Silver Line Phase III Hazardous Materials Technical Appendix Introduction This Technical Appendix contains a description of hazardous materials release locations occurring within the limits of construction for the core section and each alignment alternative of the Silver Line Phase III Project, including the Charles Street, Tremont Street, Columbus Avenue, and Stuart Street alternatives. Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup records were reviewed for sites within the vicinity of the proposed alignments. A total of 33 releases of oil and hazardous materials were reported in the vicinity of the alignments. Twenty-seven of these reported releases have achieved a Response Action Outcome (RAO); one has achieved a Waiver Completion Statement (WCS); one requires No Further Action, while the remaining four are in either Phase II or Phase IV of the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) process. Core Tunnel Segment South Station (DEP Nos. 3-13291, 3-18045, 3-20324, 3-20757) MADEP records reviewed indicate that multiple releases of oil, waste oil, and unknown chemicals have occurred at South Station along the railroad tracks. In December 1995, waste oil was detected in soil at concentrations of 13,000 ug/kg. This release to the soil was investigated and Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III reports were completed. An RAO for this release was achieved after the Phase III was completed. In March 1999, there was a release of approximately 25 gallons of diesel fuel from a pipe onto the railroad track right of way at South Station. An RAO for this release was achieved. In January 2001, there was a release of approximately 10 gallons of an unknown oily chemical from a vehicle onto the right of way. An RAO for this release was achieved. In June 2001, there was a release of approximately 10 gallons of an unknown oily chemical from a transformer. An RAO for this release was achieved. Based on the RAOs and the inferred groundwater flow direction towards Fort Point Channel (away from the alignment), releases on this site are not expected to impact the alignment. 711 Atlantic Avenue, (DEP No. 3-02825) In September of 1988, a Phase 1 investigation was conducted on this site. During this investigation it was learned that an estimated 1,000 gallons of fuel oil had historically leaked and collected at the bottom of an onsite boiler. A sump pump was used to extract this oil. In July 1989, a 6,670-gallon tank was removed from this location. Both groundwater and soil samples collected during removal of this tank showed only localized impacts to soils which are not anticipated to extend into the alignment. This location is currently classified by MADEP as a No Further Action site. Two Financial Center, 201 Essex Street (DEP No. 3-20193) Soil and groundwater from this location were analyzed to pre-characterize the site prior to construction of new buildings. Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), and lead were detected in multiple samples. While a historic 5,000-gallon underground storage tank (UST) located in a vault at this location was removed in 1991, no evidence of a release associated with this tank was observed at that time.
The contaminants that have been identified at the site are attributed to miscellaneous materials historically used to fill the property. It was estimated that 8,000 cubic yards of contaminated fill material and 34,500 cubic yards of clean soil were removed during the construction on the Two Financial Center project. A Class B-1 RAO was achieved in June 2004; however, based on the proximity to the alignment, contamination detected in the fill on this site may also be present in the fill of the alignment. Bedford Kingston Parcel, 1 Lincoln Street (DEP No. 3-2944) Soil and groundwater were analyzed to pre-characterize the site prior to construction at this location. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), TPH, SVOCs, and lead were detected above reportable concentrations. This site is related to two other releases (RTN 3-21051 and RTN 3-19448). An RAO was achieved for this location; however, based on the proximity to the alignment, it is possible that contamination detected in the fill on this site may also be present in the fill of the alignment. 1 Lincoln Street, Intersection of Essex and Lincoln Streets (DEP No. 3-21051) Approximately 20 gallons of hydraulic oil was released from an electric service utility vehicle to the asphalt pavement within the alignment at this location. Some hydraulic oil migrated to surface soil, although the MADEP file indicates it did not penetrate more than six inches below grade. Impacted soils were removed, and an RAO was achieved. Based on the location of this release within the alignment, TPH detected in confirmatory soil samples may also be present in the fill of the alignment. 88 Kingston Street (DEP No. 3-19448) A release of mineral oil dielectric fluid from an electric transmission conduit impacted soil in the street at this location (within the alignment). Extractable Petroleum Hydrocarbons (EPH) and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) were detected above reportable concentrations in the soil subsequent to the release. A bioremediation product was applied to soils to expedite natural attenuation. An RAO was achieved, but based on the location within the alignment and remediation method, it is possible that soils in the fill at this location may still contain the above contaminants above reportable concentrations. Liberty Center, Essex Street and Washington Street (DEP No. 3-20648) The soil and groundwater was analyzed to pre-characterize the site prior to construction of new buildings. TPH, PAHs, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and lead were detected above reportable concentrations in the soil. The contaminants on site were attributed to miscellaneous materials historically used to fill the property. In October 2003, a Release Abatement Measure (RAM) Plan was submitted. The RAM Status Report No.1 was submitted in February 2004. RAM Status Report No. 2 was submitted in August 2004, which stated that five USTs were discovered and removed. Based on the proximity to the alignment, historical contamination detected in the fill on this site may also be present in the fill of the alignment. Opera House Expansion, 539 Washington Street, (DEP No. 3-22737) Results of subsurface explorations and the pre-characterization testing program performed in March 2003 as part of the expansion program indicated that the Site was filled land. Petroleum hydrocarbons were detected at levels exceeding Reportable Concentrations at the Site.
Approximately 1,374 cubic yards of contaminated soil was excavated and transported off site as part of Ram activities in April 2003. A Class A-1 RAO was achieved in March 2004 for this Site. 2 Boylston Street (DEP No. 3-20910) / Commonwealth Center Project, Washington and Avery Streets (DEP No. 3-3932) Two 1,000-gallon underground storage tanks (USTs) were removed from the vicinity of the Chinatown subway station (2 Boylston Street). Soil screening performed during the removal of one of these tanks indicated that a release might have occurred and subsequent testing showed that volatile petroleum hydrocarbons (VPH) and extractable petroleum hydrocarbons (EPH) were present in soil and groundwater above reportable concentrations at this location. A total of 570 cubic yards of soil and 95,800 gallons of groundwater were disposed of off site. Soil and groundwater on the adjacent Commonwealth Center Project (Millennium Place) site has been impacted by No. 2 fuel oil. PAHs, PCBs, lead, and arsenic was detected above reportable concentrations on the Commonwealth Center Project Site. According to the RAM Completion Report, approximately 300,805 tons of soil was removed from the site during construction and approximately 125,365 tons of soil was disposed of as remediation waste. Both RTNs have Class A-2 RAOs, achieved in June 2002 and December 2002, respectively. Based on the proximity of these locations to the alignment, contamination detected in the soil and groundwater on these sites may also be present within the alignment. Colonial Theater, 96 Boylston Street (DEP No. 3-2784) According to MADEP records, eight hundred gallons of No. 2 Fuel Oil was historically pumped into the fill pipe for a 275-gallon above ground storage tank (AST) instead of a 10,500 gallon AST in the basement at this location. When this happened, the 275-gallon AST burst, releasing oil into the sub-basement of this building and into a former coal chute containing a 10,500-gallon AST. Subsequent to this event, TPH was detected above reportable concentrations in the soil. Approximately 300 gallons of residual oil and 1,760 pounds of oil soaked soil and adsorbent material was disposed of off site. A Waiver Completion Statement was submitted for the site. Based on the proximity of this location to the alignment and the amount of oil recovered, contamination detected in the soil and groundwater on this site may also be present within the alignment. Piano Row Site, 144-156 Boylston Street (DEP No. 3-21032) No point sources of contamination have been identified at this location, but TPHs and lead were historically detected above reportable concentrations in the soil on the site. Elevated PAHs and lead were attributed to historic fill in files reviewed at MADEP. The MADEP file indicates that a Class B-1 RAO was achieved for this site in March 2004, but based on the proximity of this location to the core alignment, contamination detected in the fill at this location may also be present in the fill of the alignment. 10 Boylston Place, (DEP No. 3-20529) No point sources of contamination have been identified at the Site, but the MADEP file indicates that levels of trichloroethylene, TPH, and lead in the soil at this location were historically above RCS-1 Reportable Concentrations. The soil contamination was attributed to urban fill that underlies the site. A Class B-1 RAO has been achieved for this site.
Tremont Street Alignment Corner of Stuart and Tremont Streets (Sawyer Lot), 245 Tremont Street (DEP No. 3-17772) In 1998, a combined geotechnical and environmental site assessment was performed at this location. The assessment included analysis of soil samples. TPH, PAHs, arsenic and lead were detected above reportable concentrations in soil. A potential source was not identified. Additional sampling of soil and groundwater was performed and it was concluded that these contaminants were only detected in the fill material. However, several metals and VOCs were detected in the groundwater at low concentrations (below reportable concentrations). Hydrogeologic tests were performed to evaluate potential development possibilities for the site. Trace levels of the Methyl-tert-butyl-ether and chloroform were detected in monitoring wells on the northern side of property. No source was identified for these constituents. Shallow groundwater was mapped to flow in a southeasterly direction; therefore, these constituents might be migrating on the site from an off-site, upgradient source. As of December 2001, this location is at Phase IV of the MCP process. The alignment is upgradient of this site. Pumping of groundwater from the proposed alignment tunnel depths may draw groundwater with detectable levels of VOCs into the alignment. Tremont on the Common, 151 Tremont Street, (DEP No. 3-13841) USTs located underneath the Tremont on the Common parking garage leaked No. 2, No. 4, and No. 6 fuel oil into the soils underneath these tanks. The source of the release is most likely historic overfills of the tanks during their operation, since inspections of the interiors of the tanks showed no obvious holes. A Class A-2 RAO was achieved in June 1997. Emerson Majestic Theatre, 219 Tremont Street (DEP No. 3-10616) Thirty-five gallons of diesel fuel were released from a saddle tank onto a snow/ice covered asphalt paved surface on February 25, 1994. Twelve 55-gallon drums were generated and transported off site. A Class A-1 RAO was achieved for this site in April 1994. Action for Boston Community Development, Inc., 178 Tremont Street (DEP No. 3-14051) According to MADEP files reviewed,, about 50 to 60 gallons of No.2 fuel oil was released at this location sometime between 1982 and 1987, likely during the filling of a 250,000-gallon AST in the sub-basement of this building. The AST vault contained the release and was never reported. The oil was not removed until February 6, 1996, at which time three 55-gallon drums of waste were removed. Subsurface investigations indicated that some of the oil had migrated through the concrete floor and into the soil and groundwater. EPH was detected in the soil above Reportable Concentrations and VOCs and EPHs were detected above Reportable Concentrations in groundwater. A Class A-2 RAO was achieved for this Site in October 1998. 80 Mason Street, 165 Kneeland, (DEP No. 3-18033) On February 24, 1999, shortly after a water main broke, a steam pipe ruptured on Mason Street. The rupture resulted in the release of greater than 2 pounds of asbestos, which exceeds a reportable quantity. An RAO was achieved for this site in December of 1999. Parkside Condominiums, 165 Tremont Street, (DEP No. 3-18033 & 3-18169) Prior to recent construction at this location, a pre-characterization program that was conducted which indicated the presence of metals, PAHs and petroleum hydrocarbons in the soil. This was reported to MADEP on April 7, 1999, and approximately 322 tons of soil was removed from the Site in August of 1999.
Charles Street Alignment Parcel P2, Park Plaza, South Charles and Stuart Streets (DEP No. 3-19266) Soil and groundwater samples collected at this location were analyzed prior to initiation of construction activities. VOCs, SVOCs, and lead were detected above reportable concentrations in soil and groundwater. Approximately 41,419 tons of contaminated soil and 105,380 tons of noncontaminated soil were removed during recent construction at this location. In November 2003, a RAM and Utility-Related Abatement Measure (URAM) Completion Report and a Class A-2 RAO Statement were submitted; however, based on the proximity to the alignment, it is possible that contamination detected in the fill on this location may also be present in the fill of the Charles Street Alternative alignment. Hertz Rent a Car, 30 Park Plaza (DEP No. 3-18039 & 3-11624) In 1994, gasoline was released from a fill line connected to a UST on the Hertz Rent a Car site. A remedial design of non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) recovery enhanced by the use of surfactants was submitted in a November 1998 Remedy Implementation Plan (RIP). However, an Immediate Response Action was implemented because NAPL was detected at a thickness up to 1.63 feet. In 2000, a pressure test of the UST and fill lines indicated that there was a pinhole leak in the fill line. Approximately 775 gallons of product and groundwater were disposed of off site, and a Class A-2 RAO was achieved for this location in November 2002. Based on the proximity to the alignment, the nature of the release (constant leak for an unknown number of years), and the thickness of NAPL detected on the groundwater table, contamination detected in the soil and groundwater on this site may also be present within the alignment. Stuart Street Alignment According to MADEP files and historic boring data related to the Massachusetts Transportation Building, only one property (245 Stuart Street, Sawyer Lot) on the proposed Stuart Street alignment indicated recognized environmental conditions. The environmental conditions associated with this property are fully described under the Charles Street Alternative above. File reviews and research conducted in January 2005 did not indicate any updated information regarding this property since 2001. Columbus Avenue Alignment 200 Columbus Avenue, (DEP No. 3-18682) MADEP was not able to identify any records for this property. According to the DEP on-line spills database, this 72-hour release, dated August 25, 1999 achieved a Class A2 RAO on August 31, 2000. 210 Columbus Avenue, (DEP No. 3-10677) According to DEP files, six USTs were removed from this location in March 1994. Soil contamination was observed during their removal. TPH concentrations ranged from 15 to 320 ppm and Xylene was detected at 2,400 ppb. An Immediate Response Action (IRA) was completed, and approximately 107 tons of contaminated soil was removed and transported off site in May 1994. A Class A-2 RAO was achieved for this site in May 1994. Our Lady of Victories Church, 27 Isabella Street, (DEP No. 3-14370)
In March 1996, Petroleum Management Inc. planned to clean and abandon in place a 2,000- gallon underground storage tank in the former coal room of a residential building at this location. TPH concentrations in two soil samples collected from beneath the ends of this tank during this operation were 5,970 and 8,660 ppm, respectively. TPH was also identified in an on-site monitoring well at 1.27 ppm. In June 1996, the UST was filled with a cement slurry, used for heating oil were pumped out. A Class B-2 RAO statement was submitted on October 16, 1996 and an Activity and Use Limitation was recorded for the property on October 19, 1996. 145 Arlington Street, (DEP No. 3-22676, 3-18441) On March 17, 2003, a release of an unknown quantity of fuel oil occurred from an AST located in the basement of the building at this location. The AST was removed, a polyethylene vapor barrier was installed, an assessment of soil and indoor air was completed, and a limited soil removal was completed. No PAHs were identified. A Class A-2 RAO for this site was achieved in November 2003. 75 Arlington Street, (DEP No. 3-12076) According to MADEP files, on January 19, 1995, greater than 10 gallons of No. 4 fuel oil was released from the fill line of a UST onto a sidewalk at this location. Fuel oil migrated approximately 20 feet down Arlington Street into a concrete lined catch basin. Remedial actions followed which achieved a level of No Significant risk and therefore a Class A-1 RAO was achieved in March 1995.