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The subject property was surveyed for evidence which is indicative of surface and/or subsurface contamination: There are two transformers directly southwest of the barn, one of which may contain polychloride biphenyl (PCB) laden oil. If this transformer were to leak or explode, it would be the responsibility of the transformer owner to mitigate environmental contamination. There was no evidence of solid waste disposal. The site was inspected for environmental concerns originating from discolored, disturbed/subsided soils, stressed vegetation/almond trees or unusual/noxious odors. None of these environmental indicators were observed. There are no hazardous materials stored on-site in the barn and there was no indication or observations of spills, or other items associated with hazardous materials. An important concern associated with the environmental assessment of agricultural properties is the issue of buried pesticide containers or discarded items. It was an occasional practice to dispose of containers by this method many years ago. Mrs. Slikker stated that this was never done on the subject property. 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 soil depressions. It is usually only after a contaminant plume has impacted a domestic well that buried pesticide containers are usually discovered. The static groundwater table is found approximately 44 feet under the property as illustrated on the attached depth to groundwater map. This is considered a medium groundwater elevation. Medium depth groundwater can be impacted from nitrogen in the form of nitrates, particularly in a sandy soil. However, if there are intervening layers of clay soil down to the static water table, attenuation of adverse constituents may occur. The soil profile to the depth of groundwater is assumed to consist predominately of sand, although there may be a hardpan layer which can also have an attenuating effect on the downward migration of nitrates. The groundwater directional flow appears to be toward the north, as denoted on the attached lines of equal elevation groundwater map. Since the subject property has been in agricultural production for several years, an evaluation of environmental fate data for agrichemical residues as a nonpoint source of potential contamination was performed. The science of pesticide residues in soil, air, surface water and groundwater is extremely complex and variable. Environmental models which attempt to predict pesticide behavior and transport in the environment are beyond the scope of this investigation. It has been clearly evident over the last five decades that the risk/benefit ratio regarding pesticides has been overwhelming benefit and comparatively low risk to the United States population and to the environment, as a whole. A list of all agrichemicals applied to the subject property for the last two years was provided verbally by Mr. Winters on February 14, 2000, and are listed below. Available environmental fate data for those herbicides which were applied have been documented. This list illustrates environmental fate data, and indicates the half-lives of the listed materials are comparatively fast. Data was obtained from the Illustrated Handbook of Physical-Chemical Properties and Environmental Fate for Organic Pesticide Chemicals: 3 NalleyAgResearch