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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
C5C2 |
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Contract Number: |
EP-S5-09-05 |
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D.O. Number: |
0121 |
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Action Memo Date: |
4/22/2013 |
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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: |
6/24/2013 |
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Start Date: |
6/24/2013 |
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Demob Date: |
10/1/2013 |
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Completion Date: |
10/22/2013 |
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CERCLIS ID: |
ILP00510081 |
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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
Time Critical Removal Action
1.1.2 Site Description
Based on historical aerial photos, the Site was home to a large smelting facility and associated railroad spur which operated during the 1940s. In the 1940 Standard Metal Directory, Loewenthal Metals Corporation is listed under aluminum, antimonial lead. The smelter ceased operations in the early 1950s. It appears that the building was razed after a fire at the facitlity around that time and all of the demolition debris was buried on site and covered with soil. The building demolition debris was used to fill the basement.
1.1.2.1 Location
The Site is located at 947 West Cullerton Street in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois (Figure 1-1). It is situated near the center of the Pilsen neighborhood, a primarily residential area. The coordinates of the Site are 41°51’19” North latitude and 87°39’0.6” West longitude.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Metal constituents found at the Site which exceeded the U.S. EPA Removal Management Levels (RMLs) including lead, arsenic, copper, mercury, and zinc. Lead and Cadmium were detected in the soil above the RCRA characteristic values.(See Action Memorandum for Threats)
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
See POLREP 1
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
Additional restoration and demobilization of equipment took place on September 30, 2013 and October 1, 2013. U..S. EPA has completed the removal actions at the Loewenthal property. Notifications were made to the City of Chicago that the site has been completed and the temporary fence that remains on site is property of the City's.
City of Chicago representatives and their contractors SET environmental mobilized to the site September 30, 2013 to address the portion of the site which borders the East boundary and is owned by the city. Removal actions were conducted on the City of Chicago Property starting on September 30 2013 and was completed on October 11 ,2013.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
US EPA intiatially excavated the top 12-16 inches of soil which had been confirmed below RCRA hazardous levels during the site assessement activites. This was clean fill that was placed by the owner over the contaminated material when the building burned. A total of 646.58 tons of non-hazardous soil was loaded into trucks and transported to Waste Managment Laraway landfill in Joliet, Illinois. and was used as daily cover at the landfill.
U.S. EPA broke the contaminated concrete loading dock and foundation with a Hoe Rammer and transported the hazardous debris to EnviroSafe Landfill in Oregon, Ohio for encapsulation/fixation and landfilling.
US EPA's contractor Environmental Restoration finished treating and excavating contaminated soil at site on October 1, 2013, and all treated contaminated soil has been hauled for off-site disposal.
USEPA removed 4,155 tons of contaminated soil and debris which was excavated, treated with FreeFlow 100, and transported to Republic Services Newton County landfill in Indiana and disposed of as non-hazardous material. Crews backfilled excavated areas with engineered sand. Top soil and seed were graded on top of the sand fill to complete the site resoration.
The City of Chicago's contractor SET finished and excavating and disposing of contaminated soil east of the Loewentahal site on Sangamon Street right of way owned by the City. The contaminated soil has been hauled for off-site disposal by the City's contractor. Crews backfilled excavated areas with clean back fill, which was covered with geotextile fabric. A total of 13 loads of non-hazardous soil totaling 260 tons were shipped to a non-hazardous materials landfill. A total of 64 cubic yards of hazardous soil was hauled to Envirite for treatment and disposal. US EPA is waiting for the final report and documentation from the City on this soil removal. The City is in the planning stages to develop the walking path and property along Sangamon Street right of way and the rail tracks into a bike path and green way called the El Paseo project. This will be taking place in the next 2-3 years. Additional remediation of soil may be required during the developement of this project.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
The owner of the property has been identified, but has been non- responsive to repeated attempts to arrange for access to the property.
The U.S. EPA has obtained a warrant from a U.S. Magistrate to conduct the Site Assessment and Emergency Removal Action.
U.S. EPA has recently identified that an investment firm, Sabre Investments LLC, has purchased the back taxes for the property but has not yet filed the deed.
The City of Chicago has recently changed the zoning on the property to single residentail. The property was previously zoned commercial.
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
US EPA will coordinate with the City of Chicago and BNSF on development of the Loewenthal Property and property East to the Site.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
Coordinate with City of Chicago and BNSF on future use of the Loewenthal Property and City of Chicago Right of Way and BNSF property and right of way.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
U.S. EPA will be working with BNSF and the City of Chicago to further investigate and conduct appropriate remediation of the property East of Loewenthal Metals. U.S. EPA will work with the City of Chicago to be sure the development of the bike path and El Paseo is planned and conducted in a safe mannor. This will involve sampling of soil, proper management of excavated soil, rail tracks and rail ties and other debris that may be encountered.
2.2.2 Issues
The property to the East of the Loewenthal site is owned by the City of Chicago and BNSF railroad. USEPA will intiatiate discussion's with BNSF railroad to begin the investigtion and clean up of the property they own. Clean up of the property will be required prior to transfering the property to the City of Chicago..
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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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2.5.1 Safety Officer
Nick Michaileas- ERRS Health And Safety Officer
Tonya Balla - START Health And Safety Officer
2.5.2 Liaison Officer
2.5.3 Information Officer
USEPA Community Involvement Coordinator Heriberto Leon has been meeting routinely with the neighborhood community groups. Fact Sheets were handed out in the 1/2 mile square area around the property. A public meeting and open house were held to provide facts and answer questions from the residents. An open house was held at the neighboring Resurection project apartments to brief the residents and media and answer questions.
U.S. EPA has provided fact sheets, lead fact sheets and protecting your family from lead, gardening with lead contaminated soil to the Pilsen farmers market. All of the fact sheets have been reproduced in English and Spanish.
An open house was held on September 4, 2013 at the CASA Maravilla at 2021 S. Morgan in Chicago, Illinois from 4-6. Approximately 20 residences attended the open house and news media was present from Telemundo and from DNAinfo.com. An aid for alderman Danny Soliz was also present at the meeting.\
A final Fact Sheet or Bulletin is being drafted to announce the project has been completed.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
US EPA is the lead agency on Site.
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
ATSDR
City of Chicago
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4. Personnel On Site
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All personnel and equipment has been demobilized
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5. Definition of Terms
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RSL - Regional Screening Level
RML - Removal Management Level
ERRS - Emergency Removal and Response Services
START - Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team
XRF - X-Ray Fluorescence
ATSDR - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
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6. Additional sources of information
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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
www.epa.gov/region5/cleanup/loewenthal/
6.2 Reporting Schedule
This is the final Pollution report and any further updates will be placed on the website.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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No information available at this time.
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