United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region IX
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

See POLREP 1 and POLREP 17 in the documents link at www.epaosc.net/torocreek.

EPA is currently facilitating system improvement and testing in pursuit of the objective of minimizing future maintenance requirements.  These measures will reduce the likelihood that the system will malfunction, reduce the opportunities for corrosion and degradation of the material with which the system is constructed and bring the system into compliance with current Underground Storage Tank (UST) standards.

1/7/09
OSC Benson on-site with an EPA contractor representative from ECCO Environmental.  ECCO performed the final site inspection and oil pump out event under the terms of the operation and maintenance contract with EPA (contract expiration on 1/8/09).  1,528 gallons crude oil pumped from UST and transported to Venoco Carpinteria Gas Plant On-Shore facility in Ventura County, California.  

Santa Barbara County Fire Department (SBCoFD) Hazardous Materials Supervisor Ann Marie Nelson on-site.  Ms. Nelson provided OSC Benson with a review of UST compliance issues and testing and retrofitting options for the system UST and agreed to remain the primary County point-of-contact for upcoming UST inspection and testing activities.  This preliminary scope was subsequently communicated to the EPA Emergency and Rapid Removal Services (ERRS) contract Response Manager.

1/8/08 – 1/12/09
OSC Benson provided project update to NPFC Case Officer Bob Hildebrand, secured final repair, testing a maintenance funds and processed the ERRS Task Order for services.

1/21/09
On-site:  OSC Benson, SBCoFD Nelson, ERRS Response Managers Peter Lawrence and Gary Wofford.  Two UST service firm representatives on-site for a pre-bid site inspection.  Key UST scope of work elements involve UST annular space/secondary containment testing, pressure testing of the product piping secondary containment, diagnoses of the existing solar electrical system to determine the functional use of the system currently on-site for a new high level sensor system, and inspection, replacement/repair of various system components including the sump riser, spill containment structure, vent riser and product piping associated with the UST influent line.

1/22/09  
Conference call.  Attendees:  SBCoFD Nelson, ERRS Lawrence and Wofford, Carpinteria-Summerland Fire District (CSFD) Fire Prevention Officer Richard Evans, OSC Benson and County Public Works Department Water Agency (PWDWA) Acting Chief Matt Naftaly.  Discussion centered on upcoming work to align the system and UST with current CUPA requirements, work schedule and final transition activities.  CSFD provided confirmation of support to PWDWA for business plan preparation and system maintenance checklists were shared to assist PWDWA with preparation of the “official” checklist required by UST standards.

1/23/09
The Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) Central Coast Region submitted a
letter to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) supporting Santa Barbara County’s Cleanup and Abatement Account (CAA) funding application and responded to questions raised by the SWRCB.

1/28/09 – 1/29/09
On-site:  OSC Benson, 3 ERRS.  Excavation work to expose the top of the UST completed.  All lower UST enclosure influent/effluent piping and risers day lighted to aid in upcoming tank testing and retrofitting operations.  ERRS completed the procurement of upper enclosure concrete clarifier cover frames and riser support fabrication.  

California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) Biologist Ken Wilson visited the site on 1/29/09.  Mr. Wilson reported that due to DFG budget constraints, he has been directed to discontinue his support to the Toro Creek project. Mr. Wilson’s efforts to date have been central to the currently successful EPA to County transition effort.  DFG Attorney Steve Sawyer will remain as the DFG liaison and project point-of-contact.

2/5/09
On-site:  OSC Benson, 1 ERRS (RM).  One UST service firm representative on-site for a pre-bid site inspection.  Heavy rains have not compromised the UST excavation area.  Clarifier cover frames and riser supports picked up from local metal fabricator.  

2/9/09
On-site:  OSC Benson, 1 ERRS (RM), SBCoFD Nelson.  Four UST service firm representatives on-site for a pre-bid site inspection.  A final scope-of-work was developed and an RFP was distributed to each prospective bidder.  The ERRS subcontract award is scheduled for 2/13/09 with an on-site mobilization of 2/19/09.

ERRS initiated efforts to expose product discharge piping existing stages 1 and 2 of the upper enclosure clarifier and completed installation of the cover frames and clarifier riser supports.

The current expectation is that the system as installed can be brought to current UPA and UST standards without significant overhaul. The results of UST and secondary containment testing will dictate the requirement for potential UST replacement and discharge pipeline retrofitting.

• Awaiting ERRS subcontract bids and contract award.
• Mobilization for UST testing and retrofitting tentatively schedule for the week of 2/17/09.
• Complete brush clearance, weatherproofing clarifier clean water creek discharge lines.

• Site tours for any interested/involved local/state/federal agency or legislative representative can be arranged by calling EPA OSC Craig Benson at (562) 889-1630.
• In this reporting period, there have been no incidents affecting system performance.  
• The UST annular space may be converted from a dry to wet annular configuration to simplify annular space integrity inspections and high level alarm function.