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.

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.

On Tuesday May 7^th, the ERRs crew checked soil tarps in the staging area but work was limited because of task order issues.

On Wednesday, May 8th, began work by removing the fencing and overgrowth at the property line of 1707 and 1705 Mitchell Avenue.  Some small trees and shrubs were removed in this area that were overgrown within the fence and were inhibiting access to the front yards.  The crew removed the shrubs that the home owner wished to save and removed a section of iron fence in the front yard of 1707 Mitchell Avenue. In addition, the crew began removing contaminated soil from the front yard of 1707 Mitchell Avenue and the adjacent front yard of 1705 Mitchell Avenue. The crew also removed some contaminated material from the back yard of 1705 Mitchell.  START collected composite soil samples from both front yards.  The samples will be submitted for lead and arsenic analysis at a later date.

On Thursday, May 9th, the ERRs crew began backfilling the areas where material was removed. A layer of clay fill and a layer of topsoil was placed, graded, compacted and covered with sod.  Plants previously removed were placed back in the ground.

On Friday, May 10^th, the crew began removing contaminated material from the back yard of 1707 Mitchell.  The crew also utilized rakes, hoes, and shovels to remove material from underneath the deck at this property.  Most areas were removed to clay. Due to this location being very difficult for the crew to obtain (had to crawl under deck to remove material); the area was lined with poly sheet, and covered with clay backfill.  Remaining areas in the back yard were covered with clay backfill and then covered with a layer of topsoil. The crew placed sod over the compacted topsoil and watered the sod.  The crew also placed a crush-n-run driveway in the back yard of 1707 Mitchell per request of the property owner.

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.

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.