The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GaDNR) requested the assistance of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 Emergency Response and Removal Branch (ERRB) after an inspection resulting from a citizen’s complaint of abandoned oily and leaky drums left unattended at the location.  GC Quality Lubricants (also known as Georgia-Carolina Quality Lubricants,) is a subsidiary of Bay Street Corporation. The property is a former oil processing facility and encompasses two buildings located across the street from each other (1403 Sixth Street and 1480 Sixth Street). Both buildings are unsecure, open to the environment, and surrounded by heavy vegetation.  The property appeared to be abandoned and a tax search revealed that property taxes have not been paid for the past few years. On December 27, 2012, GaDNR performed a site inspection noted numerous violations of the following statutes: 40 CFR Section 262.11, “Hazardous Waste Determination”, 40 CFR Section 279.22(c)(1) “Used Oil Storage Generator Facilities”, and 40 CFR Section 279.22(d)(1-3) “Used Oil Storage” Response to Releases.  The facility is permanently closed, however drums, oil and oily waste material remain at the location.

GC Quality Lubricants is an onshore facility as defined in 40 CFR Section 112 and due to its location, could reasonably be expected to discharge oil into or upon the navigable waters of the United States or adjoining shorelines.  The total storage capacity of the facility exceeds 1,320 gallons of oil and is subject to the preparation and implementation of Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plan.  According to a record of bankruptcy proceedings, in the late 1190’s or early 2000’s, a previous removal action was undertaken by the EPA after a routine SPCC inspection.  This inspection uncovered numerous violations of the Oil Pollution Act (OPA), including oil flowing from the facility into a storm drain which exited into a wetland that flows to the Ocmulgee River.  An EPA time-critical removal activities was undertaken which included installing sheet piling around the contaminated site and placing a clay cap over the surface of the contaminated area.  The total costs of this removal activity was approximately $2.6 million.  

GC Quality Lubricants is located on Sixth Street in the city center of Macon, Bibb County, Georgia.  It is less than one mile southeast of Mercer University.  It also sits less than ½ mile from a wetland which is in the floodplain of the Ocmulgee River, a navigable water of the United States.  The main channel of the river flows 1.4 miles northeast of the former facility.  There are numerous lakes and creeks that connect the floodplain to the river and it is not uncommon for the wetland to fill with water during heavy rainfall.   The surrounding area is mostly industrial, with a rail yard located to the southeast.

GC Quality Lubricants is a facility that has had and continues to have a discharge of oil or a substantial threat of a discharge of oil into or upon the navigable waters or adjoining shorelines of the United States.  The following threats to public health or welfare are noted:

Section 300.415 (b)(2)(ii) Actual or potential contamination of drinking water supplies or sensitive ecosystems. The facility is located less than ½ mile from a wetland which is in the floodplain of the Ocmulgee River, a navigable water of the United States.  The main channel of the river flows 1.4 miles northeast of the former facility.  There are numerous lakes and creeks that connect the floodplain to the river and it is not uncommon for the wetland to fill with water during heavy rainfall.  Oil stained soil is visible around the building.  The source of the contaminated soil can be attributed to oil emanating from the facility.

Section 300.415 (b)(2)(iii) Hazardous substances or pollutants or contaminants in drums, barrels, tanks or other bulk storage containers, that may pose a threat of release. In the building located at 1403 Sixth Street, approximately fifteen 55-gallon drums and five 5-gallon buckets were visible in the building.  There are additional drums located on the second floor at the rear of the warehouse.   In the building located at 1414 Sixth Street, numerous drums labeled “oil w/water”, “used dirt”, and Chevron Petrolatum Snow White”. Are present.  Oil soaked rags, used absorbent boom and empty 5 gallon buckets litter the floor.  The floor of the building was also covered with oil. A 10,000 gallon tank with secondary containment is located near the front of the building.  The contents of the tank could not be determined, but the secondary containment was filled with approximately 5,000 gallons of oil.  The buildings are not secure and parts of them are exposed to weather and rotting.

Section 300.415 (b)(2)(vi) Threat of fire or explosion. Both buildings are covered with oil.  Lightning and thunderstorms are very common in this area.  A lightning strike to either of these buildings could cause a major fire.

Section 300.415 (b)(2)(vii) The availability of other appropriate federal or state response mechanisms to respond to the release. The site was referred to the EPA due to its inability to perform cleanup activities.  The OSC knows of no other federal or state response mechanisms to respond to the release.

2.1.1 Narrative

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

Site mobilization took place on 09/14/2015.  ERRS Crews performed preliminary moving and landscaping around the areas of both 1403 and 1480 6th St due to heavy vegetation.  One access to the buildings were attained, the ERRS Crew began removal of oil and oily debris in the buildings by applying absorbent to the floor and then gathering it with heavy machinery.  As of 09/27/2015, 5 pallets of oil absorbent has been used.  However, after the floors were cleaned, oil began would continuously, slowly seep to the surface of the floor.

Sheet piling also was noticed around the perimeter of both buildings, indicating previous removal activity.  The environmental contractor that performed the work was contacted and stated that oil is saturated in soil to depths of around 30 feet in various areas of the Site.  OSC Byrd directed START to take soil samples near the sheet pilings to ensure that oil had not breached the established perimeter.

Transportation and disposal of waste is expected to begin on 09/28/2015.  

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

The owner of the defunct company has been identified and contacted.

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

ERRS will continue to remove oil and oily residue at the Site.  START is preparing the samples obtained in order that have them analyzed at the lab. 

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

 Soil removal may become necessary if samples indicate that oil has migrated past the sheet pilings toward the nearby wetland.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

2.2.2 Issues

While performing an OPA Removal Action at the Site, OSC Byrd encountered numerous abandoned chemical drums and bottles from a suspected on site Lab.  As of 09/28/2015, nine 55 gallon drums have been encountered and numerous pipets and glass bottles are strewn among papers in the building.  OSC Byrd has initiated a ER utilizing the allocated $250,000 statutory warrant authority to address the contaminants.