Posted on 11.09.15
Underground gasoline leak investigation continues
Source: http://www.tctimes.com, November 6, 2015
By: Hannah Ball
Suspected source of leak, Beacon and Bridge, may receive extension for final report
More investigation is required to discover the source of the gasoline leak that was discovered last November in downtown Linden, according to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The DEQ has not been able to obtain a full delineation of the leak and they’re investigating other potential sources, according to Marjorie Frisch, environmental quality analyst for the DEQ.
“The DEQ is doing an investigation of other potential sources based on information we gathered from the Polk City directories, city officials, submitted contamination reports and the Linden Historical Museum,” she said. “All locations are close to the historical downtown area.”
In mid-October, the DEQ conducted a geophysical ground-penetrating radar (GPR) with monitoring wells to search for buried metallic anomalies, like underground storage tanks.
“However, the GPR was not effective at some locations because of reinforced concrete or rebar in concrete. The geophysical results will be included in the Linden Multi-Site Contamination report conducted by ECT (Environmental Consulting & Technology), Inc,” she said.
The suspected source was a leaking underground storage tank at the Beacon and Bridge gas station, at 110 East Broad St., when the DEQ confirmed the gas station was responsible last November.
According to part 213 of Act 451, the owners, Quick SaV Food Stores, LTD out of Flushing, had to complete an initial assessment report for the DEQ, define the extent of contamination, and provide correction actions.
Attorney for Beacon and Bridge gas station Clifford Knaggs of Knaggs, Harter, Brake & Schneider, PC in Lansing, told the Linden City Council at the Oct. 26 meeting that there wasn’t enough evidence to prove the leak came from the gas station.
“We currently don’t have any evidence that there has been a release from the underground storage system at the sight,” he said.
Knaggs, who specializes in environmental law, said they’re still in an investigative state and new information may be discovered.
“There has not been full delineation of the leak so far,” he said, referring to the monitoring wells installed in October.
Knaggs said the purpose of the investigation is to develop full 3D view of sight, which has not been completed.
“They got data back and they have not achieved full delineation so there’s more investigative work that has to be done,” he said.
The DEQ is looking into other potential sources of the leak. They drilled borings during the first week of November to develop a full delineation of the leak.
“Additional borings may be added later. DEQ agrees that additional investigation is necessary to agree on a full delineation of the leak,” Frisch said.
The owners are required to turn in the final assessment report Nov. 14, but because of the incomplete investigation, there’s a possibility of an extension, which is not unusual,” Knaggs said.
“DEQ will evaluate the possibility of an extension when we receive a request for an extension,” Frisch said.
Drill boring locations
• At or near 120 West Broad St.
• City Hall/Fire Station at two locations
• Hamrick Street near 123 North Bridge St.,
• In the parking lot between Thimbleberry and 116 Broad St.
• In the right of way near 208 Bridge St.
“The DEQ is doing an investigation of other potential sources based on information we gathered from the Polk City directories, city officials, submitted contamination reports and the Linden Historical Museum,” she said. “All locations are close to the historical downtown area.”
In mid-October, the DEQ conducted a geophysical ground-penetrating radar (GPR) with monitoring wells to search for buried metallic anomalies, like underground storage tanks.
“However, the GPR was not effective at some locations because of reinforced concrete or rebar in concrete. The geophysical results will be included in the Linden Multi-Site Contamination report conducted by ECT (Environmental Consulting & Technology), Inc,” she said.
The suspected source was a leaking underground storage tank at the Beacon and Bridge gas station, at 110 East Broad St., when the DEQ confirmed the gas station was responsible last November.
According to part 213 of Act 451, the owners, Quick SaV Food Stores, LTD out of Flushing, had to complete an initial assessment report for the DEQ, define the extent of contamination, and provide correction actions.
Attorney for Beacon and Bridge gas station Clifford Knaggs of Knaggs, Harter, Brake & Schneider, PC in Lansing, told the Linden City Council at the Oct. 26 meeting that there wasn’t enough evidence to prove the leak came from the gas station.
“We currently don’t have any evidence that there has been a release from the underground storage system at the sight,” he said.
Knaggs, who specializes in environmental law, said they’re still in an investigative state and new information may be discovered.
“There has not been full delineation of the leak so far,” he said, referring to the monitoring wells installed in October.
Knaggs said the purpose of the investigation is to develop full 3D view of sight, which has not been completed.
“They got data back and they have not achieved full delineation so there’s more investigative work that has to be done,” he said.
The DEQ is looking into other potential sources of the leak. They drilled borings during the first week of November to develop a full delineation of the leak.
“Additional borings may be added later. DEQ agrees that additional investigation is necessary to agree on a full delineation of the leak,” Frisch said.
The owners are required to turn in the final assessment report Nov. 14, but because of the incomplete investigation, there’s a possibility of an extension, which is not unusual,” Knaggs said.
“DEQ will evaluate the possibility of an extension when we receive a request for an extension,” Frisch said.
Drill boring locations
• At or near 120 West Broad St.
• City Hall/Fire Station at two locations
• Hamrick Street near 123 North Bridge St.,
• In the parking lot between Thimbleberry and 116 Broad St.
• In the right of way near 208 Bridge St.
