Elkin Chrysler Rede_1998.11.12_LAW Phase I EA-OCR

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November 12, 1998
Elkins Chrysler Plymouth
P.O. Box 2248
LAW "===~ LAWGIBB Group Member &
Durham, North Carolina 27702-2248
Attention: Mr. James R. Elkins
Subject: Report of Phase I Environmental Assessment
Elkins Chrylser Plymouth Dealership
Durham, North Carolina
Law Project: 30741-8-3245
Dear Mr. Elkins:
Law Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc. (LAW) is pleased to submit this report of our
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment for the site located at 125 E. East-West Freeway in
Durham, North Carolina. The purpose of our services was to identify recognized environmental
conditions and obvious potential environmental concerns.
This report is intended for the use of Elkins Chrysler Plymouth only, subject to the contractual
terms agreed to for this project. Reliance on this document by any other party is prohibited
without the express written consent of LAW and that party's acceptance of mutually agreeable
terms and conditions with those on the attached Agreement for Secondary Client. Use of this
. report for purposes beyond those reasonably intended by Elkins Chrysler Plymouth and LAW will
be at the sole risk of the user.
This report presents project information. which includes survey procedures and limitations, along
with our findings, conclusions and recommendations. We appreciate your selection of LAW for
this project and look forward to assisting you further on this and other projects. If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
LA~ fN~~N ERING AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
Ck~ 'C ·~a~ 1-71~· ~Lr~~:::_
Christy E. aacs, E.l.T.
Staff Engineer
LAW Engineering and Environmental Services. Inc
3301 Atlantic Avenue• Raleigh NC 27604
P 0. Box 18288 •Raleigh. NC 27619
919-876-0416 •Fax [phone]
Elkins Chrysler Plymo11th Dealership
Durham, North Carolina
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
November 12, 1998
Lil W Project No.J07.//-8-3:Z.J5
PROPERTY NAME: Elkins Chrysler Plymouth Dealership
LOCATION: 125 E. East-West Freeway
Durham, North Carolina
This executive summary is provided for convenience and should not substitute for review of the
complete report, including all attachments.
Based on the data collected during the assessment, our findings and conclusions are summarized
as follows:
On-Site
The subject site is an approximately 6.15 acre tract of land which is located at 125 E. East-West
Freeway in Durham, Durham County, North Carolina. The site is developed with a 34,360 square
foot facility that includes a showroom, carport, service department, and a smaller auto-body repair
shop. The areas surrounding the site are used for commercial purposes.
Several single-family residences were previously located on the site. The residences may have used
underground storage tanks (USTs) to store fuel oil. Although we did not observe evidence of USTs
associated with the former residences, should an UST be discovered during future construction
activities, LAW would recommend closing such an UST in accordance with state requirements. In
addition, the residences located on the site may have used septic tanks to treat domestic sewage. The
proper use of a septic system generally docs not produce an adverse impact to the environment.
However, the misuse of a septic system by the disposal of certain industrial and household chemicals
can have an adverse impact on soil and groundwater. We do not have evidence that such septic
systems were misused.
LAW reviewed environmental lists to identify sites that are either on the subject site or located within
the respective search distances recommended by the American Society for Testing and Materials
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Elkins Chrysler Plymouth Dealership
Durham, North Carolina
November 12, 1998
LAW Project No.30i.J 1-8-32./5
(ASTM). This site is included on the Resource Conservation and Recovery Information System
(RCRIS) List of Notifiers as a conditionally exempt generator of hazardous waste. The site also
appears on the list of registered USTs as having had two gasoline USTs, a waste-oil UST, and a
new oil UST. The two gasoline USTs and one of the oil USTs were reportedly removed in 1989.
Mr. Elkins stated that all four of these USTs were removed in 1989 and that the waste-oil UST
was replaced with the 1100-gallon UST currently located on the site. The site is also listed as
having five paint thinner USTs. Mr. Elkins stated that these were located in the auto-body repair
shop and were removed in the mid-1980's.
Below-ground hydraulic lifts were previously located in the service department. According to Mr.
Elkins, the hydraulic lifts have failed in the past resulting from a loss of hydraulic fluid from the
underground cylinders. Therefore, releases from the underground hydraulic lifts may have adversely
affected the soil and/or groundwater beneath the service department.
Off-Site
We identified 18 sites on the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) incident list, two sites on the
CERCLIS list, one site on the RCRIS List of Notifiers, and three sites on the North Carolina Inactive
Hazardous Sites Inventory. Based on topographic observations, 19 of these sites do not appear to be
located hydraulically upgradient of the subject site. Therefore, we do not expect groundwater
beneath these 19 sites to flow towards the subject site.
During our historical review we identified a filling station located adjacent to the northeastern comer
of the site. Based on topographic observation this filling station and two of the sites on the incident
list appear to be located upgradient of the subject site.
Conclusions:
Based upon our observations and review of available information, we do not have evidence that the
subject site has been adversely affected by off-site activities. Because of the location of the subject
site and its topographic relationship to two of the listed sites and a fo1mer filling station, it is possible
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Elkins Chrysler Plymouth Dealership
Durham, North Carolina
November 12, 1998
LAW Project No.J07.J/-8-JU5
that groundwater in the surfical aquifer beneath the subject site may have been adversely affected by
releases at these sites. Although one would not expect to incur responsibilities of investigative and/or
clean-up costs associated with off-site sources of contamination, sampling to ascertain quality of on-
site groundwater may be a prudent course of action if I) contamination of groundwater has a negative
impact on future property values, 2) the owner or future occupant intends to use or develop the
groundwater resource, or 3) construction activities or pre-construction design call for site dewatering
which may produce a wastewater which is unacceptable for conventional discharge to sanitary or
storm-water systems. Should you wish to determine if the extent of contamination at these
upgradient sites has been defined, we would recommend that a regulatory file review be conducted.
Two gasoline, one waste-oil, one new oil, and five paint thinner USTs were formerly located at the
site. LAW was not provided documentation concerning the closure of the USTs. One waste-oil
UST is currently located at the site. LAW recommends the collection and testing of soil samples
in the vicinity of the waste-oil UST and in the vicinity of ti1e former USTs if documentation of
clean closure is not available. LAW also recommends collection and testing of soil samples in the
vicinity of the fonner underground hydraulic lifts.
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£/kill.)" Chrysler Plymouth Dealership
Durham. North Carolina
2. INTRODUCTION
November 12. 1998
LAW Project No.307.J 1-8-3245
Elkins Chrylser Plymouth has engaged Law Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc. (LA \V)
to perform a Phase I Environmental Assessment at the subject property. LAW has completed a
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment for the site located at 125 E. East-West Freeway in
Durham, North Carolina.
The purpose of our services was to identify recognized environmental conditions and obvious
potential environmental concerns in connection with the property, based on readily available
information and site observations.
The work was conducted substantially as outlined in LAW Proposal No. 30741-8-58 I 8 which was
authorized.by Mr. James Elkins on October l, 1998.
2.1 BACKGROUND
Elkins Chrysler Plymouth requested that LAW perform a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
for the subject site. Information relating to the site was provided by Mr. James Elkins, the current
owner of the site.
2.2 PROCEDURES
The Phase I Environmental Site Assessment was performed using procedures from American
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) document ASTM E 1527-97.
The following services were provided for the assessment:
• A qualitative hydrogeologic evaluation of the site and vicinity using both
published topographic and geologic maps, and observations to
characterize the area drainage.
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Elkins Chrysler Plymouth Dealership
Durham. North Carolina
November 12, 1998
LAW P1·oject No.307.J/-8-32-15
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A review of available documents, maps, aerial photographs and interviews
with knowledgeable persons to evaluate past land uses.
A review of available environmental reports published by state and federal
agencies to determine if the site or nearby properties are listed as having a
present or past environmental problem, are under investigation or are
regulated by state or federal environmental regulatory agencies.
A site and adjacent property reconnaissance for obvious indications of
present or past activities which have or could have contaminated the site.
• Preparation of this report presenting our findings and conclusions .
QUALIFICATIONS
The findings and opinions presented are relative to the dates of our site work and should not be
relied on to represent conditions at substantially later dates.
The opinions included herein are based on information obtained during the study and our
experience. If additional information becomes available which might impact our environmental
conclusions, we request the opportunity to review the information, reassess the potential concerns,
and modify our opinions, if warranted. If this assessment included a review of documents
prepared by others it must be recognized that LAW has no responsibility for the accuracy of
information contained therein.
Although this assessment has attempted to identify the potential for environmental impacts to the
subject property, potential sources of contamination may have escaped detection due to: (I) the
limited scope of this assessment, (2) the inaccuracy of public records, and (3) the presence of
undetected or unreported environmental incidents ( 4) inaccessible areas, and/or (5) deliberate
concealment of detrimental information. It was not the purpose of this study to determine the
actual presence, degree or extent of contamination, if any, at the site. This would require
additional exploratory work, including sampling and laboratory analysis.
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Elkins Chrysler Plymouth Dealership
Durham, North Carolina
3. SITE SETTING
November 12, 1998
I.AW Project No.30741-8-32./5
Understanding of a site's physical setting is important to the recognition of environmental impacts
to the property.
3.1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The subject site is an approximately 6.15 acre tract of land which is located at 125 E. East-West
Freeway in Durham, Durham County, North Carolina. The site is developed with a 34,360 square
foot facility that includes a showroom, carport, service department, and a smaller auto-body repair
shop. The areas surrounding the site are used for commercial purposes.
3.2 HYDROGEOLOGY
A consideration of surface and subsurface drainage and geology are of interest since they provide
an indication of the direction that contamination, if present on-site or off-site, could be
transported. The term "upgradient" refers to a location hydraulically upstream.
LAW reviewed the following information in regard to the geology and hydrogeology of the site
and surrounding area:
• Geologic Map of North Carolina, dated 1985, published by North
Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Community Development;
• Soil Survey of Durham County, North Carolina, U.S.D.A. Soil
Conservation Service, dated 1971;
• United States Geologic Survey (USGS) Topographic Map, Northwest
Durham, North Carolina Quadrangle, dated 1973 and photorevised in
1987;
• USGS Topographic Map, Southwest Durham, North Carolina Quadrangle,
dated 1973 and photorevised in 1987.
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£/kins Chrysler Plymouth Dealership
Durham. North Carolina
3.2.1 Geologic Setting
November 12. 1998
LA II' Project No.3(}i .// -8-32-15
The site is located in the Triassic Basin of the Piedmont Physiographic Province of North
Carolina, in an area underlain by arkosic sandstones that are interbedded with mudstones. The
residual soils present in this area have been formed by in-place chemical and physical weathering
of the parent rock types. Weathering is facilitated by fractures, joints, and by the presence of less
resistant rock types. The typical soil profile consists of clayey soils near the ground surface,
transitioning to sandy silts and silty sands that generally become harder with depth to the top of
the parent rock. According to the Soil Survey of Durham County the site is underlain by White
Store sandy loam soils. These soils are moderately well drained with very slow permeability.
Based on review of the USGS topographic map (Drawing I.I), the elevation of the subject site ranges
from approximately 390 feet above mean sea level (msl) at the northwestern comer of the site, to
approximately 340 feet above msl on the southeastern comer of the site. Assuming that the water
table mirrors the local topography, groundwater beneath the subject site would flow to the southeast
towards an unnamed tributary of Third Fork Creek. Please note however, that we cannot accurately
predict the direction of groundwater flow based solely on topographic observations.
3.2.2 Groundwater
In this region groundwater generally occurs under water-table conditions and is stored in the pore
space between individual grains of soil, or in fractures within the underlying rock. Recharge to the
water table is primarily by precipitation infiltrating the upper soils and percolating downward,
under the influence of gravity, to the groundwater table. Typically, the water table is not a level
surface, but a subdued reflection of the land surface. However, the depth to the water table is not
constant, and is dependent on many factors which include; the amount of rainfall, the permeability
of the soil, and the amount of groundwater being pumped in the area.
Groundwater generally flows in directions subparallcl to the ground surface slopes and under the
influence of gravity toward points of discharge such as creeks, swamps, drainage swales, or
pumped groundwater wells. Based on our review of the topographic maps, we interpret the natural
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Elkins Chrysler Plymo111/r Dealership
Durham, North Carolina
November /2, 1998
LAW Projec/ No.3074/-8-3245
groundwater flow to be generally to the southeast towards an unnamed tributary of Third Fork
Creek.
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Elkins Chrysler Plymouth Dealership
Durham. North Carolina
4. REGULATORY INFORMATION
November 12. 1998
LAW Project No.307./1-8-32-15
LAW conducted a search for regulatory information pertaining to the site and its surroundings by
reviewing the lists identified in Appendix C. This regulatory records search is based on
infonnation published by State and Federal regulatory agencies and is used to evaluate if the site
or nearby properties are listed as having a past or present record of actual or potential
environmental impact. Please note that regulatory listings include only those sites which are
known to the regulatory agencies at the time of publication to be I) contaminated, 2) in the process
of evaluation for potential contamination, or 3) regulated.
EPA NATIONAL PRIORITIES LIST (NPL)
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)
established the EPA NPL of federal "superf und" sites. These are the contaminated sites that have
been assigned a high ranking, in terms of potential public health effects, by the EPA. The
following information was found on the EPA NPL, dated March 31, 1998.
• The site does not appear on the NPL.
• There are no facilities listed on the NPL within a one-mile radius from the
site.
EPA COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE, COMPENSATION, AND
LIABILITY INFORMATION SYSTEM (CERCLIS) LIST
The EPA CERCLIS List identifies documented and suspected contamination sites throughout the
nation which were not ranked high enough to be listed on the NPL. On the EPA CERCLIS List
dated May I, 1997, the following information was found.
• The site does not appear on the CERCLIS list.
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Durham, North Carolina
November 12. 1998
LAW Project No.307.//-8-32./5
• Our review of the CERCLIS list revealed the following facilities within one-half mile of
the subject site. The locations of which are shown by the designated number on
Drawing I. I:
ID Site Name and Address Facility ID Number
Number
I Liggett & Myers Tobacco Co. NCD097724009
700 West Main Street
Durham, North Carolina
2 Daugherty Chemical Company NCD08088555 I
307 Walker Street
Durham, North Carolina
EPA RESOURCE CONSERVATION & RECOVERY INFORMATION SYSTEM (RCRIS)
LIST
RCRIS is the EPA database of facilities that generate, transport, store, or dispose of hazardous
wastes. Generators and transporters are found on the RCRlS List of Notifiers. Treatment, storage
and disposal facilities are found on the RCRlS TSO list, and TSO facilities requiring corrective
actions are found on the CORRACTS list. The following information was found on the EPA
RCRIS List of Notifiers, dated August 1998.
• The site appears on the RCRIS List of Notifiers as being a conditionally-
exempt generator.
• Rick Hendrick Collision Center appears on the RCRIS List of Notifiers, the location of
which is shown by the designated number on Drawing 1.1:
ID Number Site Name and Address Facility ID
Number
3 Rick Hendrick Collision Center NCR000008 l 28
409 S. Roxboro Street
Durham, North Carolina
The following information was found on the RCRIS TSO list, dated August 1998.
• The site does not appear on the RCRIS TSO list.
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Type
Smal I-Quantity
Generator
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Durham, North Carolina
November 12. 1998
LAW Project No.307./1-8-32-15
• There are no facilities included on the RCRIS TSO List within a one-half
mile radius from the site.
The following information was found on the CORRACTS list, dated March 1, 1998.
• The site does not appear on the CORRACTS list.
• There arc no facilities included on the CORRACTS list within a one-mile
radius from the site.
EPA EMERGENCY RESPONSE NOTIFICATION SYSTEM (ERNS) LIST
The EPA Emergency Response Notification System List is a list of hazardous material spills
reported to various State agencies. The following information was found on the EPA ERNS List,
dated 1997.
• The site does not appear on the ERNS list.
LANDFILL LIST
Lists of active and inactive landfills, artificial fills, and disposal sites are maintained by the North
Carolina Division of Waste Management, Solid Waste Section. The landfill listing does not
include unpermitted landfills or dumps. The following information was found on the Solid Waste
Section List of Solid Waste Facility Contacts, dated June 16, 1998.
• The site does not appear on the landfill list.
• There arc no facilities included on the landfill list within a one-mile radius
from the site.
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Elkins Chrysler PlymoUlh Dealership
Durham, North Carolina
November 12, 1998
LAW Project No.JOi-11-8-JUJ
DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY GROUNDWATER SECTION INCIDENT LIST
The incident list includes sites within the state of North Carolina which have reported releases
contaminants. This list is maintained by the North Carolina Division of Water Quality (DWQ)
and includes sites where releases from underground storage tanks have occurred. The following
information \Vas found on the D\VQ Incident List, dated August 17, 1998.
ID
• The subject site does not appear on the DWQ incident list.
• Our review of the list of incidents compiled by DWQ revealed the following sites within
one-half mile of the subject site, the locations of which are shown by the designated
number on Drawing 1.1:
Site Name and Address Source Type
Number
I Liggett & Myers Tobacco Co. Leak-Underground Gasoline/Diesel
300 N. Duke Street
Durham, North Carolina
I Liggett & Myers Tobacco Co. Leak-Underground Gasoline/Diesel
P.O. Box 1572
Durham, North Carolina
4 Almega Property & Investment Leak-U ndcrground Heating Oil
I 02 E. Main St.
Durham, North Carolina
5 Budd Piper Roofing Leak-Underground Gasoline/Diesel
506 Ramseur Street
Durham, North Carolina
6 Carpenters Chevrolet Leak-Underground Other Petroleum
East Main Street Product
Durham, North Carolina
7 Chandler Concrete Company Leak-Underground Gasoline/Diesel
200 E. Pettigrew Street
Durham, North Carolina
8 Corcoran Street Garage Leak-Underground Gasoline/Diesel
212 Corcoran Street
Durham, North Carolina
9 CSX Railroad Depot-WW Grainger Leak-Underground Gasoline/Diesel
902 Ramseur Street
Durham, North Carolina
10 Duke Transportation Leak-Underground Gasoline/Diesel
111 Vivian Street
Durham, North Carolina
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Elkins Chrysler Plymouth Dealership
Durham. North Carolina
ID Site Name and Address
Number
10 Durham Arca Transit Authority
111 Vivian Street
Durham, North Carolina
11 Durham Civic Center
319 Morgan Street
Durham, North Carolina
12 Durham County Courthouse
201 E. Main Street
Durham, North Carolina
13 Durham Co. Emergency Mgmt.
314 N. Mangum St.
Durham, North Carolina
14 Durham Emerg. Retention Fae.
326 E. Main Street
Durham, North Carolina
15 Erwin Amoco Station #I
220 W. Lakewood Avenue
Durham, North Carolina
16 First Baptist Church
N. Roxboro Street
Durham, North Carolina
17 Goodyear-Morgan Street
204 W. Morgan Street
Durham, North Carolina
18 Housing Authority-City of Durham
330 E. Main Street
Durham, North Carolina
19 Mapelli Brothers
205 Blackwell Road
Durham, North Carolina
20 Peoples Security Ins. Bldg.
Morgan & Foster Streets
Durham, North Carolina
Source
Leak-Underground
Leak-Underground
Leak-Underground
Leak-Underground
Leak-Underground
Leak-Underground
Leak-Underground
Leak-Underground
Leak-Underground
Leak-Underground
Leak-Underground
LIST OF REGISTERED UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS
Noi•ember 12, 1998
L.fW Project No.30i./l-8-32./5
Type
Gasoline/Diesel
Gasoline/Diesel
Gasoline/Diesel
Gasoline/Diesel
Gasoline/Diesel
Other Petroleum
Product
Heating Oil
Other Petroleum
Product
Gasoline/Diesel
Gasoline/Diesel
Gasoline/Diesel
·The list of registered underground storage tanks (USTs) is a listing of UST systems which are
registered with the North Carolina Division of Water Quality. The following information was
found on the list of registered USTs, dated April 28, 1998.
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Elkins Chrysler Plymouth Dealership
Durham, North Carolina
No~·ember 12, 1998
ltlW Project No.307.//-8-32./5
• The subject site appears on the list of registered USTs as having the following:
ID Site Name and Address #of Product
Number Tanksffank
Capacity
Subject Elkins Chrysler Plymouth 2 1,000-gallon Gasoline
Site 125 E. East-West Expressway I 500-gallon Oil, New/Used/Mixture
Durham, North Carolina I 550-gallon Motor Oil
2 62-gallon Paint Thinner
2 120-gallon Paint Thinner
I 82-gallon Paint Thinner
• There are no facilities included on the list of registered USTs located
adjacent to the site.
OTHER LISTS
State Supcrfund List
Installation-
Removal Date
4/11/69-11 /13/89
4111169
4/11/69-11/16/89
5/2176
5/2176
5/2176
The State Superfund List is maintnined by the North Carolina Department of Environment and
Natural Resources. On the State Superfund List, dated March 31, 1998, the following information
was found:
• The site does not appear on the State Superfund List.
• There are no facilities listed on the State Superfund List within a one-mile
radius from the site.
The Inactive Hazardous Sites Inventory is maintained by the North Carolina Department of
Environment and Natural Resources. On the Inactive Hazardous Sites Inventory, dated March 31,
1998, the following information was found:
• The site does not appear on the Inactive Hazardous Sites Inventory.
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Elkins Chrysler Plymouth Dealership
Durham, North Carolina
November I 2. J 998
LAW Project No.JOi41-8-3U5
• Our review of the lists of the North Carolina Inactive Hazardous Sites Inventory
revealed the following facilities within one mile of the subject site. The locations of
which are shown by the designated number on Drawing I. I:
ID Site Name and Address Facility ID Number List
Number
l Liggett and Myers Company SIS320100317 Sites Priority List
700 West Main Street
Durham. North Carolina
2 Daugherty Chemical Company NCD08088555 l Sites Priority List
307 Walker Street
Durham, North Carolina
21 Durham Gas Plant SIS320100950 Responsible Party
708 Gilbert Street Voluntary Remedial
Durham, North Carolina Action Sites
REGULATORY AGENCY CONTACT
LAW contacted Ms. Betty Moore of Durham Emergency Management concerning surface
discharges of hazardous chemicals or petroleum products at or adjacent to the subject site. Ms.
Moore was not aware of such incidents at or adjacent to the subject site.
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Elkins Chrysler Plymouth Dealership
D11rham, North Carolina
5. SITE INFORl'\llATION AND USE
November 12, 1998
LAW Projec1 No.JOi.Jl-8-32-15
LAW performed a site and vicinity reconnaissance, conducted interviews and reviewed available
historical information in order to evaluate the current and historical uses of the site and
surrounding properties, and to evaluate past or present activities of potential environmental
concern. The following sources are referenced:
• U.S.G.S. Topographic Map, Northwest Durham, North Carolina
Quadrangle, dated 1973 and photorevised in 1987;
• U.S.G.S. Topographic Map, Southwest Durham, North Carolina
Quadrangle, dated 1973 and photorevised in I 987;
• Aerial photograph of the Durham area (Mission No. 50, No. 100) taken November 3,
1959 and printed at a scale of l "= I 00' by the North Carolina Department of
Transportation (NCDOT);
• Aerial photograph of the Durham area (Mission No. 893, No. 25) taken November 6,
1970 and printed at a scale of I"= 200' by the NCDOT;
• Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps for the years 1935 and 1960, prepared by the Sanborn
Fire Insurance Map Company of New York and reviewed at the Durham County
Library; and
• City directories for the City of Durham for the years 1921, 1922, 1929, 1930, 193 I,
1933, 1934, 1940, 1945-46, 1950, 1955, 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975.
Christy Isaacs, an environmental professional with LAW experienced in environmental site
assessments, conducted site and area visits on October 16, 1998. The site reconnaissance was
performed on foot and the area reconnaissance was a driving tour on public access routes.
Reasonably ascertainable historical sources relevant to the subject site's past usage were available
back to 1921.
5.1 CURRENT SITE USE
The subject site is an approximately 6.15 acre tract of land which is located at 125 E. East-West
Freeway in Durham, Durham County, North Carolina. The site is developed with a 34,360 square
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Elkins Chrysler Plymouth Dealership
Durham. North Carolina
November J 2, I 998
LAW Project No.307-11-8-32./5
foot facility that includes a showroom, carport, service department, and a smaller auto-body repair
shop. The areas surrounding the site are used for commercial purposes.
The following conditions were specifically assessed for their potential to create environmental
concern.
5.1.1 Storage Tanks
One UST and two aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) are currently located on the site. A 1100-
gallon waste-oil UST is located on the eastern side of the service department. A waste-oil AST is
located in the auto-body repair shop. The waste-oil from these tanks is used to fuel the heaters for
the service department and auto-body repair shop. A 180-gallon bulk oil AST is located in the
service department. Some minor staining was observed in the vicinity of the ASTs. The site
appears on the list of registered USTs as having had two gasoline USTs, a waste-oil UST, and a
new oil UST. The two gasoline USTs and one of the oil USTs were reportedly removed in 1989.
Mr. Elkins stated that all four of these USTs and a gasoline fuel pump were removed in 1989 and
that the waste-oil UST was replaced with the I IOO-gallon UST currently located on the site. Two-
monitoring wells were installed in the vicinity of this UST. The site is also listed as having five
paint thinner USTs. Mr. Elkins stated that these were located in the auto-body repair shop and
were removed in the mid-l 980s.
An underground oil/water separator is located on the eastern side of the site near Roxboro Road.
Mr. Elkins stated that the oil in the separator is emptied by Safety-Kleen approximately once per
year and that the water drains to the sewer system. Mr. Elkins was not sure of the size of the
separator.
5.1.2 Hazardous and Petroleum Products Containers/Drums/Storage
The site is listed as a conditionally-exempt generator of hazardous-waste for two parts cleaners
located in the service department. The parts cleaners are serviced by Safety-Kleen approximately
once per month. Several SS-gallon drums of hydraulic fluid are stored in the service department.
Several empty SS-gallon drums of antifreeze were observed outside the service department. Used
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Elkins Chrysler Plymouth Dealership
Durham. North Carolina
November 12. 1998
LAW Project No.30741-8-Jz.15
batteries are stored on pallets outside the service department and are removed from the site
approximately twice per month by Exide. Several drums and cans of paint thinner and paint were
observed in the auto-body repair shop.
5.1.3 Fuels/Chemicals
Household cleaning products were observed during the site visit.
5.1.4 Solid Waste
Solid waste service is provided to the site by Waste Industries and the City of Durham.
5.1.5 Sewage Disposal/Septic Tanks
The site is provided sewer service by the City of Durham.
5.1.6 Hydraulic Equipment
LAW observed aboveground hydraulic lifts in the service department. According to Mr. Elkins
the aboveground lifts replaced below-ground lifts. As the hydraulic systems of the below-ground
lifts failed, the reservoirs which held the hydraulic fluid were removed and replaced with
aboveground lifts. Mr. Elkins was not aware of soil contamination which occurred from the
release of hydraulic fluids caused by the hydraulic system failures.
5.1.7 Contracted Maintenance Services
Contracted maintenance services are not provided for the subject site.
5.1.8 Electrical Transformers
Electrical transformers are a potential source of environmental concern due to the potential presence
of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) containing cooling oils used in some units. A pad-mounted
transfonner was observed on the eastern side of the service department. We did not observe stains or
indications of leaks in the areas surrounding the transformer locations. Labeling to suggest the
presence or absence of PCBs was not observed on the equipment. It is our understanding the local
electrical utility (Duke Power) owns and is responsible for the pad-mounted transformer.
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Elkins Chrysler Plymouth Dealership
Durham, North Carolina
5.1.9 Water Supply and Wells
November I 2, 1998
l1IW Project No.30741-8-3245
Water-supply wells were not observed on the site. Water is supplied to the site by the City of
Durham. Two monitoring well covers were observed in the vicinity of the waste-oil UST.
5.1.10 Drains and Sumps
Two floor drains located in the wash bays in the service department are connected to the oil/water
separator located on the eastern side of the site near Roxboro Road.
5.1.11 Pits, Ponds, Lagoons, and Surface Waters
Pits, ponds, lagoons, or surface waters were not observed on the site.
5.l.12 Stressed Vegetation
Stressed vegetation was not observed on-site.
5.1.13 Odors
Strong, pungent or noxious odors were not detected at the site.
5.2 PAST SITE USE
The 1959 aerial photograph shows several residences located on the site. The 1970 aerial
photograph shows the buildings which arc currently located on the site. The residences visible in
the earlier photograph are no longer located on the site. The topographic map shows the buildings
which are currently located on the site when map was printed in 1973 and photorevised in 1987.
The 1935 Sanborn map show several residences located on the site. The 1960 Sanborn map shows
residences and apartments located on the site.
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Elkins Chrysler Plymouth Dealership
Durham, North Carolina
November 12. 1998
LAW Pro}ectNo.307.Jf.8-32.JS
The 1921, 1922, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1933, 1934, and 1940 city directories list several individuals, a
restaurant, a funeral home, and several commercial businesses located on the site. The 1945-46,
1950, and I 955 city directories list a service station on the southeastern portion of the site.
Gasoline tanks associated with a service station are not indicated on the S<lnborn map. The service
station is no longer listed in the 1960 and 1965 directories. Elkins Chrysler Plymouth is listed at
the site in the 1970 and 197 5 directories.
5.3 SURROUNDING LAND USE
Nearby property usage could potenti<llly impact the surface and subsurface conditions of a
property. Developing a history of past to present uses or occupancies can provide an indication of
the likelihood of environmental concern.
5.3.1 North
Dillard Street is located north of the site, across which is an office building.
The 1959 aerial photograph shows several residences located north of the site. The Sanborn maps
show several single-family residences and a filling station located north of the site. The city
directories listed several individuals and a filling station located north of the site until 1975.
5.3.2 East
Roxboro Road is located east of the site, across which is Rick Hendrick Chevrolet.
The 1959 <lnd 1970 aerial photographs and the Sanborn maps show single-family residences
located east of the site.
5.3.3 South
The East-West Freeway is located south of the site.
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Elkins Chrysler Plymo111h Dealership
D11rham. North Carolina
November 12. 1998
I.A JV Project No.30i4 l-8-32./5
The 1959 aerial photograph and the Sanborn maps show several residences located south of the
subject site. The 1970 aerial photograph shows the East-West Freeway located south of the site.
5.3.4 West
Mangum Street is located-west of the site, across which is Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
The 1959 aerial photograph and the Sanborn maps show several residences located west of the
subject site. The 1970 aerial photograph shows a parking lot located west of the site.
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. j Elkins Chrysler Plymouth Dealership
Durham. Norlh Carolina
6. ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERJ."lS
November 12, 1998
LAW Project No.307./1-8-3245
Based on the findings of our Phase I Environmental Site Assessment at the subject property, we
offer the following comments relative to potential environmental concerns.
6.1 SURFACE AND SUBSURFACE ENVIRONMENT
6.1.1 On-Site
Several single-family residences were previously located on the site. The residences may have used
USTs to store fuel oil. Although we did not observe evidence of USTs associated with the former
residences, should an UST be discovered during future construction activities, LAW would
recommend closing such an UST in accordance with state requirements. In addition, the residences
located on the site may have used septic tanks to treat domestic sewage. The proper use of a septic
system generally does not produce an adverse impact to the environment. However, the misuse of a
septic system by the disposal of certain industrial and household chemicals can have an adverse
impact on soil and groundwater. We do not have evidence that such septic systems were misused.
LAW reviewed environmental lists to identify sites that are either on the subject site or located within
the respective search distances recommended by ASTM. The site is included on the RCRIS List of
Notifiers as a conditionally exempt generator of hazardous waste. The site also appears on the list
of registered USTs as having had two gasoline USTs, a waste-oil UST, and a new oil UST. The
two gasoline USTs and one of the oil USTs were reportedly removed in 1989. Mr. Elkins stated
that all four of these USTs were removed in I 989 and that the waste-oil UST was replaced with
the I JOO-gallon UST currently located on the site. The site is also listed as having five paint
thinner USTs. Mr. Elkins stated that these were located in the auto-body repair shop and were
removed in the mid-1980's.
Below-ground hydraulic lifts were previously located in the service department. According to Mr.
Elkins, the hydraulic lifts have failed in the past resulting from a loss of hydraulic fluid from the
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Elkins Chrysler Plymouth Dealers/lip
Durham, North Carolina
November 12, 1998
LAW Project No.307.//-8-32-15
underground cylinders. Therefore, releases from the underground hydraulic lifts may have adversely
affected the soil and/or groundwater beneath the service department.
6.1.2 Off-Site
We identified 18 sites on the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) incident list, two sites on the
CERCLIS list, one site on the RCRIS List of Notifiers, and three sites on the North Carolina Inactive
Hazardous Sites Inventory. Based on topographic observations, 19 of these sites do not appear to be
located hydraulically upgradient of the subject site. Therefore, we do not expect groundwater
beneath these 19 sites to flow towards the subject site.
During our historical review we identified a filling station located adjacent to the northeastern corner
of d1e site. Based on topographic observation this filling station and two of the sites on the incident
list appear to be located upgradient of the subject site.
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Elkins Chrysler Plymo111h Dealership
Durham, Norlh Carolina
7. CONCLUSIONS
November 12, 1998
LAW Project No.30741-8-3245
Based upon our observations and review of available infonnation, we do not have evidence that the
subject site has been adversely affected by off-site activities. Because of the location of the subject
site and its topographic relationship to two of the listed sites and a fonner filling station, it is possible
that groundwater in the surfical aquifer beneath the subject site may have been adversely affected by
releases at these sites. Although one would not expect to incur responsibilities of investigative and/or
clean-up costs associated with off-site sources of contamination, sampling to ascertain quality of on-
site groundwater may be a prudent course of action if I) contamination of groundwater has a negative
impact on future property values, 2) the owner or future occupant intends to use or develop the
groundwater resource, or 3) construction activities or pre-construction design call for site dewatering
which may produce a wastewater which is unacceptable for conventional discharge to sanitary or
stonn-water systems. Should you wish to detennine if the extent of contamination at these
upgradient sites has been defined, we would recommend that a regulatory file review be conducted.
Two gasoline, one waste-oil, one new oil, and five paint thinner USTs were fonnerly located at the
site. LAW was not provided documentation concerning the closure of the USTs. One waste-oil
UST is currently located at the site. LAW recommends the collection and testing of soil samples
in the vicinity of the waste-oil UST and in the vicinity of the former USTs if documentation of
clean closure is not available. LAW also recommends collection and testing of soil samples in the
vicinity of the former underground hydraulic lifts.
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