U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
John Day Vapor Response - Removal Polrep
Final Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region X
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Subject:
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POLREP #4
Final POLREP
John Day Vapor Response
John Day, OR
Latitude: 44.4118110 Longitude: -118.9529053
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To:
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From:
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Richard Franklin, On Scene Coordinator
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Date:
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7/14/2015
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Reporting Period:
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6/03/2015 - 6/12/2015
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
10PB |
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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: |
5/21/2015 |
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Start Date: |
5/20/2015 |
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Demob Date: |
6/12/2015 |
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Completion Date: |
6/12/2015 |
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CERCLIS ID: |
ORN001001391 |
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RCRIS ID: |
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ERNS No.: |
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State Notification: |
ODEQ |
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FPN#: |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
Emergency Response
1.1.2 Site Description
The site consists of an approximately 1/2 mile long and 2-block wide area of residences, a church, and some light commercial businesses, located on the south side of the city of John Day. The site runs parallel to, and along S. Canyon Blvd (U.S. Hwy 395) and Canyon Creek. Residences include single and multi-family homes and rental properties.
Canyon Creek is reported to be a migratory pathway for salmon and steelhead trout. Further, Canyon Creek flows into the John Day River at its confluence, approximately 3/4 mile of the site. The John Day River is a significant river in eastern Oregon noted for its steelhead trout and salmon runs, Bull trout habitat, smallmouth bass fishery, and recreational activities. It is also used for irrigation by farms and ranches along its length.
1.1.2.1 Location
John Day, Grant County, Oregon.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), including hexane, benzene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, 2-methylbutane, pentane, butane, hexane, cyclohexane, 3- and 2-methylhexane, heptane, isobutene, and methylcyclohexane have been detected in vapors that are releasing from the subsurface and groundwater into at least 21 homes and some commercial properties. Further, VOCs have been documented as releasing into the environment from these buildings' vented crawl spaces and basements, and from a local sanitary sewer system's manholes. Due to the local hydrological gradient, there is a potential threat of discharge of contaminants into nearby Canyon Creek.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
Please see POLREPs 1-3 for previous history. On May 21, 2015, EPA mobilized personnel and contract resources to the site to begin a site assessment and investigation. Additional personnel and equipment (e.g., a geoprobe) were also mobilized to the site in the following weeks to further the investigation. EPA conducted a door-to-door assessment and air monitoring at over 70 properties, as well as at monitoring wells and sewer manholes in the affected neighborhood. Up to 31 manholes in the sewer system were monitored daily.
EPA also conducted geoprobe drilling and sampling at over 30 locations in the community to determine lateral extent and magnitude of the contamination. Generally, the affected area was determined to be an area between SW 2nd Avenue and SW 6th Avenue along South Canyon Boulevard and SW Brent Street.
A total of 101 samples were taken, including air, soil, and water samples. Samples were submitted for standard and forensic (fingerprinting) analysis to EPA laboratories. Air monitoring and sample analytical results confirmed elevated levels of VOCs (above 5,000 parts per billion) in homes and the sanitary sewer, while soil and water samples confirmed high levels of VOCs as well as gasoline, fresh diesel, weather diesel, and motor oil in the subsurface adjacent to, and down-gradient from the PRP's facility. No oil was detected in the subsurface near Canyon Creek.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
The EPA and START contractor, along with logistical assistance from the City of John Day, have been conducting air monitoring and/or sampling in residences, schools, city/county facilities/utilities, and local businesses to determine the presence, extent, and source of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the community. EPA and ODEQ have continued to conduct a source investigation, and actively perform outreach activities in the community. EPA transitioned management of the site to ODEQ, and demobilized the site on Friday, June 12, 2015.
2.1.2 Response Actions
May 26 - June 2, 2015
Transition of Site to ODEQ. On June 3, 2015, OSC Franklin returned to the site to overlap with OSC Boykin and take over EPA management of the site. During the week of June 8, 2015, EPA began winding down response activities and transitioning the lead for the site to ODEQ. EPA drafted a Transition Plan for the site, and coordinated the plan with ODEQ, the City of John Day, Grant County Health, and the Oregon State Health Authority. ODEQ mobilized a Project Manager Bryn Thoms, State OSC Michael Renz, and contract resources to the site to begin overlapping with EPA personnel and transitioning site functions to ODEQ.
Source Investigation. During this period, EPA and ODEQ continued to investigate potential sources, including commercial facilities, schools, and abandoned facilities in the affected neighborhood, as well as up-gradient areas. Additional geoprobe wells were installed in an effort to continue delineate the extent of contamination, identify migration pathways and potential sources. During the response, over 30 geoprobe boreholes were drilled.
EPA and ODEQ conducted field visits and inspections, drilling and taking of geoprobe well samples, air monitoring, research of existing state records, and interviews with local residents and business employees in areas to the south and up-gradient of Triangle Oil. As a result, Triangle Oil was identified as a source of the VOCs. Sample analytical data from geoprobe wells that were drilled directly in front of Triangle Oil’s office and fuel dispensers showed the presence of fresh gasoline, diesel, weathered diesel, and motor oil. Further, a geoprobe well installed immediately down-gradient of Triangle also showed high levels of VOCs. There is no evidence of the presence of VOCs south of, and up-gradient of Triangle Oil. Nor is there any evidence that historical up-gradient spills are the source of the current release. As a result, no other facilities have been identified as a source in the immediate or up-gradient area.
On June 8, 2015, EPA determined that continued sampling of various media was not required to further characterize the site conditions, and ceased sampling activities. The EPA mobile laboratory was accordingly demobilized from the site.
During the week June 8, 2015, it was also determined that further installation of geoprobe wells was not necessary to identify the extent of contamination. Temporary monitoring wells that had been previously installed were then correctly plugged and abandoned, and on June 9, 2015, the geoprobe contract team and equipment was demobilized from the site.
Air monitoring. EPA/START and ODEQ continued air monitoring of properties and sewer manholes in the impacted area during this period. EPA/START and ODEQ coordinated with the City of John Day Public Works personnel to conduct air monitoring of 30 manholes in city sewer lines where high VOCs and elevated LEL readings have been found.
Mitigation of VOCs in Residences. Mitigation of high VOCs in residences is ongoing, and has been very successful in stopping VOC vapor entry into most living spaces. Successful techniques have included installing positive pressure air systems in resident’s basements and crawl spaces, and venting by local residents. ODEQ began working on short and long term plans to install soil vapor extraction (SVE) wells in order to mitigate the vapors’ entry into area homes and structures. During the week, ODEQ successfully installed an SVE well in the parking lot of the local library, and were planning for more SVE installations for the following week.
Community Outreach. Community Involvement Coordinators (CICs) Adams and Johnson mobilized to the site on June 6, 2015, to overlap and take over functional responsibilities from CIC Morrison. They continued engaging and coordinating with the community and affected individuals/families, creating flyers and Fact Sheet Number 5, and conducting outreach with the local radio station and newspaper.
On Tuesday, June 9, 2015, OSC Richard Franklin and ODEQ Project Manager Bryn Thoms, accompanied by CICs and START, provided a briefing and answered questions at a John Day City Council meeting. CICs also set up a Community Meeting that was held on Thursday evening, June 11. During the meeting, OSC Franklin and ODEQ Project Manager Bryn Thoms briefed community members on EPA’s and ODEQ’s actions and investigation results so far, and the transition of management of the site to ODEQ. Approximately 15 community members were in attendance.
PRP Activities. During the week of June 1, 2015, the owner of Triangle Oil hired an environmental consultant, Martin S. Burck Associates, Inc. (Burck), to begin a site assessment and determination if the Triangle Oil Company facility was a source of the fuel products and VOCs affecting the community. EPA and ODEQ began coordinating with Burck immediately. However, ODEQ also began efforts at issuing and coordinating an Order on Consent against Triangle.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
Triangle Oil has been identified as the only Potentially Responsible Party (PRP), in part due to the discovery of gasoline, diesel, and motor oil in the subsurface and on groundwater adjacent to, and down-gradient of their facility. Further, EPA’s and ODEQ’s continued investigation of potential sources have identified no other PRPs.
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
1. ODEQ will assume the agency lead role in management of the site
2. EPA will continue to coordinate with ODEQ and partner agencies to address site issues. EPA will continue to process incoming analytical data from samples previously sent to contract laboratories
3. ODEQ will continue air monitoring and interim mitigation of impacted residences/businesses.
4. ODEQ will continue monitoring/assessment of sewer manholes and other utility corridors as migration pathways.
5. ODEQ will be evaluating and proposing potential short- and long-term mitigation options and soil vapor extraction well installations.
6. ODEQ, City of John Day, and Grant County Health with support from Oregon State health Authority will continue addressing public concerns, engaging with neighbors/residents, distributing site fact sheets, and providing radio and newspaper interviews.
2.2.2 Issues
Ongoing release and high levels of TVOCs to residences, businesses, and the environment from subsurface and/or groundwater.
Potential public health threat and surface water.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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Logistical support and Command Post provided by City of John Day as well as many private citizens in the community.
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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
EPA; transitioning to ODEQ
EPA START Contractor; transitioning to ODEQ contractor
2.5.2 Liaison Officer
Wendy Adams and Jennifer Johnson, EPA CIC and Public Information Officer. Transitioning to ODEQ.
2.5.3 Information Officer
Wendy Adams and Jennifer Johnson, EPA CIC and Public Information Officer. Transitioning to ODEQ.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
City of John Day, Oregon
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
U.S. EPA Region 10. Transitioning to a Cooperating Agency
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
Oregon State Public Health Authority
Grant County Health Department
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4. Personnel On Site
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On-Site currently is ODEQ and contract personnel.
The following were on-site during this period, but have demobilized the site as of June 12, 2015: EPA On-Scene Coordinator, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator/Public Information Officer, EPA Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team (6-7), EPA Environmental Response Team Hydrogeologist
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5. Definition of Terms
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No information available at this time.
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6. Additional sources of information
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No information available at this time.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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No information available at this time.
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