PHASE I ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT 123 MAIN STREET SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. September 15, 2002

Transcription

1 2847 Barnard Street San Diego California Phone Mobile Fax Final Report PHASE I ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT 123 MAIN STREET SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA September 15, 2002 Submitted To: Landscapers-R-Us, Inc. Submitted By: Caroline Hovey, CEI, CES, CTMI, CMR Principal Environmental Specialist Hovey Environmental

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary 1 1 Introduction 2 2 Subject Property Information Site Description Subject Property Surrounding Properties Site Reconnaissance Storage Facilities Soil Staining and Vegetation Damage Interior Inspections Other Areas of Concern Transaction Screen Questionnaire 9 3 Records Review Physical Setting Records Topography Groundwater and Soil Characteristics Environmentally Sensitive Lands Historical Records Fire Insurance Maps City Directories Aerial Photographs Environmental Records Brownfields and NPL Sites Subject Property Surrounding Properties 15 4 Findings and Opinions Material Containment and Storage Affected Soils Surrounding Properties 18 Signature of Environmental Assessor 19

3 TABLES AND FIGURES Table 1.1 Historical and property mapping records reviewed during the Phase I ESA. 2 Table 1.2 Environmental contamination records reviewed during Phase I ESA. 3 Figure 2.1 Digital image of unlabeled storage reservoir. 5 Figure 2.2 Digital image of overturned oil container and soil staining. 6 Figure 2.3 Digital images of petroleum drips on sides of enclosure. 7 Figure 2.4 Digital image of stained soil on east side of enclosure. 7 Figure 2.5 Digital image of stained soil on north side of subject property. 8 Figure 2.6 Digital image of 5 gallon drums and staining in workshop. 8 Figure 3.1 Topographic map showing subject property and surrounding area. 11 Table 3.1 Environmental contamination records reviewed during Phase I ESA. 16 APPENDICES Appendix A: Signed Copy of Certification and Statement of Limiting Conditions Appendix B: Signed Copy of Transaction Screen Questionnaire Appendix C: Supporting Documentation for Historical Data Research Appendix D: Supporting Documentation for Physical Setting Data Research Appendix E: Supporting Documentation for Environmental Data Research

4 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) was performed at 123 Main Street in San Diego, California. The site assessment included a site reconnaissance and review of government and historical documents relating to the site and surrounding area. All practices conformed to or exceeded the recommendations of ASTM standard Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process. The subject property is 1.0 acres and currently used by a landscaping business. During the site reconnaissance, three areas of concern were identified. Two of these areas are isolated occurrences of oil released to the soil. Soil removal is recommended. The origin of the third area of concern is unknown. Flooding of the property is likely to have attributed to soil staining. It is probable that the stain is organic in nature. This area can be addressed by either testing the soil to determine the composition or removing the affected soils. Document and database reviews indicated a low probability that a recognized environmental condition exists on the property due to contamination from a surrounding property. Similarly, it is unlikely that structures on site pose a threat of environmental hazard to occupants on site.

5 2 1. INTRODUCTION This report summarizes the findings of the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) at 123 Main Street in San Diego, California. The ESA was performed in accordance with the recommended practices described in the American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) Standard E : Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process. The purpose of the ESA is to determine the existence of or potential for any recognized environmental conditions. A recognized environmental condition is defined as the presence or likely presence of any hazardous substances or petroleum products on a property under conditions that indicate an existing release, a past release, or a material threat of a release of any hazardous substances or petroleum products into structures on the property or into the ground, ground water, or surface water of the property (ASTM E ). The ESA was conducted by performing a site reconnaissance and records review. The site reconnaissance included an on-site inspection of the property with observations made that could indicate a recognized environmental condition. Detailed notes and photographs were taken to corroborate any observations made. Records were obtained from government and historical sources. Government records included searches of entities or conditions surrounding the property that have the potential to create a recognized environmental condition on the property. Historical records were reviewed to determine all past uses on the property and any pertinent practices in the surrounding area that may indicate a recognized environmental condition on the property. Table 1a details historical and property mapping records reviewed. Table 1b details government databases and records searched for environmental contamination information. Table 1.1 Historical and physical setting documents reviewed during the Phase I ESA. Record or Database Reviewed Search Parameters City Directory Aerial Photography USGS Topographic Map NWIS: National Wetland Inventory System Property 9.5 Minute Quad Index 5 mile radius

6 3 Table 1.2 Environmental documents reviewed during the Phase I ESA. Record or Database Reviewed Federal State / Local NPL: National Priority List Sites CERLIS: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Information System (CERCLIS) Sites RCRA: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Facilities ERNS: Emergency Response and Notification System List CORRACTS: Corrective Action Report HMIRS: Hazardous Materials Information Tracking System PADS: PCB Activity Database System TRIS: Toxic Chemical Release Inventory System FTTS: FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, & Rodenticide Act) / TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act) Tracking System HAZNET: Hazardous Waste Manifests AWP: Annual Workplan Sites Calsites Database California Proposition 65 Records California Toxic Pits Cleanup Sites California Waste Management Unit Database California Bond Expenditure Plan California List of Underground Storage Tank Facilities California Voluntary Cleanup Program Properties California Underground Storage Tanks on Indian Land AST: Above Ground Petroleum Storage Tank Facilities California WDS: Waste Discharge System List of Deed Restrictions California SLIC: Spills, Leaks, Investigation, & Cleanup Recovery List CHMIRS: California Hazardous Materials Incident Report System CORTESE: Contaminated drinking water wells, Hazardous substance remedial actions, Toxic material abandoned site assessment, UST / solid waste disposal sites with known release or migration SWF/LF: Solid Waste Facilities / Landfill Sites LUST: Leaking Underground Storage Tank Incident Reports California FID: Facility Inventory Database HIST UST: Historical Underground Storage Tank Database Drycleaners Search Parameters 0.5 miles 0.5 miles property 0.5 miles property 0.5 miles 0.25 miles 0.5 miles 0.25 miles 0.5 miles 0.25 miles property 0.5 miles property 0.5 miles 0.5 miles 0.25 miles 0.25 miles 0.25 miles

7 4 2. SUBJECT PROPERTY INFORMATION 2.1 SITE DESCRIPTION Subject Property The subject property is located at 123 Main Street. The subject property is approximately 1.0 acres. There are several buildings and/or structures on the site that are used for office space, a residence, a workshop, and storage. These structures are located primarily on the north side of the property and accounts for less than 20% of the property. A parking area is located in the south east area. The remaining property is open and unpaved. The property is currently used as by a construction company dealing primarily in landscape Surrounding Properties The surrounding area is primarily commercial, with residential neighborhoods approximately one-half (½) mile to the north. The subject property is bordered on the west by unimproved land. It is bordered on the south by a small parcel of vacant land and a shopping center. Directly east of the property is Main Street. To the north of the subject property is vacant improved land with one building on site, a landscaping company, and childcare facility.

8 2.2 SITE RECONNAISANCE Storage Facilities A main storage building is located on the northwest side of the property. This building houses primarily non-hazardous materials related to landscaping and construction. An unlabeled reservoir was stored in this area (Figure 2.1). There were no indications of spills or leaks surrounding the reservoir, and it appeared to be empty. Three dumpsters containing nonhazardous waste are located on the southwest side of the property. There were no indications of leaks or spills from the dumpster. Figure 2.1 Digital image of unlabeled storage reservoir. Improper storage of various containers was noted throughout the property. Although not all containers are labeled, labels that were legible indicated contents of pesticides, petroleumbased products, and detergents. For information on proper storage of such materials, refer to section 4 Findings and Opinions, subsection 4.1 Material Containment and Storage.

9 2.2.2 Soil Staining and Vegetation Damage 6 Little to no natural vegetation remains on the subject property. Most of the exposed ground is covered with gravel or dirt. Three areas of stained soil were noted on the subject property. The first was noted on the south side of the property. This stain appears to originate from an overturned oil container (Figure 2.2). The affected area is small, less than two (2) feet in diameter, and isolated. Several other oil and pesticide containers were noted in this area. Although these were improperly stored and many unlabeled there were no other indications of leaks or soil stains surrounding the containers. Figure 2.2 Digital image of overturned oil container and soil staining. The second area of stained soil was noted on the central west side of the property. A concrete enclosure houses two petroleum reservoirs. The enclosure appeared uncompromised, though small spills were evidenced by drip stains on the outside of the enclosure (Figure 2.3). An additional petroleum reservoir was noted on the west side of the enclosure. This reservoir appeared uncompromised and the gauge indicated empty. An area of stained soil approximately three (3) feet in diameter was noted on the east side of the enclosure (Figure 2.4).

10 7 Figure 2.3 Digital images of petroleum drips on sides of enclosure. Figure 2.4 Digital image of stained soil on east side of enclosure. The third area of stained soil is on north side of the property. Unlike the other stains, this is an orange-brown stain and does not appear to be hydrocarbon based (Figure 2.5). The affected area was approximately ten (10) feet in diameter and very moist at the time of the site reconnaissance. As per the current owner, a recent flood occurred on the property originating north of the property. Based on the size, shape, and characteristics of the stain, this appears to be a result of this flooding. It is probable that organic matter and/or rust were carried from the vegetation or equipment in the area, leaving a mark on the soil. Further testing would be necessary to corroborate this finding.

11 8 Figure 2.5 Digital image of stained soil on north side of subject property Interior Inspections Interior inspections included the workshop and office buildings. The storage building is addressed in section 2.2.1, and the residence on site was inaccessible. Within the workshop, several five (5) gallon oil containers were noted below the work bench. Staining is visible on the ground surrounding this area (Figure 2.6). A fifty-five (55) gallon trash can containing empty oil containers as well as oil sludge was noted outside of the workshop. No soil staining was noted in this area. Figure 2.6 Digital image of 5 gallon drums and staining in workshop.

12 9 No hazardous wastes or areas of concern were noted within the office building Other Areas of Concern No other areas of concern were noted on the subject property. 2.3 TRANSACTION SCREEN QUESTIONNAIRE A transaction screen questionnaire was completed by John Smith of Landscapers-R-Us, Inc. A copy of the questionnaire is provided in Appendix B. Two waste tanks are disclosed in the questionnaire. These are the waste tanks described in section above. No other current or past storage, use, or disposal of hazardous materials were identified for the subject property or properties immediately adjacent.

13 10 3. RECORDS REVIEW 3.1 PHYSICAL SETTING RECORDS Information on topography, hydrology, and environmentally sensitive lands was accessed for the subject property and surrounding area, and is provided in detail in Appendix C Topography Figure 4 shows the topography of the area surrounding the subject property. This information was used to determine the likelihood of contamination of the subject property from sources at higher elevation. The subject property is indicated with a red star. The approximate elevation at the subject property is 613 feet above sea level. The highest elevation of the surrounding area is 794 feet above sea level, located approximately 1 mile south of the subject property. The distance between the subject property and this location is intersected by Highway 78. Another area of increased elevation (786 feet above sea level) is located approximately on-half (½) mile west of the subject property.

14 Figure 3.1 Topographic map showing subject property and surrounding area. 11

15 3.1.2 Groundwater and Soil Characteristics 12 Information on groundwater flow and soil type was obtained to determine the ease with which contaminants from surrounding properties can reach the subject property. The direction and velocity of groundwater flow in this area varies. The dominant soil type of this area is sandy loam. This soil type is well-drained and has a moderate infiltration rate. The depth to the water table in the area is greater than 6 feet Environmentally Sensitive Lands There are no environmentally sensitive lands, surface water, or flood zones in the surrounding area.

16 3.2 HISTORICAL RECORDS 13 Several historical records and databases were reviewed to determine past practices at the subject property. The records searched are listed in Table 1a (page 3) and detailed results are provided in Appendix D. Historical data was obtained from fire insurance maps, city directories, and aerial photographs Fire Insurance Maps A search of fire insurance maps indicated no coverage for this area City Directories The subject property was first listed in the Haines Criss-Cross City Directory in 1992 under Landscapers-R-Us. No previous uses were indicated. Surrounding properties were also searched; the first listing for properties on Main Street were Uses of surrounding properties include San Diego Family Restaurant (1993) and Hearty Construction (2000) Aerial Photographs Aerial photographs were analyzed dating back to Aerial photographs captured in 1946, 1953, and 1963 indicate the subject property to be undeveloped and little development on surrounding properties. The area was primarily agricultural during this time. The next aerial photograph captured in 1989 shows considerable development of the area including the subject property. Surrounding areas were developed between 1963 and 1989 with more residential and industrial uses. The next available image shows little change between 1989 and Based on the historic records reviewed, the subject property was developed between 1963 and It is likely development didn t occur until the end of this time frame due to the absence of city directory listings.

17 3.3 ENVIRONMENTAL RECORDS 14 Table 1b (page 3) lists all environmental and government sources accessed to obtain information on potential hazards at the subject property and in the surrounding area. Supporting documentation is provided in Appendix E Brownfields and NPL Sites No Brownfields or National Priority List (NPL) sites are located within a one (1) mile radius of the subject property. Such sites have confirmed environmental contamination and have been recognized by the federal government as priorities for remedial action Subject Property The subject property was not listed within any environmental records accessed Surrounding Properties The following summary of environmental records provides information on surrounding properties that may have an impact on the subject property. Table 3.1 summarizes the number of properties found within databases searched as well as their relative elevation to the subject property. Those located at equal or higher elevation are considered to have a potential impact on the subject property and were investigated further. Many properties were listed in more than one database.

18 Table 3.1 Summary of properties identified in environmental records search. DATABASE # Sites at Higher or # Sites at Lower # Sites Equal Elevation Elevation unmapped CHMIRS CORTESE NOTIFY LUST UST Historic UST HAZNET CERC-NFRAP SWF/LF A total of seven (7) separate properties at equal or higher elevation were identified in the databases. Five (5) of these are from the California Hazardous Materials Incident Report System (CHMIRS). This database lists all accidental releases and spills. The properties listed were all isolated releases that occurred in areas over one-half (½) mile from the subject property. These are not felt to pose an environmental threat to the subject property. Two properties at equal or higher elevation were identified as containing leaking underground storage tanks (LUST s). One of the properties was also identified in the CORTESE database for the same incident. CORTESE identifies public drinking water wells with detectable levels of contamination. This site is at 1050 Main Street. A LUST was identified on site in The release affected the aquifer. Remedial action was taken and the case was closed in Another property at 2100 Charlotte Street was identified with a LUST in The release affected the soil. Remedial action was taken and the case was closed in No other LUST cases were identified within the search radius.

19 16 4. FINDINGS AND OPINIONS 4.1 MATERIAL CONTAINMENT AND STORAGE Several storage facilities were identified at the subject property. While most large reservoirs were properly stored, e.g. waste oil in reservoirs with a concrete containment, smaller containers were found throughout the property with no surrounding containment and often no labels to identify the contents. Proper storage of potentially hazardous wastes includes labeling all containers, utilizing a storage closet or similar containment facility, and disposing of spent or compromised containers. The Environmental Protection Agency provides guidelines for the storage and disposal of pesticides, petroleum-based products, and other hazardous wastes. This information can be found at or by contacting the Environmental Protection Agency. Documents of interest to the subject property include Managing Used Oil: Advice for Small Businesses, 40 CFR 264 and 265: Waste Storage, and Title 7 Chapter 6 Subchapter II: Environmental Pesticide Control. 4.2 AFFECTED SOILS Three areas of affected soils were identified during the site reconnaissance. Due to the depth to the water table and other physical characteristics of the area, it is unlikely that isolated spills on the subject property have affected the underlying aquifer or surrounding properties. The areas of concern varied in size from less than two (2) feet in diameter to ten (10) feet in diameter. The smallest area located on the south side of the subject property is an isolated release of oil that can be remediated by removing the affected soil. The removal area should encompass the stained soil as well as an additional two feet laterally and an additional two feet of depth. The concrete structure enclosing waste oil on the west side of the subject property showed indications of spills and stained soil. The owner indicated the waste oil will be removed. It is

20 17 recommended that the concrete structure also be removed. Soil removal in this area should encompass a wide area several feet beyond and below the location of the concrete structure. In order to determine the constituents of the orange-brown stated noted on the north side of the subject property soil testing would be necessary. Based on the visual assessment of this area, the stain may likely be attributed to organic matter or rust from adjacent machinery. If removal of the soil is desired, it is recommended that an area encompassing the stain as well as an additional three feet laterally and three feet of depth be removed. Any soils removed from the subject property should be disposed of at a waste site permitted to accept hazardous materials. 4.3 CONTAMINATION FROM SURROUNDING PROPERTIES The investigation into environmental degradation in the surrounding areas revealed a low probability that the subject property contains a recognized environmental condition due to contamination of the surrounding area. Most leaking underground storage tanks and environmental incidents occurred at areas of lower elevation. Those that did occur at higher elevation were isolated in scope or have undergone remedial action. 4.4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS OF STRUCTURES Based on historical documents reviewed, the buildings on site were likely constructed in the late 1980 s or early 1990 s. Therefore, it is unlikely that the buildings contain lead based paint or asbestos. Based on radon levels recorded at other properties in the area and the lack of below-ground structures, there is a low probability of radon contamination within the buildings.

21 18 SIGNATURE OF INSPECTOR I certify that the above findings, opinions, and recommendations are true and accurate to the best of my knowledge, and represent the most current knowledge of environmental assessment methods. Caroline Hovey, CEI, CES, CTMI, CMR Principal Environmental Specialist Hovey Environmental