WORK PLANS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Site Background Information - Ripon Farm Service Page 2 of 10 SITE HISTORY AND ACTIVITIES The RFS facility stores, batches, and delivers fertilizers in bulk and diluted forms; it has been operated by RFS for at least 45 years and the bulk plant is operated by 14 employees. The primary activity at the RFS facility is the distribution of fertilizers;selected chemicals are transferred directly into assorted sizes of delivery tank trailers,which are then transported to farm locations for metered dispersion into an irrigation stream. Following delivery, the tankers and trailers may be rinsed to remove fertilizer residue that may be incompatible with subsequent fertilizer loads,such as between nitrogen-based and calcium-based fertilizer(UN32 vs. Can-17, CN-9, thioCal). The rinse water is recycled into fertilizer blends or evaporated in a two-stage polyvinyl, concrete lined pond. Secondary to the bulk distribution is batch processing,whereby a stainless steel mixer(10-ton batch) mixes drypotash,water,and liquid fertilizer additives to generate the liquid fertilizer blends that will be transported to farm locations. Dry and liquid bulk fertilizer components are delivered to the site by contracted trucking firms; dry chemicals are stored in concrete-divided storage bins or a dry hopper,whereas liquid chemicals are stored in twelve large steel tanks under secondary containment. All loading and mixing activities are continually supervised by RFS trained personnel;any spills are immediately cleaned up, swept-up, or recycled into the appropriate fertilizer blends; rinse water is containerized and recycled or allowed to desiccate within concrete holding ponds at the eastern edge of the RFS site. Surface rain water from the fertilizer batch plant area does not leave the site; the water is collected and recycled into fertilizer blends or evaporated within the two-stage polyvinyl, concrete lined ponds. In addition, no surface or mix water leaves the site, or is discharged to the site; rather, it is collected and recycled by RFS trained personnel. Boxed and containerized herbicide and fertilizer chemicals are stored in the main storage/office building in the western portion of the site. Additionally, the RFS facility stores and delivers spray oil for seasonal treatment of orchards and vines. The RFS facility utilized the Federally-mandated Security and Training Program, a Hazardous Communication Plan and Risk Management Plan(Hazardous materials management plan-HMMP), as required by the San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services (OES) and Ripon Fire Department. WELL SURVEY A survey of ground water wells was conducted on 18 November 1998. Three ground water wells within 2,000 feet of the subject property were identified as described below. Advanced Geo)Environmental,Inc.