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Creese and Cook Co. (Former) 2 Superfund Site

All POL/SITREP's for this site Creese and Cook Co. (Former) 2 Superfund Site
Danvers, MA - EPA Region I
POLREP #5
Completion of All Site Activites for the Removal Action
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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Creese and Cook Co. (Former) 2 Superfund Site - Removal Polrep
Final Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region I

Subject: POLREP #5
Completion of All Site Activites for the Removal Action
Creese and Cook Co. (Former) 2 Superfund Site
01HM
Danvers, MA
Latitude: 42.5535545 Longitude: -70.9264255


To:
From: Ted Bazenas, OSC
Date: 9/20/2012
Reporting Period: 6/11/12 thru 9/20/12

1. Introduction
  1.1 Background
   
Site Number: 01HM    Contract Number: EP-W-08-61
D.O. Number: 0040    Action Memo Date: 3/8/2012
Response Authority: CERCLA    Response Type: Time-Critical
Response Lead: EPA    Incident Category: Removal Action
NPL Status: Non NPL    Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date: 4/24/2012    Start Date: 4/24/2012
Demob Date: 9/20/2012    Completion Date: 9/20/2012
CERCLIS ID: MAN000105956    RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:    State Notification:
FPN#:    Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category

    Time Critical Removal Action

1.1.2 Site Description

The Creese and Cook (Former) 2  Site  [CC2] is a privately owned parcel covering 3.45 acres which is located at 33 Water Street in Danvers, Essex County, Massachusetts. The property is  currently occupied by 28 condominium units. Each condominium unit is individually owned, but contributes fees to the operation and maintenance of the complex under a condominium association, the Crane River East Condominiums. 

Starting in 1903, the Creese & Cook Company operated a tannery and leather finishing facility at 33 Water Street. Tannery operations are known to have been conducted at the property until at least 1914, based on historical reports. It is unclear from available documentation what tannery operations continued at the property beyond 1914.  

From 1986 to 1987, the 33 Water Street property was redeveloped as the 28-unit Crane River East Condominiums.  Only one limited site investigation, conducted in 1984, was found in available documentation regarding this property.


1.1.2.1 Location

The property is bordered to the west by wetlands, the Crane River, and a former Boston & Maine railroad line (MBTA ROW); to the north by Cheever Street, commercial properties, and private residences; to the east by Water Street (Route 35) and commercial properties; and to the south by residential units and the Crane River.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

As a result of historical leather tanning operations at the Site, the surface soils were contaminated with arsenic at levels up to 1370 ppm, which exceeded the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Imminent Hazard level of 40ppm for arsenic in surface soils.   Contaminated surface soils were located adjacent to six of the condominium units, collectively located in Building "D".  Access to the surface soils is unrestricted, creating a potential exposure threat to the occupants of the condos.

1.1.2.3 Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

Please refer to POLREP # 1, # 2, # 3 and # 4

2. Current Activities
  2.1 Operations Section
    2.1.1 Narrative

All equipment and personnel were demobilized on 06/15/2012,  and were remobilized on an as needed basis.
Hydroseeding and replanting of ornamental plants was completed on 06/18/2012.

A field inspection was conducted by the OSC on 06/26/2012.  Due to a heat wave, the hydroseed did not grow as expected. ERRS personnel were mobilized to the Site on 06/28/2012 to rake and re-seed all areas that did not grow well.  The condominium association assumed responsibility for watering the lawn as per intructions from the OSC. 

As before, the re-seeded grass did not grow as expected, despite being well watered.  On 08/14/2012, an email was sent  by the OSC  to the condo association president to reassure the residents that the lawn would be restored to its original condition in late September when the weather was cooler and more conducive to seed growth.

On 08/28/2012, the OSC conducted a site walk through with the ERRS contractor to generate a list of final tasks, including restoration of the lawn and removal of temporary fencing.

On 09/12/2012, ER response manager conducted a bid walk with prospective landscape companies.

On 09/19/2012, a subcontract was awarded to a landscape company to complete re-vegetation of the lawn.

On 09/20/2012, all site work was completed for this project.


2.1.2 Response Actions to Date 

Refer to POLREP #1, #2, #3 and # 4

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

Although liable under CERCLA as current owners, EPA has decided, at its discretion, not to pursue the condominium association or individual unit owners for costs associated with cleanup under this removal action.  EPA will consider cost recovery from other identified owners and operators of Creese and Cook if they are determined to be legally and financially viable.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

Waste Stream Medium Quantity Manifest # Treatment Disposal
 non-haz As soil    soil   450 tons   na recycle/re-use  na
           
           


  2.2 Planning Section
    2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

The restoration of the lawn has been subcontracted to a landscaping company. 

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

None.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

All activites have been completed.

2.2.2 Issues

none at this time..

  2.3 Logistics Section
    Communication and coordination with the residents and the Town of Danvers has been exemplary to date.

  2.4 Finance Section
    No information available at this time.

  2.5 Other Command Staff
    2.5.1 Safety Officer

A Site Safety Inspection by the EPA Region 1 Safety officer was conducted on May 08, 2012.  Minor issues such as the location of the fire extinguisher and trip hazards were identified and immediately rectified.

2.5.2 Liaison Officer

2.5.3 Information Officer

3. Participating Entities
  3.1 Unified Command

US EPA - Region 01
MassDEP

3.2 Cooperating Agencies
Town of Danvers, MA

4. Personnel On Site
  none

5. Definition of Terms
  No information available at this time.

6. Additional sources of information
  6.1 Internet location of additional information/report

6.2 Reporting  - completed

7. Situational Reference Materials
  No information available at this time.