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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
09SY |
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Contract Number: |
EP-W-07-022 |
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D.O. Number: |
022-9075 |
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Action Memo Date: |
9/27/2010 |
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Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
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Response Type: |
Time-Critical |
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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: |
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Mobilization Date: |
3/28/2011 |
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Start Date: |
11/1/2010 |
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Demob Date: |
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Completion Date: |
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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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Please see any previous POLREP for additional Site Background information.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
2.1.1.1 Current Situation
Transport of stockpiled mine waste to the repository via the skyline cable yarder was completed on Tuesday 9/20/11. The ERRS contractor cleaned up and restored operational areas in the valley floor on the north side of Oljato Mesa. The yarder offloading area at the edge of the Mesa was also cleaned up and graded to direct water runoff away from the excavated areas on the upper slope area below the mine opening. Installation and shaping of clean cover soil over the waste in the repository was begun in preparation for top liner installation.
September 11 - 17, 2011
OSC Musante onsite this week.
This week ERRS:
-Continued water conveyance system operations.
-Continued site-wide road improvements and maintenance.
-Continued dust control program using water for dust suppression.
-Continued transport of stockpiled mine waste materials to top of Mesa via the skyline cable yarder.
-Began installation of clean cover soil over the waste in the repository.
START performed air sampling around work zones as part of the effluent dust sampling program and conducted radiation surveys as needed.
September 19 – 24, 2011
OSC Shane onsite this week.
This week ERRS:
-Completed transport of stockpiled mine waste materials to top of Mesa via the skyline cable yarder.
-Completed demobilization of the skyline yarder system.
-Continued water conveyance system operations.
-Continued site-wide road improvements and maintenance.
-Continued installation of clean cover soil over the waste in the repository.
-Began decontamination of equipment in preparation for demobilization.
-Began restoration of operational areas in the valley floor area.
START performed air sampling around work zones as part of the effluent dust sampling program and conducted radiation survey of the former stockpile area in the valley floor and the yarder offloading area at the edge of the Mesa.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
Mobilization for removal activities and site setup began the week of March 28, 2011. Construction of the repository began the week of April 4, 2011, and was completed at the end of May. Excavation of mine waste from valley floor areas on the north side and the upper slope below the mine opening of Oljato Mesa was completed by July 24.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
EPA to date has been unable to identify any existing PRPs. EPA will continue to analyze the voluminous responses to the information requests it sent to numerous parties associated with mining in general on the Navajo Reservation. Because of the urgency of this removal, EPA is proceeding with a fund-lead action. EPA will continue to review the information referenced above to determine whether viable and liable parties may be identified, and will pursue recovery of the removal costs if appropriate.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
There are no progress metrics to report at this time. Off-site disposal is not planned for this removal. Uranium tailing wastes at the Site will be transferred to the on-site repository. Total volumes of waste moved into the repository may be reported in future POLREPs.
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
1) Archeological clearance of all areas impacted by removal activities;
2) Construction/improvement of limited access road on southern side of Oljato Mesa;
3) Secure a water supply for dust suppression activities, including the potential development of a groundwater well near the Site;
4) Development and implementation of an effluent dust monitoring program to prevent offsite release of contaminated particulate;
5) Construction of a subsurface repository on top of Oljato Mesa near the Skyline AUM;
6) Relocation of contaminated soils from the existing NN AML Skyline AUM repository to allow access to mine tailings on the edge of Oljato Mesa;
7) Excavation and internment of contaminated soils from the TLDA, TSDA, and unnamed arroyo in the onsite repository;
8) Development and implementation of a confirmation survey and sampling plan.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
-Once all the mine waste has been placed in the repository, another plastic liner will be installed over the top. Then a soil cap will be placed over the top liner to protect it from sun and wind.
-Areas impacted by removal activities will be seeded with native plant species to help restore the land.
2.2.2 Issues
-Maintenance and repair of the skyline yarder system have caused delays in the transport of mine waste to the repository.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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N/A
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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
2.6 Liaison Officer
2.7 Information Officer
2.7.1 Public Information Officer
2.7.2 Community Involvement Coordinator OSC Musante attended the Oljato Chapter monthly meeting on September 11th to give an update on site progress. The September Fact Sheet was distributed to the Chapter Officials, Council Delegate Jonathan Nez, and made available to the general Chapter members. EPA provided a translator to also communicate the update in Navajo.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
N/A
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
Navajo Nation EPA Superfund (NN EPA)
Navajo Nation Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation Program (AML)
Navajo Nation Department of Water Resources
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4. Personnel On Site
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1 EPA OSC
1 START – E&E
13 ERRS – EQM, Skyline subcontractor
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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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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
website: www.epaosc.org/SkylineAUM
6.2 Reporting Schedule
The next POLREP will be submitted on 10/10/11.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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-maps: Skyline Fig 1 Site Location, Skyline Fig 2 Site Features
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