1.1.1 Incident Category

Time critical removal action.

1.1.2 Site Description

The Spencer Drum Site is an approximately 17,000 square foot warehouse located in a mixed residential and commercial area in Spencer, Marathon County, WI. The building contains two rooms, a larger room to the north and a much smaller room to the south. The larger room was operated as a mechanic shop from 2012 until December 2014 when the owner suddenly passed away.  Prior to 2012, the entire warehouse housed a liquidation company and retail shop, Don Smith Sales.  The smaller of the two rooms in the warehouse contained approximately 90 unlabeled drums that were in extremely poor condition. Many of the drums were leaking and some were bulging.

1.1.2.1 Location

The Site is located at 408 E. Willow Drive, Spencer, Marathon County, WI 54479 (Parcels 181-2602-082-9915 and 181-2602-082-9906) in a mixed residential and commercial area.  The geographic coordinates for the Site are Latitude: 44.752219, Longitude: -90.296194. Commercial properties neighbor the Site to the north and the east.  The Spencer Area Fire Department station borders the Site to the South. A residential neighborhood borders the Site to the west.  The closest residence is located approximately 200 feet to the west of the property. A municipal water tower is approximately 100 feet to the northwest of the warehouse. 

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

Approximately 90 drums of unknown contents were being stored improperly at the Site. Many of the drums were failing and already leaking their contents onto the floor. In addition to leaking drums, there were also bulging drums at the Site. Hazardous characteristics of stored materials was confirmed by EPA and local fire officials.  These materials are defined as hazardous substances in 40 CFR §302.4 and hazardous waste in 40 CFR §261.24.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

See Initial POLREP for this information.

2.1.1 Response Actions to Date

See Initial POLREP for information regarding first mobilization (11/30/15-12/3/15).  

During this reporting period (12/4/15-1/13/15), the following activities occurred:

• Analyzed waste disposal samples;
• Obtained bids for disposal and selected CERCLA approved disposal facilities;
• Established waste profiles;
• Remobilized ERRS, START, and EPA personnel and equipment to Site;
• Repackaged sludges and solid waste for shipment;
• Prepared RCRA empty drums for disposal;
• Cleaned and assessed floor under spilled drums;
• Transported waste for off-site disposal;
• Conducted air monitoring in accordance with the air monitoring plan; and
• Demobilized crew and equipment.   

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

EPA sent General Notice of Liability letters to the property owner and Don Smith.  Neither PRP was able to conduct the necessary removal action. 

2.1.3 Progress Metrics  

2.2.1 Planned Response Activities & Next Steps

No additional actions are planned.  This response is complete. 

2.2.2 Issues

No issues to report.

2.5.1 Safety Officer

No safety incidents during this reporting period.

2.5.2 Liaison Officer

EPA OSC Halbur was the Liaison Officer for this removal action. The Spencer Fire Chief, representatives from the Wausau HazMat Team and WDNR, and the property owner visited the Site during this reporting period.

2.5.3 Information Officer

EPA OSC Halbur is the Information Officer for this removal action.

3.1 Cooperating Agencies

Marathon County Emergency Management 

Spencer Fire Department

Wausau Fire Department

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Wisconsin Emergency Management

EPA: 1

ERRS: 4

START: 1

CERCLA: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980

EPA: Environmental Protection Agency

ERRS: Emergency and Rapid Response Services

OSC: On-Scene Coordinator

PRP: Potentially Responsible Party

START: Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team

VOC: Volatile Organic Compound

WDNR: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

WEM: Wisconsin Emergency Management

6.1 Internet location of additional information/report

The Administrative Record is available at the Spencer Village Hall, 105 Park St., Spencer, WI 54479.

Additional information about the removal is available at www.epaosc.org/spencerdrum.

6.2 Reporting Schedule