Pollution/Situation Report Profile

Beech Creek Superfund Site
Waynesboro, TN - EPA Region IV
POLREP #7
Progress of Removal Action

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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Beech Creek Superfund Site - Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region IV

Subject:

POLREP #7
Progress of Removal Action
Beech Creek Superfund Site
B4X7
Waynesboro, TN
Latitude: 35.3297000 Longitude: -87.7850000

To:

From:

Steve Spurlin, OSC

Date:

4/13/2016

Reporting Period:

January 30, 2016 to April 1, 2016

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Site Number:	B4X7	Contract Number:
D.O. Number:		Action Memo Date:	2/21/2014
Response Authority:	CERCLA	Response Type:	Time-Critical
Response Lead:	PRP	Incident Category:	Removal Action
NPL Status:	Non NPL	Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date:	6/2/2014	Start Date:	6/2/2014
Demob Date:		Completion Date:
CERCLIS ID:	TNN000410901	RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:		State Notification:	02/10/2014
FPN#:		Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category

This is a time critical removal action being conducted by a group of potential responsible parties (prps) pursuant to an U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA ) Order on Consent. The Order requires sampling to identify the extent of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination in Beech Creek, and it's associated floodplain areas. Following completion of the sampling, removal of PCBs exceeding EPA's established cleanup level will be undertaken.

1.1.2 Site Description

1.1.2.1 Location

The Site is located near the intersection of US Highway 64 and Clifton Turnpike, west of Waynesboro in unincorporated Wayne County, Tennessee. The Site is comprised of the bed, banks and floodplain of Beech Creek, beginning at the fence near the north end of land Parcel No. 067037.00 and continuing north approximately 0.5 miles, into Parcel No. 046006.00), and the aerial extent of contamination emanating there from, which may vary according to local topography and hydrology. The Site is approximately centered at latitude 35.329752 and longitude -87.785042.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

The landfill at the head waters of Beech Creek was initially an uncontrolled roadside dump in the late 1930s, which was then managed by the City of Waynesboro beginning probably in the 1950s. The city began to periodically push and level refuse down the steep ravine toward the headwaters of Beech Creek. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, documented industrial disposal contributed large quantities of spent electrical capacitors, liquid waste PCBs and other PCB-impregnated wastes. A report by TDEC in 1992 estimated that 36,000 pounds of PCBs were placed into the landfill between 1969 and 1972. Local industry also disposed of an estimated 10,000 gallons of TCE from 1970 to 1972, with some evidence of dumping directly to Beech Creek. Contamination of Beech Creek has been documented since at least the 1970s.

The results of the EPA Removal Site Investigation indicate that PCBs have been released into the environment at the Site. These PCBs are migrating and, unless mitigated, will continue to migrate, downstream to affect residential property. Because of the durability of PCBs in the environment, current contamination is likely due to historical releases directly to the creek from the landfill area.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

In October and November 2010, the Tennessee Department of Environmental Control (“TDEC”) conducted sampling of groundwater, drinking water wells, sediment and surface water in and around Beech Creek.. TDEC detected levels of polychlorinated biphenyl compounds (“PCBs”) in the sediment in Beech Creek at 140 milligrams-per-kilogram (mg/kg) at a point 200 yards north of the fence along the southern border of the Site and 130 mg/kg at 3.3 miles downstream, north of the Site. As a result, TDEC in May 2011, requested that the EPA follow up with additional sampling of Beech Creek.

At TDEC’s request, the EPA performed a Removal Site Evaluation of the Site in August 2011. The EPA took seven (7) sediment samples in the creek bed and on the banks of Beech Creek beginning about 100 feet north of the fence along the southern border of the Site and continuing about 0.25 miles northward. All samples exceeded the EPA Residential Removal Management Level (“RML”) for PCBs of 22 mg/kg, with concentrations ranging from 50 mg/kg to a high of 940 mg/kg. Additional sampling further downstream north of the Site detected PCBs in creek sediments above the 0.22 mg/kg EPA Regional Screening Level (RSL).

In 2012, TDEC and the EPA took additional samples in the creek bed, banks and flood plain of Beech Creek within the Site and continuing north to the confluence of Beech Creek with the Tennessee River. Analytical data from 2012 confirmed levels of PCB contamination above the RML in thirteen (13) of the twenty-one (21) samples within the Site. Samples from locations just north of the fence to 0.5 mile downstream indicated concentrations ranging from 0.17 mg/kg to a high of 160 mg/kg.

2. Current Activities

2.1 Operations Section

2.1.1 Narrative

Operations starting June 17, 2015 were focused on the preparation phase of the Beech Creek removal project.

Site preparation activities were complete at the end of August 2015.
Site excavation began at the end of August 2015. Current general operations include excavation, erosion control, backfill/restoration, waste transport, sampling, and water treatment.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

Activities for period January 30, 2016 to April 1, 2016 include the following:

Backfill of creek bed between EU-7 and EU-9, EU-10, EU-11 and EU-12.

Excavation of EU-17, EU-18, EU-20, EU-22, EU-23, EU-26, EU-27, EU-46, EU-47 creek bank.

Excavation of EU-14, EU-17, EU-18, EU-22 and EU-23 creek bed.

Additional excavation of EU-17, EU-18, EU-22.

Confirmatory sampling for EU-17, EU-18, EU-20, EU-22, EU-23, EU-26, EU-27, EU-46, EU-47 creek bank and EU-14, EU-17, EU-18, EU-22 and EU-23 creek bed.

Waste sampling of hazardous and non-hazardous material prior to transport for disposal.

Decontamination of transportation and excavation equipment.

Transport non-hazardous waste for disposal.

Waste water sampling prior to discharge.

Meetings with EPA OSC, Environ Project Manager and Environs' removal subcontractor.

Placement of crane mats for creek crossings.

Placement of erosion boom along the excavation.

Continued enhancement of the haul road along the work areas adjacent to the creek including the placement of fabric and stone to provide a road base.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

The removal action is being conducted under an EPA Administrative Order on Consent between EPA and several PRPs.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

Material handling progress:

Total water treated and discharge of approximately 665,200 gallons.

Total soil excavated < 50 mg/kg during this reporting period is approximately 495 cubic yards. Approximately 741 cubic yards of <50 mg/kg material was transported from the staging area during this period.

Total soil excavated > 50 mg/kg during this reporting period is approximately 3,270 cubic yards. Approximately 3,132 cubic yards was transported from the staging area for disposal.

*Waste Stream*	*Medium*	*Quantity*	*Manifest #*	*Treatment*	*Disposal*

2.2 Planning Section

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

Continue the excavation, waste staging, and waste transport and disposal.

Confirmation sampling of excavated areas. Waste water treatment and discharge, as needed.

Process and treat site water as necessary to allow continuing excavation.

Backfill of excavated areas.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

The PRPs contractor will continue the removal action pursuant to the Order.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

2.2.2 Issues

2.3 Logistics Section