U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Eden NC Coal Ash Spill - Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region IV
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Subject:
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POLREP #11
Dredging Tests Begin
Eden NC Coal Ash Spill
B41W
Eden, NC
Latitude: 36.4878601 Longitude: -79.7189733
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To:
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From:
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Ken Rhame, Region 4 OSC, Myles Bartos, Region 3 OSC,
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Date:
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5/16/2014
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Reporting Period:
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May 5th thru 10th, 2014
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
B41W |
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Contract Number: |
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D.O. Number: |
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Action Memo Date: |
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Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
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Response Type: |
Emergency |
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Response Lead: |
PRP |
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Incident Category: |
Removal Assessment |
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NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
2/3/2014 |
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Start Date: |
2/3/2014 |
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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.: |
1073018, 1073040 |
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State Notification: |
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FPN#: |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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NOTE: Fifteen (15) Situation Reports (SITTEPS) were generated for the reporting period beginning February 3, 2014 through February 21, 2014. The SITREPS can be found at http://epaosc.org/site/doc_list.aspx?site_id=9065. Future response updates will be transmitted via Pollution Reports (POLREPS) using the established POLREP distribution process.
1.1.1 Incident Category
Emergency Response, Inactive Facility
1.1.2 Site Description
The Dan River Steam Station is a decommissioned coal-fired electric generation plant operated by Duke-Energy. The plant is located in Eden, NC adjacent to the Dan River. Duke-Energy began decommissioning the plant in 2012 when a new natural gas-fired electric generation facility was brought on-line. The main powerhouse building and two wet coal ash storage impoundments remain along with ancillary structures. Two dry coal ash storage landfills also remain on-site.. The two ash impoundments (primary and secondary) contain a total of approximately 1.2 million tons of coal ash.
1.1.2.1 Background and Description of Threat
Please see POLREP #7 for background and description of threat.
1.1.2.1 Removal Site Inspection
Duke Energy reported that 50,000 – 82,000 tons (60,000 – 100,000 Cubic Yards) of coal ash and 27 million gallons of coal ash contaminated water was released to the Dan River. This estimate was later updated to 30,000 - 39,000 tons of coal ash. Coal ash deposits in the river vary from up to 6 feet at the storm drain outfall to a few inches down-river. The majority of the coal ash appears to have deposited between the release location and the City of Danville Dam, approximately 20 river miles for the release site. Initial water quality monitoring and sampling indicated elevated metals concentrations that exceeded State water quality standards and EPA Removal Screening Levels.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
The following activities occurred during this reporting period:
Coal Ash Assessments along the Dan River: Coal ash deposition assessments were continued along the Dan
River into Kerr Reservoir. 30 locations have been identified for sample
collection and assessment. Samples will be analyzed for metals content
and % ash content. The second round of sampling was completed on May 6th.
Coal Ash Removal: Duke's clean up contractor, Phillips and Jordan (P&J) continued to
make minor changes to the proposed ash removal work plan for the
Schoolfield Dam area of the Dan River; approximately 3000 cubic yards
from an area upstream of the Schoolfield Dam in Danville, Va. Construction of the dredging and treatment systems were completed and testing of the system took place on May 9th. Full time
dredging efforts in the river will begin on Monday, May 11th.
P&J is also generating a work plan for removal of approx 50 cubic
yards from the confluence of Town Creek and the Dan Rivers. This
location is approximately two miles from the initial release point.
Weekly Stakeholders/Technical Working Group Meeting: The weekly meeting of all federal, state and
local stakeholders was held via teleconference on Friday, May 9th. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss
short term goals and operations, water sampling and sediment data to
date and long term ecological assessments and goals. The short term Ash
Assessment Plan of the Dan River was briefly reviewed again and discussions continued to refine the plan to meet EPA's need.
Surface Water Sampling: Surface water split sampling continued on Thursday, May 8th with Duke-Energy and START. START continues to
validate, manage and post EPA sample data as it is received from the
laboratory.
Public Meeting: At NC Senator Mike Woodard's request, EPA presented an update on the Duke Coal Ash response at a public meeting in Roxboro, NC. The meeting was on Thursday, May 8th.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
Duke Energy is the Potentially Responsible Party
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
| Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
| Coal Ash |
Solid/Liquid |
~22 cu yds |
N/A |
N/A |
Returned to the Coal Ash Basin |
| Ash and sediment |
Solid |
466 cu yds |
NA |
solidification |
Upper Piedmont Regional Landfill
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Continue to develop, refine and implement river ash removal plans.
Review surface and drinking water sample data provided by NCDENR, VADEQ and Duke-Energy.
Continue to engage and include all response partners.
Continue to review, validate and post EPA sample data to the Site Website.
Continue to develop and release site fact sheets.
Keep the community informed through fact sheets and State/Local contacts.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
Implement coal ash removal plans at the Schoolfield Dam and the WTPs
Continue assessment of coal ash deposition and determine what actions need to be taken at areas of deposition. No transect sampling is planned for next week.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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No new logistical issues.
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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
Duke-Energy, with EPA oversight, is providing safety officers and assistant safety officers.
2.5.2 Liaison Officer
The EPA Region 4 Office of External Affairs continues to be actively engaged in fulfilling information requests in coordination with external affairs programs in EPA Region 3 and EPA Headquarters.
2.5.3 Information Officer
Public Information and Community Involvement
The EPA Region 3 and 4 Community Involvement Coordinators (CIC) are engaged with Duke Energy developing site-specific information updates to inform the community of on-going activities. Community briefing were held in Danville, VA, Eden, NC and the South Boston, VA. While public outcry over the spill is understandably high, the sessions were generally well-received, and EPA collected questions from the public to generate an FAQ sheet. EPA Region 4 and 3 continue to share validated sampling results with our response partners. Validated data is prepared for public release in coordination with the Region 4 Regional Emergency Operations Center, Region 4 Office of External Affairs, and EPA Headquarters on the incident-specific website. Duke and NCDENR analytical results are posted on their websites.
EPA issued fact sheet #4 which provided an update on results of sampling efforts in Kerr Reservoir.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
EPA Region 3 and 4
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Duke Energy
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
US Fish and Wildlife
US Army Corp of Engineers
US Coast Guard
North Carolina Health and Human Services
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
North Carolina Office of Emergency Management
North Carolina, Rockingham County Department of Health and Human Services
City of Eden, NC
Dan River Basin Association
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Virginia Department of Health
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
City of Danville, VA
Town of South Boston, VA
Town of Clarksville, VA
Virginia Halifax County
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4. Personnel On Site
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1 Region 4 On-Scene Coordinators
1 Region 3 On-Scene Coordinators
4 Superfund Technical Assistance Response Team Members
3 US Coast Guard Gulf Strike Team Members
2 Community Involvement Coordinators (CIC) - providing support from the Regional Offices
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5. Definition of Terms
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- OSC - On-Scene Coordinator
- CIC - Community Involvement Coordinator
- SESD - Science and Ecological Support Division
- PRP - Potential Responsible Party
- VDEQ - Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
- NCDENR - North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources
- EPA - Environmental Protection Agency
- WTP - Water (drinking) Treatment Plant
- USACE - United States Army Corp of Engineers
- USCG - United States Coast Guard
- NPDES - National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Permit Program
- USFWS - United States Fish and Wildlife Services
- VDGIF - Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
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6. Additional sources of information
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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
6.2 Reporting Schedule
Pollution Reports (POLREPS) will be transmitted using the established distribution process. The distribution frequency of POLREPS will vary based on the operational needs of the emergency response.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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No information available at this time.
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