1.1.1 Incident Category

 Time-Critical Removal Action

 1.1.2 Site Description

1.1.2.1 Location

The Former Synergy Site is adjacent to the north and eastern bank of the Sugar River near the center of the City of Claremont on the western side of the intersection of North Street and State Route 11.   The approximate latitude and longitude is N 43º22’28” and W 72º20’15”, respectively.   

Please refer to SITREP/POLREP 1 for additional details.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

This site is the location of a defunct manufactured gas plant (MGP) which was heavily impacted by an oily waste product (coal tar).

Visual observation, field instrumentation, and laboratory data indicate that approximately two-thirds of the site was impacted by coal tar.  Constituents of the product include semi-volatile organic compounds (carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs]) and to a lesser degree, volatile organics and inorganics.

Please refer to SITREP/POLREP 1 for additional details. 

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

Please refer to SITREP/POLREP 1 for additional details.

2.1.1 Narrative

Due to a long history of bankruptcies, acquisitions, and mergers, AmeriGas Propane, L.P. (AmeriGas) is the respondent for the site.  Over the past few years, numerous discussions between EPA, AmeriGas, the City of Claremont, and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) have led to a cost sharing approach via an Administrative Order on Consent (AOC).  A contractor for AmeriGas has concluded the majority of the field work which has been overseen by a consultant (GEI) for AmeriGas, and On-Scene Coordinator Gary Lipson for the EPA.  The property in question will be deeded to the City of Claremont to be used at their discretion.  The cost share involves EPA spending up to a bottom-line expenditure with AmeriGas responsible for any costs incurred above that amount.  

Removal activities included demolition of the above ground structures, in-situ stabilization of some deeper contaminated soil/sediment, removal of coal-tar saturated soil down to bedrock, removal of contaminated near-shore sediments along the Sugar River, temporary rerouting of a subsurface sewer pipe and replacement of a section of that pipe, and backfilling/landscaping of the property.

Please refer to SITREP/POLREP 1 for additional details.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

Please refer to SITREPs/POLREPs 1 & 2 for additional details.

August 14 – August 21, 2015:

• GEI and Enviro-Air Technologies, Inc. (EAT), the field contractor for AmeriGas, broke through the concrete pad which supported Gas Holder No. 2, the second of three on-site gas holders.  Free product was observed beneath the pad, so demolition and removal of the pad began along with removal of the visible coal tar waste;

• The replacement sewer line was completed and the sewer bypass was shut down;

• Contaminated soil continued to be excavated and transported off-site for disposal. Approximately 6,000 tons of soil have been disposed of to date;

• Clean back-fill has been brought to the site and spreading and rough grading began.

August 24 – August 28, 2015:

• Excavation from all designated excavation areas has been completed with the exception of the base of Gas Holder No. 3.  Approximately 8,000 tons of soil have been disposed of to date; 

• Backfilling has been ongoing.  Approximately 5,500 tons of backfill have been installed and compacted;

• A meeting with state and local officials was held to discuss possible options to memorialize the history of the site and the city.  Historical documentation of the site is required by the Historical Preservation Act and memorialized via a Memorandum of Understanding previously created between EPA and the State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO).

August 30 – September 4, 2015:

• Excavation has been completed.  Approximately 9,000 tons of soil have been shipped offsite for disposal;

• Backfilling has continued. Approximately 7,800 tons have been installed and compacted;

• Three test trenches were cut into the concrete pad for Gas Holder No.3.  No free or residual product was observed, so after consultation with NH DES and EPA, the remaining pad was left in place and covered with clean fill. dual product was observed, so after consultation with NH DES and EPA, the remaining pad was left in place and covered with clean fill.

• By mid-September, backfilling had been completed and the topsoil was graded to match the final design plans; 

• Grass seed and straw were installed along with the beginnings of plantings for eventual riverbank restoration;

• A chain link fence was installed around most of the restored area to allow for growth of the fresh plantings;

• The crew demobilized by the end of September although additional plantings were placed in November.

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

Please refer to SITREP/POLREP 1 for additional details.

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

The cleanup contractor will return in the spring to complete restoration activities. This includes additional plantings for both shoreline and wetland applications.

Since the site is part of the Claremont Historic District and qualifies under the federal Historic Preservation Act, EPA has been working with the SHPO to document the historic nature of the site. This included full documentation of the site structures prior to their demolition, a report on the site history, and its history in context to the City of Claremont.   EPA has been working with the SHPO, the city, and EPA’s contractors to design and eventually construct a lasting monument at the site that will depict the contribution that the original MGP made to the city and its well documented textile history.  The monument is expected to be completed by the end of April, 2016.

2.5.1 Safety Officer

Please refer to SITREPs/POLREPs 1 & 2 for additional details

2.5.2 Liaison Officer

Please refer to SITREPs/POLREPs 1 & 2 for additional details 

2.5.3 Information Officer

Please refer to SITREPs/POLREPs 1 & 2 for additional details