\

United States Env i ronmenta l Protect ion Agency 1

Environmental Monitor ing Systems Laboratory P.O. Box 15027 Las Vegas NV 89114

TS-P IC -84159 November 1984

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii SDMS DocID 2169648

Research and Development

Site Analysis t •

Clearview Landfill Delaware County, Pennsylvania E P A R e g i o n 3 a n d O E R R

AR100073

TS-PIC-S4159 November 1984

Si te Ana lys is Clearview Landf i l1 Delaware County, Pennsylvania

by Mary D. S i t t o n , Imagery Analyst The B ionet ics Corporation Warrenton, V i r g i n i a 22186 •

Contract No. 68-03-3161

Project O f f i c e r Richard G. Park Environmental Photographic Interpretat ion Center Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory Warrenton, V i r g i n i a 22186, FTS 557-3110

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING SYSTEMS LABORATORY OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89114

AR100074

5>

NOTICE

This document has not been peer and administratively reviewed within EPA and is for internal Agency use and distribution only.

i i AR100075

ABSTRACT

The following report presents an analysis of historical aerial photography of the Clearview Landfill in Delaware County, Pennsylvania from 1953 to 1983. The site is under investigation to locate past disposal areas, as well as hundreds of drums allegedly buried in the late 1960's.

Filling activity over the former wetland area was f i r s t observed on the 1953 photography, and dumping or debris was noted onsite until 1979. A pit with dark ground stains nearby was noted in 1975. Possible dumping or f i l l i n g activity was observed across Darby Creek from 1975 to 1983. A large stream area in the eastern half of the site was f i l l e d through the course of the study period. Suburban development occurred north and east of the site, possibly over f i l l areas. No drums, leachate, vegetation stress, or fencing was noted onsite on the available years of coverage.

A land use and drainage analysis was performed from 1983 photography.

The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Environmental Photographic Interpretation Center in Warrenton, Virginia, a field station of the Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory in Las Vegas, Nevada, performed this study at the request of EPA Region 3. This analysis was completed in November 1984.

AR100076

CONTENTS 0#,

Page

Abstract . . . i i i Introduction 1 Methodology 3 Land Use and Drainage. 4 Aerial Photo Site Analysis: March 11, 1953 6 June 7, 1958 . 8 May 19, 1964 10 April 1, 1965 12 July 5, 1971 14 March 13, 1973 16 April 28, 1975 18 April 29, 1979 20 June 23, 1983 22

References 24

FIGURES

Page

1. Location Map 2 2. Land Use/Drainage . . 5

Aerial Photos: 3. March 11, 1953 7 4. June 7, 1958 9 5. May 19, 1964 11 6. April 1, 1965 13 7. July 5, 1971 15 8. March 13, 1973 17 9. April 28, 1975 19 10. April 29, 1979 21 11. June 23, 1983 23

AR100077

INTRODUCTION

CIearview L a n d f i l l , located northeast of Tinicum Marsh in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, operated from 1953 un t i l 1973 and apparently was covered i n 1976. Hundreds of drums were a l legedly buried ons i te in the la te 1960's, and the operations area apparently contained an 18-meter (60-foot) diameter p i t f o r pa in t /so lven t was te . 1 The fol lowing report i s an analysis of h i s t o r i c a l aer ia l photography to document past disposal a c t i v i t i e s ons i te .

Residences and recreat ion areas were constructed c lose to , and possibly atop, port ions of the l a n d f i l l . Disposal a c t i v i t i e s are noted throughout the study per iod ; however, no drums were detected on the ava i lab le years of coverage. Dark ground s ta ins and an extract ion p i t containing l i qu i d were noted ons i te in 1975. Disposal a c t i v i t i e s or dumping appeared to continue ons i te a f t e r 1975, and in to 1979. Dumping was also noted southwest of the s i t e across Darby Creek in 1975, 1979, and 1983. No leachate, vegetation s t r e s s , or any fencing or secur i ty measures were noted onsi te throughout the study per iod .

Aer ia l photography of CIearview L a n d f i l l was obtained to represent the per iod from 1953 to 1983. 2 H i s t o r i ca l black and white photography for the years 1953, 1958, 1964, 1965, 1970, 1971 and 1973; co lo r photography from 1975; and co lo r in f rared photography from 1979 and 1983 were obtained for t h i s a n a l y s i s . The 1970 photography was not reproduced due to i ns i gn i f i can t change noted on the imagery.

F igure 1 depicts the loca t ion of Clearview L a n d f i l l , keyed to a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 1:24,000 scale topographic map. S i te boundaries or areas used in t h i s ana lys is were determined by observations made from aer ia l photography and do not denote legal property l i nes or ownership. No s i t e boundaries are given for 1975 or 1979, as the s i t e was a l legedly closed and boundaries were d i f f i c u l t to determine.

The Environmental Protect ion Agency's (EPA) Environmental Photographic In terpre ta t ion Center in Warrenton, V i r g i n i a , a f i e l d s ta t ion of the Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory in Las Vegas, Nevada, performed t h i s study at the request of EPA Region 3. This report was completed in November 1984.

J-Col lateral data obtained from EPA Region 3.

2 F o r a complete descr ip t ion of a l l maps and photography used in t h i s report, see the References sec t i on . 1

AR100078

ORIGINAL (Red)

FIGURE I LOCATION MAP CLEARVIEW LANDFILL LANSDOWNE, PA QUAD SCALE 1.24,000 .

2 AR100079

METHODOLOGY

A search of government and commercial aerial photographic sources was undertaken to obtain the best quality photography available of the site spanning the desired time frame. A complete listing of all maps and photography used for this report can be found in the References section.

The analysis was performed by stereoscopically viewing pairs of transparencies, backlit on a standard Richards light table. By observing the site three-dimensionally, and at various magnifications, the analyst could search for objects, features, or "signatures" associated with different environmental conditions. The term "signature" refers to a combination of characteristics (such as color, tone, shadow, texture and size) which indicate a specific object or condition, even though the object itself is not identifiable from the photography.

Prints were made from coverages which reveal significant changes in the study area. Findings are annotated on overlays to these prints, or to maps of the study area, and full descriptions are provided in the accompanying text. The resolution quality of the original, transparent photography used by the analyst is degraded on the prints due to factors inherent in the printing process. Therefore, some objects or features identified from the original film and described in the text may not be clearly discernible, or even visible, on the photographic prints presented in this report.

It should be noted that site boundaries or areas used in this analysis were determined by observations made from aerial photography and do not denote legal property lines or ownership.

In this report, a••« distinction is made between probable and possible identifications. Probable is used when a limited number of discernible signatures allows the analyst to be reasonably sure of a particular identification. Possible is used when few .signatures are discernible, and the analyst can only infer an identification.

AR100080

LAND USE AND DRAINAGE

Clearview L a n d f i l l occupies approximately 26 hectares (65 acres) and i s s i tuated over a former wetland environment. Extensive i n d u s t r i a l , commercial, and res iden t ia l development surrounds the s i t e . The s i t e i t s e l f i s apparently no longer used for l a n d f i l l i n g ; there fore , several d i f f e r e n t land uses are

'ou t l ined wi th in the former l a n d f i l l a rea . Resident ia l development i s p a r t i c u l a r l y heavy north and east of the l a n d f i l l .

Darby Creek and Cobbs Creek j o i n together at the northwest corner of the s i t e and flow south to Tinicum Marsh. Hermesprota Creek also feeds Tinicum Marsh southwest of the s i t e .

Figure 2 i l l u s t r a t e s the drainage net and var ious types of land uses found wi th in an approximate 2-ki lometer (1.2-mi le) radius of Clearview L a n d f i l l . The land use c l a s s i f i c a t i o n system used in t h i s report was adapted from a United States Department of I n te r io r p u b l i c a t i o n ! on land use i d e n t i f i c a t i o n using remote sensor data. Minor modi f icat ions to t h i s system were required to provide an accurate representat ion of land usage in the area.

This land use and drainage ana lys is was performed using photography dated June 23, 1983. The fol lowing land use categor ies are used in t h i s ana l ys i s :

LAND USE CATEGORIES

11 Resident ial 12 Commercial 122 Commercial/Vehicle-Related 123 Junkyard 125 Warehousing 13 Industr ia l 132 L ight Industr ia l 135 Tank Farms 141 Highways 143 Railroads 144 A i rpor ts 15 U t i l i t i e s 152 Sewage Treatment Plants 162 Commercial/Light Industr ia l 171 Cemeteries

173 Vacant Urban Lands 175 Incinerators 177 Dumps 185 Educational 19 Recreational 24 Farmsteads 33 Mixed Open Brushlands 43 Mixed Forest 51 Waterways 53 Man-Made Impoundments 61 Forested Wetlands 62 Non-Forested Wetlands 76 Trans i t iona l

^Anderson, James R. e t a l . , 1976, A Land Use and Land Cover C l a s s i f i c a t i o n System for Use with Remote Sensor Data, U.S. Department of I n te r i o r , Geological Survey Professional Paper, 964.

4 AR100081

AR100082

AERIAL PHOTO SITE ANALYSIS

MARCH 11, 1953 (Figure 3) ORIGINAL

In i t ia l coverage of Clearview Landf i l l i l l us t ra tes possible debris and/or (Red) mounded earthen material located north and south of an access road leading into the s i te from Buist Avenue. The composition of the material could not be ascertained from the photography; however, the general stippled appearance of the area suggests the presence of both earthen and non-earthen materials.

The 1.3-hectare (3.3-acre) s i te i s bordered by Darby Creek to the west and i s situated on and surrounded by a wetland area. Several small unnamed streams are present north and west of the s i te .

Several probable small commercial or industr ia l f a c i l i t i e s (not annotated) are v is ib le east of the s i te along Buist Avenue. Possible vehicles, debris, and dark-toned material (DKM) are v i s ib le west of these f a c i l i t i e s . A dump operation i s present south of the s i te across Darby Creek; th is area is analyzed in a previous EPA report (TS-PIC-83115, Si te Analysis, Tinicum Marsh Environmental Center, Folcrof t , Pennsylvania, May 1984) and w i l l not be discussed further. '

No v is ib le equipment, bui ldings, or unusual disposal ac t i v i t i es were noted onsite.

6 AR100083

CLEARVIEW LANDFILL MARCH 11,1953 APPROX SCALE 1:5,100 7

AR100084

JUNE 7, 1958 (Figure 4)

Filling activities at Clearview Landfill have expanded to the north. The site now covers approximately 3.8 hectares (9.5 acres). Medium-and light-toned mounded material (MM) (probably earthen) appears in the northern half of the site. No debris or apparent non-earthen materials were detected onsite. Vehicles resembling earthmovers and dump trucks are located at the northeast corner of the site.

Vegetation has grown up around the wetland area east of the site. The stream visible in 1953 winds its way through this area, flowing south toward Darby Creek.

Possible vehicles and debris are s t i l l visible near the commercial/industrial areas along Buist Avenue. An access road connects Clearview Landfill to another f i l l area to the north. This f i l l area has disrupted the stream which drained through this area in 1953. Possible vehicles and dark-toned material are visible here. An access road joins this f i l l area to a possible dump to the northeast. The f i l l area and possible dump may be related to recent construction nearby.

A new industrial facility has been constructed northwest of the site. A probable f i l l area containing dark-toned material is located east of the faci l i t y . An impoundment consisting of two rectangular compartments and possibly containing dark liquid, is visible south of the f a c i l i t y . A long ground stain (GST) emanates from the impoundment structure and flows to the southeast. A fence (not annotated) is visible leading from the new facility and around the impoundment structure.

8 AR100085

FIGURE 4 CLEARVIEW LANDFILL JUNE 7,1958 APPROX SCALE 1:5,000

AR100086

MAY 19, 1964 (Figure 5)

Clearview Landfill has significantly expanded in size and now covers approximately 20 hectares (50 acres). Many previously offsite buildings have been removed, and much f i l l i n g has occurred in the northern and eastern portions of the site. The former winding stream visible in 1958 has been fi l l e d and covered, altering its course to flow along the eastern border of the l a n d f i l l , south to Darby Creek.

Several junked autos are present at the northwest section of the site. Light-toned mounded material is located along the northern access road leading from Buist Avenue. South of the access road active f i l l i n g is occurring. Several vehicles are visible leading to the f i l l face. An open trailer is present near the f i l l area. Several pools of standing liquid (SL) are located west of the f i l l i n g activity. A possible crane is located north of the 1argest pool.

Two new structures (S) are located to the south, surrounded by numerous vehicles. Southwest of the structures, an earthen berm is visible. Possible standing liquid is visible inside the bermed area. Dark-toned material of unknown composition is visible to the north inside two shallow pits.

The former f i l l area located north of the site has revegetated. Possible debris is visible at the dumping area noted in 1958; however, poor image quality (edge of frame) precludes positive identification. The probable f i l l area located west of the site has grown in size since 1958. Dark-toned material is evident at its northeastern end. The ground stain emanating from the impoundment to the southwest appears larger than that noted in 1958.

Several buildings have been removed east of the site along Buist Avenue.

10 AR100087

DKM

LEGEND

Dart-Toned Mater ia l Ground Scar Ground Stain Light-Toned Mater ia l Mounded Mater ia l Structure Standing L iqu id Access Road Drainage H i s t o r i c a l Boundary

3 - New Residences - S i t e Boundary

annum - Sloped Edge of F i l l - Wetl ands

FIGURE 5 CLEARVIEW LANDFILL MAY 19, 1964 APPROX SCALE 1 = 5,100

11 AR100088

APRIL 1, 1965 (Figure 6)

Clearview Landfill has expanded slightly to the northwest and now covers approximately 22 hectares (55.5 acres). Significant f i l l i n g activity has occurred in the northern half of the site.

Junked autos and debris are visible at the northwest corner of tne site. Standing liquid is present in a low area east of the junked autos. A large pile of dark-toned material, a deep pit containing dark standing liquid, and a crane are clearly evident at the northeast corner of the site. Mounded material is visible to the north of the aforementioned features. A small pool of standing liquid is visible along an access road near the center of the site. The several pools of standing liquid visible here in 1964 are no longer present. The former f i l l face has been graded.

Active f i l l i n g is evident in the southern portion of the site, and numerous landfill/dump associated vehicles (i.e., trash trucks, dump trucks, earthmoving equipment) are evident onsite. Dark- and light-toned material (LTM) is scattered west of the main access road leading through the site. The remnants of two pits present in 1964 are located to the south. Partial f i l l i n g of these pits is evident.

The U-shaped berm is s t i l l present at the southern end of the site, although no evidence of waste materials is detected here. One structure has been removed and a new structure added north of the berm. Little detectable change is evident in the stream area to the east.

The f i l l area west of the site appears to be revegetating. The impoundment structure and ground stain appear relatively unchanged.

12 AR100089

CLEARVIEW LANDFILL APRIL I, 1965 APPROX SCALE P5.000

13 AR100090

JULY 5, 1971 (Figure 7)

F i l l and construction activity over the past six years has significantly changed the appearance of the site and surrounding areas. All buildings formerly located east of the site along Buist Avenue have been removed. All junked autos at the northwest corner of the site have been removed and the area f i l l e d . The deep pit present in 1965 is no longer visible. A historical boundary marks the approximate location of the former pit. A small pool of possible standing liquid is visible in a shallow depression at the northern end of the site. No significant activity is occurring in the northern half of the site; however, two large areas of dark-toned material are clearly evident here. The site now covers approximately 24 hectares (59.5 acres).

The site has expanded to the southeast. The building present in 1965 has been removed, and the site has been stripped of vegetation. F i l l material consisting of earthen material and dark and light debris is visible southeast of the stream. Open trailers are located north of this f i l l . A crane and numerous vehicles (dump trucks, earthmovers, and autos) appear south of the remaining onsite structure. Similar vehicles are visible to the north. The new structure present in 1965 appears to have expanded.

Much of the stream area in the northeastern portion of the site has been f i l l e d ; however, no waste materials have been detected here.

A small f i l l area is located across Darby Creek, southwest of the site; however, this may be related to activity at the nearby cemetery. The impoundment west of the site appears dismantled. The ground to the east of the impoundment appears scarred (GS). No ground stain is visible.

A smooth, graded area is visible outside the site to the northeast.

14 AR100091

FIGURE 7 m j m A t m M .• CLEARVIEW LANDFILL JULY 5,1971 APPROX SCALE 1:4,800

AR100092

MARCH 13, 1973 (Figure 8)

Disposal activities have expanded to the east and now border Buist Avenue. The site now covers its largest area of approximately 26 hectares (65 acres). The site boundary will no longer be annotated after this year, as the site was allegedly closed in 1973 and covered in 1976. The stream area formerly located in the eastern portion of the site appears f i l l e d and covered all the way to Darby Creek. A large pool of standing liquid is located in the southeast corner of the site, east of the former stream area. This liquid remains similar in tone, although not similar in shape, until 1983. Mounded material is visible in several areas throughout the site, suggesting further f i l l activities.

A new access road now leads directly from 84th Street to the northwest corner of the site. A vehicle is located at the northwest end of the road, and dark-toned material appears to have been spread out in a V-shaped pattern nearby. Two pits containing standing liquid are visible at the northern end of the site.

The structure present at the southern end of the site in 1971 is no longer present; however, construction apparently has begun on a new structure at this location. A possible tank car is located adjacent to the construction. A new structure has been built to the south. Numerous vehicles, trailers and a crane are visible around the new structure.

Dark-toned material and debris are visible alongside the access road near the center of the site. An active f i l l area is located west of the road. Vehicles resembling earthmovers and trash trucks are present at the f i l l area.

A graded f i l l area is located at the southernmost portion of the site; however, no waste materials are detected here. The debris and open trailers present at this location in 1971 are no longer visible.

Mew residences have been constructed east of the site. West of the site, the former impoundment appears inactive, and the area east of the structure is revegetating.

16 AR100093

LEGEND

Dark-Toned Mater ia l Ground Scar Ground Sta in Light-Toned Mater ia l Mounded Mater ia ! St ructure Standing L i qu id Access Road Drainage H i s t o r i c a l Boundary New Residences S i t e Boundary SI oped Edge of F i l l We t lands

FIGURE 8 CLEARVIEW LANDFILL MARCH 13, 1973 APPROX SCALE I = 5,000

17 AR100094

APRIL 28, 1975 (Figure 9)

A shallow pit containing possible light-toned liquid is clearly evident in the southern end of the site. Processing equipment containing two possible tanks is located south of the pit. A dark ground stain is visible west of the pit. A possible trench and possible dark standing liquid are located to the north and east of the pit, respectively. An appreciable amount of debris is scattered to the northwest.

To the south, a new structure is visible. Vehicles and trailers are located southeast of the new structure. Several structures have been built at the far southern end of the site; however, these may be related to road construction taking place along 84th Street where a new bridge has been constructed.

Several piles of mounded material are located onsite. The northern half of the site appears inactive; however, a large pit with standing liquid is s t i l l visible at the northern end. New residences are located just outside the northeastern and eastern portions of the site.

Across Darby Creek, west of the site, an access road leads to a possible f i l l area with probable earthen mounded material. No waste materials are detected here.

18 AR100095

LEGEND

DKM - Dart-Toned Mater ia l GS - Ground Scar GST - Ground Stain LTM - Light-Toned Mater ia l MM - Mounded Mater ia l S - St ructure SL - Star.ding L iqu id

Access Road * - Drainage

- - - - - - - H i s t o r i c a l Boundary fc'i-:—:-'"^ - New Residences

- S i t e Boundary Illinium - Sloped Edae of F i l l -J+ >Jj . Wetlands

APPROX SCALE 1 = 5,200

AR100096

APRIL 29, 1979 (Figure 10)

By 1979 much of the p i t area, i n the southern port ion of the s i t e , has been inundated with dark-toned l i q u i d . Poss ib le debr is , junked autos, and t r a i l e r s surround the p i t . Ground scars , l i t t l e vegetat ion growth, and we l l - t rave led access roads suggest r e l a t i v e l y recent , and poss ib ly ongoing, disposal ac t i v i t y in the southern port ion of the s i t e s ince 1975. Vehic les fto\G\HM-and debris are located south of the s t ructure o n s i t e . A poss ib le ground s ta in i s v i s i b l e along the Bu is t Avenue access road.

The center of the s i t e s t i l l appears scarred and contains dark-toned ma te r i a l , debris and possib le standing l i q u i d . The northern end of the s i t e appears scarred due to probable construct ion a c t i v i t i e s .

A recreat ion area i s under construct ion at the northeast corner of the s i t e . No debris or waste mater ia ls are noted nearby at th i s t ime; however, past f i l l a c t i v i t i e s were observed southwest of the recreat ion area. A h i s t o r i c a l boundary out l ines the approximate l oca t i on of the former f i l l area v i s i b l e in 1964 (see Figure 4 ) .

The f i l l area across Darby Creek (west of the s i t e ) has expanded s i g n i f i c a n t l y since 1975. Poss ib le dumping a c t i v i t i e s are apparent in the northern ha l f . Standing l i q u i d , poss ib ly r esu l t i ng from recent p r e c i p i t a t i o n , i s v i s i b l e along the access road leading to t h i s f i l l area.

2 0 AR100097

LEGEND

CLEARVIEW LANDFILL APRIL 29, 1979 APPROX SCALE h 5,000

21 AR100098

JUNE 23, 1983 (Figure 11)

The former pit in the southern portion of the site is no longer evident and several trailers present in 1979 have been removed. New residences have been constructed at the southeast corner of the site, possibly on top of a former f i l l area (1953). The area in the southern portion of the site contains vehicles, open storage of materials, and a new structure. Vehicles and debris are visible to the south, however no active landfilling is evident. Two pools of possible standing liquid are visible northeast of the new structure, possibly remnant from larger pools visible in previous years.

A wel1-traveled access road extends north from the active area in the southern portion of the site. Debris is scattered on both sides of the access road. The northern portion of the site appears to be revegetating except for access roads that branch to the north. The recreation area at the northeast end of the photo has been completed.

Across Darby Creek, possible debris is visible along an access road and in the former f i l l area which has partially revegetated. Several pools of possible standing liquid are also present on this access road.

Possible debris or earthen material is visible southeast of the industrial site to the north.

22 AR100099

LEGEND

i f -

RECREATION" 1

AREA

M M FIGURE I CLEARVIEW LANDFILL

DKM - Dark-Toned Mater ia l GS - Ground Scar G3T - Ground Sta in LTM - Light-Toned Mater ia l MM S SL

ni i i 1111111

M. J*

Mounded Mater ia l Structure Standing L iqu id Access Road Drainage H i s t o r i c a l Boundary New Residences S i t e Boundary Sloped Edge of F i l l Wetl ands

JUNE 23, 1983 APPROX SCALE 1=4,000

23 J

AR100100

REFERENCES ORIGINAL (Red)

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Date

March 11, 1953

June 7, 1958

May 19, 1964

Apr i l 1, 1965

Apr i l 8, 1970

Ju ly 5, 1971

March 13, 1973

Apr i l 28, 1975

Apr i l 29, 1979

June 23, 1983

Agency

USGS1

ASCS2

ASCS

USGS

TXAER03

ASCS

USGS

EPIC 4

EPIC

USFS.5

Mi ss ion Code

GS-X1

AHL

AHL

GS-VBEM

30

AHL

GS-VDFM

75-093

79-051

83-045

Frame #

97,98

44,112

45

91,92

415-417

143,144

48

1544

0693

0586

Prig. Scale

20,000

20,000

20,000

24,000

24,000

20,000

24,000

24,000

31,500 at NADIR

1:31,500 at NADIR

EPIC Frame #

6108,6109

6136,6139

6137

6099,6100

8284-8286

6133,6134

6096

1544

0693

0586

MAP

Source Name Seal e Date

USGS Lansdowne, PA 1:24,000 1973

l u . S . Geological Survey, U.S. Department of I n t e r i o r

A g r i c u l t u r a l S t a b i l i z a t i o n and Conservation S e r v i c e , U.S. Department of Agr icu l tu re

^Aero Serv ices , Incorporated, Houston, Texas

4Environmental Photographic In terpreta t ion Center , U.S. Environmental Protect ion Agency

- U . S . Forest Serv ice , U.S. Department of Ag r i cu l t u re

24 AR100101