Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments at a Metal Plating Facility Located in Johnson City, Tennessee

PM Environmental, Inc. was retained to complete a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) at a Former Metal Plating Facility located in Johnson City, Tennessee.  The property had been used as a nickel plating facility for tools.  Previous Phase I and Phase II ESAs were reviewed as part of the historic research. Based on the results of the research, a Phase II ESA was initiated.

Geoprobe borings were advanced in the interior and exterior of the subject property in the most likely areas of impact as determined during the Phase I ESA. The Phase II ESA determined that clay was the predominant subsurface material, and groundwater was not encountered to a depth of 30 feet below land surface. Chemical analysis of soil samples revealed detectable concentrations of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH), Poly-Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Metals, including Arsenic, Chromium, and Lead. The results were compared with the EPA Region IX Preliminary Remediation Goals (PRGs) for industrial use. None of the PAH concentrations exceeded the PRGs. The Metal concentrations were determined to be below the PRGs, with the exception of Arsenic.

Once the results of Phase II ESA were determined, discussions with the client were initiated concerning options.  It was concluded to enroll the property into the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Voluntary Cleanup, Oversight and Assistance Program (VOAP). The VOAP allows for non-responsible parties to obtain limited liability to on-site impact only. This limitation can be transferred to future property owners, assuming that any engineering or institutional controls for the impact are maintained.

PM assisted the client through the application process and risk assessment activities with a possible land use restriction put in place.