1.1.1 Incident Category
Time-Critical Removal Action at an Abandoned Lead/Zinc Mine.

1.1.2 Site Description

On September 4, 2015, EPA received a written request from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) requesting the conditions at the Wurtsboro Lead Mine Site (Site) be evaluated for a possible CERCLA emergency response action.  The Site (NYSDEC Site No. 353013) is a lead mine that was abandoned in 1962.  EPAs review of the Site Characterization Report (July 2013) prepared for the NYSDEC, concluded that a human exposure pathway exists at the Site from direct contact to lead present in mine wastes.  These wastes include mine tailings, millings, overburden rock and surface water discharges.

1.1.2.1 Location
The Site is located in the Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest in the Town of Mamakating, Sullivan County, New York and the Delaware and Hudson (D&H) Canal Linear Park.  The area of contamination associated with the mine operation encompasses approximately 20-acres of the 1,000-acre State Forest.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
The principal threat to the public is direct contact with high levels of lead in the tailings piles, sediments and surface/ground water runoff.   The tailings piles have been tested and found to contain Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) concentrations of lead ranging from 5.3 to 268 parts per million (ppm).  A TCLP concentration of 5ppm meets the regulatory criteria as a hazardous waste.  Water samples collected at the lower mine discharge point have been found to contain lead concentrations which range from 410 to 710 parts per billion (ppb).  The NYSDEC ecological Quality Standard for lead in surface water is 4.1ppb.

1.1.3 Removal Preliminary Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

On September 22 and 23, 2015, EPA met with NYSDEC representatives at the Site to inspect the upper and lower former operation areas.

Based on the NYSDEC sampling events and results from their laboratory analysis, the mine tailings, millings, overburden rock and surface water are considered CERCLA designated hazardous substances as defined in section 101(14) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. § 9601(14). The Site is defined as a facility under section 101(9) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. § 9601(9).  Conditions at the Site meet the requirements of Section 300.415(b) of the National Contingency Plan (NCP) for the undertaking of a CERCLA removal action.

On September 23, 2015, verbal authorization was granted by the Region 2 Division Director to initiate a removal action at the Site.  On October 6, 2015, written confirmation of the verbal authorization was submitted to the Division Director.  The Removal Action activities proposed under this verbal authorization included:

            : Consolidating wastes;

            : Installing security fencing and signage;

            : Evaluation/Stabilization of entrance roads;

            : Pre-classification of wastes;

            : Preparation of work plans to remove lead-contaminated wastes; and

            : Pilot tests on passive treatment systems designed to reduce lead concentrations                              in surface water discharges.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

-On October 14, 2015, EPA, NYSDEC, Weston Solutions and the ERRS contractor conducted a Site inspection of the proposed work areas.  NYSDEC representatives included personnel from the Division of Environmental Remediation, Division of Lands and Forests and Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources.

-On October 27, 2015, a subsequent Site inspection was conducted and included ERRS mining professionals from Region 8, NYSDEC Division of Mineral Resources (Region 3), Division of Lands and Forests and Division of Environmental Remediation.  During this meeting, anticipated activities were outlined and included areas of potential tree/brush clearing, soil and surface water sampling and D&H Canal sediment excavation.

-During the week of November 3, 2015, ERRS personnel and heavy equipment was delivered to the Site.  Work performed focused on repairing the lower railroad access road, clearing small trees, securing the former Mill Area waste and preparing the Mill Area for delineation soil sampling work.

-During the week of November 9, 2015, ERRS and Weston personnel completed sampling activities within the former Mill Area and adjacent wetlands.  The sampling event resulted in the collection of 183 soil samples and 7 surface water samples.  The analytical results from this event are currently being evaluated against applicable standards.  Additionally, ERRS completed the removal of sediment within the D&H Canal which protruded above the waterline.  Approximately 15-cubic yards of material was generated as a result of this remediation.

From November 30 through December 16, 2015, EPA and Weston personnel collected approximately 700 soil samples from 215 grid locations within the 17-acre wetland area adjacent to the Mill Area.  All samples are currently at the laboratory being analyzed.

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

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Anticipated activities at the Site include conducting additional delineation sampling events, completing a treatability study/bench test to evaluate potential methods to reduce the lead/zinc concentrations in discharge water and developing work plans outlining future remediation work.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
Planned response activities are currently anticipated to begin in the Spring 2016 and will involve the excavation, stockpiling and disposal of generated waste and restoration of disturbed areas.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps
Monitoring of Site conditions, including security fencing, signage and stockpiled materials.

2.2.2 Issues

3.1 Unified Command

3.2 Cooperating Agencies
-New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)

    -Division of Lands and Forests;

    -Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources;

    -Division of Environmental Remediation;

    -Division of Mineral Resources (Region 3)

 -Sullivan County