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FMO Pesticide Site

All POL/SITREP's for this site FMO Pesticide Site
Orefield, PA - EPA Region III
POLREP #32
Ongoing Removal Action 		Printer Friendly  |   PDF
 
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
FMO Pesticide Site - Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region III
Subject: POLREP #32
Ongoing Removal Action
FMO Pesticide Site
A3PZ
Orefield, PA
Latitude: 40.6322715 Longitude: -75.6149893

To: Gerald Heston, US EPA Region III
Jeff Bartlett, North Whitehall Township
Dennis Carney, EPA Region III
Linda Marzulli, EPA Region III
From: Ruth Scharr, Federal On-Scene Coordinator
Date: 12/22/2011
Reporting Period: 12/2/2011 to 12/16/2011

1. Introduction
  1.1 Background
   
Site Number: A3PZ    Contract Number: EP-S3-07-03
D.O. Number:      Action Memo Date: 9/1/2010
Response Authority: CERCLA    Response Type: Time-Critical
Response Lead: EPA    Incident Category: Removal Action
NPL Status: Non NPL    Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date: 7/1/2010    Start Date: 9/17/2010
Demob Date:      Completion Date:  
CERCLIS ID: PAN000306719    RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:    State Notification:
FPN#:    Reimbursable Account #:


1.1.1 Incident Category

Time-Critical Removal

1.1.2 Site Description

The Site is characterized as a time-critical removal.  The Site includes land that was used formerly for the commercial growing and harvesting of fruit from orchard trees and are currently zoned for residential or public use primarily in North Whitehall Township, PA.  Lead arsenate pesticide was historically used for several decades at the Site until its use was banned in 1988 by EPA.  Elevated levels of arsenic and lead have been detected in surface soil samples on residential parcels and in public use areas.  The FMO Pesticide Action Memo was submitted by the OSC and signed on September 1, 2010 approving a Removal Action which addresses contamination at residential parcels.   

1.1.2.1 Location

The site is primarily located in the Orefield/Schnecksville area of North Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

Incidental ingestion of lead and arsenic through direct contact with contaminated soil, or ingestion of contaminants from small particles that have been aerosolized from the disturbance of soil.
2. Current Activities
  2.1 Operations Section
    2.1.1 Narrative

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

Currently a total of 23 properties require removal activities.  Twenty-two properties have been completed to date.  "Complete" refers to excavation being complete and the yard being restored with sod.  Additional watering activities are conducted at a given property after being completed, if necessary.

On 12/2, ERRS completed backfill of the side yard of the 23rd property.  On 12/3, the crew then began installing fencing and moving equipment and supplies to the back yard of the 23rd property and began excavating. Excavation of the back yard was complete on 12/10. Certain areas around the roots of the trees in the back yard were hand dug to aviod damaging the tree.  No significantly elevated dust concentrations were identified downwind of or within the work area during this time period.  All excavation areas were covered with impermeable plastic during evenings and proir to weekend cessation.  In addition, on 12/5, the side yard was prepared for sod installation.  However, due to precipitation, sod was not able to be installed during this period.

On 12/12, ERRS began backfilling the back yard.  On 12/13, sod was installed in the side yard.  On 12/14, sod was installed in the east side of the front yard.  Backfilling was complete in the back yard on 12/14.  The crew then began compaction and dress of the backfill on 12/15.  Weather permitting, sod will be installed in the back yard the week of 12/19.

Sod did not require watering due to adequate precipitation.

A total of 157 rolloffs containing an estimated 2,512 tons of soil and 6 rolloffhave been shipped offsite for disposal as non-hazardous waste.  A total of 25 rolloffs have been used at the 23rd property.  Currently, there is one rolloff, containing debris, staged onsite. 


  2.2 Planning Section
   
2.2.1 Anticipated Activities




 

 2.2.1.2 Next Steps  


ERRS crew will begin downsizing and demobing as no longer needed.  Weather permitting, sod will be installed at the back yard of the 23rd property the week of 12/19.   Dismantling of the fence at the staging area will commence the week of 12/19 or earlier, if possible.  Shutdown of the onsite command post will be completed in  January 2012.  EPA contractors will begin preparation of a trip report in early 2012 for sampling and analytical data collected during removal activities.  In addition EPA contractors will begin preparation of a project closeout report.
   
  
2.2.2 Issues     

On 12/6 and 12/7, we experienced a significant amount of rain; however, ERRS was able to continue excavation at the 23rd property. Sod installation was delayed due to the wet weather.
  2.3 Logistics Section
    No information available at this time.
  2.4 Finance Section
    No information available at this time.
  2.5 Other Command Staff
    2.5.1 Safety Officer


2.6 Liaison Officer


2.7 Information Officer


2.7.1 Public Information Officer

2.7.2 Community Involvement Coordinator   
          David Polish  215 814-3327
3. Participating Entities
  No information available at this time.
4. Personnel On Site
 
On December 3, 2011, there were 10 Kemron and 1 EPA personnel onsite.
On December 4, 2011, no personnel were onsite.
On December 5, 2011, there were 1 Weston, 10 Kemron, 3 Sod Works, and 1 EPA personnel onsite.
On December 6, 2011, there were 1 Weston, 10 Kemron, and 1 EPA personnel onsite.
On December 7, 2011, there were 1 Weston, 10 Kemron, and 1 EPA personnel onsite.
On December 8, 2011, there were 1 Weston, 10 Kemron, and 1 EPA personnel onsite.
On December 9, 2011, there were 2 Weston, 10 Kemron, and 1 EPA personnel onsite. 
On December 10, 2011, there were 10 Kemron and 1 EPA personnel.
On December 11, 2011, no personnel were onsite.
On December 12, 2011, 1 Weston, 10 Kemron, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On December 13, 2011, 1 Weston, 10 Kemron, 3 Sod Works, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On December 14, 2011, 1 Weston, 10 Kemron, 3 Sod Works, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On December 15, 2011, 10 Kemron, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
On December 16, 2011, 10 Kemron, and 1 EPA personnel were onsite.
5. Definition of Terms
  No information available at this time.
6. Additional sources of information
  No information available at this time.
7. Situational Reference Materials
  No information available at this time.