• Three fruit trees were relocated to a different part of the garden at the request of the property owner.  This allowed excavation of contaminated soil from the former location of the trees to a total of 12" bgs.
• A total of 15 additional cubic yards (cy) of contaminated material were removed from the former location of the fruit trees. (Note:  all estimated volumes are based on square footage calculations and are likely to be significantly different than actual volumes as excavated).   
• One confirmation sample was collected from below the former position of the fruit trees at 12" bgs.

• Approximately 95% of the 0-6" bgs layer has been removed and stockpiled on site. 
• Two areas of elevated lead contamination at 6" bgs were delineated and excavated to 12" bgs.  Confirmation samples were collected and submitted for laboratory analysis.

Unknown Property Address, End of Mitchell Road

• During this reporting period, no additional work was conducted on this property.
• During a previous reporting period, the entire DU was excavated to over 12" bgs and 3 of 8 confirmation samples collected at 12+" bgs exceeded cleanup levels for lead and/or arsenic.

4765 C Mitchell Road

• Analytical results were received from the 0-6" confirmation sampling.  Two locations in one DU contained elevated concentrations of lead and/or arsenic.  Extent of contamination sampling was conducted at the 6" bgs layer in those 2 areas. On Saturday, the areas were excavated to 12' bgs and two confirmation samples were collected.  An additional 12 cy soil was transported to the central soil stockpile.   

4765 Q Mitchell Road 

• Received analytical results from 0-6" confirmation sampling.  Two additional areas of elevated lead and/or arsenic concentrations were detected.
• The elevated sample from DU 194 was within a "tree zone", therefore the area will be covered with geotextile fabric and backfilled (see explanation of "tree zone" in Section 2.2.2), an area where tree roots prevent additional excavation regardless of soil contamination.  Some minor excavation may be conducted between root masses, but because comprehensive excavation and sampling cannot be conducted within root masses, EPA has elected to cover the "tree zone" areas with geotextile fabric and backfill.  Three confirmation samples were collected.
• In DU HUB, additional excavation to 12" bgs was conducted to confirmed "clean" nodes (additional 35 cy total).  One confirmation sample was collected.

4765 A Mitchell Road 

• Excavation from 0-6" was completed and in situ screening with the XRF was conducted at DUs 35, 35PA, and 35DL. 
• Excavation began in DU 39. 

4361 K Highway 25 North

• Excavation began and was completed at this property.  A total of 105 cy of soil was transported to the temporary soil stockpile to be transported to the Stevens County Landfill.

Central Soil Stockpile (located at the Command Post)

• Approximately 380 cy contaminated soil was trucked to Stevens County Landfill (cumulative total of 560 cy from the Central Soil Stockpile). 

Temporary Soil Stockpile (located at 4361 A Hwy 25 N)

• A total of 450 cy were loaded for transportation and disposal at Stevens County Landfill.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
Refer to POLREP 1. 

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
On August 11, an Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent (ASAOC) for Removal Action (Docket No. CERCLA-10-2015-1040) was signed by EPA, Teck Metals Limited, and Teck American Incorporated.  The ASAOC provides the terms of the agreement under which Teck will conduct the removal action under oversight by EPA.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

As of September 19, 2015:

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
During this removal action, contaminated soil will be excavated and removed from 14 residential properties and 1 tribal allotment.  Soil will be excavated in 6" lifts to a maximum depth of 12" total depth (24" total depth in garden areas).  The excavation will be backfilled with the material of the property owner's choice.  The excavated soil will be transported and disposed at an appropriate landfill. 

2.2.1.2 Next Steps
Excavation, sampling, and/or backfilling will continue at the properties described in Section 2.1.  In the next reporting period, September 21-26, excavation is scheduled to begin at property 4765 F Mitchell Road.

2.2.2 Issues
Backfill: 
Backfill sources for sand, gravel, pit run, and topsoil have been proposed in a draft recommendation report.  This has been a major source of concern due to the difficulty in finding backfill sources that are free of contaminants.  Several properties are expected to achieve final clearance for backfilling this coming reporting period and therefore an appropriate source of backfill material must be obtained.

"Tree Zones":

Heavily wooded areas of certain DUs have been considered "tree zones".  We have commonly found contamination exceeding cleanup levels within the soil of near tree roots, most often within 6 inches of ground surface.  Distribution of soil contamination amongst trees also is unpredictable, in terms of proximity to the trunk, depth, direction, and/or concentration.  Because we cannot excavate soil within tree roots and remove all contamination without removing the trees or damaging the roots, we will excavate what we can and cover all "tree zones" with geotextile fabric prior to backfilling.  We will inform the property owners that soil within tree root balls and between densely located trees may be contaminated and precautions should be taken when that soil is exposed.