment, including collection techniques, possible protective gear, sample locations, and the anticipated time frame for receipt of validated analytical results from the event.
START collected a surface water sample from the impoundment. OSC Kelly conducted an interview with the media during sampling activities.
As directed by OSC Kelly, START continued to collect surface water and sediment samples from the area containing Miller's Branch, the waterway that the impoundment waters flow into, a tributary to Island Creek. These surface water sample locations included three mine run-off streams and the waters of Miller's Branch.
Throughout the day's activities, EPA CIC Taylor was available in the EPA Command Post and answered questions, addressed concerns, and explained the details of the sampling event to local residents.
Throughout the sampling events of the day, START photo documented all sample locations and collected GPS Data, when satellite information was obtainable.
Throughout the day and into the evening and night, START began to prepare CLP documentation for packaging and shipping the samples that had been collected during the day's activities and preserved the samples in ice overnight.
Tuesday, April 22nd, 2003
Sampling activities continued with collection of surface water from the basement of the old mining salvage recycling facility. START had problems collecting the VOC sample during this event. The hydrochloric acid preservative in the sample reacted with the surface water and effervesced, causing bubbles to be trapped in the vial; this is unacceptable for the analysis. Therefore, START collected this portion of the sample without preservative. The media was on location during this event and filmed collection of this sample, questioning why the sample had to be re-collected, without preservative. The media interviewed OSC Bartos during this event, who explained the method of sample collection.
Following sample collection, OSC Bartos, WVDEP Farley, START, and the property owner conducted a reconnaissance of the facility and observed the condition of the interior of the building. The location at which a wipe sample was scheduled to occur was inspected by OSC Bartos and START and it was determined that the staining on the wall appeared to be a non-petroleum material, suspected as dirt. OSC Bartos reported the finding to OSC Kelly, who determined that the wipe sample would not be collected from the facility. Also as a result of the reconnaissance, EPA determined that no other samples would be collected from the facility.
START, as tasked by EPA, collected a drinking water sample from the UPS facility, located adjacent to the old mining salvage recycling facility and the elementary school.
START collected a surface water and sediment sample from Island Creek, at a location where the runoff from the area surrounding the old mining recycling facility flows.
OSC Kelly visited various local residences in Chauncey and Omar in order to obtain access for drinking water samples. OSC Kelly provided these access forms to START and OSC Bartos, who accompanied START during this sampling. START collected drinking water samples from nine residences. Under the direction of OSC Kelly, START also collected a sediment sample from one of the residences who had a seep in their yard.
Throughout the day's activities, EPA CIC Taylor was available in the EPA Command Post and answered questions, addressed concerns, and explained the details of the sampling event to local residents.
START continued sample collection activities from Island Creek, at locations both upstream and downstream of the entrance of Miller's Branch into the creek. START collected both surface water and sediment samples from these locations.
Throughout the sampling events of the day, START photo documented all sample locations and collected GPS Data, when satellite information was obtainable.
Throughout the day and into the evening and night, START continued to prepare CLP documentation for the samples collected during the previous days' activities and preserved the samples in ice overnight. START received the laboratory assignments on this day and began preparations for shipment of samples.
Wednesday, April 23rd, 2003
OSC Kelly and START Dallessandro met and scheduled the collection of the remaining samples for the assessment. OSC Kelly demobilized from the Site on this day; OSC Bartos became acting Lead OSC for the sampling assessment.
OSC Bartos, WVDEP, and START mobilized to the residence that had a hand-dug well located on their property. START calculated the volume of water that would be required for purging the well prior to sample collection and began bailing the well using a bucket. Determining that this was a very inefficient manner to bail the well, OSC Bartos approved usage of a pump and purged the well until conductivity, pH, and temperature readings were stabilized. START collected a drinking water sample from the well. The purge water was contained in a 55-gallon drum and staged in a secure area on the residential property, pending receipt of validated analytical data. The media was present at this location and filmed the sampling event, while interviewing OSC Bartos.
OSC Bartos and START obtained access to the locked gate of a property that required sampling. The water line that led to the outdoor spigot was turned off, and OSC Bartos and START could not access a drinking water sample at that time. OSC Bartos and START continued through the property to obtain a background sample. OSC Bartos and START determined that a background sample would need to be collected at an elevation close to 2,000 feet, which would be located above all strip mining operations in the hollows. OSC Bartos and START reached an elevation of approximately 1,900 feet by vehicle and scouted the area by foot to find the closest runoff stream. START collected a background surface water, sediment, and soil sample from this location.
As directed by OSC Bartos, START continued sample collection activities in the area in front of the elementary school and the playground area, while the news crew filmed operations. START collected ten surface soil samples from these areas. OSC Bartos was interviewed during this event.
Throughout the sampling events of the day, START photo documented all sample locations and collected GPS Data, when satellite information was obtainable.
Throughout the day's activities, EPA CIC Taylor was available in the EPA Command Post and answered questions, addressed concerns, and explained the details of the sampling event to local residents.
Throughout the day and into the evening and night, START continued to prepare CLP documentation for the samples collected during the previous days' activities and shipped six coolers to various laboratories for a combination of analyses. These coolers contained a combination of sample jars from 12 surface water, one drinking water, and 10 sediment samples. START preserved the remaining samples in ice overnight.
Thursday, April 24th, 2003
START Burhan mobilized to the Site in order to provide additional assistance with CLP documentation and shipping activities.
OSC Bartos and START Dallessandro were escorted to the cabin located near the impoundment and were given access by an employee of the owner to the interior water sources. START collected a drinking water sample from the kitchen sink.
OSC Bartos and START then mobilized to the Logan PSD and met with a managing engineer. OSC Bartos and START were escorted to a pump station and START collected a drinking water sample from the effluent of the station. OSC Bartos inquired about the holding station for Chauncey's water supply and was informed that the water is identical to that at this location; no processes or alterations are made to the system prior to distribution. OSC Bartos determined that the influent drinking water sample at Chauncey's distribution center would be eliminated from the sampling event and directed START to remove it from the sampling plan.
OSC Bartos contacted a maintenance worker from the elementary school and set up an appointment to collect drinking water from the water supply. OSC Bartos, CIC Taylor, and START met with the maintenance worker and START collected a drinking water sample from both the kitchen sink and a water fountain in the school.
OSC Bartos and START Dallessandro reviewed the remaining sample locations and determine that access may be a problem at some of the locations. The surface owners of two separate properties were questioned. A dispute existed between a tax map record and the current landowner's description of the property boundaries. A dispute also existed with another section of property of which the named landowner (through courthouse records) denies ownership. As directed by OSC Bartos, START mobilized to the Logan County Courthouse and attempted to conduct a more thorough search of the ownership of the properties in question. The information that was obtained was as recent as March, 2003, and confirmed what the tax maps had recorded. As a result, OSC Bartos and START met with one of the property owners and questioned his description of the boundaries. The owner stated that he would obtain the documentation from the previous landowner and would provide it to the OSC on the following day. The other suspected landowner could not be contacted at that time. OSC Bartos directed START to delay the sampling efforts in both of the locations until further information was obtained.
OSC Bartos and START went into the local neighborhood and met with a resident who was very inquisitive about the sampling effort. OSC Bartos directed START to collect the tenth and final drinking water sample from this residence. START collected the sample and the OSC and START returned to the command post.
Throughout the sampling events of the day, START photo documented all sample locations and collected GPS Data, when satellite information was obtainable.
Throughout the day's activities, EPA CIC Taylor was available in the EPA Command Post and answered questions, addressed concerns, and explained the details of the sampling event to local residents.
Throughout the day and into the evening and night, START continued to prepare CLP documentation for the samples collected during the previous days' activities and shipped 12 coolers to various laboratories for a combination of analyses. These coolers contained a combination of sample jars from 12 drinking water, 11 surface water, 10 sediment, and nine surface soil samples. START preserved the remaining samples in ice overnight.
Friday, April 25th, 2003
OSC Bartos and START Dallessandro met with the old mining salvage facility's owner and obtained documentation that provided access by EPA and START to some of the remaining sample locations. As directed by OSC Bartos, START collected ten surface soil samples from the pit and vegetated areas adjacent to the building.
OSC Bartos and START Dallessandro conducted a final meeting to discuss the remaining samples that were scheduled for collection. EPA had access to one additional location in the sampling plan. Due to the uncertainty of access to the remaining sample locations, OSC Bartos directed START not to collect samples from those areas. OSC Bartos directed START to collect a sample from the final location and complete shipment for the sampling event.
Throughout the morning's activities, EPA CIC Taylor was available in the EPA Command Post and answered questions, addressed concerns, and explained the details of the sampling event to local residents.
OSC Bartos and CIC Taylor demobilized from the Site.
Utilizing GPS data and some direction from a UPS employee, START went to a location approximately one mile northeast of the old mining salvage facility and collected the final surface soil sample for the assessment. START ensured that this sample was collected from a location where the owner had granted access to EPA for sample collection.
Throughout the sampling events of the day, START photo documented all sample locations and collected GPS Data, when satellite information was obtainable.
START packaged and shipped the remaining samples to their corresponding laboratories for analysis. START shipped a total of 15 coolers on this date, to complete the sampling assessment. These coolers contained a combination of sample jars from 19 drinking water, six surface water, five sediment, and 23 surface soil samples.
START packed all of the remaining sampling equipment and supplies, secured the mobile command post, and demobilized from the Site.
There are no planned removal actions at this time.
As directed by OSC Kelly, START will return to the courthouse and finalize the surface owner search for the remaining properties in question.
OSC Kelly will contact the property owners and gain access to the remaining sample locations.
As directed by OSC Kelly, START will return to the Site to collect the remaining surface water and soil samples. START will package and ship these samples to the corresponding laboratories for analysis.
OSC Kelly will continue correspondence with local, state, and federal officials.
OSC Kelly and START expect validated analytical results from the sampling assessment within six to eight weeks. Following receipt of the validated data, START will compile the analytical results a complete a data summary and Trip Report for the event. START will also download all GPS data that was collected during the event and prepare a site map which will display all sample locations in the area. Following review and approval of the Trip Report by OSC Kelly, START will prepare to accompany EPA during a public meeting in the town of Chauncey, WV, during which the analytical results from the sampling assessment and an explanation of their meaning will be presented to the public.
OSC Kelly will determine if any future actions will be required at the Site.
The key issues are the possible illegal dumping of hazardous materials and discharge of PCB's.
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