U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Elwood Mystery Response - Removal Polrep
Initial Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region V
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Subject:
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POLREP #1
Initial PolRep
Elwood Mystery Response
Summitville, IN
Latitude: 40.3502853 Longitude: -85.6034629
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To:
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From:
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Shelly Lam, On-Scene Coordinator
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Date:
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4/11/2013
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Reporting Period:
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April 10 - 11, 2013
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
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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 Assessment |
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NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
4/10/2013 |
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Start Date: |
4/10/2013 |
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Demob Date: |
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Completion Date: |
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CERCLIS ID: |
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RCRIS ID: |
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ERNS No.: |
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State Notification: |
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FPN#: |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
Emergency Response - Illegal dump/disposal
1.1.2 Site Description
Information on the site location, description of threat and removal assessment results are provided below.
1.1.2.1 Location
The site is a farm at 3726 West 1700 North in Summitville, Madison County, Indiana. The property is 5.4 acres and contains a burned-out house, four barns, and several silos. The property is in a rural area approximately 5 miles north-northwest of Summitville. Site coordinates are 40.3502853 degrees north latitude and 85.6034629 degrees west longitude.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
On April 9, 2013, various state and local agencies responded because of reports of dead animals on the property. In the process of assessing and removing animals, the Madison County Hazardous Material (Hazmat) Team reported that their decontamination water had a high pH (alkaline) reading and water from a drinking water well on the property had a pH of 12 standard units (SU).
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
As stated above, the Madison County Hazmat Team reported that drinking water at the site had a high pH (up to 12 SU).
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
EPA responded on April 10, 2013 to provide assistance and technical support with highly alkaline drinking water at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM).
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
On April 10, 2013, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) Shelly Lam mobilized to the site, met with state and local agency representatives, collected water samples for hazard categorization (Hazcat) screening, and mobilized the Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team (START) contractor. START performed field hazard categorization on water samples from two outdoor spigots. START measured pH values between 8 and 9 SU in both samples. All other hazcat results were within normal range and did not indicate the presence of hazardous waste. In consultation with IDEM, the Madison County Health Department, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), the US Geological Survey (USGS), and the Purdue Agricultural Extension Service, EPA agreed to test both outdoor spigots for the following analyses: pH, total metals, ammonia, nitrates, nitrites, organophosphates, pesticides, and inorganic compounds such as cyanide, sulfates, phosphates, and fluoride.
On April 11, 2013, OSC Lam and two START contractors returned to the site to collect water samples. However, electricity to the property had been disconnected. As such, well pumps were inoperable. EPA was unable to locate the well heads for direct sampling. EPA, IDEM, and the Madison County Health Department agreed that EPA would return to the site to sample when power had been restored.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
The Madison County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant and was collecting evidence for criminal prosecution. OSC Lam requested that the water samples be included as takings under the search warrant.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
Local and state officials have the lead for disposal of the animal remains.
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Planned activities are detailed below.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
EPA and START will return to the site on April 12, 2013 to collect water samples when electricity has been restored.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
EPA will provide the results of water samples to interested agencies through a Pollution Report (PolRep).
2.2.2 Issues
EPA was unable to collect water samples because electricity to the power had been disconnected. As such, well pumps were inoperable. EPA was unable to locate the well heads for direct sample collection. IDEM coordinated power reconnection for the morning of April 12th.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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Madison County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) provided logistical support to response personnel.
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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
START prepared a health and safety plan to cover sampling activities.
2.5.2 Liaison Officer
Not applicable (NA)
2.5.3 Information Officer
There was extensive media coverage of this site. The Madison County Sheriff's Office provided media interviews for the response.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
The Madison County Sheriff was the Incident Commander for all response activities. EPA worked in Operations with IDEM.
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
Agencies on-site included:
Madison County Sheriff's Office
Madison County Health Department
Madison County Hazmat Team
Madison County EMA
Madison County Prosecutor's Office
Union Township Fire Department
Richardland Township Fire Department
Anderson Animal Care and Control
Animal Protection League
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Indiana Board of Animal Health
Indiana State Department of Homeland Security
IDEM
EPA
EPA received off-site support from:
ATSDR
USGS
Purdue Agricultural Extension Service
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4. Personnel On Site
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EPA personnel on-site included one OSC and two START contractors. Numerous personnel from the agencies listed in Section 3.2 were also on-site.
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5. Definition of Terms
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| ATSDR |
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry |
| EMA |
Emergency Management Agency |
| EPA |
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency |
| ERRB |
Emergency Response and Removal Branch |
| Hazcat |
Hazard categorization |
| Hazmat |
Hazardous materials |
| IDEM |
Indiana Department of Environmental Management |
| NA |
Not applicable |
| OSC |
On-Scene Coordinator |
| PolRep |
Pollution Report |
| PRP |
Potentially Responsible Party |
| START |
Superfund Technical Assessmetn and Response Team |
| SU |
Standard units |
| USGS |
U.S. Geological Survey |
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6. Additional sources of information
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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
For additional information, refer to www.epaosc.org/elwoodmystery.
6.2 Reporting Schedule
The OSC will submit a second PolRep once water samples have been collected.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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NA
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