Pollution Report Profile - EPA OSC Response

Powhatan Mining Company
Woodlawn, MD - EPA Region III
POLREP #20

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On-Scene Coordinator - Jack Kelly	3/26/2011
Time-Critical - Removal Action	Pollution Report (POLREP) #20
Start Date: 8/16/2010

Site Description
Site Description
The Powhatan Mining Company site is the location of a former asbestos processing facility. The mill operated from approximately 1920 to 1980 primarily processing anthophyllite asbestos.  Asbestos ore for the mill was mined in Maryland until about the 1940s and later brought in from several States including California, Georgia and Alabama. The site is bordered on all sides by residential properties and the residential yards to the southwest lie within feet of the former processing facility and in the path of site runoff.  In 2006, the property to the east of the former mill was  subdivided into residential lots for new home construction. From 2006 to 2008, the residential lots were  cleared and graded and retention ponds were installed. Development ceased after only two homes were constructed.

The former processing facility is a multi-story building with a loading area on the northeast end (cement block portion) and a processing area at the southwest end (rusted metal portion).  The asbestos fiber extraction process took place inside the building complex.  Asbestos ore was reportedly received and first dried in the cement block portion of the complex.  Further processing of the rock ore is believed to have occurred in the metal portion of the facility, a multi-level, timber-framed structure with stone foundation and corrugated metal siding.  In the milling operation believed used at this facility, the asbestos ore was first crushed to a normal, even size and then dried.  Fiber extraction then occured through a series of crushing operations, each followed by vacuum aspiration of the ore running on a vibrating screen.  On the screen, the fibers were released from the ore and collected into a vacuum system.  Fibers recovered from consecutive vibrating screens were brought to cyclone separators, and the air filtered to remove the finer, suspended fibers.

The property was brought to EPA's attention by the Maryland Dept of the Environment.  After an initial assessment, a non-emergency Removal Action primarily intended to secure building openings was initiated by the OSC in a Special Bulletin dated August 11, 2009.  More recent sampling data and conditions warranted a time-critical action. A time-critical Action Memorandum for the site, concurred on by HQ, was signed on June 8, 2010. In addition, a memorandum authorizing demolition and compensation to the property owner was approved by the Region and HQ on this date.

EPA will be conducting removal activities at the site in order to deconstruct the facility and remove/cover soil which may pose a threat to public health and/or the environment.  During activities which will cause significant disturbance of interior dust or outdoor soils, air samples periodically will be collected from personal sampling devices on cleanup personnel to determine if proper levels of protection are being used at the site.  Additional air samples will be collected along the perimeter of the site to confirm that engineering controls are protective of the surrounding community.

Current Activities
03/14 - OSC arrives 11 am. Owner had cut down 15 trees over the weekend.  R6 being delivered for footprint of new garage pad. OSC and owner conversed on issues of concern. Received MDE Stormwater Program comments on the E&S Design. Soil sampling data arrived on area where garage to be placed: values in 1.0 to 2.5 % asbestos range.  Met with demolition contractor LVI.  Agreed to a start date.  LVI will submit H&S Plan and Work Plan.

03/15 - ERRS rolling down R6 on new pad and cleaning inside of building.
START here to do ABS sampling and perimeter air sampling in area below pad where construction workers will place equipment. The OSC met with the owner on scheduling: owner has until 04/04 to work in Bay 1 then we need to move items out.  Sent an email to the County DEPRM to let them know work staus. BG&E and electrician completed electric hookup to owner's home and de-energized the old processing facility.  MDE JCaroll called as a resident called MDE concerned about workers in PPE.  I explained we are only laying down clean material not excavating, will contact resident if needed.

03/16 - The OSC slightly modified two owner/EPA agreements for a Notary Public to stamp. Crew continued laying R6 and moving items out of old building.  Placing non-valuable items under plastic.

03/17 - The OSC reviewed the PHS Geoprobe report. To date, 30 truckloads of R6 delivered. Baltimore City Farmers rep arrived to pick up 20 cubic yards of chipped trees.

03/18 - The OSC and owner had the two agreements signed and notarized. ERRS continues to grade new building footprint. Moving scrap steel out of building. The OSC sent status emil to the County on demo plans.

03/19 - Continue working in new building footprint.

03/21 - OSC in Philadelphia most of the day. Dropped off agreements for concurrence chain. Arrived onsite at 4:00 pm.
Engineer Mackie here to meet with Rasch Bros but a mix-up in scheduling. Bob will provide cost estimate for bo retention filter system.

03/22 - The OSC emailed Baltimore County DEPRM about work status. Provided comments to CRC Taylor on draft fact sheet.

03/23 - The OSC amended START TDD to obtain subgrade utility check around the old facility and owner's home. Spoke with Engineeer Mackie about stormwater design comments from MDE.

03/24 - The owner stopped by the trailer for 20 minutes.  The OSC discussed need for a building permit with ORC (not needed but best to work cooperatively....no doubt Rashe will want to obtain a permit and it is best for the owner).The OSC spoke with MDE Stormwater program about their design comments.  Two agreements wending way through concurrence.    ERRS beginning to apply encapsulant on stationary portions of interior building.

03/25 - ERRS continues rolling R6 in new pad location.  Weston finalizing footer design for new building. Minor Administrative Record issue resolved. The OSC sent an email to Baltimore County Parks about wood chips onsite.

03/26 - The OSC spoke with OSC colleague about subcontracting issues. Worked on administrative matters.

Planned Removal Actions
- Complete interior cleaning especially items in Bay 1.
- Resolve remaining design issues with new building and stormwater system.

Next Steps
- Complete an E&S/Stormwater plan for approval by MDE.
- Coordinate start-up of building construction. The subcontractor (Rasche Bros) will want to obtain a building permit from the County. The OSC will accompany Rasche to County Building in Towson.
- Coordinate work with the newly acquired demolition sub contractor (LVI Services Inc); obtain H&S Plan and Workplan.

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Disposition Of Wastes

Waste Stream	Quantity	Manifest #	Disposal Facility
Asbestos	40 cu yds	057176	Old Dominion Landfill, Richmond, VA 10/16/10
Asbestos	40 cu yds	057177	Old Dominion Landfill, Richmond, VA 11/11/10
Asbestos	40 cu yds	057178	Old Dominion Landfill, Richmond, VA 12/17/10