Pollution/Situation Report Profile

Scott Auto Sales
Northumberland, NY - EPA Region II
POLREP #9
Phase I of Removal Action Finished

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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Scott Auto Sales - Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region II

Subject:

POLREP #9
Phase I of Removal Action Finished
Scott Auto Sales

Northumberland, NY
Latitude: 43.1768633 Longitude: -73.6539510

To:

Andrew Raddant, Department of Interior
Dennis Farrar, NYSDEC
Mike Dipietro, NYSDEC
Richard Colozza, Town of Northumberland
Kurt Haas, Gansevoort Fire Department

From:

Paul L. Kahn, OSC

Date:

8/27/2013

Reporting Period:

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Site Number:	A22K	Contract Number:	EP-S2-10-01
D.O. Number:	063	Action Memo Date:	7/22/2013
Response Authority:	CERCLA	Response Type:	Time-Critical
Response Lead:	EPA	Incident Category:	Removal Action
NPL Status:	Non NPL	Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date:	8/26/2013	Start Date:	8/26/2013
Demob Date:		Completion Date:
CERCLIS ID:		RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:		State Notification:
FPN#:		Reimbursable Account #:

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.

2. Current Activities

2.1 Operations Section

2.1.1 Narrative

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

CURRENT ACTIVITIES ARE HIGHLIGHTED IN BOLD LETTERS:

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.

The Action Memo for this Site was signed by the ERRD Division Director on July 22, 2013. A Task Order was subsequently approved and initial funding has been allocated to initiate Phase I of the EPA response action. The chosen Emergency Rapid Response Services (ERRS) contractor and the OSC will deploy to the Site on Monday, August 26th. At that time all damaged and/or leaking containers of chemicals and waste oil will be overpacked as needed and all containers will be moved inside the main building. The contents of partially filled waste oil storage tanks will be bulked into new containers which will be moved inside the main building. Four 55-gallon drums of waste oil will be moved from an adjacent detached garage and also moved inside the main building. ERRS will secure doors and windows and assess the condition of the buried drums and truck saddle tanks in the adjacent wetlands in the rear of the property. This phase will conclude with the initial stabilization of all chemical containers. Phase II of the removal is pending completion of off-Site arrangements for additional sampling (if necessary) and preparation of bulking/disposal plans followed by actual shipping all chemicals off-Site for disposal.

On 8/26/2013 the removal action was initiated when the ERRS contractor (Kemron Environmental) was mobilized to the Site. ERRS strung temporary lighting and cleared debris from the repair bays in preparation for staging drums and other containers inside the building. ERRS posted the site sign and cleared brush from the drums and the main building.

There were indications that someone had entered the main building and the adjacent detached garage but none of the containers of chemicals had been compromised. ERRS installed new locks on the passage doors and secured the numerous overhead doors with chains.

The OSC notified the State Police that EPA was working on the Site and gave the Gansevoort NY Fire Chief a tour of the Site. The OSC will provide the FD with a floor plan showing the staged drums at the end of this week when the ERRS crew will temporarily demobe.

On 8/29/2013 ERRS completed Phase I of the removal action and demobed the crew and rental equipment. During the 3 days of Phase I ERRS moved and/or bulked 49 full drums of waste oil and automotive chemicals from areas around the Site into a prepared staging area inside the main building. ERRS emptied 300+ gallons of waste oil from storage tanks into poly drums and staged them inside the building. In addition to the full drums, ERRS moved 150 containers of chemicals 5 gallons or less into the staging area. Thirty five empty metal/poly drums and ASTs were staged at the rear of the main building pending arrangements for recycling. A floor plan of the drum storage area was prepared and e-mailed to the Gansevoort FD.

The Site was placarded and all doors were secured. The Site was demobed at 1300 hours on 8/29/2013.

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

There is one identified RP, the owner of the Site, Scott "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 has contacted the property owner and has obtained written access to the property.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

*Waste Stream*	*Medium*	*Quantity*	*Manifest #*	*Treatment*	*Disposal*
Used motor oil	liquid
Lab aack chemicals	liquid
Antifreeze	liquid
Aged racing fuel	liquid
Used Diesel fuel	liquid
Auto body filler	semi-solid
Caustic parts cleaner	liquid

2.2 Planning Section

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

See below.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

Empty containers will be staged pending recycling or disposal.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

Use analytical data from RST/haz cat unknown chemicals to profile waste streams and begin process of T & D.

Arrange for recycler to pick up approx. 1,200 used tires piled against the main building and in the rear of the property near the wetlands.

Place Administrative Record in local repository and publish public notice in a newspaper of general circulation.

2.2.2 Issues

None

2.3 Logistics Section