|
|
Site Number: |
Z5NR |
|
Contract Number: |
|
D.O. Number: |
|
|
Action Memo Date: |
|
Response Authority: |
OPA |
|
Response Type: |
PRP Oversight |
Response Lead: |
|
|
Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
|
Operable Unit: |
|
Mobilization Date: |
|
|
Start Date: |
9/16/2014 |
Demob Date: |
|
|
Completion Date: |
|
CERCLIS ID: |
|
|
RCRIS ID: |
|
ERNS No.: |
|
|
State Notification: |
|
FPN#: |
E14529 |
|
Reimbursable Account #: |
|
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 property 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 into Lake Michigan located approximately 3-miles away.
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 historical investigations. 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. 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.
Light Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid (LNAPL) is present on the South Tank Farm, and is likely a result of multiple releases over the operational history of the Site. Based on previous field observations and historical records, LNAPL present at the Site is thought to be weathered diesel or heating oil with some lubricants. Approximately 75,000 feet of petroleum pipeline remain on the site. Oil within the pipeline or previously within the pipeline, presents a threat of discharge of oil into the navigable waterway. The Site has approximately 2,200 feet of bank along the Canal.
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 also observed / documented oil discharging from the bank of the Site into the Canal. Oil has been documented between the boom parallel to the bank and the bank of the South Tank Farm Site. Please see the 'Images' section of the web site for photos and 'Documents' section for videos.
|
|
|
2.1.1 Narrative
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
See the previous POLREPs for previous actions.
During the reporting period, Arco continued to a) operate a passive well collection system on the Site, b) maintain containment and absorbent boom on the Canal, c) collect oil contaminated sorbents / boom on the Canal and d) conduct hazing operations at the site. Arco has installed a Wetland Wailer to deter wildlife from contacting oil in the Canal. EPA and USFWS conducted oversight of waterfowl mitigation measures. Arco has completed their investigation work under the Administrative order on Consent.
ARCO has submitted the following proposed timeline to mitigate abandoned pipelines that may be having negative effects on the project.
·
May 1, 2017 -Work Plan submittal to USEPA
·
May – June 2017 - USEPA Review/Approval
·
May - August 2017 - Permitting
·
July 2017 - Finalize Work Plan
·
August - September 2017 - Procurement
·
October 2017 - Mobilization
START continued semi-weekly site visits to document responsible party contractor efforts to maintain boom and haze wildlife from the site.
Site activities are coordinated with actions at the ECI - West Tank Farm Site.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
Arco is aware that another order is being drafted for the next phase of the project. It is currently being reviewed by various EPA personnel.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
EPA has drafted a follow up AOC
As of 28 April 17, ARCO has submitted a pipeline decommissioning Work Plan
|
|
3.1 Unified Command
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
Indiana Department of Environmental Management
Indiana Department of Natural Resources
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
East Chicago Waterway Management District
United States Coast Guard
United States Army Corps of Engineers
United States Department of Agriculture - Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
|