Closed, Illegal, and Abandoned (CIA) Disposal Sites

Site Sampling and Analysis Plan: City of Portola Burn Site, SWIS #32-CR-0021, Plumas County

November 1, 2000

City of Portola Burn Site (39 KB)

City of Portola Burn Site (29 KB)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

1.1. Site Location and Description
1.2. Project Background
1.3. Project Purpose
1.4. Responsible Agency
1.5. Project Organization
1.6. Previous Investigations

2. Project Objective

2.1. Data Collection
2.2. Project Tasks
2.3. Expected Data

3. Sampling Plan

3.1. Sampling Methodology
3.2. Sampling Equipment
3.3. Sampling Procedures
3.4. Sample Location
3.5. Decontamination Procedures
3.6. Sample Containers and Preservation
3.7. Disposal of Residual Materials
3.8. Analytes of Concern
3.9. Analytical Procedures
3.10. Anticipated Cost
3.11. Field Quality Control
3.12. Laboratory Quality Control

4. Documenting and Reporting

4.1. Field Notes
4.2. Photographs
4.3. Labeling
4.4. Chain-of-Custody
4.5. Packaging and Shipment
4.6. Reporting

1. Introduction

The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) Closed, Illegal and Abandoned (CIA) Site Program investigates solid waste disposal sites and provides site data and documentation to quantify requirements for both enforcement and potential clean-up activities by the CIWMB Solid Waste Cleanup Program (AB 2136). Depending on the types of wastes at the site, environmental sampling may be necessary to determine if hazardous materials are present for the purpose of scoping enforcement and remediation work or referral to either the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) or the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC).

Typically, municipal burn sites contain heavy metals such as lead, nickel, cadmium, chrome and zinc, although other metals such as copper, iron and aluminum may also be present. Other constituents of concern may be total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) or diesel, organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

The City of Portola Burn site is estimated to have been active between 1916 to 1944. Disposal activity included placing solid waste on the ground and burning in place. It is unknown if buried waste exists at this site, although this will attempt to be verified as part of this sampling and analysis activity.

Statutory authority for investigating solid waste disposal sites is in California Public Resources Code (PRC) Section 45013, et seq.

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1.1. Site Location and Description

The site is located near the City of Portola in Township 23 North, Range 13 East and Township 23 North, Range 14 East (Section 31). The site is subdivided and contains several parcels which may include:

The area to be investigated is provided at Figure 3 (Page 14). The site map was prepared by Hamby Surveying (P.O. Box 1209, Portola, CA 96122).

Figure 1. Area Map of the City of Portola (23 KB)	Figure 2. Site Map (24 KB)

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1.2. Project Background

The Remediation, Closure & Technical Services (RCTS) Branch, was asked by the Plumas County Local Enforcement Agency (LEA) to perform a site investigation and site characterization of the Old City of Portola Landfill, to determine appropriate remedial measures for the site to be completed prior to subdivision.

1.3. Project Purpose

The objective of the investigation is to provide site data that will allow the City to clean-close the site for the purpose of re-subdividing the property and allowing individual property owners to develop as necessary. The site data will include a characterization of the horizontal and vertical extent of the disposal area based on trenching and potholing data and constituent data from analysis of soil sample in shallow soils 6 inches to 1 foot and at depth (3 to 6 feet). The site data will also include providing an estimate of the volume of waste, burn-ash and contaminated soil at the site.

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1.4. Responsible Agency

The CIWMB will be responsible for preparing the sampling plan, performing the sampling, site trenching, reviewing the sample report, and providing the sampling report to the LEA and City of Portola for further action. CIWMB will also prepare a site investigation report and place both the sampling report and site investigation report in Board Files and update the site’s Solid Waste Information System (SWIS) database.

1.5. Project Organization

The site investigation and sampling and analysis plan and report preparation will be conducted by CIWMB CIA Section Staff. The CIA Sites Program Section Senior Engineer, Mr. Glenn K. Young, P.E. will oversee preparation of the sampling and analysis report, conducting sampling and analysis activities and preparation of the draft and final sampling and analysis report. Mr. Andy Marino, of CIWMB’s Health and Safety Section will be responsible for preparing a site specific health and safety plan and monitor onsite health and safety issues. 

As lead on the project, Mr. Young may be reached at the California Integrated Waste Management Board 1001 “I” Street, P.O. Box 4025, Sacramento, CA 95812-4025 or by calling (916) 341-6696. The CIWMB will use its own sampling equipment and obtain sampling containers, labels, chain-of-custody forms and shipping containers from its environmental laboratory services contractor, ExcelChem, Inc. The City of Portola will provide a farm tractor backhoe and operator for determining the site’s extents and for soil sampling. Surveying, logging and photographing of trenches will be performed by CIWMB staff.

CIWMB will be responsible for surveying and marking sampling locations, mapping waste areas and sampling locations, sample packaging, shipping, and analysis, and producing a sampling report. Potholing and trenching activities will be performed by the City of Portola with guidance from CIA sites section staff. The sampling containers and laboratory analysis for the soil samples will be through IWMB Contract IWM-C9037 with ExcelChem Environmental Laboratories, Inc. located at Roseville, CA

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1.6. Previous Investigations

The City of Portola site has been investigated by both the LEA and CIWMB. The LEA has performed an investigation of the site on May 14, 1996 and completed CIWMB Site Identification and Site Assessment Forms. In summary the investigation concluded that the disposal area is less than 5 acres in size and is approximately 1-6 feet in depth. The site was operated from the early 1900s until the 1940s. Evidence of the site includes surface debris which includes, glass, metals and burn ash. Site has areas of drainage conveyance and collection. Mean annual precipitation at the site is 22 inches with a 100 year 24 hour storm intensity of 3.95 inches. The site receives snow accumulation. Landfill gas and leachate have not been measured and is not suspected at the site.

Based on a site map prepared by Hamby Surveying of Portola, CA for the City of Portola, the limits of waste have been located with respect to existing parcel subdivisions. The map prepared by Hamby Surveying, will be used to develop the initial sampling grid, which will be surveyed and staked to establish potholing and sampling locations. The sampling grid to be used will be based on the current parcel corner locations; location gridlines will be based on the centerline of planned streets.

To the CIWMB’s knowledge no other governmental agency, including the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) or Department of Toxic Substances Control Division have conducted a previous investigation of the site.

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2. Project Objective

2.1. Data Collection

Sampling will be conducted under the California Code of Regulations, Title 22, section 66261.10 et seq. for characterizing hazardous waste. The CIWMB will use regulatory limits established from the California Department of Toxic and Substance Control and federal levels for evaluating the soil/ash. Discrete soil samples will be analyzed for CAM 5 metals, and composite samples for specified waste areas will be analyzed for CAM 17 metals, total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) and diesel, organochlorine pesticides, PCBs and semivolatiles. 

If metal constituent concentrations in any sample exceeds ten times the Soluble Threshold Limit Concentration (STLC), the 22 CCR Waste Extraction Test will be performed to determine metal leachability. Since the burn ash may be disposed of to a municipal solid waste landfill, it will be necessary to determine if the soil-ash is considered hazardous for the purpose of handling and disposition. The data from these procedures will be used to identify lead concentrations in surface soils and subsurface burn ash. 

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2.2. Project Tasks

During the investigation of the City of Portola Burn Site a sampling location reference grid will be established and tied to an established benchmark at the site. Authoritative sampling based on site conditions will be performed and the location referenced to the reference grid. Sampling at a location will included both the first 6-inches and at 3 feet (depending on site geology). If site geology consists of bedrock formations beneath the site, only sampling of surface soils will be accomplished.

The site is undeveloped and contains trees and sloped and uneven terrain. Authoritative sampling may be performed if burn-ash and waste material are visually identified.

Under the authoritative sampling protocol, the CIWMB field engineer may change individual sampling locations based on site specific field conditions (including unforeseen obstructions, visible signs of contaminated soils or other factors). CIWMB anticipates that approximately 60 samples will be collected from surface and subsurface locations. Each soil sample will be screened using either an organic vapor analyzer, photoionization detector (PID) or flame ionization detector (FID) and also screened for radioactivity using field equipment and then sent to a State of California certified hazardous waste laboratory for analysis. Sampling activities are scheduled to occur in November 2000. After samples are collected the ground surface will be restored by replacing and compacting trench spoils.

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2.3. Expected Data

Chemical constituent concentration data obtained during this investigation will be evaluated to determine if additional sampling is necessary. Additional sampling may be performed if it is found that specific constituent levels exceed hazardous levels specified in 22 CCR, e.g. STLC for lead is much greater than 5 mg/l. Based on information known about the site the following is expected:

a) Residual concentrations of heavy metals from the burning of solid waste (<1000 mg/kg). Metals detected most likely include lead, copper, nickel, zinc and chrome. Iron and aluminum also may be present. 

b) Waste was placed on surface, buried waste is not expected

c) Amount of burn ash and contaminated soil in place does not exceed 10,000 cubic yards

d) Mixed soil and burn ash can be disposed of to the City of Portola Landfill

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Last updated: April 18, 2008