Latitude: 37°46’22.47” N

Longitude: 122°14’24.09”W

 
For more information, please refer to Pollution Report #1

1.1.2.1 Description of Threat

Current Site conditions pose ongoing releases and the threat of future releases of hazardous substances to the Oakland Estuary and surrounding sensitive ecosystem.  The likelihood of direct human exposure, via ingestion and/or inhalation of hazardous substances, and the threat of future releases and migration of those substances, pose an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health or welfare or the environment based on the factors set forth in the NCP, 40 CFR § 300.415(b)(2).

For more Information, please reference Pollution Report #1.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

In April 2013 EPA, in partnership with CalRecycle and Coast Guard, conducted a removal assessment of four abandoned wrecks.  Based on EPA’s assessment, actual and threatened releases of hazardous substances into the environment pose a risk to human health and the environment at this Site.  Analytical results show that there is a potential for hazardous substances (asbestos, PCBs, lead, and arsenic) to be released into the environment from these abandoned wrecks.  These hazardous substances can potentially kill marine life and enter into the food chain, ultimately being consumed by humans.  Additionally, the potential is great that other hazardous materials are present on these wrecks, namely varnish, paint, and batteries. Releases of these substances into the aquatic environment are subject to dispersion and translocation via tidal action and ecosystem processes and therefore may be lethal to marine life.

For more details, please refer to Pollution Report #1.
 

The following monthly summaries cover the operating period from February 2014 thru March 2014. For activities occurring prior to these dates please refer to the following Pollution Reports:

Pollution Report #1: September 9 thru October 26, 2013.
Pollution Report #2: October 27 thru November 22, 2013.
Pollution Report #3: November 23 thru January 10, 2014.

Note: The EPA demobilized from the site on January 10, 2014. The EPA re-mobilized to the site on February 10, 2014. No on-site work was performed by EPA or its contractors betwenn January 11 and February 9, 2014. The State and their contractor did work.


2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

February Operations (February 10 – 20, 2014)

On-site Personnel: (2) EPA OSCs (4) EQM Representatives

On February 10, 2014, the USEPA re-mobilized to the Oakland Estuary Site to address the transporation and disposal of contaminated sediments stockpiled on the site. The sediments were recovered from the inside of the two commercial vessels (tugs “Captain AL” and “Respect”) that were raised by the USEPA and Coast Guard in the Fall and early winter of 2013. The sediments contained elevated levels of lead and copper and were classified as a California Hazardous Waste and manifessed as “Non-RCRA Hazardous Waste Solids (Lead:Copper).

During the first week of operations the Emergency Rapid Response Services (ERRS) contractor loaded 77 trucks with approximately 1641 tons of material. Material was transported under manifest from the Oakland Estuary site to Clean Harbors Buttonwillow LLC., in Buttonwillow, CA, for disposal.

During the second week of operations the ERRS contractor loaded 62 trucks with approximately 1804 tons of material. Material was also transported to the Clean Harbors Buttonwillow LLC., in Buttonwillow, CA, for disposal.

Other activities accomplished during the operational period included the placement of large rip rap along the face of an earthen seawall near Duta’s yard . On February 10, 2014, the ERRS contractor arranged for the transportation and disposal of 10 waste flare packages. The waste flares had been collected from abandoned vessels throughout the fall of 2013. The Waste flares were transported to Veolia ES Technical Solutions in Sauget, IL for incineration.

On February 20, 2013, USEPA demobilized from the site.

March Operations (March 4 – 27, 2014)

On-site Personnel: (2) EPA OSCs (1) EQM Representatives, (5) Southwest Harzard Control Representatives

On December 30, CalRecycle took custody of the tug “Respect” from the USCG. CalRecycle began demolition activities in early January and completed the removal of all the structures on the tug that were above the main deck. All the remaining demolition activities were put on hold until a more stable work area could be identified. In late January 2014 the Army Corps. of Engineers (ACE) gave Cal Recyle permission to use their dock facilities in Saulsalito, CA.

Prior to CalRecyle moving the tug “Respect”, The USCG arranged for the transportation and disposal of 180 cubic yards of Non-RCRA Hazardous Waste, Solid (sludge) and 4100 gallons of Non-RCRA Hazardous Waste, liquid (contaminated water). This waste had been removed from the inside of the tug “Respect” during stabilization activities in late December 2013 and temporarily stored in vacuum boxes along the dock at Bay, Ship and Yacht.

Once the tug “Respect” was transported to Sausalito, CalRecyle resumed demolition activities.

In early March USEPA mobilized to Saulsalito with the ERRS contractor to begin asbestos abatement activities on the boiler and steam distribution sytem. Brick, flanges and pipe were removed from the vessel, double-bagged and stored in 20 cubic yard roll-off bins. A total of five 20 yard roll-off bins were transported from the ACE yard in Saulsalito and disposed in the Altamont landfill in Livermore, CA. The EPA and their contractor demobilized from the site on March 27, 2014.

Special Note: In addition to finishing the demolition activities on the tug “Respect” in late July 2014, CalRecyle negioted a mitigation project with the Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART). The project involved the removal of an abandoned barge in San Leandro Bay. The BART completed the project in late July of 2013. CalReycle also negioted with the Alemeda County DEA to remove an abandoned houseboat in the Oakland Estuary. A grand total of 77 sites were mitigated under the Oakland Estuary Marine Debris Removal action. These sites included 63 Vessels, 9 debris sites and 5 abandonned docks.