U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
ECI West Tank Farm - Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region V
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Subject:
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POLREP #2
Progress
ECI West Tank Farm
Hammond, 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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3/30/2015
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Reporting Period:
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March 17 - 27, 2015
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
Z5NW |
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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: |
EPA |
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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#: |
E14534 |
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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 - West 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 – West Tank Farm site is located to the northwest of the ECI – South Tank Farm site, across the Lake George Branch of the Indiana Harbor Ship Canal (IHSC). The Site coordinates are 41.6461097 latitude and -87.4808876 longitude. The surrounding vicinity has mixed use properties, including industrial, commercial, residential, and a high school. The site is bounded to the north by an existing tank farm, to the east by a railroad line, with an abandoned industrial area beyond, including a confined disposal area for sediment dredged from the IHSC by the USACE, to the south by the Lake George Branch of the IHSC, and to the west by unused industrial property.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
The ECI - West 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 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. Please see the 'Images' section of the web site for photos.
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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
Please note that activities are coordinated with actions at the ECI - South Tank Farm Site, located to the east of the ECI - West Tank Farm Site, on the South bank of the Canal. Additional information can be located at www.epaosc.org/ECISouthTankFarm. USCG requested that the Sites be monitored / reported on per parcel. EPA and START will break down costs / activities accordingly.
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, and c) collect oil contaminated sorbents / boom on the Canal. Arco personnel have also conducted hazing operations during safe / daylight hours to deter waterfowl from contacting oil on the bank of the Site and in the Canal.
EPA, USFWS, and START conducted periodic oversight of hazing operations. Between March 12 and 27, 2015, approximately sixteen (16) dead waterfowl have been documented near the ECI South and West Tank Farm Sites. For documentation purposes USFWS personnel have collected the carcasses.
On March 18, 2015, EPA, IDEM, and START mobilized to the site to conduct a site reconnaissance. IDEM provided a boat to assist with documenting conditions on the bank of the Site. Please note that two soil samples were collected from the bank of the ECI South Tank Farm Site and two water/sheen samples were collected from the Canal adjacent to the ECI South Tank Farm Site. EPA and START observed oil discharging from the Site and the passive oil collection system in a state of disrepair.
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 (ECWMD). On March 23, 2015, EPA issued an Administrative Order by Consent (AOC) to Arco for the ECI South Tank Farm and ECI West Tank Farm Sites (Docket No: CWA-1321-5-15-003). The AOC requires Arco to investigate the nature and extent of contamination at the sites. The AOC also requires Arco to develop final removal measures to mitigate the discharge of oil into the Canal.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
On March 27, 2015, Arco submitted a Site Investigation Work Plan pursuant to the AOC.
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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 from contacting oil
- Continue to evaluate boom deployment / maintenance to mitigate impact to the environment
- Identify and collect distressed / dead wildlife
- Develop additional hazing strategies
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
- Review the Site Investigation Work Plan submitted by Arco
- Meet with Arco personnel and representatives to discuss the Site Investigation Work Plan
- Continue to conduct oversight of the hazing operations
- Document conditions at the Site
- Coordinate response actions with stakeholders
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 1,000 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
4 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/ECIWestTankFarm
Images can be located at http://www.epaosc.org/site/image_list.aspx?site_id=9495
The website for the ECI - South Tank Farm Site can be located at www.epaosc.org/ECISouthTankFarm
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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Additional documents can be located:
http://www.epaosc.org/site/doc_list.aspx?site_id=9495
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