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rdisturbod/subsided property was carefully inspected for environmental concerns originating from discolored, soils, stressed vegetation or unusuaUnoxious odors,particularly from drug(meth)ing operations. None of these environmental indicators were present. rface did not exhibit visual indicators for buried containers such as surfacing of product residue, soil mounding, or soil depressions. Since virtually the entire property is obviously in agricultural production, the remaining vineyard would most likely show severe stress if there was shallow subsurface contamination. Additionally, subsurface anomalies probably would have been discovered when the south half of the vineyard was removed. It is usually only after a contaminant plume has impacted a domestic well that buried pesticide containers are discovered. If buried items are discovered during any future earthwork procedures, etc.,the San Joaquin County Environmental ' Health Department must be contacted immediately. § 3.3, § 3.4, § 3.5 It is a possibility minute volumes of agrichemicals sprayed on surrounding properties may drift onto the subject property, in addition to the agrichemicals applied to the subject acreage. The site can be considered in the predominant downgradient windshed to other agricultural production acreage. In addition, the San Joaquin County Mosquito Abatement District may spray for mosquitoes on and around the property. Available Environmental Fate Data for the materials applied to the vineyard as documented on the Environmental Questionnaire, are found in Appendix D. Environmental Fate Data is summarized in the chart found in the next section. The data shows that the materials are moderately persistent and have comparatively short half-lives within the soil environment. Mixing of these materials with water occurs in the northeast corner of the Parcel,next to the shop. Photographic Plate F depicts the overhead water conveyance piping with a large air gap which is used to mix the agrichemicals. Also located at the shop is a pressure washer system with a concrete pad and drain. This is a recirculating system that captures all oil, grease,etc., and is manufactured and maintained by the firm of Freeman and Alkota Cleaning Systems of Stockton. 1 An important concern associated with the environmental assessment of open properties is the issue of buried containers or discarded items. It was an occasional practice to dispose of containers or discarded items by this method many years ago. 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. From previous Nitrate Loading and Soil Suitability Studies done in the area of Thornton, it is known there are high concentrations of nitrate in the underlying water table and drinking water aquifers. This can be attributed to the intensely farmed region and the extremely shallow water table. Static groundwater is found at less than 10 feet under the property as illustrated on the attached 1999 Lines of Equal Depth to Groundwater map, and may be closer to five feet below ground surface. From the 2003 Lines of Equal Elevation of Groundwater,the groundwater directional flow appears to be toward the Sacramento Delta; however, the gradient is most likely very flat and is assuredly influenced by irrigation recharge and tidal action. The underlying groundwater depth can be considered extremely shallow. Page -4- Chesney Consulting