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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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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 |
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Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
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Response Type: |
Time-Critical |
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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: |
9/17/2012 |
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Start Date: |
9/24/2012 |
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Demob Date: |
12/6/2013 |
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Completion Date: |
12/6/2013 |
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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 81 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. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
Nov 25th and 26th
Errs continued a final cleaning of the staging area with a brush attachment to a skid steerer. Based on xrf readings exceeding 400 ppm lead in some areas of the staging area, the OSC requested that ERRs return to the site following the Thanksgiving break with a small crew to conduct additional cleaning and powerwashing of all areas of staging for additional xrf screening during the first week of December. TDECs Troy Keith was also on site during the evaluation of the staging area and agreed with the OSCs findings.
Decemebr 2 through Decemeber 5th
ERRs returned to the site and conducted additional mechanical brushing and powerwashing of the staging area. Start oversaw operations and conducted continuous xrf monitoring of trouble spots to insure staging clearance.
On Friday, December 6th, the OSC, TDEC, Start met with ERRs response manager, rescreened several areas of staging with xrf and all areas of concern were found to be below 200 ppm lead. No further actions were required and the crew was demobed.
Removal Summary
Lead contaminated soil was removed from 81 residential properties and three church properties along Read, Mitchell and Carr Avenues in the Southside area of Chattanooga south of Main Street. 8222 tons of lead contaminated soil was disposed of at Santek Landfill, Cleveland, Tenn and all disposal efforts were coordinated with Tenn Dept Environent and Conservation (TDEC).
Initial assessment activities were conducted in October of 2011 and April of 2012 in which several residential lawns were found to exceed 400 ppm lead. An additional assessment of the Battle Academy Elementary School on Market and Main Street was conducted in June 2012 and no elevated levels of lead were found on school grounds. Residential removal activities began in late Sept 2012 along the 1600 block of Read Avenue and progressed to the 1700 block of Read Avenue. Residential lawns along Mitchell Avenue and Underwood Streets were addresssed during the spring and summer of 2013. The project was completed in the fall of 2013 with removal actions along Carr (Underwood Ave) primarily at three Baptist Church properties.
Throughout the project, EPA and START contractors maintained excellent communication with all residents along Read and Mitchell Avenues through individual meetings and three public meetings. Once EPA’s removal activities became common knowledge in the neighborhood, EPA was requested to give updates at the local home owners association meetings on at least two occasions. TDEC and Tenn Dept of Health was also instrumental in assisting with proper communication of risks to the residents along Read and Mitchel and attended all public meetings as well. The OSC/TDEC also provided Chattanooga City council with public meeting updates on two occasions.
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
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Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
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2.2 Planning Section
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No information available at this time.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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No information available at this time.
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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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No information available at this time.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
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.
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4. Personnel On Site
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No information available at this time.
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5. Definition of Terms
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No information available at this time.
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6. Additional sources of information
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No information available at this time.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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No information available at this time.
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