The monitoring of this site is now being handled by Oregon DEQ Underground Storage Tank program out of Eugene. DEQ will work with the PRP on outstanding issues associated with the contaminated soil.
The PRP has been advised by letter sent September 29, 2006 to continue the pump-and-treat operation until advised otherwise by his Oregon DEQ.
Currently there is no discharge of gasoline to the South Yamhill River. The release has been successfully mitigated by removing soil with highest level of contamination and land farming the soil. Two interception trenches in series are successfully preventing any release to the South Yamhill River that may be harmful. i.e., no sheen is appearing on the South Yamhill River.
However, the soil remains contaminated with gasoline. While there is no clear product when water is drawn from the monitoring wells there is a sheen and odor.
Groundwater becomes reentrained or contaminated with gasoline when the water table rises. However our federal removal authority found in section 311 of the CWA does not extend to groundwater if it does not discharge to navigable waters in quantities that may be harmful or impose substantial threat of doing so.
The PRP has been advised that in regard to federal regulations, he must ensure that gasoline does not sheen on the South Yamhill River. Should he stop the pump-and-treat operation and gasoline were to reappear on the river, an OPA case could be opened again.
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