MO-29875_48969_CA_SCSC_20221213_Site Check

CEDAR ROCK ENVIRONMENTAL, P.C.
107 Pioneer Trail
Graham, NC 27253
[phone]

December 13, 2022

Mr. Presley & Karen Sanders
220 Quail Drive
Salisbury, NC 28147

Reference: Inspection of an underground storage tank (UST) located at 420 Holly Avenue,
Salisbury, North Carolina

Cedar Rock Project # 356322590

Dear Mr. and Ms. Sanders:

Cedar Rock Environmental, P. C. (Cedar Rock) performed a site inspection on December 13, 2022 at the
above referenced location. The purpose of the inspection was to determine if the UST previously used for
storing heating oil had leaked causing significant contamination of the underlying soils. It is our
understanding the residence was built in 1952 which is most likely when the UST was installed.

An inactive UST was observed to be located as shown in the Site Sketch. Both the fill and vent pipes of
the UST were observed to be intact with the vent pipe being bent over. The depth to the top of the UST is
approximately 29 inches below land surface (bls). The UST has a length of about 93 inches with a diameter
of approximately 41 inches and a capacity of about 560 gallons. The UST was measured to contain
approximately 93 gallons of fluid. White flagging was installed to mark the ends of the UST (see Photo).
No other USTs on the property were discovered using a metal detector to survey along the outside perimeter
of the house where USTs would usually be located. Two copper fuel delivery/return lines were observed
extending about 10 feet into the crawlspace where they were severed and open-ended. No petroleum odors
or stains were observed in the crawlspace.

Once the orientation of the UST was determined, a soil boring was performed at the eastern end of the tank
using a 3.25-inch diameter stainless steel hand auger. The boring was advanced to a depth of approximately
6.3 feet bls, about 0.5 feet below the bottom of the UST. A strong petroleum odor was observed in the soils
from a depth of approximately 6.0 to 6.3 feet bls suggesting significant leakage from the UST has occurred.
The native soils underlying the UST consist of a brownish orange micaceous sandy silt.

The property is currently serviced by a municipal water supply; however, an onsite inactive water supply
well is located approximately 104 feet northeast of the petroleum release. Because this well is located
within 150 feet of the petroleum release, the property would be classified as “High Risk” by the State. No
other wells were observed within 150 feet of the release.

Based on the results of this investigation, significant contamination of the soils underlying the UST has
been confirmed. Current law (NCGS 143-215.85 (a) and (b)) requires that any significant release of
petroleum be immediately reported to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ),
Division of Waste Management, Mooresville Regional Office (704-663-1699). According to State law,
upon reporting the release, the current property owner where a release is discovered is identified by the
State as the “Responsible Party” for any State required action relating to the UST leakage. Upon your
Cedar Rock
ENVIRONMENTAL
Mr. Presley & Karen Sanders
December 13, 2022
Page 2

request, Cedar Rock will submit a UST-61 form to satisfy the State’s notification requirement for the
release.

Currently, the property cannot be legally conveyed until a Notice of Residual Petroleum (NRP) is filed with
the Rowan County Register of Deeds office pursuant to NCGS 143B- 279.11 (d). The NRP would contain
applicable land use restrictions to minimize the risk of exposure to existing contamination. The land use
restrictions prohibit any disturbance of site soils within a specified radius of the estimated extent of soil
contamination and prohibit the future operation or installation of any water supply wells on the property.
Further, the State will not issue a Notice of No Further Action (NFA) letter to officially close out the release
incident for “High Risk” properties such as this wherein soil or groundwater contamination exceeding
applicable standards remains onsite. The property would be reclassified as “Low Risk” if the identified
water supply well within 150 feet of the release was properly abandoned. Once reclassified to “Low Risk”
and upon approval of the NRP, the DEQ would issue a “Conditional” NFA letter to formally close out the
release incident. The “Conditional” provision in the NFA letter will be removed upon receiving a certified
copy of the filed NRP and the completion of Public Notification requirements. Filing the NRP, abandoning
the identified water supply well and completing Public Notification would not be required if all soil
contamination exceeding applicable standards is removed.

The State currently will require initial abatement or remedial action regarding the release of heating oil
from a UST on a “High Risk” property. Further, once the presence of the UST and confirmed contaminated
soil is disclosed to other interested parties as required by State law, future buyers, homeowner’s insurance
providers, or lenders may also require initial abatement and/or remedial actions relating to the UST prior to
making any commitments towards the property. There also exists a potential for further environmental
impact to the property from continued leakage from the UST.

An NFA letter can be obtained in two different scenarios. Scenario One requires the removal of the UST
and all associated contaminated soil exceeding applicable standards. Scenario Two requires reclassifying
the property to “Low Risk” by abandoning the onsite water supply well located within 150 feet of the
release (requires a certified well driller and the submittal of a well abandonment record), filing an NRP,
performing the Public Notification task and abating the petroleum release (removing tank contents and
cleaning the tank interior) pursuant to 15A NCAC 2L .0106(b). We recommend pursuing Scenario Two.

In the event the property is reclassified to “Low Risk” to allow for the abandonment of the tank, it would
consist of exposing a portion of the UST by hand excavation, cutting a hole about two feet in diameter on
the topside of the UST, removing all tank and fuel line contents, pressure wash cleaning of the tank interior,
and filling the tank with a structurally supportive yet excavatable flowable fill cement slurry. A summary
report signed by a licensed geologist would be generated that would include photographs of each step of
the abandonment process, including a photograph of the interior of the UST to show the UST was properly
cleaned. Cedar Rock can provide this service for a charge of $3,800.00 plus $1.40 per gallon of recovered
fluids. Preparing and filing the NRP and performing the Public Notification requirement will cost an
additional $1,250.00. Cedar Rock would not be responsible for properly abandoning the identified onsite
water supply well located within 150 feet of the release.

If required, Cedar Rock can remove the UST including up to 15 tons of contaminated soil for a charge of
$15,000.00 plus $1.40 per gallon of recovered fluids. Tonnage in excess of 15 tons will be an added
charge at the rate of $140.00 per ton. This would include appropriate environmental assessment, reporting,
and site restoration. All work performed would be in accordance with the recommended practices and
procedures outlined in the Guidelines for Site Checks, Tank Closure, and Initial Response and Abatement,
Change 11 (May 17, 2021), published by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality,
Division of Waste Management, UST Section. Please keep in mind that attempting to remove the UST and
all contaminated soils exceeding applicable standards carries some financial risk because if all the
Mr. Presley & Karen Sanders
December 13, 2022
Page 3

contamination cannot be removed (i.e. if the contamination extends deeper than our excavation equipment
can reach), the State will still require abandonment of any water supply wells within 150 feet of the release,
filing an NRP and performing Public Notification before issuing an NFA letter.

Attached is an invoice for the site inspection. We appreciate the opportunity to be of service to you. If you
have any questions regarding the content of this report, please call me at 336-376-0394.

Sincerely,

Robert A. Payne, N.C. Licensed Geologist #0970

Attachment
Mr. Presley & Karen Sanders
December 13, 2022
Page 4

Site Sketch. Sketch is to scale relative to itself.

Photo. View of the UST location. Both ends of the UST are marked with white flags.
N
House
UST
Location of soil boring
9 ft
Porch
Carport