2.1.1 Narrative
EPA has deployed an Emergency Response and Removal Services (ERRS) contractor and the Superfund Technical Assistance and Response Team (START) contractor to assist with response actions.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
Gasoline containment and recovery operations continue. Air monitoring of the creek and residential areas continue. START is conducting air monitoring along the creek and in the residential area.
On August 16, the Graham County Health Department advised nearby residents to stay indoors and to close windows; County officials also offered temporary relocation accommodations to residents. Four families have voluntarily relocated, two families on Patton went to a local hotel and two families on Jordan Street stayed with family members.. All families returned to their residence on August 17.
On evening of August 17, Graham County Health issued a drinking water consumption advisory to the customers of the Robbinsville municipal water distribution system, as it could not be determined when the discharge occurred and whether or not the downstream water intake may have been impacted. No complaints of odor, taste or visual discoloration had been received. EPA sampled the municipal water distribution system and delivered drinking water samples to Science and Eco-Systems Support Division (SESD) in Athens GA for expedited analysis. Bottled water was provided to residents during the drinking water consumption advisory by the County Emergency Management. Preliminary drinking water results were received on August 18. Based on the preliminary results and a recommendation from EPA Region 4 Technical Support Section, the drinking water consumption advisory was lifted by the Graham County Health Department.
August 17 and August 18, air monitoring results indicated elevated benzene in the containment/recovery area of the impacted creek bed as well as in some residential yards (end of Patton Street and Jordan Street) in close proximity to the creek. No elevated benzene results were observed in any indoor air monitoring. On the morning of August 18, an air monitoring team observed elevated benzene levels near the creek at the end of Patton Street. Elevated benzene levels were observed via indoor air monitoring at 125 Patton Street (windows were open). The resident was offered and accepted temporary relocation.
On August 20, air monitoring continued; elevated benzene levels were observed intermittently in the creek and at the 125 Patton Street residence. No elevated benzene levels were observed in the residential area (outside of the creek channel) of Jordan Street. PRP contractors continue to conduct containment and removal of gasoline.
On morning of August 21, air monitoring continued, no elevated benzene levels were observed in the creek channel or in the residential areas of Jordan Street or Patton Street. One resident (125 Patton Street) continues to be temporarily relocated due to intermittent elevated concentrations of benzene and her close proximity to the containment area and recovery operations.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
On August 17, EPA and Graham County Health Department visited the Crown Food Mart (Gas Station), located at 272 Rodney Orr Bypass, the suspected source of the gasoline spill. One of the owners of Crown Food Mart conducted a inventory investigation and observed a 38 gallon product loss in a two hour time period. The loss was observed from a 3,000 gallon premium unleaded gasoline underground storage tank (UST). The owner pumped the product in the UST into a tank that did not have a observed inventory loss. EPA issued the owner a Notice of Federal Interest (NOFI). The Crown Food Mart is the suspected potential responsible party (PRP). The owner agreed to hire a contractor to transition and assume the containment and recovery operations from EPA's fund lead response to a PRP lead response. The transition would take place on morning of August 19. A Work Plan will be submitted to EPA for review. EPA will maintain oversight and continue to coordinate and provide technical support to local and state responding agencies.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
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