Final Suspected Source Area Now Characterized

Environmental contractor ECS Marin performed additional investigation of the area of petroleum contamination discovered in May 2003 near the Route 4 entrance to the Woodstock East site during August of 2003. A total of 28 soil borings were drilled and 6 groundwater monitoring wells were installed in and around this area of concern. The results of this investigation show that there remains an area of elevated soil contamination between the air sparge/soil vapor extraction (AS/SVE) system and Route 4. Contaminants in soil continue to be released to groundwater in this area, resulting in concentrations of contaminants in groundwater above state standards*. This area is beyond the area of influence of the existing AS/SVE system.

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from groundwater samples collected during August 2003 show contaminant concentrations in treatment area wells rebounding slightly, indicating that the AS/SVE system had been effectively removing contaminants from and promoting degradation of contaminants present in the subsurface.

Cleanup Plan Evaluation Underway

The Johnson Company of Montpelier Vermont has been engaged to utilize the latest information to evaluate and recommend additional cleanup actions that will result in the achievement of state standards for groundwater quality at the property boundary. As outlined in the original corrective action plan, there will be a combination of engineering controls (such as paving) and administrative controls (such as a land record notice) to reduce the possibility of future contact with low-level residual contamination that will likely remain in the subsurface once the active cleanup has been completed. However, these controls will still allow for a wide range of development options to be considered for the site.

Redeveloper Steps Aside
In August 2003, the prospective redeveloper of the site, Ernie Pomerleau, withdrew from the state’s Redevelopment of Contaminated Properties Program. Mr. Pomerleau and the Gerrish Corporation were unable to come to terms regarding a renewed purchase option for the property, which resulted in Mr. Pomerleau’s withdrawl.

In the absence of a prospective redeveloper, the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation has taken the lead on the performance of additional cleanup activities. The Johnson Company is working under a state contract on the additional cleanup plan evaluation. They are scheduled to complete their evaluation by March 2004. Funding for the Johnson Company work comes from the proceeds of the settlement that was negotiated between the Gerrish Corporation and the state in 1999. The community will be notified in writing of the proposed supplemental cleanup plan and will have an opportunity to comment on it. A public meeting will be scheduled if there is an indication of sufficient interest.

*VT Groundwater Enforcement Standards (micrograms/Liter or ug/L)
Benzene – 5 ug/L
Ethylbenzene – 700 ug/L
Toluene – 1000 ug/L
Xylenes – 10,000 ug/L
1,2,4-trimethylbenzene – 5 ug/L
1,3,5-trimethylbenzene – 4 ug/L
MTBE – 40 ug/L
Naphthalene – 20ug/L
1,2-dichloroethane – 5 ug/L
Aluminum – 200 ug/L
Iron – 300 ug/L
Lead – 15 ug/L