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Page 1 of 2 <br /> ti,,,r <br /> Jeff Wong [EH] <br /> To: h2olooshell@softcom.net <br /> Subject: RE: status report <br /> Hi Cathie: <br /> This is Jeffrey Wong. First I apologize for not getting back to your phone message sooner, but in truth I'd <br /> not been in the office much at all but been out in the field this whole last week. <br /> In regards to the site investigation, our unit(Local Oversight Program, LOP) is not recommending closure <br /> at this time. There has been quite a bit of sampling of the monitoring wells at this site, but the contaminant <br /> of concern (methyl tert butyl ether, aka MTBE) continued to persist in MW-1 sample, and as it stands, LOP <br /> still has yet to determine the vertical extent(the bottom) of the contamination in groundwater. <br /> I will be issuing a letter of directive to the present responsible party (Shell) shortly requesting additional <br /> investigative work to determine the vertical extent of the contamination. Based on historical record of the <br /> lowest depth of the groundwater level in the area, we need to obtain groundwater samples from at least as <br /> deep as 90 feet below surface grade. After my letter goes out, the speed of the investigation will be in <br /> parts dependent on how fast Shell moves. <br /> I cannot give you a projection when this site will be eligible for closure. The most optimistic scenario is that <br /> the current groundwater contamination is minimal and is limited to the area around MW-1 at depth not <br /> much deeper from where we have been obtaining samples the last few years(between 60 to 70 feet <br /> below surface grade). However, if the groundwater contamination plume turned out to be much <br /> deeper(i.e. 90 feet or below), and we still could not get a grasp on where is the bottom of the <br /> contamination plume following my this addtional investigation (as described above), more work may be <br /> required. Worst scenario is significant amount of contamination is discovered at greater depth so that <br /> actual remediation system is necessary to remove the dissolved contamination in groundwater. In which <br /> case the site may remain open for much longer periods. <br /> I hope this information is helpful to you in making your decision to purchase the property. On the plus side, <br /> a decent amount of investigation has already been conducted at this site and that we have identified <br /> responsible party (Shell)who's been compliant in meeting our directives. However, please be aware that if <br /> you do purchase the property, you will be named as an additional responsible party along side with Shell <br /> under Title 23 of the California Code of Regulations. As long as Shell continues to do the work and follow <br /> the directives from our department, I don't think you will have any problems from our department. <br /> However, in the event that you become the only responsible party we could contact(say in an unlikely <br /> event Shell no longer does business in California or even the US and we could no longer contact <br /> Shell), you will be responsible in meeting LOP directives. In so far as who pays for what, that is sometime <br /> you and Shell have to work out between yourselves. LOP does not care who does the work or pays the <br /> bills as long as LOP directives enforcable under the law are met. <br /> regards, <br /> Jeff <br /> -----Original Message----- <br /> From: CATHIE NORBY [mailto:] <br /> Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2004 1:31 PM <br /> To: Dick Brownfield [EH] <br /> Subject: status report <br /> Attn: Donna <br /> 7/9/2004 <br />