2.1.1 Narrative

EPA initiated a time-critical removal action consisting of the removal of unknown materials on August 24, 2015. 

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

9/8/15 – Crews collected samples from containers 213 through 279.   The chemist completed hazard categorization through sample 074. 

9/9/2015 – Crews collected samples from containers 279 through 336.  Hazard categorization of samples continued.  The crew began sweeping in the central room of the main warehouse building and staging containers in this area.   They also entered the office building and began moving containers from the building to the staging area. 

9/10/2015 - Crews collected samples from containers 337 through 386.   Hazard categorization of samples continued.  The crew gathered containers from the laboratory area and moved them to the staging area. 

 9/11/2015 – Crews collected sample from containers 387 through 437.   Hazard categorization of samples continued.  To date, hazard categorization has been completed through sample 185.  Crew gathered containers from the eastern portions of the building and moved to the staging area. Members of the Jackson County Health Department, the Summit Township Fire Department, and the City of Jackson Fire Department were onsite to conduct an EPA led walkthrough of the buildings. EPA identified the location of hazards at the site and discussed the site’s emergency plans.

From 9/12-13/2015, no site work occurred.  24-hour security was on site.

9/14/15 – Crews collected samples from containers 438 through 566.     Hazard categorization of samples continued.  Crews continued to gather containers from the eastern and central portions of the building and moving them to the staging area.

9/15/2015 – Crews collected samples from containers 576 through 674.   Hazard categorization of samples continued.  Air monitoring results indicated HCN gas was detected over 30.0 ppm in the sampling area.  Crews remain in Level B PPE during sampling activities. The crew remained in Level B PPE during sampling activities. Air monitoring showed no elevated HCN readings outside the immediate area of sampling activities, and no HCN were detected outside the building or near the perimeter of the site.

 9/16/2015 - Crews collected samples from containers 675 through 721.   Hazard categorization of samples continued.  Crews gathered waste containers from the basement and first floor of the office building and moved these containers to the staging area in the warehouse building to stage them for sampling. EPA attended a meeting with members of the Summit Township Fire Department and the City of Jackson Fire Department to discuss emergency planning activities at the site.

9/17/2015 – Crews collected samples from containers 712 through 775.    Hazard categorization of samples continued.  Crews gathered waste containers from the garage and first floor of the office building, wrapped and covered the containers with poly sheeting, and moved the containers to the staging area in the warehouse building. The elevator in the office building stopped working.  The crew tried to repair the elevator, but could not, so no large containers (greater than 5-gallons) from the upper floors can be moved. Members of the Jackson County Sherriff’s Office – Emergency Management Department were onsite and met with EPA.  The Sherriff’s office representatives identified two potential unsecured entrances to the site which were secured by the crew

9/18/2015 - Crews collected samples from containers 776 through 850.   Hazard categorization of samples continued with the chemist completing hazard categorization through sample 430.   Crews continued gathering containers from the garage and first floor of the office building and moved those containers to the staging area in the warehouse building.  Crews also covered containers that have already been sampled with poly sheeting. The crew received a shipment of PPE including boots and gloves.

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

Michner Plating Company is the potentially responsible party (PRP), however, the company relinquished ownership of the property to the Jackson County Treasurer's Office due to tax reversion and bankruptcy. The removal action is a Fund Lead as a result of the RP's bankruptcy and inability to finance the cleanup.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

Site logistics are being managed by ERRS.

We are trying to establish a power drop from the power company to provide site power.  We are currently operating off generators until this can be established.