U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
35th Avenue Site - Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region IV

Subject: POLREP #37
Needed Rain Impedes Activities
35th Avenue Site
B4M3RV00
Birmingham, AL
Latitude: 33.5627531 Longitude: -86.7989565


To:
From: Richard Jardine, On-Scene Coordinator
Date: 12/5/2016
Reporting Period: 11/11 to 12/5

1. Introduction
  1.1 Background
   
Site Number: B4M3RV00    Contract Number: EP-S4-07-02
D.O. Number: 00034    Action Memo Date: 9/25/2013
Response Authority: CERCLA    Response Type: Time-Critical
Response Lead: EPA    Incident Category: Removal Action
NPL Status: Non NPL    Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date: 2/17/2014    Start Date: 2/18/2014
Demob Date:      Completion Date:  
CERCLIS ID: ALN000410750    RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:    State Notification: SEP 2013
FPN#:    Reimbursable Account #:

As detailed in an Action Memorandum dated September 25, 2013, EPA had initially identified approximately 50 properties in the Birmingham communities of Fairmont, Harriman Park, and Collegeville that exhibited levels of soil contamination that exceed, either threefold or a magnitude of measure, Region 4 residential removal management levels for lead, arsenic, and/or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In addition to contamination deposited by airborne means over the previous 100 years, or potential contaminant migration due to flooding, these properties likely received fill material from one or more of the local industrial businesses. For further discussion of background information, please refer to previous POLREPs for this Site.

Early in the removal action for the 50 homes, EPA amended the original scope of work to allow for greater consistency with remedial goals that provide for a more permanent remedy. An Action Memorandum dated March 12, 2014 described the amended scope of work.

EPA expanded the scope of work, as detailed in an Action Memorandum dated August 11, 2014, to allow for removal of contaminated soil from properties where the soil concentrations for contaminants of concern exceed Region 4 Removal Management Levels and children either live there or routinely and frequently visit.  This change of scope included approximately 30 properties, including the Collegeville Center and North Birmingham Homes public housing developments. 

EPA expanded the scope of work, as detailed in an Action Memorandum dated January 6, 2015, to allow for removal of contaminated soil from properties where soil concentrations exceed two times the Region 4 Removal Management Levels for carcinogens; specifically arsenic and benzo[a]pyrene.  This change of scope included approximately 35 properties.  

EPA expanded the scope of work, as detailed in an Action Memorandum dated July 20, 2015, to allow for removal of contaminated soil from properties where soil concentrations exceed the Region 4 Removal Management Levels for contaminants of concerns; specifically arsenic, lead, and benzo[a]pyrene.  This change of scope includes approximately 260 properties.  

2. Current Activities
  2.1 Operations Section
   

Phase 4 Removal Activities:

One hundred forty residential properties have been addressed in Phase 4 with approximately 139 identified properties remaining.  Number of identified properties continue to change as properties identified for removal action is added.  Total of 260 residential properties including three schools and two apartment complexes have been addressed since removal activities began.  

Drought Conditions: 

Severe drought conditions remain in Birmingham area.  However, significant rainfall for past 2 weeks have impeded Site activities.  Currently, Site activities are focused on vacant lots due to drought restrictions on watering lawns/sod. Activities may resume to occupied residential properties depending on drought conditions.  

Sampling:

Sampling activities for 98 vacant residential properties where judicially authorized access was granted are ongoing.  Access was granted on October 20, 2016, and will be available for 90 days.  About a dozen properties remain to be sampled.  Warrant copy is being placed on residential property prior to sampling and then removed once sampling activities are complete.  One-page flyer with details of ongoing sampling and EPA contacts information was given to sampling team in case of questions/concerns.  EPA OSCs, CIC, and Tetra-Tech have been knocking on doors adjacent to maintained judicially authorized access properties prior to sampling to see if adjacent owners may be owners of empty lots.    

Disposal:

About 27,000 tons of contaminated soil have been excavated and transported to an approved landfill.  

Access Agreements:

EPA received five signed access agreements during November.  

Community Outreach:

OSC continue to meet with community members at the Command Post or at their respective properties to answer questions regarding the pending excavation efforts and respond to their concerns.  

Air Monitoring:

START continues to monitor site conditions including air monitoring and sampling as well as removal documentation and soil profiling as directed by the OSC.  Air sampling has included periodic personnel air sampling on a representative ground technician and an excavator operator. To date, air monitoring indicates all operations are well controlled and have minimized blowing dusts.  

 

  2.2 Planning Section
    No information available at this time.

  2.3 Logistics Section
    No information available at this time.

  2.4 Finance Section
    No information available at this time.

  2.5 Other Command Staff
    No information available at this time.

3. Participating Entities
  No information available at this time.

4. Personnel On Site
  No information available at this time.

5. Definition of Terms
  No information available at this time.

6. Additional sources of information
  No information available at this time.

7. Situational Reference Materials
  No information available at this time.