CARIBE HOME CENTRE 
CHRISTINSTED, ST. CROIX, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS 
ADMINISTRATIVE -RECORD FILE 
INDEX OF DOCUMENTS 
8DM8 Document 
1111111111111111111111111111111111111111 
114874 
1.0..: FACTUAL INFORMATION/DATA 
1.3 
POLREPs 
P. 
P. 
100001-
100002 
100003-
100005 
Pollution Report Two (2), Removal Action, Caribe Home Center, St. 
Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, prepared by Mr. Mark Pane, OSC, 
Removal Action Branch, U.S. EPA, Region II, Recipients: See 
Distribution List, April 10, 1990. 
Pollution Report One (1), Removal Action, Caribe Home Center, 
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, prepared by Mr. Mark P. Pane, OSC. 
Removal Action Branch, U.S. EPA, Region II, Recipients: See 
Distribution List, February 26, 1990. 
2.0 
DECISION DOCUMENTS 
2.2 
Action Memoranda & Amendments 
P. 
200001-
200006 
Request for Removal Action Approval at the Caribe Home Center 
Site, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, Action Memorandum, to Mr. 
Stephen D. Luftig, Director, Emergency and Remedial Response 
Division, U.S. EPA, Region II, from Mr. Mark P. Pane, On-Scene 
Coordinator, Removal Action Branch, U.S. EPA, Region II, through 
Mr. Richard C. Salkie, Associate Director for Removal and 
Emergency Preparedness Programs, U.S. EPA, Region II, 
February 5, 1990. (Attached: Figure I, Location Map, Caribe 
Home Center, undated.) 
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 
Region II, Removal Action Branch 
DATE: 
April 10, 1990 
TO: 
S. Luftig, EPA 
R. Salkie, EPA 
W. Mugdan, EPA 
G. Pavlou, EPA 
G. Zachos, EPA 
POL REP NO.: 
SITE NO.: 
INCIDENT NAME: 
DELIVERY ORDER NO: 
POLLUTANT: 
LOCATION: 
POLLUTION REPORT 
Two (2) 
5 G 
P. Gelabert, EPA 
A. Smith, DCCA 
J. Lee, DOl 
ERD, Washington, (E-Mail) 
TAT 
Caribe Home Center 
7445-02-074 
Flammable Solvents, Paint Waste 
Materials and Pesticides 
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands 
AMOUNT: 
NPL STATUS: 
Approximately 740 containers (various sizes) 
NON-NPL 
RESPONSE AUTHORITY: 
CERCLA 
ACTION MEMORANDUM: 
Approved 
START DATE: 
March 13, 1990 
I. 
RESPONSE INFORMATION 
A. 
Situation 
The Caribe Home Center (CHC) is an active facility located at the 
intersection of the Melvin Evans Highway and Route 70 on the 
island of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. 
The main office and 
supply building were destroyed by Hurricane Hugo on September 19, 
1990. 
Currently, the owners are operating out of a temporary 
work area until reconstruction is completed. 
The entire stock of warehouse materials were staged in the center 
of what was the warehouse floor. 
This area is an open lot with 
no protection from sunlight or additional rain. 
Many of the 
containers were leaking and mixing together. 
The materials were 
stabilized, and with the assistance of the owner, placed in a 
secure area of the facility for storage. 
EPA became involved with this site following its FEMA mission 
assignment to identify and provide technical assistance to real 
and potential hazardous waste problems in the Virgin Islands. 
Three other removal actions, numbers 5H, 5J and 5K, are being 
conducted simultaneously on St. Croix for the same reason. 
Waste materials from each of these sites will be combined, where 
possible, and disposed of for maximum cost efficiency. 
B. Actions Taken 
On April 13, 1990, EPA met with the V.I. Department of 
Agriculture Assistant Commissioner and obtained his permission 
utilize one of the buildings on the facility as a repository 
until final disposal is arranged. 
This building is secure and 
to 
removed from the working population at the facility. 
10 001 
On April 13, 1990, EPA met with the owner of the CHC and 
inspected the 4 overpack drums of material which had been secured 
there on 1/25/90. 
The overpacks were in good condition and ERCS 
transported them to the repository on the VIDA facility. 
C. ~ 
Steps 
Information and sampling analyses obtained during the removal 
assessment will be used to obtain Material Safety Data Sheets 
(MSDS). 
The MSDS will in turn be used to complete the waste 
profiles necessary to dispose of these materials. 
Once a disposal firm has been selected, the material will be 
prepared for shipment and disposal. 
D. K.suL Issues 
On April 13, 1990, it was noted that other paint related material 
which CHC was trying to sell was still lying about the facility. 
These materials showed signs of leakage and were in areas of easy 
access. 
The owner was notified that this material should be 
secured or properly disposed of. 
Should this material remain in 
its current state when EPA undertakes its final removal, it may 
be included as part of that removal to prevent the owner from 
improperly disposing of it. 
The logistical problems with conducting any type of action on St. 
Croix are numerous due to the long term damage caused by 
hurricane Hugo. 
As a result, EPA anticipates that disposal may 
take 6 months to execute. 
II. G.Q.S.T. INFORMATION 
Amount 
Cost 
Amount 
Budgeted 
To Date 
Remaining (%) 
ERCS Contractor 
$ 39,000 
$ 1, 160 
$ 37,840 (97%) 
TAT 
$18,000 
$ 1,972 
$16,028 (89%) 
EPA 
$ 29,000 
$ 
900 
$ 28,100 (97%) 
Contingencies 
$ 8,550 
$ 
0 
$ 8,550 (100%) 
TOTAL 
$ 94,550 
$ 4,032 
$ 90,518 (96%) 
FURTHER 
POLREPS 
M 
AJ 4 
FINAL POLREP ____ FORTHCOMING X SUBMITTED BY 
r rW~ 
DATE RELEASED N(l\L lO 
Iq~Q 
I 
Mark Pane, OSC 
Removal Action Branch 
BY ____________________ _ 
Joseph Rotola, OSC 
Removal Action Branch 
100002 
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 
Region II, Removal Action Branch 
DATE: 
February 22, 
TO: 
S. Luftig, EPA 
R. Salkie, EPA 
W. Mugdan, EPA 
G. Pavlou, EPA 
G. Zachos, EPA 
POLREP NO.: 
SITE No.: 
INCIDENT NAME: 
DELIVERY ORDER NO: 
POLLUTANT: 
POLLUTION REPORT 
1990 
P. Gelabert, EPA 
\ A. Smith, DCCA 
J. Lee, DOI 
One (1) 
5 G 
ERD, 
TAT 
Caribe Home Center 
7445-02-074 
Washington, 
Flammable Solvents, Paint Waste 
Materials and Pesticides 
(E-Mail) 
LOCATION: 
AMOUNT: 
NPL STATUS: 
st. croix, U.S. Virgin Islands 
Approximately 740 containers (various sizes) 
NON-NPL 
RESPONSE AUTHORITY: 
CERCLA 
ACTION MEMORANDUM: 
Approved by Division Director 
I. 
INCIDENT INFORMATION 
A. 
TY2..§. of Incident 
The Caribe Home Center (CHC) is an active facility located at the 
intersection of the Melvin Evans Highway and Route 70 on the 
island of st. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. 
The main office and 
supply building were destroyed by Hurricane Hugo on September 19, 
1990. 
Currently, the owners are operating out of a temporary 
work area until reconstruction is completed. 
EPA became involved 
with this site following its FEMA mission assignment to identify 
and provide technical assistance to real and potential hazardous 
waste problems in the Virgin Islands. 
The entire stock of warehouse materials are staged in the center 
of what was the warehouse floor. 
This area is now an open lot 
with no protection from sunlight or additional rain. 
Many of the 
containers are leaking and mixing together. 
B. 
Preliminary Assessment Results 
EPA and TAT conducted a detailed site assessment on 1/25/90. 
A 
complete inventory was generated of all hazardous materials 
requiring disposal. 
Present on-site are over seven hundred (700) 
cans and bottles of various sizes containing flammable liquids, 
pesticides and waste paint related materials. 
Many of 
the containers showed signs of rust. 
10000 
C. situation 
The material was stabilized and with the assistance of the owner 
was placed in a secure area of the facility for storage. 
II. 
RESPONSE INFORMATION: 
A. Status of Actions 
The action memorandum requesting funds to undertake this removal 
action was approved by the Division Director on February 5, 1990. 
The NYCCB and ORC have been notified, however no enforcement 
activities are known to be under way at this time. 
The VI DPNR 
has provided logistical support during EPA activities and has 
offered to continue doing so as required. 
B. Next Steps 
Label information obtained during the preliminary assessment will 
be used to obtain Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). 
The MSDS 
will in turn be used to complete the waste profiles necessary to 
dispose of these materials. 
The ERCS contractor has been activated and logistical plans to 
conduct the removal action are being formulated. 
The removal is 
scheduled for 2 phases. 
Phase I will be the stabilization of the 
material and preparing it for off site disposal. 
Phase II will 
be the actual shipment of material to the appropriate disposal 
facilities. 
Phase I should begin in early March, 1990. 
C. Key Issues 
The logistical problems with conducting any type of action on st. 
croix are numerous due to the long term damage caused by 
hurricane Hugo. 
As a result, EPA anticipates that Phase II may 
take 6 months to execute. 
III. COST INFORMATION 
Amount 
Cost 
Amount 
Budgeted 
To Date 
Remaining (%) 
ERCS contractor 
$39,000 
$ 
0 
$39,000 (100%) 
TAT 
$18,000 
$ 
500 
$17,500 (97%) 
EPA 
$29,000 
$ 
300 
$28,700 (99%) 
Contingencies 
$ 8,550 
$ 
0 
$ 8:550 (100%) 
TOTAL 
$94,550 
$ 
800 
$93,750 (99%) 
10 004 
FINAL POLREP 
FURTHER 
PO LRE P S 
1IltJ.. to l'IJ 
FORTHCOMING X SUBMITTED BY 
r.r~ 
Mark Pane, OSC 
Removal Action Branch 
DATE RELEASED fe.&~Uf\R'I 2.~ 'ClClO 
I 
BY ________ ~----~-----------
Joseph Rotola, OSC 
Removal Action Branch 
o 0 
DATE: 
CT: 
FROM: 
TO: 
1HRU: 
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 
JAN 2 2 1990 
REGION II 
Request for Removal Action Approval at the Caribe Horne center 
site, St. Croix, u.s. Virgin Islands -
ACTION MEMORANDUM 
Mark P. Pane, On-Scene Coordinator ~~ 
Removal Action Branch 
Stephen D. Luftig, Director 
E~J:~nd Remedial Response Division 
~~hard C. Salkie, Associate Director for 
Removal and Emergency Preparedness Programs 
Site/Spill-ID: 5G 
category of Removal: 
Time critical 
National Significance: Non-NPL 
I. ISSUE 
5i)..J 
l/; 
On October 28, 1989, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 
issued a mission assignment to the U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) to provide technical assistance in responding to the 
Presidentially declared disaster in the U.S. Virgin Islands. 
This 
declaration was issued on September 20, 1989, as a result of damages 
caused by Hurricane Hugo. 
Unlike previous mission assignments with FEMA, this assignment 
tasked EPA to provide technical assistance to other Federal and 
Territorial Agencies.' To date, assistance provided has included 
such areas as: water supply and distribution, sewage treatment, 
air quality and general operations at debris burns, the cleanup of 
oil spills and the sampling of downed and damaged electrical 
transformers. 
While in the process of carrying out this broad range 
of responsibilities, EPA discovered that there was a need to 
investigate several locations suspected of handling small 
quantities of pesticides and hazardous substances. 
Upon visiting 
these locations, EPA confirmed the presence of several CERCLA 
designated hazardous sUbstances. 
After assessing the types, 
quantities and condition of materials present, it was determined 
that these sites were removal eligible, thereby meeting the criteria 
stipulated in Section 300.65 of the National Contingency Plan (NCP). 
This Action Memorandum requests authorization of $94,550, of 
which $39,000 is for mitigation contracting, to conduct 
removal activities at the Caribe Horne Center (CHC) site 
located on Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. 
The CHC 
site is one of four sites determined to be removal eligible. 
Action Memoranda for the three other locations are being 
submitted under separate cover. 
REGION" FORM 132<r-1 (9/85) 
00001 
II. BACKGROUND 
A. site Description 
The CHC is located at the intersection of the Melvin Evans 
Highway and Route 70 on the island of st. Croix, U.s. 
Virgin Islands. 
The facility occupies approximately 120,000 
square feet in a heavily populated section of the island 
(See Figure 1). 
The boundaries of the facility are outlined by a 
chainlink fence which has been breached in the northwest corner. 
Directly across from the site is the Sunny Isle Shopping Center 
which is normally crowded with tourists and natives as well. 
A 
service station and apartment building border the site on the 
west side and some 30 private homes are within a quarter mile 
radius of the site. 
The CHC facility was destroyed by Hurricane Hugo. 
The material 
which remains is currently scattered on a concrete pad which was 
originally the facility floor. 
Inspections of the facility 
confirmed that several containers of known hazardous sUbstances 
were leaking. 
The material is stored haphazardly and is exposed 
to direct sunlight and any rainfall which occurs. 
The material 
has no value as reusable product. 
The site is not on the NPL and has not received an HRS rating. 
Proposal for inclusion on the NPL is not anticipated. 
B. Incident/Release Characteristics 
The incident at the CHC facility occurred as a result of the 200 
mile per hour winds of hurricane Hugo. 
These winds tore down the 
entire facility and exposed the materials contained within. 
The 
containers holding these materials were damaged by the rain water 
causing several of them to leak or break open. 
Many other 
containers, although not leaking, were seriously compromised from 
the rain. 
The winds which accompanied the rain scattered the 
containers about the facility resulting in various mixed piles of 
material. 
C. Quantities and Types of Substances Present 
The hazardous materials located at the CHC site are consistent 
with the materials used in the day to day operations of such a 
facility. 
The majority of the materials consist of acids, 
ketones and other solvent type waste. 
Substances identified at 
this' site which are designated as hazardous substances under 
CERCLA include, phosphoric acid, acetone and benzene. 
D. State and Local Authorities' Roles 
The current inability of the U.S. Virgin Islands government to 
2 
0002 
mitigate the threat at the CHC facility is due in part to the 
emergency status which resulted from the hurricane. 
Additionally, the territorial government's shortage of financial 
and technical resources precludes their future involvement in any 
portion of the removal operation. 
E. other Actions to Date 
with the exception of the mitigative action recommended herein, 
no other action by any private or governmental organization is 
under way or planned. 
III. THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH OR WELFARE OR THE ENVIRONMENT 
At its present location, the hazardous material at the CHC site 
is no more than 100 -
200 feet away from an active shopping area 
which is heavily populated throughout the day and night. 
The 
material is in close proximity to the public and is not properly 
secured. 
Known hazardous substances have been identified to 
exist at the site, some of which are leaking. 
These materials 
are exposed to frequent rainfall and pose a significant threat to 
the public health and welfare as well as the environment. 
with the factors as described above, this site meets the criteria 
for a CERCLA response as listed in 300.65(b) (2) (i) (iii) (v). 
IV. ENFORCEMENT 
The present conditions at the CHC site make it imperative to 
stabilize as soon as possible. 
The EPA-RAB plans to undertake 
this removal action immediately following authorization of this 
request. 
Both the New York/Caribbean Compliance Branch (NY/CCB) 
and Office of Regional Counsel (ORC) have been notified on the 
status of this site. 
Should information become available that 
warrants enforcement activities, the NY/CCB and ORC will 
investigate it. Should timely and appropriate actions be 
undertaken by the Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs), all or 
any unused portion of the funds requested herein may not be 
utilized. 
V. PROPOSED ACTIONS AND COSTS 
The overall objective of this project will be to eliminate the 
threat of exposure to the surrounding population and environment. 
This objective will be best accomplished by first reducing the 
risk of exposure to the hazardous material through direct 
contact. Once these risks are reduced to an acceptable level, the 
ultimate disposal of the material can then be executed. 
3 
0000 
The logistical problems associated with a removal being conducted 
in such a remote, and resource strained region, necessitate this 
removal action be conducted in two phases. 
Phase I will commence 
immediately upon approval of this memorandum and will serve to 
reduce the immediate threat of all hazardous material. 
Phase II 
will be the actual removal and disposal of the hazardous 
materials. 
B. Estimated Costs 
Summary of Costs 
Extramural Costs 
Extramural Cleanup Contractor 
(includes ERCS, Mini-ERCS, 
Subcontractors, Letter Contracts, 
Alternative Technology Contracts, 
lAGs with other Federal agencies, 
etc.) 
20% contingency of ERCS Costs 
TAT costs 
CLP Analytical Services 
ERT/REAC 
subtotal Extramural Cost 
15% Contingency of above 
costs (rounded) 
Total Extramural Cost 
Intramural Costs 
Intramural Direct Labor (HQ, ERT, Region) 
Intramural Indirect Costs 
TOTAL PROJECT CEILING ESTIMATE 
Estimated Costs 
$ 
32,500 
$ 
6,500 
$ 
18,000 
$ 
57,000 
$ 
8,550 
$ 
65,550 
$ 
29,000 
$ 
94,550 
VI. 
EXPECTED CHANGE IN THE SITUATION SHOULD NO ACTION BE TAKEN 
OR ACTION DELAYED 
The material is in a state of abandonment with no plans for 
proper disposal. 
Should the proposed actions be delayed, the 
risk of exposure to the nearby population via direct contact or 
groundwater contamination will increase. 
Except for the action 
proposed here, no other government agency plans to properly 
mitigate this Site. 
4 
o 004 
VII. 
RECOMMENDATION 
The present conditions at the CHC site meet the criteria for a 
removal action as specified in the NCP section 300.65(b) (2). 
I, 
therefore, recommend your approval of this memorandum so as to 
provide timely initiation of response actions for mitigation of 
the threat described herein. 
The estimated project ceiling for 
this removal is $94,550, of which $39,000 is for mitigation 
contracting. 
There are sufficient monies in our current Advice 
of Allowance to fund this project. 
Please indicate your approval 
and authorization of funding, per current Delegation of 
Authority, by signing below. 
APPROVAL: 
~(~ ]) . 
( 
v I 
Stephen ~ Luftig, Directcpr r 
Emergency and Remedial Response Division 
Z (\' /,-
DATE: 
/ (G 
DISAPPROVED: 
DATE: __________________ _ 
Stephen D. Luftig, Director 
Emergency and Remedial Response Division 
cc: (after approval is obtained) 
C. Sidamon-Eristoff, RA 
W. Muszynski, DRA 
K. Callahan, ERR-DD 
R. Salkie, ADREPP 
G. Zachos, ERR-RAB 
G. Pavlou, ADNYCP 
J. Marshall, 20EP 
E. Schaaf, ORC-NYCSUP 
R. Gherardi, OPM-FIN 
S. Anderson, PM-214F (EXPRESS MAIL) 
H. Crumpt OS-210 
A. Smith, VIDPNR 
C. Moyik, 2ERR-PS 
L. Guarneiri, OS-210 (R2G) 
J. Rosianski, OEP 
P. McKechnie, IG 
D. Henne, TATL 
5 
o 005 
l\:) 
o o o o 
OJ 
FIGURE I: LOCATION MAP 
CARl BE HOME CENTER 
~KISlAND 
ST. CROIX 
CHRISTIANSTED 
.~ 
" 
CARIBE HOME CENTER