WI-28079_47346_CA_RPTS_20200929

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

September 29, 2020

Mr. Emmett Jones, DDS
317 Royal Bluff Road
Jacksonville, NC 28540

Reference: Inspection of an underground storage tank (UST) located at 537 Neptune Drive, Cape
Carteret, North Carolina

Cedar Rock Project # 305022590

Dear Mr. Jones:

Cedar Rock Environmental, P. C. (Cedar Rock) performed a site inspection on September 27, 2020 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 1975 which is most likely when the oil heat system was installed.
The residence has since been removed and the lot is empty.

An inactive UST was observed to be located parallel to and centered approximately 34.0 feet off the
northern foundation wall of the neighboring house to the south and about 14.0 feet east of the northwestern
foundation corner of the neighboring house to the south. Both the fill and vent pipes of the UST were not
visible and presumed to have been removed. The depth to the top of the UST is approximately 18 inches
below land surface (bls). The UST has a length of about 74 inches with an estimated diameter of
approximately 46 inches and an estimated capacity of about 550 gallons. The contents of the UST could
not be determined as there was no access available to the interior of the tank, however, based on sounding
with a probing rod the tank appears to be mostly full. White flagging was installed to mark the ends of the
UST.

Once the orientation of the UST was determined, a soil boring was performed at the western end of the
UST using a 3.25-inch diameter stainless steel hand auger. The soil boring was advanced to a depth of
approximately 5.5 feet bls, about 0.2 feet below the bottom of the UST. A moderate to strong
petroleum odor was observed in the soils from a depth of approximately 2.0 to 5.5 feet bls suggesting
significant leakage has occurred. The soils at the base of the boring consist of a light yellowish brown fine
grained sand. Groundwater was encountered in the boring at a depth of approximately 1.5 feet bls.

One onsite water supply well exists less than 100 feet from the petroleum release. Because this well is
within 150 feet of the release, the property would be classified as “High Risk” by the State. There may be
other wells on neighboring properties within 150 feet of the release, however, this was not confirmed.

Based on the results of this investigation, significant contamination of the soils surrounding 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, Wilmington Regional Office (910-796-7215). 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. Emmett Jones, DDS
September 29, 2020
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 Carteret 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 all water supply
wells within 150 feet of the release were properly abandoned, however, abandonment of the onsite well and
any wells on adjacent properties within 150 feet from the petroleum release may not be feasible.

As a result of the property being classified as “High Risk”, the State will require initial abatement action
consisting of the removal of the UST and associated contaminated soils. Additionally, 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 all
contaminated soil exceeding applicable standards. Scenario Two requires reclassifying the property to
“Low Risk” by properly abandoning all water supply wells within 150 feet of the release (may not be
possible), filing an NRP and performing Public Notification.

Cedar Rock can remove the UST including 15 tons of contaminated soil for a charge of $8,500.00 plus
$1.25 per gallon of recovered fluids. Tonnage in excess of 15 tons will be an added charge at the rate of
$125.00 per ton. Based on the observed soil contamination, it is estimated that less than 20 tons of
contaminated soil will require removal. This quote includes appropriate environmental assessment,
reporting, and site restoration. All work performed would be in accordance with the recommended practices
and procedures outlined in the Underground Storage Tank Section Guidelines for Site Checks, Tank
Closure, and Initial Response and Abatement, Change 9 (February 1, 2019), published by the North
Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Waste Management, UST Section. Note that
groundwater will be encountered in the excavation. Because of this, the DEQ will require an NRP be filed
with only a groundwater land use restriction once an attempt has been made to remove the contaminated
soil. No soil restriction will be required if all contaminated soil has been removed. An NFA letter would
not be issued by the DEQ as long as the property remains “High Risk”. However, it is reasonable to assume
that natural attenuation of any groundwater contamination that remains after the removal of the
contaminated soil will occur. Obtaining a clean groundwater sample at some time in the future could result
in the future cancellation of the Notice of Residual Petroleum and the issuance of 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
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