August 24, 2017
Mr. Nick Hodgkins
Maine Department of Environmental Protection
17 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333
Subject: Phase II Environmental Site Assessment Scope of Work
Portland Bayside Parcel 3
178 Kennebec Street, Portland, Maine
Dear Mr. Hodgkins:
Credere Associates, LLC (Credere) was retained by the Maine Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) to prepare this Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) Scope of Work
(SOW) for the property located at 178 Kennebec Street in Portland, Maine (Site).
1. SITE DESCRIPTION AND HISTORY
Site Description
The 0.2217-acre Site is developed as an unpaved parking lot currently used for the City of Portland
Public Works Department (DPW) vehicles, such as trucks and plows. Railroad tracks remain at
the Site indicating the location of the former railway.
Site History
In 1851, the Site was within the tidal zone of Back Cove (i.e., submerged) and the York and
Cumberland railroad line that crossed the Site was elevated on a bridge. Subsequently, the Site
and surrounding area was filled, and the Site occupied by Portland and Rochester Railroad line
dating back to at least 1871. At the time, the Site was depicted at the edge of the tidal zone. By
1886, Back Cove had been filled further north, the Site was developed with an engine repair house
associated with the Boston and Maine Railroad, and the surrounding area was residentially
developed. Other surrounding properties were developed with a laundry facility (New Systems
Landry facility) to the south beginning in the 1920s and coal fuel companies by 1939 to the east.
By 1949, the Site engine house was removed, but the railroad tracks remained. Through 1980,
surrounding properties were developed with the Portland DPW garage to the east, post office to
the west, post office garage to the north, and other various commercial/industrial occupants. It is
not known when active use of the rail line ceased; however, the Site was likely used for parking
or material storage since approximately 1970. It is reported New System Laundry did not begin
dry cleaning operations until 1978 and continued to 2013; however, the duration of operation as a
dry cleaner in recent history is not known.
Phase II Environmental Site Assessment Scope of Work
Portland Bayside Parcel 3
178 Kennebec Street, Portland, Maine August 24, 2017
CREDERE ASSOCIATES, LLC
2. PRIOR ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, Credere, April 5, 2017
Credere prepared a Phase I ESA for the City of Portland dated April 5, 2017, for the purpose of
identifying recognized environmental conditions (RECs) as defined by the ASTM E 1527-13
standard associated with the Site. This Phase I ESA identified the following REC and other
environmental finding that did not rise to the level of a REC:
• REC #1 – Soil impacts associated with historical filling of the Site and railroad
development
• Environmental Finding #1 – Upgradient New Systems Laundry to the south
Supplemental Reconnaissance, August 1, 2017
On August 1, 2017, Credere completed a supplemental reconnaissance with the Maine DEP and
Kathy Alves of the City of Portland DPW. No additional items of concern were noted since the
April 2017 Phase I ESA.
3. CONCEPTUAL SITE MODEL
3.1 Physical Setting
Topography
Based on Credere’s Site observations and the United States Geological Survey (USGS)
Topographic Map of the Portland West Quadrangle, Maine, the Site is located approximately 12
feet above mean seal level (AMSL), and topography at the Site is generally flat with the local area
sloping gently north towards Back Cove.
Geology
Surficial Geology
According to the Maine Geological Survey (MGS) map, Surficial Geology of the Portland West
Quadrangle, Maine, the Site is mapped in an area of the Presumpscot Formation, which consists
of silt, clay, and minor sand deposited on the sea floor during the late-glacial marine submergence.
The Site was previously submerged and part of the tidal zone of Back Cove dating back to
approximately 1851, and the Site was filled prior to the 1880s to bring it above sea level. Previous
investigations in the local area have indicated urban fill to be present in varying thicknesses at the
surface with thickness increasing between Portland Street to the south and Kennebec Street
adjoining the Site to the north.
According to an Environmental Assessment performed by Tewhey Associates of adjoining and
nearby properties, surficial geology in the vicinity of the Site includes a layer of granular fill
material overlying the native soils. The thickness of the fill material increases to the north towards
Kennebec Street, with an average fill thickness previously observed to range from approximately
2 to 9 feet in adjoining and nearby properties.
Phase II Environmental Site Assessment Scope of Work
Portland Bayside Parcel 3
178 Kennebec Street, Portland, Maine August 24, 2017
CREDERE ASSOCIATES, LLC
Bedrock Geology
According to the MGS map, Bedrock Geology of the Portland West Quadrangle, Maine, the Site
is underlain by the Eliot Formation, which comprises Silurian to Ordovician fine-grained quartz-
plagioclase-biotite phyllite with abundant carbonate or calc-silicate mineral depending on the
metamorphic grade. The John’s Point Fault is located just south of the Site.
Hydrology
The Site is located within the surficial drainage basin of Back Cove, located approximately 0.5
miles north of the Site. Back Cove flows directly into the Atlantic Ocean, connected on the east
side. According to prior investigations performed at the Site, groundwater is approximately 10
feet below ground surface (bgs).
According to the Significant Sand and Gravel Aquifers of the Portland West Quadrangle, the Site
is not located within a significant sand and gravel aquifer.
For purposes of assessing potential environmental impacts from offsite sources, groundwater in
the area was inferred to flow generally north.
3.2 Source Areas & Current Contaminants of Concern
Based on the results of prior investigations and the findings of the April 2017 Phase I ESA, the
current source areas and contaminants of concern (COCs) include the following.
Source Areas
The following source areas were identified at the Site based on the previous investigations and the
findings of the April 2017 Phase I ESA:
• Urban fill throughout the Site
• Offsite upgradient former dry cleaner to the south (New Systems Laundry) and comingled
petroleum in groundwater
COCs
Based on the above source areas, associated current COCs include the following:
• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
• Lead
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• Extractable petroleum hydrocarbons (EPH)
3.3 Nature and Extent
The inferred extent of COCs based on currently available data is as follows:
Phase II Environmental Site Assessment Scope of Work
Portland Bayside Parcel 3
178 Kennebec Street, Portland, Maine August 24, 2017
CREDERE ASSOCIATES, LLC
PAHs and Lead
PAHs and lead were detected at varying concentrations in random locations of nearby and
adjoining properties, which indicates the heterogeneity of the fill in the Site vicinity. The Site has
not been assessed to date and analytical data and subsurface observations for the Site remain data
gaps. The concentrations of PAHs and lead are attributed to the presence of urban fill associated
with the filling of the Back Cove area; therefore, PAHs and lead are considered ubiquitous in the
fill interval at the Site.
VOCs and EPH
A subsurface investigation in 1990 indicated the presence of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and
petroleum in groundwater at the upgradient to the south New System Laundry facility. PCE
concentrations in shallow groundwater were 15 micrograms per liter (µg/L) and were below the
laboratory reporting limits in the deeper aquifer above bedrock (46 feet bgs). Petroleum
concentrations (unknown method) presumably associated with the former fuel oil underground
storage tank (UST) were between 17,000 and 28,000 µg/L. The downgradient extent of PCE in
groundwater was not assessed; therefore, VOCs are considered a COC for subsurface soils and
primarily for groundwater at the Site. Assessment for migration of PCE or other chlorinated
volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) and petroleum onto the Site remains a data gap.
4. SCOPE OF WORK
Based on the identified data gaps in the above conceptual Site model, Credere has prepared the
scope of work provided in the attached Table 1.
Credere appreciates the opportunity to work with you on this project. Please do not hesitate to
contact me at (207) 828-1272 ext. 15 if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Credere Associates, LLC
Allison Drouin, PG, CG Theresa Patten, PE
Project Manager/Geologist President
Attachment: Figure 1 – Proposed Sample Locations
Table 1 – Scope of Work
AA
A
A
!?
!?
!?
!?
!? !A
PARRIS STREET
THE SITE178 KENNEBEC STREET
KENNEBEC STREET
57 BRATTLE STREETPORTLAND PUBLIC WORKS PARKING
171 KENNEBEC STREETPOST OFFICE
158 KENNEBEC STREETPORTLAND PUBLIC WORKS PARKING
111 FOREST AVENUEPOST OFFICE
181 FOREST AVENUEPORTLAND PUBLIC WORKS PARKING
200 KENNEBEC STREETVANDELAY INDUSTRIES LLC
UNDEVELOPED
195 KENNEBEC STREETVANDELAY INDUSTRIES LLCFIRESTONE CENTURY TIRE COMPANY
FORMER DRY CLEANERS
PRES
UMED
GRO
UNDW
ATER
FLOW
DIR
ECTIO
N
BRATTLE STREET
82 HANOVER STREETPORTLAND PUBLIC WORKS GARAGE
MW-1
MW-2MW-4
MW-3
SB-6
SB-5
SB-4SB-3
SB-2
SB-1/MW-1
P:\17001390 Portland Bayside Phase I ESAData Source: Ortho Image: Google Maps (2012). Parcels: City of Portland (2012) Tax Map 323, 322, and 311.
PROJECT:DATE:
CHECKED BY:DRAWN BY: 8/4/2017
13001211
PORTLAND BAYSIDE178 KENNEBEC STREET
PORTLAND, MAINE 04103
p776 MAIN STREETWESTBROOK, MAINETel. 207.828.1272 Fax 207.887.1051WWW.CREDERELLC.COM
Credere Associates, LLCFIGURE 1
PROPOSED SAMPLE LOCATIONS
CRED
ERE
SAFASD
NOTES:1. EXISTING CONDITIONS FEATURES SHOWS ON THIS PLAN ARE APPROXIMATE AND ARE BASED ON INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM THE CITY OF PORTLAND ONLINE GIS DATA AND SITE RECONNAISSANCE PERFORMED ON MARCH 23, 2017 ANDAUGUST 1, 2017.2. AERIAL IMAGERY IS SLIGHTLY ASKEW, THEREFORE PARCEL BOUNDARIES MAY OVERLAP WITH BUILDING ROOFTOPS.
0 25 5012.5 FEET1 INCH = 25 FEET
!A PROPOSED SOIL BORING/MONITORING WELL LOCATION!? PROPOSED SOIL BORING LOCATION
A 1980 MONITORING WELLSSITE BOUNDARYPARCEL BOUNDARY
Media to be Collected Proposed Sample IDs QA/QC SamplesBoring/Screen Target
DepthSample Rationale
Sample Depth
(feet bgs)
Field Analysis/
ObservationsAnalytical Methods
To assess impacts associated with urban fill in accessible soil and
observe fill thickness 0-2
PAHs (EPA Method 8270D)
Lead (EPA Method 6020A)
To assess impacts associated with upgradient former dry cleaner
Greatest observed
contamination or groundwater
interface
VOCs (EPA Method 8260C)
EPH (MADEP EPH-04-1.1)
SB-2
SB-3
SB-4
SB-5
SB-6
Gro
un
dw
ate
r
MW-11 field duplicate
Trip blank (1 per cooler)
At least 5 feet past
groundwater interfaceTo assess impacts associated with upgradient former dry cleaner Screened interval
Visual, olfactory,
temperature, DO, pH, ORP,
specific conductivity,
turbidity
VOCs (EPA Method 8260C)
EPH (MADEP EPH-04-1.1)
Notes:
1 - If evidence of petroleum contamination is identified through odor or obviously saturated soils, oleophilic dye tests will be utilized to assess the presence of petroleum.
PID - photoionization detector ORP - oxidation-reduction potential VOCs - volatile organic compounds
bgs - below ground surface PAHs - polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons EPH - extractable petroleum hydrocarbons
DO - dissolved oxygen
Table 1: Scope of Work
Portland Bayside Parcel 3
178 Kennebec Street, Portland, Maine
Soil 1 field duplicate
Trip blank (1 per cooler)
SB-1
At least 5 feet into native
soil
To assess impacts associated with urban fill in accessible soil and
observe fill thickness 0-2
PAHs (EPA Method 8270D)
Lead (EPA Method 6020A)
At least 5 feet past
groundwater interface for
monitoring well installation
or 5 feet into native soil
PID screening
Oleophilic dye tests1
Visual
Olfactory