As detailed in an Action Memorandum dated September 25, 2013, EPA had initially identified approximately 50 properties in the Birmingham communities of Fairmont, Harriman Park, and Collegeville that exhibited levels of soil contamination that exceed, either threefold or a magnitude of measure, Region 4 residential removal management levels for lead, arsenic, and/or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In addition to contamination deposited by airborne means over the previous 100 years, or potential contaminant migration due to flooding, these properties likely received fill material from one or more of the local industrial businesses. For further discussion of background information, please refer to previous POLREPs for this Site.

Early in the removal action for the 50 homes, EPA amended the original scope of work to allow for greater consistency with remedial goals that provide for a more permanent remedy. An Action Memorandum dated March 12, 2014 described the amended scope of work.

EPA expanded the scope of work, as detailed in an Action Memorandum dated August 11, 2014, to allow for removal of contaminated soil from properties where the soil concentrations for contaminants of concern exceed Region 4 Removal Management Levels and children either live there or routinely and frequently visit.  This change of scope included approximately 30 properties, including the Collegeville Center and North Birmingham Homes public housing developments. 

EPA expanded the scope of work, as detailed in an Action Memorandum dated January 6, 2015, to allow for removal of contaminated soil from properties where soil concentrations exceed two times the Region 4 Removal Management Levels for carcinogens; specifically arsenic and benzo[a]pyrene.  This change of scope included approximately 35 properties.  

EPA expanded the scope of work, as detailed in an Action Memorandum dated July 20, 2015, to allow for removal of contaminated soil from properties where soil concentrations exceed the Region 4 Removal Management Levels for contaminants of concerns; specifically arsenic, lead, and benzo[a]pyrene.  This change of scope includes approximately 260 properties.  

Phase 4 Removal Activities:

One hundred nineteen residential properties have been addressed in Phase 4 with approximately 157 identified properties remaining.  Number of identified properties continue to change as properties identified for removal action is added.  Total of 238 residential properties including three schools and two apartment complexes have been addressed since removal activities began.  

Sampling:

Activities this period are focused on assessing residential properties where arsenic concentration is a concern and depth sampling properties that have been identified to exceed residential Removal Management Levels. For arsenic properties, 30 out of 45 have been assessed.  For properties identified for depth sampling, about 150 remain; however, this number continues to fluctuate as new properties identified for removal action is added.  

Disposal:

To date, 23,437 tons of excavated soil from residential properties have been sent to a landfill for disposal.  About 3,000 tons of excavated soil were disposed in October 2016.

Community Outreach:

OSC continue to meet with property owners at the Command Post or at their respective properties to answer questions regarding the pending excavation efforts and respond to their concerns.  

Access Agreements:

EPA received two access agreement during this reporting period.

Air Monitoring:

START continues to monitor site conditions including air monitoring and sampling as well as removal documentation and soil profiling as directed by the OSC.  Air sampling has included periodic personnel air sampling on a representative ground technician and an excavator operator. To date, air monitoring indicates all operations are well controlled and have minimized blowing dusts.  Water truck is used as needed to keep command post area damp to reduce dust.

2.4.1 Estimated Costs

Current TO/TDD*                             Budgeted              Total to Date        Remaining

ERRS                                            $7,150,000             $5,446,420                  $1,703,580

START 4 Removal (OTIE) $974,295          $647,900              $299,395

START 4 Investigation (OTIE)                 $1,557,637            $1,132,788            $424,849

START 4 Community Involvement (TT)      $331,299    $288,709      $42,660

START 4 Investigation (TT) $142,441     $116,970     $25,475

START 4 FOIA (OTIE)                              $10,000            $5,000                      $5,000

Closed TO/TDD*                                     Amount

ERRS                                                     $6,515,000            

START R5 Crossover                             $340,000

START GSA Bridge Contract                    $357,164

START R7 Crossover CI                       $43,493

START 3 CI                                             $102,178

ERRS, START 4 Removal, START R5 Crossover, START GSA Bridge Contract, START R7 Crossover Community Involvement (CI), and START 3 CI should count towards Action Memo ceiling.  

* The above accounting of expenditures is an estimate based on figures known to the OSC at the time this report was written. The OSC does not necessarily receive specific figures on final payments made to any contractor(s). Other financial data which the OSC must rely upon may not be entirely up-to-date. The cost accounting provided in this report does not necessarily represent an exact monetary figure which the government may include in any claim for cost recovery.