U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Powell Lead - Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region III
|
|
Subject:
|
POLREP #3
Sample Results from Playground and General Site Update
Powell Lead
A3XF
Big Stone Gap, VA
Latitude: 36.8607475 Longitude: -82.7954852
|
|
To:
|
Fran Burns, EPA Region 3
Jack Tolbert, VDEM
Lora Werner, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Dwight Flammia, Virginia Department of Health
Pat Murphy, Town of Big Stone Gap
Devlin Harris, DEQ
Paul Kurzanski, CSX
Stacy Bowers, DEQ
Sue Cantrell, VDH
|
|
From:
|
Francisco J. Cruz, On-Scene Coordinator
|
|
Date:
|
10/21/2014
|
|
Reporting Period:
|
06/07/2014 - 10/21/2014
|
|
1. Introduction
|
|
|
1.1 Background
|
|
|
|
|
Site Number: |
A3XF |
|
Contract Number: |
|
|
D.O. Number: |
|
|
Action Memo Date: |
|
|
Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
|
Response Type: |
Time-Critical |
|
Response Lead: |
EPA |
|
Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
|
NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
|
Operable Unit: |
|
|
Mobilization Date: |
3/18/2014 |
|
Start Date: |
3/18/2014 |
|
Demob Date: |
|
|
Completion Date: |
|
|
CERCLIS ID: |
|
|
RCRIS ID: |
|
|
ERNS No.: |
|
|
State Notification: |
|
|
FPN#: |
|
|
Reimbursable Account #: |
|
1.1.1 Incident Category
CERCLA Time-Critical Removal Assessment and Removal Action being conducted by the PRPs, under the supervision of the OSC.
1.1.2 Site Description
The site is comprised of two parcels located in Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Virginia. Parcel 1, owned by CSX, is located near the intersection of West 9th Street North and Main Avenue West. Parcel 1 lies between CSX rail lines and Main Avenue West, across the street from several residential properties. From the road, it appears that Parcel 1 has several battery casings, transformer parts, and oil-stained soils. Parcel 2, owned by Robinette Steel & Scrap Metal, consists of a mounded area near a playground at the intersection of Main Avenue West and Short Street North. Parcel 2 is well vegetated with significant evidence of buried construction debris. Parcel 2 is located across the street from several residences and adjacent to a playground, with a short fence separating the playground from the mound. The fencing is in a state of disrepair.
1.1.2.1 Location
The site is located in Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Virginia.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
According to complaints received by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Parcels 1 and 2 were dumping sites in the past. At this time, the contaminants of concern at the site are lead and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). OSC Cruz will be determining if levels of lead and PCBs in the surface soils pose an imminent threat to public health and the environment.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
A visual inspection of the parcels shows evidence of dumped battery casings, transformer parts, and oil-stained soils. A surface soil sampling event was conducted on 3/19/14 to determine the extent of lead and PCB contamination on Parcel 2. Screening of Parcel 2 with an X-Ray Fluoresence Device (XRF) indicated lead levels ranging from Non-Detect to 1290 parts per million (ppm).
|
|
2. Current Activities
|
|
|
2.1 Operations Section
|
|
|
|
2.1.1 Narrative
Please see POLREPs 1 and 2 for information on previous activities.
OSC Cruz and Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team (START) members conducted a surface soil sampling event on the playground adjacent to Parcel 2 on 06/10/2014. A 25-foot grid was established on the playground to identify screening areas. The OSC also directed screening of sensitive areas of the playground, including around home plate on the baseball field, dirt landing at the end of slides, and swing areas. In total, 102 locations were screened using an XRF. XRF lead data for the playground area ranged between 19 and 73 ppm, and the open field lead data ranged between 24 and 149 ppm. Following the field screening, the OSC chose 18 locations for further soil sampling to verify the data from the XRF. The Trip Report for the sampling event has a map depicting sample locations and the analytical results from the sampling event. Lead concentrations from the sampling event ranged from non-detect to 141 ppm. PCB results for those same locations ranged from non-detect to 370 ppm. The data results do not exceed EPA's Regional Screening Level (RSL) of 400 ppm for lead.
Robinette Steel and Scrap Metal installed fencing in September 2014 to restrict access to Parcel 2. Although Parcel 2 has dense vegetation and is not secured from trespassers, EPA will be consulting VDH and ATSDR to help determine if the site poses a threat to human health. Initial indications are that the site does not pose an imminent threat to human health, but further analysis of the data by the public health agencies is required.
In September 2014, CSX through their contractor collected 9 soil samples on Parcel 1. Data from the sampling event has not been finalized, yet. CSX's contractor will email DEQ, VDEM, and EPA copies of the sample results. Following an analysis of the validated data, CSX's contractor will propose a course of action for the property. Currently, site access is being restricted with a temporary fence.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
EPA has collected samples on Parcel 2 and the nearby playground to determine if lead and PCBs pose a threat to human health and/or the environment. Initial indications, in consultation with VDH and ATSDR, show that the site does not pose an imminent threat, but that further analysis is required to fully analyze if the site poses a threat to the local population.
Access to the sites is now restricted, with Robinette fencing Parcel 2 and CSX erecting a temporary fence around Parcel 1. CSX has conducted soil sampling on Parcel 1, and is awaiting validated results from the sampling event. Robinette has proactively fenced Parcel 2 to restrict open access to the mound.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
CSX has take responsibility for conducting an assessment of Parcel 1, and has expressed a willingness to conduct removal actions on the property, if needed. Robinette has taken responsibility for Parcel 2, and has erected a fence around the parcel to restrict access to the site. Both parties have been cooperative and responsive to the OSCs requests. Currently, neither party is under an order to conduct work.
|
|
|
2.2 Planning Section
|
|
|
|
2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
CSX will propose what actions may be necessary to secure Parcel 1 following analysis of the surface soil data.
OSC Cruz will speak to Robinette following a site inspection to determine if further action is needed to secure Parcel 2, in addition to the fencing constructed by Robinette.
OSC Cruz is working with VDH and ATSDR to determine potential health risks posed by the site.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
A site inspection will be conducted to assess fencing done by Robinette. OSC Cruz will continue to correspond with CSX regarding actions that may be required on Parcel 1.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
Following inspection of the fencing and analysis of the soil data on Parcel 1, the OSC will determine if further action is warranted.
2.2.2 Issues
The OSC will work with VDH and DEQ to determine if the site poses a public health risk.
|
|
|
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
Francisco Cruz - EPA
2.5.2 Liaison Officer
2.5.3 Information Officer
|
|
3. Participating Entities
|
|
|
3.1 Unified Command
Jack Tolbert - VDEM
Alex Sneed - DEQ
Stacy Bowers - DEQ
Pat Murphy - Town of Big Stone Gap
Paul Kurzanski - CSX
Leroy Leonard - Geosyntec (CSX Environmental Contractor)
Dwight Flammia - VDH
Rebecca LePrell - VDH
Eleanor Cantrell - VDH
Lora Werner - ATSDR
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
VDEM
DEQ
Town of Big Stone Gap
VDH
|
|
4. Personnel On Site
|
|
|
DEQ - 1
VDEM - 1
VDH - 1
EPA - 1
START - 1
|
|
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.
|
|
|
