PHASE I ENVIRONMENTALSITE ASSESSMENT
Former Ruston Diesel Power PlantRuston, Louisiana 71270
Prepared for:
Dr. Gary ZumwaltProfessor of Geology 422 001 Winter 2015
Class Project
Prepared by:
Kenechukwu Ilochonwu
Senior at Louisiana Tech University
700 Gilman Street Apt. 214 Ruston, Louisiana 71270
February 2015
Table of Contents
Table of ContentsPREFACE 1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2
BASE MAP 31.0 INTRODUCTION 4
1.1 Purpose 4
1.2 Methodologies Used and Limiting Conditions 42.0 SITE DESCRIPTION 5
2.1 Property Location 5
2.2 Description of Structures on Site 5
2.3 Information Reported by User Regarding Environmental Liens or Specialized Knowledge or Experience 5
2.4 Current Use of Property 6
3.0 SITE ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING6
3.1 Geographic Description 6
3.2 Surface Soil Characteristics 6
3.3 Subsurface Geologic Characteristics 7
3.4 Surface Water Characteristics 7
3.5 Hydrogeological Characteristics 74.0 SITE HISTORY 8
4.1 Fire Insurance Maps 8
4.2 Aerial Photographs 8
4.3 Zoning/Land Use Records 85.0 REGULATORY AGENCY RECORDS REVIEW 8
5.1 NPL 8
5.2 CERCLIS 8
5.3 RCRA CORRACTS TSD Facility List 8
5.4 RCRA non-CORRACTS Facility List 8
5.5 ERNS List 8
5.6 Registered USTs 9
5.7 Leaking USTs 96.0 SITE RECONNAISSANCE 9
6.1 Topographic Description of Property 9
6.2 General Description of Structures9
6.3 Source of Water 9
6.4 Sewage/Sewer Systems 10
6.5 USTs 10
6.6 Hazardous Containers and Unidentified Substances 10
6.7 Environmental Characteristics 10
6.8 Environmental Utilities 107.0 RECONNAISSANCE OF ADJACENT PROPERTIES 10
8.0 RECONNAISSANCE OF SURROUNDING AREAS 11
9.0 INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED 11
10.0 BUILDING MATERIALS EVALUATED 11
11.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION 12
12.0 REFERENCES 13
APPENDIX A FIGURES
FIGURE 1: TOPGRAPHIC MAP
FIGURE 2A: SITE MAP
FIGURE 2B: BASE MAP
FIGURE 3: REGIONAL SITE MAP
FIGURE 4: POTENTIOMETRIC SURFACE MAP
FIGURE 5: WATER WELL SURVEY MAP
FIGURE 6A: FULL FIRE INSURANCE MAP
FIGURE 6B: FIRE INSURANCE MAP OF PROPERTY
FIGURE 7A: 1949 AREIAL PHOROGRAPH OF PROPERTY
FIGURE 7B: 1949 AREIAL PHOROGRAPH OF PROPERTY (CIRCLED)
FIGURE 8A: 1955 AREIAL PHOROGRAPH OF PROPERTY
FIGURE 8A: 1955 AREIAL PHOROGRAPH OF PROPERTY (CIRCLED
FIGURE 9: FLOOD PLAIN MAP
APPENDIX B
FIGURE A: CONTAINERS OF OIL OR GASOLINE CONTAMINANTS
FIGURE B: POSSIBLE WASTE DUMP SITE
FIGURE C: POSSIBLE CONTAMINATED WATER
FIGURE D: SEWER PIPE UNDERGROUND
FIGURE E: EXTERIOR OF PROPERTY
PREFACE
As part of our senior project for Geology 422 (Remediation), Professor Gary Zumwalt of
Louisiana Tech University, assigned Kenechukwu Ilochonwu a task to conduct a Phase I
Environmental Site Assessment on a property situated at 300 East Mississippi Avenue, in
Ruston, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana.
This project involves adequate observation and inspection of a commercial property owned by
the City of Ruston. The property was a former Diesel Power Plant that has not been in operation
for a long time and is subject to contamination.
In order to recognize and identify the environmental conditions in connection to the property, the
Phase I Site Assessment must be in respect to the scope and limitations of the American Society
of Testing and Materials (ASTM) practices E-1527-00 and E-1528-00. Upon completion of this
project on the subject property, Kenechukwu Ilochonwu ensured that he fulfilled his obligations
by noting in good detail any specialized knowledge or experience that may prove important in
identifying such recognized environmental conditions. In the event of mistakes or inaccuracy,
Kenechukwu Ilochonwu is not liable to future mishaps form the subject property that might have
been misinterpreted during observation of the subject property.
By:
Kenechukwu Ilochowu, Environmental Professional, 2-21-2015
Date
Field inspector/ Supervisor
KCI Resources
1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
With permission from my instructor Dr. Gary Zumwalt, and acknowledgement from Louisiana
Tech University and the City of Ruston, I conducted a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
(“ESA”) for a particular property located at East Mississippi, Ruston, Louisiana. This projected
is being conducted with regards to the potential hazards and liabilities posed by this property.
The property of concern is located along side neighboring houses and apartments, and
sandwiched by the City of Ruston Warehouse and Office.
This Phase I ESA was based on site inspection, interviews with persons familiar to the site,
review of available files and historical records and reports, and the findings of an environmental
database report. The main purpose of the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment was to identify
and analyze specific potential liabilities associated with the site, and the implications of having
such potential liabilities, as well as the dangers these potential liabilities pose to the development
of the site.
Based on the information obtained during the inspection of the site, interviews with person
familiar with the site, regulatory and records review, and the review of previous reports, I
identified some potential liability concerns associated with the site. Some of which include:
1) An uncapped barrel containing possible gasoline constituents
2) An exposed bucket of oil
3) Possible gas leakage or discharge from pipe lines
4) Contaminated water inside of building
5) Water leakage from top of roof
6) Uncapped sewage system
7) Spills of chemicals from storage room
8) Possible human waste contamination from habitants
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Base Map
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Purpose
I performed a Phase I ESA on the Former Ruston Diesel Power Plant located at 300 East
Mississippi Avenue, Ruston, Louisiana. This property also known as the City of Ruston Vacant
Building, has not been used for a very long time.
The purpose of the Phase I ESA is to identify any or the presence of any Recognized
Environmental Conditions (“REC”), and or Historical Recognized Environmental Conditions on
the property as defined by the ASTM Practice E 15278-00, which aims at defining a good
commercial and customary practice in the United States of America for conducting an
Environmental Site Assessment of a property with respect to the range of contaminants within
the scope of Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensations and Liability Act
(CERCLA) and petroleum products.
This practice helps permit a user to satisfy one of the requirements to qualify for innocent
landowner, contiguous owner, defense to CERCLA liability. This report tends to represent “all
appropriate inquiry into the previous ownership and uses of the property consistent with good
commercial or customary practice” as defined in 42 USC &9601(35) (B).
1.2 Methodologies Used and Limiting Conditions
In January 2015, I conducted a Phase I ESA of a vacant building located in Ruston, Louisiana.
This practice was completed in order to determine with accurate details, as to whether potential
contaminants sources or activities existed on the proposed property from 1930 till present, or
more importantly from the earliest period of industrial and or commercial activities. Before
completion of this task, the ESA included a detailed and precise inspection of the property,
reviewing records, area photographs and so on.
This ESA did not include sampling of soil, sediments, surface waters and groundwater. Also, this
ESA did not include the inspection of endangered species on the site.
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2.0 SITE DESCRIPTION
2.1 Property Location
This property, which is about 0.02066 acres in size, is owned by the City of Ruston, and is
located on East Mississippi Avenue in Ruston, Lincoln Parish, 71270. Louisiana.
Geographically, the site of the property is located in Section 24, Township 18 North, Range 3
West on the Ruston West, Louisiana Quadrangle at approximately Latitude 32º 31ˈ44ˈˈ and
longitude 92º 38ˈ06ˈˈ. The site location is shown in Figure 1, Site Location Map, in Appendix
A, Figures.
The topography of the site is generally flat and the surrounding area consisting of rolling hills.
Structures present at the site include the brick building that housed the diesel powered generators
and two additional brick buildings utilized by the city, amounting to 3 main buildings on the
property. Concrete covers a small area to the west of the building with grass and gravel covering
the remainder of the property.
According to findings, there was a 10,000 gallon capacity aboveground storage tanks (AST)
located on the northeast side of the property near the aboveground water storage tank. Site
features are seen in Figure 2a, Site Map.
2.2 Description of Structures on Site
Underground utilities were identified at the site. A buried natural gas line trends east to west
parallel with the Kansas City Southern Railway on the south side of the site. This line provided
natural gas service to the site through a buried line trending north to the southeast corner of the
building. Water and sewer lines trend east to west parallel with East Mississippi Avenue. Water
service to the building was provided through a line trending south to the north face of the
building. Sewer service to the building was not marked at the time of the field activities.
Underground utilities are shown in Figure 2a.
2.3 Information Reported by User Regarding Environmental Liens or Specialized
Knowledge or experience
There is no information to be reported because I was not privy to user knowledge of the property.
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2.4 Current Uses of the Property
The property located on this site has been vacated for a long time and has not been used.
Therefore, there are no current uses associated with this property whatsoever. In addition, there
are no government properties such as military base on this site.
3.0 SITE ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
3.1 Geographic Description
Geographically, the site of the property is located in Section 24, Township 18 North, Range 3
West on the Ruston West, Louisiana Quadrangle at approximately Latitude 32º 31ˈ44ˈˈ and
longitude 92º 38ˈ06ˈˈ. The property is built around improved roads and rail ways, and east of the
property are homes of residents. It is situated in an area not possible for the survival of wildlife
and other ecosystems.
3.2 Surface Soil Characteristics
Surface soil of the site was difficult to determine from my inspections due to alteration of
environment caused by runoff from hill waters, possible oil and gasoline contaminants, and
waste dumps. However, recent findings from sources that already conducted a Phase II ESA on
the site suggests that the site lithology (type of soil, texture, composition and so on) consisted
primarily of alluvial deposits which consisted of clayey silts to sands. Based on the type of soil
recorded, further investigations led to the discovery of the porosity of clayey silts and sand as
seen below in Table 1:
SOIL TYPE POROSIVITY (%)
Clay 40 – 70 %
Silt 35 – 50 %
Sand 25 – 50 %
However, no results was found on the corrosivity of these soil types dues to many variables
present such as oxygen content, temperature, and possible chloride levels. Moreover, it is
expensive to achieve, and taking soil samplings is not required for this Phase I ESA.
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3.3 Subsurface Geologic Characteristics
3.4 Surface Water Characteristics
No surface water observed on and around site. No evidence of streams, rivers, storm sewer
runoffs identified. Rain fall is seasonal.
However, sources suggest that Groundwater depth rages from 5ft to 15ft BGS. Others suggest
that it ranges from 5.32ft to 11.45ft BGS. It was also noted that groundwater elevations and
groundwater flow direction was calculated to be in the northeast and north respectively.
Potentiometric Surface Map is shown in Figure 4.
3.5 Hydrogeological Characteristics
The aquifer at the site is known as the Cockfield Aquifer Surficial Confining Unit. Upon the
affected aquifer being different from the public supply aquifer, there is no possibility of impact
to the public supply wells. The thickness of the aquifer according to sources, suggest that the
aquifer was approximately 15ft thick.
Water wells survey from the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) was
obtained in order to identify current water wells within a 1-mile radius of the source area.
Among the number of wells identified, about five of the water wells are used as public supply
within the 1-mile radius. Each of this public supply wells are currently installed into the Sparta
Aquifer at depths ranging from 593ft to 811ft BGS. Public water wells are shown in Figure 5
Water Well Survey Map.
TABLE 2: Showing Construction Data of the 5 Used Water Wells
DODT
WELL NO.
WELL
OWNER
WELL
USE
WELL
DEPTH
(ft.)
DISTANCE
(ft.) /
DIRECTION
FROM SITE
AQUIFER
1 Ruston, LA Public Supply 637 500/West Sparta Aquifer
31 Ruston, LA Public Supply 636 5800/Southwest Sparta Aquifer
30 Ruston, LA Public Supply 648 4200/Southeast Sparta Aquifer
33 Ruston, LA Public Supply 811 5200/Northwest Sparta Aquifer
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120 University Public Supply 593 3300/Southwest Sparta Aquifer
4.0 Site History
4.2 Fire Insurance Maps
Fire insurance map of property taken from Library of Congress. Fire insurance maps seen in
Figure 6a and 6b.
4.3 Aerial Photographs
Aerial photograph of property on site taken from the Lincoln Parish Historic Aerials, comprising
of 1949 and 1955 aerial photographs. Aerial photographs seen in Figure 7a and 7b, 8a and 8b.
4.7 Zoning/Land Use Records
Currently, the property on site is an inactive or former Diesel Power Plant. As a result, this
property is used as a commercial property. In addition, there are no known changes in business
or the structure intended for the property on site.
5.0 Regulatory Agency Records Review
5.1 NPL
Not available
5.2 CERCLIS
Not available
5.3 RCRA CORRACTS TSD Facility List
Not available
5.4 RCRA non-CORRACTS TSD Facility List
Not available
5.5 ERNS List
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List of 4 properties include Rabb road at the bridge, MP-102.8, property located at Section 21
TI9N R2W, Mainline.
5.6 Registered USTs
Properties with registered USTs include: Red White and Blue of Ruston LLC, Vienna Street U-
Pack-It, Delta Mini-Mart #7, Allen’s Citgo, E Z Mart #341, John’s One Stop, East Side Mini-
Mart, Ruston U Pack It, Tech Mart, Circle K #7768, Northern Louisiana Medical Center.
5.7 Leaking USTs
Such properties include: Downtown Citgo and Walkers Chevron.
6.0 SITE RECONNAISSANCE
6.1 Topographic Description of Property
The topography of the site is generally flat and the surrounding area consisting of rolling hills. .
Concrete covers a small area to the west of the building with grass and gravel covering the
remainder of the property.
6.2 General Description of Structures
There are different structures on this property and are situated in different locations. On the north
side of the property, there is a warehouse with little or no significance with the subject property.
There is a railway track on the west side of the property starting as far north of the property to
south of the property. There are improved roads for transportation and other activities, as well as
houses, apartments on the east side of the property owned by individuals and other private firms.
6.3 Source of Water
There were no source of drinking water visible at the site, and if a source existed it would
probably be from the City of Ruston Water Supply. Closer to the road on the east end is a large
well that supplies water to the property on site. However, I have no knowledge of its working
condition. Cisterns were not visible at the site at the time of inspection.
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6.4 Sewage/Sewer Systems
A long pipe down the ground just in front of the building indicated a sewage pipe, which in turn
indicated a sewer system was in place. As often common with vacated buildings, there were
evidence of solid waste dumping on grounds mainly caused by human activities. There were no
evidence of a septic system and storm sewers on the site.
6.5 USTs
No evidence of either an underground storage tank or an aboveground storage tank.
6.6 Hazardous Containers and Unidentified Substances
There were evidence of drums and barrels with unknown contents as shown in Appendix B.
6.7 Environment Characteristics
No evidence of soil mounds, depressions and or landfill activities, stained soil, distressed
vegetation, wildlife, fishes of any kind, surface water, surface impoundments. There were few
stains on structural materials with unidentifiable chemicals.
6.8 Environmental Utilities
There is evidence of transformers on the site of the property with possible PCBs. A visible
railroad tracks running from north to south of the property, pipelines, exhausts from structure.
There were no signs of mining or quarry activities. No visible cemetery or burial grounds,
pesticides usage. There might have been a high power-power electric line on the structure, but I
assume it has been removed for safety reasons.
7.0 Reconnaissance of Adjacent Properties
Located on North Sparta is a warehouse owned by the City of Ruston. With no knowledge of
what the property is used for or what is stored in the warehouse, I can only assume it was used to
store tools and equipment, as well as chemical for building or construction purposes. However,
there were no evidence of wells, solid waste dumping on grounds, aboveground or underground
storage tanks, chemical storage drums, soil mounds and or depressions, landfill activities, and
industrial or commercial activities.
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Adjacent properties include vacant properties owned by the City of Ruston to the east and west
of the site. Davis and Associates printing is located to the north of the site, across East
Mississippi Avenue. Also included are residential properties located to the south of the site, and
across the Kansas City Railroad tracks. Adjacent properties are shown in Figure 3, Regional
Site Map.
8.0 Reconnaissance of Surrounding Areas
The surrounding areas of the property consists of a few vegetation not enough to support
wildlife. Evidence of asphalt probably from the weathering of the road path on site. A drainage
hole is seen in the site as water from the top of the hill drains into it. No actual usage of the
surrounding area and industrial and commercial activities are not in progress.
9.0 Interviews Conducted
No interviews conducted for this project
10.0 Building Materials Evaluated
Based on my observation of the property, I evaluated the buildings and noticed asbestos falling
apart from the walls and ceilings, which can cause various health concerns to humans. In
addition were molds at the corner of walls. No evidence of PCBs on building material but I can
assume some were present. No evidence of radon, lead base paint or lead in drinking water, as
sampling of materials was not necessary for this phase of the Environmental Site Assessment.
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CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION
Based on recent investigation of the subject property, there is no doubt that the environment is
being threatened by contaminants. Such contaminants such as chemical spill, contaminated
water, uncapped oil, and possible PCBs, may have had adverse effects to life on the property.
More importantly, these contaminants may have found their way into groundwater and are likely
to pose as serious dangers to human health. Despite the fact that this Phase I ESA limits
sampling of materials, other sources have revealed traces of petroleum products, which are not
discussed in the report.
To ensure safety to the public and life around the subject site, it is highly recommended that the
once diesel power plant property be monitored periodically so as to detect any hazardous
material or products extruding from the site of concern. After this practice, it is highly important
to consult a Phase II ESA analysis on this property, which will require adequate sampling and
testing of water, soil, building materials and so on. I also suggest that the government look into
this situation and propose effective solutions to treating this contaminants and bringing this
environment to a state of contaminants.
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REFRENCES
“Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Ruston, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana,” Library of Congress.
Sanborn Map Company, June 1922. Web. Feb. 2015.
http://loc.gov/resource/g4014rm.03394007/?st=gallery.
Sampognaro Chris. “Risk Evaluation/Corrective Action Program Report. “Louisiana Department
of Environmental Quality. N.p., Jan. 2011. Web. Feb. 2015.
http://edms.deq.louisiana.gov/app/doc/querydef.aspx.
“1945 and 1955 Aerial Photographs.” Lincoln Parish Historic Aerials. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb.
2015. http://lpgis.maps.arcigs.com/.
Photograph of property. Personal photographs by Kenechukwu Ilochonwu. 15 Feb. 2015.
“Flood Insurance Rate Map.” Flood Map Service Center. FEMA, n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2015.
http://msc.fema.gov/portal/search?AddressQuery=300%20East%20Mississippi%20Ave
%2C%20Ruston%2C%20LA.
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APPENDIX A - FIGURES
14
TOPOGAPHIC MAP SHOWING PROPERTY
Figure 1
15
SITE MAP OF PROPERTY
Figure 2a
16
BASE MAP OF PROPERTY
Figure 2b
17
REGIONAL SITE MAP OF PROPERTY AND ADJACENT PROPERTIES
Figure 3
18
POTENTIOMETRIC SURFACE MAP
Figure 4
19
WATER WELL SURVEY MAP
Figure 5
20
FULL FIRE INSURANCE MAP
Figure 6a
21
FIRE INSURANCE MAP OF PROPERTY
Figure 6b
22
1949 AREIAL PHOROGRAPH OF PROPERTY
Figure 7a
1949 AREIAL PHOROGRAPH OF PROPERTY (CIRCLED
23
Figure 7b
1955 AREIAL PHOROGRAPH OF PROPERTY
Figure 8a
1955 AREIAL PHOROGRAPH OF PROPERTY (CIRCLED)
24
Figure 8b
FLOOD PLAIN MAP
Figure 9
25
APPENDIX B - FIGURES
26
CONTAINERS OF OIL OR GASOLINE CONTAMINANTS
Figure A
27
Figure A
28
POSSIBLE WASTE DUMP SITE
Figure B
29
POSSIBLE CONTAMINATED WATER
Figure C
Figure C
30
Figure C
31
SEWER PIPE UNDERGROUND
Figure D
32
EXTERIOR OF PROPERTY
Figure E
33
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