SITE INFORMATION AND CORRESPONDENCE

Home Browse Search

since inception. In January, of 2006,we tested the tanks, supply lines, and vapor lines with a tracer test which showed the entire fueling facility tight at a cost of$26,000. Every year we test the tanks and lines and tbIey have always passed the tests. We have not had an unauthorized release to date other than normal break aways at the dispenser from customer usage or driver errors at deli ry. We have strict policies in place and self contain any customer or driver spill and dispose of the"kitty litter"in special drums that Ramos environmental hauls away. Wesent proof in writing with the detailed facts to CRWQCB of all repairs since inception and proof of the tracer test in January or February of 2006. We cannot prove, nor can anyone else prove that we had an unauthorized release through the tanks or lines, or from our monitoring system as we know it under normal circumstances from 1�97 to today. However,that being said,I believe that it is�ntirely possible,and according to the facts from the monitoring wells,contamination occurred through our spill buckets,which failed several annual tests(that were repaired that same day), and it is entirely possible that the Gilbarco Vapor Vac system and the vents could have released gasoline fumes containing MTBE prior to the change of the law in 2003,of which everything was mandated to new, current equipment that pr vents the vapors from escaping into the air, unlike its predecessor. The spill buckets were replaced(please see attached dates), and that would explain why only MTBE had surfaced or subsurfaced,and not the rest of the hydrocarbons from gasoline,and because thi spill bucket has been completely replaced some time ago would explain why only MT 3E remains. And last,it has been noted in the draft that our vapor recovery buckets fai ed a test. According to Walton Engineering it is impossible for liquid gasoline to get into this area,and as for vapors,this area is so minute that it is classified as a nondetect area and it is not even suppose to be tested nor is it required to be tested by law because of his fact. It is impossible,according to Walton,that any vapor release at this junct> would be detected, and if a line or the system failed,we would all know. The gas line system would shut down. In November of 2005, I was called to a mee"g with the San Joaquin County folks,and Jim Barton of the CRWQCB. I thought wed were entering that meeting to figure out what and where the contamination was coining from at my station, and to discuss other potential possibilities since I was very familiar with Flag City,even prior to me owning this site. For example,I was friends with Bokidas family who owned and operated the old Texaco site, and another family member owned and operated the Chevron site. I was familiar with truck and trailer spills at the Chevron in the 80's and the contamination and spills at the Chevron and the Texaco be ause I worked for the carrier in those days. Apex asked Jim Barton and the two folks working for the county about the Chevron site and Jim Barton told us they were receiving closure. He said they have exhausted the$1.5 million in the FUND, and that the senior Bc kidas has cancer. We expressed concern that their contamination was larger than the results show. ow 11M PMOLEUbt 1831 16TH STREET• SACRAMENTO,�:A 95814. (916) 443-0890 Phone• (916) 443-1170 Fax