1.1.1 Incident Category

Time Critical Removal Action

1.1.2 Site Description
The site is a former chemical plating facility, currently owned by the Kent County Land Bank. When the property tax reverted, historically accumulated plating wastes were abandoned in the building, and discovered by the Land Bank. 

1.1.2.1 Location

The site is located at 1516 Blaine Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan 49507. The site totals approximately 1/4 acre, and contains a one story industrial building and an open lot. The site was recently occupied by the Hard Chrome Plating and HCP Finishing LLC companies, and tax reverted to the Kent County Land Bank in 2014.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

See POLREP 1.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

See POLREP 1.

2.1.1 Narrative

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

2.1.2.1 Actions During Reporting Period

Over the week beginning the December 14, 2015 work focused primarily on the following activities:

- Revising the site health and safety plan

- Continuing to implement air monitoring program

- Continuing to clear debris from within the building and decontaminate building floors. This reporting period, the crew removed most of the debris and air emission system filtration infrastructure from Storage Areas 2, 3, and 4 (See Figure 3 in Documents Section of epaosc.org/hardchromeplating website) and staged it for sampling and disposal. Floors were also cleaned in these areas.  Debris removal continues in Storage Area 1. 

- Continuing work to stage containers, sample containers and categorize container contents. To date, 91 5 gallon drums, 16 vats and sumps, and approximately 67 5 gallon containers have been sampled and staged, as well as approximated 87 containers less than 5 gallons in size. Catagorization of these samples is in progress. Incompatible materials are being physically segregated as they are identified.

- Observed a roof leak above one of the vats (contents catagorized as acid/oxidizer) during a rainstorm over this reporting period. The crew covered all vats until contents can be evacuated. 

Additionally, we mobilized the EPA HAZCAT trailer to the site for the chemist to use to categorize samples collected from onsite containers.

2.1.2.2 Air Monitoring
Every day that cleanup activity work will be ongoing, air monitoring will be conducted to ensure public and worker safety. Please see the air monitoring plan and POLREP 2 for details.

A website has been established to view the current and past air monitoring data for the site. To view the data go to the web address: viper.ert.org. You have to create a login on your first visit to the site. Once logged in, go to the R05 Hard Chrome Metals Deployment to view site data. 

Particulate Air Monitoring:

During the week of December 14, 2015, no exceedances of the perimeter or work zone action levels (calculated as work day averages) for particulates were detected. 


MultiGas Air Monitoring:

Over this reporting period, we identified a problem with several sensors in the AreaRAEs, which were resulting in readings we were unable substantiate with other equipment. We replaced numerous sensors and modified the calibration methods, and it appears that we have now rectified the problems. 

During the week of December 14, 2015, no exceedances of the perimeter or work zone action levels were detected.

Hydrochloric Acid Monitoring

During the week of December 14, 2015, no exceedances of the perimeter or work zone action levels were detected. 

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
General notice letters were issued to former owners of the property. Investigation is ongoing.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

See POLREP 1.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps
Over the next week, we will continue work to stage containers, sample containers, categorize wastes and docontaminate building floors.

Anticipated on site work schedule for upcoming week: Monday 12/21/15 through Tuesday 12/22/15 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM. We will be off site 12/23/15- 1/4/15. Site work will resume on 1/5/15. Please see the emergency contingency plan (documents section of epaosc.org/hardchromeplating) for emergency contact phone numbers and procedures. 

Security will be on site during non working hours and during the break.

2.2.2 Issues

3.1 Unified Command

3.2 Cooperating Agencies

Kent County Land Bank
MDEQ

12/14/15
EPA: 2
START: 1
ERRS: 7
USCG AST: 3

12/15/15
EPA: 2
START: 1
ERRS: 7
USCG AST: 3

12/16/15
EPA: 1
START: 1
ERRS: 7 
USCG AST: 3
Kent County Land Bank: 1

12/17/15 - 12/18/15
EPA: 1
START: 1
ERRS: 6 
USCG AST: 3