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Site Number: |
A3YB |
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Contract Number: |
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D.O. Number: |
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Action Memo Date: |
9/1/2016 |
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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: |
5/1/2014 |
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Start Date: |
5/1/2014 |
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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#: |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
Removal Action
1.1.2 Site Description
The Wiley’s Bridge Lead Site (Site), located in along Wiley’s Ln., and on the Blue Falls Grove property, on the banks of, and possibly into the Maiden Creek, is owned by the City of Reading, and the private owner(s) of the Blue Falls Grove Property. The suspected area of concern, owned by the City of Reading appears to be an area of approximately a quarter, to a half mile along a stretch of Wiley’s Ln., on the bank of, and possibly into the Maiden Creek. Similarly, the initial area of concern on the Blue Falls Grove property appears to extent from Wiley’s Bridge, east along the bank of the Maiden Creek, for approximately one half mile. The actual size the impacted area of the Site may change following an extent of contamination investigation. During Site visits, adults have been observed fishing, and both adults and children have been observed swimming in affected area of Maiden Creek. The Blue Falls Grove Property is an active 38 acre RV, camp ground, fair ground, picnic area, and event (weddings, family/company events and picnics) destination. Families, including children, play, fish, and swim in the area of concern, and are potentially exposed to unsafe lead concentrations in the surface soil and debris at the Site. The Site is surrounded by rural residential property, and approximately 5,000 acres owned by the City of Reading. The Reading property consists of mostly wooded areas, with some hiking trails, and the Ontelaunee Reservoir, which serves as the public water supply for the City of Reading, and some surrounding areas.
The area of concern to the west of Wiley’s Bridge was investigated by the City of Reading in the early 1990’s. The results of the investigation indicated the presence of elevated lead concentrations and battery fragments in the surface and subsurface soils. It is not clear why the investigation did not continue, and necessary remedial action did not occur.
1.1.2.1 Location
Intersection of Wileys Ln. and Bowers Rd, Reading, PA 19605
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Lead-contaminated soils and soil containing lead-contaminated materials are located throughout the Site. While there is some vegetative cover around the Site, the vegetation does not adequately cover the soil to prevent potential exposure to lead contamination, the soil and waste material is often bare or very poorly vegetated. Residents around the Site, visitors, and trespassers onto the Site have unrestricted access to the contaminated soil areas. Contact with the soil and subsequent incidental ingestion of contaminated soil poses a significant threat to human health of nearby populations.
In the absence of cleanup activities, the Site poses a potential direct contact threat to human receptors (trespassers), as well as the potential for secondary contamination of private residences and businesses. Incidental ingestion of lead in the soil or sediment at the Site may result in increased blood lead levels. Lead is known to adversely affect the central nervous system.
The hazardous substances located in the soils at the Site include lead contaminated, exposed surface soil on an embankment, and on walking trails. There is insufficient vegetation to prevent the migration of the contaminated soil through erosion by wind or precipitation or movement through pedestrian traffic. Areas of erosion have been observed throughout the site. Lead contaminated soils could easily migrate downgrade to heavily used recreational areas and/or into the Maiden Creek.
Reports indicate that RAWA has supplemantal inlets located downstream of the site. They are located approximately 3/4 mile downstream, at the RAWA water treatment plant. These supplemental intakes are used in case there is a need to either blend water from Maiden Creek with the Lake Ontelaunee water, or to exclusively use Maiden Creek water.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
In May, 2014, PADEP Project Manager, Dave Hrobuchak contacted OSC Richardson regarding reports of battery fragments observed along Maiden Creek, near Wiley’s Bridge. On May 1, 2014, OSC Richardson joined PADEP Project Manager Hrobuchak for an initial assessment of the area of concern. Significant amounts of battery fragment waste was observed along Maiden Creek for about a quarter mile, on the bank of Maiden Creek. Five random discrete surface soil samples were collected and sent to a lab for analysis. Analytical results revealed lead concentrations of 15,803ppm, 23,378ppm, 33,884ppm, 55,063ppm, and 68,489ppm. All of the analytical results far exceed the area specific risk based action level of 572ppm (screening number used prior to the WBLC Actoin Memo, which establised an action level of 400ppm), established for the Price Battery Remedial Site.
Following the initial assessment, the EPA OSC again visited the Site. Walking along the bank of Maiden Creek, using an XRF, battery fragments and elevated lead concentrations were found not only in the initial quarter mile west of Wiley’s Bridge, but also on to the east of the Bridge, onto the Blue Falls Grove Property. ATSDR was consulted regarding the findings at the site, and support the proposed action. The City of Reading was also briefed on the concerns related the Site, and has granted EPA access to further investigate. EPA has also met with the owners of the Blue Falls Grove Property. After consultation with their respective attorneys, both the owner and lease purchaser granted EPA access to conduct investigation, and necessary remival activities on the Blue Falls Grove Property.
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2.1.1 Narrative
A large open area measuring approximately 20,000 sq./ft., located near the RV camping area was excavated, backfilled and restored with topsoil. The soil removed was about 50% hazardous and 50% non-hazardous. The slope where the trees were cleared is approximately 60% complete. All stumps were removed and on average 6" - 12" of surface soil was removed. The excavation went deeper when higher lead concentrations/debris was encountered. The restoration will consist of clay and topsoil. The hazardous soil load out is complete for this bid amount. The bid for the next shipment is being processed. The broken up concrete pad next to the Falls Room that was removed during the previous reporting period was replaced. This completes the entire section from the bridge to the spillway. A guard rail was installed around the parking lot on the RAWA side of the bridge and down Wiley's Road about 250'. Additional test pits were conducted in the campground in the RV camping area, the pool and former waterslide area and the smokehouse and gazebo area. There was an additional 2,000 sq./ft. area to be removed based on the screening results. During periods of rain the tree stumps are pressure washed and screened to ensure all contamination has been removed. Stumps that cannot be cleaned are sectioned and placed on soil piles for load out. On March 29, 2017 EPA allocated an additional 3 million dollars to the ERRS contract. On April 4, 2017 North Star was also given a 90 extension as their current contract expires on May 24, 2017. EPA anticipates that most of the removal activities will be complete by the end of the 90 day extension period, with restoration activities to be completed by the replacement ERRS contractor.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
Removal Assessment complete
Extent of contamination investigation (near complete with exception of possible additional Maiden Creek sediment sampling)
Removal Activities:
Excavation/restoration of BFG: Falls Room Area, Rental Cottage (including the excavation and replacement of septic system).
Maiden Creek bank clean-up activities began.
Upper campground clean-up activities (excavations) began
City of Reading Property portion of creek bank revetment continues
Sub contractor (tree service) removed all trees on creek bank for a stretch of roughly .33 miles.
Temporarily suspended operations on the RAWA property and remobilized back to Blue Falls Grove Campground.
The creek bank in Blue Falls Campground was completed. This represented a total length of approximately 1,800'.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
PRPs (property owners) have been identified. Information request letters have been sent to PRPs.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
| Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
| Contaminated soil/debris |
Soil |
~35,000 tons |
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~21,500 tons |
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