Eastern Diversified Metals Superfund Site ISB Fact Sheet ^ PROl^ June 1997 Contractors for Lucent Technologies (formerly AT&T), with oversight from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), continue to conduct various design and construction activities for the cleanup of the Eastern Diversified Metals Superfund Site. Recent Site Activity Over the winter, contractors excavated approximately 400 cubic yards of dioxin- contaminated wire choppings (fluff) and debris from the former burn area of the site. This excavation brings the total volume of dioxin-contaminated waste removed from the site up to 1,000 cubic yards. Contractors transported the waste to an incinerator in Coffeyville, Kansas, for disposal. Additionally, the contractors collected soil samples from the former burn area and are analyzing the samples to determine if clean-up levels are acceptable. Cleanup at the former burn area of the site will continue until EPA's clean-up levels are met. Sediment Removal On Hold In December 1996, EPA suspended sediment removal from the unnamed tributary (stream) of the Little Schuylkill River, adjacent to the site. EPA stopped the clean-up action because the vacuum system designed to remove the sediment did not operate as efficiently as expected. EPA anticipates that more aggressive measures, including excavation, may be required to remove the sediment. To perform the sediment removal one time and minimize the expected impact on the stream, EPA has decided to reschedule the removal until clean-up plans for the main fluff pile are complete. Water Collection Systems Operating Upcoming Site Activity Site Treatment Plant Last fall, contractors assessed the operation of the Site Treatment Plant (STP). The STP removes metals and suspended solids from shallow ground water and treats leachate collected from the fluff pile. Since the start-up of the modified STP a year ago, the plant's sand and ion exchange filters have clogged repeatedly. EPA expects to complete the plans to eliminate the clogging and to improve the STP operations this month and begin construction this summer. Fluff Pile After finding polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the fluff pile, contractors began Focused Feasibility Study (FFS) activities to determine if the recycling remedy selected by EPA should be modified. Contractors plan to test a number of various clean-up methods to address the PCB contamination in the fluff. In an effort to separate, reclaim, and recycle valuable resources, including plastics and metals from the fluff, EPA will consider the following key factors in evaluating alternative clean-up methods: • resource recovery; • recycling; and • waste minimization. All options under consideration involve removing the fluff pile from the site. As FFS activities progress, EPA will inform the public and will solicit input from the community on any proposed changes to the clean-up method selected for the fluff pile in the 1993 Record of Decision (ROD). Site work planned for the summer includes completing the dioxin hotspot removal and making improvements to the STP to prevent clogging of the filters in the treatment plant. The new leachate collection system, which captures leachate and drains wet areas at the base of the fluff pile, continues to work well. The collected leachate is pumped directly to the Site Treatment Plant (STP) for treatment. The new storm water runoff collection system also continues to prevent uncontrolled runoff from the site. EPA made additional improvements to this system in early fall 1996. ------- Information Repository EPA maintains a collection of documents called the Administrative Record File for the Eastern Diversified Metals Superfund Site. EPA places site-related documents in the Administrative Record File as they are prepared and finalized. The community is encouraged to review the information in the Administrative Record File at the information repository listed below: Rush Township Municipal Building RD#1, Box 1326 Tamaqua, PA 18252 717-668-2938 Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Other EPA Resources Regional Customer Service Hotline 800-438-2474 Regional Business Assistance Center Hotline 800-228-8711 Web-Site: http:Wwww.epa.gov EPA Contact Information If you would like to receive additional information about the site, please contact either one of the following EPA officials: Lisa Brown (3HW43) Community Involvement Coordinator U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III 841 Chestnut Building Philadelphia, PA 19107 800-553-2509 or 215-566-5528 e-mail: brown.lisa@epamail.epa.gov Steve Donohue (3HW22) Remedial Project Manager U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III 841 Chestnut Building Philadelphia, PA 19107 215-566-3215 e-mail: donohue.steven@epamail.epa.gov United States Environmental Protection Agency Region III (3HW43 - Lisa Brown) 841 Chestnut Building Philadelphia, PA 19107 Printed on recycled paper. ------- |