SITE INFORMATION AND CORRESPONDENCE

Home Browse Search

PUBLIC MEALTH SERVICES Q�,N SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY z� ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIVISION w , Ernest M. Fujimoto, M. D., M.P.H., Acting Health Officer 304 E. Weber Ave., Third Floor • P. O. Box 388 • Stockton, CA 95201-0388 °4i;Foa411P 209/468-3420 EC (DJ l JAMES GIOTTONINI MAILED MAR 0 819966- PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR CITY OF STOCKTON 425 NORTH EL DORADO STREET STOCKTON CA 95202 RE: 110 WEST SONORA STREET SITE CODE: 1253 STOCKTON CA During a recent telephone conversation between City of Stockton and San Joaquin County Public Health Services, Environmental Health Division (PHS-EHD) staff, the recent guidance from the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to agencies overseeing the investigation and cleanup of underground storage tank release sites was discussed. The following comments are being offered for your consideration. The possible changes mentioned in the December 8, 1995 guidance letter from the SWRCB are still unknown at this time. It can be expected, though, that any changes made to current laws or policies governing petroleum cleanups will likely not become effective until some time in early 1997. The guidance letter from the SWRCB recommends monitoring in this interim period for low risk plumes and that good judgement should be used when making these decisions. This guidance letter was based on the conclusions and recommendations of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Report. This report concludes that in cases where the source has been removed passive bioremediation should be considered the primary remediation tool. 7 Current law requires an evaluation of the cost effectiveness of the remedial alternatives being considered for a site, including the alternative of passive bioremediation or natural degradation, be performed. The most cost effective approach that will achieve targeted cleanup goals must be utilized at the site. Targeted cleanup goals, however, is one of the issues currently under debate at the State level. For this site, PNS-EHD does not recommend to monitor only during this interim period but to proceed with the source removal as originally proposed. However, should the City of Stockton choose this interim alternative, the site will still maintain compliance with this agency. Under current conditions and unless major changes are made to State policies and/or laws, PHS-EHD cannot offer a site closure in any reasonable time using a passive remedial approach without source removal. In any event, PHS-EHD recommends the following site specific factors be considered when determining the final course of action to be taken at this site. The groundwater basin in this area is utilized heavily for municipal, industrial and agricultural uses. The use of our groundwater basin is expected to increase in the future due to continued urbanization in this area. Because our groundwater basin is so heavily used and other sources of water (surface water) are scarce, it is considered a valuable resource and is vigorously protected. For this site, current uses are not affected by the plume. However, future uses of this groundwater are unknown, cannot be adequately predicted, and may not be protected. PNS-EHD anticipates that any changes at the State level will continue to allow for current and future protection of valuable groundwater basins. I A Division of San Joaquin County Heaith Care Services