patersongroup Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Vacant, Undeveloped Land 1021 Thomas Spratt Place Ottawa, Ontario Prepared For

Transcription

1 Geotechnical Engineering patersongroup Environmental Engineering Hydrogeology Geological Engineering Materials Testing Building Science Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Vacant, Undeveloped Land 1021 Thomas Spratt Place Archaeological Studies Prepared For Medical Council of Canada Paterson Group Inc. Consulting Engineers 154 Colonnade Road South Ottawa (Nepean), Ontario Canada K2E 7J5 October 25, 2012 Tel: (613) Fax: (613)

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ii 1.0 INTRODUCTION SITE INFORMATION SCOPE OF WORK METHOD OF INVESTIGATION 4.1 Historical Research Field Assessment FINDINGS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 5.1 Historical Review Exterior Assessment Adjacent Properties ASSESSMENT AND CONCLUSION 6.1 Assessment Conclusions STATEMENT OF LIMITATIONS APPENDIX Aerial Photographs Figure 1 - Key Plan Drawing No. PE Site Plan October 10, 2012 Page i

3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Assessment A was carried out for the property at 1021 Thomas Spratt Place, in the City of. The purpose of this environmental assessment was to research the past and current use of the site and adjacent properties and identify any environmental concerns with the potential to impact the subject property. The historical research indicated that the subject property has always been vacant, and used for agriculture from the 1950's (or earlier) until the 1980's. Neighbouring properties have also been agricultural, all of which have been converted to commercial or industrial in the 1980's. No environmental concerns were identified in the historical research of the site. Following the historical review, a site visit was conducted. The site was vacant, and heavily overgrown with vegetation. No environmental concerns were observed on the subject site. A container trailer was observed on the property, however no concerns were identified within. Neighbouring properties consisted of vacant lands south and east of the subject property, a hydro right of way to the north and commercial office buildings to the west. No significant concerns were noted with the current use of the subject site or immediately adjacent lands. A geotechnical investigation was carried out in conjunction with this Phase I - ESA. Seven (7) boreholes were placed on the subject site. No signs of deleterious fill or contamination were observed during the drilling program. Conclusion Based on the results of the assessment, it is our opinion that a Phase II - Environmental Site Assessment is not required for the property at this time. October 10, 2012 Page ii

4 1.0 INTRODUCTION At the request of the Medical Council of Canada, Paterson Group (Paterson) conducted a (ESA) of 1021 Thomas Spratt Place, in the City of. This report has been prepared specifically and solely for the above noted project which is described herein. It contains all of our findings and results of the environmental conditions at this site. 2.0 SITE INFORMATION Address: Location: 1021 Thomas Spratt Place,. The subject site is located at the end of Thomas Spratt Place, in the City of. Refer to Figure 1 - Key Plan in the Appendix for the site location. Site Description: Configuration: Irregular, 1.58 hectares. Legal Description: Parts 7-9, Registered Plan 5R Current Use: Services: Vacant and undeveloped. The subject site is located in a municipally serviced area. October 10, 2012 Page 1

5 3.0 SCOPE OF WORK The scope of work for this was as follows: Investigate the existing conditions present at the subject site by carrying out a field study and historical review in general accordance with CSA Z Present the results of our findings in a comprehensive report. Provide a preliminary environmental site evaluation based on our findings. Provide preliminary remediation recommendations and further investigative work if contamination is encountered or suspected. October 10, 2012 Page 2

6 4.0 METHOD OF INVESTIGATION 4.1 Historical Research The methodology for the program was carried out in two segments. The first consisted of a historical review which included a brief research of the past use of the site. This portion of the program was carried out by Paterson personnel from the Environmental Division. The following is a list of the key information sources reviewed by our firm. Federal Records Maps and photographs (Geological Survey of Canada surficial and subsurface mapping). Air photos at the Energy Mines and Resources Air Photo Library. National Archives. PCB Waste Storage Site Inventory. Provincial Records MOE document titled Waste Disposal Site Inventory in Ontario. MOE Brownfields Environmental Site Registry. Office of Technical Standards and Safety Authority, Fuels Safety Branch. Municipal Records Intera Technologies Limited Report Mapping and Assessment of Former Industrial Sites, City of Ottawa. City of Ottawa document entitled Old Landfill Management Strategy; Phase 1 - Identification of Sites, City of ; finalised October Local Information Sources Personal Interview Previous Environmental Reports Geotechnical Investigation October 10, 2012 Page 3

7 4.2 Field Assessment The second segment of the Phase I - ESA consisted of a site visit which included a cursory assessment of the environmental conditions of the subject property. The field assessment was carried out on October 9, 2012, by personnel from the Environmental Division. As part of the field assessment, the site was inspected for signs of the following: Evidence of previous or existing fuel storage tanks. On-site use or storage of hazardous materials. On-site handling or disposal of liquid or solid waste materials. Above-ground piping systems, including pumps, valves and joints. Truck or rail loading or unloading areas. Electrical conduits, abandoned pipelines or pumping stations. Remnants of old buildings. Signs of surficial contamination (ie. staining, distressed vegetation). Unnaturally discoloured, ponded or flowing waters. Surficial drainage, wetlands, natural waterways or watercourses through the properties (i.e. ditches, creeks, ponds, poor drainage). Any evidence of potable water supply wells or groundwater monitoring wells (such as leak detection monitoring wells for underground storage tank systems, or abandoned systems). Any abnormal odours associated with the site, whether from on-site or off-site sources. The presence of any recent soil disturbances such as soil removal, filling, tilling, grading, etc. Asbestos containing materials (ACMs). Urea formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI). PCB containing products. Ozone depleting substances (ODS). Lead-containing materials. Current use of neighbouring properties. October 10, 2012 Page 4

8 5.0 FINDINGS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 5.1 Historical Review Air Photo Research Historical air photos from the National Air Photo Library were reviewed. Based on the review, the following observations have been made: 1958 The subject site and neighbouring properties appear vacant and used for agriculture. A rail line is visible south of the subject site No significant changes have been made to the subject site or neighbouring properties; they remain used for agriculture No significant changes have been made to the subject site or neighbouring properties. Properties to the far southeast have been developed with commercial or industrial buildings No significant changes have been made to the subject site. Thomas Spratt Place has been constructed. Neighbouring properties to the west (along Thomas Spratt Place) have been developed with commercial buildings (City of Ottawa website) No significant changes have been made to the subject site or neighbouring properties. A small structure or mobile trailer is present in the south corner of the property (City of Ottawa website) No significant changes have been made to the subject site or neighbouring properties, the structure or trailer remains on the property. Laser copies of some of the aerial photographs reviewed are included in the Appendix of this report. October 10, 2012 Page 5

9 National Archives City Directories City directories were reviewed at approximately ten year intervals, from 1984 to Based on the directories, the property at 1021 Thomas Spratt Place has never developed. Nearby properties are a combination of small commercial and industrial operations. No concerns were identified in the review of city directories. Fire Insurance Plans (FIPs) Fire insurance plans providing coverage of the subject site and local area are not available. PCB Inventory A search of national PCB waste storage sites was conducted. One PCB waste storage site is located 750 m west of the subject site. Based on the distance separating the subject site from the waste storage site, the storage does not pose a risk to the subject land. Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) The TSSA, Fuels Safety Branch in Toronto, was contacted electronically on October 9 th, No underground storage tanks (USTs) or above ground storage tanks (ASTs) were recorded with the TSSA registry for the subject property. The property at 2799 Swansea Crescent, located approximately 400 m south of the subject site, is recorded to have two (2) active USTs. Due to the distance separating the tanks from the subject site, the tanks do not pose a risk to the subject site. Ontario Ministry of Environment (MOE) The Ontario Ministry of Environment document entitled Waste Disposal Site Inventory in Ontario, 1991" was reviewed as part of the historical research. This document includes all recorded active and closed waste disposal sites, industrial manufactured gas plants and coal tar distillation plants in the Province of Ontario. No such sites are listed within one kilometer of the subject site. A search of the MOE Brownfields environmental site registry was conducted electronically on October 9 th, One record of site condition was filed for the property at 3020 Hawthorne Road, approximately 900 meters east of the subject site. The distance between this property and the subject site is too great to have had any environmental impact. October 10, 2012 Page 6

10 City of Ottawa Old Landfill Document The document prepared by Golder Associates entitled Old Landfill Management Strategy, Phase I - Identification of Sites, City of Ottawa, was reviewed. No former landfills were identified within one kilometer of the subject site. Former Industrial Sites The report titled Mapping and Assessment of Former Industrial Sites, City of Ottawa prepared by Intera Technologies Limited was reviewed. No former industrial sites were identified within one kilometer of the subject site. Engineering Reports Paterson has conducted various environmental assessments in the vicinity of the subject property. No significant environmental concerns were encountered in the review of these past assessments. A geotechnical investigation was carried out in conjunction with this Phase I - ESA. Seven (7) boreholes were placed on the subject site for geotechnical purposes. No deleterious fill or evidence of contaminants were observed during the drilling program. Personal Interviews Representatives of the Medical Council of Canada as well as City of Ottawa officials have been contacted as part of this Phase I - ESA. These parties indicated that no previous reports have been prepared for the subject property, and that there have been no known issues with contamination, soil or otherwise. 5.2 Exterior Assessment Site The subject site is vacant and heavily overgrown with grass, brush and trees. The site is relatively flat with some areas of uneven ground. The site is located in an area serviced with municipal services and electricity. No discoloured vegetation was observed and no unusual odours were noticed at the site. There were no signs of former structures on the property. A container trailer was observed in the southwest corner of the site. No environmental concerns were observed in the trailer. October 10, 2012 Page 7

11 Potential Environmental Concerns Fuels and Chemical Storage No apparent signs of underground storage tanks (USTs) or aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) were observed at the time of the assessment. Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) No sources of PCBs were observed at the site. Noise and Vibrations An assessment of the noise and vibrations on the future use of the site from the railway line is being addressed under a separate study. 5.3 Adjacent Properties Land use adjacent to the subject site was as follows: North - Hydro Right of Way and soccer fields, followed by commercial buildings; East - Ottawa Central Railway, followed by vacant land and Ages Drive; South - Ottawa Central Railway, followed by vacant land and Swansea Crescent; West - Thomas Spratt Place, followed by commercial buildings and Thurston Drive. No environmental concerns were identified with the current use of the adjacent properties. The railway line that borders the property to the southeast is approximately 1.5 meters lower in grade. It is infrequently used and there are no ancillary activities associated with the rail line located in the vicinity of the site. As a results, the presence of the railway line is not considered to pose a risk to the subject land. Land use adjacent to the subject property is illustrated on Drawing PE Site Plan in the appendix. October 10, 2012 Page 8

12 6.0 ASSESSMENT AND CONCLUSION 6.1 Assessment A was carried out for the property at 1021 Thomas Spratt Place, in the City of. The purpose of this environmental assessment was to research the past and current use of the site and adjacent properties and identify any environmental concerns with the potential to impact the subject property. The historical research indicated that the subject property has always been vacant, and used for agriculture from the 1950's (or earlier) until the 1980's. Neighbouring properties have also been agricultural, all of which have been converted to commercial or industrial commencing in the 1980's. No environmental concerns were identified in the historical research of the site. Following the historical review, a site visit was conducted. The site was vacant, and heavily overgrown with vegetation. No environmental concerns were observed on the subject site. An empty container trailer was observed on the property, however no concerns were identified within. Neighbouring properties consisted of vacant lands south and east of the subject property across the railway line, a hydro right of way to the north and commercial office buildings to the west. No concerns were noted with the current use of the subject site or immediately adjacent lands. A geotechnical investigation was carried out in conjunction with this Phase I - ESA. Seven (7) boreholes were placed on the subject site. No signs of deleterious fill or contamination were observed during the drilling program. 6.2 Conclusion Based on the results of the assessment, it is our opinion that a Phase II - Environmental Site Assessment is not required for the property at this time. October 10, 2012 Page 9

13 7.0 STATEMENT OF LIMITATIONS This report has been prepared in general accordance with the agreed scope-of-work and the requirements of CSA Z The conclusions presented herein are based on information gathered from a limited historical review and field inspection program. The findings of the Phase I - ESA are based on a review of readily available geological, historical and regulatory information and a cursory review made at the time of the field assessment. The historical research relies on information supplied by others, such as, local, provincial and federal agencies and was limited within the scope-of-work, time and budget of the project herein. Should any conditions be encountered at the subject site and/or historical information that differ from our findings, we request that we be notified immediately in order to allow for a reassessment. This report was prepared for the sole use of the Medical Council of Canada. Permission and notification from the abovementioned party and this firm will be required to release this report to any other party. Paterson Group Inc. Adrian Menyhart, B.Eng. Mark D Arcy, P.Eng Report Distribution: Medical Council of Canada (3 copies) Paterson Group Inc. (1 copy) October 10, 2012 Page 10

14 APPENDIX AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS FIGURE 1 - KEY PLAN DRAWING NO. PE SITE PLAN

15 SITE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH 1958

16 SITE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH 1965

17 SITE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH 1983

18 SITE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH 1995

19 SITE FIGURE 1 KEY PLAN

20