DEP Hodgkins emails on GAC, August and September 2013

 

Emails between Ron Huber and MDEP  August 20, 2013 to September 3, 2013 

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 From: Ron Huber [mailto:coastwatch@gmail.com]

Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 11:54 AM
To: Wright, David W
Subject: GAC pollution complaint map of sites of concern

 

Dear Mr, Wright 

Here attached FYI is an aerial photo with captions that shows the locations of concern to Friends of Penobscot Bay along the south side of Kidder Point. This aerial photo can also be seen online. Click Here

 

We found lowest pH ( 2 or less) at sites B, D and G

One can also note the flow patterns of wastes from land through the intertidal and out toward the subtidal harbor .

 

See also landbased photos of tainted areas of concern click here

 

Please let us know when DEP plans to visit as we'd like to be there as well, to quietly observe.

 Best wishes,

 Ron

--

Ron Huber
Friends of Penobscot Bay

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On Tue, Aug 20, 2013 at 4:42 PM, Wright, David W <David.W.Wright@maine.gov> wrote:

Ron, we have assigned Wilkes Harper from my Division to investigate this complaint.

 

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From: Ron Huber [mailto:coastwatch@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 6:00 PM
To: Wright, David W
Cc: Harper, Wilkes B; Harlan McLaughlin
Subject: Re: GAC pollution complaint map of sites of concern

 Thank you, David!  

 Mr. Wilkes, I see via the internet you have a good deal of experience with this sort of legacy waste site investigation.  We look forward to learning of the variety of wastes that have been deposited along the shore over time - to find out what is innocuous and what needs remediation. 

 Apart from the pictures and historic info we've sent along, what other info would be helpful?   Let us know when you will be visiting the site; we'd like to tag along so we can point out several slumping erosion sites of interest, from the vantage point of the intertidal below the bluff. Some of these are ordinarily only visible after leaf fall.

GAC Chemical has been a good corporate neighbor under David Colter's leadership. He has been responsive to the concept of trimming back, capping and revegetating the slumping bluffs of that cove alongside the point - if not the actual execution. 

 Achieving that would be a huge accomplishment for the bay. If, in addition to capping those acidic tailings, there is a need for remediation beyond that (i.e.if the abandoned factory & tank turn out to have acid or other materials leaching from them in significant quantities and need demolition, or excavation of tainted soils, or of certain areas of the intertidal mud, should that be warranted We  believe they will be cooperative on that too.

 We look forward to meeting you at the GAC Chemical site. Please contact me  at your earliest convenience by email or by phone  691-7485 Day  or cellphone 593-2744

 Sincerely 

 Ron 

 Ron Huber, executive director 

Friends of Penobscot Bay  

cc Harlan McLaughlin, President of FOPB

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From: Harper, Wilkes B
Sent: Thursday, August 22, 2013 12:40 PM
To: 'Ron Huber'
Cc: Harlan McLaughlin; Knuuti, Karen
Subject: RE: GAC pollution complaint map of sites of concern

 Hi Ron, 

I have been asked, along with Karen Knuuti of our Bangor Office, to perform a preliminary environmental assessment of the GAC Chemical property in Searsport based upon your concerns.  The purpose of our assessment is to determine which Unit within the Maine Department of Environmental Protection would be the most appropriate for addressing those concerns.

 

Karen and I have made arrangements to visit this property on Wed. September 4^th.  We have also reserved the following Friday, September 6^th, in case stormy weather jeopardizes our site visit on the 4^th.

 

We anticipate arriving at the GAC property around at 10AM.  We would be pleased to have you join us.

 

In the meantime, if you have any questions do not hesitate to call me.  Please realize that my schedule has me away from my desk and out of the office frequently so I apologize up front if there is a slight delay in responding.

 

Thanks!

 Wilkes    

 

Wilkes B. Harper, Brownfields/VRAP Project Manager

BRWM-DR-SASS

Maine Department of Environmental Protection

State House Station 17, Augusta, Maine 04333

(207)  287-4856  office / (207)  592-1192   cell

wilkes.b.harper@maine.gov 

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From: Harper, Wilkes B
Sent: Friday, August 23, 2013 11:51 AM
To: 'Ron Huber'
Cc: 'Harlan McLaughlin'; Knuuti, Karen
Subject: RE: GAC pollution complaint map of sites of concern

 

Hi Ron,

 Karen Knuuti of the Department’s Bangor Office has just advised me that GAC Chemical has requested that the date of the site inspection be changed to the following week.  Karen and I are both available on Tuesday, Sept. 10^th.   To take advantage of the tides we are planning on arriving at the property at 10 AM.

 I wanted you to know the new date and time.

 Wilkes   

 

Wilkes B. Harper, Brownfields/VRAP Project Manager

BRWM-DR-SASS

Maine Department of Environmental Protection

State House Station 17, Augusta, Maine 04333

(207)  287-4856  office / (207)  592-1192   cell

wilkes.b.harper@maine.gov 

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On Thu, Aug 29, 2013 at 4:58 PM, Hodgkins, Nick <Nick.Hodgkins@maine.gov> wrote:

Mr. Huber, 

As you are aware, the Department is proceeding with the evaluation of the potential environmental issues that you have identified at the GAC facility in Searsport.  To that end, Karen Knuuti from the Division of Solid Waste and Wilkes Harper from the Division of Remediation will be conducting a joint inspection on September 10^th to assess these potential impacts and determine if further actions by the Department are necessary, and if so, which regulatory program is most applicable.  The Department requested and received approval from the property owner (GAC) to conduct this visit.

  I am sending you this e-mail to clarify any previous, inadvertent miscommunication from Department staff.  The Department does not have the authority to allow you to join us during our visit and assessment of the potential issues at the property.    If you wish to visit the site, you will need to obtain permission to do so from the current property owner, GAC.  

Please feel free to contact me should you have further questions or concerns. 

Nick

 Nicholas J. Hodgkins

Oil & Hazardous Materials Specialist in the Bureau of Remediation & Waste Management
Maine Department of Environmental Protection
(207) 287-4854 (desk) (207) 592-0882 (cell)
nick.hodgkins@maine.gov

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From: Ron Huber [mailto:coastwatch@gmail.com]
Sent: Sunday, September 01, 2013 3:45 PM
To: Hodgkins, Nick
Subject: Re: GAC Site Visit by DEP. Is VRAP data available Tuesday.

 

Dear Mr. Hodgkins 

I will be in Augusta Tuesday and would like to stop in at DEP in the afternoon for a quick look at or discussion of the VRAP files of GAC Chemical.  Very short notice, I'm afraid! Is this possible?  

 Also, are there examples of other sites in Maine with a history of 20th century fertilizer production and/or sulfuric acid production that DEP is aware of or has required remediation of?

 

Re  GAC VRAP: We don't know specifically where the remediation site identified as REM 01170  is located on the GAC property, but are very interested in using that remediation action history to add to our understanding of Kidder Point wastes and their past and potential future remediation.

 

Best wishes

Ron Huber

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RE: GAC Site Visit by DEP. Is VRAP data available Tuesday.

Hodgkins, Nick <Nick.Hodgkins@maine.gov>
Tue, Sep 3, 2013, 7:12 AM
TO: [ me]

Mr. Huber,

You may view the files by contacting the file room at 287-7843 and making an appointment. I believe the file room opens at 8:00.

There are likely other sites that would fit the description you provided; I, however, cannot recall having any participate in VRAP or Brownfields.

Sincerely,

 Nick 

Nicholas J. Hodgkins
Oil & Hazardous Materials Specialist in the Bureau of Remediation & Waste Management
Maine Department of Environmental Protection
(207) 287-4854 (desk) (207) 592-0882 (cell)
nick.hodgkins@maine.gov

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