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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
10PA |
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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: |
CERCLA |
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Response Type: |
Emergency |
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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: |
5/4/2015 |
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Start Date: |
5/4/2015 |
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Demob Date: |
5/11/2015 |
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Completion Date: |
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CERCLIS ID: |
WAN001001392 |
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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
Other: Storm debris
1.1.2 Site Description
1.1.2.1 Location
Shi Shi Beach is a wilderness area in Olympic National Park located on the northwest outer coast of Clallam County, Washington (Latitude: 48.2743127, Longitude: -124.6798799). The site is owned and managed by the National Park Service. Access to the site is limited to hiking up to four miles on trails, muddy ATV trail, and sandy beach. Shi Shi Beach is heavily used by hikers and campers during the summer season.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Washington Department of Ecology notified EPA Region 10 of a request for assistance from Olympic National Park Ranger Isch on May 1, 2015. A park visitor reported a 55 gallon drum washed ashore; the report stated that the drum was emitting an odor. Ranger Isch confirmed the location of the 55 gallon drum and identified an additional plastic container and two metal cylinders that were suspected of containing hazardous substances. The Phone Duty Officer notified Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound; Sector Puget Sound requested that EPA assess the unknown hazards.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
Ranger Isch provided photos and coordinates for four containers suspected of containing hazardous substances. The Ranger did not have air monitoring equipment or proper PPE for hazardous substances so the initial assessment conducted by the Park Service was not able to determine if the containers contained hazardous substances.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
OSCs Parker and Becker deployed to the site on May 4, 2015 with two START contractors. After meeting Ranger Isch for an initial safety briefing in Neah Bay, WA all personnel drove to the Makah Shi Shi Beach trailhead and hiked four miles to the southern most container for assessment.
The blue 55 gallon drum and yellow (approx. 100 gallon) container were approached from upwind with air monitoring equipment but were determined to be empty.
Two cylinders designed to contain propane were identified and inspected. Both cylinders were determined to contain unknown materials; the contents were not identified due to damaged valves. The cylinders are corroded and the valves inoperable. The cylinder values did not have noticeable yellow corrosion indicating a low risk that they contain ammonia however there is a risk that the cylinders contain material other than propane; corrosion due to sea water may have obscured corrosion due to chemical reactions. The level of corrosion indicates a risk of tank failure that may pose a safety risk to park visitors. The cylinders were moved away from camping sites and placed above the high tide line to prevent washing back to sea or further damage on rocks; yellow caution tape was attached to the cylinders.
EPA, START and Park Service staff demobilized from the site on the evening of May 4, 2015. Due to the risk to park visitors and risk of failure due to handling, the recommended course of action is to evacuate the cylinders before the cylinders fail due to corrosion.
On June 11, 2015 OSCs Parker and Becker deployed to the site with two START and five National Park Service (NPS) staff. After an initial safety and operational briefing at the Makah Shi Shi Beach Trailhead, all responders departed the trailhead at 1230 and hiked four miles arriving at the cylinders at 1400. Operations plans were reviewed based on the terrain, NPS cleared the beach of visitors and maintained the perimeter while NPS staff depressurized the cylinders using a 30-06 rifle from approximately 60 yards.
The larger cylinder was depressurized at 1430; air monitoring detected no VOCs in the breathing zone and 5284 ppb VOCs immediately outside of the bullet wholes. As liquid drained from the cylinder test strips indicated water with a pH of 7 and high salinity.
The smaller cylinder was depressurized at approximately 1500. No VOCs were detecting in the breathing zone or immediately outside of the bullet wholes. Test strips indicated the liquid draining from the cylinder was water.
The empty cylinders were left in place to be removed by NPS during future beach clean-up events. All personnel began the return hike at 15:30; there was an after action briefing in the trailhead from 1700 to 1730. NPS requested guidance on how to handle similar cylinders in the future the OSCs recommended a meeting at a later date to discuss how to assess the risk posed by containers on the beach. All personnel demobed from the trailhead at 17:30.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
Four containers were assessed. Two plastic containers contained no hazardous substance or oil. Two cylinders were depressurized and determined to contain seawater and low concentrations of VOCs which were safely vented to atmosphere. No hazardous substances remain on the beach.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
The containers have no identifying marks after extended periods in the ocean. The only PRP is the landowner, Olympic National Park Service.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
| Waste Stream |
Medium |
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Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
| NA |
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Empty containers will be disposed of as solid waste by NPS staff and volunteers on regularly occurring beach clean-up days.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
All response activities have been completed.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
EPA will provide outreach to new NPS staff on how to assess the risk from containers that wash up on the beach. NPS staff will dispose of solid waste.
2.2.2 Issues
The site is remote and exposed to pacific storms raising access and safety concerns. All equipment and waste needs to be packed in and out of the site. The beach is a wilderness area so motorized access by boat is not permitted except for life saving activities; an ATV trail may be used to get to the entrance of the park lands on top of the bluff above the beach. Access to the beach requires climbing a steep bluff. Equipment and waste that needs to be transported will be minimized; if ATV access is needed access can be obtained through coordination with the Makah Tribe. Worker safety is a concern due to the strenuous nature of the trails, long travel times if assistance is needed, and potential exposure to the elements.
Park visitors hike and camp in the area; public safety will be a concern during operations. The cylinders were evacuated from a safe distance using a rifle. The cylinders were placed along the bluff as a back-stop and the beach will be closed to prevent park visitors from entering the area.
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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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No information available at this time.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
Olympic National Park Service.
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
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4. Personnel On Site
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No information available at this time.
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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
www.epaosc.org/ShiShiBeachCylinders
6.2 Reporting Schedule
The Action Memo will be completed within 60 days.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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No information available at this time.
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