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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
01LH |
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Contract Number: |
EP-W-08-061 TO #0062 |
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D.O. Number: |
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Action Memo Date: |
8/21/2014 |
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Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
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Response Type: |
Time-Critical |
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Response Lead: |
EPA |
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Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
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NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
7/17/2014 |
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Start Date: |
7/17/2014 |
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Demob Date: |
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Completion Date: |
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CERCLIS ID: |
MAN000106163 |
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RCRIS ID: |
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ERNS No.: |
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State Notification: |
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FPN#: |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
Time-Critical Removal Action
1.1.2 Site Description
Refer to the Initial Polrep for more detailed information about Site Description.
The site is comprised of three residential parcels surrounding 86 Fay Street. These three lots consist of the Swede Village Condominium Complex (106 Lundburg Street), a single family residence (74 Fay Street), and an empty lot that is owned by the same owner of the single family residence (78 Fay Street). The site extends into the O'Donnell Park property to the north of 86 Fay Street.
1.1.2.1 Location
The Site is located at properties along Fay Street and Lundburg Street in Lowell, MA.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Refer to the Initial Polrep for more detailed information on the description of threat.
From the 1800s through the early 1900s, areas of the site were reportedly utilized as a dumping ground for ash from the Middlesex North Agricultural Fairgrounds. Heavy metals such as lead and arsenic, and polycyclic-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are present in the ash and pose a threat to the local population.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
Refer to the Initial Polrep for more detailed information on the Preliminary Assessment and Site Inspection Results.
Since the initial PASI, more extensive sampling at the site has shown that contaminated soil extends much farther onto the properties than originally determined. This was part of the reason for the request for a ceiling increase in the August 2014 Action Memo Amendment. It has also been discovered that much of the topsoil on the Swede Village Condominium property
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
ERRS began excavation activities on 24 July 2014 at the Fay Street Properties. Approximately 3 feet of soil was removed from the entire excavation area, except for a portion of the area under a 150-year old maple tree under which 1.5 feet of soil was removed from roots. This excavation was performed with a powerful vacuum truck that allowed excavation to proceed while leaving the roots undisturbed. Excavation activities on this property were completed at the end of August and restoration activities began in September. The city right of way along Fay Street was included in the area excavated.
On 22 September 2014 excavation activities began on 106 Lundburg Street Property and have continued since. All the soil that has been transported off-site has been disposed as recycled material ("daily cover" for a landfill). The remaining soil has levels of contamination that are higher than can be used in a Massachusetts landfill, so it must be tranported and disposed of as hazardous materials.
The excavation at 106 Lundburg Street was more complicated than the removal at the previous properties due to the locations of underground utilities, condominium buildings, trees, fences, and sidewalks. All contaminated soil in the top three feet of ground has been removed from the property.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
EPA has conducted removal assessment events in July 2013, June 2014, and again in early July 2014 to determine the extent of contamination at the Site.
EPA has organized two public meetings for the impacted community. One was held in December 2013 and the second, a community meeting for the Swede Village residents, was held on 14 July 2014. The July meeting addressed the concerns of the residents as removal activities begin.
EPA & EPA ERRS & START contractors mobilized to the Site in July and have completed excavating contaminated soil on one residential property that consists of two parcels. Excavation began on the second property (Swede Village Condominiums) in September.
The following activities have been completed since the Polrep 2 was released:
- Excavation and stockpiling of contaminated soil from the Swede Village Property.
- Collecting and analyzing of post-excavation samples for on-site analysis;
- Collecting air monitoring data utilizing the EPA VIPER telemetry system;
- Collecting and screening post-excavation samples;
- Installing orange Geotechnical fabric as a "warning" layer for future deed restrictions to be enacted by local or state government;
- Backfilling excavated areas with clean soil, including topsoil;
- Loading trucks with contaminated soil for transport to the disposal facility.
- Spreading grass seed on backfilled excavations on property F03.
- Removing vegetation and small trees from property F03, between units 8 and 9.
- Spreading grass seed on backfilled excavations on property F03
- Removing soil, ash, and debris from the roots of the trees in front of unit 9 on property F03, using a Vactor truck.
- Loading trucks with contaminated soil for transport to the disposal facility.
- Connecting unit downspouts to the existing drywell to minimize overland flow of rainwater.
- Removing soil, ash, and debris from the roots of the trees between units 12 and 13 on property F03, using a Vactor truck.
- Removing sediments from the drywell located in the northeast corner of property F03.
- Loading a roll-off container with stumps and vegetation removed from the excavation areas, for transportation to a disposal facility.
- Installing replacement retaining walls in the hill on the north side of unit 11 on property F03.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
Access agreements have been distributed to all impacted parties.
Enforcement activities are ongoing.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
| Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Bill of Lading # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
| Contaminated Soil |
Soil |
2,677 tons |
101721MA |
Recycled for landfill daily cover |
Route 31 Fitchburg Road
Westminster, MA 01473
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| Wood debris |
Wood |
(1) 40 yard Roll off |
N/A |
Chip for industrial use |
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| Contaminated Waste |
PPE & Site Waste |
1.57 tons |
104296MA |
None |
Route 31 Fitcburg Road
Westminster, MA 01473 |
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
- Each property will be restored.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
See "Anticipated Activities."
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
EPA will complete restoration of impacted properties.
2.2.2 Issues
Excavation Issues:
The condominium complex located at 106 Lundburg Street will be a complicated excavation. A number of underground utilities are located adjacent to stand-alone condo buildings. Excavation will require small equipment and hand-digging to prevent damage to underground utilities and permanent structures.
Dust Control Issues:
EPA will continuously monitor for contaminated dust and employ dust control measures to ensure that no contamination leaves the site. Up to four (4) DataRAMs will be deployed surrounding excavation operations and the EPA VIPER system will be used to continuously monitor for dust. Dust monitoring operation concentrations were developed in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA DPH) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
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2.3 Logistics Section
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ERRS equipment on-Site:
Cat 321C Excavator (1)
Skidsteer (1)
Mini excavator (1)
Dump Truck (1)
Pressure Washer (1 charged when used)
Generator (1)
Command Trailer (1)
Storage Container (1)
Personnel Trucks (1-2)
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2.4 Finance Section
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No information available at this time.
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2.5 Other Command Staff
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2.5.1 Safety Officer
The Site Safety Officer is the on-site OSC.
Daily safety meetings are conducted before commencement of work.
2.5.2 Liaison Officer
On-Scene Coordinator is working with coordinating agencies as necessary.
2.5.3 Information Officer
Community outreach is on-going. There have been two community meetings, and the On-Scene Coordinator in conjunction with the Community Involvement Coordinator are available to answer any community concerns. The community has been made aware that the EPA Command Post is open for community members to have their questions answered by the EPA OSC and contact information for all agencies has been made widely available.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA DPH)
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
The City of Lowell
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4. Personnel On Site
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Personnel on-Site:
One (1) EPA OSC
One to Five (1-5) ERRS
One (1) START
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5. Definition of Terms
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EPA = U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
MassDEP = Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
MA DPH = Massachusetts Department of Public Health
ATSDR = Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
START = Superfund Technical Assistance Response Team (EPA Contractor)
ERRS = Emergency & Rapid Response Services (EPA Contractor)
PAH = Polycyclic Aromatic COmpounds
bgs = Below ground surface |
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6. Additional sources of information
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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
www.epasoc.org/faystreet
6.2 Reporting Schedule
Polreps will be distributed every 1-2 months.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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No information available at this time.
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