Reach D, Pollution Report 6

Tittabawassee River Dioxin-Reach D
Midland, MI - EPA Region V
POLREP #6 - 8/24/2007
On-Scene Coordinators - James Augustyn and Brian Schlieger

Site Description

On July 9, 2007, Dow's contractor began positioning equipment on a work barge to begin the preparation of driving temporary sheet piling in the river to delineate the area of highest dioxin contamination. Dow's contractor has completed construction on the HDPE sediment transport pipeline and has conducted hydrostatic testing of the line. The sediment transport line is approximately 9,000 feet long and will transport sediment slurry from the dredge area in the river to the Geo-Tube dewatering cell.

On-Scene Coordinators (OSC) Jim Augustyn and Brian Schlieger are providing oversight with assistance from U.S. EPA's START Contractor, Weston Solutions, Inc.

Current Activities

The following tasks have been completed by Dow's contractors during the period of August 17th to August 23rd, 2007:

Friday August 17th, 2007 - Installation of the temporary sheet piling turbidity barrier continued in the river along with the installation of permanent sheet piling along the eastern bank within the enclosed portion of the temporary turbidity barrier North of Dow's upstream ‘Piping' bridge. The removal of historic ‘flume' sheet piling continued. Air monitoring throughout the project area continued. Dow's contractors continued collecting background turbidity data from turbidity monitors located upstream and downstream of the project area. Work activities at the containment site included; the off loading of equipment and materials, work on the dredge line and booster pumps, electrical work, HDPE fusion welding, restoration work, and dust and track out control (as needed)
Saturday August 18th, 2007 - Installation of permanent sheet piling continued along with the removal of historic ‘flume' sheet piling. Dow's contractors continued the setting and driving of a temporary sheet piling wall south of the downstream ‘railroad' bridge. Air monitoring throughout the project area continued and turbidity data was collected from both upstream and downstream temporary turbidity monitors. Work activities at the containment site included: plumbing of the odor suppression blower, plumbing of potable water line, and dust and track-out control (as needed).
Monday August 20th, 2007 -. Due to severe weather conditions, Dow's contractors did not begin work activities until 1:30 pm. Installation of permanent sheet piling along the eastern bank within the enclosed portion of the temporary turbidity barrier continued. Dow's contractors prepared and maneuvered their marine construction platform in preparation for setting the top temporary panel on the turbidity wall beneath the upstream ‘pipe' bridge. At approximately 3:45 pm., U.S. EPA's START contractor notified the OSC that a sheen was developing on the river in the general vicinity and on the outside of the temporary turbidity barrier. The Dow Field Coordinator was notified and a response team was immediately mobilized to contain the sheen with absorbent boom and pads to prevent further migration downstream. Air monitoring throughout the project area continued as well as turbidity data collection. Work activities at the containment site included; pumping storm water to Dow's waste water treatment plant (WWTP), and pump repairs.
Tuesday August 21st, 2007 - Dow's contractors set and welded a top temporary sheet pile panel on the turbidity wall beneath the upstream ‘pipe' bridge. Installation of permanent sheet piling along the eastern bank within the enclosed portion of the temporary turbidity barrier continued. Air monitoring throughout the project area continued as well as turbidity data collection. Work activities at the containment cell continued.
Wednesday August 22nd, 2007 - Installation and driving of the temporary sheet piling turbidity barrier continued in the river. Installation of permanent sheet piling continued. Air monitoring throughout the project area continued as well as turbidity data collection. Dow's contractors set up and began data collection from mobile, solar/battery powered turbidity monitors. Work activities at the containment cell continued.
Thursday August 23rd, 2007 - Installation of permanent sheet piling continued. Dow's contractors assembled a third marine construction platform for river activities. Air monitoring throughout the project area continued as well as turbidity data collection. Work activities at the containment cell continued.

Planned Removal Actions

Sheet piling will be driven down to established elevations to complete the installation of the turbidity barrier between the Dow bridges and downstream of the Dow's ‘railroad' bridge.
Permanent sheet piling will be driven to established grade along the RGIS System.
Permanent turbidity monitors will be placed in the river to monitory potential increases in turbidity that may result from excavation and dredging operations.
Construction on the containment cell will continue. Geo-Tubes and associated connections to the sediment transport line will be completed in preparation for dredging operations to start (September 4th, 2007).

Next Steps

Dow contractors will complete the driving of permanent sheet piling along the RGIS system.
Dow's contractors will complete ‘driving' to grade the temporary turbidity barrier between the upstream and downstream bridges as well as completing the installation and driving of the turbidity barrier south of the downstream bridge to the Dow dam.

Dredging of contaminated sediment cannot begin until the permanent sheet piling is installed and the permanent turbidity monitors have been staged.

Key Issues

The installation of two sections of gunderboom 'Turbidity Curtain' over a 30" and 36" underwater pipeline to complete temporary turbidity barrier.

Dredging is scheduled to begin on or about September 4th, 2007.

Disposition of Wastes

Waste consisted of Reach D rip-rap from the RGIS system. A total of 143 loads, estimated at 12 cubic yards per load total volume 1,716 estimated cubic yards

7-31-07, 34 loads
8-01-07, 35 loads
8-02-07, 39 loads
8-03-07, 24 loads
8-04-07, 11 loads

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