U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
31 Water Street Site - Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region I
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Subject:
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POLREP #3
Progress
31 Water Street Site
01LW
Amesbury, MA
Latitude: 42.8561422 Longitude: -70.9273062
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To:
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From:
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Mike Barry, OSC
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Date:
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5/6/2015
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Reporting Period:
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12/3/2014 - 5/5/2015
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
01LW |
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Contract Number: |
EP-W-08-062 |
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D.O. Number: |
0042 |
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Action Memo Date: |
3/9/2015 |
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Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
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Response Type: |
Time-Critical |
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Response Lead: |
EPA |
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Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
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NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
9/22/2014 |
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Start Date: |
9/22/2014 |
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Demob Date: |
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Completion Date: |
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CERCLIS ID: |
MAN000100746 |
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RCRIS ID: |
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ERNS No.: |
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State Notification: |
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FPN#: |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
Time Critical Removal Action - see Closure Memorandum July 21/2014
1.1.2 Site Description
The Site is a 0.56-acre portion of 31 Water Street (which consists of an inactive, vacant parcel located along the banks of the Powow and Back Rivers). The majority of the central portion of the 31 Water Street parcel, further defined on the Amesbury Assessors’ Map 53, Lot 103, is level and contains areas with concrete foundation from the former on-site manufacturing building. The parcel is bordered to the north by Water Street, to the west by the City of Amesbury Public Works Department building, to the east by the Back River, and to the south by the Powow River. The steep slope along the eastern side leading to the Back River has been stabilized with crib work and has several pipes protruding out from the bank. The southernmost portion contains a steep slope to the Powow River. There is a paved, public walkway/bike path along the eastern and southern borders of the property that is used by the general public.
1.1.2.1 Location
The 31 Water Street Site property is located at 31 Water Street in Amesbury, Essex County,
Massachusetts. The geographic coordinates of the approximate midpoint along the center of 31
Water Street are 42° 51′ 22.1″ north and 70° 55′ 38.5″ west. The property is identified by the Amesbury Assessor's Office on Map 53, Lot 103 and is bordered to the north by Water Street, to the west by the City of Amesbury Public Works Department building, to the east by the Back River, and to the south by the Powow River.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
The presence of Aroclor-1254 at levels up to 740 mg/Kg in soil samples collected by EPA and others indicates that an uncontrolled release of PCBs has occurred at some unknown time in the past at this Site, resulting in contamination to surface and subsurface soils adjacent to the Powow River and the Back River. The origin, amount and intended use (if any) of Aroclor-1254, or in historical fill at this Site has not been determined and is likely to remain unknown. PCBs are the primary contaminant of concern at the Site. Elevated levels of lead, arsenic, chromium and petroleum hydrocarbons have also been identified in the soils at the Site and will be addressed in the Removal Action.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
On May 19, 2014, the EPA OSC and contractor personnel mobilized to the property to initiate a Preliminary Assessment/Site Investigation (PA/SI). After visual inspection of the Site and sample location selection by the OSC, a total of thirty-eight soil samples were collected from nine soil boring locations. In addition, six surface soil samples were collected from soils adjacent to waste pipes associated with the Site. The samples were analyzed at the EPA New England Regional Laboratory in Chelmsford, MA for PCBs and metals.
Analytical results indicated that one PCB (Aroclor-1254) was detected in several surface and subsurface soil samples at levels exceeding the MCP Imminent Hazard Level for PCBs of 10 mg/Kg and the EPA Regional Removal Management Levels (RMLs). Also, five metals (arsenic, barium, chromium, lead, and zinc) were detected at concentrations exceeding MCP S-1 standards in one or more of the samples. The lead and arsenic levels also exceeded the EPA RMLs.
In July of 2014, the EPA START contractor collected additional soil characterization samples from 28 geoprobe boring stations and 16 surface soil locations.
In October 2014, the EPA START contractor collected additional soil characterization samples from 14 sample stations by geoprobe.
In October 17, 2014, two additional deep soil borings were collected by an ERRS subcontract to determine the geoechnical parameters of the sediments. A USACE representative was on-site to oversee the drilling and sample collection. The results were received on November 12, 2014 and confirmed that the deep clay deposits in the sediments would require deep sheet pilings.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
For prior activities, please see POLREPS 1 and 2.
In late December 2014 approximatley 165 tons of excavated and staged contaminated soil were sent for transport and disposal. All personnel and most equipment demobilized for the winter with the site utilities, office trailer and storage box remaining. There was signifcant snowfall and the last snow melted in early April.
Winter activities including evaluation of other options for water management and bank stabilization, preparing for executing the chosen option of sheet piles and commencing removal activities in the spring.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
Please refer to POLREPs #1 & 2 for information regarding previous response actions.
NSTAR completed raising and altering the overhead power lines to remove interference enough to perform the site work.
Through an Inter-Agency Agreement, the US Army Corps of Engineers evaluated options for bank stabiization and designed the selected option of driving sheet piles.
A subcontract for the sheet piles was competed and the bid from Sea & Shore, Inc was awarded.
The Action Memo was Amended, to add funds for the sheet pile subcontract.
The site was re-mobilized on 4/27/2015; site preparation activity commenced. Driving of sheet piles commenced on Monday 5/5/2015. T & D samples for the existing crib wall waste stream were taken and sent to the lab, if that waste stream is needed.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
The City of Amesbury is the current property owner, having aquired the property as a result of non-payment of taxes from the previous owner. No viable PRPs have been identified to date.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
| Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
| Non-TSCA, non-RCRA contaminated soil |
Soil |
165.5 tons |
Various |
No |
Waste Management of NH, Rochester, NH |
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Continue driving sheet piles along the Back and Powow Rivers to stabilize the riverbanks prior to excavation of contamnated soil, approximately a length 350' total and 80 sheet pile pairs are planned.
After the sheet pile run is completed, excavate, stage and remove PCB and lead contaminated soil along the riverbanks, underneath the former bike path. Dewatering of the space between the sheet pile wall and existing bank will be required, especially for higher tide stages.
Backfill to agreed subgrade with the city and repair response related damages. Final site grading and cover will be performed by the city to the Lower Millyard project plans.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
See above.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
2.2.2 Issues
Excavation includes areas in the intertidal zone of the Powow and Back Rivers, presenting challenges with water management and riverbank stability. Buried obstructions composed of urban fill and debris have been encountered in advancing some of the sheet piles; these have been cleared by the sheet pile subcontractor as they are encountered.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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No information available at this time.
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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
OSC
2.5.2 Liaison Officer
OSC
2.5.3 Information Officer
Emily Bender (off-site)
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
USEPA is the lead agency for this removal action, but is closely coordinating with MassDEP and the City of Amesbury, and their contractors, in the cooperative Amesbury Lower Millyard redevelopment project, of which this action is a part of.
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
US Army Corps of Engineers is providing technical assistance through an inter-agency agreement.
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4. Personnel On Site
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OSC (1)
Contractor personel:
ERRS - Guardian Environmental Services (1)
ERRS Sheet Pile Subcontractor; Sea & Shore, Inc. (3)
START - Westonsolutions (1)
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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
http://www.epaosc.org/site/sitrep_edit.aspx?site_id=9528
6.2 Reporting Schedule
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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No information available at this time.
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