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Sierra Zinc Mine & Mill

All POL/SITREP's for this site Sierra Zinc Mine & Mill
Northport, WA - EPA Region X
POLREP #5
Further consolidation of tailings
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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Sierra Zinc Mine & Mill - Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region X

Subject: POLREP #5
Further consolidation of tailings
Sierra Zinc Mine & Mill
WAN001002396
Northport, WA
Latitude: 48.7745000 Longitude: -117.6684000


To:
From: David Rees, On-Scene Coordinator
Date: 11/14/2014
Reporting Period: Nov 3 - 7 2014

1. Introduction
  1.1 Background
   
Site Number: 10MC    Contract Number:  
D.O. Number:      Action Memo Date: 8/28/2014
Response Authority: CERCLA    Response Type: Time-Critical
Response Lead: EPA    Incident Category: Removal Assessment
NPL Status: Non NPL    Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date: 10/13/2014    Start Date: 10/13/2014
Demob Date:      Completion Date:  
CERCLIS ID: WAN001002396    RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:    State Notification:
FPN#:    Reimbursable Account #:

2. Current Activities
  2.1 Operations Section
   

2.1.1 Narrative

SWPPP controls and BMPs were inspected onsite prior to work each day. Goldfield Mine Road was inspected visually and with an XRF daily for contamination, the road tested clean every day. Wood from the mill and barn building demolition was placed in the impoundment and broken down using tracked heavy equipment.  Approximately 7,000 cubic yards (cyds) of material was removed from the mill area and placed on the impoundment. The concrete slabs that were underneath the mill buildings were cleaned off. On November 4th, the construction entrance was sloped to divert potential stormwater from the mill area to the contracted drainage on the north side of the construction entrance.  

Contaminated soils were discovered around Mr. Nixon's (the land owner) outbuilding ('museum') that were removed by hand and placed on the impoundment. The building foundation was compromised due to age/deterioration. The building's foundation was stabilized/repaired.

Two loads of scrap metal were removed by the recycler. 

Sampling: On October 30, 2014 samples from two drums containing unidentified materials were collected and submitted for analyses.

Air samples were collected from three locations on October 30th, and November 6th. 

Air samples were sent for lab analysis on October 31, 2014 and November 7th.

Analytical results for the following air samples were received on November 6, 2014. The analytical results are presented below:

Sample Id

Date collected

Lead  (µg/m3)

Reporting Limit (µg/m3)

Method

#1 D6 Dozer

10/30/2014

<100

100

NIOSH 7303

#2 Nixon Fence

10/30/2014

<100

100

NIOSH 7303

#3 Silt Fence

10/30/2014

<100

100

NIOSH 7303

  2.2 Planning Section
    2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

Anticipated Activities for November 10rd to November 14th:

The HDPE liner containing high-lead soils will be welded and covered.

Lower concentration contaminated soils in the surrounding and mill areas will continued be placed on the tailings impoundment. Materials north of haul road will begin to be transported to the impoundment.

Air samples will be collected on Site as frequently as practical.

Excavation of contaminated soils will be guided by screening with a field-portable X-Ray Fluorescence Meter (XRF).

  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
    No information available at this time.

3. Participating Entities
  No information available at this time.

4. Personnel On Site
 

ACI Northwest: 5 employees

REMC: 1 employee

EPA: None

START: None

Visitors/Agency Personnel

None

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.


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