U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Central Steam Plant oil spill - Removal Polrep
Final Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region I
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Subject:
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POLREP #2
POLREP 2 & Final
Central Steam Plant oil spill
Z1CZ
Fitchburg, MA
Latitude: 42.5683510 Longitude: -71.8436711
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To:
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From:
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Richard Haworth, On-Scene Coordinator (OSC)
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Date:
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12/21/2016
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Reporting Period:
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4/19/2013 - 12/21/2016
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
Z1CZ |
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Contract Number: |
EP-W-08-062 |
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D.O. Number: |
30 |
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Action Memo Date: |
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Response Authority: |
OPA |
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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: |
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Mobilization Date: |
7/9/2012 |
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Start Date: |
7/9/2012 |
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Demob Date: |
7/13/2012 |
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Completion Date: |
12/21/2016 |
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CERCLIS ID: |
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RCRIS ID: |
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ERNS No.: |
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State Notification: |
Yes |
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FPN#: |
E12106 |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
On-shore, non-transportation, EPA-lead, OPA-funded response action.
1.1.2 Site Description
The now demolished Central Steam Plant (CSP)
was a 21,208 square foot high-bay building divided into four
levels by a series of catwalks with a brick and corrugated metal exterior.
It was built in 1928 to supply steam to ten paper mills and other facilities. The property was permanently abandoned in 1999, and deeded to the City of Fitchburg
in 2004. The property is generally level and approximately 20 feet above the River as a result of placing fill behind a concrete and stone retaining wall constructed at the edge of the River.
1.1.2.1 Location
465 Westminster Street, Fitchburg, Massachusetts.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Oil releasing from a concrete and stone retaining wall is creating a sheen on the North Nashua River, a navigable waterway of the United States. The North Nashua River flows to the Nashua River to the Merrimack River to the Atlantic Ocean.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
The OSC inspected the scene on 6/27/12, observed and photodocumented oil in the North Nashua River. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) requested EPA take action to stop the release as it did not have the resources to do so itself. The OSC met with MassDEP, the property owner (City of Fitchburg), and the Nashua River Watershed Association on 6/29/12. The Mayor of Fitchburg stated the City did not have the resources to respond to the incident in a timely fashion. Later on 6/29/12 after this meeting, the OSC obtained funding from Coast Guard's National Pollution Funds Center (NPFC) to respond to the site.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
At the time of the release, it was a concern to EPA that actions to address the oil release after the building was demolished might not take place due to the poor financial status of the City. However, when the demolition was completed in November 2015, in November and December, at three locations, oil impacted soil and pipes with oil/oily water were encountered and removed and/or sealed with cement. A total of 60.88 tons of source material was excavated and shipped off site. More recently, groundwater monitoring wells have been installed. All work was performed under the oversight of a Licensed Site Professional, as provided by the Massachusetts Contingency Plan.
Additionally, the City collected and disposed of 4 drums of oil and associated absorbent materials from inside the building to prepare for demolition, and has demonstrated since 2012 that it will maintain booms such that sheen is contained. Absorbent boom was changed 25 times between the discovery of the spill in June 2012, and October 5th of that year; 10 times through Oct 2013, 11 times through Oct 2014, 7 times through Oct 2015; and, 6 through Oct 2016. The OSC has visited approximately twice per year during this time, and has not observed a sheen down flow of the booms.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
See Section 2.1.1, above.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
A Notice of Federal Interest was provided to the Mayor of Fitchburg at the meeting at City Hall on 6/29/2012.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
With MassDEP's consent, oil-absorbing boom and pads used by EPA were added to the roll-off maintained on site by MassDEP for oil-contaminated sorbent pads and booms removed from the river. MassDEP disposed of the contents of the rolloff on 16 November 2012.
| Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
| Oil-absorbing materials (MassDEP) |
oil from river |
30 cubic yards |
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landfill |
| Oil-absorbing materials (City) |
oil from river |
30 cubic yards |
NHWM061357 |
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landfill |
| waste oil (City) |
oil inside building |
220 gallons |
001739112GBF |
recycling |
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| oily soil (City) |
soil |
60.88 tons |
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asphalt batch |
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
The City of Fitchburg will continue to maintain boom in the North Nashua River until the release abates, and fully comply with the Massachusetts Contingency Plan.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
See Section 2.1.1.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
See section 2.1.1.
2.2.2 Issues
Oil continues to discharge to the North Nashua River, creating a light sheen that is being contained with hard boom and recovered with sorbent boom.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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Logistics pertaining to boom maintenance is being addressed by the City of Fitchburg.
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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
EPA did not perform any site work during this reporting period.
2.5.2 Liaison Officer
The OSC served as the Liason Officer.
2.5.3 Information Officer
The Public Information Officer from EPA's Boston office assigned for activity during the first POLREP was not called upon during this reporting period.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
EPA, MassDEP, and the City of Fitchburg.
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
None for this reporting period.
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4. Personnel On Site
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EPA did not perform any site work during this reporting period.
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5. Definition of Terms
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Abbreviated terms and acronyms are defined when first used in text.
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6. Additional sources of information
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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
epaosc.net
6.2 Reporting Schedule
Periodic.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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Available at epaosc.net.
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