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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-06-09 Applicant Ltr. Re Environmental Issues11550 Stillwater Blvd; Suite 100 Lake Elmo, Minnesota 55042 June 9, 2005 BAHR CONSTRUCTION L.L.C. Phone: (651) 351-1890 Fax: (651) 439-0484 Emaikbuildgbahrconstruction.com www.bahrconstruction.com Re: Environmental issues at lot 7 & 8 block 6, Oak Park Heights, MN and City Engineers recommendation; Item 12 In reference to environmental issues previously encountered on the neighboring property located at 15431 — 58 Street, we at Bahr Construction LLC, a reputable business in the neighborhood and member of the Better Business Bureau, feel we have significantly addressed this issue and done so in a manner which is more than satisfactory considering the circumstances. The original assumptions of the neighbors were partially correct as shown in the aftached documents however, in everybody's best interest we removed what little contamination was found as per the request of the city, thus resolving this problem. The removal of the dirt was not required by any authority other than the city requesting us to do so. According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) the level of contamination found could have been disbursed through out the lot during the grading process and would have been an acceptable solution. We at Bahr Construction incurred additional costs and went beyond the standard practices of the MPCA in order to keep the requests of the city and community satisfied. In reference to the Johnson properties as a whole, meaning both parcels, all concerned neighbors had every chance to mark their areas of concern. The areas of concern were isolated around the old barn which gave fair reason for the actions taken during previous excavation. Please note that the "assumed" buried fuel/oil tank in this area on lots 5 & never existed. Not one stake or marking was put on the parcel before you today, Lots 7 & 8, for the simple reason that no one had any knowledge of contamination beyond the barn perimeter or simply had no reason to believe oil or fuel was dumped in this area. The previous community concerns were fair as people recalled the observation of former property owners dumping near the barn, thus giving just cause to rectify these areas. However, we reiterate that this is not the case on this parcel, Lots 7 & 8. We feel unless there is documentation to prove any further contamination or undeniable proof beyond "they might have" or "just in case maybe we should test the whole area" scenario. We have done all things necessary as previously requested to rectify the problem and put the neighbors at ease concerning this matter. Bahr Construction does not feel that it should incur the additional costs by paying a company to monitor our excavation of this project when there is no documentation that any contamination was found. We will have a plan in place with Allphase, the company that monitored the adjacent property, Lots 5 & 6, that will be readily available if any odiferous material or containers are encountered. It is Bahr Constructions and the cities view that if this was a standard building permit, this issue would not be addressed unless there was proof and it was documented with the M.P.C.A. We are here under a conditional use permit to approve the character of the building, if it fits the neighborhood and if its location on the site is essentially pleasing along with the usual city standards of setbacks and drainage. We strongly feel the environmental issues and areas of concern have been addressed and resolved and would like to proceed forward with construction on a normal basis with standard terms. Thank you for your time and we hope we can continue with a fair and working relationship within the city of Oak Park Heights. Rodney D. Bahr /President AllPhase Companies, Incorporated 404 -A St. Croix Trail North, Lakeland, MN 55043 Phone: 651- 436 -2930 Fax: 65 1 - 436 -3918 November 4, 2004 Mr. Joel Martin BAHR Construction, L.L. C. 11550 Stillwater Boulevard Stillwater, MN 55082 RE: Utility Trench Excavation Oversight Vacant Property 15431 N. 58 Street, Oak Park Heights, Minnesota 55082 AllPhase #1460-04B-E Dear Ir4r. Martin: AllPhase Companies, Incorporated, was on site for the utility trench excavation on November 2, 2004. We collected some soil samples for in-field screening for organic vapors and observed the soils for staining and detectable odors. Based on the screening results and our observations there does not appear to be contamination at the utility trench from petroleum or its derivatives except for an inconsequential volume of soil with organic vapors screened below regulatory action levels. However, it should be noted that the investigation does not guarantee that contamination is or is not present at other locations on the subject site due to the limited amount of evaluation on the subject site. Our evaluation is based solely on the investigated locations and the soils collected for screening of organic vapors. Should you have any questions regarding the contents of this report, or if we can be of further service, please call us at your convenience at (651) 436 -2930. Cordially, David S. Jenkin, P.G. Environmental Consultant Encl. Pc: Eric Johnson, City of oak Park Heights, 14168 Oak Park Blvd N., Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 UTILITY TRENCH EXCAVATION OVERSIGHT Vacant Property 15431 58 Street, MN Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 AIlPhase Companies, Incorporated #1464 -04B -E Reported To BAHR. Construction L.L.C. Stillwater, MN November 4, 2004 AIlPhasc Companies, Incorporated 404 -A St. Croix Trail North, Lakeland, MN 55043 Phone: 651-436-2930 Fax: 651-436-3918 INTRODUCTION UTILITY TRENCH EXCAVATION OVERSIGHT AllPhase Companies, Incorporated, (AllPhase) was retained by Bahr Construction, L.L.C. (Bahr) to observe excavation activities, screen for organic vapors and manage petroleum - contaminated soils, if encountered, for a utility trench at 15431 North 58 Street, Oak Park Heights, Minnesota — hereafter referred to as the subject site (Figure 1). The subject site used to be a small commercial site for automobile repair. The excavation commenced and finished on November 2, 2004, and consisted of one trench from the water shutoff to the eastern wail of the house (Figure 2). BACKGROUND Five buildings that had existed on the subject site were removed earlier in the year. There were reported observations of the dumping of automobile fluids and the piling of automobile engines on the ground. People familiar with the subject site identified three areas of concern. AllPhase conducted three test pits within the identified zones on August 18, 2004. Contaminated soil was encountered at Test Pit 2, 1.5 ft below grade (bg)—Diesel range organics (DRO) were detected at 160 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg). During the excavation of the basement area for the home that was being moved on site, three areas of contaminated soil were encountered. The first was a zone of stained soil with chemical odor located immediately adjacent to Test Pit 2. Its dimensions were approximately 4 ft in diameter and 6 ft bg. These soils were removed and thermally treated. The other two areas were near - surface layers of both minor odor and minor in -field screening measurements of organic vapors. They were located at the center of the subject site and the center of the basement excavation. These soils were also removed for thermal treatment. Remaining soils adjacent to the excavated areas were determined to be below regulatory action levels and were handled in the same manner as other on -site soils. METHODOLOGY A HNu PID organic vapor meter with a 10.2 eV lamp source was used to field screen soils for total organic vapors. Soil samples were collected from freshly exposed surfaces. The soil samples were placed in re-sealable bags and allowed to warm prior to screening the sample air space for organic vapors. The soil screenings were performed in accordance with the MPCA - approved protocol for this procedure. FINDINGS The utility trench excavation began at the water shut -off and proceeded west, then angled north - northwest, then west again up to the basement wall (Figure 2). The sewer stub was found directly beneath the water shut -off. The excavation extended to approximately 9 ft bg near the road and was at approximately 6 ft bg at the basement wall. Soils ranged in texture from gravelly clay to sandy gravel to sand. The sand unit was encountered at approximately 9 ft bg. In general, excavated soils were not stained and did not have detectable odors or organic vapors. Soils from Locations 21 through 24 were collected for in -field screening of organic vapors. Location 22 was the only soil that screened above background but only slightly, remaining near 1 part per million (ppm). Screening results and other field observations are summarized in Table 1. A more detailed description of this area follows. As the trench proceeded west then north - northwest, fill was encountered approximately 15 ft east of the house and in the upper two feet. The fill consisted of sand underlain by black sandy silt. The black unit was not the A horizon of nearby native soils, but was previously disturbed soils with organics, containing minor scattered glass, scrap metal, miscellaneous debris. This same black unit was encountered during the previous basement excavation and did not have detectable organic vapors or detectable petroleum or chemical odors. Of the two samples collected in the black sediment during the trench excavation, Location 22 had a mild chemical odor and screened near 1 ppm. The area that had odor was within an approximate 5-foot diameter, and the black unit was generally less than 1.5 feet thick. Based on the small volume (perhaps up to one cubic yard), the minor level of detectable organic vapors, and the analytical results of previous on -site sampling, the soil was not excavated and stockpiled. Utility Trench Excavation Oversi, 15431 N. 58 St., Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 AIIPhase Project #1460 -04B -E Associated with minor waste in fill ppm = parts per million <1 ppm is considered background STANDARD OF CARE Location 21 1.5' Report Review Rennie Smith, P.G. Environmental Consultant Assessor: David S. Jenkin, F.G. ' Environmental Consultant Table I Screening Results Location 22 1.5' Location 23 2.5' Location 24 3.5' SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS Based on the screening results and our field observations, soils in and adjacent to the utility trench appear to be uncontaminated by petroleum, or other products that produce organic vapors, with the exception of up to one cubic yard of soil that had screening results slightly above background levels and well below regulatory action levels. Fill from the previous basement excavation extended 10 fl east of the house. The older f Il with the black sediment in discussion was approximately 5 feet wide and extended to 15 f east of the basement wall. This area of negligible contamination did not extend beyond the limits of the utility trench excavation. The excavated soils were used as backfi l l after utilities were installed. Our evaluation is based solely on the locations investigated at the subject site and the results from the screening of soils for organic vapors. If further excavation takes place on the property, we recommend environmental oversight as conducted with this project and that of the house basement. The recommendations and opinions presented by AllPhase Companies, Incorporated, are based solely on information collected during the performance of the site assessment and/or information provided by individuals with knowledge of the subject site. Date: I - )//' Date: 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 FIGURE 1 W Pine St Abbott St W 62nd St N COPYRIGHT 0 198+1997 ETAK INC. W Willard St z a cu E 2= 0 F 57th St N 0 • 1V CP _ to rn co CA Se W Churchill St X13 (0 in CO co Lo v r Q \ Hancock f.,7 03' W Hak St CO , \ W Marsh $t c.) r 1 rn E < W Orleans St c \ 64th St N tr5 ) E 8 Upper 63rd St N n. al X ro Site Location _ 15431 N. 58th St. Oak Park Heights, MN 58th St N 49th St N 6th Av N th St N 59th St N 5 z z z fte z 2nd Av N 1st Av N rn istAvS rn • 1• © 1998 by Rand McNally & company. All rights reserved. iI 1 i 1 Penrose Avenue North L d Z5 3 0 +' Oi a 0 L cL >, +- (1u 4s L D1— AllPhase Companies, Incoiporated 404 -A St. Croix Trail North, Lakeland, MN 55043 Phone: (651) 43 6 -293 0 Fax: (651) 43 6 -3 918 September 10, 2004 Mr. Mark Koplitz MPCA—VPIC Program 520 Lafayette Rd N. St. Paul, MN 55155 RE: Excavation and Soil Management Vacant Property 15431 N. 58 Street, Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 AllPhase Project #1460-04B-B Dear Mr. Koplitz: Enclosed you will find one copy of the report prepared by AllPhase Companies, Incorporated, (AllPhase) summarizing the activities and soil management for the removal of soils from the property listed above. Should you have any questions regarding the contents of this report, please call us at (651) 436 -2930. Sincerely, n 1 David S. Jenkin Project Manager Environmental Division pc: E on, City of Oak Park Heights, 14168 Oak Park Bvld N., Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 ark Hilde, • ahr Construction, L.L.C., 11550 Stillwater Blvd, Suite 100, Lake Elmo, MN 55042 1 1 EXCAVATION AND SOIL MANAGEMENT Vacant Property 15431 North 58 Street Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 AlIPhase Companies, Incorporated #1460- 0413 -B September 10, 2004 AIIPIhase Companies, Incorporated 404 -A St. Croix Trail North, Lakeland, MN 55043 Phone: 651 -436 -2930 Fax: 651- 436 -3918 1 1 1 1 1 1 INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND METHODOLOGY TXCAVATION AND SOIL MANAGEMENT AllPhase Companies, Incorporated, (AllPhase) was retained by Bahr Construction, L.L.C. (Bahr), to observe excavation activities, screen for organic vapors and manage etroleum -- contaminated soils, if encountered, associated with the small commercial site once located at 15431 North SS Street in Oak Park Heights, M innesota (Figure l ). Excavation began on August 23, 2004. Five buildings that had existed on the site were removed earlier in the year. The City of Oak Park Heights staked out three areas of concern based on historical observations and reports of site activities believed to have impacted the on -site soils (Figure 2). Such alleged activities included dumping of automobile fluids onto the ground and piling engines on the bare ground. On August 1 8, 2004, three test pits were performed to 5 ft below grade (bg) in relation to the three areas of concern. Based on screening and laboratory results, the only soils with results above background were at Test Pit 2 at 1.5 ft bg where diesel range organics (DRO) were detected at 160 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg). Laboratory analytical reports are provided in Appendix A. A HNu PID organic vapor meter with a 10,2 eV lamp source was used to field screen soils for total organic vapors. Soil samples were collected from freshly exposed surfaces. The soil samples were placed in re- sealable bags and allowed to warm before screening the sample. The soil screenings were done in accordance with the MPCA- approved protocol for this procedure. Soil samples collected for laboratory analysis were placed in laboratory - supplied containers refrigerated or placed on ice and transported via chain-of-custody procedures to a laboratory certified by the Minnesota Department of Health. Sheets of 6 -mil poly were used at the base and to cover stockpiles of contaminated soil. Contaminated soils screening over 1 ppm were placed on 6 -mil poly for later hauling to a thermal treatment facility. FINDINGS General Soil Screening and Soil Management Soils were observed for staining and odor as well as field screened. Black and gray soil layers were field screened to determine whether they were stained or simply contained organic carbon in association with an A soil horizon. Soils with odors were also screened. Excavated clean soils were stockpiled and were also screened at multiple locations. Other than the locations discussed below, all screened soils had no detection of organic vapors. The results of screened in -place soils not associated with three contamination zones discussed below are presented in Table 1. Table 1 Soil Screening Depth Sam Iin Location (ft) 1 2 3 a 5 6 7 8 9 10 ND Excavation and Soil Management Vacant Property 15431, Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 Readings are in parts per million ND w No Detection ND = No detection Table 1 (cont.) 2 AllPhase Project #1460- 04B -B Depth (ft) IMMIIMIN 13 0.5 1.0 -1.5 ND ND 14 ND Sam lin ! Location 16 MEI 6 ND ND 18 al= ND 19 ND 20 ND ND ND Cylindrical Zone of Soil Contamination A zone of contaminated soil was encountered approximately 42 ft west of the eastern property boundary and at the center of the property in a north-south direction. it started at approximately one foot below grade. The contaminated area was very near the staked area where Test Pit 2 was dug. Stained soils with strong odors extended to 6 ft bg and were 3-4 f: in diameter. The stained soils and an adjacent rind of unstained soils were excavated and stockpiled. No drum was encountered, and stained soils were the same texture as surrounding native soils. Sidewall and bottom samples were collected for in-field screening and laboratory analysis. In -field screening showed no detection of organic vapors above background (Table 2 ). Laboratory analytical results for sidewall and bottom samples show detections of GRO from 4.8 mg/kg to 5.4 mg/kg and 12 mg/kg (east sidewall). These concentrations are each inflated 4.6 mg/kg because of the addition of a laboratory surrogate. Therefore, actual concentrations are 0.2 mg/kg to 0.8 mg/kg and 7.4 mg/kg, respectively. VOCs were not detected (Table 3). Laboratory analytical reports are provided in Appendix A. Table 2— Screening Results E. wall Sam lin F Location Depth (ft) Bottom 3.75 4 ND 1111111111111111.11.11.11111111111 Excavation and Soil Management Vacant Property 15431, Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 Parameter Sampling Location DRO < 4.7 < 3.9 GRO* 0.2 0.3 1,2,4- < 0.053 < 0.056 Trimethylbenzene Toluene Total Xylenes Arsenic Barium Cadmium Chromium Lead Mercury Selenium Silver Surface Soils at Center of Property Management of Contaminated Soil Table 3 Summary of Laboratory Analytical Results Bottom N. Wall (7.5 ft) (4 ft) 0.053 < 0.056 0.110 <0.110 S. Wall (3.75 ft) <4.8 7.4 0.055 0.055 <0.110 Readings are in milligrams per kilogram (rrigfkg) * GRO results were adjusted for the 4.6 mg/kg from the laboratory -added surrogate. 3 AllPhase Project #1460 -04B -B E. Wall W. Wall Stockpile Location 4 (5 ft) (4 ft) (1.0 -1.5 ft) < 4.0 < 4.5 < 3.3 44 0.8 0.3 2.1 0.3 0.055 ~ < 0.054 0.064 < 0.054 0.055 < 0.054 0.068 < 0.054 <0.110 <0.110 0.120 <0.110 1.9 43 0.19 20 14 0.014 1.1 <0.32 The excavated contaminated soil greater than 1 ppm (background) was stockpiled for hauling and thermal treatment. Soils with volatile organic compounds were detected in the upper 6 inches at the center of the property (see Figure 2). The soil in this zone was multi - layered and had some adherence that made them friable as opposed to loose like the surrounding soils. The odor was noticed within an area of approximately 15 ft in diameter. Soil screened in that area (Location 3) had 3 ppm total organic vapors (Table 1). A laboratory sample was collected at 1.1.5 ft bg (Location 4) after soils were removed for stockpiling. DRO was detected at 44 mg/kg and GRO was detected at 0.3 mg/kg (4.6 mg/kg already subtracted). VOCs were not detected (Table 3 ). Nearby this zone was a layer of sand and minor debris from 1 -2 ft bg that had a faint petroleum fuel odor and screened 6 ppm (see Figure 2). These soils were also stockpiled. Approximately 10 cubic yards of contaminated soil from the three Locations of contaminated soils were stockpiled and later hauled by and to AB Environmental in Belle Plaine, Minnesota, for thermal treatment. Contaminated soil was stockpiled on and covered with 6-mil poly prior to hauling. Copies of weigh tickets are provided in Appendix B. The stockpile sample was analyzed for DRO, GRO, VOCs, the 8 RCRA metals and PCBs. GRO was detected at 2.1 mg/kg (4.6 mg/kg already subtracted) and had three detected constituents common to gasoline 1,2,4-- trimethylbenzene, toluene and xylene (Table 3). Metals analyzed were either not detected or were detected at background or near - background levels. PCBs were not detected. Excavation and Soil Management Vacant Property 15431, Oak Park Heights, MN 55082 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS David S. Jenkin ' Project Manager Environmental Division Rennie Smith Environmental Consultant Report Review 4 AllPhase Project #1460 -04B -B Contaminated soils were encountered in three areas, two of them adjacent to each other. Each contaminated area was local in extent and depth. Based on laboratory analytical results, soils contaminated above State action levels for petroleum were removed. Based on our field observations, observable contamination was removed. Low levels of contaminated soil were left in place to be removed and placed with the "clean" soil. The MPCA allows soil with minor contamination levels those below the stated guidelines to be placed back in the ground and handled as "clean" soils. Bacteria in the soils break down the contaminants with time. Field screenings were performed at the base of the foundation excavation of August 23 and 24, 2004, and did not detect organic vapors. Therefore, it is our opinion that contaminated soils no longer lie within the footprint of this excavated area. Approximately 10 cubic yards of contaminated soils were removed from the property for thermal treatment. A drum was not encountered during excavation. We recommend that future excavations be managed according to the protocols exercised in this project. The MPCA should be contacted if contaminated soil is again encountered. Our recommendation and discussion is based on the data gathered and our understanding of the factors that influence laboratory analytical results. These opinions may be modified as new information is provided and or the scope of activities on the subject site are either expanded and/or modified. yr( pine St yy vr� Nard St _ .a. _ O 3 V rT U} , 9 Anderson St W W Hancock St Abbott St W z 0 „„, W Orleans St Upper 56th St N COPYRIGHT 0 1984-1997 ETAK INC. V] rn Oq u7 co 0) W Churchill St z 0 62nd St N W Marsh St (;) to 0) z } 4 D z 0 a m z 2 60th St N 4 9th S lN 56th St N E Marsh St 58th St N Site Location 15431 N. 58th St. Oak Park Heights, MN FIGURE 1 57th St N 5th Av N G f z A 5 59th St N 0) z z 2nd Av N z Central Av rn 1st Av S 4th Av N 1st Av N 0) -0 © 1998 by Rand McNally & Company. All rights reserved. V L 0 z 0) 0 L v) V co 3 0 v a 0 L cL .1-11 R Penrose Avenue North d 0 L CD x N C) x O x x x (o X U) 0 0 0 u -P d 0 0) 7:5 u cu