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Site Number: |
B4J4 |
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Contract Number: |
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D.O. Number: |
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Action Memo Date: |
8/19/2012 |
Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
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Response Type: |
Time-Critical |
Response Lead: |
EPA |
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Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
9/17/2012 |
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Start Date: |
9/24/2012 |
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
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.
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2.1.1 Narrative
Feb 1st through Feb 9th, 2013
On Feb 1st, ERRs placed sod at 110 East Main
Street, 1605 Read, and 1607 Read Avenue. 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.
On Feb 4th ERRs completed contaminated soil removal from the lot at 1609 Read and began backfilling the area. Approx 140 cubic yards of clay and topsoil were used to backfill the lot prior to seeding as agreed upon with the owner. On Feb 5th, ERRs completed some minor repairs in the backyard of 1715 Read Ave and along the alley between Read Ave and Mitchell Ave. Once again ERRs continued excavating contaminated soils from the side and backyards of 1607 Read Ave. The majority of this excavation work was done by hand because of the proximity to the home and its structural integrity being in question.
On Feb 6th, the excavation of 1607's yard adjacent to 1605 Read and backyard continued and clay and topsoil was brought in prior to sodding on Thursday, Feb 7th. Start completed task specific air sampling during excavation operations in the backyard of 1607 Read. ERRs also took delivery of eight pallets of sod (fescue hybrid) in prep for operations on Thursday.
On Feb 7th, heavy rains which were forecasted for the area moved south of Chattanooga and ERRs completed excavating contaminated soils from along the driveway of 1607 Read and installed sod at 1605, 1607 and 1609 Read Avenue. Rain did move in the following day and operations were cancelled in the afternoon. ERRs fencing subcontractors did continue work at 1717 and 1719 Read Ave. On Feb 9th, the ERRs crew began preparing the property at 1631 Read for excavation activities.
Feb 11th through Feb 15th, 2013
Rain delayed operations early in the week and ERRs began excavating the backyards of 1623 and 1625 Read on Tuesday, Feb 12th. Additional contaminated soil activities continued on Wednesday through Friday of the side and front yards. Because of the limited space between 1623 and 1625 Read additional equipment to move excavated soil was rented.
On Feb 11th, ERRs ..........
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 |
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