Parker Street Waste Site
SDMSDoclD481399
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SAMPLING LEADS TO CLEANUP
AT FIVE PROPERTIES
EPA and MassDEP conducted Phase I soil sampling in
spring 2010. Sampling results for five properties showed
the presence of elevated levels of contaminants in
surface soils, and EPA began removing soil from these
five properties in early November 2010 and completed
the work in January 2011.
Background
In the fall of 2010, EPA, MassDEP, and a representative
from ATSDR and/or MDPH/BEH discussed the Phase
I sampling data with individual property owners and
presented each owner with a Guide to the Soil Sampling
Results. The agencies also hosted availability sessions
for residents of local housing complexes. The Phase I
sampling results and a summary of the removal actions
EPA performed were presented in a community-wide
Public Meeting on February 10, 2011.
Dealing with Contaminants
Based upon the initial risk evaluations performed by
MassDEP, EPA and MassDEP prioritized the properties
that needed to be addressed and responded to the
contamination found at the five homes. The response
is conducted to conform with the National Contingency
Plan (NCP) and also complies with the Massachusetts
Contingency Plan (MCP). The MCP requires elimination
or control of hazards when contaminants of concern
are found within the soils near the surface. There are
several potential options to achieve this goal, which may
include removing the targeted soil in the area of concern
and replacing it with clean soil or establishing a barrier
to the contamination by constructing an acceptable cap
through the use of clean soil or an impervious surface.
The regulations also prohibit any activities that can
disrupt soils on properties where there is contamination
until it has been adequately addressed.
Site samples being collected and processed for
analysis.
SAMPLING AND THE LONG-RANGE PLAN
The primary goals of the current EPA and MassDEP investigations
are to: (1) confirm the perimeter of the PSWS (the areas or footprint
where there is known to be contamination) and (2) develop a plan to
address contamination and ensure that levels of contaminants that
may impact health are reduced or eliminated. Phase 1 sampling results
- collected in spring 2010 - improved understanding of the site but
suggested the need for more sampling.
EPA and MassDEP collected the second round of soil samples, Phase
II, beginning in mid-September 2010. Phase II sampling focused on
properties along the southern and southeastern perimeters of PSWS.
It was completed in October 2010.
Phase II results will be shared with individual property owners this
Spring. Once those individual results have been shared, EPA and
MassDEP will hold a community meeting to present a summary of the
results to the public. Based on the results of Phase II sampling, the
agencies will determine whether there is a need for sampling on more
properties to identify the final footprint of the contamination.
Spring 2011
Parker Street Waste Site Community Update
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So/7 was removed at five properties where contamination
was discovered in Phase 1 sampling.
EPA completed soil removal actions on the five
properties from December 2010 to January 2011.
Some excavated soil was disposed of at the Turnkey
Landfill in Rochester, New Hampshire, a qualified and
approved facility. Additional excavated soil has been
temporarily stockpiled off site at the Department of
Public Infrastructure property on Shawmut Avenue.
To prevent any cross-contamination at the stockpiling
location, EPA paved the area; placed a plastic liner on top
of the pavement; bermed the entire area; and contained
the area with hay bales and a silt fence to control run-off.
In addition, EPA installed temporary fencing to provide
security and requires that all soils be covered with a tarp
in off-hours.
Clean fill was brought in for the excavated properties in
an effort to return the properties to their original grade.
This clean fill was stockpiled on Liberty Street. A fence
on the north side of the street secures and contains this
clean fill.
During excavation at one of the properties on Hunter
Street, metal objects were uncovered, which included a
crushed 35-gallon drum, auto parts and scrap metals. A
survey of this area was conducted in mid-January to help
determine if there are any remaining metal items.
Next Steps
Final work on the five properties where soil excavation
already took place will be completed in the spring of
2011. Shrubbery will be replaced and property aesthetics
will be returned to the same conditions as they were
before EPA entered the property, wherever possible. In
addition, EPA will continue to work with MassDEP on
evaluating the remaining properties with contaminated
soils to determine whether response actions are
warranted. If so, EPA and MassDEP will meet with
the affected property owners to go over the scope of
cleanup activities needed to address the contamination.
As with other residential property meetings, EPA
and MassDEP will reach out to ATSDR and MDPH for
assistance in communicating any health risks associated
with environmental contamination. Community
members had the opportunity to learn more about
the activities performed by EPA and the Phase I soil
sampling results by participating in the Public Meeting
on February 10, 2011. In the meantime, EPA provides
periodic email updates on PSWS activities. See the box
on page 5 to sign up for the updates.
INDEPENDENT TECHNICAL
SUPPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
The TASC program provides independent technical
support for communities to improve their understanding
of hazardous waste issues and help communities
participate effectively in the assessment and cleanup
process. EPA has funded three separate TASC projects to
assist New Bedford citizens, including: helping establish
an educational network related to environmental justice
issues; providing independent technical advisors; and
producing this series of Community Update documents.
Parker Street Waste Site Community Update
Spring 2011 | 3
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Environmental Justice Educational Network: EPA's
TASC program provided assistance to establish an
educational network or forum related to environmental
justice issues that encompass the entire New Bedford
community. Several successful health education
workshops were offered through this project. TASC
support for this project was available for a limited time
and recently concluded in Fall 2010. EPA hopes that
community efforts to date and lessons learned will serve
as a foundation for future coalition building. EPA will
continue to actively support any community generated
effort to establish an EJ network.
Advisor: The second TASC project provides technical
assistance for the local group, Citizens Leading
Environmental Action Network Inc. (CLEAN) and other
community members. This project provides technical
assistance to help the public understand reports and
analyze sampling data. An independent technical
advisor has made several trips to New Bedford to
provide presentations and support the community
regarding technical matters.
Community Updates: The third TASC project is producing
this series of Community Updates. TASC contractors
prepare these informational Updates to assist the New
Bedford community in understanding technical data and
reports about the PSWS. EPA is working in cooperation
with MassDEP, ATSDR and the MDPH/BEH to develop the
materials for the Updates.
CO NTACT US
This Update is the second in a series. Please let us
know what you think of this issue and send questions
or topics you would like us to address in future editions
to:
ParkerStreetUpdate@gmail.com or call Nancy Parrel I at
(617)357-5772x11.
If you have questions regarding environmental
contamination or site cleanup, please contact:
Kelsey O'Neil, U.S. EPA New England, Community
Involvement Coordinator (617) 918-1799 or Oneil.
Kelsey@epa.gov
EPA's Parker Street Neighborhood Community Meetings
Calendar can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/regionl/
mccoyfield/calendar.html
Molly Cote, MassDEP Southeast Region, Project Manager
(508) 946-2792 or Molly.Cote@state.ma.us
If you have questions regarding health or health
studies, please contact:
Jan Sullivan, DPH Bureau of Environmental Health
(617) 624-5757 or Jan.Sullivan@state.ma.us
Tarah Somers, ATSDR
(617) 918-1493 or Somers.Tarah@epa.gov
PUBLIC OUTREACH
EPA, MassDEP, MDPH/BEH, ATSDR and other
agencies have met with community organizations
and the public on many occasions during 2010 and
2011. Both individual and community meetings
will be scheduled in the months to come. These
sessions will provide residents and the interested
public with results from the sampling analyses
and health studies now underway. They will also
identify the next steps and emerging issues and
respond to questions.
Excavated, contaminated soil was taken off site for safe disposal.
Spring 2011
Parker Street Waste Site Community Update
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FEBRUARY 2011
EPA/MassDEP conducted a community-wide Public
Meeting on Phase I soil sampling results, and
planned response on February 10, 2011.
EARLY SPRING 2011
EPA/MassDEP plan to report results of Phase II soil
sampling to property owners and tenants.
The agencies plan to meet with owners/tenants on
Phase II soil sampling results, then inform interested
members of the community.
ATSDR plans to present findings and results from its
health consultation document on Walsh Field.
LATE SPRING 2011
MDPH/BEH plans to conduct two public meetings:
an afternoon session on indoor air and serum
PCB data and cancer incidence with regard to
school personnel and an evening presentation on
cancer and serum PCB testing data in the PSWS
neighborhood.
SPRING/SUMMER 2011
Complete landscaping and site restoration on the
five Phase I properties where removal actions were
performed last winter. This will involve landscaping
work to ensure trees, shrubbery and aesthetics of
the property are returned as close as possible to
original state.
Conduct any removal activities required by results of
the Phase I and Phase II sampling.
Note: Community meetings will be announced via email, releases to the media and on EPA's website. The schedule
above presents goals for these events based on current information. If you would like to receive email updates about
the PSWS, please visit EPA's website at www.epa.gov/regionl/parkerstreet/index.html
EPA has launched a new website about its cleanup projects in New
Bedford, Massachusetts, including the PSWS. EPA's website
provides regular updates on the work being performed by EPA
at the PSWS. It includes background information, dates of public
meetings, how to reach community coordinators and how to sign
up for the PSWS mailing list. Copies of Community Updates are
available on the website in English, Spanish and Portuguese. The
website also includes links to information about the work being
performed by EPA at the New Bedford Harbor Superfund Site.
The website is: www.epa.gov/nbh/educationalresources.html
The PSWS page can be found at: www.epa.gov/regionl/
parkerstreet/
To ask questions or make suggestions about the site, contact EPA Community Involvement
Coordinator Kelsey O'Neil (Oneil.kelsey@epa.gov, (617) 918-1799, or Toll Free (888) 372-7341 ext. 8-1799).
Parker Street Waste Site Community Update
Spring 2011
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Parker Street Waste Site
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