B08_Attachment_1_Statement_of_Work.docx

Department of the Interior United States Geological Survey Eastern Ecological Science Center – Northern Appalachian Research Laboratory 176 Straight Run Road Wellsboro, PA 16901

Phase II Environmental Site Assessment Statement of Work

Project Overview and Background The purpose of the Phase II Environmental Site Assessment is to evaluate known releases or likely release areas identified in the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment and to assess the presence of potential contaminants. The objective is to evaluate recognized environmental conditions identified in the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment. The Phase II shall provide sufficient information regarding the nature and extent of contamination to assist in making informed decisions related to remediation and restoration activities. The deliverables shall comply with guidance and requirements outlined in ASTM E1903-11 (Phase II Environmental Site Assessment Process).

The facility was constructed in 1977 and has been operated by the Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) since October 1978. Initially, the facility was operated by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Oversight of the facility was transitioned to the USGS in 1993 and operations ceased in 2019 (Kennedy, November 19, 2019).

A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) was completed by Wood Environmental & Infrastructure, Inc. to identify environmental conditions requiring remediation before commencement of disposal or decommissioning activities. The results of the Phase I ESA (attached) indicated a Phase II ESA was needed to sample and analyze the site’s soils, sediment, and water for contamination.

Scope of Work The Contractor shall furnish all labor, equipment, transportation, permits, testing and incidentals necessary for the performance of the work specified in this Statement of Work.

The work consists of the following tasks:

Task 1. Develop a Phase II Sampling and analysis plan: The Contractor shall prepare a sampling and analysis plan to investigate potential contamination of soils, sediment, and water. This plan shall be based on recommendations identified in the Conclusions and Recommendations of the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment prepared by Wood Environmental & Infrastructure, Inc.

Task 2. The Contractor shall submit the sampling and analysis plan to USGS for review, comment, and approval prior to implementing the plan. The plan shall specify contaminants of concern, including but not limited to mercury and PCBs, and the required testing standards and methods for the contaminants of concern. The plan shall be of sufficient detail to determine whether the site has residual contamination at a depth related to past land management practices.

Task 3. The Contractor shall recommend locations for sampling and prepare a map with proposed sampling locations as part of the sampling and analysis plan. Focused areas of concern include, but are not limited to, the water in the holding tank at the northern most boundary of the subject property.

Task 4. The Contractor shall participate in a conference call(s), if needed, to answer questions regarding the draft sampling and analysis plan.

Task 5. The Contractor shall provide a GIS layer of the final sample locations.

Task 6. Conduct Field Sampling and Analyze Samples.

a) The Contractor shall provide all labor, equipment, and materials to collect surface and subsurface samples and water samples. The Contractor shall survey in all sample locations using recreation grade GPS accuracy standard of +- 5 meters and identify them on a map provided to USGS.

b) The Contractor shall conduct necessary laboratory tests to analyze soil and water samples for presence of contaminants.

Task 7. Prepare Phase II report: The Contractor shall prepare a written report summarizing the findings of the sampling and analysis. The report shall include all analytical data in tables and maps showing locations of sampling with appropriate sample numbers and draw conclusions regarding the presence of contamination and provide supporting documentation for these conclusions. If contamination is detected, the Contractor shall provide recommendations and estimated costs for remediation.

Potential Contaminants of Concern

Fish hatcheries and husbandry operations have historically relied upon feed sources that have contained increased levels of contaminants including PCBs and mercury. Although the facility is likely to have produced less fish waste than a typical hatchery, potential exists for impacted sediment to be present within the lined lagoons. Because the quality and quantity of the sediment is unknown, it is Wood’s opinion that the historical operations at the facility are likely to have produced sediment in the lagoons that constitute a REC in conjunction with the Site. (Excerpt from the Phase I ESA).

Report Format

Below is an outline of the contents of the report, although not all the items may be included in the report depending on the findings.

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Summary of Known Information Findings of Phase I Assessment

1.2 Scope of Investigation

2.0 Site Map/Building Plans

3.0 Likely Sources of Contamination

3.1 Likely Sources of Contamination

3.2 Location of Likely Sources

3.3 Approximate Date/Type/Quantity of Release

4.0 Soil Sampling and Analysis

4.1 Sampling Overview

4.1.1 Types of Samples

4.1.2 Location of Samples

4.1.3 Sampling Objective and Justification

4.1.4 Analytical Parameters Including Justification

4.2 Sampling Methods

4.2.1 Sampling Methods and Procedures

4.2.2 Boring Logs

4.2.3 Field Screening Data

4.3 Analytical Methods

4.3.1 Analytical Parameters Including EPA Method Number and Detection Limit

4.3.2 Maps and Diagrams Showing the Extent of Contamination

4.4 Results

4.4.1 Data Presentation Including Tables

4.4.2 Notation of Results Above Applicable Standards

4.4.3 Maps and Diagrams Showing the Extent of Contamination

5.0 Ground Water Sampling and Analysis

5.1 Sampling (QA/QC) Overview

5.1.1 Number of Wells

5.1.2 Surveyed Well Location

5.1.3 Well Placement

5.1.4 Well Depth and Screened Interval

5.1.5 Well System Justification

5.1.6 Analytical Parameters Including Justification

5.2 Sampling Methods

5.2.1 Well Drilling Methods

a. Screening Data in Cuttings/Soil Samples

b. Drilling Logs

c. Well Construction Descriptions and Diagrams

d. Well Development Methods

e. Well Stabilization Period

5.2.2 Sampling Methods and Procedures

a. Sampling Rationale

b. Field Testing Results

c. Sampling Frequency

5.3 Analytical Methods

5.3.1 Analytical Parameters Including EPA Method Number and Detection Limit

5.3.2 Name and Certification of Laboratory

5.4 Results

5.4.1 Data Presentation Including Tables

5.4.2 Notation of Results Above Applicable Standards

5.4.3 Maps and Diagrams Showing the Potentiometric Surface and Extent of Contamination

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance shall commence upon issuance and acceptance of the contract and terminate thereafter.

ReportS – Draft and Final

The draft and final sampling plan and the final report shall be submitted electronically in MS Word format and as a searchable Adobe Acrobat file.

NOTE: The signature page with original signatures shall be the only hard copy delivered.

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USGS_Wellsboro_Phase_I_ESA_FINAL_Final.pdf

PHASE I ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT

NORTHERN APPALACHIAN RESEARCH CENTER

Wellsboro, Pennsylvania 16901

Prepared for:

U.S. General Services Administration 10 Causeway Street, 11th Floor

Boston, MA 02222

Prepared by:

Wood Environment & Infrastructure, Inc.

4600 J Barry Ct., Ste 210

Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317

(724) 514-1642

December 7, 2020

Wood Project No. GSA314E006

PHASE I ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT

NORTHERN APPALACHIAN RESEARCH CENTER

Wellsboro, Pennsylvania 16901

December 7, 2020

Wood Project No. GSA314E006

This report was prepared by the staff of Wood Environment & Infrastructure, Inc. under the supervision of whose signature(s) appear hereon.

Amelia Lyons

Environmental Professional

Tyler Hengen, P.E.

Environmental Engineer

Phase 1 ESA Page TOC-i Northern Appalachian Research Center Wellsboro, Pennsylvania December 2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY..............................................................................................................ES-1

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 PURPOSE

1.2 DETAILED SCOPE OF SERVICES

1.3 SIGNIFICANT ASSUMPTIONS

1.4 LIMITATIONS AND EXCEPTIONS

1.5 SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1.6 USER RELIANCE

2.0 SITE DESCRIPTION

2.1 SITE LOCATION AND LEGAL DESCRIPTION

2.2 SITE AND VICINITY GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

2.2.1 Soils

2.2.2 Regional Geology

2.3 REGIONAL AND SITE HYDROGEOLOGY

2.3.1 Surface Water

2.4 CURRENT USE OF THE PROPERTY

2.5 DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURES, ROADS, AND OTHER SITE IMPROVEMENTS

2.6 CURRENT USES OF ADJOINING PROPERTIES

3.0 USER PROVIDED INFORMATION

3.1 TITLE RECORDS

3.2 ENVIRONMENTAL LIENS OR ACTIVITY USE LIMITATIONS

3.3 SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE

3.4 COMMONLY KNOWN OR REASONABLY ASCERTAINABLE INFORMATION

3.5 VALUATION REDUCTION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

3.6 OWNER, PROPERTY MANAGER AND OCCUPANT INFORMATION

3.7 REASON FOR PERFORMING PHASE I ESA

4.0 RECORDS REVIEW

4.1 PHYSICAL SETTING

Phase 1 ESA Page TOC-ii

4.2 REGIONAL GEOLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY

4.3 ENVIRONMENTAL DATABASE INFORMATION

4.3.1 Target Property (Site) Database Results

4.3.2 Off-Site Property Database Results

4.3.3 Orphan Properties Database Results

4.4 HISTORICAL USE INFORMATION

4.4.1 Aerial Photographs

4.4.2 Historic Topographic Maps

4.4.3 Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps

4.4.4 City Directory

4.4.5 Previous Environmental Reports

4.4.6 Chain of title search

4.4.7 Tax Map Search

4.4.8 PADEP Records Review

5.0 SITE RECONNAISSANCE

5.1 METHODOLOGY AND LIMITING CONDITIONS

5.2 GENERAL SITE SETTINGS

5.3 EXTERIOR OBSERVATIONS

5.3.1.1 Surface Staining and/or Stressed Vegetation

5.3.1.2 Drums, Aboveground Storage Tanks, and Containers

5.3.1.3 Evidence of Waste Disposal

5.3.1.4 Fill Material

5.3.1.5 Transformers

5.3.1.6 Vents, Air Stacks, and Odors

5.3.1.7 Underground Storage Tanks

5.3.1.8 Monitoring Wells

5.3.1.9 Water Wells

5.3.2 Drains and Sumps

5.3.3 Pits, Ponds, Lagoons, and Surface Waters

5.4 INTERIOR OBSERVATIONS

5.4.1 Hazardous and Petroleum Products Containers/Drums/Storage

5.4.2 Heating and Cooling

5.4.3 Sewage Disposal/Septic Tanks

5.4.4 Hydraulic Equipment

5.4.5 Contracted Maintenance Services

Phase 1 ESA Page TOC-iii

5.4.6 Electrical Transformers

5.4.7 Water Supply and Wells

5.4.8 Drains and Sumps

5.4.9 Pits, Ponds, Lagoons, and Surface Waters

5.4.10 Odors

5.4.11 Dry Cleaning

5.4.12 Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACM)

5.4.13 Other Observations

6.0 INTERVIEWS

6.1 LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

6.2 OTHERS

7.0 FINDINGS

7.1 ON-SITE RECOGNIZED ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

7.2 CONTROLLED RECOGNIZED ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

7.3 HISTORIC RECOGNIZED ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

7.4 POTENTIAL ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS AND LEAD PAINT

7.5 OFF-SITE RECOGNIZED ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

7.6 DE MINIMIS CONDITIONS

7.7 DATA GAPS

8.0 CONCLUSIONS

9.0 DEVIATIONS, LIMITATIONS, AND DATA GAPS

10.0 REFERENCES

11.0 SIGNATURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONAL

12.0 QUALIFICATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONAL

Phase 1 ESA Page TOC-iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont’d)

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 Site Location Map Figure 2 Site Plan

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix A EDR Radius Map with GeoCheck Appendix B EDR Historic Aerial Photographs Appendix C EDR Historic Topographic Maps Appendix D EDR Sanborn “No Coverage” Report Appendix E EDR City Directory Appendix F EDR Chain of Title Search Appendix G EDR Tax Map Appendix H Site Photographs Appendix I Resumes of Environmental Professionals

LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS……………………………………………….TOC-V

Phase 1 ESA Page TOC-v

LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

AAI All Appropriate Inquiry

ACM Asbestos Containing Material

AST Aboveground Storage Tank

ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials

AUL Activity and Use Limitation

CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Recovery Compensation and Liability Act

CERCLIS Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Information System

CERCLIS-NFRAP CERCLIS sites where no further remedial action is planned CFR Code of Federal Regulations

CREC Controlled Recognized Environmental Condition

DOI Department of Interior

ELG Effluent Limitations Guidelines

ESA Environmental Site Assessment

ESCP Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan

ERNS Emergency Response Notification System ft-amsl Feet above mean sea level GSA United States General Services Administration

HREC Historic Recognized Environmental Condition

LUCIS Land Use Control Information System

LUST Leaking Underground Storage Tank

LQG Large quantity generator mgd Million gallons per day msl Mean sea level

NARC Northern Appalachian Research Center

Phase 1 ESA Page TOC-vi

NCSS National Cooperative Soil Survey NPL National Priorities List

PADEP Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

PAGWIS Pennsylvania Groundwater Information System

RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act REC Recognized Environmental Condition

SHWS State Hazardous Waste Sites

SRBC Susquehanna River Basin Commission

SQG Small-quantity generators

TSD Treatment, storage, and disposal facilities

USGS United States Geological Survey

UST Underground storage tank

USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture

VCP Voluntary Cleanup Program

Wood Wood Environment & Infrastructures Solutions, Inc. of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania

Phase I ESA Page ES-1 Northern Appalation Research Center

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PROPERTY NAME: NORTHERN APPALACHIAN RESEARCH CENTER

LOCATION: 176 STRAIGHT RUN ROAD, WELLSBORO, PENNSYLVANIA

Wood Environment and Infrastructure Services, Inc. (Wood) has completed a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) of the Northern Appalachian Research Center property located at 176 Straight Run Road (Site), in Wellsboro, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. The Phase I ESA was performed on behalf of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), in general accordance with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E 1527-13 “Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process”

(ASTM, 2013).

The purpose of this Phase I ESA is to identify Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs), Controlled RECs (CRECs), or Historical RECs (HRECs), as defined by ASTM Standard Practice E1527- 13 that could be present at the Site or in the surrounding area. The following scope of work was completed using information that was reasonably ascertainable, practically reviewable, and by interviewing personnel who were identified and available within the time frame necessary to complete this Phase I ESA:

1) Conducted Site reconnaissance (October 6, 2020);

2) Interviewed the Site Owner Representative and Phase I ESA User;

3) Interviewed Wellsboro Fire Department and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) personnel;

4) Reviewed publicly available databases containing information related to activities at the

Site and surrounding area, which could indicate the presence of RECs. This also included a review of records relating to the chain of title, tax liens, historical aerial photographs and historical topographic maps;

5) Review of site-specific documents provided by USGS that relate to the past use of the facility; and

Phase I ESA Page ES-2

6) Prepared this Phase I ESA report.

The findings from this Phase I ESA are summarized below.

The Site is comprised of three parcels encompassing approximately 54.88 acres and is accessed from the west via Straight Run Road. The parcel is identified by Tioga County Tax ID of 32-01.00- 067 according to the Tioga County GIS Data Viewer. The current property owner is the United States of America, who has been in ownership of the property for approximately 46 years. The United States Department of the Interior, Geological Survey (USGS) Northern Appalachian Research Center (NARC) occupies the entirety of the Site.

Currently, the Site contains the following significant features:

1) Main laboratory building that encompasses approximately 36,950ft2

2) Three smaller support buildings that are 2,340 ft2, 1,675 ft2, and 3,675 ft2, respectively

3) Approximately 83,700 ft2 includes paved driveway and parking lots

4) Six fish rearing ponds, three of which are approximately 10,000 ft2 each and three of which are approximately 4,000 ft2 each.

5) Four outdoor raceways that are approximately 3,350 ft 2 each

6) Two settling lagoons that are 15,000 ft2 and 8,700 ft2, respectively

7) The remaining area (approximately 46 acres) of the Site consists of vegetated and forested land.

The Site is served by municipal gas, electric, septic and trash collection. Surrounding land includes residential/undeveloped land to the west, Marsh Creek to the south, residential/forested land to the east, and residential land to the north.

The Site is at an elevation of approximately 1167 feet above mean sea level (ft-msl) and is generally flat, with 45 feet of relief from the northern boundary of the Site to the southern boundary of the

Phase I ESA Page ES-3

Site. The eastern portion of the Site slopes gently to Straight Run, which forms the eastern boundary of the Site. Straight Run then discharges into Marsh Creek, which forms the southern border of the Site. Five soil groups (Chenango, Pope, Wyoming, Orrvile, Wayland, and Wyoming) are present at the Site. These soil groups are primarily comprised of gravelly loam or gravelly sandy loam (Chenango and Wyoming, respectively), sandy loam (Center), and silt loam or silty clay loam (Orrvile and Wayland, respectively). Soils at the site are generally well drained, except for the Orrvile and Wayland soil groups, which are poorly drained. The poorly drained soils at the Site are located throughout the southern portion of the Site.

The depth to bedrock exceeds 100 feet within a sand and gravel valley-fill, stratified drift aquifer based on a groundwater withdrawal permit issued for the facility. The direction of groundwater flow is presumed to be primarily to the south towards Marsh Creek (located approximately 50 feet south of the Site).

From review of historical information, it appears that the Site was undeveloped prior to 1977.

Development of adjoining properties to the north and east was apparent in a 1938 aerial photograph.

The facility was constructed in 1977 and has been operated by the DOI since October 1978.

Initially, the facility was operated by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Oversight of the facility was transitioned to the USGS in 1993 and operations ceased in 2019 (Kennedy, November 19, 2019).

Properties surrounding the Site have been primarily used for residential and agricultural purposes.

The Site is intersected by a portion of Straight Run Road, Marsh Creek Road, and the Pine Creek Rail Trail.

The Phase I ESA of the Northern Appalachian Research Center property located at 176 Straight Run Road, Pennsylvania identified two Recognized Environmental Conditions (REC)s as defined by ASTM Standard Practice 1527-13 in connection with the Site. They are as follows:

Phase I ESA Page ES-4

The presence of a nominal 240-gallon gasoline AST without secondary containment and placed atop cobbles (i.e. river rock) poses a material threat of release. Leakage or overflow would not be immediately apparent on the surface of the river rock substrate. However, photographic evidence suggests the potential for previous overfill events at the tank and minor staining exists on the gravel. It is Wood’s opinion that this AST constitutes a REC in conjunction with the Site.

Fish hatcheries and husbandry operations have historically relied upon feed sources that have contained increased levels of contaminants including PCBs and mercury. Although the facility is likely to have produced less fish waste than a typical hatchery, potential exists for impacted sediment to be present within the lined lagoons. Because the quality and quantity of the sediment is unknown, it is Wood’s opinion that the historical operations at the facility are likely to have produced sediment in the lagoons that constitute a REC in

This assessment has revealed no evidence of CRECs or HRECs in conjunction with the Site.

A 2500-gallon diesel UST was installed in 1990 and was subject of a violation due to absence of a leak detection system. USGS has indicated that a leak detection system was installed at the tank at some time after its installation. Based on the tank age and use and based on the installation of a leak detection system with no documentation or indication of a release, Wood concludes that the potential for a release, capable of impacting local groundwater, is remote. Furthermore, it is Wood’s opinion that if surface spills associated with filling of the tank had occurred prior to installation of the leak detection system, their impacts are likely de-minimis in nature.

Phase I ESA Page 1

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Wood Environment & Infrastructure, Inc. (Wood) has prepared this Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (Phase I ESA) Report for U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) for three parcels of land intersected by Straight Run Road, Marsh Creek Road, and Pine Creek Rail Trail, located at the Northern Appalachian Research Center Property, 176 Straight Run Road in Wellsboro, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Postal Zip Code 16901 (herein referred to as the Site), as shown in Figure

1. The Phase I ESA was conducted to meet the requirement for due diligence in general conformance with the requirements with the All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) Final Rule found in 40 C.F.R. Part 312 and the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) E1527-13 “Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process”

(ASTM, 2013).

This report is organized as described in this paragraph. An Executive Summary, presented in the previous Section, provides a summary of the salient discoveries of the Phase I, but does not serve in place of the Report, which should be read in its entirety by the user. This Section (Introduction) provides the purpose, scope, assumptions, limitations, special terms, and user reliance for this report. Section 2.0 provides a Site description. Section 3.0 presents the user provided information.

Section 4.0 provides a summary of the records reviewed. Section 5.0 includes the findings of the Site reconnaissance and Section 6.0 provides a summary of the interviews of personnel familiar with the Site. The findings of the Phase I ESA are summarized in Section 7.0. Deviations, Conclusions, Limitations and Data Gaps are presented in Sections 8.0 and 9.0, respectively.

References cited in the text are provided in Section 10.0. The signatures of the Environmental Professionals who executed the work are presented in Section 11.0. Qualifications of the person (or people) that performed the ESA and prepared this report are provided in Section 12.0.

1.1 PURPOSE

The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has operated the subject property since 1993 as an ecological research laboratory (i.e., Northern Appalachian Research Center). Between 1977 and 1993, the subject property was operated for the same purpose under

Phase I ESA Page 2 the management of the DOI, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Research focused on assessment of ecological health within the northern Appalachian Regions. The facility housed a wet-lab facility equipped with outdoor stream raceways; multi-sized, highly controlled mesocosm systems; and a computerized contaminant delivery system for stressor simulation in aquatic environments. The facility also included instrumentation to facilitate experimental assessments of ecological conditions. The facility has capabilities to simulate aquatic ecosystems and a variety of environmental conditions to evaluate ecological responses at multiple scales (Pearson and Galbraith 2016).

The facility was constructed in 1977 and has been operated by the DOI since October 1978.

Initially, the facility was operated by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Oversight of the facility was transitioned to the USGS in 1993, and operations ceased in 2019 (Kennedy 2019). GSA has contracted this Phase I Environmental Site Assessment to facilitate future disposition of the property.

The purpose of this Phase I ESA was to determine whether Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs), Controlled RECs (CRECs), or Historic RECs (HRECs) are associated with the Site. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process, Designation E 1527-13 (ASTM E 1527-13) defines a REC as “the presence or likely presence of any hazardous substances or petroleum products on a property under conditions that indicate an existing release, a past release, or a material threat of a release of any hazardous substances or petroleum products into structures on the property or into the ground, groundwater, or surface water of the property. The term includes hazardous substances or petroleum products even under conditions in compliance with laws. The term is not intended to include de minimis conditions that generally do not present a material risk or harm to public health or the environment and that generally would not be the subject of an enforcement action if brought to the attention of appropriate governmental agencies. Conditions determined to be de minimis are not recognized environmental conditions” (ASTM, 2013). A CREC is defined as “a recognized environmental condition resulting from a past release of hazardous

Phase I ESA Page 3 substances or petroleum products that has been addressed to the satisfaction of the applicable regulatory authority (for example, as evidenced by the issuance of a no further action letter or equivalent, or meeting risk-based criteria established by regulatory authority), with hazardous substances or petroleum products allowed to remain in place subject to the implementation of required controls (for example, property use restrictions, activity and use limitations, institutional controls, or engineering controls)” (ASTM, 2013). An HREC is defined as “an environmental condition which, in the past would have been considered a recognized environmental condition, but which may or may not be considered a recognized environmental condition currently” (ASTM, 2014).

1.2 DETAILED SCOPE OF SERVICES

Wood prepared this Phase I ESA based on reasonably ascertainable information and observations of the Site. The following tasks were conducted, which are in material compliance with those tasks established in ASTM E 1527-13:

Reviewed the history of the Site using reasonably ascertainable standard historical sources and interview with knowledgeable parties, as applicable and available;

Reviewed lists published by selected state and federal environmental regulatory agencies for records or comments pertaining to past or present environmental concerns at the Site and/or within specified "search distances" from the Site. These distances adhere to the standard search distances recommended in ASTM E1527-13. The lists we reviewed included but were not limited to the following:

o National Priorities List (NPL), also to include Proposed NPL and Delisted NPL sites.

The search radius is one mile;

o Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Information System (CERCLIS). This database contains sites that are proposed to be placed on the NPL, and sites that are in the screening and assessment phase for possible inclusion on the NPL. The search radius is one-half mile;

o CERCLIS-NFRAP - CERCLIS sites where no further remedial action is planned. The search radius is one-half mile;

o Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) listings, including TSDs (treatment, storage, and disposal facilities), SQGs (small-quantity generators), Phase I ESA Page 4 conditionally exempt SQGs, and LQGs, (large-quantity generators). The search radius for TSD facilities is one-half mile. The search area for the SQG and LQG facilities is one-quarter mile;

o Federal institutional controls/engineering controls registries includes listings from the Department of Navy from the Land Use Control Information System (LUCIS), and from the Environmental Protection Agency’s US Engineering Controls and US Institutional Controls listings. The search radius is one-half mile;

o Emergency Response Notification System (ERNS) list compiled by the U.S. Coast

Guard’s National Response Center. The search area is on the Site only;

o List of registered underground storage tanks (USTs) compiled by the state. The search area is one-quarter mile;

o Lists of leaking UST (LUST) systems, compiled by the state. The search radius is one-half mile;

o Lists of solid-waste facilities, landfills, and recycling facilities maintained by the state. The search radius is one-half mile;

o State Hazardous Waste Sites (SHWS) database of hazardous waste and substances sites compiled by the state. The search radius is one-half mile.

o List of Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) sites compiled by the state. The search radius is one-half mile; and o Brownfields Projects Inventories maintained by EPA. The search radius is one-half mile.

Wood also performed the following tasks as part of this assessment:

Conducted a "walk-over" reconnaissance of the Site, as set forth in E1527-13, to look for surficial indications of activities involving hazardous substances and petroleum products;

Conducted a vehicular reconnaissance in the vicinity of the Site to visibly determine if land use on adjacent properties creates the potential for an adverse environmental impact on the Site;

Reviewed the online available files for the Site on the Pennsylvania Department of

Environmental Protection (PADEP) website;

Phase I ESA Page 5

Review site-specific documents provided by USGS that pertained to facility operations and conditions; and

Prepared this written report that summarizes our observations, findings, and conclusions.

Our proposed scope of services for this Phase I ESA did not include sampling or evaluating buildings for asbestos or radon, evaluating ambient air quality, delineating wetlands, or testing of the soil, air, surface water, drinking water, or groundwater for chemical contaminants.

1.3 SIGNIFICANT ASSUMPTIONS

The Phase I ESA made significant assumptions regarding the Site. Wood assumes that the documents reviewed, and the individuals interviewed provided accurate and sufficient information to complete this assessment.

1.4 LIMITATIONS AND EXCEPTIONS

Our findings and opinions are relative to the date of our work and should not be relied on to represent conditions on other dates. These opinions are based on information obtained during the study and our experience. If additional information becomes available which might change our conclusions, we request the opportunity to review the information, reassess the potential concerns, and modify our opinions, if warranted.

Although this assessment has attempted to identify the potential for environmental impacts to the Site, potential sources of contamination may have escaped detection due to (1) the limited scope of this assessment, (2) the inaccuracy of public records, (3) the presence of undetected or unreported environmental incidents, (4) inaccessible areas, and/or (5) deliberate concealment of detrimental information.

Wood performed the reconnaissance of the Site on October 6, 2020. No visual limitations were noted during the visit that may have concealed relevant features or conditions of the Site, with

Phase I ESA Page 6 the following exceptions: 1) the roofs were not accessed and 2) unmaintained vegetation was present near the lagoons and the creek and obstructed the inspection these areas.

1.5 SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Our work was conducted in accordance with the terms and conditions presented in Wood’s proposal, dated July 15, 2020.

1.6 USER RELIANCE

This report, including its findings, opinions, and conclusions, is intended for the exclusive use and benefit of, and may be relied upon only by GSA and USGS for the project described in Wood’s proposal dated July 15, 2020. The scope of services performed in execution of this investigation may not be appropriate to satisfy the needs of other users, and any use or re-use of this document or the findings, conclusions, or recommendations presented is at the sole risk of said user. A prospective lender, buyer, seller, or other third party who wishes to rely on this report must first sign Wood’s Secondary Client Agreement.

Phase I ESA Page 7

2.0 SITE DESCRIPTION

This section provides the location, description, and geologic setting of the Site.

2.1 SITE LOCATION AND LEGAL DESCRIPTION

The Site is located at 176 Straight Run Road, in Wellsboro, Shippen Township, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Postal Zip Code 16901. The Site consists of three parcels, encompassing an area of approximately 54.88 acres (Tioga County Pa. 2020). The parcels are identified by Tioga County Tax ID of 32-01.00-067 according to the Tioga County GIS Data Viewer. The current owner of the property is listed as the United States of America.

2.2 SITE AND VICINITY GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

The Site gradually slopes to the south towards Marsh Creek. Areas on the eastern property boundary slope toward Straight Run. The Site is built up in the vicinity of the ponds and raceways, as well as the lagoon area on the southern portion of the Site. Discharge from the lagoons on Site occurs at an NPDES-permitted outfall to Marsh Creek. There is approximately 40 feet of relief between the raceway and pond areas and Marsh Creek. According to the USGS 7.5-minute Asaph and Kenneyville, Pennsylvania Topographic Quadrangles (USGS, 2013) the Site is approximately 1167 feet above mean sea level (ft-msl).

The Site main entrance is located near the intersection of Straight Run Road and Marsh Creek Road. Marsh Creek Road and Straight Run Road each cross a portion of the Site, as does the Pine Creek Rail Trail. The immediate area contains residential, agricultural, and undeveloped, forested land. Properties adjoining the Site to the west and north are residentially and agriculturally developed. Residential, agricultural, and undeveloped, forested properties are present beyond Marsh Creek and Straight Run to the east and south. The primary land usage beyond the adjacent properties consist of residential and undeveloped properties. A Site plan is provided as Figure 2.

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2.2.1 Soils

Based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS), there are 6 different soil units mapped across the Site. The table below describes these components and characteristics of each. The EDR Report contains a soil map illustrating the distribution of the local soil units and is included in Appendix A.

Soil Component

Name:

Soil Surface Texture:

Hydrologic Group:

Soil Drainage

Class:

Depth to Bedrock (Min):

Depth to Water Table

(Min):

Chenango Gravelly Loam Class A – High infiltration rates. Soils are deep, well drained to excessively drained sands and gravels.

Well drained >203 in. >0 in.

Pope Fine sandy loam Class B- Moderate infiltration rates. Deep and moderately deep, moderately well and well drained soils with moderately coarse textures.

Well drained >140 in. >0 in.

Wyoming, flooded

Gravelly sandy loam

Class A – high infiltration drained to excessively

Somewhat excessively drained

>228 in. >0 in.

Orrville Silt loam Class C- Slow infiltration rates. Soils with layers impeding downward movement of water, or soils with moderately fine or fine textures.

poorly

>140 in. >53 in.

Wayland Silty clay loam Class C/D- Drained/undrained hydrology class of soils that can be drained and classified.

Very poorly

>127 in. >0 in.

Wyoming Gravelly sandy loam

Class A- High infiltration drained to excessively excessively

>228 in. >0 in.

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2.2.2 Regional Geology

According to the USGS, the local bedrock geology includes units of the Upper Devonian Series of the Devonian System (Schruben and Bawiec 1994). The principal bedrock unit is identified as the Catskill Formation by the Pennsylvania Geological Survey (Berg, 1980). The Catskill Formation is comprised of “grayish-red sandstone, siltstone, shale, and mudstone; units of gray sandstone occur in upper part; lithologies in upper part arranged in fining-upward cycles” (Pennsylvania Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey 2001).

2.3 REGIONAL AND SITE HYDROGEOLOGY

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources data base Pennsylvania Groundwater Information System (PAGWIS), domestic and commercial water at and around the Site is primarily obtained from groundwater wells, at variable depths. Per conversation with the current Site owner representative, Mr. Adam Kotulka, the water utilized at the Site is obtained by on-Site private wells that are discussed in greater detail in Section 5.3.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC), provided USGS with a revised groundwater withdrawal permit (SRBC, 2003) that indicates site wells are installed in a predominantly sand and gravel valley fill, stratified drift aquifer, exceeding 100 feet in depth. Combined withdrawal from Wells identified as Well-1, Well-3, and Well-5 is permitted to be 4.32 million gallons per day (mgd, 3,000 gallons per minute [gpm]) with Well-5 withdrawal specified in the Permit as 1.44 mgd (1,000 gpm).

2.3.1 Surface Water

Surface water is extensively present in the form of constructed raceways, lined ponds, and lined lagoons. Flow in these systems is provided by site wells.

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In addition, Straight Run is present bordering the Site to the east, while Marsh Creek is present bordering the Site to the south. Straight Run discharges to Marsh Creek. USGS has maintained a surface water gaging station on Straight Run, upstream of the Site. The purpose of the gaging station is to monitor the flow of Straight Run to determine whether limitations should be made to groundwater pumping rates in the facility’s well field (Susquehanna River Basin Commission [SRBC], 2003). SRBC indicates in the Groundwater Withdrawal Permit for the site that the USGS determined Straight Run becomes a naturally losing stream as it flows from the bedrock and till-mantled uplands [to] over the valley fill aquifer [near] the facility. The stream naturally goes dry near the facility although the period of dry conditions may increase with groundwater pumping at the Site. USGS estimated that Straight Run may lose 4.5 cubic feet per second (cfs) and an additional 1 cfs due to peak wellfield pumping periods. Due to the loss of flow in Straight Run, SRBC imposed a withdrawal permit condition limiting pumping at the Site well field to equal the flow of Straight Run or 2000 gpm, whichever is greater, when flow in Straight Run is less than 3,000 gpm (6.7 cfs).

Site surface water discharges to a NPDES permitted outfall at Marsh Creek. Marsh Creek flows approximately three miles towards the south west before discharging to Pine Creek near Ansonia, Pennsylvania.

2.4 CURRENT USE OF THE PROPERTY

The Site is a non-operational, former research facility, occupied primarily by research and facility equipment, and facility infrastructure. The Site was operated as a research facility since its construction in 1977 through 2020. The Site is maintained and is currently in the process of being vacated for transfer of ownership.

2.5 DESCRIPTION OF STRUCTURES, ROADS, AND OTHER SITE IMPROVEMENTS

The on-Site building consists of a two-story structure which contains offices, research facilities, and storage areas. The interior has linoleum and concrete floors throughout the facility.

Fluorescent lights illuminate the structure. There are man-doors for access on the north, east, and

Phase I ESA Page 11 southern portions of the building, and a garage bay door is present on the southeast side of the building. Two garage buildings with four garage bay doors and man-doors for access are present on Site, one near the main building on-Site and one near the raceways and lined ponds on-Site.

The interior of these garage buildings are concrete floors, and no floor drains are present within these buildings. A water storage tank building is present east of the main building on-Site. The interior of this building has concrete floors, and floor drains within this building discharge to an underground isolation tank which is emptied by a contracted servicing company on an as needed basis.

Asphalt paved parking and driving areas surround the building and extend to the raceways and lined ponds areas. Additionally, paved Marsh Creek Road and gravel Straight Run Road intersect portions of the Site, as does the gravel Pine Creek Rail Trail. Six Lined surface water ponds and four concrete lined raceways are present in the northern portion of the property, and two lined lagoons are present on the southern portion of the property. Vegetated and maintained lawn areas are present throughout the property and wooded areas make up the periphery. An NPDES permitted outfall is present at Marsh Creek, bordering the Site to the south.

2.6 CURRENT USES OF ADJOINING PROPERTIES

The Site entrance is from Straight Run Road near the intersection of Straight Run Road and Marsh Creek Road. A portion of Straight Run Road, running north to south, intersects the Site on the western side of the Site. Marsh Creek Road bisects the south-central portion of the Site running east to west. A portion of the Pine Creek Rail Trail intersects the Site south of Marsh Creek Road.

Straight Run (an intermittent stream) borders the Site to the east, and Marsh Creek (a perennial creek) borders the Site to the south. Properties surrounding the Site are residential, agricultural, or undeveloped and forested land.

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3.0 USER PROVIDED INFORMATION

This section provides a summary the information provided by the user (Mr. Adam Kotulka) of USGS, who is, for the purposes of this document, the user, and the owner.

3.1 TITLE RECORDS

As specified in the project proposal, a legal chain of title records was obtained. The chain of title search was provided by EDR and is discussed in Section 4.4. Three parcels, identified by Tioga County Tax ID of 32-01.00-067 according to the Tioga County Property Assessment Tool, are currently identified as being owned by the United States of America.

3.2 ENVIRONMENTAL LIENS OR ACTIVITY USE LIMITATIONS

Wood obtained the chain of title search and a tax records search for the Site. No environmental liens or activity use limitations (AULs) have been identified on the recorded current or past deeds for the Site. Mr. Kotulka did not have any knowledge of environmental liens or AULs on the Site.

3.3 SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE

The occupant of the Site has been the Northern Appalachian Research Center since construct of the facility. This organization has specialized knowledge regarding the conditions relating to the production of wastes from fish rearing and research facilities. The USGS has indicated to Wood that the levels of wastes produced by a research facility are not equivalent of those produced by a fish rearing “hatchery” facility. Therefore, generalizations that are known to produce sediment at hatcheries impacted with certain contaminants related to food chain uptake might not be analogous to conditions at this Site.

3.4 COMMONLY KNOWN OR REASONABLY ASCERTAINABLE INFORMATION

According to the User, he stated that the Site was developed in the 1970’s and has historically been used for fish research.

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3.5 VALUATION REDUCTION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Mr. Kotulka indicated that he is does not have any knowledge of the fair market value of the property. No valuation reduction has been reported based on environmental issues.

3.6 OWNER, PROPERTY MANAGER AND OCCUPANT INFORMATION

The Site is currently owned by the United States of America. Mr. Adam Kotulka, a maintenance worker, answered questions pertaining to the Site that are provided in this section. No other interviews were conducted for this Phase I ESA.

3.7 REASON FOR PERFORMING PHASE I ESA

The reason for performing this Phase I ESA was to provide due diligence of the Site for the potential disposition of the property by GSA.

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4.0 RECORDS REVIEW

The majority of the information in the records review was provided by EDR. Additional information was gathered from PADEP.

4.1 PHYSICAL SETTING

Wood examined the USGS 7.5-minute topographic Asaph, PA and Keeneyville, PA quadrangles maps, both revision dated 2013. The Site is located at approximate latitude/longitude coordinates 41° 46’ 39” north latitude and -77° 23’ 55” west longitude. The Site is at an elevation of approximately 1167 ft-msl. The property slopes gradually, approximately 45 feet from the northern to the southern border of the Site, which is provided by Marsh Creek. Straight Run forms the eastern boundary of the site and changes from an elevation of approximately 1,200 ft-msl at the north to approximately 1,150 ft-msl at its mouth to Marsh Creek. The Site topography generally slopes towards Marsh Creek.

Two surface water bodies provide the eastern and southern borders of the Site. Straight run flows south along the eastern border of the Site, and discharges into Marsh Run. Marsh Run flows west for three miles until discharging into Pine Creek.

4.2 REGIONAL GEOLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY

The Site is located within the Glaciated High Plateau Section of the Appalachian Plateaus Province (Sevon 2000). Bedrock at the Site is composed of the Upper Devonian Catskill Formation (Berg 1980), a grayish-red sandstone, siltstone and shale unit of fining upward cyclic sequences.

Information on the geology and hydrogeology of the Site is provided in Sections 2.2 and 2.3.

4.3 ENVIRONMENTAL DATABASE INFORMATION

Wood reviewed Federal, state, and local environmental records pertaining to the Site and its vicinity. In performing this review, Wood used the services of EDR, a vendor specializing in the search and retrieval of governmental environmental databases. These Federal, state, and local databases include information regarding reported hazardous materials use and storage, facilities

Phase I ESA Page 15 that treat, store, dispose, or generate hazardous waste, solid waste landfills, transfer stations, and incinerators, leaking underground storage tanks, discharges of petroleum and other hazardous substances and reported incidents of contamination. The databases conform to the standard record sources identified in ASTM Standard Practice E1527-13. The EDR report is presented in Appendix A and includes (1) a street map showing the approximate locations of sites identified within a 1.0-mile radius of the Site; (2) a complete listing of findings; and (3) a description of the databases searched. Wood also searched the PADEP website eFacts (PADEP 2020) for environmental records pertaining to the Site and its vicinity. These local records include information regarding spills, fires, and local complaints and reported incidents of contamination.

Databases searched can be found in the EDR Radius Report provided in Appendix A.

The findings of the database search within the applicable radius are discussed in the following subsections, organized by location. Databases that do not have properties identified within the area searched are not listed.

4.3.1 Target Property (Site) Database Results

The Site is listed in the NPDES and UST database. The listing in the NPDES database refers to a NPDES discharge permit (PA0027677) for a Minor Industrial Waste (IW) Facility without effluent limitations guidelines (ELG) issued on August 27, 2019. Two NPDES violations are noted to be resolved on the PADEP eFACTS website, regarding violations of effluent limits in Part A of the facilities’ NPDES permit. No enforcement data was available regarding these effluent limit violations. Due to a lack of data regarding these violations, the Site records in the NPDES database do represent a REC in connection with the Site.

4.3.2 Off-Site Property Database Results

The EDR report provides information on properties surrounding the Site that are listed in radii searches of government databases as specified by the ASTM Standard Procedure. No properties were found in any database searched within a mile radius of the Site. Based on no findings present

Phase I ESA Page 16 in the databases for surrounding facilities, there are no REC, CREC, or HREC in connection with facilities surrounding the Site.

4.3.3 Orphan Properties Database Results

Additionally, EDR provides a search for orphan properties. Orphan properties are those sites that, due to poor or inadequate address information, could not be plotted on the map by EDR. One orphan property within the specified search radii to the Site was identified by EDR in their report.

The orphan property listed was in reference to the Site and is discussed below.

The Site is listed in the orphan properties UST database as registered for a 2500-gallon diesel fuel UST installed on December 1, 1990, and whose registration expired on August 4, 2020. The location of this UST was observed during the time of the Site reconnaissance, as outlined in Section 5.3.1.7. No specific information was provided on the dimensions of the tank other than capacity. However, a typical 2500-gallon tank, constructed by local major fabricator (Highland Tanks) for underground use is approximately 5.5 feet in diameter and 15 feet long. The tank location was observed to include a concrete pad with a fill access, a manhole and a test well. While no documentation or indication of a release has been attributed to this UST, violations regarding the tank leak detection system have been documented. Wood understands that USGS modernized this tank at some unidentified time to add an updated leak detection system, which presumably included the installation of the concrete cover and test well observed. Based on the tank age and use, and based on the installation of a leak detection system, which Wood understands has not detected product outside of the tank, Wood concludes that the potential for a significant release, capable of impacting local groundwater, is remote. Furthermore, it is Wood’s opinion that if surface spills had occurred prior to installation of the leak detection system, their impacts are likely de-minimis in nature.

4.4 HISTORICAL…