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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 |
Response Lead: |
EPA |
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Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
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 |
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 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 - 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 into Lake Michigan located approximately 3-miles away.
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 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 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 West 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. In February 2013, Arco documented 1.97 feet of LNAPL in an onsite groundwater monitoring well. The Site has approximately 300 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 Site. Please see the 'Images' section of the web site for photos.
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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) maintain containment and absorbent boom on the Canal, b) collect oil contaminated sorbents / boom on the Canal and c) 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. EPA and START reviewed four versions of the Site Investigation Work Plan (SIWP)
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
OSC Atkociunas issued a Notice of Federal Interest (NOFI) to Arco and the 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, extent of contamination at the sites and develop final removal measures to mitigate the discharge of oil into the Canal.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
On October 1, 2015, EPA approved the Site Investigation Work Plan (4th Revision) submitted by Arco, in accordance with the AOC.
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3.1 Unified Command
NA
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
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