SITE INFORMATION AND CORRESPONDENCE_FILE 2

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HISTORY OF SITE (Chapin Bros. Inc.1766 Mt. Diablo Stockton, Ca 95203) In 1941, the site occupied by a gasoline service station from the late 1930s to 1990. Two very young brothers, Russell and Charles leased the site from Shell Oil Co. including the storage tanks. In 1942, the Chapin brothers terminated the lease and enlisted in the service. On March 25, 1946 the Chapin's returned to civilian life and leased this site until the 1980's from the Shell Oil Co. with same conditions. In 1972 before Chapin Brothers acquiring the property from the landowner (Tom & Norma Blanchard). Chapin Bros become aware of one 8,000 gallon gasoline tank leaking. This tank was replaced by the Shell Oil Co. and remained their property until we purchased. Chapin Bros later filed for Article of Incorporation. The site was estimated five thousand (5000) gallons of fuel was lost over a time period of sixty days (60). It should be noted that all times the tanks operated under a permit from the San Joaquin Health District, and had passed the integrity test. In the early 1990's Chapin Bros. Inc desired to sell the property and as aware of the previous gas spill we anticipated that an investigation would be required to evaluate the degree and spatial extent of contamination. Chapin Bros notified the Environmental Health Dept. that the site could be considered a risk to health. I attended the Underground Storage Tank Fund workshop and received eligibility to apply for Underground Storage Tank funds with eligibility #557. 1 was aware of my responsibility to pay the cost of subsurface investigation and tank removal. Chapin Bros. immediately applied to California Trade & Commerce for a low interest loan. Chapin Bros. also engaged the services of a law firm in Sacramento (Downey & Associates) with the intent of naming the Shell Oil Co. a third party to the project very soon our legal costs made us realize Chapin Bros. were no matches for their deep pockets. And removed them from the third party status. The loan application was delayed a very long time but with the help Robert Monagan Assemblyman the loan was approved. Through the long delay of receiving the loan, we worked within the process mandated by Environmental Health Dept advising them of the delay. At our request an administrative hearing was held at the Environmental Health Dept. on Sept 30, 1992 our record of conversation and staff meeting reflect there never was a communication problem. Or a doubt of our intentions to comply. Thus, I was disappointed with the following two actions taken by the Environmental Health Dept. 1 Filed a complaint with the SJ District Attorney for non-compliance. 2 Requested the Underground Storage Tank Fund remove our eligibility to obtain funding. Both actions would have resulted in a fine and denied the resource to clean the site, as well as showing the unwillingness to work with Chapin Bros Inc.