On May 27, 2010, USEPA and the Superfund Technical Assistance and Response Team (START) met with representatives from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), the Fort Wayne/Allen County Department of Health, the Fort Wayne Fire Department, and the Indiana State Department of Health Department of Radiation to conduct a walkthrough of the facility. Walkthrough activities include an assessment of site conditions and collection of a general inventory. USEPA determined that sample collection was needed in the immediate future. The USEPA Civil Investigator, who was present during the site visit, met and obtained a signed access agreement from the current property owner.

On June 1, 2010 USEPA and START mobilized to the Three Rivers Plating Site. Representatives from IDEM, the Allen County Building Department, the Fort Wayne Fire Department, and the Allen County Department of Safety and Environmental Affairs were also on site.

USEPA and START conducted an initial reconnaissance of the facility. Open drums and vats with little or no labeling were observed throughout the facility. Initial air and radiation monitoring indicated no elevated readings in the breathing zone. Various containers throughout the facility were designated for sample collection.

START donned Level B personal protective equipment (PPE) and collected a total of 12 samples (5 solid waste, 5 liquid waste, and 3 soil). All samples were placed on ice and transported to Microbac labs in Merrillville, IN. Overall sampling parameters included analysis for Total Metals including Gold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium, and Aluminum; Total Cyanide; Corrosivity; Ignitability; and TCLP metals.

Upon inspection of the site, USEPA determined that immediate stabilization was needed to eliminate threats to human health and the environment. Emergency and Rapid Response Services (ERRS) support was requested for the following day.

On June 2, 2010, USEPA, START, and ERRS mobilized to the Site. The Allen County Building Department and Fort Wayne Fire Department were also present.

ERRS accompanied START and USEPA on a walkthrough of the facility. ERRS contractors were tasked to cover and secure all open drums and vats with poly sheeting, remove containers of hazardous substances from main walkways, segregate all incompatible substances and wastes, relocate all hazardous substances staged outside the building, ensure building was secure, and post warning signage outside the facility.

An ERRS chemist segregated chemicals in the laboratory area. A small container of Sodium Azide was removed from the metal shelving to prevent any interaction which could result in an explosion. The Sodium Azide was placed into a plastic container and relocated.

In total, ERRS secured and covered twelve 55 gallon poly drums, 5 vats, three 25 gallon poly drums, and various glass containers.

A tote containing a corrosive liquid (pH 2) located outside the building was pumped into two 55 gallon drums inside the facility. The tote itself was covered and sealed to prevent rain water from accumulating. Four 25 gallon containers of Nitric acid and one 25 gallon container of sulfuric acid staged outside were relocated inside the building.

ERRS posted “Warning Hazardous Materials” signs outside the facility and the Allen County Building Department locked all doors gates. USEPA, START, and ERRS demobilized from the site.

A Site Assessment report including documentation of USEPA Contractor site activities and analytical data will be finalized and posted to the website by the end of June 2010. USEPA will continue working with the City and the potentially responsible party (PRP) on any further site activities.