U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
ECI South Tank Farm - Removal Polrep
Initial Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region V
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Subject:
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POLREP #1
Initial
ECI South Tank Farm
East Chicago, IN
Latitude: 41.6461097 Longitude: -87.4808876
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To:
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From:
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Paul Atkociunas, OSC
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Date:
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3/16/2015
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Reporting Period:
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March 12 - March 16, 2015
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
Z5NR |
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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: |
OPA |
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Response Type: |
PRP Oversight |
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Response Lead: |
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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: |
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Start Date: |
9/16/2014 |
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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.: |
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State Notification: |
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FPN#: |
E14529 |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
OPA Category - Former Tank Farm
1.1.2 Site Description
The former ECI Refinery is a former petroleum refinery located in East Chicago and Hammond, Indiana. Between 1916 and 1918, Sinclair Refining Company constructed the original refinery on the north parcels. The south parcels were used as a storage for petroleum products. Sinclair Refining Company operated the refinery until 1969 when it merged with Atlantic Richfield Company (Arco). Arco operated the facility until 1976 when it sold the facility. The maximum production at the facility occurred in 1970 with an average of 130,000 barrels per day and approximate peaks of 140,000 barrels per day. From approximately 1985 and 1989, the refinery was dismantled and demolished and all above ground structures were removed by 1990. The Site is owned by the East Chicago Waterway Management District (ECWMD).
The site has been divided into seven (7) parcels for additional investigation. The parcels include the South Tank Farm, the Southwest Tank Farm, the South of the Southwest Tank Farm, the South of the South Tank Farm, the Pollution Control Area, the Hammond Tank Farm and the West Tank Farm. Please refer to the ECI Refinery Sites map located in the documents section of the website for a delineation of the individual parcels. Most of the above ground structures associated with the refinery have been demolished. A Confined Disposal Facility (CDF) for the disposal of Indiana Harbor dredged sediment has been constructed in the former location of the Main Refinery and North Tank Farm. The ECI - South Tank Farm Site is the location of a former tank farm.
The Lake George Branch (Canal) of the Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal (IHSC) runs through the former ECI Refinery and the US Army Corps of Engineers maintains a navigational channel on the Canal east of the railroad bridge. The Canal discharges to the Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal which discharges into Lake Michigan. The site is approximately 3 miles upriver from Lake Michigan.
1.1.2.1 Location
The ECI - South Tank Farm Site is located at approximately 3700 Indianapolis Boulevard, East Chicago, Lake County, Indiana. The Site coordinates are 41.6461097 latitude and -87.4808876 longitude. The site is bounded to the north by the Canal with an abandoned industrial area beyond, including a confined disposal area for sediment dredged from the IHSC in a separate U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) remediation project. It is bordered to the east by Indianapolis Boulevard with industrial facilities beyond, to the south by McShane Avenue with East Chicago Central High School beyond, and to the west by railroad tracks with industrial facilities beyond.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
The ECI - South Tank Farm site was subject to studies and remedial actions. These studies indicated that the shallow groundwater beneath the site was contaminated with hydrocarbons, and that these hydrocarbons were migrating off site and into the Canal. Atlantic Richfield Co (Arco) operates passive oil recovery wells in an attempt to recover floating hydrocarbons on the groundwater table. Arco also installed and maintains boom along the bank of the site and in several areas perpendicular to the bank across the Canal. The threat is of oil discharging into a navigable waterway.
On September 16, 2014, EPA and START mobilized to the site to collect samples to determine the threat of discharge of petroleum. EPA and START were accompanied by Arco contract personnel who collected split samples. Soil and water/sheen sampling confirmed the presence of petroleum hydrocarbons on the bank of the Site and in the Canal. EPA and START have observed oil blooms from the sediments of the Canal, however EPA and START also observed / documented oil discharging from the bank of the Site into the Canal. Product has been documented betweeen the boom parallel to the bank and the south bank of the Canal. Please see the 'Images' section of the web site.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
Arco a) maintains a passive well collection system on the Site, b) maintains containment and absorbent boom on the Canal, and c) collects oil contaminated sorbents / boom on the Canal. Arco has also implemented wildlife deterrence measures in the fall of 2014, which includes streamersThe efforts mitigate the impact of oil to the Canal, however oil / sheening is present on waterway.
On March 11, 2015, US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) notified EPA about several oiled, deceased and distressed waterfowl along the Canal. The area of concern focused on the Lake George Branch west of the Indianapolis Boulevard Bridge. Impacted wildlife were observed in the vicinity of the ECI South and ECI West Tank Farm Sites.
On March 12, EPA OSC Atkociunas, IDEM and START mobilized to the site. EPA and START encountered two stressed waterfowl at the boat launch on the south shore of the Canal, as well as the discovery of two deceased birds on the shoreline. Assessment of the south shore showed signs of sheen, mousse, and product emanating from the bank. The oil was contained along the bank with sorbent and containment boom. EPA OSC Atkociunas notified an Arco representative of the observations and wildlife mortality. Contractors for Arco, a wildlife specialist, and EPA START support conducted a boat survey of the Canal. The assessment resulted in the collection of 12 deceased waterfowl from the vicinity of the ECI Sites. The assessment also confirmed contamination emanating from the ECI West Tank Farm. A representative with the USFWS arrived on site and collected the deceased waterfowl to determine the cause of death. The birds appeared to be oiled. USFWS, START and a wildlife specialist conducted an additional survey of the Canal with a boat; additional distressed wildlife were not observed. USFWS recommended deploying boats to haze wildlife from landing in areas along the Canal impacted by sheen. EPA also requested additional boom along the bank of the ECI West Tank Site to mitigate the area of sheening.
On March 13, 2015, EPA, START, USFWS and Arco contract support mobilized to the site. START, USFWS and Arco contract support collected a distressed female scaup. The distressed bird was driven to a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Arco contract support mobilized additional personnel and equipment. Sorbent and containment boom was placed along the bank of the ECI West Tank Farm Site to reduce the area of sheen which can impact wildlife in the Canal. USCG personnel also arrived on site.
OSC Atkociunas requested USCG personnel to evaluate the Indiana Harbor to determine if sheen / oil is visible at the discharge to Lake Michigan. USCG personnel informed OSC Atkociunas that sheen was not observed migrating from the site boundary into Lake Michigan.
On March 14, 2015, EPA, START and Arco mobilized personnel to site. An ecologist / wildlife biologist was onsite during activities. Arco personnel conducted wildlife hazing operations with a boat along the Canal. Arco personnel captured an oiled / distressed muskrat which was taken to a wildlife rehabilitation center.
On March 15 and 16, START and Arco personnel mobilized to the site. Arco continued wildlife hazing operations with personnel and a boat along the Canal. On March 15, Arco personnel documented two deceased scaup by the north sheet pile wall across from the boat ramp adjacent to Indianapolis Boulevard. EPA was notified that the scaup that was collected on March 13 and taken to the wildlife rehabilitation center died.
Activities are coordinated with actions at the ECI - West Tank Farm Site, located to the west of the ECI - South Tank Farm Site, on the north bank of the Canal. Additional information can be located at www.epaosc.org/ECIWestTankFarm
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
OSC Atkociunas issued a Notice of Federal Interest (NOFI) to Arco and the East Chicago Waterway Management District. Arco has deployed resources including boats, personnel, wildlife specialists and additional boom to mitigate the threat to the environment.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
- Continue hazing of wildlife in the area to deter wildlife to contact oil
- Continue to evaluate boom deployment / maintenance to mitigate impact to the environment
- Identify and collect deceased / distressed wildlife
- Develop additional hazing strategies
2.2.1.2 Next Step
- Conduct additional sampling on the Site to determine the presence and location of oil on the groundwater table of the Site.
- Develop permanent mitigation strategies to further mitigate the threat of discharge / discharge of oil from the Site into the Canal.
- Issue a Pollution Removal Funding Authorization (PRFA) to the US Fish and Wildlife Service
2.2.2 Issues
The migration season for waterfowl in the area may last approximately six (6) to eight (8) weeks.
The Site borders the Canal, a navigable waterway, for approximately 2,000 feet. Development and implementation of a permanent solution to the discharge of oil from the Site into the Canal will take planning / consideration.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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Arco has provided streamers / waterfowl deterrence measures, boats, personnel, maintains boom, and collects sorbents/boom in the Canal.
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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
EPA is conducting oversight of health and safety at the Site.
2.5.2 Liaison Officer
Not applicable.
2.5.3 Information Officer
Not applicable.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
Indiana Department of Environmental Management
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
East Chicago Waterway Management District
United States Coast Guard
United States Army Corps of Engineers
Indiana Department of Natural Resources
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4. Personnel On Site
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EPA
1 On-Scene Coordinator
USFWS
1 Wildlife Specialist
START
1 TetraTech
Arco
1 Wildlife Specialist
2 Environmental Consultant
5 Cleanup Personnel
1 Operations Manager
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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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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
The website for the Site can be located at www.epaosc.org/ECISouthTankFarm
Images can be located at http://www.epaosc.org/site/image_list.aspx?site_id=9494
The website for the ECI - West Tank Farm Site can be located at www.epaosc.org/ECIWestTankFarm
6.2 Reporting Schedule
The On-Scene Coordinator will issue additional POLREPS, as required.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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No information available at this time.
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