HomeMy WebLinkAboutSP201600003 Study 2016-12-05PHASE II: ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT
West Glen Site
Near Cling Lane, Crozet, VA
(Parts of Tax ID Parcels 55C-03-A, 56A1-o1-25, 56A1-o1-26A)
Prepared for
Southern Development Group
170 South Pantops Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22911
Prepared by
Nicola McGoff
Wild Ginger Field Services LLC
8088 Blenheim Road, Scottsville, VA 24590
WILD_OGINGER
FIELD SERVICES
December 5, 2016
WILT) SINGER
FIELD SERVICES
Wild Ginger Field Services
8088 Blenheim Road
Scottsville, VA 24590
December 5th, 2016
Charlie Armstrong
Southern Development Group
170 South Pantops Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22911
Re: Phase II Environmental Site Assessment Report
West Glen Property, near Cling Lane, Crozet, VA
Wild Ginger Field Services LLC is pleased to submit our findings for the Phase II
Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) of the West Glen site in Crozet, Virginia. This
assessment was prepared in general accordance with the American Society of Testing
and Materials (ASTM) Standard Practices for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase II
ESA Process (ASTM Designation: E1903-11).
The purpose of the Phase II ESA was to gather sufficient information to render an
independent professional opinion about the environmental conditions on the property,
specifically the presence or absence of lead and arsenic from past land uses. This
assessment included site visits, soil testing, research, and communications with state
and federal agencies.
Jed Pascarella of Virginia DEQ has consulted on the sampling scope and interpretation
of the results of this Phase II assessment. If you have any questions or require further
clarification of the report findings, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
b ca, v-j I
-
Nicola McGoff, MS, PWS
Wild Ginger Field Services LLC
Phone: 708-704-7162
Wild Ginger Field Services / December 5, 2016 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................................... 4
1.o INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................... 5
2.o BACKGROUND INFORMATION................................................................................ 6
3.0 WORK PERFORMED................................................................................................... 7
4.0 METHODS.................................................................................................................... 8
5.o DATA ACQUIRED....................................................................................................... 9
6.o EVALUATION & INTERPRETATION....................................................................... 10
7.0 SIGNATURE................................................................................................................ 11
8.o REFERENCES............................................................................................................ 12
APPENDIX A SITE SAMPLING LOCATIONS
APPENDIX B LAB STANDARD OPERATING PROCEEDURE
APPENDIX C LAB RESULTS
APPENDIX D SITE PHOTOGRAPHS
Wild Ginger Field Services / December 5, 2016 3
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report details the Phase II Environmental Site Assessment conducted at West Glen
near Cling Lane in Crozet, VA. The site was believed to have been an old fruit orchard, as
much of Crozet was in the past. Old orchards are often associated with pesticide
pollution, specifically lead and arsenic in the soils. Lead and arsenic are naturally
occurring soil elements that exist at background levels throughout Virginia. The
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Virginia Department of Environmental
Quality (VDEQ) regulate environmental contaminants and have established "normal"
background levels for lead and arsenic as well as pollution thresholds that trigger
required pollution mitigation.
This site is proposed for redevelopment into residential properties and part of the
development plan includes the removal of a small concrete dam on Powells creek. This
Phase II sampled the soils onsite and the impounded sediments behind the dam. Based
on the information gathered, data generated, and on observations made during this
investigation, the Phase II Environmental Site Assessment has revealed no evidence of
any environmental conditions on site or in connection with the subject property that
require regulatory actions.
The impounded sediments behind the dam proposed for removal were sampled.
Sediment samples were collected in three locations within this small pond. At each
location sediments were collected at the sediment surface and at depth (approximately
8-10 inches deep). The pond sediments were found to contain low levels of lead and
arsenic. No regulatory action is required to treat these sediments. The U.S. Army Corp
of Engineers (USACE) shall be the responsible agency for permitting this dam removal
and sediment dredging. The dredge material contains lead and arsenic at levels lower
than the surrounding land, and so can be responsibly disposed of on -site at West Glen if
USACE permits this action. If the dredge material was taken off -site it would be
considered solid waste, not hazardous waste, for means of disposal.
Surface soil samples were collected throughout the site. All of the samples had low lead
concentrations, below federal and state defined limits. Arsenic in the soil samples was
found to be slightly elevated, ranging from 6-28 mg/kg. All of the samples fell above the
VDEQ threshold of 3.4 mg/kg but are not high enough to require regulatory action. In
communication with VDEQ staff they concur that the arsenic levels at this site appear to
be naturally elevated background levels as they have found in other sites of the
Piedmont (VDEQ Metals Project 2013). Typically the Piedmont soils can contain arsenic
at levels of 23.1 mg/kg.
Virginia DEQ runs a Voluntary Remediation Program (VRP) to assess remediation of
certain site conditions. The landowner may consider pursuing VRP site assessment for
arsenic conditions, but this is a voluntary action not required by law. Based on the
results of the Phase II Environmental Site Assessment of the subject property no further
investigation is recommended at this time.
Wild Ginger Field Services / December 5, 2016 4
i.o INTRODUCTION
Wild Ginger Field Services LLC (Assessor) conducted the Phase II ESA for Southern
Development Group (User) on the West Glen property in Crozet, VA. The scope of these
services was to assess the site and provide results and a report following the ASTM
Standard E1903-11(Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase II
Environmental Site Assessment Process). Phase II ESA's are conducted on a parcel of
property with respect to the presence or the likely presence of a substance including, but
not limited to, those within the scope of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA).
This site had a Phase I environmental site assessment (ESA) conducted in April 2015.
Based on the findings in the Phase I ESA this site is assumed to have been an apple
orchard for some of the period of the years 180o to 2000. Apple orchards are a cause for
concern due to their historic use of lead arsenate as a pesticide. This possible
environmental hazard required surface soil sampling.
As part of the proposed development at this site a small dam impounding Powell's Creek
on site shall be removed. The accumulated sediments behind the dam are a possible
environmental hazard that required sampling for contaminants. The U.S. Army Corp of
Engineers (USACE) has been contacted by the developer regarding this site and
proposed dam removal. They have tentatively approved the idea in an email dated
4.4.2016 to Southern Development Group.
A Phase II ESA is performed in a situation when a user desires to obtain sound,
scientifically valid data concerning actual property conditions, whether or not such data
relate to property conditions previously identified as recognized environmental concern
(REC) in the Phase I ESA. This Phase II is being performed to provide information
relevant to the identifying, defining, and evaluating property conditions associated with
target analytes that may pose a risk to human health or the environment.
The specific objectives of this Phase II ESA are:
• To ascertain if lead and/or arsenic are present at or near state regulatory
threshold levels in the surface soils of the site
• To ascertain if lead and/or arsenic are present at or near state regulatory
threshold levels in the impounded sediments behind the concrete dam on
Powell's Creek
Wild Ginger Field Services / December 5, 2016 5
2.o BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Orchards covered much of central Virginia in the 1800-1900. In 1925 apples were grown on over
300,000 acres in Virginia (Taylor, 1926) compared to less than 12,000 acres today (Virginia
Agricultural Statistics Service, 2006). Historically this land -use has utilized inorganic pesticide to
control pests on the fruit crops. These chemicals often contain metals such as lead (Pb) and arsenic
(As). Lead arsenate (PbHAs04) was used since 1892, and was a very popular pesticide due to its
low cost, immediate effectiveness, and persistence on the crops. Multiple applications were
generally made each growing season. Its peak usage was in 1944 and it declined out of use by the
1970s. There have been problem areas near Crozet, Virginia, with high arsenic and lead levels.
Schooley et al. (2008) have a comprehensive paper written about lead arsenate usage, with a
specific case study in Mint Springs, Crozet.
In 1907 lead was recognized as a cumulative chemical. Lead arsenate builds up in the soil, tending
to linger in the top 20cm of the soil profile. Plants do not tend take up lead arsenate from the soil.
Treating the soil with a phosphate containing fertilizer enhanced the release of adsorbed arsenic
into solution making it more mobile in the soil and more available for plant absorption.
Arsenic and lead are on the top ten list of hazardous substances with EPA under the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) has established national standards for arsenic and lead in drinking water,
and for lead in bare soil. Lead in bare soil should not exceed 400 mg/kg in play areas and 1200
mg/kg in other areas of a residential yard with bare soil (ATSDR, 2008b). No federal limits have
been set for arsenic in soils. The federal drinking water standard for arsenic is 10 part per billion
(ppb). Many states have also specified standards for arsenic and lead. Virginia's Department of
Environmental Quality (VDEQ) has set standards for lead and arsenic in residential soils. Lead in
soil should be at a level below 270 mg/kg. This is more stringent than the federal EPA level of 400
mg/kg. The arsenic soil threshold is 3.4 mg/kg. Many areas in Virginia have naturally occurring
background values of arsenic greater than the VDEQ standard. When possible a site specific
background arsenic level should be established for comparison to areas of contamination when
possible.
It is important to remember the lead and arsenic are naturally occurring elements. We ingest
small amount of lead and arsenic through our food, air, and water daily. These elements are
stable in the soil environment, tending to bind to the soil particles.
Jed Pascarella, Environmental Program Planner, Department of Environmental Quality, was
contacted regarding sampling needs and assumptions made for this Phase II. He suggested the
sampling density and layout that was followed. He was also contacted to review the data
received from the lab and assisted in formulating the conclusions of this Phase II.
Wild Ginger Field Services / December 5, 2016 6
3.0 WORK PERFORMED
This is a 17 acre site with Powell's Creek running down the center of it, surrounded by
some small wetland parcels. Soil sample locations were laid out on a 1-acre grid pattern
over the entire site. From these 1-acre parcels 4 were randomly selected using GIS
technology for sampling. Within each 1-acre parcel a grid of 9 cells (3x3) was laid out
and 4 of the 9 cells were sampled for soils. This resulted in a total of sixteen surface soil
samples for the whole site. Appendix A contains a map of the sampling plots. Three
additional soil samples were taken within this site. These were collected under a
discarded tank found on site, near a mound of previously moved dirt by a sewer utility
line, and below a broken metal pipe exiting the dam on Powells Creek.
Sediment accumulated behind the concrete dam on Powell's Creek was sampled also.
Three separate locations within the pond were sampled for sediments. Surface
sediment, within the top 6 inches, were collected. Sediment samples at depth (8-10
inches deep) were also collected in the same three pond locations. This was a total of six
sediment samples from the pond, three surface and three at depth within the sediment
column.
Please see Appendix D for photographs of the sampling locations. GIS coordinates for
the sampling locations can be provided upon request.
Wild Ginger Field Services / December 5, 2016 7
4.0 METHODS
Samples were not composited. Soil samples, to 6 inches deep, were collected using a
small field trowel. Sampling equipment was cleaned after each sample in -situ and again
at the next sampling location prior to sampling. Samples were placed directly into glass
9-ounce sampling jars, with screw on lids, and sealed in sample bags in coolers. Sample
jars or bags were not re -opened until arrival at the lab.
Nineteen soil samples and six sediment samples were collected and sent via UPS ground
to Air Water & Soil Laboratories, Inc., 1941 Reymet Road, Richmond, VA 23237, for
analyses of lead, arsenic, and dry weight content. A complete chain of custody protocol
was fulfilled to ensure no tampering with the samples.
Laboratory methods and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) are included as Appendix
B. A determination of total, recoverable elements were measured by atomic emission
spectroscopy (AES) using an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) Perkin Elmer Optima
8300 or Optima 530o Dual View instrument. Lead and arsenic were detectible with 0.5
mg/kg accuracy.
Wild Ginger Field Services / December 5, 2016 8
5.o DATA ACQUIRED
Table 1 below contains the lab results in arsenic, lead, and percent solids, for the soil and
sediment samples taken. Lead and arsenic are reported in mg/kg units.
Sample
Point
Location
Lead
(mg/kg)
Arsenic
(mg/kg)
Percent
Solids
A-1
43 N
79.8
22.3
89.5
A-2
43 C
94.3
28.1
91
A-3
43 SE
40.9
11.8
88.8
A-4
43 SW
58.6
19.1
87.9
A-5
51 N
86.5
13.2
82.3
A-6
51 C
90.8
19.8
87.4
A-7
51 SE
85.7
24.8
85.8
A-8
Tank
116
28.3
84.5
A-9
51SW
47.9
12.8
79.6
A-10
41 SE
57.6
14.6
80.4
A-11
41 C
76.2
21.8
83.3
A-12
41 SW
35.2
6.55
82.8
A-13
41 N
42.2
12.3
83.3
A-14
21 N
37.2
10.6
85.5
A-15
21 C
48
13.4
84.1
A-16
21 SE
43.7
11.9
81.3
A-17
21 SW
79.9
22.4
86.4
A-18
Heap
76
19.8
93.4
A-19
Pipe
60.6
8.55
79.7
A-20
Pond 1 surface
10.9
3.42
78.1
A-21
Pond 1 deep
11.4
2.48
75.8
A-22
Pond 3 surface
13.9
3.15
71.9
A-23
Pond 2 surface
19.5
3.84
73.2
A-24
Pond 2 deep
17
3.03
75.6
A-25
Pond 3 deep
11.2
2.26
74.7
Table 1. West Glen soil sample data results.
A complete data report from the lab is attached as Appendix C.
Wild Ginger Field Services / December 5, 2016 9
6.o EVALUATION & INTERPRETATION
SEDIMENT
Sediment lead and arsenic, sampled from the pond behind the dam are below Federal
and Virginia DEQ thresholds for concern. No regulatory action is required for
these sediments in place. These sediments can be considered "clean" or "normal" based
on the lead and arsenic screening.
Dredging, disposal, and/or reuse, of the pond materials will need to be coordinated and
permitted with the USACE. As the sediment lead and arsenic concentrations are below
the Virginia DEQ thresholds and below the concentrations found on neighboring land,
this dredged sediment may be reused on the neighboring property, West Glen. If these
sediments are to be taken offsite for disposal, using the Virginia DEQ Manual for Reuse
of Contaminated Materials these sediments can be disposed of off -site as solid waste,
and are not considered hazardous waste. For further details regarding DEQ's guidance
on dredge materials please refer to their Solid Waste Interpretative Guidance Statement
(SWIGS) which is available at:
http: //townhall.virginia.gov/L/GetFile. cfm?File=C: \TownHall\docroot\GuidanceDocs\
44o\GDoc_DEQ_2621—vi.pdf
SOILS
All soil samples taken throughout the site contain lead levels below the Virginia DEQ
threshold of concern of 270 mg/kg and the Federal EPA threshold of 400 mg/kg. There
is no regulatory action requirement based on these soil sample results for lead.
From the perspective of lead these soils can be considered "clean" or "normal".
All soil samples taken throughout the site contain arsenic above the Virginia DEQ
threshold of concern (standard is 3.4 mg/kg). This is likely due to elevated natural
background levels. Virginia DEQ has found soil arsenic in the Piedmont up to 23 mg/kg.
Only 3 of the 16 soils samples are greater than 23 mg/kg. There is no regulatory
action requirement based on these soil sample results for arsenic. Although the
arsenic levels are elevated they are naturally elevated in this area (VDEQ Metals Project
2013). As the site is being developed, the movement and management of these soils
should be completed in a manner that does not create conditions where there will be an
off -site discharge of contaminants that may cause harm. The contaminated soils should
not be collected and buried on -site, whereby effectively creating a "landfill". Managing
the soil on -site per standard cut and fill management practices is acceptable.
Virginia DEQ has a program called the Voluntary Remediation Program (VRP), for
contaminated sites that do not require regulatory actions to clean up the contaminants.
To discuss pursuing a site assessment through the VRP the VRP manager, Meade
Anderson could be contacted at 804-698-4179 or j.meade.anderson(@dea.virginia.gov.
The VRP is expressly interested in developing sites for future use using site development
tools that achieve safe risk values for the proposed use.
Copies of any of the references cited in this report can be provided upon request.
Wild Ginger Field Services / December 5, 2016 10
7.0 SIGNATURE
Signature of assessor
We have performed a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment at West Glen, near Cling
Lane in Crozet, VA, in conformance with the scope and limitations of ASTM Practice
E1903-11 and for the following objectives:
• To ascertain if lead and/or arsenic are present at or near state regulatory
threshold levels in the surface soils of the site
• To ascertain if lead and/or arsenic are present at or near state regulatory
threshold levels in the impounded sediments behind the concrete dam on
Powell's Creek
pllcfi�, W J')
e��
Nicola McGoff (MS, PWS)
Owner/Director
Wild Ginger Field Services LLC
Wild Ginger Field Services / December 5, 2016 11
8. o REFERENCES
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. 2oo8b. Case Studies in
Environmental Medicine: Lead Toxicity — What are the U.S. Standards for Lead
Levels? U.S. Dept. Health and Human Serv. Atlanta, GA. 2pp.
(https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/lead/docs/lead.pdf)
• ASTM Standard E19O3-11. Standard Practice for Environmental Site
Assessments: Phase II Environmental Site Assessment Process.
• Code Federal Regulations (CFR) Website, Table 1, Regulatory levels of Toxicity.
http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-
idx? SID= 73f16418 2 o 6f3ba5 ac6e4b5 aaee8 9 6 6 1&mc=true&node = se4 0.2 8.2 6112
4&rgn=div8
• Schooley et al. 2008. The History of lead arsenate use in apple production:
Comparison of its impact in Virginia with other states.
• (http://www.deq.state.va.us/Portals/o/DEQ/Land/RemediationPrograms/Brow
nfields/Weavers-195-1-PB-8r.pdf )
• Taylor, H. M. 1926. The apple and peach industries of Virginia. USDA, Bur. Agric.
Econ., VA Dept. Agric., Div. Agric. Statistics, Div. of Markets, Richmond, VA.
85PP•
• Virginia Agricultural Statistics Service. 2006. VA Agricultural Statistics and
Resource Bulletin. VASS, Richmond, VA. 154 PP.
• Virginia DEQ. Draft Background Metals Project. 2013.
• Virginia DEQ Solid Waste Interpretive Guidance Statement (SWIGS):
E:\TOWNHALL\DOCROOT\GUIDANCEDOCS\440\GDOC_DEQ_2621_V1.DOC
• Virginia DEQ Voluntary Remediation Program Tables Website:
http://www.deq.vir ig nia.gov/Programs/LandProtectionRevitalizationZRemediati
onProgram/VoluntaryRemediationProgram/VRPRiskAssessmentGuidance/Tabs
es.aspx
• Virginia DEQ, Solid Waste Guidance Memorandum: Management and Reuse of
Contaminated Media. 2012.
(http: //www.deq.virginia.gov/Portals/o/DEQ/Land/Guidance/managementand
reuseofcontaminatedmedia.pdf)
Wild Ginger Field Services / December 5, 2016 12