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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
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Contract Number: |
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D.O. Number: |
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Action Memo Date: |
4/12/2011 |
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Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
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Response Type: |
Emergency |
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Response Lead: |
EPA |
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Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
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NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
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Operable Unit: |
R10/ ERU |
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Mobilization Date: |
4/7/2011 |
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Start Date: |
4/7/2011 |
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Demob Date: |
4/7/2011 |
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Completion Date: |
4/8/2011 |
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CERCLIS ID: |
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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
1.1.2 Site Description
Individual Residence
1.1.2.1 Location
39225 Evans St.
Sandy, OR 97055
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
FOSC Heister was contacted by Dan Sekerak, USEPA, CID, for technical assistance regarding a criminal case involving a potential threat to release mercury to the environment. Sekarak had been contacted by Daniel Diamond, Oregon State Police and a member of Portland's Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), about an individual, Donald Bishop, who had recently been arrested by the Sandy Police Department. Mr. Bishop had been arrested on 02/15/2011 for disorderly conduct. Bishop reportedly called Sandy PD and said he wanted "to commit suicide by Cop" and that he had weapons at his house. Sandy police apprehended Mr. Bishop and with no incident got him to a hospital for his suicidal thoughts. During this process Mr. Bishop explained to a Sandy Police Officer that he had three ounces of mercury at his house and that: "I could really f___ s___ up with it if I wanted to".
Mr. Bishop has an extensive history with the Sandy PD of disruptive behavior and as such a referral about the mercury threat was sent the JTTF who in turn contacted EPA/CID. Mr. Sekerak asked for FOSC Heister's assistance to locate the mercury, assess if there was any contamination of the residence, and to dispose of the mercury if Mr. Bishop was willing to turn it over. FOSC Heister discussed the situation with his management and Office of Regional Counsel and it was decided that his involvement was appropriate.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
On 4/7/2011 at approximately 1430 hrs FOSC Heister met with Diamond and Sekerak at the Sandy Police Dept. After discussing an entry strategy the group proceeded to Mr. Bishop's residence accompanied by a uniformed officer of the Sandy Police Dept. After arriving at the residence we met with Mr. Bishop and his wife on the front porch for approximately 10 minutes. Mr. Bishop agreed to hand over the Mercury to EPA but said he knew the general area that it was located but not the exact location. Mr. Bishop led us to a closet in the basement of his house and said that we would find the mercury in one of the chests or boxes within the closet. Mr. Bishop remained with us during the search for the mercury. After about 30 minutes of searching Mr. Sekerak located two small bottles at the bottom of a box. FOSC Heister used a Lumex Mercury Detector on the interior of the box to check for any release. Levels were below background. Heister also used the Lumex within the the closet, around the entry way from the garage and on the soles of Mr. Bishops shoes, all had levels below background. Mr. Bishop explained that he had gotten the Mercury when he was in the USCG in the early 1970's and had stored it in the box ever since.
FOSC Heister asked Mr Bishop if he had any other mercury and he said that he had two old furnace thermostats in the garage. FOSC Heister asked if he could take them and Mr. Bishop said yes. Both devices had mercury switches that were intact and the Lumex did not pick up any levels above background in the area where they were stored. I confirmed that this was the extent of the mercury Mr. Bishop had in his possession and then overpacked the material to transport for disposal. We thanked Mr. Bishop for his cooperation and departed the residence at approximately 1545 hrs.
FOSC Heister transported the overpacked mercury to the Portland Metro Household Hazardous Waste Collections Center the following morning (4/8/2011). Heister had made arrangements with the facility to drop the mercury off at the facility on 4/4/2011. The mercury weighed slightly under .5 pounds.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
See preceding section.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
4/7/2011
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
no release to the environment.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
| Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
| Mercury |
pure |
.5 pounds |
none |
Taken to PDX HHHW |
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
none
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
none
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
none
2.2.2 Issues
none
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2.3 Logistics Section
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NA
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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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2.5.1 Safety Officer
NA
2.6 Liaison Officer
NA
2.7 Information Officer
2.7.1 Public Information Officer
NA
2.7.2 Community Involvement Coordinator
NA
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
NA
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
EPA/CID, Oregon State Police, FBI, and Sandy PD.
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4. Personnel On Site
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See previous section
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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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