phase 1 environmental assessment · 585 jewett road mason, michigan 48854 _____ reviewed by: _____...
TRANSCRIPT
2381288R.001 STRATA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. ii
Phase 1 Environmental Assessment 201 South Leroy Street
Fenton, Michigan
Prepared for:
City of Fenton DDA P.O. Box 665
Fenton, Michigan 48759
Prepared by:
Jason T. Armstrong Strata Environmental Services, Inc.
585 Jewett Road Mason, Michigan 48854
______________________________
Reviewed by: ___________________________
June 11, 2003
Strata Project No.: 238-1288
Table of Contents
2381288R.001 STRATA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. iii
1.0 SUMMARY .....................................................................................................................................................II
2.0 INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................................V
2.1 PURPOSE ........................................................................................................................................................V
2.2 DETAILED SCOPE-OF-SERVICES .....................................................................................................................V
2.3 SIGNIFICANT ASSUMPTIONS ...........................................................................................................................V
2.4 LIMITATIONS AND EXCEPTIONS.....................................................................................................................VI
2.5 SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS ................................................................................................................VI
2.6 USER RELIANCE ............................................................................................................................................VI
3.0 SITE DESCRIPTION................................................................................................................................... VI
3.1 LOCATION AND LEGAL DESCRIPTION............................................................................................................VI
3.2 SITE AND VICINITY GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS ........................................................................................VII
3.3 CURRENT USES OF THE PROPERTY ...............................................................................................................VII
3.4 DESCRIPTIONS OF STRUCTURES, ROADS, OTHER IMPROVEMENTS ON THE SITE...........................................VII
3.5 CURRENT USES OF ADJOINING PROPERTIES .................................................................................................VII
4.0 USER PROVIDED INFORMATION...................................................................................................... VIII
4.1 TITLE RECORDS ..........................................................................................................................................VIII
4.2 ENVIRONMENTAL LIENS OR ACTIVITY AND USE LIMITATIONS ...................................................................VIII
4.3 SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE..........................................................................................................................VIII
4.4 VALUATION REDUCTION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES..............................................................................VIII
4.5 OWNER, PROPERTY MANAGER, AND OCCUPANT INFORMATION.................................................................VIII
4.6 REASON FOR PERFORMING PHASE I ............................................................................................................VIII
4.7 OTHER.........................................................................................................................................................VIII
5.0 RECORDS REVIEW ................................................................................................................................... IX
5.1 STANDARD AND SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL RECORD SOURCES, FEDERAL AND STATE.....................IX
5.1.1 Federal ASTM Standard Records ............................................................................................................xi
5.1.2. State ASTM Standard Records..............................................................................................................xiii
5.1.3. Federal ASTM Supplemental Records ................................................................................................. xvii
5.1.4. State or Local ASTM Supplemental Records ......................................................................................... xx
5.1.5. EDR Proprietary Historical Databases ................................................................................................. xx
5.1.6. Additional Environmental Sources ....................................................................................................... xx
5.2 PHYSICAL SETTING SOURCES..................................................................................................................... XXI
5.3 HISTORICAL USE INFORMATION ON THE PROPERTY ................................................................................... XXI
5.4 COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT RECORDS .............................................................................................. XXIV
2381288R.001 STRATA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. iv
6.0 INFORMATION FROM SITE RECONNAISSANCE AND INTERVIEWS................................... XXIV
6.1 METHODOLOGY AND LIMITING CONDITIONS ........................................................................................... XXIV
6.2 GENERAL SITE SETTING ........................................................................................................................... XXIV
6.3 EXTERIOR OBSERVATIONS ........................................................................................................................ XXV
6.4 INTERIOR OBSERVATIONS ......................................................................................................................... XXV
7.0 INTERVIEWS......................................................................................................................................... XXVI
7.1 INTERVIEW WITH OWNER......................................................................................................................... XXVI
7.2 INTERVIEW WITH SITE MANAGER (FIRE CHIEF DENNIS SMITH) ............................................................... XXVI
7.3 INTERVIEWS WITH OCCUPANTS................................................................................................................ XXVI
7.4 INTERVIEWS WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS (MR. LES BLAND).................................................. XXVI
7.5 INTERVIEWS WITH OTHERS ..................................................................................................................... XXVII
8.0 FINDINGS..............................................................................................................................................XXVII
9.0 OPINION.............................................................................................................................................. XXVIII
10.0 CONCLUSIONS ................................................................................................................................ XXIX
11.0 DEVIATIONS ......................................................................................................................................XXX
12.0 SIGNATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS ..........................................................XXX
13.0 QUALIFICATION(S) OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONAL(S) .........................................XXX
List of Figures
Figure 1. Site Location Map Figure 2. Site Plan and Surround Land Use
List of Appendices
Appendix A Legal Descriptions of Subject Parcel Appendix B EDR Inc. Report Appendix C EDR Aerial Photographs Appendix D EDR City Directory Listing Appendix E Sanborn® Maps Appendix F Site Photographs Appendix G Regulatory Records Documentation Appendix H Resume
2381288R.001 STRATA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. v
1.0 SUMMARY
Strata Environmental Services, Inc. (Strata) has performed a Phase I Environmental Assessment
(EA) of the property located at 201 South Leroy Street, Fenton, Michigan (subject site).
Research conducted as part of this Phase 1 EA revealed that insufficient data might exist
pertaining to the potential ground-water impact due to the former leaking underground storage
tank on the site. In addition, the historic uses of the site present a potential risk of soil and/or
groundwater contamination. Strata believes that the historic uses of the properties directly north,
west and southwest of the site may have impacted the environmental conditions of the site,
however, does not believe that the Fenton DDA will assume the liability associated with
contamination migrating from off-site sources.
2.0 INTRODUCTION
2.1 Purpose
The City of Fenton Downtown Development Authority (DDA) retained Strata to complete a
Phase I EA of the property located at 201 South Leroy Street, Fenton, Michigan. The purpose of
the EA is to identify any environmental concerns prior to the acquisition of the property.
2.2 Detailed Scope-of-Services
This EA includes accessing applicable government (state and federal) databases, reviewing
historical uses of the site, completing a site inspection, as well as assessing the surrounding
property uses to identify potential or existing conditions that could have or have had an adverse
environmental impact on the subject site. The government databases were accessed using
Environmental Data Resources, Inc.’s (EDR) computerized search mechanisms.
2.3 Significant Assumptions
No significant assumptions were made in the preparation of this Phase I EA.
2381288R.001 STRATA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. vi
2.4 Limitations and Exceptions
The scope of this investigation did not include any testing or sampling of materials (soil, water,
air, or building materials). The use or storage of small quantities of incidental chemicals for on-
site cleaning and maintenance is not construed as being hazardous substance use or storage.
Additionally, this investigation did not include an inspection for asbestos containing material
(ACM) or radon. This EA does not eliminate all uncertainty of adverse environmental impacts
on the subject parcel nor is the investigation an exhaustive assessment.
2.5 Special Terms and Conditions
All conclusions presented are based on the most current lists and files available and the scope of
investigation. The information presented is to the best knowledge of Strata Environmental
Services, Inc. No warranty or conclusions other than those contained in this report are implied
or intended. Strata Environmental Services, Inc. can offer no assurances and assumes no
responsibility for the condition of the site outside the requested scope of work and outlined
elsewhere in this report.
2.6 User Reliance
No information available to, or collected by, Strata has been deleted, omitted or changed that
would otherwise have caused the user of this report to reach different conclusions. Strata
realizes that the client is depending upon the overall completeness, accuracy and conclusions in
this report, and hereby certifies that this is a report upon which the City of Fenton DDA can rely.
3.0 SITE DESCRIPTION
3.1 Location and Legal Description
The subject site is comprised of one, 1.53-acre parcel located at the southeast corner of South
Leroy Street and East Ellen Street in Fenton, Michigan. The site is in the Northwest ¼ of the
Northwest ¼ of Section 36, Township 5 North, Range 6 East, Genesee County. A site location
map is included as Figure 1. The legal descriptions for the site is:
2381288R.001 STRATA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. vii
The West 51 feet of Lot 10, block 18 and Lots 11 and 12 of block 18, and Lot 13 of block 18, except a parcel of land beginning South 22 degrees 52 minutes West 305.20 feet from the northwest corner of Lot 13 block 18, thence South 68 degrees 11 minutes East 74.80 feet, thence South 21 degrees 10 minutes West 39 feet, thence North 68 degrees 11 minutes West 76.00 feet, thence North 22 degrees 52 minutes East 39.00 feet to place of beginning of original plat of Village of Fentonville.
3.2 Site and Vicinity General Characteristics
The subject property is located in the City of Fenton in an area of mixed commercial and
residential properties. The area is predominantly commercial, with the exception of the
residential areas east, northeast, and southeast of the site.
3.3 Current Uses of the Property
The buildings on the site is currently vacant.
3.4 Descriptions of Structures, Roads, Other Improvements on the Site
Figure 2 shows the general layout of the subject site. The main building on the site occupies the
northwest corner of the subject site. This building is a two-story, brick structure built in 1938 for
the use as a fire station. The building does not have a basement. Four overhead garage doors are
on the north side of the building (upper level), and three overhead garage doors are on the south
side of the building (lower level). The building is heated with natural gas, and municipal water
and sanitary sewer systems serve the site.
The second structure on the site is a small, single-story brick structure. This building is the
former location of a pump house that contained a drinking water well and pump. According to
City officials the well has been plugged and capped.
3.5 Current Uses of Adjoining Properties
The property located directly north of the site (on the opposite side of East Ellen Street) is a
multi-suite office and commercial building currently occupied by two offices and a hair salon.
Living Hope Books and More, Homestead Resource Center, and Homeschooling Book Club
occupy the large structure directly east of the site. A city park, Fenton City Hall, and the Fenton
Police Department are directly south of the site, across the Shiawassee River. The Fenton Post
Office is southwest of the site, and the Fenton Community Center is northwest of the site.
2381288R.001 STRATA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. viii
Several additional commercial properties are north and south of the site along South Leroy
Street, and residential areas are northeast, east and southeast of the site. Figure 2 is a 1999 aerial
photograph that shows the surrounding land uses.
4.0 USER PROVIDED INFORMATION
4.1 Title Records
A title search was not conducted for the subject site.
4.2 Environmental Liens or Activity and Use Limitations
There are no known environmental liens, environmental activities or environmental-related use
restrictions for the subject property.
4.3 Specialized Knowledge
A thorough inspection of the building for ACM was not conducted, however, asbestos was not
observed in the buildings during the site inspection.
4.4 Valuation Reduction for Environmental Issues
Not applicable.
4.5 Owner, Property Manager, and Occupant Information
The City of Fenton owns the site, and the building is currently vacant.
4.6 Reason for Performing Phase I
This Phase I EA has been performed to assess the potential environmental liability associated
with the property prior to the acquisition of the property by the City of Fenton DDA.
4.7 Other
Not applicable.
2381288R.001 STRATA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. ix
5.0 RECORDS REVIEW
5.1 Standard and Supplemental Environmental Record Sources, Federal and State
As part of the record review, Strata accessed government information databases (through EDR)
for the purpose of generating environmental assessment reports, that identify pertinent
information used in the preparation of the EA. The EDR report is contained in Appendix B.
EDR updates the ASTM-suggested databases according to the standards set forth in the ASTM
Designation E 1527-00:7.1.7. This standard states: “Government information obtained from
non-governmental sources may be considered current, if the source updates the information at
least every 90 days, or for information that is updated less frequently than quarterly by the
government agency, within 90 days of the date the government agency makes the information
available to the public.”
As part of the EA, the following databases were accessed to identify sites within the specified
radius of the subject site.
Federal ASTM Standard
• United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) National Priority List
(NPL): 1.0-mile radius
• Proposed USEPA National Priority List (NPL): 1.0-mile radius
• USEPA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability
Information System (CERCLIS) list: 0.5-mile radius
• USEPA CERCLIS sites designated “ No Further Remedial Action Planned”
(NFRAP): Target Property
• USEPA Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action Reports
(CORRACTS): 1.0-mile radius
• USEPA RCRA Treatment, Storage or Disposal (TSD) Facilities List: 0.5-mile radius
• USEPA RCRA Large Quantity Generators (LQG) List: 0.25-mile radius
• USEPA RCRA Small Quantity Generators (SQG) List: 0.25-mile radius
• USEPA Emergency Response Notification System (ERNS) Listing: Target Property
2381288R.001 STRATA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. x
State ASTM Standard
• Michigan Natural Resource Environmental Protection Act (NREPA, Part 201, Act
451), State Hazardous Waste Site (SHWS): 1.0-mile radius
• State Landfill and/or Solid Waste Disposal Site List: 0.5-mile radius
• Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Sites: 0.5-mile radius
• Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Waste and Hazardous
Materials Division (WHMD) Registered USTs: 0.25-mile radius
• Baseline Environmental Assessment (BEA) Database: 0.5-mile radius
Federal ASTM Supplemental
• USEPA NPL Consent Decrees: 1.0-mile radius
• National Technical Information System (NTIS) Records of Decision (ROD) of NPL
Sites: 1.0-mile radius
• USEPA NPL Deletions: 1.0-mile radius
• USEPA Facility Index System (FINDS): Target Property
• United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Hazardous Materials Incident
Reporting System (HMIRS): Target Property
• Nuclear Regulatory Commission Material License Tracking System (MLTS): Target
Property
• Mines Master Index File: 0.25-mile radius
• USEPA NPL Liens: Target Property
• USEPA Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) Activity Database System (PADS): Target
Property
• UESPA RCRA Administrative Action Tracking System (RAATS): Target Property
• USEPA Toxic Chemical Release Inventory System (TRIS): Target Property
• USEPA Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) inventory list: Target Property
• Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, & Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)/TSCA Tracking System
(FTTS): Target Property
2381288R.001 STRATA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. xi
State or Local ASTM Supplemental
• MDEQ WHMD Aboveground Storage Tank (AST) List: Target Property
EDR Proprietary Historical Databases
• Former Manufactured Coal Gas Sites: 1.0-mile radius
Additional Environmental Sources
• Additional Environmental Sources: 1.0 mile radius
The EDR report (Appendix B) identified the subject site as two separate facilities: the Fenton
Fire Department and the Sunoco Service Station. The Fenton Fire Department was listed as a
former UST site and a LUST site, and the Sunoco Service Station was listed as a small quantity
generator (SQG) RCRIS site and listed in the facility index system (FINDS) database. EDR
inappropriately located the Sunoco Service Station in their report, which is actually
approximately 1.5 miles north of the site. Several nearby properties were identified within the
aforementioned databases, however, details pertaining to these facilities and their potential
impact to the subject site are provided in the following sections.
5.1.1 Federal ASTM Standard Records
5.1.1 (a) The National Priority List (NPL)/ Proposed NPL Database
The National Priority List (NPL) for the Comprehensive Environmental Compensation and
Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) and the Proposed NPL databases were reviewed for sites
within a 1.0-mile radius of the subject site. The NPL is a subset of the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Information System (CERCLIS) and
identifies over 1,200 sites for priority cleanup under the Superfund Program. Neither the subject
site, nor any site within the 1.0-mile search radius, is on the NPL or Proposed NPL.
2381288R.001 STRATA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. xii
5.1.1 (b) Comprehensive Environmental Compensation and Liability Information System
(CERCLIS) Database
The CERCLIS database contains information on potentially hazardous waste sites that have been
reported to the USEPA by states, municipalities, private companies and private persons, pursuant
to the requirements of CERCLA. CERCLIS contains sites that are either proposed to be on, or
are on the NPL, and sites that are in screening and assessment phase for possible inclusion on the
NPL. The CERCLIS site listing was reviewed for sites within 0.5 miles of the subject site. No
CERCLA sites were identified within the 0.5-mile search radius.
5.1.1 (c) CERCLIS No Further Remedial Action Planned (NFRAP) Database
As of February 1995, CERCLIS sites designated as NFRAP have been removed from CERCLIS.
NFRAP sites may be sites where, following an initial investigation, no contamination was found,
or the contamination was removed quickly thereby avoiding inclusion on the NPL, or their was
minimal risk associated with any contamination found. Neither the subject site, nor any other
site within the applicable search radius, was identified on the NFRAP listing.
5.1.1 (d) RCRA Corrective Action Reports (CORRACTS) Database
CORRACTS identifies hazardous waste handlers with RCRA corrective action activity. Neither
the subject site, nor any site within the 1.0-mile search radius, is on the CORRACTS database.
5.1.1 (e) Resource Conservation and Recovery Information System (RCRIS) Treatment,
Storage and Disposal (TSD) Facilities Database
The RCRIS TSD facilities database includes specific information on sites that generate,
transport, store, treat, and/or dispose of hazardous wastes as defined by RCRA. Neither the
subject site, nor any site within the 1.0-mile search radius, is on the CORRACTS database.
5.1.1 (f) RCRIS Large Quantity Generator (LQG) and Small Quantity Generator (SQG)
Database
The RCRIS LQG and SQG database identifies sites that regularly generate specified volumes of
hazardous waste as defined by RCRA. Sites are reviewed within a 0.25-mile radius of the
2381288R.001 STRATA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. xiii
subject site. Two LQGs (U.S.-23 over the Shiawassee River, and U.S.-23 under Business Route
23) were identified in the EDR report as orphan sites, however, Strata identified the locations of
these listed facilities and believes they are at sufficient distances to not pose a risk of
environmental contamination to the subject site.
Four facilities within a 0.25-mile radius of the subject site were listed as SQG sites: Vek’s Auto
Service Inc., Action Auto, Arbor Drugs and Dixie Cleaners. Strata identified the locations of
these listed facilities and, with the exception of Veks Auto Service, believes that they are at
sufficient distances to not pose a risk of environmental contamination to the subject site. Further
information and the potential risk associated with the Vek’s Auto Service facility is presented
Section 5.1.2(c).
5.1.1 (g) Environmental Response Notification System (ERNS) Database
The ERNS database records and stores information on reported releases of oil and hazardous
substances. The subject site is not identified in the ERNS database.
5.1.2. State ASTM Standard Records
5.1.2 (a) Michigan Natural Resources Environmental Protection Act (NREPA), Part 201,
Act 451 Database or SHWS
Michigan NREPA sites are sites of environmental contamination as defined in section 20101(1)
(i), Part 201 of Act 451 (as amended). Sites identified under Part 201 are the State of Michigan’s
equivalent to USEPA’s CERCLIS sites. One facility within a one-mile radius of the subject site,
Newcor, Inc., was listed as a State Hazardous Waste Site (SHWS). Strata identified the location
of this facility and does not believe that it poses a risk of environmental contamination to the
subject site.
5.1.2 (b) State Landfill and Solid Waste Disposal Site Database
This database contains an inventory of solid waste disposal facilities or landfills in a state.
Depending upon the state, these may be active or inactive facilities or open dumps that failed to
2381288R.001 STRATA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. xiv
meet RCRA Subtitle D criteria for solid waste landfills or disposal sites. There were no disposal
sites identified within the required 0.5-mile search radius from the subject site.
5.1.2 (c) Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Database
The LUST database identifies sites in which there has been a petroleum release from a regulated
underground storage tank (UST). The subject site and six additional properties within the
required 0.5-mile search distance were identified as LUST sites in the EDR report. Strata
identified the locations of the six LUST facilities and believes that four of the facilities (Former
Action Auto #7, Clark Store #824, Department of Public Works, and Total Station #2023) are at
distances that do not pose a risk of environmental contamination to the subject site. Strata,
however, reviewed Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) files for the two
LUST facilities nearest the subject site: Vek’s Auto Service and the Proposed Fenton Fire
Station sites. Details pertaining to the LUST investigations at the subject site, Veks Auto
Service and the Proposed Fenton Fire Station facilities, and their potential impact to the subject
site, are provided below.
• Fenton Fire Department (Subject Site):
The subject site at 201 South Leroy Street was listed as a LUST and UST facility in the EDR
report. A release from a 1,000-gallon gasoline UST was discovered in August 1999 after
receiving analytical results from soil samples collected from the base and sidewalls of the
excavation resulting from the tank removal. Verification soil samples collected from three of
the four sidewalls of the excavation contained BTEX compounds (benzene, toluene,
ethylbenzene, xylenes, MTBE, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene, napthalene
and 2-methylnapthalene) at concentrations exceeding method detection limits, however, no
samples exceeded the Tier 1 Residential Risk-Based Screening Levels established by the
MDEQ. Soil samples collected from the floor of the excavation, the former pump island, and
along the route of the UST system piping tract did not contain contaminants at concentrations
exceeding method detection limits.
Groundwater was not encountered in the sandy soils beneath the site within eight feet of the
ground surface, and no monitoring wells were installed on the site to assess the potential for
2381288R.001 STRATA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. xv
groundwater impact resulting from the gasoline release. Since ground water was not
encountered during the tank removal activities, Service Environmental Engineering, Inc.
concluded that no groundwater impact occurred due to the release. Upon receiving the
analytical results form the soil samples collected from the UST excavation, Service
Environmental Engineering, Inc. submitted a closure report to the MDEQ. The LUST
investigation was closed by the MDEQ, and the corrective actions at the site resulted in an
unrestricted residential use of the site based on a Tier 1 evaluation in October 2000. A copy
of the Service Environmental Engineering, Inc. LUST Closure Report is included in
Appendix G.
• Veks Auto Service, Inc (320 South Leroy Street):
The Vek’s Auto Service facility is located at the northwest corner of the South Leroy Street
and Shiawassee Street, approximately 500 feet south of the subject site. This facility was
listed in the RCRIS-SQG, LUST and UST databases in the EDR report. Strata reviewed the
MDEQ LUST files for information pertaining to the release associated with this facility.
According to the file information, a gasoline release was discovered during the removal of
six USTs on the property. During the UST removal, impacted soils surrounding the tank
basins were excavated and disposed at a Type II landfill.
In an effort to characterize the contamination resulting from the UST release, and to
delineate the horizontal and vertical extents of soil and ground-water contamination,
Advanced Environmental, Inc. drilled several soil borings and installed numerous monitoring
wells on the property, within public right-of ways, and on adjacent properties. Soil and
ground-water contamination resulting from the release at this facility was found to have
extended east and southeast of the property beneath South Leroy and Shiawassee Streets.
Soil and ground-water contamination was also discovered on the western portions of the
properties directly east of the Vek’s Auto Service facility. Advanced Environmental’s
evaluation of the potentiometric surface at the facility indicated that the impacted shallow
ground water flowed east-northeast across South Leroy Street. In February 1995, a ground-
water pump-and-treat system was constructed to remediate the contaminated ground water,
and a soil vapor extraction system was constructed to assist in remediating the impacted soils
2381288R.001 STRATA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. xvi
beneath the facility. Global Environmental Engineering Inc. was retained by Vek’s Auto
Service to monitor the progress of the remediation system and planned to submit a closure
report when the cleanup goals had been established. No information dated later than
September 1996 was present in the file. Based on the distance from the subject site, the
location of the site being across the Shiawassee River, and the horizontal and vertical extents
of contamination at the facility, Strata does not believe that this facility poses a risk of
impacting the subject site. Copies of figures and other pertinent information contained in the
MDEQ’s LUST file for this facility is included in Appendix G.
• Proposed Fenton Fire Station (205 East Caroline Street):
This site is located at the northwest corner of the East Caroline Street and Walnut Street
intersection, approximately 600 feet northeast of the subject site. This facility was listed as a
LUST and UST site in the EDR report. Strata reviewed the MDEQ LUST file for
information pertaining to the release associated with this facility. According to the file
information, a 500-gallon gasoline UST was discovered during foundation and building pad
excavation activities during the construction of the new Fenton Fire Station. Visibly
impacted soils surrounding the UST were excavated and removed from the property, and CTI
and Associates, Inc. collected two soil samples from the base of the excavation. Analytical
results indicated that the two soil samples did not contain contaminants at concentrations
exceeding method detection limits. To this date, a comprehensive investigation of the impact
due to the gasoline release at this facility has not been conducted. Based on the distance
from the subject site, Strata believes that it is unlikely that contamination originating at the
Proposed Fenton Fire Station facility has impacted or will impact the subject site in the
future. Copies of figures and other pertinent information contained in the MDEQ’s LUST
file for this facility is included in Appendix G.
5.1.2 (d) MDEQ Storage Tank Division Registered USTs Database
Registered USTs are regulated under Subtitle I of RCRA and must be registered with the state
department responsible for administering the UST program. The MDEQ Waste and Hazardous
Materials Division (WHMD) registered UST database was reviewed for sites within a 0.25-mile
2381288R.001 STRATA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. xvii
radius of the subject site. The subject site and six additional properties, including the Vek’s
Auto Service and proposed Fenton Fire Station facilities, were listed as UST sites in the EDR
report. Strata identified the locations of the four remaining facilities (Expanded Plastics, Former
Action Auto #7, City of Fenton, and Auto City Service), and believes that they are at distances
that do not pose a risk of environmental contamination to the subject site. The potential impacts
of the Vek’s Auto Service and proposed Fenton Fire Station are discussed in the previous
section.
5.1.2 (e) Baseline Environmental Assessment (BEA) Database
The BEA process is authorized under the provisions of Section 26, Part 201, Act 451 (as
amended) and the rules promulgated therefrom. This process provides certain liability
protections to a person who becomes an owner/operator of a “facility” on or after June 5, 1995,
if, among other things, that person conducts a BEA. A “facility” is defined as legal parcel that
contains hazardous substances in the soil and/or ground water at concentrations that exceed
Generic Residential Cleanup Criteria (GRCC). Six facilities were listed as BEA sites (207 &
618 East Silver Lake Road, 206 Main Street, 308 North Leroy Street, 316 Lincoln Street, and the
northeast corner of Fenton Road and Atherton Road) in the EDR report, however, Strata
identified the locations of the facilities and believes that they are at distances that do not pose a
risk of environmental contamination to the subject site.
5.1.3. Federal ASTM Supplemental Records
5.1.3 (a) Superfund (CERCLA) Consent Decrees Database
These are sites where there have been major legal settlements establishing responsibility and
cleanup standards for NPL sites. The ASTM required search radius for this database is 1 mile
from the subject site. As previously stated, no existing or proposed NPL sites were identified
within 1 mile of the subject site, consequently, no sites were identified in this database.
5.1.3 (b) Records of Decision (ROD) Database
ROD documents mandate a permanent remedy at an NPL site containing technical and health
information to aid in the cleanup. The ASTM required search radius for this database is 1 mile
2381288R.001 STRATA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. xviii
from the subject site. As previously stated, no existing or proposed NPL sites were identified
within 1 mile of the subject site, consequently, no sites were identified in this database.
5.1.3 (c) NPL De-listing Database
The National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP) established the
criteria that the USEPA uses to delete (de-list) sites from the NPL. Sites may be removed from
the NPL where no further response in appropriate. The ASTM required search radius for this
database is one mile from the subject site. No de-listed NPL sites were identified within the
required search radius.
5.1.3(d) Facility Index System/Facility Identification Initiative Program Summary Report
(FINDS) Database
The FINDS is an expansion of a facility database that contains both facility information and
“pointers” to other informational sources that contain greater detail. The subject site is not
identified in the FINDS database.
5.1.3 (e) Hazardous Materials Information Reporting System (HMIRS) Database
The HMRIS database contains information pertaining to hazardous material spill incidents
reported to U.S. Department of Transportation. The subject site is not identified in the HMIRS
database.
5.1.3 (f) Material License Tracking System (MLTS) Database
The MLTS is maintained by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and contains a list of
approximately 8,100 sites, which process or use radioactive materials that are subject to NRC
licensing. The subject site is not identified in the MLTS database.
5.1.3 (g) Mines Master Index File (MINES) Database
The MINES database is a list of all active and closed mines within the state. This database
primarily includes personnel data and information regarding the materials that were mined, but
does not include environmental issues related to mine operations. The ASTM required search
2381288R.001 STRATA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. xix
radius for this database is 0.25 miles from the subject site. There were no sites within the
required search radius identified in the MINES database.
5.1.3 (h) NPL Liens Database
This database contains sites where, under CERCLA, USEPA has the authority to file liens
against real property in order to recover remedial action expenditures or when the property
owner receives notification of potential liability. The subject site is not identified in this
database.
5.1.3 (i) PCB Activity Database System (PADS)
PAD identifies generators, transporters, brokers, and commercial operations that store and/or
dispose of PCBs, who are required to notify the USEPA of such activities. The subject site is not
identified in the PADS database.
5.1.3 (j) RCRA Administrative Action Tracking System (RAATS) Database
RAATS contains records based on enforcement actions issued under RCRA pertaining to major
violators and includes administrative and civil actions brought by USEPA. For administrative
actions after September 30, 1995, data entry in the RAATS database was discontinued. The
subject site is not identified in the RAATS database.
5.1.3 (k) Toxic Chemical Release Inventory System (TRIS) Database
TRIS identifies facilities that release toxic chemicals to air, water and land in reportable
quantities under SARA Title III. The subject site is not identified in the TRIS database.
5.1.3 (l) Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) Database
TSCA identifies manufacturers and importers of chemical substances included on the TSCA
Chemical Substance Inventory list, which includes data regarding production volume by
production site. The subject site is not identified in the TSCA database.
2381288R.001 STRATA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. xx
5.1.3 (m) Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, & Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)/TSCA Tracking
System (FTTS) Database
FTTS tracks administrative cases and pesticide enforcement actions and compliance activities
related to FIFRA. The subject site is not identified in the FTTS database.
5.1.4. State or Local ASTM Supplemental Records
5.1.4 (a) MDEQ WHMD Above Ground Storage Tank (AST) Database
MDEQ WHMD maintains a database for sites that have registered ASTs. The subject site is not
identified in the AST database.
5.1.5. EDR Proprietary Historical Databases
5.15 (a) Former Manufactured Coal Gas Site Database
Manufactured coal gas sites use a process of coal gasification to separate out different chemical
phases within the coal. A byproduct from this process is called “coal tar”. This process depends
on high temperature to alter the parent-state of coal. The ASTM required search radius for this
database is 1 mile from the subject site. The database did not contain any former manufactured
coal gas sites within this search radius.
5.1.6. Additional Environmental Sources
Additional databases were researched by EDR for sites within a 1-mile radius of the subject site.
Pertinent information identified in the database search is presented in the following subsections.
5.1.6 (a) Federal Public Water Supply (PWS) System Information
One federal public water supply well system was identified in the database within a 1-mile
radius of the subject site. This water supply system, which is approximately one-quarter mile
north of the subject site, is used to supply the Fenton Heights Apartments at 12911 Fenton
Heights Boulevard.
2381288R.001 STRATA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. xxi
5.1.6 (b) State Database Well Information
The EDR report indicates that numerous water supply wells are located within 1 mile of the
subject site. The EDR report contains a map showing locations of these well sites and separate
descriptions for each of these sites.
5.1.6 (c) State of Michigan Oil/Gas Well Information
No oil or gas drilling sites were identified within a 1-mile radius of the subject site
5.2 Physical Setting Sources
The subject site is located in a relatively flat lying area within the City/Village of Fenton,
approximately 1.5 miles east of US-23. The surrounding area consists of primarily commercial
and residential properties. The Fenton, Michigan Quadrangle, USGS 7.5 Minute Topographic
Map shows the subject site to be at an approximate elevation of 900 feet. The Shiawassee River
is located along the southern property line, and Mill Pond is southeast of the site.
The “Quaternary Geology of Southern Michigan” map (Ferrand and Bell, et al., 1984) indicates
that the surficial deposits beneath the subject site consist of glacial outwash sand and gravel and
postglacial alluvium. These outwash deposits consist of fine to coarse sand alternating with
layers of small gravel to heavy cobbles. These deposits typically occur as fluvial terraces along
present and abandoned drainageways, as fans and sheets flanking end moraines, and as deltas
along glacial lake margins (Ferrand and Bell, et al., 1984). Area water well records indicate that
the unconsolidated glacial deposits in the area of the subject site are typically over 100 feet thick and
rest on sandstone and shale bedrock deposits.
5.3 Historical Use Information on the Property
The historical use evaluation completed for the subject site consisted of reviewing aerial
photographs, city directory listings, and Sanborn® maps obtained through EDR.
2381288R.001 STRATA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. xxii
Aerial Photographs
EDR provided aerial photographs of the subject site for the years 1997, 1982, 1964, 1972, and
1950 (Appendix C). The photograph from 1997 shows the subject site and surrounding areas to
be similar to the current configuration. The commercial development along South Leroy Street
and the areas directly north, northwest, and south of the site is apparent. Residential areas are
northeast, southeast, and southwest of the site.
The conditions on the site and in the surrounding areas in the 1982 photograph are similar to
those observed in 1997, however, the building directly east of the site is significantly smaller.
The conditions on the site and in the surrounding areas in the 1972 photograph are similar to
those observed in 1982, except the commercial development north of the site is not as
widespread.
The conditions on the site and in the surrounding areas in the 1964 photograph are similar to
those observed in 1972.
The conditions on the site and in the surrounding areas in the 1950 photograph are similar to
those observed in 1964, however, commercial development appears to be limited to the
properties along South Leroy Street, and the areas south of the site are predominantly residential.
City Directories
EDR performed a city directory search for the subject site that dates back to 1958. The results of
this search are included as Appendix D. Review of the city directory listings indicates that the
Village offices/City Hall was located on the site from at least 1958 until the mid-1960s when the
Fenton Village Police and Fire Departments and the State Bureau of Motor Vehicles began to
occupy the site. Fenton Fire Department, the State Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and the Urban
Renewal office was listed in the 1970 directory. The 1974 directory listed both the Fenton Fire
Department, and a Housing Inspection office, however, only the Fenton City Fire Department
was listed in the directories until 2001.
Historical Sanborn® Fire Insurance Maps
2381288R.001 STRATA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. xxiii
EDR provided Strata with copies of historic Sanborn® fire insurance maps from the years 1953,
1943, 1923, 1908, 1901, 1895, 1890 and 1884. Portions of the maps containing the site were
scanned and are included in Appendix E. The 1953 Sanborn® map shows the police and fire
departments on the site, as well as the Village offices. Two water tanks are depicted near the
southern corner of the building on the site. A note on the map indicates that the tanks were only
used for emergency purposes. A gasoline filling station containing three underground storage tanks
is directly north of the site at the northeast corner of East Ellen Street and South Leroy Street, and an
industrial machine tool factory is directly west of the site. A gasoline station containing three
underground storage tanks occupies the property currently occupied by Vek’s Auto Service. A
water works facility containing at least four water wells is directly south of the site across the
Shiawassee River.
The conditions on the site and in the surrounding area in the 1943 Sanborn® map are similar to those
observed in the 1953 map.
The 1923 Sanborn® map depicts the site as the “Old Water Works” facility, however, a note on the
map indicates that the facility was only used for emergency purposes. Fenton Machine Tool & Die
Company occupied the property directly west of the site, and the property currently occupied by
Vek’s Auto Service. The property directly north of the site still contained a gasoline station.
Significant changes in the conditions on the site were apparent on the 1908 Sanborn® map. Fenton
Water Works was present in the location of the current structure on the site, however, a large
building occupied by the Fenton Light & Power Company was present along the eastern boundary
of the site. The property directly north of the site was not occupied by a gasoline station, but rather
by a steam laundry facility, and a photograph shop. H.F. Bush Flour Mill was directly south of the
site across the Shiawassee River, and a vacant building was west of the site.
The conditions on the site and in the surrounding areas in the 1901 Sanborn® map were similar to
those observed in the 1908 map, however, the property directly south of the site was occupied by the
Fenton Milling company. The property southwest of the site from Mill street north to the
Shiawassee River contained The A.J. Phillips & Company-Manufacturer’s of Wire Screens &
Specialties, a large factory.
2381288R.001 STRATA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. xxiv
The conditions on the site and in the surrounding areas in the 1895 Sanborn® map are similar to
those observed in the 1901 map, however, the structures north of the site across East Ellen Street
were not depicted on the diagram.
The conditions on the site and in the surrounding areas in the 1890 Sanborn® map are similar to
those observed in the 1895 map, however, the building on the eastern portion of the site contained
the Cook Bothers Apple Evaporating Works facility.
The conditions on the site and in the surrounding areas in the 1884 Sanborn® map are similar to
those observed in the 1895 map, however, the Fenton Water Works building was not present.
5.4 County Health Department Records
Strata contacted the Environmental Health Division of the Genesee County Health Department
to discover whether the Department had any records of well logs, septic permits or evidence of
contamination on the site. Mr. Dan Harrell responded to Strata’s request and provided a copy of
an underground storage tank listing from 1996 that listed the subject site as containing a UST.
The Department did not have any other records on file for the site.
6.0 INFORMATION FROM SITE RECONNAISSANCE AND INTERVIEWS
6.1 Methodology and Limiting Conditions
The site walkover was conducted on June 10, 2003. The walkover consisted of traversing
around the outside of the buildings and across the entire site looking for signs of stressed
vegetation, oil stains, or other visual signs that would indicate potential environmental concern.
The interior of the building was also inspected to assess potential sources of contamination. Site
photographs are included as Appendix E.
6.2 General Site Setting
The site is located in a mixed commercial and residential area at the intersection of South Leroy
Street and East Ellen Street. The Shiawassee River is present along the southern boundary of the
site.
2381288R.001 STRATA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. xxv
6.3 Exterior Observations
The main building on the site occupies the northwest corner of the subject site. This building is
a two-story, brick structure built in 1938 for the use as a fire station. The building does not have
a basement. Four overhead garage doors are on the north side of the building (upper level), and
three overhead garage doors are on the south side of the building (lower level). The second
structure on the site is a small, single-story brick structure. This building is the former location
of a pump house that contained a drinking water well and pump. Grassy landscaped areas are
along the eastern and southern property boundaries, and playground equipment is south of the
pump house at the southeastern corner of the site. A gravel parking area is directly south of the
main building, and the Shiawassee River is along the southern property boundary. The
Shiawassee River is dammed directly south of the southeaster corner of the site. Staining of soil
or stressed vegetation were not observed at the subject site. Several of the photographs in
Appendix F show the exterior portions of the site.
6.4 Interior Observations
The eastern portion of the upper-level of the main building contains the garage area used to store
the former Fire Department vehicles. Four overhead garage doors are present on this level of the
building, which faces the South Leroy Street and East Ellen Street intersection. Several rooms
are also present on this floor which were used as offices, living quarters, and a bathroom for Fire
Department personnel. The lower-level of the building, which faces the Shiawassee River, also
contained a garage area on the eastern side of the building. Three overhead garage doors, several
storage rooms and a mechanical room are present on this level of the building. The building is
currently vacant, however, did contain a small amount of scattered furniture and old Fire
Department implements. Strata did not observe any evidence of hazardous material use,
handling, an/or storage inside the main building. Strata observed several floor drains inside the
structure, that lead to the municipal sanitary sewer system. The concrete floor on both levels of
the building was dry and clean during the site inspection.
The second building (pump house) on the site is also constructed with brick and contains a
concrete floor. This building was formerly used to protect a municipal drinking water well,
2381288R.001 STRATA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. xxvi
pump and associated meters. The floor of the structure was wet at the time of the site inspection,
and the wood roof of the structure was in poor condition. Strata did not observe evidence of
hazardous material use, handling and/or storage inside the structure. Photographs showing the
interior areas of the two buildings on the site are included in Appendix F.
7.0 INTERVIEWS
7.1 Interview with Owner
The owners of the subject site were not interviewed as part of this investigation.
7.2 Interview with Site Manager (Fire Chief Dennis Smith)
Mr. Dennis Smith, the Fenton Fire Chief, provided a tour of the subject site and explained the
general site activities. Mr. Smith answered all questions presented to him and informed Strata
that no hazardous material use, handling, and/or storage occurred on the site since he has been
with the Department. Mr. Smith also informed Strata that, with the exception of the former UST
on the site, he was unaware of any environmental issues pertaining to the site. Mr. Smith
informed Strata that he had no knowledge pertaining to the former uses or occupants of the site,
however, he said that Mr. Les Bland from the Fenton Department of Public Works may know a
little bit about the history of the site.
7.3 Interviews with Occupants
The building on the site is currently vacant, thus no occupants were interviewed.
7.4 Interviews with Local Government Officials (Mr. Les Bland)
Strata interviewed Mr. Les Bland of the Fenton Department of Public Works as part of this
investigation. Mr. Bland informed Strata that site was formerly used by the Fenton Water
Works. He informed Strata that a 250,000-gallon underground water holding tank is present
near the southeastern corner of the site under the gazebo. Mr. Bland, however, was unaware of
any former structures on the site, and unaware of the type of activities occurring at the Cook
Brothers Apple Evaporating Works and the Fenton Light and Power Company facilities.
2381288R.001 STRATA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. xxvii
7.5 Interviews with Others
Not applicable.
8.0 FINDINGS
The following conclusions are presented based on the results of the Phase I Environmental
Assessment of the property located at 201 South Leroy Street, Fenton, Michigan.
♦ A gasoline release was discovered during the removal of a 1,000-gallon gasoline UST on the
site. The release was discovered in 1999 after receiving analytical results from soil samples
collected from the base and sidewalls of the tank excavation. Three of the eight verification
soil samples collected from base and sidewalls of the excavation, and the former pump island
and piping tract locations contained BTEX compounds at concentrations exceeding method
detection limits, however, no samples exceeded the most restrictive Tier 1 Residential Risk-
Based Screening Levels established by the MDEQ. Upon receiving the analytical results
from the soil samples collected from the UST excavation, Service Environmental
Engineering, Inc. submitted a closure report to the MDEQ without evaluating to the potential
impact to the groundwater beneath the site. The LUST investigation was closed by the
MDEQ, and the corrective actions at the site resulted in an unrestricted residential use of the
site based on a Tier 1 evaluation in October 2000.
♦ The site has historically contained the Cook Brothers Apple Evaporating Works, Fenton
Water Works, and the Fenton Light and Power Company. Strata was unable to locate
information pertaining to these companies, and is unaware of potentially contaminating
activities that may have occurred as a part of their operations.
♦ With the exception of the knowledge of the former leaking underground storage tank, there
was no evidence observed during the site walkover that the recent operations have caused
any significant impact to the subject site. Most of the site operations were related to office
activities and Police and Fire Equipment storage. Outdoor activities associated with the site
generally included vehicle/implement access and parking. During the site inspection, Strata
noted that the facility employed “good housekeeping” practices in its operation.
2381288R.001 STRATA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. xxviii
♦ Historical Sanborn® maps indicated that a gasoline filling station containing USTs was
directly north of the site from at least 1923 until 1953. Strata found no evidence pertaining
to whether these tanks had ever been reported as leaking USTs, or whether they have been
removed from the property.
♦ The properties directly west and southwest of the site were occupied by industrial-
manufacturing facilities such as the Fenton Machine Tool & Die Company, and A.J. Phillips
Company for nearly 100 years.
♦ Two nearby properties identified as LUST sites in the EDR report, Vek’s Auto Service
(former gasoline station and a shop for used by the Fenton Machine Tool & Die Company)
and the proposed Fenton Fire Station property, have the potential to impact the subject site.
Review of data available from federal or state databases for the surrounding sites within
ASTM recommended search radii did not reveal any additional sites that may have had an
adverse environmental impact on the subject site.
9.0 OPINION
Based on the hydrogeological characteristics in the area of the subject site and the potential
contaminants that may be present, Strata evaluated the potential risk associated with the potential
environmental concerns identified in Section 8.0. Strata’s opinions regarding each potential
concern are presented below.
♦ As stated in Section 8.0, the LUST investigation at the site was closed by the MDEQ, and the
corrective actions resulted in an unrestricted residential use of the site based on a Tier 1
evaluation in October 2000. Although the LUST investigation was closed, Strata believes
that the lack of ground-water quality data collected from beneath the site may represent a
potential concern, however, ground water in the area is not used.
♦ Strata was unable to locate specific information pertaining to daily operations at the facilities
that occupied the site from at least the 1880s until the 1930s when the Fenton Fire
Department began to occupy the site. Strata believes that hazardous materials may have
been used on the property when it was used as a waterworks, electric and power works, and
2381288R.001 STRATA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. xxix
apple evaporating works facility. These potential hazardous materials may have impacted
the environmental conditions of the soil and/or groundwater beneath the site.
♦ With the exception former leaking underground storage tank, Strata does not believe that the
recent operations have caused any significant impact to the subject site.
♦ Strata believes that the historical uses of the properties directly north, west, and southwest of
the site, as described in the previous section, represent a potential environmental risk to the
site. Section 20126 (4)(c) of Michigan’s Natural Resources and Environmental Protection
Act (Act 451 of 1994, as amended) states that, “[t]he owner or operator of property onto
which contamination has migrated [is not liable] unless that person is responsible for an
activity causing the release that is the source of the contamination.” Strata, therefore, does
not believe that the Fenton DDA will assume the liability associated with contamination
migrating from the nearby properties of concern described above. Strata, however, does
believe that the potential migration of contaminants from off-site sources should be
addressed if the planned development of the site involves excavation activities that will
encounter ground water, or the use of ground-water resources beneath the site (which is not
likely).
♦ Strata identified two nearby properties in the EDR report, Vek’s Auto Service and the
proposed Fenton Fire Station, that had the potential to impact the subject site. Strata,
however, believes that based on the information regarding these facilities obtained from the
MDEQ, and their distance from the site, that it is unlikely that the site has been impacted or
will be impacted by these facilities in the future. As stated above, Strata does not believe
that the Fenton DDA will assume the liability associated with contamination migrating from
off-site properties.
10.0 CONCLUSIONS
Research conducted as part of this Phase 1 EA revealed that insufficient data might exist
pertaining to the potential groundwater impact due to the former leaking underground storage
tank on the site. In addition, the historic uses of the site present a potential risk of soil and/or
groundwater contamination. Strata also believes that the historic uses of the properties directly
2381288R.001 STRATA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. xxx
north, west and southwest of the site may have impacted the environmental conditions of the site.
Strata, however, does not believe that the Fenton DDA will assume the liability associated with
contamination migrating from off-site sources.
11.0 DEVIATIONS
Strata did not conduct interviews with local governmental officials for this investigation. MDEQ
files were not reviewed to obtain the current status of certain sites that could have the potential to
adversely impact the subject site.
12.0 SIGNATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS
___________________________ _____________________
Jason T. Armstrong Date
13.0 QUALIFICATION(S) OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONAL(S)
Resumes of the environmental professionals are included as Appendix H.