1.1.1 Incident Category

Threat assessment

1.1.2 Site Description

Partially filled, deteriorated, 10,000 gal capacity #6 oil tank in an abandoned paper converter (toilet paper) mill.

1.1.2.1 Location

The mill and oil tank are located on the north bank of the Battenkill River, a major fishing and recreational waterway that is a tributary of the Hudson River.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

The threat is the possibility that oil remaining in the deteriorated tank could be released into the Battenkill River.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

To be determined.

2.1.1 Narrative

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

NEW INFORMATION IS IN BOLD LETTERS.

Since 2002 there has been one CERCLA PRP oversight removal action, 3 CERCLA Fund-lead removal actions and on OPA removal action performed at this site.

On 10/20/2015 the OSC inspected the #6 oil tank and determined that there is approx. 1,800 gallons of aged product in the tank. The OSC observed that two of the 4 sides of the containment wall have been demolished (collapsed?) and the tank is exposed to any encroaching flood water.  As such, the OSC has determined that the contents of the tank pose a threat of release of petroleum products to a navigable waterway of the U.S. 

On 10/26/2015 the Coast Guard's National Pollution Funds Center (NPFC) authorized the expenditure of $37,000 for remediating the #6 oil in this tank.

On 11/9/15 Task Order #0028 was issued to the ERRS contractor in the amount of $15,000, along with a Scope of Work to initiate removal activities at the Site.

On 11/10/15 the ERRS contractor visited the site and acquired a sample of #6 oil from the storage tank.  The sample was hand-delivered to Safety Kleen, Cohoes NY, for analysis and acceptance. 

On 12/13/2015 the ERRS contractor mobilized to the Site and prepped it for the vac truck arriving on 12/14.  ERRS repaired an access ramp to the top of the tank, inerted the oil tank with nitrogen, and cleared brush from the general area of the tank to provide access for the vac truck.

On 12/14 the vac truck arrived.  ERRS tested the environment inside the tank with a multi RAE.  LEL in the tank was < 5%, O2 was nil.  After the OSCs arrived ERRS cut an access port in the end of the tank using a Sawsall.  The vac truck was able to remove 2,650 gallons of #6 oil when operations ceased for the day. 

On 12/16 the vac truck returned and was able to remove 350 gallons of #6 oil/sludge.  At this time the OSCs consider the tank to be sufficiently devoid of oil to eliminate the threat of a release of oil into a navigable waterway of the US.  The vac truck departed the site and went directly to the CONRAIL yard in Albany where the oil was off-loaded into a tank car and transported to Chicago for fuels blending.

All activities described in the Scope-of-Work for the Task Order for this OPA removal action have been satisfied and this removal action has been completed.

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

There is one PRP, the son of the former owner, now deceased.  He has previously demonstrated that he does not have the financial resources necessary to conduct a removal action.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

None..

 2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

None.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

None.

2.2.2 Issues

None.

3.1 Unified Command

3.2 Cooperating Agencies

NYSDEC