U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Kerr-McGee Chemical (Colubus) aka Tronox - Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region IV
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Subject:
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POLREP #2
Initiation of Emergency Response
Kerr-McGee Chemical (Colubus) aka Tronox
B491
Columbus, MS
Latitude: 33.5107301 Longitude: -88.4079336
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To:
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From:
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Steve Spurlin, OSC
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Date:
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2/16/2011
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Reporting Period:
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February 14, 2011 to February 16, 2011
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
B491 |
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Contract Number: |
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D.O. Number: |
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Action Memo Date: |
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Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
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Response Type: |
Emergency |
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Response Lead: |
EPA |
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Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
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NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
2/16/2011 |
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Start Date: |
2/17/2011 |
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Demob Date: |
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Completion Date: |
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CERCLIS ID: |
MSD990866329 |
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RCRIS ID: |
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ERNS No.: |
967564 |
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State Notification: |
02/15/2011 |
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FPN#: |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
On February 14, 2011, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Emergency Response and Removal Branch mobilized to the Kerr McGee Chemical (Columbus) Site, Columbus, Lowndes County, Mississippi. EPA had returned to the Site to conduct additional sampling as follow-up to the initial Removal Site Evaluation sampling conducted by EPA in October 2010. Upon arriving at the initial property to be sampled, OSC Spurlin was approached by a representative of the property owner. The representative pointed out a pile of soil mixed with waste creosote materials. The material was generated when the property owner scrapped and sold a large culvert which had been removed from a creosote contaminated ditch approximately 12 years earlier. The creosote contaminated soil is located on the property at 716 Waterworks Road, Columbus, Mississippi. The soil pile is uncovered and the area is accessible by neighborhood children.
The property at 716 Waterworks Road is a property suspected to have been impacted by the operations of the former creosote wood treating facility where creosote related hazardous substances were released from the Site into the drainage pathways. The drainage pathways flow through residential and commercial areas, including he 716 Waterworks Road property.
1.1.2 Site Description
The impacted property is a Church. The property is surrounded by residential properties, apartments, and a day-care facility. The property is accessible and past investigations indicate it was impacted by releases from the Kerr-McGee Chemical Site. The Kerr- McGee Chemical (Columbus) Site is comprised of approximately 90 acres, and is located at 2300 North 14th Avenue in Columbus, Mississippi. The facility was operational from approximately 1928 to 2003. While operational, Kerr-McGee manufactured pressure-treated railroad products such as wooden cross ties, switch ties, and timbers. The production processes at the site utilized creosote and creosote coal tar solutions to produce pressure-treated wood products.
1.1.2.1 Location
The location of the emergency action is 716 Waterworks Road, Columbus, Mississippi, but is associated with creosote contamination originating from the Kerr-McGee Chemical Site located at 2300 North 14th Avenue, Columbus, Mississippi.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Hazardous substances associated with the former wood treatment operation has been detected in sediments in the drainage ditches leading from the Site. The waste material to be addressed by the emergency action originated from the ditch, and creosote material is visible in the pile indicating a likelihood of a high level of hazardous substances. The area is not secured and children could come in contact with the material as they pass or play in the area. The waste material is not covered and rain and wind erosion could spread the material increasing the area of potential exposure to anyone nearby.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
Based on the presence of high levels of hazardous substances at the surface the may migrate or pose a direct contact threat to nearby residents, the On-Scene Coordinator initiated an emergency response under the OSC warrant authority. An EPA Emergency Response and Remediation Services (ERRS) contract has been tasked to mobilize with appropriate equipment and personnel to address the threats posed by the waste creosote pile.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
ERRS contractor, WRSCompass, mobilized personnel on February 16, 2011. Equipment will arive the morning of February 17th. The waste material will be loaded into roll-offs, and transported to the Kerr-McGee facility. The material will remain secured at the facility until disposal arrangements are finalized.
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2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
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Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
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2.2 Planning Section
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No information available at this time.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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No information available at this time.
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2.4 Finance Section
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No information available at this time.
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2.5 Other Command Staff
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No information available at this time.
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3. Participating Entities
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No information available at this time.
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4. Personnel On Site
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No information available at this time.
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5. Definition of Terms
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No information available at this time.
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6. Additional sources of information
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No information available at this time.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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No information available at this time.
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