The Site is approximately 45 acres in size, consisting of four contiguous parcels of real estate, and contains manufacturing buildings, office buildings, and waste processing and storage areas. It is located on relatively flat terrain on the eastern shore of the Beaver River. The Site is bordered to the north by the Pannela Company Building and West Penn Power property, to the east by PA Route 168 and the community of West Pittsburg, to the south by field and surface water impoundments, and to the west by the Beaver River. The Taylor Township office is located on the east side of the Site and at the entrance to the Site. The locality is semi-rural.
• EPA has received numerous responses to 104e letters sent to PRPs that supplied Remacor with hazardous magnesium cuttings, turnings, and shavings.
• Several PRPs have been coordinating efforts with former Remacor employees to take back the magnesium materials that they previously supplied to Remacor. The former employees identify which wastes belong to which companies and they are assisting with handling and transportation of the material, as directed by the PRP.
• It is estimated that PRPs may remove up to 2 million pounds of magnesium from the Site. Currently, 3 to 5 million pounds are present on Site.
• On 01/18/07, the OSC, PADEP, and START mobilized to the Site and was informed by the security guard that the former Remacor employees, under direction from Remacor Owner (Jackman), and as supervised by Remacor Plant Manager (Lingenfelter), removed aluminum bins for scrap value from a building on site. The employees dumped the bin contents onto the ground. Several days later (on 01/17/07) the material reacted with precipitation and spontaneously caught fire. The incident prompted a local fire department response and the fire was put out.
• On 01/18/07, the OSC, PADEP, and START observed excavation and trucking of magnesium scrap being conducted by PRPs and former Remacor employees. Workers were using an excavator to load a pile of mixed magnesium waste material into trucks. Radiation assessment contractors were on site for the PRP to assist with screening materials for low level radiation prior to transportation.
• On January 30, 2007, the OSC submitted Special Bulletin B – POLREP #5 authorizing a $250K increase to the project ceiling to continue emergency removal actions at the Site.
• Lawrence County submitted a letter to EPA and PADEP requesting that Jack Jackman be excluded from access to the site.
• On 02/07/07, a court hearing was held with PADEP and Remacor (Jackman) in attendance. An agreement was reached whereas work being performed on site by Remacor employees must be known by EPA or PADEP and access to the site for Remacor employees must be under escort of an EPA or PADEP representative.
• On 02/07/07, the OSC notified the ERRS RM that Remacor employees are not allowed access to the Site without escort by an EPA or PADEP representative. The RM notified the Site Security Guard with instruction to inform any Remacor employees attempting access that they must be escorted. The guard was informed that if the persons persisted to gain access without escort, to document it and not physically restrain the individual(s).
• On 02/07/07, the OSC directed START to mobilize to the Site and meet with PADEP (Holler). The OSC directed that the locks be changed on access points throughout the Site. The OSC directed START to conduct oversight and documentation of operations that are occurring on site as a result of PRP activity.
• On 02/08/07, at 0900 hours, START arrived on site and met with PADEP, Dan Holler START provided four locks to PADEP to secure Site access points.
• START and PADEP observed three former employees of Remacor, subcontracted to Spartan, packaging and removing magnesium flashing from the site to be shipped to World Metal Buyers, 2440 Shadeland Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46219.
• The Security Guard was moved from the Panella Building to the lobby at Remacor to be better able to observe the site.
• START and PADEP were informed of a barrel of unknown origin which was covered in black plastic and isolated on a platform. The access ladder to the platform had been cut off. .
• START and PADEP were briefed by Remacor on the amount of recyclable magnesium to be shipped and the schedule. A sign-in sign-out sheet was established and all personnel on site were informed that it was mandatory to sign in and out to keep track of personnel on site.
• One truck was loaded with 40 boxes of scrap magnesium solids with an aggregate weight of approximately 40,000 pounds. All personnel were off site by 1700 hours.
• EPA is maintaining security on-site 24/7/365.
• On 02/09/2007, at 0730 hours, START arrived on site. START observed PRP subcontractors packing boxes and informed them as of 2/12/2007 that a minimum of hard hats, steel toe boots, and safety glasses would have to be worn to be in compliance with the site safety plan.
• Remacor Owner, Jack Jackman was informed during a meeting with the OSC, PADEP (Holler) and START that he would have to work from home per order handed down by Lawrence County Court of Common Pleas. He was also informed per the order that he would be allowed to retrieve all material vital to the operation of his business with prior notice and as long as it did not violate the court order. Mr. Jackman was asked about the disposition of the 55 gallon drum that was isolated on a platform and covered with plastic. Mr. Jackman did not have knowledge of the drum and suggested inquiry be made with Mr. Lingenfelter. Mr. Jackman promptly left the site without occurrence.
• A meeting was held between the OSC, PADEP and START to determine needed addressed immediately. The OSC directed START to change the locks on the Office (building No. 7). START procured the services of a local locksmith.
• On 02/12/07, EPA, PADEP, and START arrived on site. START and the OSC made rounds on site and talked with subcontractors about the progress being made in contacting companies to make arrangements to pick up their product and have it moved elsewhere.
• A locksmith arrived and re-keyed the locks on the office doors.
• At 1215 hours, ERRS PM, Jack Wilson (Guardian Environmental Services, Inc. (GES)) arrived on site. The OSC, PADEP and RM reviewed the status of the site.
• At 1329 hours, Jack Jackman arrived on site. Mr. Jackman had made prior arrangements to work on site for 1 or 2 hours this date. He departed at 1530 hours.
• Spartan subcontractors spent the day packing boxes with magnesium scrap material.
• On 02/13/07, EPA, PADEP, and START arrived on site. Spartan subcontractors continued to package scrap magnesium solids on site. They packaged throughout the day and departed at 1600 hours.
• ERRS procured the services of plumbers to fix broken pipes and reroute pipes to the main building and the showers
• One truck arrived to pick up 40 boxes of scrap magnesium solids. The aggregate weight was approximately 40,000 pounds.
• The OSC and PADEP (Holler) accessed the platform with the 55 gallon drum and retrieved information from the drum label. It was a blue drum with a label indicating Gost 253 1964-Flammable and Explosive from water action – NA/ 1428 – Blue Diamond Dangerous when wet – Baltimore MD. UN1428 – 18kg. The drum is believed to contain water reactive sodium metal.
• Personnel on site:
02/08/07: PADEP-1, START-1, Remacor-2, PRP Contractors Agents -2, Security-1
02/09/07: EPA-1, PADEP-1, START-1, Remacor-2, PRP Contractors Agents -2, Security-1
02/12/07: EPA-1, PADEP-1, START-1, Remacor-1, PRP Contract Agents -3, Security-1, Other-1
02/13/07: EPA-1, PADEP-1, START-1, ERRS-1, PRP Contractors Agents-3, Security-1
• ERRS will continue to set up the support zone for administrative use including electrical, phone, internet and water utilities.
• ERRS will begin inventory of containers in the on-site laboratory in preparation for lab packing.
• A bay door that is dangerously damaged on the Office building will be replaced.
• EPA anticipates that the sodium drum will be overpacked during the following week.
EPA anticipates PRP generators will continue to coordinate and schedule removal of magnesium scrap from the site.
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