The Site is bounded to the north, west and east by private residences, to the south and east (250 feet) by the Port Byron public school grounds, Port Byron/Town of Mentz Library and administrative buildings, and immediately adjacent to the Owasco Lake Outlet to the east (15 feet).  To the southeast is the Village of Port Byron. The New York State Throughway is less than 250 yards to the north.  The Port Byron Middle School and the AA Gates Elementary School are located less than one half mile to the east of the Site. 

Between October 2006 and February 2007, EPA conducted a removal of plating materials from the facility including vats and drums containing corrosive plating solutions, acids, cyanides, and heavy metals including cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel and zinc.

In September, 2010, EPA conducted a comprehensive site assessment at the Site to assess the remaining potential contamination at the Site.  This assessment focused on the building materials and the soil, groundwater and sediment in the vicinity of the building.

Sampling revealed the presence of elevated levels of trichloroethylene (TCE) and its degrading byproducts in groundwater near the facility. This chemical was typically used for metal degreasing.   The results also indicated the building materials are contaminated with heavy metals including chromium, hexavalent chromium, and cadmium.  These metals were used in the electroplating process.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

The EPA conducted site assessment activities between September 20 and September 24, 2010. Site activities included soil/dust/sweep sampling, surface and subsurface soil sampling (soil borings), sub-slab soil sampling, groundwater sampling, concrete core sampling, sediment sampling, asbestos sampling, wipe and wood core sampling.

Results from all media show total chromium and cadmium detected, with maximum concentrations occurring within the building and elevated levels outside of the building.  Migration of these contaminants was traced to surface and sub-surface soils, groundwater and sediment samples within the Owasco Lake Outlet. 

Samples of the concrete in the process area on the first floor (floors and walls) revealed elevated levels of hexavalent chromium, chromium, cadmium and lead.  Three of these samples failed Toxic Characteristic Leaching Procedure test (TCLP) for chromium and six failed for cadmium, displaying the characteristic of  Toxicity as defined in 40 CFR, Subpart C, Š261.24 of RCRA.  Soil sweep/dust throughout the building is contaminated with chromium, cadmium and lead.  Exterior structure sampling revealed the presence of metals, including hexavalent chromium and total chromium in wall concrete.

Samples at the Site revealed the presence of metals in soils immediately adjacent to the plating section of the building. These metals included hexavalent chromium, total chromium, total cadmium and lead.  Additionally, sediment samples in the Owasco Lake Outlet revealed detected levels of chromium, cadmium and lead.

Metals were also detected in groundwater samples collected between the plating section of the building and the outlet, including chromium and cadmium.

Samples collected between the plating section of the building and the outlet, as well as those collected from under the building show elevated levels for chlorinated solvents including cis-1,2 DCE, trans-1,2 dichloroethene (trans-1,2 DCE), 1,1 dichloroethene (DCE), vinyl chloride, TCE, and tetrachloroethene (PCE).  Groundwater samples collected revealed the presence of cis-1,2 DCE, TCE, vinyl chloride, trans-1,2 DCE and 1,1 DCE at elevated levels.  Soil samples collected below the concrete structure, in exterior surface soils and in soil borings also detected TCE.  Water collected from the settling tank and sump that feeds the tank inside the building revealed cis-1,2 DCE, TCE and vinyl chloride.

EPA is currently conducting a removal action to address the building materials contaminated with heavy metals.  This action will include the removal of contaminated materials, including a partial building demolition, and further assessment and removal of contamination within the soils at the Site.  Site operations commenced on August 22, 2011 and removal activities are expected to continue through December 2011.

November 18 through November 23, 2011:

Currently, the crew has removed the concrete slab, foundation, footer sections of the building footprint, as well as the concrete sections of the pits, settling tank and pump house/outfall area.  The concrete recovered from these areas has been contaminated with cadmium, chromium and traces of cyanide wastes.  Disposal of contaminated concrete was completed during the week of October 24, 2011.  Nine (9) loads, approximately 22 tons each, totaling 198 tons were removed and sent to Envirosafe Services of Ohio, Inc., Oregon, OH.
Manifests:  007675325, 007675326, 007675327, 007675328, 007675329, 007675330, 007675331, 007675332, 00767533, 00767534.

Soil below the concrete sections and on the east side of the building footprint have revealed areas of staining, as well as a well defined cross-sectional vein of green material at varying depths as deep as 10 feet.  Some of these green/stained sections of soil are up to 2.5 feet thick.  Soils have been staged on-Site, and TCLP results for the soils show elevated cadmium levels (above 1.0 ug/L).  Fifty-four (54) loads, approximately 22 tons each, totaling 1118 tons were removed from Site and sent to Envirosafe Services of Ohio, Inc.  As many as 30 loads of metals contaminated soil remains on-Site and load out is ongoing.
Manifests:  007675406, 007675407, 007675408,007675409,007675410, 007675411, 007675412, 007675413, 007675414, 007675415, 007675416, 007675417, 007675418, 007675419, 007675420 007675421, 007675422, 007675423, 007675424, 007675425, 007675426, 007675427, 007675428, 007675429, 007675430, 007675431, 007675432, 007675433, 007675434, 007675435, 007675436, 007675437, 007675438, 007675439, 007675440, 009321501, 009321502, 009321503, 009321504, 009321505, 009321506, 009321507, 009321508, 009321509, 009321510, 009321511, 009321512, 009321513, 009321514, 009321515, 009321516, 6009321517, 009321518, 009321519.

Excavated areas, depth varying from 2-10+ feet below original grade, have been gridded and sampled by RST personnel.  Samples are collected after screening with XRF in the field.  Additional excavation in areas adjacent to the soil staging area is anticipated.  Excavation in the original footprint of the building and adjacent areas are complete.

Soil excavation of the VOC/chlorinated solvent contamination area was completed on November 16, 2011. Soil was thermally treated in-situ to increase the volatilization rate and vapors were captured using carbon air scrubbers.TCLP samples were collected and the soil is currently staged on-Site awaiting disposal.  TCLP results indicate that the soil failed for Cadmium and TCE. Disposal is pending bid award.

Over 280 cubic yards of construction and demolition debris have been removed from the Site. Steel recovered from the Site was recycled at no cost to the government.  Three (3) waste fuel oil drums were removed from Site by National Vacuum on 11/16/2011, 1 cubic yard of electronics waste was removed from Site on 11/15/2011 (Load #: 100285548 Roadway/Yellow Trucking for Waste Management).

Further investigation inside and below a formerly inaccessible area of the building (“garage” section) continues. XRF readings indicated 30K+ppm of chromium, 25K+ppm of cadmium and traces of Lead in building materials.   Additionally, an open-top drum containing solid waste material, plastic totes with residual plating waste and contaminated piping, ventilation parts and work tables have been located. Contaminated building materials are being stage in a hazardous waste roll-off, pending disposal.

This removal action will continue to address the off-site disposal of contaminated soils. Further soil sampling will be conducted by RST personnel, as needed.  The excavation of contaminated soils will continue, as needed (XRF screening of areas will continue). When the excavation has reached the maximum horizontal and vertical extent of contamination as delineated by SERAS and RST sampling, post-excavation samples will be collected to confirm that the excavation has reached the required cleanup goal prior to backfilling.  

T&D of excavated soils will be on-going. 

"Garage" area contamination will be removed, as will any remaining wastes located within this area.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

Construction and demolition wastes will continue to be separated based on sampling results, and sent for disposal. 

Dispose of VOC plus Cadmium contaminated soils once bid is awarded.

Complete excavation on south/south east side of the Icehouse.

EPA will attend public meetings at the Town of Mentz and Village of Port Byron to discuss progress at the Site.

Demobilize site week of December 12.

Plan for vapor intrusion sampling in February 2012.


2.2.2 Issues

Soil T&D has been slowed due to the availability of trucking.  The delay will likely extend this phase of the Site until mid-December, 2011.

Waste was located in the "garage" section continues to be addressed.   

Building repair on the south facing wall continues.