Pollution/Situation Report Profile

San Jacinto River Waste Pits TCRA
Channelview, TX - EPA Region VI
POLREP #2
Site Preparation continues

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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
San Jacinto River Waste Pits TCRA - Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region VI

Subject:

POLREP #2
Site Preparation continues
San Jacinto River Waste Pits TCRA
06ZQ
Channelview, TX
Latitude: 29.7944000 Longitude: -95.0625000

To:

From:

Valmichael Leos, RPM

Date:

12/30/2010

Reporting Period:

12/11/2010 - 12/30/2010

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Site Number:	06ZQ	Contract Number:
D.O. Number:		Action Memo Date:	4/2/2010
Response Authority:	CERCLA	Response Type:	PRP Oversight
Response Lead:	PRP	Incident Category:	Removal Action
NPL Status:	NPL	Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date:	12/8/2010	Start Date:	12/8/2010
Demob Date:		Completion Date:
CERCLIS ID:	TXN000606611	RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:		State Notification:
FPN#:		Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category

RP lead CERCLA time critical removal action

1.1.2 Site Description

The site encompasses approximately 25 acres. The removal action is to stabilize the site by designing and constructing a physical protective barrier surrounding waste ponds 1 and 2 that temporarily abates the release of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (and possibly PCBs) into the San Jacinto River, until the site is flllly characterized and a remedy is selected.

1.1.2.1 Location

The Site is in Harris County in the State of Texas. The Site itself has no specific street address. The Site is comprised of two waste ponds with three surface impoundments built in the 1960's. The ponds and impoundments are situated on a partially submerged 20-acre parcel of real property. The Site is located on the western bank of the San Jacinto River, in Harris County, Texas, immediately north of the Interstate Highway 10 (1-10) bridge over the San Jacinto River. Available information indicates the two waste ponds were built during 1965 by constructing berms within the estuarine area just north of what was then Texas State Highway 73 and is now 1-10, west of the main river channel, east of the City of Houston, between two unincorporated areas known as Channelview and Highlands.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

The waste paper sludge was placed in the two ponds on the Site. Waste pond 1 is located on the western portion of the Site totaling 132,386 square feet. Waste pond 2 which consists of two surface impoundments are on the eastern portion of the Site totaling 46,182 square feet and 188,641 square feet respectively. Currently, the Site is inactive and approximately half of the Site's surface area, including the abandoned waste disposal ponds, is now submerged below the adjacent San Jacinto River's water surface. Waste pond I with one impoundment is partially submerged and waste pond 2 with the two impoundments is completely submerged in the San Jacinto River.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

The primary hazardous substances documented at the Site are polychlorinated dibenzo-pdioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans. At the time of the signing of the Action Memo, dioxin concentrations as high as 41,300 parts per trillion have been found in sediment samples collected from the Site's disposal pond areas and hom river sediments near the Site. Sediments contaminated with high levels of dioxin have been found in the San Jacinto River both upstream and downstream from the Site due to tidal influences. Additional sediment samples were collected in compliance with the Action Memo, dioxin concentrations as high as 360,000 parts per trillion have been found in sediment samples collected from the submerged portion of the waste disposal ponds as well as dioxin concentrations as high as 3,660 parts per trillion action level in sediment sanlples collected outside the original 1966 berm placement for the two waste ponds indicating the release of dioxin from the original location of the waste ponds.

2. Current Activities

2.1 Operations Section

2.1.1 Narrative

In accordance with the statement of work (SOW), in the EPA Administrative Order on Consent (AOC), the respondents International Paper Company Inc. (IP) and McGinnes Industrial Maintenance Corporation (MIMC) have 30 calender days to begin construction for the time critical removal action. On November 8, 2010 the EPA finalized a work plan that details the construction of a temporary cap that will stabilize the release or threat of release of hazardous substances into the San Jacinto River.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

In accordance with the EPA approved work plan, the respondents have mobilized equipment and resources on December 8, 2010 to the site and have begun site management activities. These activities include the ordering of equipment and resources, clearing and grubbing around the lay down area, and the repair / installation of site security fencing.

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

Currently, EPA is working with International Paper Company Inc. and McGinnes Industrial Maintenance Corporation under an EPA issued Administrative Order on Consent.

2.2 Planning Section

2.2.1 Anticipated / Completed Activities

• Respondents efforts to obtain access from TxDOT to construct a road on TxDOT’s ROW are still ongoing.

• Respondents efforts to obtain access from Big Star to use a portion of its property as a laydown / storage area are still ongoing. Other options are currently being pursued as well, including the possible use of a parcel being referred to as the “LaBarge Property” located on the west bank of the San Jacinto River, within a half-mile upstream of the San Jacinto River Waste Pits site.

• Installation of phase II security fencing on the Big Star property is complete.

• Installation of new fencing along the TxDOT ROW on the northern side of Interstate-10 was completed on December 28, 2010.

•Installation of new fencing along the TxDOT ROW on the southern side of Interstate-10 is currently ongoing and is expected to be completed the week of January 3, 2011.

• Trees along the elevated berm which separates the eastern and western impoundment were cleared during the week of December 20, 2010 to allow drill rig access to the proposed groundwater monitoring well locations.

• Installation of perimeter buoys in the water surrounding the inundated eastern impoundment was completed during the week of December 20, 2010.

• Installation of 15 portable warning signs along the onshore perimeters of the impoundments began on December 29, 2010 and is expected to be completed by December 30, 2010.

• On December 28, 2010, Anchor QEA personnel collected 3 core samples of the paper mill waste in the western impoundment for permeability analysis. Concurrently, a temporary piezometer was installed near one of these core sample locations to a depth of 30 inches. The core samples and piezometer will be used to determine hydraulic conductivity of the paper mill waste in the western impoundment.

• Installation of groundwater monitoring wells as part of the RI/FS began the week of December 27, 2010. PRP contractor Anchor QEA is overseeing the installation of three clusters of groundwater monitoring wells along the perimeters of the impoundments. Each cluster is to consist of one deep well approximately 70 feet deep and one shallow well approximately 30 feet deep. Drilling on the first cluster began on December 30, 2010. Development and sampling of the wells, by Anchor QEA, is expected to begin on December 31, 2010, once the first cluster has been installed. Installation of all three clusters is expected to be completed on Tuesday, January 4, 2011. Development and sampling of all three clusters is expected to be completed by Friday, January 7, 2011.

• Preparation and submission of purchase orders for aggregates are currently on hold until access agreements for the TxDOT ROW and Big Star property are obtained.

• Site preparation related to the laydown/storage area, including the mobilization of a trailer to be located there, is currently on hold until an access agreement for the Big Star property is obtained.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

• Continue site preparation of lay down area and access road for mobilization of equipment and resources.

2.2.2 Issues

• As of 12/30/2010 access agreements for the Big Star Property (a.k.a. lay down area) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Right of Way (ROW) areas near the site have not been finalized for use by the respondents.

2.3 Logistics Section