FIELD DOCUMENTS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Wright was then contacted on November 10, 1995 by a representative of the Estate that the soil covering the suspected tank location had been removed, exposing the top of a tank Wright visited the site on November 11, 1995 and found that the tank had been removed from the tank pit and placed adjacent to the pit (See Figure 3, 500 Gallon UST Area Map). At that time Wright estimated the tank capacity, observed numerous small holes in the tank bottom and a lack of odor typical to fuel tanks. The last contents of the tank were still unknown according to estate representatives, however, tenants offered information which indicated that gasoline may have been stored. Wright observed some soil stockpiled adjacent to the tank and open excavation/pit and noted a slight odor and attributed it to organic soil from the pit. Wright personnel collected 2 reconnaissance samples from the open excavation which was approximately 4 feet deep, 6 feet wide and 10 feet long. The 2 samples were field screened for petroleum hydrocarbons using a Hanby Colorametric test kit. The results of the Colormetric tests identified potential petroleum hydrocarbons in the soil. However, there was an abundance of organic material (vegetation) in the samples and odors which may have been attributed to the rotting vegetation. Wright personnel then suggested that additional reconnaissance samples be collected and analyzed by a state certified laboratory for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons as Gasoline, (TPHG) Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylenes (BTEX) and that the each sample extract be filtered through silica gel to remove polar compounds found in vegetation that may be mistaken for gasoline, diesel or other petroleum compounds. After collecting the reconnaissance samples a chain of custody document was completed and the sample was placed in a chilled ice chest for transport. Results from the laboratory analyses of the reconnaissance samples were received on November 14, 1995 by Wright, laboratory results were quantified to a Gasoline Standard by the laboratory, constituents of Gasoline were in the reconnaissance samples collected. Wright relayed the laboratory data (Appendix A) to representatives of the Estate on or about November 28, 1995 with the explanation that the data indicated the tank may have been an underground fuel tank (gasoline) and that low concentrations of TPHG, BTEX were detected in the soil near the tanks former location in the pit. Wright pointed out that the tank and any excavated soil should be on and covered with plastic, including soil that had caved into the excavation. A Wright representative returned to the site on December 9, 1995. The tank, and soil which had fallen into the pit along with some of the soil from the bottom of the excavation was placed on and covered with plastic. Wright contacted the Estate administrator who authorized Wright to contact PHS-EHD and explain how the UST was found and to start the permit process for any sampling or oversight work associated with the tank. PERMITTING FOR TANK AND SOIL SAMPLING The Trust,which heretofore had not notified any agency of the tank, gave permission to Wright to notify the San Joaquin County Public Health Services-Environmental Health Division (PHS- EHD) on December 9, 1995. The PHS-EHD was notified on December 11, 1995 that a tank which was apparently unregistered with the county had been located, removed and that the Estate wished to obtain the appropriate UST closure permit. Wright was advised by PHS-EHD to submit the required permit application, workplan and application fees. All documents were submitted to PHS-EHD on December 13, 1995 subsequent to a visit to the site by representatives of PHS-EHD, the Estate and Wright. The workplan for sample collection was approved by Ms. Linda Turkatte on January 8, 1996 with certain modifications. Over the course of several weeks the UST permit application was reviewed by PHS-EHD and requests were made of Wright to clarify information in certain sections of the form and to provide proof �,. that San Joaquin County Fire Prevention Bureau (SJCFPB) did not require permits since the tank had already been removed from the ground.