U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Bay Street Mercury Site - Removal Polrep

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region I
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Subject:
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POLREP #2
Bay Street Mercury Site
01HP
Tiverton, RI
Latitude: 41.6736405 Longitude: -71.1920672
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To:
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From:
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Tom Condon, OSC
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Date:
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8/10/2012
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Reporting Period:
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4/27/12 to 8/10/02
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
01HP |
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Contract Number: |
EP-WQ-08-061 |
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D.O. Number: |
0037 |
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Action Memo Date: |
9/13/2011 |
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Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
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Response Type: |
Time-Critical |
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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: |
4/16/2012 |
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Start Date: |
4/16/2012 |
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Demob Date: |
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Completion Date: |
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CERCLIS ID: |
RIN000106074 |
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RCRIS ID: |
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ERNS No.: |
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State Notification: |
Site was referred to EPA by RIDEM |
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FPN#: |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
Time Critical
1.1.2 Site Description
The Bay Street Mercury Site is located within the Bay Street Study Area Site, which is a separate, ongoing project involving the removal of soil contaminated with manufactured gas plant (MGP) waste from approximately 100 properties under the direction of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM). During the course of the MGP waste cleanup, remnants of mercury-contaminated felt were encountered in surface soils in a portion of the Bay Street Study Area Site along A Connell Street. According to RIDEM files, the Site was used for the disposal of waste from a local hat factory approximately 100 years ago.
1.1.2.1 Location
The Bay Street Mercury Site is located along A Connell Street, in Tiverton, Rhode Island, and includes the right-of-way areas along both sides of the road, as well as portions of adjoining residential properties. The site is located in a residential neighborhood, and is bordered by Bay Street to the west, Bottom Street to the east and residential properties to the north and south.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Surface soil is contaminated with mercury and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Mercury and PAHs in surface soils pose a direct contact threat to local residents and those who may enter the site. The site is located in a residential area, and access is not restricted.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
EPA is conducting a fund-lead removal action to address mercury contaminated surface soil on the residential portions of the Site. The removal of mercury contaminated surface soil from the right of way areas is being conducted by the Town of Tiverton, with oversight from EPA, in accordance with the terms of an Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent (ASOC).
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
Fund Lead Actions
Excavation of mercury contaminated surface soil (to a depth of at least two feet) from the residential portion of the Site was initiated on 17 April, 2012, and was completed on 26 April, 2012. Forty-eight truckloads, containing approximately 1,150 tons of soil, were shipped off-site to the Cranston Sanitary Landfill.
Soil samples were collected from the excavated area and screened on site with a portable mercury analyzer to ensure that soil remaining at depth does not contain mercury at concentrations exceeding the State residential standard (23 mg/Kg). The excavated areas have been filled with clean soil, and restored to the original grade. Grass seed has been applied to provide ground cover and minimize erosion.
PRP Lead Actions
The Town of Tiverton initiated action on 16 June, 2012 to remove of contaminated soil from the right of way areas in accordance with the terms of the ASOC.
Contaminated surface soil was removed from the right of way along the northern side of A Connell Street, and the area was filled with clean soil and restored to original grade.
The Town of Tiverton planned to coordinate the removal of contaminated surface soil from the right of way along the southern side of A Connell Street, with the replacement of a drinking water supply line which is located in the right of way. The water line is located at a depth of three to five feet below grade. The Town's contractor removed the contaminated surface soil. At that point, the plan called for the existing waterline to be isolated by shutting a valve. The valve did not function properly, and could not be closed. The waterline replacement has been delayed, pending the development of an alternative plan. The excavated area has been temporarily filled with clean soil.
To date, the Town's contractor excavated 1,024 tons of contaminated soil (combined from both sides of A Connell Street). This soil has been shipped off site to the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation Central Landfill in Johnston, RI.
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
The Town's contractor is working with the Water Department to arrange for the repair of the valves, so that the excavation on the can be resumed, and the waterline replaced. The excavated area will then be filled with clean soil, and restored to the original grade. Grass seed will be applied to provide ground cover and minimize erosion.
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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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2.5.1 Safety Officer
Site operations are being conducted in accordance with a site-specific Health and Safety Plan.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
EPA is working with the Rhode Island DEM, the Town of Tiverton, and Hoffman Engineering (the consultant for the local homeowners association) to ensure that removal activities are coordinated with work being performed on the rest of the Bay Street Study Area Site.
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4. Personnel On Site
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none
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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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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
For additional information please refer to www.epaosc.org/baystreethg
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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No information available at this time.
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