Pollution/Situation Report Profile

West Fork River Assessment
Clarksburg, WV - EPA Region III
POLREP #1
Initial

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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
West Fork River Assessment - Removal Polrep
Initial Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region III

Subject:

POLREP #1
Initial
West Fork River Assessment
0306876
Clarksburg, WV
Latitude: 39.2806000 Longitude: -80.3444534

To:

From:

Marjorie Easton, On-Scene Coordinator

Date:

8/29/2012

Reporting Period:

10/25/11 - 10/27/11

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Site Number:	0306876	Contract Number:
D.O. Number:		Action Memo Date:
Response Authority:	CERCLA	Response Type:	Non-Time-Critical
Response Lead:	EPA	Incident Category:	Removal Assessment
NPL Status:		Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date:	10/25/2011	Start Date:	10/25/2011
Demob Date:	10/26/2011	Completion Date:
CERCLIS ID:		RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:		State Notification:
FPN#:		Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category

Removal Assessment

1.1.2 Site Description

The West Fork River Assessment site encompasses an approximately one-quarter mile
long portion of the West Fork River banks and channel in the “North View” area of
Clarksburg, Harrison County, West Virginia. It is bounded to the southeast by the former
Fourco Glass Plant and former Clarksburg Zinc Company, and to the northwest by US-
19/West Virginia 20. Along the right descending bank of the West Fork river, a five acre
slag pile is present north of the former Fourco Glass Plant and former Clarksburg Zinc
Company. The upstream portion of the river follows a 90 degree bend above which was
situated the former Adamston Glass Plant (a.k.a. Princeton Enterprises Site). Upstream
of this area, the southern boundary is US-50, and the northern boundary consists of a
residential area surrounding West Virginia Avenue. A small riparian corridor, averaging
approximately 100 feet in width, extends along both banks of the West Fork River
adjacent to the assessment area. Effluent from the former Adamston Glass Plant
previously entered the river, upstream of the Fourco Glass Plant, on its southern border at
the divergence of US-19/WV-20 and US-50.

1.1.2.1 Location

Clarksburg, WV

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

Evaluation of metals concentrations in West Fork River.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

Results are forthcoming.

2. Current Activities

2.1 Operations Section

2.1.1 Narrative

This purpose of this assessment project is to evaluate metals concentrations in the sediment along a portion of the West Fork River, which is situated downgradient from some potential contamination sources. This assessment will determine if the potential sources are negatively impacting the West Fork River sediment in the assessment areas. The project also includes an evaluation of the background sediment from areas upstream of the assessment area.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

On 10/25/2011 at 1400 hours, START mobilized to the assessment site upon EPA direction. START arrived at the site at approximately 1600 hours. START performed a site reconnaissance and determined the best locations for accessing the West Fork River in order to collect adequate/representative sediment samples. START met with the manager of a business located on the former Fourco Glass facility property to request access to the river via a road on the property. The manager was cooperative and granted verbal permission for ingress to the river. At 1900 hours, the reconnaissance was completed.

On 10/26/2011 at 0830 hours, START mobilized to the site and commensed sediment sampling activities along the right descending bank of the West Fork River. The sediment sampling activities began at the furthest downstream sample locations near the large slag pile situated near the rails to trails (RTT) trail. The RTT trail entrance is located just off of North 25th street in Clarksburg, West Virginia. At 0845 hours, inclement weather in the form of heavy rain began to innundate the area. START continued the sampling being mindful of lightning which would temporarily hault operations. At 1000 hours, EPA OSCs Marjorie Easton and Jack Downie arrived at the site to review and inspect sampling activities and progress. At 1015 hours, START moved from the RTT trail area to an area upstream along the currently operated warehouses just north of the former Fourco Glass facility. At 1020 hours, START met with the warehouse supervisor and verbally requested vehicle access to a road along this property in order to access the sample locations in the vicinity. The warehouse supervisor granted access. At 1030 hours, sampling activites continued. At 1300 hours, START departed the warehouse and former glass factory areas. At 1310 hours, START mobilized to the left descending bank side of the West Fork River to collect sediment samples. START began at the furthest downstream locations and worked in the upstream direction. At 1320, sampling activities continued. At 1500 hours, START collected a sediment sample from a tributary to the West Fork River. At 1500 hours, EPA OSCs Easton and Downie demobed back to the EPA office in Wheeling, West Virginia. At 1545 hours, START collected the furthest upstream background sample from the right descending bank of the river. At 1600 hours, START had completed all sampling activities. Following some cleanup and organization, START demobilized from the site at approximately 1700 hours.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

N/A.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

*Waste Stream*	*Medium*	*Quantity*	*Manifest #*	*Treatment*	*Disposal*

2.2 Planning Section

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

An assessment was performed 10/26/2011. Analytical data is forthcoming.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

Awaiting analytical data.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

None.

2.2.2 Issues

None.

2.3 Logistics Section