1.1.1 Incident Category
Removal action under an Action Memorandum.
1.1.2 Site Description
Former electroplating facility essentially abandoned in place
1.1.2.1 Location
4000 - 4008 E. Monument Street

Baltimore, MD 21205
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Potential release of plating acids and other materials into the environment
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

 After site visits on May 3, 2016 and May 18, 2016, the OSC issued a special bulletin on May 19, 2016 and initiated a cleanup at the site.  This was amended on May 27, 2016 to increase the project ceiling.  On June 2, 2016, an Action Memorandum was signed authorizing a removal action at this site.  On August 26, 2016, an Action Memorandum was signed increasing the cost ceiling for this project.  See the documents section of this website for the Special Bulletins and Action Memoranda.

2.1.1 Narrative
Cleanup continues.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

 During this reporting period all the remaining wastes in the building were categorized and containerized in totes or drums in preparation for offsite disposal.  All the water collecting in the sumps and floor areas was pumped to the storage tank for offsite disposal.  The floors where the electroplating lines and chemical storage areas were located were cleaned and pressure washed.  The water from this operation was collected and placed in the tank with the sump water.  The cleanup crew demobilized from the site on September 16, 2016.  From that point on contractor personnel mobilized to the site only during days that waste shipments were scheduled.  Site security was maintained throughout this period of time up to October 13, 2016.

 As of October 4, 2016, all of the wastes from this site have been shipped offsite for proper disposal.  On October 13, 2016, at 9 am, a final site walk-through was held with representatives from the Baltimore City Housing Department and the State of Maryland. At that time, the City agreed to take back control of the site.   At 11 am a site walk-through was conducted with the representative of the owner of the site, Monument Street Properties.  At that time the City Housing Department presented a notification to the owner that he was now responsible for security of the building.  While the building remains under condemnation, the owner can access the building to remove items or perform repairs to the building, but cannot operate in or otherwise use the building. 

 All EPA and contractor equipment was removed from the site as of October 18, 2016.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
Research on PRPs is ongoing.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities

An offsite disposal report will be prepared listing all of the wastes shipped from the site for offsite disposal.  A final OSC report will be issued summarizing all of the cleanup activities that occurred at the site. 

2.2.2 Issues

The building is in poor condition. There is no electricity in the building.   Heavy rains result in water in the building due to leaks in the roof and water flowing in from the yard.  (A sample of this water was collected after the cleanup was completed.  This sample indicated that the water collecting in the building will now meet the City limits for discharge to the sanitary sewer system.  However, any attempts to actually discharge the water as such would have to be approved by the City.)  The property owner is responsible for any future actions to repair the building and deal with the water in the building.  All identified hazardous wastes have been removed from the building (not including materials that are part of the building, such as pipe insulation, mercury switches, flooring tiles, etc.).

3.1 Unified Command
The EPA took the lead for the site on Thursday, June 2, 2016.  Baltimore City Fire, Police, and Housing Departments and Office of Emergency Management, Maryland Department of the Environment, and EPA coordinated on the response.  On Thursday, October 13, 2016, EPA turned control of the site back over to the City Housing Department (under their condemnation order) and the property owner.