FUDS Site RI/FS - U.s. Army corps of engineers

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CEI is currently completing an IDIQ Task Order to develop a Remedial Investigation (RI), Feasibility Study (FS), Proposed Plan, Decision Document and Site Closure Support for a Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

With complex hydrology due to the site’s coastal location, previous uses and ownership of the site was complex and permission for access difficult due to the active leases to industrial entities. However, with CEI’s knowledge of the area and familiarity with the state agencies and entities involved, we were able to obtain direct site access early on in the project design process. This gave us the opportunity to view several of the onsite changes that had taken place but were not identified on existing site plans that had been made available to us, making us aware of changes that needed to be made in the initial performance work statement. These site changes were the result of more recent leases to new tenants who extensively redeveloped the site several years back, changing both the site landscape and location of structures. Making matters even more complex, this new construction involved the installation of a sensitive subsurface geotextile throughout the site to help provide stabilization for the ongoing heavy industrial usage and overcome the instability of fill that has occurred through the years along this shoreline property.

Historic site assessments identified several potential sources of contamination including aboveground and underground storage tanks and associated underground transmission lines; concrete vault, floor pit and drains containing oily sludge and water, leaking electrical transformers, improperly stored blasting media, solid waste, lead-based paint (LBP) and asbestos-containing materials (ACM). Subsequent investigations identified the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), metals and petroleum hydrocarbons in both soil and groundwater. Additionally, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) (Arochlor 1260, only), LBP and ACM were positively identified within the buildings (ACM and LBP) and on concrete structures (PCB). The observed sludge and fluids were also sampled and PCB, VOC and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) were detected.

CEI performed a detailed review of all available historical documentation and reports to support further development of the Site Conceptual Model (CSM). The output from this research was used in later documents submitted as part of the CERCLA process where several Areas of Concern were established throughout the site. Work Plan approvals have included the project specific UFP-QAPP (uQAPP), Project Management Plan (PMP), Health and Safety Plan (HASP), Accident Prevention Plan (APP), Site Safety and Health Plan (SSHP), and Activity Hazard Analysis (AHA) documents. The uQAPP has undergone USACE Environmental & Munitions Center of Expertise (EMCX) review and comment.

Field activities have included two rounds of data collection comprised of soil borings and groundwater wells. Sampling included analysis for VOCs, SVOCs, Metals, PCBs, EPH/VPH. Sampling occurred during both low and high tide in some locations to determine tidal influence. Pressure transducers were used to help determine tidal variations in select groundwater wells.

Tasks in 2020 include a Remedial Investigation (RI) report, Risk Assessment, Feasibility Study (FS) report, Decision Document and Site Closure Plan, all for USACE review.