U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
San Jacinto River Waste Pits TCRA - Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region VI
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Subject:
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POLREP #4
Waterside placement of E. Cell begins
San Jacinto River Waste Pits TCRA
06ZQ
Channelview, TX
Latitude: 29.7944000 Longitude: -95.0625000
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To:
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From:
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Valmichael Leos, RPM
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Date:
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2/21/2011
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Reporting Period:
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02/17 - 02/21/11
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
06ZQ |
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Contract Number: |
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D.O. Number: |
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Action Memo Date: |
4/2/2010 |
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Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
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Response Type: |
PRP Oversight |
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Response Lead: |
PRP |
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Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
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NPL Status: |
NPL |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
12/8/2010 |
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Start Date: |
12/8/2010 |
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Demob Date: |
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Completion Date: |
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CERCLIS ID: |
TXN000606611 |
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RCRIS ID: |
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ERNS No.: |
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State Notification: |
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FPN#: |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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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.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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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 calendar 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
On January 5, 2011, EPA remedial project manager (RPM) Leos conducted a site
inspection and documented that all on site field activities at the site have stopped.
The Respondents have resumed some on site field activities on February 1, 2011
in preparation for implementing the time critical removal action.
On February 17, 2011, the respondents began the waterside placement of Armor
Cap D rock on top of the eastern waste pit cell. The eastern cell is
under approximately 4 foot water (depending on the seasonal tide) so placement
of rock is being completed via barges stationed in the water alongside the
eastern pit. Access road improvements along the Texas Department of
Transportation (TxDOT) Right-of-Way (ROW) adjacent to the waste pits continue,
preparation of office trailers for on site project management continues, and
approximately 1,170 tons of Armor Cap D rock have been placed in the eastern cell. Estimate for armor cap placement Cap D is 5 %, and cap placement for entire waste pit is approximately 1.8 % .
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.
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated / Completed Activities
• Received crushed concrete road base (CCRB), placed geotextile fabric, graded and compacted CCRB for construction of the haul road at the TxDOT ROW.
• Delivered two loads of Armor Cap D rock and placed in east cell. As of February 21, 2011 approximately 1,170 tons of Armor Cap D rock have been placed on top of the eastern cell.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
• Continue site preparation of lay down area and access road for mobilization of equipment and resources.
• Continued analytical laboratory testing of processed concrete and aggregate samples.
• USA Environment continued to develop remaining contractor draft work plans described
in the approved Removal Action Work Plan.
• Continued developing on-site security plan to be used during active TCRA construction.
• Finalize remaining contractor work plans referenced in Section 4.4 of the approved
TCRA Removal Action Work Plan.
• Ship next train load of natural stone aggregate (Armor Cap C) from the quarry to Texas
City. This material will be stored in Texas City until space becomes available at the
LaBarge Site, or within Laydown and Stockpile Area to be constructed in the TxDOT
ROW.
• Take additional steps to address Site security.
• Continue to prepare the Administration Site including:
o Have electrical hookup inspected and activated.
o Finish communication and sewer hookups for the job-site trailers.
o Procure and install identification signs for the Administration Site.
o Develop plan for managing Site visitors, including Plans for providing safety briefing and maintaining a visitor log.
• Continue to prepare the LaBarge Site including:
o Complete barge preparation and loading of material for placement of armor cap.
o Continue to supplement stockpile of aggregate as space becomes available.
• On the TxDOT ROW, continue construction of the road and related improvements
described in the approved RAWP, and construct additional improvements in the ROW as
permitted by the access agreement with TxDOT.
• On the waste pits:
o Clearing and grubbing of the western cell.
o Commence installation of armor cap, provided weather delays do not significantly impact ongoing construction activities.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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No information available at this time.
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2.4 Finance Section
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No information available at this time.
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2.5 Other Command Staff
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No information available at this time.
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3. Participating Entities
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No information available at this time.
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4. Personnel On Site
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No information available at this time.
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5. Definition of Terms
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No information available at this time.
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6. Additional sources of information
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No information available at this time.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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No information available at this time.
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