On Wednesday, July 11, 2012, EPA received a request for assistance from FDEP for a site involving improperly stored, and leaking containers of hazardous substances.   OSC Russell responded to the site on July 11 and met with FDEP representatives, the site property owner, and the PRP.  The initial inspection revealed 7 covered trailers and 2 box trucks containing hazardous substances.  The initial inspection revealed leaking containers of flammables, acids, and bases.  Furthermore, evidence of continual trespassing by youths was observed and the PRP advised that trespassing on site is a constant issue (two residential areas are in close proximity). The PRP stated he would contract with a cleanup contractor, and scheduled a meeting for the morning of July 12, 2012.

On July 12, 2012 the PRP received a quote from SWS to complete removal activities at the site, and stated he was unable to pay for the removal activities and advised EPA that he could not perform the actions necessary.  EPA issued a Notice of Federal Assumption to both the PRP and the property owner.

1.1.2.1 Location

1080 S. John Rodes Blvd (Site of Initial Emergency Response Actions)
Melbourne, FL 32904

7025 Korbin Avenue (Storage Site For Moved Materials. Moved January 2014)
Rockledge, Florida 32955

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

Approximately 3500 containers are located at the site, stored inside 7 trailers and 2 box trucks.  Some of the containers were leaking and/or stored with incompatible substances.  Flammables, acids, and bases are stored in the trailers and some of the containers were leaking.

Due to the risk of exposure to public health and the environment at the initial location, the EPA initiated an emergency response to secure the location and mitigate the hazards located on Site. These actions included securing the Site with fencing, commingling oil products which were in deteriorated drums, and bulking acids into totes due to the conditions of the containers housing the acids.

Since the time of the initial Emergency Response, the EPA has worked with the Property Owner (John Rodes Site) and the owner of the materials to find endusers for the materials.  In January 2014, Mr. Dickinson had several 55-gallon drums of liquid materials (oils and flammables) removed by a licensed Used Oil hauler.  During this time, Mr. Dickinson also segregated and repackaged  the containers of materials into new 55-gallon drums.  All of the drums and materials, along with the trailers, were all moved from the residential area in Melbourne, Florida to a heavy industrial area in Rockledge, Florida.  Mr. Dickinson has leased the Site in Rockledge from "Unwanted Cars, Inc". and Mr. Dickinson will continue to try and find end-users for the materials.

Due to the repackaging of the materials and the relocating of the materials from a residential area to a heavy industrial area, the threats to human health have been greatly reduced. In turn, no further Removal Actions will take place at this Site.

Of note, Site Attorney Stephen Smith spoke with Mr. Michael Smith, the property owner of the John Rodes Site and advised him that all of the materials had been removed.  Stephen Smith also inquired if Mr. Michael Smith wanted the EPA to leave or remove the fencing that had been erected on his property.  Mr. Michael Smith advised that he would like the fencing left in place on his property.  Due to the costs associated with removing the fence, it was agreed the fence would remain on Mr. Michael Smith's property.

Operations conducted during this reporting period included assessing the new site for the materials belonging to Mr. Dickinson.  The new site was found to be suitable for such materials.