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J. R. Simplot, Lathrop -5- 1 August 2007 <br /> San Joaquin County <br /> installation. After our review of the Detection Monitoring Program, we have the following <br /> comments: <br /> 1) As I discussed over the telephone with you on 23 March 2007 and again on 25 May <br /> 2007, 1 generally concurred with J. R Simplot's proposal to install three new shallow <br /> monitoring wells (A, B and C) in the vicinity of the UN-32 tank. However, the <br /> Detection Monitoring Program stated, "...we will install two new monitoring wells, up- <br /> gradient from the point of release, and a background well." Based on your <br /> Attachment 1 showing the locations of the proposed monitoring wells and the <br /> generalized groundwater flow direction to the north-west, I believe that you meant to <br /> describe two of the monitoring wells (A and B) to be installed downgradient from the <br /> point of release. Please confirm the proposed locations and intentions for the <br /> monitoring wells in a specific well installation work plan. Please submit this Work <br /> Plan to the Regional Water Board by 12 September 2007. <br /> 2) Section 3.0 of the Detection Monitoring Program states "...samples show that there <br /> was some impact from a leak but it appears to be diminished to the point of not <br /> being a concern for further migration to ground water."This statement was not <br /> substantiated by the inclusion of data. Therefore, upon completion of the UN-32 <br /> tank assessment work, including the proposed installation of three monitoring wells, <br /> please include all of the assessment data to date, a discussion of the results, <br /> conclusions and recommendations from a properly licensed (professional) individual <br /> in the State of California (See Sections 6735, 7835 and 7835.1 of the California <br /> Business and Professions Code). <br /> Surface Release of Dilute Ammonia Sulfate Solution <br /> On 14 February 2007, you reported a surface spill of approximately 100,000 gallons of dilute <br /> ammonia sulfate solution to me by phone. The spill occurred as a result of a broken sight <br /> glass on the side of a process tank. Based on initial reports, approximately 90 to 95 percent of <br /> the spill was contained on-site and pumped into one of the on-site lined surface <br /> impoundments. Approximately 5,000 to 10,000 gallons of this solution was reported to have <br /> flowed off-site in an unlined ditch along Howland Road to the east of the facility. From this <br /> event, an unknown quantity of solution flowed under Howland Road through a culvert and <br /> discharged to surface soils located on the east side of Howland Road just before the Union <br /> Pacific Railroad's tracks. J. R. Simplot initiated immediate cleanup of the impacted soil <br /> material in front of their facility by excavating and blending that material that was determined <br /> to be suitable for use as filler material for their fertilizer. On 23 March 2007, J. R. Simplot <br /> submitted an email to the Regional Water Board staff that included preliminary assessment <br /> results and remedial work performed on the ammonia sulfate spill and proposed additional <br /> assessment work to further define the extent of soil impacts along both sides of Howland <br /> Road. A figure provided as an attachment with the email termed the area of impact as the <br /> "Mother Liquor Spill Location" (MLSL area). Regarding this correspondence, Regional Water <br /> Board staff has the following comments: <br /> 1) We appreciate J. R. Simplot's taking the initiate to clean up and investigate the <br /> ammonium sulfate spill in an expedited manner. However, in the future, we require <br /> that all cleanup and investigative activities be described in a work plan prepared by <br />