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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Inspector General
At a Glance
15-P-0013
November 10, 2014
Why We Did This Review
We conducted this review to assess
whether hyperspectral imaging (HSI)
data can be used to assess stress in
vegetation as an indication of
pollutant concentrations at deleted
Superfund sites. This work was part
of an effort by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) Office of Inspector General
(OIG) to assess the feasibility of the
OIG using remote sensing
technologies to assess the
effectiveness of EPA cleanup
actions. We reported on this
separately in September 2014.
We collected and analyzed HSI data
and soil sample results, and
conducted site visits at deleted
Superfund sites in three states
located in EPA Region 3. Deletion of
sites from the National Priorities List
may occur once all response actions
are complete and all cleanup goals
have been achieved. In August
2011, we reported on our
observations regarding five sites in
Maryland and Virginia. This report
presents our observations for 11
sites in Pennsylvania and results of
an OIG review of actions the EPA
took in response to our 2011 report.
This report addresses the
following EPA goal or
cross-agency strategy:
• Working to make a visible
difference in communities.
Send all inquiries to our
public affairs office at (202) 566-2391
or visit www.epa.gov/oiq.
The full report is at:
www.epa.qov/oiq/reports/2014/
20141110-15-P-0013.pdf
No Significant Residual Contamination Found at
Deleted Superfund Sites, But Security Fences
Were Damaged at Some Sites
What We Found
HSI indicated vegetation stress at three
Pennsylvania sites, but the results of soil
testing at these sites did not always
confirm that the stress was due to
elevated metals. We did not identify any
significant residual soil contamination at
the 11 Pennsylvania sites reviewed.
However, lead exceeded the EPA risk-
based screening level for industrial land
use in one sample collected at the Taylor
Borough Dump site, Taylor, Pennsylvania. In addition, on-site observations
found significant amounts of debris, metal equipment, and other discarded
material at two sites—the Taylor Borough Dump and the Hranica Landfill,
Buffalo Township, Pennsylvania.
When we visited the sites, we noted operations and maintenance concerns
at the Taylor Borough Dump site and the Lackawanna Refuse site,
Old Forge, Pennsylvania. Operations and maintenance procedures are
designed to ensure a Superfund remedy remains protective of human health
and the environment when hazardous materials are left on-site. At the
Taylor site, the fence surrounding the remediated areas was damaged and
the site showed evidence of trespassing and vandalism. The un-remediated
portions of the site contained considerable amounts of trash and debris from
the prior landfill operations and showed indications of all-terrain vehicle
(ATV) use. This site also showed signs of continued dumping of new trash.
Since our visit to the site, the EPA completed a 5-year review of the Taylor
Borough Dump. That review noted that the damaged fences had been
repaired. At the Lackawanna site, the fence was damaged and portions of it
had been removed. The site showed evidence of ATV use and vandalism.
Region 3's actions were sufficient to address the intent of recommendations
from our 2011 report.
Recommendations and Planned Agency Corrective Actions
We recommend that Region 3 establish procedures for ensuring that
corrective actions have been completed before attesting to its completion in
the EPA's tracking system, place the results of our reviews for the 11
deleted Superfund sites in their respective case files, and verify whether
repairs were made to the damaged fence at the Lackawanna site. Region 3
has taken action to address our recommendations. All recommendations
are resolved and closed.
Generally, pollutant levels
were within acceptable
levels, but continued security
breaches at some sites could
impair the effectiveness of
the remedy to protect human
health and the environment
and could expose
trespassers to safety or
health risks.

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