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Weekly Report Activities
Source Water Protection
Projects and Funding
August 10, 1998
April, 1998
March, 1998
July 7, 1997
July 24, 1997
August 1, 1997
August 12, 1997
SITE SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES
Ohio
Black River RAP
A 5 year long range action plan was adopted by the Coordinating Committee on March 10,
1997 for planning, watershed management and education. OEPA and USEPA conducted an
intensive environmental survey during the summer of 1997 (done once every 5 years). Future
research projects are planned to support remediation planning activities. Activities will
include habitat restoration, reduction of sediment loading, and other non-point problems.
[Philip Gehring (216) 522-7260]
Cuyahoga River RAP
One of 43 Great Lakes Areas of Concern in 1987. Cuyahoga Coordinating Committee formed
by OEPA to assess environmental problems. Stage 1 report completed in 1992 and updated in
1995. Cited elevated bacteria levels and other problems. CCC focuses on environmental
awareness to watershed problems. EPA continues to provide financial and technical support
for this effort. [Mark Maloney (216) 522-7260]
Lake Erie Lamp RAP
Binational lake management strategy. Preparing a progress report to be released in
October 1997 on current Lake Erie problems (toxics, etoxics, and nutrients). Future steps
were outlined in a June 1997 workplan. USEPA supports OEPA lead of LELAMP activities
through grants. EPA also supports public forum activities with Canada on Lake Erie topics
of concern. [Francine Norling (312) 886-0271]
Sustainable Cleveland Partnership
The USEPA Cleveland Office is working in partnership with community organizations to
develop and implement a system for accessing environmental information. This information
can help Cleveland neighborhoods create positive environmental change by providing the
means for meaningfully participating in local community environmental decisions. A project
work plan was developed Region 5, the OEPA, the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission, and
others, which includes system development, operation, and feedback/tracking. Tools include
educational fact sheets, computer data base information, mapping, personal contact, and
lab services. [Steve Goranson (312) 886-3445]
Urban Sprawl in Cleveland (Regional Environmental Priorities Project)
REPP concluded January 31, 1997. Accomplishments included working with NOACA to develop
environmental land-use criteria for funding highway projects. USEPA is also developing a
database which could show sprawl projections for use by communities. Project activities
resulted in 2 retreats which focused on environmental and economic challenges to
addressing urban sprawl. Regional approaches, public outreach, networking and innovative
planning tools are focus activities. [Lyn Pennington (216) 522-7260]
NE Ohio Initiative
One of 10 principal places identified by Region 5. Activities include participation in
support of State and local agency goals and priorities to help communities solve problems.
EPA is currently implementing 26 projects in support of 7 community-based partnerships.
[A.R. Winklehofer (216) 522-7260]
NE Ohio Water Quality Management Planning Update
USEPA funded a $315,000 grant to NOACA (with assistance from NEFCO) to update the 208
plan. Activities include public meetings, assessing current sewer system conditions and
needs, identify critical acquatic habitats, and identify and update land use policies.
Estimated completion date is September 30, 1998. [Harlan Hirt (312) 353-4378]
Water Service Connections Started, Open-House at Water Treatment
Facility Held, Alternate Water Supply, Lincoln Fields Site, Mansfield, Ohio
The first water service connection was made on July 9, 1998, at the
Mansfield Baptist Temple and Christian School in the Lincoln Fields Site. The local
television and radio stations, and newspapers were on hand to witness this long-awaited
event. The connection was made by a local plumbing contractor hired by the Army Corps of
Engineers which has been working on the alternate water supply system for U.S. EPA. The
Corps expects to make approximately 6 water service connections per day. There are
approximately 350 homes, schools and small businesses that will be connected to the new
potable water system. The last connection is predicted to be completed by early September
of this year. Residential wells in the Lincoln Fields Site are contaminated with
tetrachloroethylene (PCE) at levels in excess of the Maximum Concentration Limit defined
by the Safe Drinking Water Act and in some cases, in excess of the Removal Action Level.
On August 5, 1998, a U.S. EPA organized open-house occurred at the newly
constructed water treatment facility, which is located four miles east of the affected
Lincoln Fields community. Invitations were mailed out to all Lincoln Fields residents and
local and State officials. The open-house allowed residents, officials and the press to
tour the facility and see where their new water supply originates and how it is treated
before being piped through the system to their homes and businesses.
Contact: Mike McAteer (312-886-4663)
Outreach Presentation, Cranbrook Institute=s Horizons-Upward Bound Summer
Program, Birmingham, Michigan
On Monday July 20, 1998, On-Scene Coordinators (OSCs) Dave Anderson and
Michelle Jaster gave a presentation to a group of junior high and high school students
participating in the Horizons-Upward Bound Summer Program at the Cranbrook Institute in
Birmingham, Michigan.
The Horizons-Upward Bound Program provides an opportunity for academically
gifted children from low-income areas to study in a college preparatory-type program. OSCs
Anderson and Jaster presented an overview of U.S. EPA Region 5=s Emergency Response
Branch, with an emphasis on local cleanups and potential career opportunities at the U.S.
EPA, to a group of students studying Environmental Science and Policy during the summer
program.
Contacts: Dave Anderson (734-692-7683)
Michelle Jaster (312-886-7193)
Oil Pollution Act Emergency Removal Action Completed, Wayne Chemical Products,
Detroit, Michigan
Removal activities at the Wayne Chemical Products facility, Detroit, Michigan, were
completed on March 11, 1998. Scrappers cutting up a large horizontal tank had released
residual oil in the tank into a diked area, which threatened to overflow to a nearby
combined sewer inlet. Cleaning of tanks, dikes, and the flooded basement resulted in the
generation of some 34,000 gallons of oily waste for disposal. Oily soil, concrete, process
piping, and debris resulted in some 160 cubic yards of waste land filled. Twenty-nine
existing tanks and partial tanks with an estimated capacity of 225,000 gallons were either
removed for recycling or disabled and left in place resulting in some 112,000 pounds of
steel recycled. An estimated 350,000 gallons of rain or snow melt in the flooded basement
was either discharged to the ground or sent to the Detroit Waste Water Treatment Plant
located across the street. Ground level doors and holes in the walls of the heavily
vandalized building were secured. Existing gates and fencing were secured. Concrete
barriers were placed across openings not secured by fencing or gates. Oil Spill Liability
Trust Funding of $350,000 was authorized. No potentially responsible parties have come
forward to assume cleanup costs. A number of City of Detroit and other agencies assisted
in this action.
Contact: Robert M. Buckley (734-692-7662)
Finding of Suitability to Transfer Concurrence, U.S. Army Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant,
Warren, Michigan
On March 18, 1998, U.S. EPA concurred with the Finding of Suitability to Transfer
(FOST) for a 32-acre former test track area at the U.S. Army Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant
(DATP) in Warren, Michigan. The DATP Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) site, which is
not on the Superfund National Priority List, was a main battle tank factory from 1940
until its closure in December 1997. The property will be transferred from federal
ownership to the City of Warren on April 22, 1998. Even though this portion of the BRAC
property is relatively clean, the Army decided not to determine if it would be suitable
for unrestricted use, and will transfer the property with institutional controls to
prohibit future residential development on the site.
The Army and U.S. EPA have disagreed over applicability of the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) to the site prior to the
transfer. U.S. EPA went public with its concerns in mid-February, and the community and
news media brought pressure to bear on the Army. After negotiations on February 25, 1998,
in Warren, the Army agreed to produce the documents U.S. EPA needed to make its
evaluation. These documents were transmitted to U.S. EPA on March 12, 1998, and there were
no surprises in the reports. The Army will not formalize institutional controls as a
CERCLA remedy. Region 5 is working with the U.S. EPA Headquarters Federal Facilities
Restoration and Reuse Office to resolve this issue with the Department of Defense on a
national level.
Contacts: Owen Thompson (312-886-4843)
Tim Thurlow (312-886-6623)
Consent Agreement Settles Administrative Complaint, Excel Circuits Company, Inc.,
Lake Orion, Michigan
On March 16, 1998, U.S. EPA filed a Consent Agreement and Consent Order (CACO) to
settle the Administrative Complaint against Excel Circuits Company, Inc., (Facility) Lake
Orion, Michigan. The Complaint, filed on April 1, 1997, alleged violations of the
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) Section 312. During a routine
EPCRA compliance inspection conducted on February 8, 1996, it was discovered the Facility
had sulfuric acid and nitric acid in quantities on-site greater than the minimum threshold
level of 500 pounds for calendar years 1993-1995. The Facility failed to submit an
Emergency and Hazardous Chemical Inventory Form (TIER) to the State Emergency Response
Commission (SERC), the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), and the local fire
department (LFD) with jurisdiction over the Facility, by the March 1, 1998 deadline. The
proposed penalty was $60,000.
During the settlement discussions, the Respondent raised some affirmative defenses that
U.S. EPA had to evaluate. The Respondent advised the Agency that they would like to
conduct a source reduction Supplemental Environmental Project that would reduce the water
consumption and waste water discharge to the Detroit Treatment Plant. The cost of this
project will be $104,178. The cash penalty will be $9,750. Excel Circuits Company, Inc.,
will spend $113,928 to settle this matter. The Respondent will have 30 days to submit
payment and two years to complete the project.
Contact: James Entzminger (312-886-4062)
Site Assessment, Sharon Speedway, Hartford, Ohio
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) has requested assistance in
determining the extent of contamination at this active race track. Historic application of
oil for dust control is suspected to have caused a polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) problem
at this facility. A large sampling effort took place the week of March 23, 1998, in an
attempt to define how much of a problem existed at this facility. The Ohio Department of
Health will be involved in determining if a health threat exists.
Contact: Joseph Fredle (216-522-7260)
Freshwater Spills Symposium, St. Louis, Missouri
The second Biennial Freshwater Spills Symposium took place on March 3-5, 1998, in St.
Louis, Missouri. The conference was co-sponsored by U.S. EPA Headquarters, U.S. EPA Region
7 and the Oil Preparedness and Response Section (OPRS) in Region 5. The symposium was an
opportunity for local, State, Federal responders, industry responders, natural resource
trustees and facility response planners to exchange information on the unique problems
posed by freshwater oil spills. Symposium topics included: Preparedness, Aquatic
Environments, Marinas, Exercises, Facilities, Small Science, Transportation, Wetlands,
Vessels, Case Studies, Pipelines, Terrestrial Environments, and Natural Resource Damage
Assessment. Presenters included Ann Whelan, Sheila Calovich, Karen Vendl, Betty Lavis,
Michelle Jaster, Sam Borries, Steve Faryan, and Beth Henning Guria from the Emergency
Response Branch (ERB). The two and a half day conference was attended by approximately 250
participants from across the United States and Canada.
Contact: Sheila Calovich (312-353-1505)
Oil Spill Response, Hill's Auto Wrecking, Cleveland, Ohio
On April 13, 1998, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) requested
assistance on an oil spill whose source was automobile engines collected at Hill's Auto
Wrecking, a salvage yard, located in Cleveland, Ohio. The owner denied property access to
Ohio EPA on April 10, 1998, and requested to clean up the spill with his own employees.
Ohio EPA determined that the spill was contained in a drainage ditch along a railroad
right-of-way and agreed to return on April 14, 1998. (Although the ditch connects to
Kingsbury Run, a tributary of the Cuyahoga River, the connecting pipe was clogged with
debris thus containing the oil.)
On April 14, 1998, U.S. EPA, Ohio EPA, Superfund Technical Assistance & Response
Team (START), Cleveland Fire Department and Northeast Ohio Sewer District representatives
visited the site. The property owner's efforts were insufficient and U.S. EPA directed
that immediate actions be taken. The owner-hired Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) contractor
placed booms at the outlet in Kingsbury Run late on April 14, 1998, and mobilized a vac
truck on April 15, 1998. By the end of the day, all free-floating product was vacuumed up
and half of the soiled sediments in the ditch were removed. Although heavy rains that
night delayed clean up, it was completed by April 23, 1998.
Contact: James Augustyn (216-522-7260)
Three Asbestos Surveys and Drum Sampling, Downriver Area Brownfields Consortium,
Dearborn and Trenton, Michigan
Response Section 1 recently received a request from the Downriver Area Brownfields
Consortium (DABC) for assistance with asbestos surveys at the Sharon Steel Plant and the
Beech Street property in Dearborn, Michigan, and the Vulcan Mold property in Trenton,
Michigan. All three locations are in various stages of marketing for redevelopment through
the DABC. During the initial visit to the Sharon Steel Plant, it became evident that
additional site assessment services would be beneficial to the DABC's efforts. On April 15
and 16, 1998, approximately 20 55-gallon drums of oils were sampled and numerous small
containers were inventoried for potential lab-packing. Asbestos surveys to identify
building materials that may require removal prior to demolition for all three properties
were completed and a report delivered to the DABC. This work has allowed firm development
plans for one of the Dearborn sites.
Contact: David L. Anderson (734-692-7683)
Southeast Environmental Health Directors Meeting, Monroe, Michigan
On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) Robert M. Buckley attended the monthly meeting of the
Southeast Michigan Environmental Health Directors held on April 9, 1998, in Monroe,
Michigan. The Keynote presentation was Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction by
Captain Robert Tarrant of the Michigan State Police. Captain Tarrant discussed the various
forms of terrorism and what the state and federal governments are doing to prepare local
communities. Carol Panagiotides of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's (MDEQ)
Environmental Assistance Division discussed the partnership between the MDEQ and local
health/ environmental health departments. Response Section 1 has been requested to make a
presentation.
Contact: Robert Buckley (734-692-7662)
Ethylene Oxide Explosion, Accra Pac, Elkhart, Indiana
On June 24, 1997, at about 2:30 pm, Accra Pac (Facility), Elkhart, Indiana, had a vapor
cloud explosion and fire. One worker was killed and other workers were sent to the
hospital for observation and treatment for possible chemical exposure. The local fire
department evacuated a one-mile radius around the Facility as a precautionary measure. The
hospital treated fifty-nine people. At this time, the State Fire Marshall’s Office
has determined that it was an undetermined ignition source and a vapor explosion of an
undetermined chemical. At the time of the explosion, the Facility was filling small
containers with ethylene oxide. The Indiana Department of Labor now has custody of the
accident scene.
James Entzminger and George Rancich, from the Office of Chemical Emergency Preparedness
and Prevention (OCEPP), visited the scene on June 25 and 26, 1997. They participated in
preliminary inspections of the scene and meetings with Facility personnel and responders.
OCEPP is continuing its investigation, working with Headquarters Chemical Emergency
Preparedness and Prevention Office (CEPPO), as well as Indiana Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (IOSHA).
Contact: James Entzminger (312-886-4062)
Oil Spill Response, Tyler Pond-Willow Run Creek, Michigan
On Monday June 23, 1997 at 5:00 p.m., the National Response Center (NRC) received a
report of a one thousand gallon oil spill at Tyler Pond-Willow Run Creek. On-Scene
Coordinator (OSC) Partap Lall responded. The release location is the State lead Willow Run
Creek Superfund site. Responsible parties hired contractors and began containment and
recovery steps. The majority of the oil was contained. Recovery resulted in one 6,000
gallon tanker and two 18,000 gallon tankers full of oil water mixture. Source
investigation is on going.
Contact: Partap C. Lall (313-692-7685)
Removal Action Initiated, Hoover Chemical Site, Port Huron, Michigan
Hoover Chemical is located at 3905 32nd Street Port Huron, Michigan. The site was an
adhesives and paint manufacturing and distribution facility which was rendered inoperative
by a fire on May 28 and 29, 1997. The site is located in a residential and commercial area
of Port Huron. The site is bordered by wetlands and woodlands.
U.S. EPA conducted a site assessment visit on June 6, 1997 subsequent to the fire at
the facility. The site was found to contain more than 100 drums labeled to contain
flammable liquids. Many drums containing materials had been exposed to extreme heat and
water. Numerous drums were observed to be bulging deteriorating, and could be under
pressure. The off-site migration of unknown materials was also observed. Numerous spill
areas were observed.
On June 18, 1997, based on verbal approval to begin removal activities, U.S. EPA and
representatives from Superfund Technical Assistance & Response Team (START) and
Emergency Response Cleanup Services (ERCS) contractors conducted a site visit to plan
mobi-lization and project removal activities. Continuous twenty-four (24) hour security
was established for the site. Site setup and equipment mobilization continues.
Contact: Jim Augustyn (216-522-7260)
Cleanup Activities Soon to Be Underway at Two SACM Sites, Geneva City Dump and True
Temper Sports Inc., Sites, Geneva, Ohio
The U.S. EPA executed an Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) for the Geneva City Dump
Site in Geneva, Ohio, on June 12, 1997. The Geneva City Dump Site is directly adjacent to
the True Temper Sports Site, where an AOC providing for up to $5 million worth of
polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and plating waste removal was signed in late January of
1997.
An Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis supported an action memorandum for a non-time
critical removal requiring excavation and off-site landfilling of zinc phosphate, copper
cyanide, and chromium/nickel plating wastes, as well as 20,000 cubic yards of soil
conta-minated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at levels over 1 ppm.
Although the $14,000 in past costs ascribed to the Geneva City Dump was forgiven
because the potentially responsible party (PRP) is the City of Geneva, a check for the
full amount of the past costs ascribed to the True Temper PRPs (over $467,000) has been
received. This works out to 97% cost recovery for both sites combined.
All removal work at both sites is expected to be completed by the end of 1997.
Contact: Jon Peterson (312-353-1264)
TRAINING/CONFERENCES
Remedial Action Plan Activities, Lake St. Clair and the Clinton River, Macomb County,
Michigan
The U.S. EPA was invited by the Macomb County Blue Ribbon Commission to give a
presentation at their June 23, 1997 meeting. The Macomb County Blue Ribbon Commission on
Lake St. Clair is the county's effort to confront the continuing pollution problems that
attracted and has maintained great local and regional public interests and concerns since
1994, when there was a pollution crisis on Lake St. Clair and the Clinton River. Some of
the problems this area faces include beach closings due to high bacteria levels; combined
sewer overflow releases; sediment contamination and general runoff issues that cause
pollution. Adding to this, is that there are over 42,000 registered water craft and nearly
100 marinas with approximately 10,000slips on the lake's shore in Macomb County. Along
with 33 percent of all Great Lakes fish catch and 48 percent of all fishing effort
expended, it is felt that the Lake St. Clair is critical to the health and economy of
Macomb County.
Laura Evans briefed the full commission on U.S. EPA responsibilities and role in the
Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and remedial actions in Lake St. Clair, St. Clair
River and Clinton River. Dr. John Hartig of the International Joint Commission also
attended and presented some ideas about an ecosystem approach for this
"forgotten" lake.
Contact: Laura Evans (312-886-0851)
Removal Action Completed, Johnson Products Site, Salem Township, Michigan
As of June 20, 1997, the time critical removal action at the Johnson Products site has
been completed. Containerized hazardous wastes and laboratory packs were shipped for
off-site treatment and disposal at four different licensed hazardous waste facilities. The
State of Michigan has been briefed on this removal completion. Because of concerns
stemming from the presence of dilapidated buildings on site, Salem township officials have
taken over the site security functions. Media interest has been high during the course of
this removal.
Contact: P.C. Lall (313-692-7685)
Building Demolition Completed, Hoover Chemical Site, Port Huron, Michigan
Demolition of two buildings destroyed by fire was completed on July 11, 1997.
Approximately 170 55-gallon drums and 130 5-gallon pails have been staged for Hazcatting.
An additional 180, or more, drums remains to be staged on-site. Approximately 150 empty
55-gallon drums and 100 empty 5-gallon pails have been crushed and placed in a roll off
box for disposal. Staging and Hazcatting of drums is continuing.
Contact: Jim Augustyn (216-522-7260)
Emergency Response, Wayne County Road Commission, Romulus, Michigan
On July 14, 1997, the Wayne County Hazardous-Material (Haz-Mat) team reported a spill
at the Wayne County Road Commission (WCRC) facility in Romulus, Michigan. On-Scene
Coordinator (OSC) Mark Durno responded upon notification and observed approximately 150
drums on the property staged together. One of the drums was discharging waste into a
facility storm sewer. The spill was contained to two catch basins. The Haz-Mat team
sampled the release and categorized it as a flammable organic liquid. Following
discussions with the OSC and Haz-Mat team, the WCRC facility manager had the storm sewer
lines plugged that entered the impacted area until such time that the catch basins could
be properly cleaned. The remainder of the spill was contained in drums and staged. WCRC
personnel reported that drums accumulated at the facility over the years. The drums were
improperly staged, not labeled, and many were in poor condition and posed a threat of
release. Following initial response activities, the OSC met with facility safety,
engineering, and management personnel and discussed clean-up options. WCRC indicated that
they were currently working on bid specs to properly remove anddispose of the drummed
waste. The OSC plans to follow-up with WCRC regarding the clean-up and assist them in any
technical matters.
Contact: Mark Duno (313-692-7687)
Emergency Response (Paint Cans), M&M
Castings, Detroit, Michigan
On July 17, 1997, Emergency Response Branch, Response Section 1, received a report of
illegal dumping at the former M&M Castings Removal Site in Detroit. The site had been
cleaned up for sometime, leaving a large empty warehouse. Prospective brownfield
developers that were interested in buying the property from the City were on-site when
they discovered a flatbed semi-truck full of old paint and ink cans. Upon request from the
City of Detroit and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, On-Scene Coordinator
(OSC) Rose Ellison mobilized to the site under an emergency response. Over 1000 cans
totaling approximately 2600 gallons, and 20 cubic yards of paint debris were staged,
sampled for disposal, and containerized. The material is awaiting disposal. Investigation
into the incident is on-going.
Contact: Rosanne Ellison (313-692-7689)
Oil Spill Response, Newburg Lake, Livonia, Michigan
On Monday July 14,1997, On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) Robert Buckley responded to a
National Response Center (NRC) report of a release of an estimated 6,000 gallons of oil
into Newburgh Lake, an impoundment of the Middle Rouge River. Contractors for Wayne
County, who are conducting a lake restoration project as part of a multi-million dollar
United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) national wet weather
demonstration grant, observed the oil that previous Wednesday morning, filed a
"sheen" report with the NRC, and began cleanup operations. State and local
agencies began a search for the responsible party and tentatively identified the GMC
Delphi Products facility in Livonia. General Motors (GM) then filed the Monday NRC report.
Based on laboratory "finger print" analysis of oil samples, including quench oil
from the Livonia facility, GM on Friday July 18,1997 assumed responsibility for the
release and took over cleanup operations from Wayne County.
The release occurred when cleanup contractors, during a 2-week shutdown of the
facility, pumped waste oils into the plant's storm sewer instead of the waste treatment
sewer and an intense rainfall event caused an overflow to a 72 inch storm sewer which
outlets to the lake. (Ordinarily, storm sewer flow is intercepted to the plant waste water
plant or a million gallon retention basin with subsequent treatment.) The lower lake level
mitigated effects of the spill as the oil was confined to the old river channel. This also
helped to minimize effects on waterfowl. Cleanup includes pressure washing of plant storm
sewer and the 72" public storm sewer. Pollution prevention for the future includes
better access control of the storm sewer inlets and better supervision of on site
contractors during shutdown.
Contact: Robert Buckley (313-692-7662)
On-going Removal, Hoover Chemical Site, Port Huron, Michigan
All drums and containers have been staged, sampled and hazcatted. Approximately 440
55-gallon drums, 310 5-gallon pails, and 40 small containers have been staged.
Approximately 175 empty 55-gallon drums and 125 empty 5-gallon pails have been crushed and
placed in a roll-off box for disposal. The removal contractor's Transportation and
Disposal Coordinator has categorized all materials into waste groups and has submitted
composite samples for laboratory analysis.
The site will be closed down for the week starting 28 July 1997 due to pending
analytical results and disposal facility determination. Site activities will resume the
week starting 4 August 1997.
Contact: Jim Augustyn (313-692-7687)
Oil Pollution Act Area Planning Guidance Development, U.S. Coast Guard, Ninth
District, Cleveland, Ohio
Sheila Calovich, Oil Planning and Response Section (OPRS), traveled to the U.S. Coast
Guard, Ninth District offices in Cleveland, Ohio on July 17, 1997 to develop guidance for
Ninth District Marine Safety Office's (MSO's) on Oil Pollution Act (OPA) area planning.
Pending approval of the guidance, the Ninth District MSO's will extend their planning
efforts beyond their jurisdiction to include the whole county where their jurisdiction
falls. In many cases MSO boundaries don't include the whole county. This effort will allow
responders to refer to only one plan during a response instead of having to refer to a
U.S. EPA and a U.S. Coast Guard plan for the same county. This effort will also promote a
more cooperative relationship between U.S. EPA and the U.S. Coast Guard. Ms. Calovich also
had the opportunity to meet the new Chief of the Marine Safety Division, Captain Gregory
Cope. Captain Cope will serve as the Co-Chair of the Region 5 Regional Response Team
Contact: Sheila Calovich (312-353-1505)
Final Non-Time Critical Removal Completed, Bruce Products
Site, Howell, Michigan
The final response actions at the Bruce Products site were completed on August 5, 1997.
U.S. EPA contractors mobilized to the site on May 12, 1997, and during the ensuing 12
weeks demolished and disposed of a major concrete and steel structure, and excavated and
disposed of contaminated soil surrounding the building. Approximately 4,000 cubic yards of
demolition debris were sent offsite for reclamation and/or landfilling, along with 3,000
tons of soil contaminated with arsenic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). All
excavations were backfilled with clean material and topsoil. Hydroseeding on August 5,
1997, was the final step in U.S. EPA's response actions. The site is considered
"clean closed". Residents adjacent to the site are happy to see the end of the
local eyesore.
The State is the current property owner, and plans to deed the property to the City of
Howell for use as a park. The Bruce Products site was the subject of a 1995 U.S. EPA
videotape illustrating the effectiveness of the Superfund Accelerated Cleanup Model.
Contact: Turpin Ballard (312-353-6083)
Respondents Begin Removal Action, Commercial Oil Services Site, Oregon, Ohio
Phase II Non-Time Critical Removal Actions have begun at the Commercial Oil Services
(COS) Site in Oregon, Ohio and are expected to conclude in the fall of 1998. Phase II
chiefly involves the de-watering, excavation and stabilization of sludges from seven
onsite lagoons contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), construction of a Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA) landfill onsite to contain stabilized material, construction
of a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) cap, collection and treatment of
leachate, and clean-filling, grading and maintenance. On July 29-31, 1997, U.S. EPA
observed the 24-hour stabilization test performed by contractors selected by the COS
Response Group, and associated air pollution control stack testing by the City of Toledo.
Test results are forthcoming. Lagoons 3 and 4 have been dewatered, excavated and confirmed
clean and the development of landfill cell 1 is underway. The excavation of contaminated
lagoon materials and confirmatory sampling must comply with the site-specific risk-based
cleanup goals that were developed as part of the removal design.
The COS Site collected, reclaimed, and refined waste oils, waste sludges and solvents
for approximately 16 years. The main features of the site were seven surface impoundments,
a tank farm, three underground storage tanks, a septic tank, and a garage building.
Removals addressing drums, tanks, and structures have already occurred.
Contact: Sheila Sullivan (312-886-5251)
Removal Action Consent Order Signed and Removal Ongoing, Hoover Chemical Site, Port
Huron, Michigan
On July 31, 1997, an Administrative Order by Consent (AOC) was signed by William E.
Muno, the Director of the Superfund Division. The Hoover Chemical Site is an adhesive and
paint manufacturing and distributing facility. On May 28, 1997, a large fire occurred at
the Site. On June 18, 1997, EPA began a fund-lead removal action at the Site. There were
approximately 77 drums of off-specification butyl-rubber solutions found on-site during
the removal action. The drums were identified as having come from a single Responsible
Party (RP). Pursuant to the AOC, the RP agreed to remove and dispose of its waste.
On August 4th & 5th, 1997, approximately 6,000 gallons of flammable liquid were
bulked and shipped off site for fuels blending. Secondary staging of all remaining drums
into waste streams continues. On August 7, 1997, in compliance with an AOC, the RP removed
77 drums of flammable liquid from the site. The 77 drums were shipped off site for fuels
blending.
Contacts: Carol Graszer Ropski (312-353-7647)
Jim
Augustyn (313-692-7687)
Joe Malek
(312-353-2007)
Proposed Removal Action Plan and Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis Published,
Textile Road Site, Ypsilanti, Michigan
U.S. EPA Region 5 published the proposed Removal Action Plan and Engineering
Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) summary Fact Sheet on July 28, 1997, for the Textile Road
site. The public comment period started on July 30, and ends August 28, 1997. A public
meeting is scheduled for August 13, 1997, at the Ypsilanti Township Civic Center. The
proposed remedy will be presented at the meeting and public comments, both verbal and
written, will be accepted. The projected schedule for implementation of the proposed
remedy is early fall 1997.
Contact: P.C. Lall (313-692-7685)
Proposed Plan Public Meeting Held, Source Control Operable Unit, Fields Brook
Superfund Site, Ashtabula, Ohio
On July 31, 1997, U.S. EPA held a public meeting in Ashtabula to discuss the proposed
remedies for the Source Control Operable Unit (SCOU) of the Fields Brook Superfund Site.
The SCOU will address contamination at six source areas, including five industrial
properties and the sewer systems located to the north and south of Fields Brook.
Remediation will be limited to areas that pose a threat of recontamination to the Brook.
The 30-day public comment period on the Proposed Plan ends on August 22, 1997.
Contact: Terese Van Donsel (312-353-6564)
Removal Action Completed, Johnson Products Site, Salem Township, Michigan
As of June 20, 1997, the time critical removal action at the Johnson Products site has
been completed. Containerized hazardous wastes and laboratory packs were shipped for
off-site treatment and disposal at four different licensed hazardous waste facilities. The
State of Michigan has been briefed on this removal completion. Because of concerns
stemming from the presence of dilapidated buildings on site, Salem township officials have
taken over the site security functions. Media interest has been high during the course of
this removal.
Contact: P.C. Lall (313-692-7685)
Building Demolition Completed, Hoover Chemical Site, Port Huron, Michigan
Demolition of two buildings destroyed by fire was completed on July 11, 1997.
Approximately 170 55-gallon drums and 130 5-gallon pails have been staged for Hazcatting.
An additional 180, or more, drums remains to be staged on-site. Approximately 150 empty
55-gallon drums and 100 empty 5-gallon pails have been crushed and placed in a roll off
box for disposal. Staging and Hazcatting of drums is continuing.
Contact: Jim Augustyn (216-522-7260)
Emergency Response, Wayne County Road Commission, Romulus, Michigan
On July 14, 1997, the Wayne County Hazardous-Material (Haz-Mat) team reported a spill
at the Wayne County Road Commission (WCRC) facility in Romulus, Michigan. On-Scene
Coordinator (OSC) Mark Durno responded upon notification and observed approximately 150
drums on the property staged together. One of the drums was discharging waste into a
facility storm sewer. The spill was contained to two catch basins. The Haz-Mat team
sampled the release and categorized it as a flammable organic liquid. Following
discussions with the OSC and Haz-Mat team, the WCRC facility manager had the storm sewer
lines plugged that entered the impacted area until such time that the catch basins could
be properly cleaned. The remainder of the spill was contained in drums and staged. WCRC
personnel reported that drums accumulated at the facility over the years. The drums were
improperly staged, not labeled, and many were in poor condition and posed a threat of
release. Following initial response activities, the OSC met with facility safety,
engineering, and management personnel and discussed clean-up options. WCRC indicated that
they were currently working on bid specs to properly remove anddispose of the drummed
waste. The OSC plans to follow-up with WCRC regarding the clean-up and assist them in any
technical matters.
Contact: Mark Duno (313-692-7687)
SITE SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES
Ethylene Oxide Explosion, Accra Pac, Elkhart, Indiana
On June 24, 1997, at about 2:30 pm, Accra Pac (Facility), Elkhart, Indiana, had a vapor
cloud explosion and fire. One worker was killed and other workers were sent to the
hospital for observation and treatment for possible chemical exposure. The local fire
department evacuated a one-mile radius around the Facility as a precautionary measure. The
hospital treated fifty-nine people. At this time, the State Fire Marshall’s Office
has determined that it was an undetermined ignition source and a vapor explosion of an
undetermined chemical. At the time of the explosion, the Facility was filling small
containers with ethylene oxide. The Indiana Department of Labor now has custody of the
accident scene.
James Entzminger and George Rancich, from the Office of Chemical Emergency Preparedness
and Prevention (OCEPP), visited the scene on June 25 and 26, 1997. They participated in
preliminary inspections of the scene and meetings with Facility personnel and responders.
OCEPP is continuing its investigation, working with Headquarters Chemical Emergency
Preparedness and Prevention Office (CEPPO), as well as Indiana Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (IOSHA).
Contact: James Entzminger (312-886-4062)
Oil Spill Response, Tyler Pond-Willow Run Creek, Michigan
On Monday June 23, 1997 at 5:00 p.m., the National Response Center (NRC) received a
report of a one thousand gallon oil spill at Tyler Pond-Willow Run Creek. On-Scene
Coordinator (OSC) Partap Lall responded. The release location is the State lead Willow Run
Creek Superfund site. Responsible parties hired contractors and began containment and
recovery steps. The majority of the oil was contained. Recovery resulted in one 6,000
gallon tanker and two 18,000 gallon tankers full of oil water mixture. Source
investigation is on going.
Contact: Partap C. Lall (313-692-7685)
Removal Action Initiated, Hoover Chemical Site, Port Huron, Michigan
Hoover Chemical is located at 3905 32nd Street Port Huron, Michigan. The site was an
adhesives and paint manufacturing and distribution facility which was rendered inoperative
by a fire on May 28 and 29, 1997. The site is located in a residential and commercial area
of Port Huron. The site is bordered by wetlands and woodlands.
U.S. EPA conducted a site assessment visit on June 6, 1997 subsequent to the fire at
the facility. The site was found to contain more than 100 drums labeled to contain
flammable liquids. Many drums containing materials had been exposed to extreme heat and
water. Numerous drums were observed to be bulging deteriorating, and could be under
pressure. The off-site migration of unknown materials was also observed. Numerous spill
areas were observed.
On June 18, 1997, based on verbal approval to begin removal activities, U.S. EPA and
representatives from Superfund Technical Assistance & Response Team (START) and
Emergency Response Cleanup Services (ERCS) contractors conducted a site visit to plan
mobi-lization and project removal activities. Continuous twenty-four (24) hour security
was established for the site. Site setup and equipment mobilization continues.
Contact: Jim Augustyn (216-522-7260)
Cleanup Activities Soon to Be Underway at Two SACM Sites, Geneva City Dump and True
Temper Sports Inc., Sites, Geneva, Ohio
The U.S. EPA executed an Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) for the Geneva City Dump
Site in Geneva, Ohio, on June 12, 1997. The Geneva City Dump Site is directly adjacent to
the True Temper Sports Site, where an AOC providing for up to $5 million worth of
polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and plating waste removal was signed in late January of
1997.
An Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis supported an action memorandum for a non-time
critical removal requiring excavation and off-site landfilling of zinc phosphate, copper
cyanide, and chromium/nickel plating wastes, as well as 20,000 cubic yards of soil
contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at levels over 1 ppm.
Although the $14,000 in past costs ascribed to the Geneva City Dump was forgiven
because the potentially responsible party (PRP) is the City of Geneva, a check for the
full amount of the past costs ascribed to the True Temper PRPs (over $467,000) has been
received. This works out to 97% cost recovery for both sites combined.
All removal work at both sites is expected to be completed by the end of 1997.
Contact: Jon Peterson (312-353-1264)
TRAINING/CONFERENCES
Remedial Action Plan Activities, Lake St. Clair and the Clinton River, Macomb County,
Michigan
The U.S. EPA was invited by the Macomb County Blue Ribbon Commission to give a
presentation at their June 23, 1997 meeting. The Macomb County Blue Ribbon Commission on
Lake St. Clair is the county's effort to confront the continuing pollution problems that
attracted and has maintained great local and regional public interests and concerns since
1994, when there was a pollution crisis on Lake St. Clair and the Clinton River. Some of
the problems this area faces include beach closings due to high bacteria levels; combined
sewer overflow releases; sediment contamination and general runoff issues that cause
pollution. Adding to this, is that there are over 42,000 registered water craft and nearly
100 marinas with approximately 10,000slips on the lake's shore in Macomb County. Along
with 33 percent of all Great Lakes fish catch and 48 percent of all fishing effort
expended, it is felt that the Lake St. Clair is critical to the health and economy of
Macomb County.
Laura Evans briefed the full commission on U.S. EPA responsibilities and role in the
Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and remedial actions in Lake St. Clair, St. Clair
River and Clinton River. Dr. John Hartig of the International Joint Commission also
attended and presented some ideas about an ecosystem approach for this
"forgotten" lake.
Contact: Laura Evans (312-886-0851)
From: David Macarus
To: Stephanine Harmon
Date: July 24, 1997
Subject: Weekly Report
Michigan Awards One Milliion of EQIP Funds
David Macarus of the Pesticides Program Section participated as the EPA representative
in the meeting of the Michigan State Technical Committee on July 21, 1997. Michigan has
been allocated $4.6 million of Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) funds for
1997; about $1 million has been awarded so far.
Awards are based upon ranked proposals from farm owners or operators. Ranking is based
upon a detailed system of conservation practices, but mainly deals with how well a
proposal addresses the conservation priorities of:
- Soil protection from wind and water erosion.
- Water protection (both surface and ground) from sedimentation, animal waste, crop
nutrients and pesticides.
- Air protection from pesticide spray drift and wind erosion of soil.
- Habitat development or protection for fish and wildlife enhancement.
The committee also dealt with the low success rate of the Michigan Conservation Reserve
Program (CRP) proposals. Apparently, many proposals did not adequately address the new
environmental concerns, even though Michigan gains extra points for the Great Lakes
Priority area. The committee recommended a review so that better success for Michigan can
be achieved at the next signup.
Last Update: July 18, 2001 |
