MO-29931_49016_CA_SCH_20220828_Site Check

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

August 28, 2022

Ms. Holly Payne
313 Lentz Road
Statesvile, NC 28625

Reference: Inspection of an underground storage tank (UST) located at 313 Lentz Road,
Statesville, North Carolina

Cedar Rock Project # 350822590

Dear Ms. Payne:

Cedar Rock Environmental, P. C. (Cedar Rock) performed a site inspection on August 24, 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 1972 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. The depth to the top of the UST is approximately 45 inches below
land surface (bls). The UST has an estimated length of about 94 inches with a diameter of approximately
40 inches and an estimated capacity of about 560 gallons. The UST was measured to contain approximately
8 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 in the furnace
room to be plugged. No petroleum odors or stains were observed in the furnace room.

Once the orientation of the UST was determined, a soil boring was performed at the northern end of the
tank using a 3.25-inch diameter stainless steel hand auger. The boring was advanced to a depth of
approximately 7.0 feet bls, about 0.1 feet above the bottom of the UST. A strong petroleum odor and
discoloration was observed in the soils from a depth of approximately 6.5 to 7.0 feet bls suggesting
significant leakage from the UST has occurred. The native soils underlying the tank consist of a reddish-
brown sandy silt.

The property is currently serviced by a municipal water supply, however, an active water supply well used
for irrigation is located somewhere in the front yard. Because this well is likely located within 150 feet of
the petroleum release, the property would be classified as “High Risk” by the State. No other water supply
wells were observed within 150 feet of the release. The exact location of the well needs to be determined.
If the well is discovered to be located further than 150 feet from the release, the site would be reclassified
as “Low Risk”.

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
Cedar Rock
ENVIRONMENTAL
Ms. Holly Payne
August 28, 2022
Page 2

State as the “Responsible Party” for any State required action relating to the UST leakage. Upon your
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 Iredell 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 onsite water
supply well within 150 feet of the release were 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 well would not have to be abandoned if it
is discovered to be located farther than 150 feet from the release.

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 either demonstrating the water supply well is farther than 150 feet from the
release or abandoning the well if it is 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.

Cedar Rock can remove the UST including up to 15 tons of contaminated soil for a charge of $14,000.00
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 contamination cannot be
removed (i.e. if the contamination extends deeper than our excavation equipment can reach or to beneath
the foundation of the house), 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.

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
Ms. Holly Payne
August 28, 2022
Page 3

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 $3,900.00 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 water
supply well should it be located within 150 feet of the release.

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
Ms. Holly Payne
August 28, 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
3.5 ft
2.5 ft
Porch