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The subject property was surveyed for evidence which is indicative of surface and/or subsurface <br /> contamination: The on-site transformer is approximately nine years old and should not contain <br /> polychloride biphenyls (PCBs). There was no evidence of solid waste disposal. The site was <br /> carefully inspected for environmental concerns originating from discolored, disturbed or <br /> subsided soils, stressed vegetation or unusual or noxious odors. None of these environmental <br /> indicators were present. No hazardous materials are stored in sheds and there was no indication <br /> or observations of spills, or other items associated with hazardous materials in or around the <br /> house. <br /> An important concern associated with the environmental assessment of properties in agricultural <br /> production is the issue of buried pesticide containers. It was an occasional practice to dispose of <br /> containers by this method many years ago. To detect these types of underground artifacts is <br /> difficult even with the use of ground penetrating radar or other types of non-intrusive, subsurface <br /> analyses. The land surface did not exhibit visual indicators for buried containers such as <br /> surfacing of product residue, soil mounding or soil depressions. It is usually only after a <br /> contaminant plume has impacted a domestic well that buried pesticide containers are discovered. <br /> The exact depth of the static groundwater is unknown since it has not been referenced on the <br /> Depth to Groundwater Map published by the Flood Control District. However, from previous <br /> studies, in addition to the existing on-site well being over 300 ft deep, the groundwater depth can <br /> be assumed to be at least 80 feet below grade. This is considered a deep groundwater elevation. <br /> Deep groundwater cannot be easily impacted from pesticides or nitrogen in the form of nitrates. <br /> This is particularly true when there are intervening layers of clay soil down to the static water <br /> table depth. From previous drilling procedures conducted by our firm directly to the north of the <br /> subject property, the soil profile to a depth of 25 feet consists of a silty clay soil with very fine <br /> sand. The groundwater directional flow normally follows the contour of the land surface; <br /> therefore, the gradient is in a northeast direction. <br /> Since the subject property has not been in agricultural production for several years, an evaluation <br /> of agrichemical residues as a nonpoint source of potential contamination was not performed. <br /> Any agrichemicals applied more than two years ago have long since decomposed. The science <br /> of pesticide residues in soil, air, surface water and groundwater is extremely complex and <br /> variable. Environmental models which attempt to predict pesticide behavior and transport in the <br /> environment are beyond the scope of this investigation. It has been clearly evident over the last <br /> four decades that the risk/benefit ratio regarding pesticides has been overwhelming benefit and <br /> comparatively low risk to the United States population and the environment, as a whole. <br /> 3 <br /> Vadey Ag Research <br />