|
|
Site Number: |
B4J4 |
|
Contract Number: |
|
D.O. Number: |
|
|
Action Memo Date: |
8/19/2012 |
Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
|
Response Type: |
Time-Critical |
Response Lead: |
EPA |
|
Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
|
Operable Unit: |
|
Mobilization Date: |
9/17/2012 |
|
Start Date: |
9/24/2012 |
Demob Date: |
|
|
Completion Date: |
|
CERCLIS ID: |
|
|
RCRIS ID: |
|
ERNS No.: |
|
|
State Notification: |
|
FPN#: |
|
|
Reimbursable Account #: |
|
1.1.1 Incident Category
Lead contaminated soil on 52 properties being removed as a time critical removal under CERCLA.
1.1.2 Site Description
The Tennessee Department of Environmental Conservation
(TDEC) requested the EPA Region 4 Emergency Response and Removal Branch’s
(ERRB’s) assistance after discovering that the lawns of one residence and
potentially several more were contaminated with lead along Read Avenue near
downtown Chattanooga. Initially, one
resident along Read Avenue presented to the emergency room with severe fatigue
and abdominal pain. Emergency room blood work indicated lead levels approaching
20 micrograms per deciliter (ug/dl) which alerted TDEC to conduct follow up
assessments. TDEC requested assistance from ERRB to characterize the soil
around the home and an initial assessment was conducted with SESD (Science and
Ecosystem Support Division) Athens in which three homes were assessed as well
as a public park and playground area at 1700 Mitchell Avenue. Ten samples were
collected and two samples showed elevated lead levels exceeding 400 ppm.
1.1.2.1 Location
The
Southside Chattanooga Lead Site is located along Read, Mitchell and Carr
Avenues south of Main Street in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee
(Latitude: 35.0456, Longitude: -85.3097). The area is a blend of young, middle
income couples who are renovating older constructed homes and low to middle
income retired couples who have resided in the area for 20 plus years. The vast
majority of homes were built in the early 1900’s.
The
Southside Chattanooga area is immediately adjacent to downtown Chattanooga and
was prone to flooding during the early 1900’s and prior to the development of
damming and flood control measures by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).
Several of the homes along Read and Mitchell Avenues appear to have been built
on 4-5 feet of clay fill.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
In response to a request from TDEC, the EPA Region 4 ERRB
with assistance from SESD Athens, conducted two follow up assessments of the
Read and Mitchell Avenue area in January and April 2012. Of the 81 homes (162 front and back yards)
assessed near downtown Chattanooga, 68 lawns (42 %) have lead levels exceeding
400 ppm. Lead levels range from 400 – 4000 ppm. The 4000 ppm sample was
collected from a lawn along the 1600 block of Read Ave and the sample contained
very dark fine material, most likely a high concentration of bag-house dust.
In addition, the Battle Academy Elementary School which
neighbors the site was sampled in mid June 2012. A 20’ by 20’ grid was laid
over the school property and 140 grids were screened using X-ray fluorescence
spectroscopy (XRF). No significant lead contamination was found and all lead
levels were below 55 ppm.
|
|
|
2.1.1 Narrative
Jan 21st through Jan 25th, 2013
On Jan 21st, ERRs contractors continued backfilling the backyards of 1719 and 1721 Read Ave, made driveway repairs and planted previously removed shrubs to the home owners specifications. The following day the backyards of 1715, 1717, 1719 and 1721 were sodded and an excavation crew began removing contaminated soil from 1605 and 1607 Read Ave. Some areas adjacent to the foundation of 1607 were hand dug due to the degree of historical structural damage along the outer brick wall. ERRs took significant measures to minimize the amount of vibration to the 1607 structure and a large portion of the soil removal around the home foundation was done by hand. The mini excavator and bobcat were used sparingly to reduce vibration to the structure.
Operations were cancelled on Jan 25th due to an ice storm and icy road conditions. On Jan 26th, ERRs addressed puddled areas at the end of several driveways along Read Ave where rain water had pooled over sod and added and compacted crush and run gravel to fix the issue.
START contractors continue to assist with technical support,
daily operations, post-excavation confirmation sampling using X-ray
fluorescence spectroscopy (Xrf) and air sampling during excavation and staging
of contaminated soils.
Jan 28th through Feb 2nd, 2013
On
Jan 28th, the ERRs crew continued to remove contaminated soil from the side
yard of 1605 Read Ave and at the adjacent property line of 110 E. Main Street. The crew also began excavation at 1607 Read
Avenue front yard and side yard of 1609 Read Avenue. Plants on the 1609 Read
front yard were dug up and placed aside during the soil removal.
On
Jan 29th, the ERRs crew backfilled 110 E. Main Street, 1605 Read, 1607 Read,
and 1609 Read with clay and topsoil, graded and covered the areas with a straw
layer.
On Jan 30th, heavy rains rolled through Chattanooga and the OSC and Start reviewed areas of concern between homes for drainage and runoff issues during the rain event. The most erosion was observed at 1615 Read,
where active construction is taking place.
This property still requires final grading and sod once the resident’s
contractor has completed work at the front of the property. Also, water was observed gushing largely from the base of the four-foot limestone wall along some sections of west Read Ave in front of 1607 and 1615 Read.
On Feb 1st, ERRs placed sod at 110 East Main
Street, 1605 Read, 1607 Read and 1609 Read. The crew also dismantled a small section of
fence at 1609 Read, continued soil removal at 1609 Read Ave,
and began excavation at 1611 Read. On Feb 2nd, ERRs continued to remove contaminated soil from 1609 Read, however at
approximately 1100 hours, heavy snowfall began and was accumulating on the
ground. ERRs project manager stopped work at 1100 hours due to icy road conditions.
START contractors continue to assist with technical support,
daily operations, post-excavation confirmation sampling using X-ray
fluorescence spectroscopy (Xrf) and air sampling during excavation and staging
of contaminated soils.
The OSC continues to coordinate clean up efforts and
assessments with Tenn Dept of Environmental Conservation (TDEC) and Tenn Dept
of Health as well as Hamilton
County health officials.
TDEC and the OSC plan to update Chattanooga City Council during February 2013.
A specific date has not been set by City Council.
The OSC, Tenn Dept of Health and Tenn Dept of Environmental
Conservation (TDEC) are currently preparing an assessment strategy for
Chattanooga City Council addressing future lead assessments in the downtown
area.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|