Current Status of Project

U.S. EPA approved the RFI Work Plan in March 2002 and Envirosafe Services of Ohio, Inc., has begun its implementation at the ESOI property. ESOI contracted with BEC Laboratories, Mannik and Smith Group, TolTest, Terra Probe Environmental, ENVIRON, and Bison Geophysical Services for the work at the site. Phase I work began March 21 and, as of August 31, was about 80% complete. This phase is primarily concerned with placing monitoring wells, conducting soil borings, and preliminary identification of the ex-tent of contamination at the site. The full extent of contamination will be investigated during Phase II of the RFI. Validated laboratory data are not yet available. Complicating the beginning of work was a March 10 diesel fuel tanker truck accident that resulted in a large oil spill (1,200-1,500 gallons) along the north property line near SWMU 5 along Millard Road. The responsible party for the diesel spill conducted a cleanup under the direction of Ohio EPA’s Division of Emergency and Remedial Response. Therefore, at this time the effect of the diesel spill on the investigation of SWMU 5 is unknown. The effects will not be known until samples are received.

The following monitoring activities have occurred, as reported in monthly updates provided by ESOI to EPA Region 5.

• Bison conducted resistivity testing at SWMUs 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. (Resistivity testing is a method of subsurface detection that measures changes in conductivity by passing electrical current through ground soils.)

• Soil borings were taken at the following SWMUs:
  o North Sanitary Landfill, SWMU 6,
  o Central Sanitary Landfill, SWMU 7,
  o Millard Road Landfill, SWMU 5,
  o Old Oil Pond, SWMU 8,
  o and New Oil Pond, SWMU 9.
  o Samples were submitted from all except SWMU 9 due to the absence of liquid in #9.

• Monitoring wells were placed around SWMU’s 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, Cell F (SWMU 1), and the Ash Disposal site (SWMU10).

• Two permanent shallow groundwater wells were placed in the contact zone between the lacustrine soils and the upper till. These wells are called H-7S and H-8S.

• There was no leachate sampling conducted at closed cells G, H, and I, consistent with the RFI. Those cells were closed in accordance with RCRA regulations and have RCRA permitted caps. Visual inspections confirmed the stability of the cells.

• In May, a dye test of the Building C floor drains was completed; results demonstrate that all drains flow to the sanitary holding tanks.

• A background monitoring well cluster was installed East of Cell M at the soil stockpile property.

• Borings and temporary wells around SWMUs 6 & 7 were installed.

• Competent bedrock was encountered at a depth of 87 feet at the background monitoring well nest location. (“Competent bedrock” refers to bedrock with less fracturing and higher resistivity. Competent bedrock tends to be less permeable and less prone to allowing contaminant migration.)

• Soil samples found soil cover thickness ranging from 2 feet to 22 feet over various cells.

• Surface water samples for analyses of volatile organic compounds, semivolatile organic compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls, inorganic analytes, pesticides, and herbicides were collected from Otter Creek.

Alterations to the original RFI sampling locations were made due to gravel and debris in the sediment sampling locations; many changes were at the request of the U.S. EPA.

• At sampling locations 1, 3 and 9, sediment samples were collected from 15-25 feet from the surface water sampling locations due to gravel or sand at the surface water sample locations.

• Sampling location 5 was moved due to an oil like material observed. This area is adjacent to the Sun Pipeline facility and the oil like material may originate from that facility.

The revised boring plan was submitted to the EPA on August 9, 2002. Some of the changes included:

• Multiple step out borings (borings installed further out from sources of contamination to determine extent of contamination) were conducted and the number of temporary groundwater monitoring points was reduced due to a lack of discernible soil boundaries between SWMUs 7 and 6, and SWMUs 7 and 9.

• Soil borings and temporary monitoring wells were installed due to topography and waste in S1-U/L (Cell F) and S6-U/L (Northern Sanitary Landfill).

• In SWMU 7, 2 wells were moved east of the interior access road (west of Cell H) due to topography and waste.

• Only 1 well was placed between the Northern Sanitary Landfill and the Central Sanitary Landfill due to waste.

• Only 1 temporary well nest was placed between the Central Sanitary Landfill and Cell G due to waste.

• SMU 9 has no wells due to waste.

• 2 wells for SWMU 5 were moved north and south due to waste.

• A petroleum odor on the outside limits of the waste between Millard Road (#5) and Otter Creek was detected. Temporary ground water monitoring points were installed and soil samples collected by ESOI and OEPA.

Other activities of note include:

• An ecological assessment and habitat characterization was done. A Blandings turtle and coyote were seen.

• EPA was on site (through contractors Booz Allen) July 24 through July 26 to monitor the activities.

• The Bison geophysical report was completed in August. The report summarizes geological and physical features of the ESOI property.

• Several geotechnical samples (soil and other geological materials) did not maintain their integrity (they fell apart) on extrusion from Shelby tube samplers. (Shelby tube samplers are designed to take undisturbed samples in cohesive type soils and clays.) ESOI is evaluating whether those samples should be collected again.

Other sections of the TOSC Outreach Plan:

• Summary of the Outreach Plan
• Introduction
• Site background
• ESOI facility arrangement
• Current status of the project
• Citizen concerns
• TOSC services
• Additional activities