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ESA-VCDC-Lumberyard-Pleasant StLIMITED SUBSURFACE INVESTIGATION REPORT NORTHAMPTON LUMBER COMPANY 256 PLEASANT STREET NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS Prepared for: Valley Community Development Corporation 30 Market Street Northampton, Massachusetts 01060 ECS Project No. 01-220303 July 31, 2013 Prepared by: ECS, Inc. 588 Silver Street Agawam, Massachusetts 01001 tel 413-789-3530 www.ecsconsult.com TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 SITE BACKGROUND ........................................................................................................................... 1 2.0 FIELD ACTIVITIES .............................................................................................................................. 2 2.1 Dig-Safe Pre-mark and GPR Survey ............................................................................................ 2 2.2 Drilling Activities ......................................................................................................................... 2 2.3 Groundwater Sampling ................................................................................................................. 4 3.0 SUMMARY OF LABORATORY ANALYTICALDATA ............................................................................ 4 3.1 Soil Analytical Results .................................................................................................................. 4 3.3 Groundwater Analytical Results ................................................................................................... 5 4.0 CONCLUSIONS ................................................................................................................................... 6 Figures Tables Figure 1 Figure 2 Table 1 Appendices Appendix A AppendixB Appendix C AppendixD AppendixE Site Location Map Site Plan Summary of Soil Analytical Data GPR Survey Report Soil Boring/Monitoring Well Logs Groundwater Sampling Logs Soil Analytical Laboratory Report Groundwater Analytical Laboratory Report 588 Silver Street, Agawam MA 01001 lei 4B.789.3530 fax 413.789.2776 www.ec:scomult.~on1 Joanne Campbell Valley Community Development Corporation 30 Market Street Northampton, Massachusetts 01060 Re: Limited Subsurface Investigation 256 Pleasant Street and 337 Holyoke Street Northampton, Massachusetts Dear Ms. Campbell: July 31, 2013 ECS Project 01-220303 Environmental Compliance Services, Inc. (ECS) is pleased to provide the results of a limited subsurface investigation completed at the Northampton Lumber property located at 256 Pleasant Street and 337 Holyoke Street in Northampton, Massachusetts (the "site"). The investigation was conducted on behalf of the Valley Community Development Corporation (Valley CDC) for the purpose of evaluating recognized environmental conditions identified at the site during the completion of a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) in May 2013. 1.0 SITE BACKGROUND The site consists of two contiguous parcels of land totaling 1.232 acres. The site is improved with a 13,330-square foot commercial building used as a hardware store and for lumber storage, a small garage, a small shed, a wood cutting area, numerous covered lumber storage areas and a paved yard and parking areas. The site operates as the Northampton Lumber Company, a lumber and home improvement supply retailer. A Site Location Map is provided as Figure 1. A Site Plan is provided as Figure 2. Based on a review of historical resources during the Phase I ESA, the site appears to have been developed for commercial and industrial use since at least the 1880s. Sanborn maps from 1884 to 1965 depict a number of structures on the site, including buildings used as sheds, for lumber storage, grain and onion storage, furniture storage, fertilizer storage, stone cutting, cutting, sawing, planing mills, emery wheel manufacturing, pocket book manufacturing, basket manufacturing, toy manufacturing, carpentry, cabinet shops, and a laundry business. In 1884, the area where the eastern portion of the main building at the site is located is labeled as "ruins", which suggests that it may have burned down and was re-built. Railroad A venue, which is no longer present, appears to have passed through the central portion of the site from at least 1902 through at least 1965. Railroad spurs associated with the adjoining railroad to the east of the site appear to have been located on the site in the 1880s and 1890s, and the adjoining railroad appears to have been much wider and included more lines than its current configuration, some of which may have been present on the eastern half of the site. Street directories from the 1920s through the early 1960s list cabinet makers, carpenters and M.C. Bailey and Company Lumber as the site occupants. Northampton Lumber Company has reportedly occupied the site since 1965. A 1910 Sanborn map depicts a 50-gallon buried gasoline tank on the central portion of the site. The status of this tank, whether still in the ground or removed, is unknown. Sanborn maps dated 1910, 1915, > CONNECTICUT ,. FLORIDA > MASSACHUSETTS > NEW HAMPSHIRE > NORTH CAROLINA ,. OHIO > VERMONT > Limited Subsurface Investigation 256 Pleasant St and 337 Holyoke St Northampton, Massachusetts ECS Project 01-220303 July 2013 Page2 1930 and 1950 depict a 550-gallon buried gasoline tank around the northwestern portion of the site on the south side of where an existing Brake King building is located. It is presumed that this tank may have been associated with the automotive repair business on the Brake King property. Based on conversations with the site owner during ECS' subsurface investigation activities in June 2013, the tank is believed to have been located on the Brake King property and not on the site. The tank grave was reported to be on the south side of the Brake King building, just beyond the northern boundary of the site. Based on a review of Sanborn maps and street directories, it appears that a number of nearby properties were historically used for high-risk activities with respect to the potential for environmental impacts. These included an iron foundry, automotive repair businesses and gasoline tanks on properties to the west; a silk mill beyond the railroad (still present) to the east; automotive businesses, a filling station, machine shops, a railroad freight depot, a fabric company and tobacco warehouses to the north across Short Street; a coal yard, a blacksmith, a garage and laundry business to the south across Holyoke Street; and a former filling station to the southwest across the Holyoke Street and Pleasant Street intersection. Based on the findings of the Phase I ESA, ECS opined that the potential for impacts to soil, groundwater and/or indoor air at the site from historical high-risk operations at the site and at adjoining locations was considered to be a recognized environmental condition. 2.0 FIELD ACTIVITIES 2.1 Dig-Safe Pre-mark and GPR Survey On June 26, 2013, ECS personnel pre-marked the site for purposes of Dig-Safe notification and Sub- surface Informational Surveys, Inc. (SIS) of East Longmeadow, Massachusetts completed a ground- penetrating radar (GPR) survey. Dig-Safe was notified of the intended site work on June 26, 2013 and issued Dig-Safe authorization number 2013-260-6774 effective on July 1, 2013. The GPR survey was performed at proposed drilling locations, as well as all accessible exterior portions of the site in an effort to identify buried items, including USTs and utilities. The GPR survey did not identify any parabolic features consistent with USTs. A UST grave was identified at the adjoining property to the north (on the south side of the building occupied by Brake King). A copy of the GPR survey report is provided as Appendix A. Prior to drilling activities at the site, ECS obtained an Excavation/Trench Permit from the City of Northampton. The permit was required in order for the Northampton Department of Public Works to mark municipal water and sanitary sewer lines at the site. The Excavation/Trench Permit was issued on July 3, 2013. A Health and Safety Plan (HASP) was prepared for the site on July 10, 2013. 2.2 Drilling Activities On July 11, 2013, ECS personnel provided oversight during the advancement of soil borings and monitoring wells at the site. The drilling was completed by Crawford Drilling Services, LLC of Westminster, Massachusetts using track-mounted Geoprobe direct-push drilling equipment. The borings were designated SB-I through SB-8 and are depicted on Figure 2. Three soil borings (SB-1, SB-2 and SB-3) were advanced on the northern portion of the site, with boring SB-1 being advanced on the northwestern portion of the site at a location presumed to be downgradient of the adjoining Brake King Limited Subsurface Investigation 256 Pleasant St and 337 Holyoke St Northampton, Massachusetts ECS Project 01-220303 July 2013 Page3 property and their former UST. Borings SB-2 and SB-3 were advanced on the northern-central and northeastern portions of the site. Borings SB-4, SB-5 and SB-6 were advanced on the central portion of the site, with boring SB-4 advanced around the area of a gasoline tank depicted on the site on Sanborn maps. No tanks were identified in this area during the GPR survey. Boring SB-7 was advanced at the southeastern portion of the site and boring SB-8 was advanced near the southern boundary of the site. Five additional soil borings designated SB-A through SB-E were also advanced at the site to shallow depths (up to 5 feet each) in order to evaluate potential impacts related to an adjoining former foundry to the west and a former rail line and rail spurs that appear to have been located around the eastern half of the site. During drilling activities, soils from each borehole were field-screened for total organic vapors (TOVs) using an IonScience Phocheck Tiger photoionization detector (PID) equipped with a 10.6 eV lamp and calibrated to a benzene standard. Screening of soil samples was performed using the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) jar headspace method. All soil samples were visually classified in the field by ECS personnel for moisture, color, soil type and visual/olfactory evidence of contamination. Soils from the ground surface to approximately 10 feet below grade (fbg) consisted of brown sand of varying texture with some gravel and silt. From 10 to 15 fbg, soils consisted of gray silts and sands, and below 15 feet soils consisted mainly of gray silt with trace amounts of clay and some coarse sand and gravel. Brick fragments, presumably remnants of former buildings at the site, were observed between 0-5 fbg at borings SB-2, SB-C, SB-D and SB-E and at 5-10 fbg at SB-4. Wood fragments were observed at 10-15 fbg at boring SB-3. Peat was observed at 5-10 fbg at borings SB-7 and SB-8. No olfactory or visual evidence of petroleum contamination was observed in any of the soil samples. Bedrock was not encountered in any of the borings. No TOV concentrations exceeded 1.0 parts per million (ppm). Soil borings SB-1, SB-3, SB-5, SB-6 and SB-8 were completed as groundwater monitoring wells designated MW-1, MW-2, MW-3, MW-4 and MW-5. All of the wells were installed at 20 fbg, with the exception of SB-8/MW-5, which was installed at 18 fbg. Saturated soils were observed at approximately 14 to 15 fbg at borings SB-1 through SB-7 and at approximately 11 to 12 fbg at SB-8. Due to the lack of evidence of petroleum-impacted soils during drilling activities, the monitoring well locations were selected to provide adequate coverage of the entire site and to evaluate areas at or downgradient of suspected on or off-site sources of impacts. All five groundwater monitoring wells were constructed with 10 feet of two-inch diameter 0.010-inch slot polyvinyl chloride (PVC) well screen attached with flush-threaded joints to 8 to 10 feet of solid PVC riser pipe. The annular space around the well screens was backfilled with sand. A two-foot thick bentonite seal was installed above the sand pack to prevent surface water infiltration into the wells. The annulus above the bentonite seal was backfilled with native material. Each well was finished with a water-tight road box cemented in place and flush with the ground surface. Soil boring and monitoring well logs are provided as Appendix B. Following installation, each of the five newly installed monitoring wells was developed by purging approximately 3 to 5 gallons of groundwater using disposable polyethylene hailers. The purpose of the well development is to improve the hydraulic connection between the well bore and the aquifer, to remove fine-grained material present in or adjacent to the sand pack, and to assure the collection of a representative groundwater sample. Limited Subsurface Investigation 256 Pleasant St and 337 Holyoke St Northampton, Massachusetts ECS Project 01-220303 July2013 Page4 Soil samples SB-C/0-5', SB-D/0-5', SB-E/0-5', SB-3/MW-2/0-5', SB-6/MW-4/0-5', SB-1/MW-1/10-15' and SB-2/10-15' were selected for laboratory analysis. Based on the lack of evidence of petroleum- impacted soil (no staining, odors or elevated TOY concentrations), samples were focused on shallow depths at five of these locations to evaluate the presence of heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) due to the former adjoining foundry to the west and former rail lines or spurs that appear to have been located on the eastern portion of the site. Two of the borings were sampled at the approximate depth of the water table (SB-1 and SB-2 at 10-15 ') to evaluate the possibility of impacts migrating onto the site from current and former adjoining high risk properties to the north. All seven soil samples were submitted for laboratory analysis of RCRA 8 metals, samples SB-3/MW-2/0-5', SB-6/MW-4/0-5', SB-D/0-5' and SB-E/0-5' were analyzed for semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) by USEPA Method 8270 (PAHs only), SB-3/MW-2/0-5', SB-6/MW-4/0-5' and SB-E/0-5' were analyzed for PCBs, and samples SB-1/MW-1/10-15' and SB-2/10-15' were analyzed for extractable petroleum hydrocarbons (EPH) by MassDEP approved methods. The samples were stored on ice or refrigerated until received under chain of custody (COC) by Spectrum Analytical, Inc. of Agawam, Massachusetts on July 12, 2013. 2.3 Groundwater Sampling On July 19, 2013, ECS personnel returned to the site to collect groundwater samples from the five newly installed monitoring wells (MW-1 through MW-5). Groundwater samples were collected using low flow sampling techniques and a peristaltic pump. Prior to sampling, each monitoring well was gauged for depth.to groundwater using an electronic water level meter. Depth to groundwater on July 19, 2013 ranged from 9.70 fbg at MW-5 to 11.72 fbg at MW-3. Temperature, pH, specific conductivity, dissolved oxygen and oxidation reduction potential in groundwater at each well were monitored at three to five-minute intervals during purging and achieved stabilization prior to sample collection. Turbidity was measured at the time of sample collection. The groundwater sampling logs are provided as Appendix C. No petroleum odors or oily sheens were observed in any of the groundwater samples and no light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) was measured. Groundwater samples from all five monitoring wells were submitted for laboratory analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by USEPA Method 8260, volatile petroleum hydrocarbons (VPH), EPH and dissolved RCRA 8 metals. Groundwater samples from MW-2 and MW-4 were also analyzed for herbicides and PCBs, due to their location on the eastern portion of the site where former rail lines or spurs appear to have been located. This area is also abutting an existing railroad. The samples for RCRA 8 metals analysis were field-filtered. All samples were stored on ice until received by Spectrum Analytical under COC on July 19, 2013. The samples were submitted with a trip blank for QA/QC purposes. 3.0 SUMMARY OF LABORATORY ANALYTICAL DATA 3.1 Soil Analytical Results The soil analytical results were compared to the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) RCS-1 criteria. According to the MCP, RCS-1 applies to soil samples obtained at or within 500 feet of a residential dwelling, a residentially-zoned property, school, playground, recreational area or park; or within the geographic boundaries of a groundwater resource area categorized as RCGW-1 in 310 CMR Limited Subsurface Investigation 256 Pleasant St and 337 Holyoke St Northampton, Massachusetts ECS Project 01-220303 July2013 Page5 40.0362(1)(a). Residential properties and a school are located within 500 feet north, east and west of the site, therefore, soil category RCS-1 would apply. According to the soil analytical data, no EPH target analytes or carbon fractions, P AHs or PCBs were detected above the laboratory reporting limits in any of the samples analyzed for these constituents. The laboratory analytical report indicated that elevated reporting limits for the SVOC PAH analysis in soil samples SB-D/0-5' and SB-E/0-5' were due to the presence of high levels of non-target analytes. As a result, ECS requested the full SVOC 8270 analysis from the laboratory for these two samples on July 31, 2013. The results of the expanded analysis indicated that all of the SVOC 8270 constituents were detected at concentrations below the laboratory reporting limits. No visual or olfactory evidence of impacts were noted in these two samples during drilling activities. The metals barium, chromium and lead were detected above the laboratory reporting limits in all seven samples, and mercury was detected above the laboratory reporting limits in four of the soil samples. Barium concentrations ranged from 18.4 milligrams per kilogram (mg/Kg) to 82.0 mg/Kg, which are below the barium RCS-1 standard of 1,000 mg/Kg. Chromium concentrations ranged from 4.97 to 16.3 mg/Kg, which are below the chromium RCS-1 standard of 30 mg/Kg. Lead concentrations ranged from 3.29 to 43.9 mg/Kg, which are below the lead RCS-1 standard of 300 mg/Kg. Mercury concentrations ranged from 0.0374 to 0.268 mg/Kg, which are below the mercury RCS-1 standard of 20 mg/Kg. A summary of soil analytical data is presented in Table 1 (attached). The soil laboratory analytical report is provided as Appendix D. 3.3 Groundwater Analytical Results The groundwater analytical results were compared to MCP reporting category RCGW-2. According to the MCP, the more stringent reporting category RCGW-1 applies to groundwater samples obtained from within a current or potential drinking water supply area. Based on the MassDEP Priority Resource Map viewed online at (http://maps.massgis.state.ma.us/images/dep/omv/mcpviewer.htm), the site is not located within a current or potential drinking water source area, therefore, RCGW-2 applies to the site, as categorized in 310 CMR 40.0362(1)(b). According to the groundwater analytical data, concentrations of VPH and EPH target analytes and carbons fractions, herbicides and PCBs were not detected above the laboratory reporting limits in any of the groundwater samples analyzed for these constituents. VOCs were not detected at concentrations above the laboratory reporting limits in the groundwater samples collected at MW-2, MW-3, MW-4 and MW-5. The VOC tetrachloroethene (TCE) was detected at 1.62 micrograms per liter (ug/L) in the groundwater sample from MW-1. This concentration is below the applicable TCE RCGW-2 standard of 50 ug/L. Although the more stringent RCGW-1 standard does not apply to the site, the detected concentration of TCE is also below this standard as well (5 ug/L). TCE is a solvent commonly used in dry cleaning or metal degreasing. The groundwater sample where TCE was detected is located on the northwestern portion of the site, between the site building and an adjoining automotive repair facility. TCE was not detected above the laboratory reporting limits in samples from the other four monitoring wells. The metal barium was detected in all five groundwater samples. Barium concentrations ranged from 0.0256 milligrams per liter (mg/L) to 0.152 mg/L. These concentrations are below the applicable barium RCGW-2 standard of 50 mg/L. Although the more stringent RCGW-1 standard does not apply to the site, the detected concentration of barium is also below this standard as well (2 ug/L). None of the other Limited Subsurface Investigation 256 Pleasant St and 337 Holyoke St Northampton, Massachusetts ECS Project 01-220303 July2013 Page6 metals analyzed for were detected at concentrations above the laboratory reporting limits. The groundwater laboratory analytical report is provided as Appendix E. 4.0 CONCLUSIONS ECS has completed a limited subsurface investigation at the site in order to evaluate potential contamination resulting from historic site use and off-site sources. The results of the investigation indicate that several metals (barium, chromium, mercury and lead) were detected in soil samples at concentrations above the laboratory reporting limits, but below the applicable state reporting standards. It is likely that these metals represent typical background concentrations and are not an indication of a release of hazardous materials at the site. The results of groundwater sampling at five monitoring wells installed at the site indicate that TCE was detected in the sample from MW-1, installed on the northwestern portion of the site. The TCE concentration was well below the applicable RCGW-2 criteria, as well as the more stringent RCGW-1 criteria. TCE is a solvent commonly used in dry cleaning and metal degreasing. It is possible that the TCE in groundwater has migrated onto the site from an off-site source. The location of MW-1 where TCE was detected is in close proximity to and presumably downgradient of an adjoining automotive repair shop. TCE was not detected above the laboratory reporting limits in the groundwater samples collected from the other four wells at the site. No obvious visual or olfactory evidence of petroleum impacts were observed in soils during drilling activities or in groundwater during the sampling event. No elevated TOV concentrations were measured during field-screening of soil samples. The results of the soil and groundwater analytical data indicate that the contaminants analyzed for were not detected above the applicable standards and no reporting requirements to MassDEP have been triggered at this time. ECS certifies that, to the best of our knowledge, this report is true and accurate. Please contact the undersigned at 413-789-3530 with any questions. Sincerely, ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE SERVICES, INC. Amy L. Butler Level II Scientist John Niedzielski, LSP Branch Manager/Principal FIGURES ecs IJob Number: 1 Environmental Compliance Services, Inc. 588 Silver Street, Agawam, MA 01001 Phone (413)-789-3530 Fax (413)-789-2776 www.ecsconsult.com 256 Pleasant Street Northampton, MA 1/2 0 1 inch = 1500 feet SITE LOCUS Figure: 1 Contour Interval: 10 Feet Base Map: U.S. Geological Survey; Quadrangle Location: Easthampton, MA Latitude and Longitude: 42d 18" 59.53' North I 72d 37" 33.39' West I 1 Mile Nori Ip t Map Edited: 1964 Map Revised: 1979 Generated By: CEF Collaborative for Educational Services, HEC Academy, Occupational Therapy (former freight >40rd, fabric company, filling station, auto repair, machine shops) Millenium Liquors Approx. Area of Burled Gasoline Tank Depicted on Sanborn Maps Ye Ole Watering Hole, Northampton Coffee, Beehive Sewing ------Approximate Property Boundary Unpaved e,{;-Parking Lot c,~ ~ __ ,.,/ ~' / ' ,./ ':S:-0 / '\ SB-3/MW-~ .. /" C3 / Covered , .. / Lumber ' _,,;" / Storage \....--' Approx. Area of Burled Gasoline _-Tank Depicted on 0 .---Sanborn Maps SB-5/MW-3 ~ © SB~~ ... /\~ ©sB-c @SB-7 ~ \~ \'<>~ Lumber Yord (paved) '" '"' \ \ @sB-D 0 SB-E \~ \" SB-8,/MW-5 .... --.... 0 --------~ ------stree't ri.o\'Jov..e Former Cool Yard and Blacksmith ~ Harold's Garage Multi-tenant Commercial and Residential (former silk mill) N I 256 Pleasant Street Northampton, Massachusetts ecs Former Gasoline Station 0 = Proposed Boring Location .. .......,.,.., Campllance s.Mceo I © = Proposed Shallow Soll Sample Locatlonf-_588 __ sa_...,._•u..t. __ A,;_gawam __ ._u_.....,, __ "_ .. _ti. __ .J ~ = Catchbasin 01-220303 -JULY 2013 -not to scale TABLES 256 Pleasant St & 337 Holyoke St Table I Northampton, Massachusetts Summary of Soil Analytical Data ECS Project 01-220303 Samole Location SB-C SB-D SB-E SB-I/MW-I SB-2 SB-3/MW-2 SB-6/MW-4 Reportable Samplin2 depth 0-5' 0-5' 0-5' 10-15' 10-15' 0-5' 0-5' TOV concentrations lnnm) 1.0 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 Concentrations for S-1 Samolin2 Date 7/11/13 7/11/13 7/11/13 7/11/13 7/11/13 7/11/13 7/11/13 Soil Category RCRA 8 Metals lmWKd Barium 40.2 38.l 32.9 25.0 82.0 35.8 18.4 1000 Chromium 5.90 12.2 10.9 4.97 16.3 12.6 12.4 30. Mercurv 0.259 0.0691 0.268 BRL 1<0.0302) 0.0374 BRL 1<0.0297) BRL l<0.0324) 20 Lead 43.9 39.9 15.5 11.3 12.9 4.52 3.29 300 NOTES: BRL -below reporting limit NE -not established mg/Kg = milligrams per kilogram NA = not analyzed ug/Kg = micrograms per kilogram NM = not measured TOV = total organic vapors in part per million, measured with a photoionization detector Only contaminants detected above the laboratory reporting limits are included in this table. Please see a full list of analytes in the laboratory report. Hie:hlie:bted results indicate exceedence of Reoortable Concentration