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Hangar 1 Debris Removal Monthly Update

September 2024

  • The Navy’s contractor has published a final work plan to address the remaining debris and steel/concrete structures within the Hangar 1 footprint. It was rigorously reviewed by local, state, and federal regulatory agencies for comment and approval. Reviewers included the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), California Regional Water Quality Control Board  (Santa Ana Region), City, Orange County Health Care Agency, South Coast Air Quality Management District, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, Navy and Marine Corps Force Health Protection Command, and California Department of Resources, Recycling, and Recovery.
  • The Navy has amended the Cooperative agreement with the city by an additional $15.3 million for an overall total of $103.3 million for the City’s emergency response.
  • The Navy is continuing to work with the city on brining the response to the Hangar fire to a close.

Fieldwork Progress - September 2024

  • Fieldwork for the abatement and removal of onsite debris began 8 July 2024 and will continue through the fall.
  • Air Monitoring continues around the Hangar 1 footprint and surrounding community.
  • Deconstruction of the hangar doors was completed at the end of August. The steel was hauled off for recycling and based on laboratory results, the lead paint impacted wood was characterized as Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous waste and hauled offsite in September.
  • The construction of the initial two negative pressure CUs was completed in September at the north and south ends of the hangar (Photo 1).
    • The negative pressure CUs support the decontamination and consolidation steps of the debris removal from within the Hangar 1 footprint and are built over work areas to prevent fugitive dust emissions (Photo 2).
    • The CUs are numbered CU-1 through CU-10 from south to north. Work has begun in CU-1 and CU-10 and once completed, work will move inward to CU-2 and CU-9, CU-3 and CU-8, CU-4 and CU-7, and finalize at CU-5 and CU-6 at the center of the Hangar 1 footprint.
    • Negative pressure was tested and confirmed before commencing the packaging of fire debris and sealing of transport bins for off-site disposal. (Photo's 3 & 4). 
  • Summary of waste removed through September:
    •   Non-RCRA Waste
      • 872.54 tons (153 bins)
    • RCRA Waste
      • Weight pending (6 bins)
    • Recycled Steel
      • 395.53 long tons (22 truck loads)
  Fieldwork Photos at Hangar 1        
           
  Completed Negative Pressure Containment Units     Debris Consolidation and Decontamination  
  Photo 1 - Completed Negative Pressure Containment Units (CUs) at South (CU-1) and North (CU-10) ends of Hangar 1 footprint - August 2024     Photo 2 - Ongoing Debris Consolidation and Decontamination within the Negative Pressure Containment Units at Hangar 1 - September 2024  
  Debris in Containment Waste Vessels Staged for Offsite Disposal     Covered Waste Management Vehicle  
  Photo 3 - Hangar 1 Debris in Containment Waste Vessels Staged for Offsite Disposal - September 2024     Photo 4 - Enclosed Top Waste Management Vehicle - July 2024  
  Field Service of Air Monitoring Stations        
  Photo 5 - Field Service of Air Monitoring Stations - August 2024        

 

Milestones

Hangar 1 Debris Removal Milestones

Scope Of Work

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 Debris Consolidation, Stabilization, Characterization, and Disposal
  • Various media will be sampled such as plywood planks, paint chips, asbestos, mixed debris including burned ash material, fire damaged wood, and others.
  • Analytical laboratory data will help identify contaminants present in the debris and properly characterize the waste for offsite disposal.
 Abatement and Demolition of Steel Hangar Doors
  • The Navy will evaluate and collect samples from the steel hangar doors to identify any contaminant risks (such as asbestos or lead). The doors will be broken down, debris will be consolidated based on the specific materials, and the waste will be characterized and disposed or recycled.
 Structural Evaluation
  • After debris has been removed, four concrete towers and side structures will be assessed for fire damage, safety, and current structural integrity to determine what structures require demolition versus remaining in place.
 Dust Suppression and Air Monitoring
  • To protect the community, containment units (CU) will be constructed utilizing negative pressure and reinforced flame-retardant poly to stage and store debris. The CUs will be built over work areas to prevent fugitive dust. As areas are cleared, the CUs will be moved to the next area for debris management.
  • Additionally, the Navy will utilize dust control and suppression techniques while debris removal activities are conducted.
  • The Navy will continue air monitoring daily in and around the Hangar 1 footprint and in the Columbus Square Community using 19 DustTrak stations (Photo 5).

Hangar 1 Background

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 A fire was reported in the North Hangar (Hangar 1) ...
  • A fire was reported in the North Hangar (Hangar 1) at former MCAS Tustin on Tuesday November 7, 2023. Due to the potential health risks, cleanup activities within the community began promptly and are ongoing. The Navy and the City of Tustin (City) entered into a Cooperative Agreement for the City’s emergency response and community cleanup services on November 11, 2023.
 Debris from the fire consisted of numerous types of building materials ...
  • Debris from the fire consisted of numerous types of building materials, including asbestos and lead-based paint as a result of the age of the construction. The Navy has deconstructed and removed the hangar doors and is in the process of removing the fire debris within the Hangar 1 footprint. After cleanup, remaining hangar structures will be evaluated and removed if unsafe. A report documenting field activities and waste disposal documentation will follow (see milestone figure for approximate timeline).

Frequently Asked Questions

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 What will I see and what will be happening?
  • Workers wearing safety gear, heavy equipment, waste hauling trucks, large tented work areas, and spraying of water and/or tackifier to prevent fugitive dust.
  • Waste hauling trucks entering the site at the intersection of Victory Ave. and Armstrong Ave.
  • Air monitoring equipment on tripods at various locations at and around the perimeter of the site.
  • 24/7 security guards and lights at night to maintain site security.
 What safety measures are being taken to protect the community?
  • ​Work will occur within tented structures under negative pressure (vacuum) to prevent dust from escaping in accordance with South Coast Air Quality Management District District Rule 1403 for asbestos abatement and under a site-specific Health and Safety Plan prepared in accordance with California Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines.
  • 24/7 real-time outdoor air monitoring for dust will be conducted continuously at the site and nearby neighborhoods to ensure dust does not escape into the community. Based on monitoring reports, additional measures could be made, including, but not limited to, stopping work.
  • Waste will be consolidated into sealed containers for offsite disposal, and trucks will be decontaminated before leaving the site.

Who To Contact

For questions or concerns about the abatement and removal of onsite debris at Hangar 1 you may contact the Navy and your local stakeholder representatives here: click this link

Administrative Record: click this link
Helpful Links:

 

 

 

 

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