CERCLA Creek Soil and Sediment Removal Action

Currently, Removal Actions along Bailey's Branch and Pleasant Run Creek are being undertaken under a voluntary Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) with the U.S. EPA Region V under the Comprehensive, Environmental Response and Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), which became effective on July 31, 2003.

An Interim Measure, also known as a Removal Action under the recently executed AOC, has begun in order to clean up PCB contaminated sediment and floodplain soil within the Pleasant Run Creek Watershed. The AOC has been entered into voluntarily by the U.S. EPA and GM to expedite the implementation of the cleanup work. This area includes approximately 5 miles of creek from the GM Bedford Plant Outfall to approximately the old Murdoch railroad trestle (Figure 1). Both the creek bed and the adjacent floodplain areas are a part of the Removal Action activities. The objectives of the AOC are to control any potential ongoing releases to the creek, and to remove sediment and soil present at levels above the cleanup criteria. The cleanup criteria for floodplain soil is the State of Indiana residential landuse default criteria of 1.8 parts per million (ppm). The cleanup criteria for sediment in the creek is 1.0 ppm. The Removal Action along the stream will continue, starting with the upstream section first and then proceeding downstream.

Work Plans for the Parcel 22 and Upstream Parcels Removal Actions were approved by the U.S. EPA as part of the AOC. The first components of the cleanup activities began in April 2003 with the cutting of larger trees on several of the upstream properties. Next, the areas targeted for cleanup will be cleared and the sediment and floodplain soils exceeding the cleanup criteria will be removed. Areas will be cleaned in sections up to 500 feet in length. During this removal activity, the creek will be temporarily re-routed around the work area. This will be done by temporarily damming upstream and downstream parts of the section to be cleaned and water will be re-routed in pipes from before the upstream dam to below downstream of the dam. Upstream dams and piping will then be moved downstream in succession as cleanup progresses. Testing of the remaining soil and sediment is then conducted to ensure the cleanup criteria are achieved prior to regrading and planting. The downstream cleanup activities are anticipated to begin at the end of 2003 and will continue throughout 2004.

• View the Parcel 22 and Upstream Parcel Removal Action Work Plans

The Pleasant Run Creek Watershed area is a potential nesting area for the Indiana Bat, an endangered species. A survey has just recently been completed and is being evaluated. Should Indiana Bats be residing in the area, the clearing of trees for the Removal Action can will be handled on an individual basis during the bat nesting period from April 15 to September 15. In order to confirm the presence or absence of Indiana Bats in the area, a bat survey was conducted at the end of July 2003.