DEQ Proposes Approval of Cleanup at Sublimity Site

The property was used historically to dispense gasoline and has more recently been used as commercial office space.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM) - The Department of Environmental Quality is proposing approval of a cleanup conducted at a petroleum-contaminated site located at 102 South Center Street in Sublimity.

Petroleum contamination was first discovered by a consultant during installation of an exploratory trench in January 1992.

The consultant removed two steel underground storage tanks, and confirmed gasoline contamination.

Approximately 120 cubic yards of petroleum-contaminated soil was removed, aerated on site, and then taken to Brown Island Landfill in Salem.

In 1994, DEQ confirmed shallow groundwater contamination at the site. Although groundwater monitoring wells were installed in 1992, they were never consistently monitored.

After years of sporadic assessment work at the site, a geologist performed a comprehensive assessment in April 2006.

During the 2006 assessment, the owners completed an investigation to determine the extent of the remaining contamination and evaluated the potential exposure concerns. Based on a summary of the historical and current soil and groundwater sampling results, DEQ has determined that, given the current and reasonably likely future land use, the remaining contamination from the leaky underground storage tank systems has been reduced to levels protective of human health and the environment.

The closure plan proposes to allow the remaining contamination in soil and groundwater to biodegrade naturally in place.

The proposed closure plan and related documents are available for review at DEQ`s Salem office, 750 Front St. NE, Suite 120, Salem, OR 97310, (503) 378-8240.

Office hours are 8:00 AM to noon and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

Questions and comments about the site should be directed to Jim Glass in the DEQ Salem office, (503) 378-8240, ext. 249.