HomeMy WebLinkAboutTIMNATH TAP - PDP - 21-04 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT72
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4.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
There is a low potential for environmental liabilities associated with the property. The site inspection and
evaluations of records do not indicate the presence of likely environmental concerns.
Because no samples have been collected on the site, the results of this audit are speculative and do not
preclude the presence of environmental liabilities. Should a higher level of confidence be desired, it
would be necessary to collect a limited amount of site samples.
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1683 Timnath Switch Rpt_(DecJ2.03).doc 4-1
3.0 Conculsions
3.3 OFF -SITE PROBLEMS/LIABILITIES
Potential problems or liabilities from areas surrounding the property appear to be low. Activities at
surrounding sites are typical of agricultural production and grazing. There is no indication of
contamination of the property from surrounding properties.
1683 Timnath Switch Rpt_(Dec.12.03).doc 3-2
3.0 CONCLUSIONS
Following are general conclusions regarding the potential for environmental contamination and liability
associated with the property. Greystone conducted this Phase I Environmental Site Assessment in
conformance with the scope and limitations of ASTM Practice E 1527. Any exceptions to, or deletions
from, this practice are described in the introductory sections of this report.
Materials commonly associated with electrical substations were observed during the site inspection. All
materials on site are properly stored with secondary containment where necessary and do not pose an
apparent health or environmental hazard.
3.1 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
No potentially hazardous materials were observed stored at the site. Thus, there is low to no probability
of environmental liabilities associated with hazardous materials on the property.
3.1.1. Hydrocarbons
No hydrocarbons were observed stored on the property. Other possible indications of hydrocarbon spills,
such as soil staining, were not observed on the property. There is a low probability of environmental
liabilities associated with fuels or lubricants on the property.
3.1.2. Leaking Underground Storage Tanks
No aboveground storage tanks are located on the site. Therefore, the probability of environmental
liabilities associated with storage tanks appears to be low to none.
3.1.3. Asbestos
The switch station has existed since before 1975; however, the only building located on the property is the
utility shed, which is metal and is not likely to contain the type of insulation or flooring materials that
would have contained asbestos. The probability of liabilities associated with asbestos -containing
materials appears to be low.
3.1.4. PCBS
Electrical transformers were observed on site, but they were in good condition, were stored suspended
from the ground surface, and were labeled as containing non -PCB liquids. The probability of liabilities
associated with PCBs appears to be low to none.
3.2 HYDROLOGIC FEATURES
The Larimer and Weld Canal, an irrigation ditch, flows 1/e-mile southwest of the property. Box Elder
Creek flows 1/8-mile east of the property. Given the low permeability of the soils identified at the site,
there appears to be low potential for widespread contamination to groundwater resources.
1683 Timnath Switch Rpt_(Dec. 12.03).doc 3-1
1.0 Results
databases for Corrective Action Reports (CORRACTS) identify hazardous waste handlers with RCRA
corrective action activity. No CORRACT sites are located within a 1-mile radius of the property
boundary.
EPA spill report records were examined. No hazardous materials spills have been reported on the
property.
CDPHE lists of landfills were consulted to evaluate whether any landfills or solid waste disposal sites
have ever been located on or near the subject property. There are no sites within 1 mile of the property.
1683 Timnath Switch Rpt_(Dec.12.03).doc 2-4
2.0 Results
2.4 SITE INSPECTION
The property and surrounding area were inspected on December 8, 2003. The property was inspected on
foot, and adjacent areas were viewed from the frontage road and property access road. Photographs taken
during the inspection are located in Appendix A.
The property contains the electrical switch station, which is bounded by a chain link fence and has a
gravel base. The driveway to the station from the two -track access road is also surfaced with gravel.
Several surveying stakes indicate a proposed new fence line. Plastic water piping is stored along the outer
edge of the west side of the existing fence. Some debris from a barbed wire fence is piled along the
eastern property boundary. There are access roads under both of the transmission lines that cross
through the switch station. The property is otherwise cleared and graded dirt.
The fenced switch station was inaccessible because the gate was locked. Transformers were observed
within the fenced area. They were stored on a metal grate 0.5-foot high and displayed stickers indicating
that the transformers contained non -polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) liquid Dielektrol III. A metal utility
shed was also located inside the fenced area. A window -unit air conditioner that appeared to be in good
condition is attached to the shed.
2.5 RECORDS SEARCH
Several sources of information were used to assess the potential for liabilities associated with present or
past uses of the subject property or nearby lands. These sources included the Division of Oil and Public
Safety (OPS) of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, as well as the Office of the State
Engineer, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Colorado Department of Public
Health and Environment (CDPHE).
Information was collected to assess the past and current condition and focused on compliance with or
violations of federal, state, and local laws and regulations, the presence of known spills, current
generators of hazardous wastes and users of hazardous materials, the presence of known leaking
underground and aboveground storage tanks, identified National Priority List (NPL) or "Superfund")
sites, and landfill sites located on or near the subject property. Appendix B includes a summary of the
database search.
OPS maintains a list of registered underground storage tanks (RUSTS) in the state. No RUSTs are located
within a 1-mile radius of the site. OPS also maintains and periodically updates a list of underground
storage tanks in Colorado that have been reported to be leaking (LUSTS). No LUSTs have been identified
within 1 mile of the property (Appendix B).
The Office of the State Engineer maintains records regarding water wells. Ten water wells are located
between '/4 and '/2 mile of the site: two to the northwest (one at higher elevation and one at lower
elevation), six south of the irrigation ditch, and one southeast of the site (at a higher elevation). The depth
to static water of the wells ranges from zero to 23 feet.
EPA databases were checked for hazardous waste sites named on the NPL and on the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Information System (CERCLIS) database, which
includes potential Superfund sites. There are no Superfund or CERCLIS sites within 1 mile of the subject
property.
The list of companies (Resource Conservation and Recovery Information System, or RCRIS) required to
notify EPA of hazardous waste generation under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
was examined. No RCRA facilities are located within a 1-mile radius of the boundary of the site. EPA
1683 Timnath Switch Rpt_(Dec.12.03).doc 2-3
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2.0 RESULTS
2.1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
The site is located in Section 3, Township 17 North, Range 68 West, approximately 0.5 mile northeast of
the intersection of I-25 and Highway 14, accessed by the I-25 frontage road and a two -track access road.
The property currently operates as a Tri-State electrical capacitor switch station, known as Timnath
Switch. Two transmission lines, one running north -south and one running east -west, are connected at the
switch station. Corn fields border the property to the northeast, north, west, and south. A small sheep
pasture is directly to the southeast. The Larimer and Weld Canal, an irrigation ditch, runs south of the
property. The current land use and layout of the site are shown overlying an aerial photograph of the area
on Figure 2.
The site area is characterized by a semi -arid climate with warm, somewhat dry summers and cool, dry
winters. The average annual precipitation is 15 inches, including winter snowfall. Much of the
precipitation comes in the form of spring and summer thundershowers.
Elevation at the site is 4,996 feet, and the topography slopes predominantly to the south-southeast. The
shallow soils located beneath the site consist of Quaternary -aged alluvium deposits. This material
consists of silty or clayey gravel and sand loam. These soils are coarse -grained and poorly drained with
likely saturated zones and low hydraulic conductivity. Cretaceous -age sedimentary rocks of the Taylor
Group are located beneath these materials. Generally, the direction of groundwater flow in the area is to
the northeast.
2.2 NEIGHBORING PROPERTIES
The site is located in a rural area east of I-25 near Fort Collins, Colorado. The site is bounded on the
west, north, northeast, and south by corn fields supported by an active irrigation system that is supplied
by the Larimer and Weld Canal, located southwest of the property. Sheep and alpaca graze in a small
pasture southeast of the property. Box Elder Creek flows 1/e-mile east of the property, on the eastern side
of the pasture. Typical rural residences are located on property surrounding the site. I-25 and a frontage
road are farther west of the corn fields, west of the property. Farther south of the Larimer and Weld
Canal, about 0.5 mile, is a small industrial property and a residential neighborhood just north of Highway
14.
2.3 HISTORICAL USE
Historical maps and aerial photographs were examined to create a chronology of historical use of the site
and surroundings. The photographs examined were from approximate 10-year intervals and date back to
1975. The area has been rural and used for agriculture since 1975, and the irrigation ditch existed since
before 1975. Tri-State has been operating the switch station since before 1975. Increased industrial and
residential development is apparent between 1979 and 2003 west of 1-25 and south of the irrigation ditch
near Highway 14.
1683 Timnath Switch Rpt_(Dec.12.03).doc 2-1
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Source: 7.5' USGSQaadrangle ofTimnath and Fort Collins, Colorado.
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PROPERTY LOCATION MAP
Timnath Switch
Tri-State Generation and Transmission
Fort Collins, Colorado
i210103
Figure 1
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Mr. Karl Myers of Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. (Tri-State), retained
Greystone Environmental Consultants, Inc. (Greystone), to complete a Phase I Environmental Site
Assessment (ESA) for a 1-acre parcel in Fort Collins, Colorado. The property is located approximately
0.5 mile northeast of the intersection of U.S. Interstate 25 (I-25) and Colorado State Highway 14
(Highway 14) and is accessible by the frontage road and a two -track access road (Figure 1). The property
is currently an active electrical capacitor switch station connected to two transmission lines, one running
north -south and one running east -west, with corn fields and an irrigation canal in the surrounding area.
This Phase I ESA characterizes the site and surrounding area and identifies the potential for liabilities
related to chemicals or pollution associated with current and previous uses of the subject property and
adjacent properties. Several research methods have been used in this assessment, including searches of
regulatory files and on -site observations. This ESA has been conducted based on the standards adopted
by the American Society for Testing and Materials in 1993 (revised in 2000).
The following sections of this report represent the compilation and analysis of all data collected in 2003
1683 Timnath Switch Rpt_(Dec.12.03).dac 1-1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0
INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................
1-1
2.0
RESULTS.....................................................................................................................................2-1
2.1 General Description Of Property.....................................................................................
2-1
2.2 Neighboring Properties....................................................................................................
2-1
2.3 Historical Use..................................................................................................................
2-1
2.4 Site Inspection.................................................................................................................2-3
2.5 Records Search................................................................................................................2-3
3.0
CONCLUSIONS..........................................................................................................................3-1
3.1 Hazardous Materials.........................................................................................................
3-1
3.1.1. Hydrocarbons.....................................................................................................3-1
3.1.2. Leaking Underground Storage Tanks................................................................
3-1
3.1.3. Asbestos.............................................................................................................3-1
3.1.4. PCBS..................................................................................................................3-1
3.2 Hydrologic Features........................................................................................................3-1
3.3 Off -Site Problems/Liabilities...........................................................................................
3-2
4.0
RECOMMENDATIONS.............................................................................................................
4-1
FIGURES
FigureI — Property Location Map............................................................................................................ 1-2
Figure2 — Property Land Use Map........................................................................................................... 2-2
APPENDICES
Appendix A Photographs
Appendix B Environmental Database
1683 Timnath Switch Rpt_(Dec.12.03).doc
Disclaimer
This report is a Phase I Environmental Assessment. It is intended only to provide a general indication of
the potential for environmental liabilities associated with the subject property. It is based only on the
observations made at the property on December 8, 2003, as well as on data obtained from federal, state,
and local agencies. This report is not to be considered a statement of clearance.
CERTIFICATION
The information contained within this Phase I Environmental
Site Assessment has been reviewed by me and is accurate to
the best of my knowledge and ability.
Randall E. Schroeder
REPA No. 1011
REPORT
5231..South'Quebec Street,- Greenwood, Village, Colorado 80111
Phone (303)^ 850-0930 • Fax (303) 7.21-9298
Web Site: www.greystone-consultants.com •.E mail: greystone@greystone-consultants.com