The R&H Oil Company, Inc. Site (hereinafter the "Site") is an abandoned used oil processing facility. The facility ceased operation in approximately 1992. The property has been used for various petroleum refining and used oil processing operations since approximately 1934. This Site and the adjacent Tropicana Energy Company, Inc. (hereinafter known as "Tropicana") Site have some common historical owner/operator(s) and as such may also share in a portion of the environmental contamination located on the two sites. The Site consists of 28 Aboveground Storage Tanks (ASTs), extensive refining equipment and piping, separator, sump, and other drums and containers. The key problem areas of the Site include containerized used oil, used oil sludge, corrosive liquids, used oil contaminated water; miscellaneous containerized materials; visible soil contamination; and, asbestos containing materials (ACM) on tanks, piping, equipment, and within buildings. In addition, ground water contamination located on the Tropicana Site is believed to be associated with current and historical spills from operations located on these two Sites.
Since mobilizing to the site on August 13, 2001, the EPA and its contractors have conducted site preparation activities; awarded subcontracts for asbestos abatement, demolition, and disposal; and, have opened all tanks with a pneumatic nibbler in an attempt to visually inspect the materials, and determine the appropriate disposal sequence. Additionally, the asbestos abatement contractor initiated asbestos abatement activities on August 21, 2001 and is expected to be completed by August 29, 2001. The EPA Border Contractor is providing oversight and third party air monitoring to insure compliance with federal and state regulations associated with asbestos abatement.
The planned removal activities for the Site include the removal/disposal of ACM; removal/disposal of materials in tanks, piping, equipment and other miscellaneous containers; demolition of tanks, piping, and equipment; and, removal/disposal of visibly contaminated soils.
The next steps will include completing the asbestos abatement activities; initiating waste disposal; and, initiating demolition of tanks, piping, and equipment. The demolition activities will supplement the removal of the materials from the tanks, piping, and equipment as well as allow visual/field identification of contaminated soils.
This Site is generating a significant amount of community interest in part due to the wide spread ground water contamination resulting from chlorinated solvent releases from Kelly Air Force Base. This Site is located less than 1/4 mile from Kelly Air Force Base. Preliminary sampling of monitoring wells located on the Tropicana Site show free hydrocarbon products floating on the shallow ground water. Additional investigations will be necessary to determine the exact constituents and the extent of the plume. This Site including the Tropicana Site was proposed to the National Priorities List (NPL) on June 14, 2001.
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