U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Scott Auto Sales - Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region II
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Subject:
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POLREP #6
SPECIAL #2: Property Owner Located in Washington County, NY
Scott Auto Sales
Northumberland, NY
Latitude: 43.1768633 Longitude: -73.6539510
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To:
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Andrew Raddant, Department of Interior
Dennis Farrar, NYSDEC
Mike Dipietro, NYSDEC
Richard Colozza, Town of Northumberland
Kurt Haas, Gansevoort Fire Department
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From:
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Paul L. Kahn, OSC
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Date:
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4/19/2013
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Reporting Period:
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
A22K |
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Contract Number: |
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D.O. Number: |
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Action Memo Date: |
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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 Assessment |
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NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
10/2/2012 |
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Start Date: |
5/24/2012 |
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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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1.1.1 Incident Category
Abandoned drums of automotive chemicals including waste oil and other lubricants.
1.1.2 Site Description
The Site is a former automotive supply store and repair shop.
1.1.2.1 Location
The Site is located in Northumberland, Saratoga County, NY, a semi-rural area amidst residential and light commercial properties. It is bordered on County highway #50 on the south and an un-named brook on the north
There are private residences on the east and west sides of the Site.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
The threats are twofold: one is a release of oil-based automotive chemicals and substances overland into the brook and thence into the Hudson River, approx. 2 miles to the east. The second threat is the release of chemicals and waste oil inside the premises in the event of a fire. The building is unoccupied, has no operating smoke or fire detections systems, and is readily accessible to anyone seeking access. In the event of a fire or act of vandalism there could be a release of chemicals or the by-products of combustion into the environment.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
Preliminary observations of the Site revealed the presence of approx. 200 containers of what appears to be waste oil. Containers vary from 5-gallons up to 250 gallon home heating oil tanks. In addition there are some containers of automotive chemicals and other chemicals. The Site is owned but has been abandoned by the owner. There is no electricity in the building and no functioning fire or smoke detectors. There is no business being conducted so there is no one present to monitor fire or flood conditions.
In addition, there is evidence of drums and other containers having been buried in a filled-in area adjacent to the brook.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
A brief walk-thru assessment was conducted by an EPA OSC and a rep with the NYSDEC.
On 10/17/2012 the OSC used a magnetometer to survey the site for suspected USTs. Based on information obtained from a relative of the former owner the OSC surveyed the front and rear of the Site. A large UST, possibly 2,000 capacity, was discovered in front of the garage where gasoline pumps had been located. The magnetometer also located a metallic anomaly, possibly a buried pipeline, leading from the large tank off at an angle to the rear of the property to a 4-bay car garage. A large anomaly was located to the left of the garage where the relative stated he recalled was another UST.
The OSC entered the 4 car garage and observed 4 additional full 55-gallon drums. Two of the drums bore labels/stenciling, but from appearances the drums seem to contain waste oil. Also inside the garage were boxes of bank statements for Scott Auto Sales and merchandize display stands identical to those inside the main garage building.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
There is one identified RP, the owner of the Site, Skip Biss, Jr. who is believed to live in nearby Greenwich, NY. Efforts to contact Mr. Biss have been unsuccessful. Mr. Biss Sr. passed away in 2007 and the company of record that owned the property, Biss Holdings, is defunct.
Based on a telephone conversation with Joseph Biss, cousin to Skip Biss, Mrs. Iris Biss, widow of Mr. Biss Sr., lived in Schuylerville, NY. The OSC went to the Schuylerville Post Office to get an address for Mrs. Biss and was informed that she had moved but did not leave a forwarding address.
The bank which holds a mortgage on the property (TD Bank, Portland ME) informed the OSC that the bank did now own the property. There are no other known PRPs for this Site.
On 4/18/2013 the OSC obtained a deed and related documents for the Scott Auto Sales property from the Saratoga County Clerk's office and visited the residence of the owner, Scott Biss. The local mailman confirmed that Scott Biss indeed lived at that address. The OSC will contact the owner and seek written access to the property.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
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Medium |
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Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
See below.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
A site assessment and sampling event is planned for October 2nd thru October 4th using EPA contractor personnel. Samples will be acquired from 20 - 25 containers as well as from one floor drain inside the premises. If any suspected asbestos is found samples of that material will be acquired as well.
Prior to commencing the sampling event the OSC will notify the local/State police and fire departments as well as neighbors living adjacent to the site.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
Based on the analytical results indicating the presence of RCRA ignitable wastes and the presence of one, possibly two underground storage tanks, the removal action will proceed once the necessary paperwork is processed.
Written access will be sought from the property owner.
2.2.2 Issues
TBD
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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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