1.1.1 Incident Category

Time-Critical Removal Action.

1.1.2 Site Description

Michner Plating Mechanic Street (Site) is a former plating shop which operated from the 1930s until 2007.  Michner Plating also operated a separate facility on Angling Road in Jackson, Michigan, until May 2015. The Site contains approximately 1,100 drums, vats, totes, and other containers. Labels and sample analytical results indicate the potential presence of cyanide, zinc cyanide, nickel chloride, chromic acid, hydrogen peroxide, sulfuric acid, ignitable wastes, reactive wastes (including water reactive chemicals), and other chemicals.

1.1.2.1 Location

The Site is located at 520 North Mechanic Street in Jackson, Jackson County, Michigan, in a mixed commercial and residential area and is bound to the north by a commercial property, to the east by North Mechanic Street with residential dwellings and commercial properties beyond, to the south by East Trail Street with commercial properties beyond, and to the west by a railroad and the Grand River. The Site sits on roughly 4 acres, and contains four buildings totaling approximately 137,000 square feet.    

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

 
The Site contains approximately 1,100 drums, vats, totes, and other containers. Labels and sample analytical results indicate the potential presence of cyanide, zinc cyanide, nickel chloride, chromic acid, hydrogen peroxide, sulfuric acid, ignitable wastes, reactive wastes (including water reactive chemicals), and other chemicals.


1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

EPA previously conducted an assessment and determined a Time-Critical Action was warranted. See Sitrep 1 for additional information.

2.1.1 Narrative

EPA began a Time-Critical action consisting of the removal of over 1,100 containers of hazardous waste on August 24, 2015.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

05/09/2016 – The crew remobilized to site to complete waste bulking operations and prepare the final waste streams for disposal.

05/10/2016 – The crew continued prepping the last of the waste for disposal.

05/11/2016 – The crew completed the majority of waste bulking and initiated floor sweepings and touch up removal of residual caustic waste on exposed surfaces.

05/12/2016 – The crew continue final residual waste removal and continued to apply floor sweep and physically clean facility floors.

05/13/2016 – The crew completed all site activities.  Two roll off boxes full of solid hazardous waste are staged for eventual disposal. The site and all crew were demobilized.

Air monitoring conducted by the crew showed no levels of hazardous vapors in the breathing zone all week. Respirators were utilized to minimize exposure to potentially caustic dusts while scraping and sweeping were conducted.

06/03/2016 - US EPA returned to signed and signed the manifest for the last 2 roll off boxes to be shipped off site. These were both Hazardous Waste Solids (30 Yards and 20 yards).

06/22/2016 a final site walk through with Jackson County representatives and MDEQ representatives was conducted.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

Michner Plating Company is the potentially responsible party (PRP), however, the company relinquished ownership of the property to the Jackson County Treasurer's Office due to tax reversion and bankruptcy. The removal action is a Fund Lead as a result of the PRP's bankruptcy and inability to finance the cleanup.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

Actions Complete.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

None.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

Cleanup is complete.

2.2.2 Issues

Site logistics are being managed by ERRS.

Site infrastructure has been demobilized.

3.1 Unified Command

No Unified Command.  This is a Time-Critical Response directed by EPA, not an ICS incident.

3.2 Cooperating Agencies

Jackson County Treasurer's Office
City of Jackson Water Department
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ)