SU0004380 SSCRPT - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

t J A INFORMATION FROM SITE RECONNAISSANCE AND INTERVIEWS The following information was obtained visually or through an interview with Mrs. Smythe on May 3-� 11, 2004 by the author of this Report: The property has been in the Smythe Family since 1850 and there are no other recorded previous owners. The property contains no underground or above ground gas and/or diesel storage tanks (USTs/ASTs). It is a possibility that agrichemicals sprayed on agricultural production land to the north or south may drift onto the subject property. The site can be considered in the predominant crossgradient, and slight downgradient windshed to surrounding ag production land to the north. Additionally, San Joaquin County Mosquito Abatement District sprays for mosquitos in the surrounding open pasture land which may contain standing water. Consequently, mosquito insecticides may be applied, or may drift onto the property. The entire acreage was walked and surveyed for evidence which may suggest surface and/or subsurface contamination: Two empty, rusty metal drums were observed 200 feet west of the Quonset hut. No residue or odor was detected in these drums. No evidence of solid waste disposal was noted, other than tree limbs, brush burn pile, and wood planks. The site was inspected for environmental concerns originating from discolored, disturbed/subsided soils, stressed vegetation or unusual/noxious odors. No disturbed soils were observed. No bulk hazardous materials are stored on-site and there were no indications or observations of spills or other items associated with hazardous materials. Household de minimus materials, such as gasoline, pesticides and herbicides 6_14 are stored in the garage and Quonset hut. An important concern associated with the environmental assessment of open properties is the issue of buried pesticide containers or discarded items. It was an occasional practice to dispose of these 6-2-3 items by this method many years ago. Due to the long history of the subject property,burial of discarded items may be a possibility. However, to detect these types of underground artifacts is difficult even with the use of ground penetrating radar or other types of non-intrusive, subsurface analyses. The land surface did not exhibit visual indicators for buried containers such as surfacing of , product residue, soil mounding, or localized soil depressions. If buried items are discovered during underground utility placements, etc. for the new modular home, the Environmental Health Department must be contacted immediately. An electrical transformer is located on a pole near the domestic well. It appears to be relatively new; .3J therefore, it probably does not contain polychloride biphenyl (FCB) laden oil. If this transformer were to leak or explode, it would be the responsibility of the transformer owner (P.G. &E) to mitigate any environmental contamination. From previous nitrate loading and soil suitability studies in this locale, it is known that there is typically(but not always) lower concentrations of nitrate in the underlying drinking water aquifers in comparison to areas of shallower groundwater that may be under agricultural production. Low nitrate concentrations in the area may be attributable to the relatively deep groundwater, heavy clay soils and a very low septic system density. Page -2- Chesney Consulting