Document j0JbnMx7qM21vgmb7o7V8779

UBSGreiaer WoodwardClyde A Division of URS Corporation _ A,A r AA.S iz t f 1400 Union Meeting Road, Suite 202 Blue Bell, PA 19422-1972 TFealx::221155.5.54422.3.3880808 Offices Worldwide December 3, 1998 Sarah L. Caspar US Environmental Protection Agency, Region III Hazardous Sites Cleanup Division 3HS32 1650 Arch Street Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029 Re: Small Mammal Trapping Effort Preliminary Findings Dry Run Landfill Washington, West Virginia Dear Ms. Caspar: On behalf of DuPont, URS Greiner Woodward Clyde (URSGWC) is pleased to present this letter report summarizing the findings of the small mammal trapping investigation at the Dry Run Landfill site in Washington, West Virginia. The objectives of the investigation were to: identify whether densities of small mammals in the site vicinity are depressed relative to reference areas examine trapped animals for the presence of readily observable abnormalities preserve specimen tissue samples for potential future analyses collate data and provide to Technical Work Group APPROACH The work was performed the week of November 9, 1998 in accordance with the Draft Work Plan dated October 20, as revised by your comments from the November 3, 1998 meeting. As agreed during the November 3 meeting, Mike Home (US Fish and Wildlife Service) and Don Spires (URSGWC) met on Tuesday morning, November 10 to discuss appropriate sampling grids to use for each study area. Figures 1 and 2 represent location maps of grid configurations at each sampling area. Figures 3,4,5, and 6 show each configuration as mapped using GPS. The basic scheme for each area included five transects, each containing 20 museum special snap traps. A standard grid of 10 feet between elements was agreed upon. Traps were placed within a five-foot radius of the center point along rodent runs. Areas of poor habitat (bare ground, roads, etc.) were avoided. All trap locations were identified with a time-corrected, differential Trimble GPS. 000751 USEPA 1026 Sarah Caspar Dry Run Landfill December 3,1998 Page 3 URS G reiner W oodward Clyde Mr. Spires and Mr. Horne viewed Reference Area 3, the intended reference location for the study, from the road since time constraints didn't allow for a closer examination. When transects were laid out prior to trapping, it was discovered that the area had very little grass cover due to grazing or cutting for hay. No evidence of rodent activity was found. At this time Mr. Spires made the decision to move the reference trapping area to a field immediately downstream from the previous area where the habitat and cover more closely represented the study areas. This area was still part of the property where access permission had been granted. Trapping started on Tuesday afternoon, November 10, and was completed on Friday afternoon, November 13. Traps were checked each morning and afternoon, specimens processed on the day of capture, and samples placed on dry ice or in formalin in accordance with the Work Plan. RESULTS Table 1 is a summary of all field data collected including life stage, sex, whole body weight, organ weight (actual and as a percentage of whole body weight), length, and abnormalities. Table 2 summarizes trapping success. A total of 54 individuals were collected during the 3-night trapping event (Table 2). Species collected include the meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus), the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus), and the Northern short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevicauda). The meadow vole was the dominant species, making up 85% of the entire catch. Meadow voles were collected in all areas except Area V, but were most abundant in the Reference Area with 33 individuals captured. The mice and the shrews each made up 7% of the catch. Individual abundance was greatest in the Reference Area and in Area II, where 34 and 10 specimens were collected, respectively. Trapping in these areas was 9% and 3% effective. Trap success in Areas I and V were somewhat less than that of Area II; at 2% and 1%, respectively. These areas had been mowed in recent weeks, and still showed evidence'of traffic, which may explain the lower catch in relation to Area II and the Reference Area. Shrews were present in small numbers and natural staining of the teeth was seen in all, either as the cusps being stained or the entire tooth. No blackened teeth were observed in any of the specimens collected. The other species had normal coloration on their teeth with no staining or bleaching. One vole from Area I appeared to have an abnormality in the form of an abscess, cyst or tumor on its liver. The entire liver was saved for histopathology. No other unusual problems were observed in any of the other specimens. All seemed healthy with no external abnormalities, and all age classes including juveniles, subadults, and adults were represented. On a few occasions, traps had been tripped with no catch. This was a common problem in Area I during the previous investigation, where larger mammals (foxes, skunks, etc...) may have been the cause. It is unlikely, however, that larger mammals were the problem in this investigation, as two large Havahart traps were set on the outer edges of each area. No naturally occurring larger 000752 S\environ\dup_dr\report\letrpt2.doc Sarah Caspar Dry Run Landfill December 3, 1998 Page 4 URS G reiner W oodward Clyde mammals were found in any of the Havahart traps during the investigation, but a house cat was found in one of the Area V traps after the first night of sampling. CONCLUSIONS The objectives of the investigation were achieved. The total number of individuals trapped, and the trap success of site areas, was lower than the Reference Area. Nonetheless, this is likely due to the fact that the Reference Area had not been "trapped out" in recent months and represents a larger suitable habitat to trap. It is also significant to note that, compared to the original investigation performed by the EPA where only two individuals were caught at Area I, a total of seven individuals were trapped during this effort. No gross external abnormalities were observed on any of the specimens collected. Normal "chestnut" staining on teeth was observed in all shrews, but no "blackened" teeth were observed on any specimen. Whole specimens and their organs have been appropriately preserved for potential future analysis. The objectives and need for these analyses will be discussed at the December 10 meeting. * All data collected in the field are summarized in Table 1 attached to this letter. We look forward to seeing you on December 10 to discuss these data. If you have any questions in the interim please don't hesitate to contact me at (215) 619-4120. Very truly yours, Ceil Mancini Task Manager cc: R. Valentine, DuPont M. Sprenger, EPA-ERT R. Stahl, DuPont R. Ritchey, DuPont D. Spires, WCC 000753 S\environ\dup_dr\report\letrpt2.doc USEPA 1029 TABLE 1 DATA SUMMARY SMALL MAMMAL INVESTIGATION DRY RUN LANDFILL WASHINGTON COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA Araa Sample No. Collected & Trap Processed 1 I-A-2-1111-P 1 I-D-9-1111-P i i / i i / 9 a MS 11/11/98 MS 1 I-A-3-1111-A 11/11/98 MS 1 I-A-2-1111-A 11/11/98 MS 1 I-B-17-1111-A 11/11/98 MS 1 I-B-16-1111-A 11/11/98 MS 1 I-D-10-1111-A 11/11/98 MS II II-A-15-1111-P 11/11/98 MS II II-S-10-1111-A 11/11/98 S II II-C-6-1111-A 11/11/98 MS II II-V-10-1112-P 11/12/98 V II ll-A-11-1112-P 11/12/98 MS II II-V-10-1112-A 11/12/98 V II ll-S-10-1112-P 11/12/98 S h II-V-10-1113-P 11/13/98 MS h II-S-4-1113-A 11/13/98 h II-V-10-1113-A 11/13/98 S V V V-A-20-1111-A 11/11/98 MS V V-S-1-1111-A 11/11/98 s V V-S-10-1112-A 11/12/98 S R R-C-16-1111-A 11/11/98 MS R R-C-7-1111-A 11/11/98 MS R R-D-13-1111-A 11/11/98 MS R R-A-6-1111-A 11/11/98 MS R R-A-5-1111-A 11/11/98 MS R R-C-17-1111-P 11/11/98 MS R R-A-7-1111-P 11/11/98 MS R R -C -4-1'' 1-P 11/11/98 MS R R-A-5-1111-P 11/11/98 MS R R-C-19-1112-A 11/12/98 MS R R-B-4-1112-A 11/12/98 MS R R-C-4-1112-A 11/12/98 MS R R-B-6-1112-A 11/12/98 MS R R-B-19-1112-A 11/12/98 MS R R-C-7-1112-A 11/12/98 MS R R-A-5-1112-A 11/12/98 MS R R-V-4-1112-A 11/12/98 V R R-A-10-1112-P 11/12/98 MS R R-E-12-1112-P 11/12/98 MS R R-A-3-1112-P 11/12/98 MS R R-E-17-1112-P 11/12/98 MS R R-C-9-1112-P 11/12/98 MS R R-A-17-1113-A 11/13/98 MS R R-A-10-1113-A 11/13/98 MS R R-A-7-1113-A 11/13/98 MS R R-A-6-1113-A 11/13/98 MS R R-C-14-1113-A 11/13/98 MS R R-C-9-1113-A 11/13/98 MS Specie1 Length (mm) Aye Sex Total Tail Foot1 U P A M 128 36 18 U P A M 139 32 17 U P S M 95 19 19 BB A F 109 22 14 U P S M 134 32 13 UP A M 145 41 19 BB A F 112 24 13 U P A M 125 30 20 U P A E 150 44 20 BB A F 100 22 14 UP J F 75 22 15 U P S M 135 37 21 UP J F 21 16 UP J M 85 26 16 UP J M 93 22 18 PL S M 136 68 18 UP S M 85 21 16 BB A F 96 19 14 PL s M 140 65 18 PL A M 146 79 19 UP A M 129 30 18 U P A M 136 41 * 19 UP S M 115 28 * 19 MP J M 102 26 18 UP S M 127 35 18 U P S M 140 39 18 UP A F 155 43 23 U P A M 129 39 20 U P A M 138 40 20 UP s F 120 37 21 UP J M 111 26 17 UP J M 94 28 17 U P J M 96 28 14 UP s M 126 38 19 UP s M 130 35 21 U P J M 106 25 17 PL s M 155 69 21 UP A M 129 36 19 UP A F 136 37 19 MP A F 152 42 20 UP A M 132 40 21 UP A F 155 42 20 U P A F 121 34 17 UP s M 120 39 19 U P A F 147 42 21 UP A M 129 41 21 MP A F 136 42 20 UP A M 127 34 19 Ear 9 8 8 10 9 7 8 5 7 5 5 10 4 14 h 7 9 7 7 8 9 9 10 a 8 5 6 5 7 7 5 12 7 6 6 7 9 7 7 7 6 8 6 Total 31 31 25 15 27 39 18 32 48 14 10 29 8 10 13 15 11 14 18 22 25 22 21 15 24 26 53 32 26 22 16 17 19 26 35 16 19 25 30 49 28 44 27 24 42 27 30 27 Liver 1.5 15 0.2 09 0.3 18 14 14 2.5 1 04 1.5 04 0.6 06 09 04 12 0.6 12 13 17 14 1 14 15 35 1.6 12 13 1.2 0.9 11 15 2 09 11 16 2 27 14 2 13 13 21 16 16 16 Weight (g) Liver/Total 005 005 0.01 006 001 005 0.08 0 04 005 007 004 005 0.05 006 005 006 0 04 009 0 03 005 005 0.08 007 0 07 0.06 006 007 005 0 05 006 008 005 006 006 0 06 006 006 0.06 0 07 006 0 05 0 05 005 005 005 006 0 05 006 Kidney (UR) 02/0.2 0 2 /0 2 0.1/0 1 0 1/0 1 0.1/0 1 0 2/0 2 0.1/0 1 0 2/0 2 0 3/0 2 0 1/0 1 0.1/0 1 02/0.2 0.1/0.1 0 1/0 1 0 1/0 1 0 1/0 1 0.1/0 1 0 1/0.1 0 2/0 1 0 2/0 2 0 2/0 2 0 2/0.2 0.1/01 0.1/0 1 0 2/0.2 0 2/0 2 04/04 0 2 /0 2 0 2/0 2 0 2 /0 2 0 1/0.1 0.1/0 1 0 2/0 2 0 2/0 2 0 2/0 2 0 1/0 1 0 2/0 2 0 2/0 2 0 2/0 2 0 3/0 3 0 2/0 2 0 3/0 3 0 2/0 2 0 1/01 0 3/0 3 0 2/0 2 0 2/0 2 0 2/0 2 Avg. Kidney 02 02 0.1 01 0.1 0.2 01 02 0.25 01 01 02 01 0.1 01 01 01 01 0 15 02 02 0.2 01 01 0.2 02 04 02 02 02 01 01 02 02 02 01 02 0.2 02 03 02 03 02 0.1 03 02 02 02 Kidney/Total 001 w 001 0 00 001 0.00 001 001 0.01 001 001 0.01 0 01 0.01 001 001 001 0.01 001 0.01 001 001 001 000 001 0.01 001 001 001 001 001 0 01 001 0 01 001 001 0.01 0 01 0 01 001 001 0.01 001 001 000 0 01 0 01 001 001 Comments3 L tumor/abscess; K normal UK normal UK normal L/K normal: teeth darkened UK normal UK normal UK normal UK normal;full stomach UK normal.8 larqe mammaries L/K normal UK normal UK normal UK normalihead missinq;frozen UK normal UK normal UK normal UK normal UK normal UK normal UK normal L/K normal,full stomach L/K normal;full stomach Liver normal.left kidney ruptured L/K normal UK normal L/K normal L/K normal;larqe body L normal;left K lorn by lrap;riqbt normal L/K normal L/K normal L/K normal UK normal UK normaUeft kidney bruised-trap UK normal L/K normal L/K normal UK normal L/K normal UK normal UK normal UK normal L/K normal L/K normal L/K normal UK normal L/K normal L/K normal UK normal S \ENVIR OFADUP_DR\H EPORT\SAMPLES XLS\T1 USEPA 103C TABLE 1 DATA SUMMARY SMALL MAMMAL INVESTIGATION DRY RUN LANDFILL WASHINGTON COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA Area Sample No. Collected & Trap Processed R R-E-10-1113-A 11/13/98 MS R R-B-6-1113-A 11/13/98 MS R R-V-3-1113-A 11/13/98 V R R-A-17-1113-P 11/13/98 MS R R-A-10-1113-P 11/13/98 MS R R-D-8-1113-P 11/13/98 MS Species1 Length (mm) Age Sex Total Tail F o o t U P S M 121 34 20 U P I M 108 38 18 U P A F 142 41 21 U P A M 121 37 18 U P A M 131 32 19 U P A M 130 37 22 Ear 7 6 8 7 6 8 Total 23 17 33 29 25 27 Notes: (1 ) MP-Microlus pennsylvantcus : BB=Blamia brevicauda, PL=Peromyscus leucopus (2) Hind foot (3) L=Liver, K=Kidney Liver 1.5 1 22 14 1.1 16 W eight (g) Liver/Total 007 006 007 005 004 0.06 Kidney (U R ) 0 2/0 2 0 1/0 1 0.2/02 0,2/02 0.2/0 2 0.2/0.2 Avg. Kidney 02 01 02 02 02 02 Kidney/Total 001 0.01 001 001 0.01 001 C om m ents1 UK normal UK normal UK normal L/K normal UK normal UK normal if) if) o o o S vfcN VlR N\O U PJ}R \ftE PO R T\SA M P LS XLSVT1 TABLE 2 SUMMARY OF CATCH, TRAP SUCCESS, AND RELATIVE ABUNDANCE DRY RUN LANDFILL WASHINGTON COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA CO USEPA S p e c ie s M eadow vole W hite-footed m ouse N orthern sho rt-tailed shrew T o ta l # Indiv. 5 0 2 7 Area 1 Trap Success'1' 0.01 0.00 0.01 0 .0 2 L o c a tio n s A rea II Area V # Indiv. Trap Success # Indiv. Trap Success 8 0.02 0 0.00 1 0.00 2 0.01 1 0.00 1 0.00 10 0.03 3 0.01 R eference # Indiv. 33 1 0 34 Trap Success 0.09 0.00 0.00 0.09 Abundance T o ta l 46 R elative'2' 0.85 4 0.07 4 0.07 54 Notes: (1) Trap success is the number of individuals caught per area per trap night; trap nights are the number of traps per area (120) multiplied by the number of nights trapping (3) = 360. (2) Relative abundance is the total number of each species trapped, divided by the total number of individuals caught during the trapping period. in o o o s:\environ\dup_dr\mammal\samples.xlscatch URS Greiner Woodward Clyde USEPA 1032 : h=200 feet -J_____ I_____ I 0 200' 000757 Job No. 06W7274 Prepared by: TFP Dote: 12/02/1998 GRID CONFIGURATION SMALL MAMMAL TRAPPING AREAS DRY RUN LANDFILL WASHINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA FIGURE 1 URS Greiner Woodward Clyde ceil3.dwg I EQENQ.S - -- STREAM INDIVIDUAL TRAP LOCATIONS SOURCE: USGS, LUBECK, W. VA.-OHIO QUAD. 1989 O07W SCALE: 1 INCH=20C 200' USEPA 1035 (JhS Greiner Woodward Clyde STU DY AREA 1 <3> 0 0 0 0 r. 5) A )0 0 4S> 0 A AA A A LEGEND: A MUSEUM SPECIAL TRAP GRID SHERMAN tc VICTOR TRAPS Job No. 06W7274 Prepored by: TP Dote: 12/03/1998 GPS TRAP LOCATIONS AREA 1 DRY RUN LANDFILL WASHINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA FIGURE 3 0007G1 USEPA 103f C4.dwg URS Gretoer Woodward Cfyda -SIUPY AREA 2 AA AA 0^ e <% 0 8 < fe _ - 0 0 0 @ 0 0 1, 0 0o0: 0 0 n e > % 0 _0~l 0 A .LEGENQ; A MUSEUM SPECIAL TRAP GRID SHERMAN & VICTOR TRAPS Job No. D6W7274 Prepored by: TP Dote: 12/03/1998 GPS TRAP LOCATIONS AREA 2 DRY RUN LANOFILL WASHINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA FIGURE 4 000762 USEPA 1037 C5.dwg URS Greor Woodward Cfyde STUDY AREA 5 A ^ ^^ 0 ^ 0 /T v /Tv r^V 0_ ^ ) 01 " _ 1 _ Aa A LEGEND: A MUSEUM SPECIAL TRAP GRID SHERMAN & VICTOR TRAPS Job No. D6W7274 Prepared by: TP Date: 12/03/1998 GPS TRAP LOCATIONS AREA 5 DRY RUN LANDF1LL WASHINGTON. WEST VIRGINIA FIGURE 5 0007G3 USEPA 1031 C6.dwg URS (keiner Woodward Clyde REFERENCE AREA 0 % 0 0 A 0 % - 0 (& 0 A Q 1 0 % A A A A A A LEGEND; A MUSEUM SPECIAL TRAP GRID SHERMAN St VICTOR TRAPS Job No. D6W7274 Prepared by: TP Date: 12/03/1998 GPS TRAP LOCATIONS REFERENCE AREA DRY RUN LANDFILL WASHINGTON. WEST VIRGINIA FIGURE 6 000764 USEPA 1039 C7.dwg