Exhibit D - Phase I ESA June 2023 Final.pdf

PHASE I ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT

± 28-ACRE PROPOSED PUBLIC WORKS AND

ANIMAL CONTROL FACILITES

CLARENDON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA

FOR

CLARENDON COUNTY

PHASE I ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT

± 28-ACRE PROPOSED PUBLIC WORKS AND

ANIMAL CONTROL FACILITES

CLARENDON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA

FOR

CLARENDON COUNTY

Prepared For:

Clarendon County

411 Sunset Drive

Manning, South Carolina 29102

Prepared By:

Alliance Consulting Engineers, Inc.

Post Office Box 8147

Columbia, South Carolina 29202

Project No. 23144-0014

June 2023

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment

Proposed Public Works and Animal Control Facilities i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 SUMMARY

2.0 INTRODUCTION

2.1 PURPOSE

2.2 DETAILED SCOPE OF SERVICES

2.3 SIGNIFICANT ASSUMPTIONS

2.4 LIMITATIONS AND EXCEPTIONS

2.5 SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

3.0 SITE DESCRIPTION

3.1 LOCATION AND LEGAL DESCRIPTION

3.2 SITE AND VICINITY GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

3.3 CURRENT SITE USE

3.4 PAST SITE USE AND OWNERSHIP

3.5 ADJOINING PROPERTY USES

3.6 DRAINAGE

4.0 REGULATORY RECORDS REVIEW

5.0 SITE RECONNAISSANCE

5.1 METHODOLOGY AND LIMITING CONDITIONS

5.2 EXTERIOR OBSERVATIONS

5.3 INTERIOR OBSERVATIONS

6.0 INTERVIEWS

7.0 FINDINGS AND OPINIONS

8.0 CONCLUSIONS

9.0 DEVIATIONS

10.0 REFERENCES

11.0 SIGNATURES OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS

12.0 STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS

ii

LIST OF EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT A VICINITY MAP

EXHIBIT B SITE LOCATION MAP

EXHIBIT C AERIAL MAP

EXHIBIT D TOPOGRAPHIC MAP

EXHIBIT E SOILS MAP

EXHIBIT F FEMA FLOOD MAP

EXHIBIT G NATIONAL WETLANDS INVENTORY (NWI) MAP

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE 1 - ADJOINING PROPERTY OWNERS

TABLE 2 - SITES WITHIN APPROXIMATE MINIMUM SEARCH DISTANCE

TABLE 3 - OBSERVED EXTERIOR CONDITIONS OR ITEMS

LIST OF APPENDICES

APPENDIX A – PHOTOGRAPHS

APPENDIX B – ENVIRONMENTAL DATA REPORTS

APPENDIX C – INTERVIEW DOCUMENTATION

APPENDIX D – SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONAL’S RESUME

1.0 SUMMARY

This report is prepared for use by Clarendon County and presents the findings of a Phase

I Environmental Site Assessment) of the approximately twenty-eight (28)-Acre Property for the

Proposed Public Works and Animal Control Facilities located along US Highway 301 near the

Alcolu Community in unincorporated Clarendon County, South Carolina. The subject property is identified as Clarendon County Tax Map Numbers (TMS#) 185-00-02-017-00

(8.5 Acres portion), 185-00-03-002-00 (12.8 Acres), and 185-00-03-027-00 (6.7 Acres). The subject property is currently owned by Edwards Wood Products, Inc., which will be further detailed in Section 3.4 – Past Site Use and Ownership. Clarendon requested and authorized that

Alliance Consulting Engineers, Inc. conduct a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment to satisfy the Landowner Liability Protections in conjunction with Due Diligence for the subject property.

Alliance Consulting Engineers, Inc. conducted a site reconnaissance on June 19, 2023, to determine if the subject property is subject to recognized environmental conditions. Tasks conducted during the site reconnaissance included observation of the general hydraulic and hydrogeologic conditions of the subject property and surrounding areas, a vehicular tour of the vicinity to observe sites identified during the records review, and a pedestrian reconnaissance to assist in determining the history of the subject property. No items observed during the site reconnaissance were identified as RECs with regard to the subject property.

Two (2) facilities were identified within the approximate minimum search distance in the vicinity of the subject property as a result of the records review. Based on the regulatory records and interviews with key government officials, the facilities identified during the records review are not considered recognized environmental conditions with regard to the subject property. The results of the records review will be further detailed in Section 7.0 – Findings and

Opinions.

2.0 INTRODUCTION

2.1 Purpose

The purpose of this Phase I ESA is to determine if the approximately twenty-eight (28)-Acre Property for the Proposed Public Works and Animal

Control Facilities is subject to Recognized Environmental Conditions

(RECs). The Phase I ESA has been performed in general conformance with the provisions set forth in the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E1527-

21 Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site

Assessment Process. Per the approval of the United States Environmental Protection

Agency (USEPA), which went into effect on February 13, 2023, an assessment performed in accordance with this standard meets requirements for All Appropriate Inquiry (AAI) as per 40 CFR Part 312 and may permit the user to qualify for certain Landowner Liability

Protections (LLPs). This Phase I ESA has been conducted to satisfy the requirements of

AAI rule as detailed in 40 CFR Part 312.20E. ASTM defines the term, recognized environmental conditions, as the presence or likely presence of any hazardous substances or petroleum products in, on, or at a property due to a release or likely releases to the environment; under conditions indicative of a release to the environment; or under conditions that pose a material threat of a future release to the environment. Under this definition likely is defined as a condition which is neither certain nor proved, but can be expected or believed by a reasonable observer based on the logic and/or experience or the environmental professional, and/or available evidence, as stated in this report to support the opinions given; and environment is defined as the navigable waters, the waters of the contiguous zone, and the ocean waters of which the natural resources are under the exclusive management authority of the United States under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery

Conservation and Management Act; and any other surface water, groundwater, drinking water supply, land surface or sub-surface strata, or ambient air within the United States or under the jurisdiction of the United States. De minimis conditions are not Recognized

Environmental Conditions.

2.2 Detailed Scope of Services

The scope of this assessment was restricted to the environmental conditions as outlined in the ASTM E1527-21 Standard Practice. The findings, opinions, and conclusions presented in this report are based on information obtained during the environmental site assessment, as well as from Alliance Consulting Engineers, Inc.'s prior experience. If additional information that might impact these environmental conclusions becomes available, it is requested that Alliance Consulting Engineers, Inc.

be granted the opportunity to review the information and reassess any potential concerns.

This assessment does not constitute an environmental compliance audit and does not include an assessment of environmental conditions associated with cultural and historical risks, protected and endangered species, vapor intrusion, or controlled substances. In order to accomplish the stated objectives, the following engineering services were performed:

A. A site reconnaissance to the property to visually and/or physically observe the site conditions relative to environmental concerns;

B. A pedestrian and vehicular reconnaissance of the subject property and surrounding areas to determine if obvious adjacent land use might suggest potential environmental concerns;

C. A query of reasonably ascertainable environmental records available from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control

(SCDHEC) and the US EPA;

D. A review of select available documents to aid in assessing the historical and current uses of the subject property and adjoining properties;

E. A brief, qualitative hydraulic evaluation of the subject property and vicinity to characterize the area drainage patterns; and

F Interviews with the Key Site Manager, a person identified by the owner or operator of the subject property with good knowledge of the uses and physical characteristics of the subject property, a representative of the prospective user, and local government officials.

This Phase I ESA and its findings are limited to the subject property. No investigations or assessments of adjoining properties, beyond historical property use examinations, were included within the scope of this Phase I ESA.

2.3 Significant Assumptions

The following are assumptions of this Phase I ESA:

• Data obtained from the public records is accurate and current;

• Groundwater flows follow the general topography of the land surface; and

• Information gathered from interviews was given in good faith and is based on actual knowledge.

2.4 Limitations and Exceptions

The practice of completing a Phase I ESA is intended to permit a user to satisfy one (1) of the requirements to qualify for the Landowner Liability Protections (LLPs) that constitutes all appropriate inquiry into the previous ownership and uses of the property consistent with good commercial or customary practice. As such, ASTM E1527-21 seeks to reduce, but not eliminate, uncertainty regarding recognized environmental conditions in connection with the subject property. Further, all appropriate inquiry does not imply an exhaustive assessment of real property, but instead calls for the environmental professional to identify a balance between competing demands of limited cost and time and the reduction of uncertainty about unknown conditions.

The findings, opinions, and conclusions presented in this report are based on reasonably ascertainable information and are representative of the conditions of the property at the time of the evaluation. It is important to note the ability to complete the services involved with the review of public records and maps as well as the ability to conduct interviews with appropriate individuals is highly dependent upon the time frame of the project schedule. In some instances, further review of information and/or additional interviews of other individuals cannot be obtained within the required timeline for completion.

2.5 Special Terms and Conditions

This report is prepared for the use of Clarendon County and presents the findings of a Phase I ESA of the approximately twenty-eight (28)-Acre Property for the Proposed

Public Works and Animal Control Facilities. Any use, reuse, or adaptation of this environmental site assessment by other parties will be at such parties’ sole risk and without liability or legal exposure to Alliance Consulting Engineers, Inc. Furthermore, other parties shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify and hold harmless

Alliance Consulting Engineers, Inc. from all claims, damages, losses, and expenses, including attorney’s fees resulting from the misuse of or alterations to the data contained within the environmental site assessment.

3.0 SITE DESCRIPTION

A Vicinity Map, Site Location Map, Aerial Map, Topographic Map, Soils Map, Federal

Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Map, and National Wetlands Inventory (NWI)

Map were prepared by Alliance Consulting Engineers, Inc. dated June 9, 2023, depicting the property and are presented in Exhibits A through G, respectively. The Site Location Map is derived from the South Carolina Department of Transportation’s (SCDOT) Highway Map of

Clarendon County dated 2016. The Aerial Map is derived from the United States Department of

Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (USDA-NRCS) Geospatial Gateway

Data dated 2021 for Clarendon County. The Topographic Map is derived from the United States

Geological Survey’s (USGS) Quadrangle Map for Manning and Tearcoat Branch dated 2020.

The Soils Map is derived from the USDA-NRCS Soil Datamart dated 2019. The FEMA Flood

Map is derived from the FEMA Flood Map Catalog; Panel No. 45027C0113C, 45027C0115C, 45027C0251C, 45027C0252C, 45027C0253C, 45027C0254C, 45027C0258C, and

45027C0260C dated August 19, 2013. The NWI Map is obtained from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service Online Mapper.

3.1 Location and Legal Description

The approximately twenty-eight (28)-Acre Property for the Proposed Public

Works and Animal Control Facilities located along US Highway 301 near the Alcolu

Community in unincorporated Clarendon County, South Carolina. The subject property is comprised of Clarendon County TMS# 185-00-02-017-00 (8.5 Acres portion), 185-00-03-002-00 (12.8 Acres), and 185-00-03-027-00 (6.7 Acres) and is currently owned by Edwards Wood Products, Inc.

CLARENDON

BERKELEY

WILLIAMSBURG

GEORGETOWN

HORRY

JASPER

CHARLESTON

HAMPTON COLLETON

DORCHESTER

ORANGEBURG

BAMBERG

ALLENDALE

BARNWELL

AIKEN

EDGEFIELD

McCORMICK RICHLAND SUMTER

MARION

FLORENCE

DILLONDARLINGTON

MARLBORO

KERSHAW

CHESTERFIELD

LANCASTER

YORK

CHEROKEE

SPARTANBURGGREENVILLE

CHESTERUNION

NEWBERRY

SALUDA

ABBEVILLE

LAURENS

GREENWOOD

ANDERSON

PICKENS

OCONEE

LEE

BEAUFORT

FAIRFIELD

CALHOUN

LEXINGTON

Walhalla

Pickens Greenville Spartanburg

Gaffney York

Union Chester Lancaster Chesterfield

Bennettsville

Dillon

Darlington

Florence

Marion

Conway

Georgetown

Kingstree

Bishopville

Camden

Laurens Anderson

Abbeville

Greenwood

Newberry

McCormick

Edgefield

Saluda Lexington

Sumter

Manning St. Matthews

Aiken

Barnwell

Bamberg

Orangeburg

Moncks Corner

St. George

Allendale

Hampton Walterboro

Ridgeland Beaufort

Columbia

Winnsboro

Charleston

PAXVILLE

MANNING

TURBEVILLE

SUMMERTON

LAKE

MARION

PHASE I ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT

FLEET MAINTENANCE/PUBLIC WORKS

CLARENDON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA

VICINITY MAP

± 28 Acres

PREPARED BY:

ALLIANCE CONSULTING ENGINEERS, INC.

JUNE 9, 2023

EXHIBIT A

GRAPHIC SCALE: MILES

0 0.5 1.0 2.0

± 28 Acres

PHASE I ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT

FLEET MAINTENANCE/PUBLIC WORKS

CLARENDON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA

SITE LOCATION MAP

N

EXIT 122

CSX RAILROAD

CSX RAILROAD

CSX RAILROAD

SITE

EXIT 119

EXIT 115

PREPARED BY:

ALLIANCE CONSULTING ENGINEERS, INC.

INFORMATION FROM:

SCDOT HIGHWAY MAP

CLARENDON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA

DATED: 2023

EXHIBIT B

GRAPHIC SCALE

PREPARED BY:

ALLIANCE CONSULTING ENGINEERS, INC.

INFORMATION FROM:

CLARENDON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA

USDA NRCS GEOSPATIAL GATEWAY

DATED 2019

0 1,000' 2,000' 4,000'

± 28 Acres

PHASE I ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT

FLEET MAINTENANCE/PUBLIC WORKS

CLARENDON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA

AERIAL MAP

N

SUM

TER HIGHW

AY

JUNE BURN ROAD

GEORGIA PACIFIC ROAD

TRINITY CHURCH ROAD

EXIT 122

CSX RAILROAD

CSX

R

AI

LR

OAD

SITE

EXHIBIT C

CONTOUR INTERVAL 5 FEET

JUNE 9, 2023

0 1,000' 2,000' 4,000'

± 28 Acres

PHASE I ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT

FLEET MAINTENANCE/PUBLIC WORKS

CLARENDON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA

TOPOGRAPHIC MAP

N

SUM

TER HIGHW

AY

JUNE BURN ROAD

GEORGIA PACIFIC ROAD

TRINITY CHURCH ROAD

EXIT 122

CSX RAILROAD

CSX

R

AI

LR

OAD

PREPARED BY:

ALLIANCE CONSULTING ENGINEERS, INC.

INFORMATION FROM:

CLARENDON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA

USGS DATA

DATED: 2020

SITE

EXHIBIT D

LEGENDSoil TypeClarendon (Cd)Lynchburg (Ly)Rains (Ra)Rutlege (Ru)HSGBB/DA/DA/D

JUNE 9, 2023

0 1,000' 2,000' 4,000'

± 28 Acres

PHASE I ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT

FLEET MAINTENANCE/PUBLIC WORKS

CLARENDON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA

SOILS MAP

N

SUM

TER HIGHW

AY

JUNE BURN ROAD

GEORGIA PACIFIC ROAD

TRINITY CHURCH ROAD

EXIT 122

CSX RAILROAD

CSX

R

AI

LR

OAD

SITE

LEGEND

Soil Type

Clarendon (Cd)

Rains (Ra)

HSG

B

A/D

Ra

Cd

PREPARED BY:

ALLIANCE CONSULTING ENGINEERS, INC.

INFORMATION FROM:

CLARENDON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA

USDA NRCS SOIL DATAMART

DATED 2019

EXHIBIT E

LEGEND

ZONE A/AE - Areas of 100-Year FloodZONE X - Areas of Minimal Flooding

GRAPHIC SCALE

JUNE 9, 2023

0 1,000' 2,000' 4,000'

± 28 Acres

PHASE I ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT

FLEET MAINTENANCE/PUBLIC WORKS

CLARENDON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA

FEMA FLOOD MAP

N

SUM

TER HIGHW

AY

JUNE BURN ROAD

GEORGIA PACIFIC ROAD

TRINITY CHURCH ROAD

EXIT 122

CSX RAILROAD

CSX RAILROAD

SITE

PREPARED BY:

ALLIANCE CONSULTING ENGINEERS, INC.

INFORMATION FROM:

FEMA FLOOD MAP CATALOG

PANEL NO. 45027C0113C, 45027C0115C,

45027C0251C, 45027C0252C, 45027C0253C, 45027C0254C, 45027C0258C, 45027C0260C

DATED AUGUST 2013

LEGEND

ZONE A/AE - Areas of 100-Year Flood

ZONE X - Areas of Minimal Flooding

EXHIBIT F

0 1,000' 2,000' 4,000'

± 28 Acres

PHASE I ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT

FLEET MAINTENANCE/PUBLIC WORKS

CLARENDON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA

NATIONAL WETLANDS INVENTORY MAP

N

SUM

TER HIGHW

AY

JUNE BURN ROAD

GEORGIA PACIFIC ROAD

TRINITY CHURCH ROAD

EXIT 122

CSX RAILROAD

CSX RAILROAD

SITE

PREPARED BY:

ALLIANCE CONSULTING ENGINEERS, INC.

INFORMATION FROM:

WETLAND ONLINE MAPPER

CREDIT: US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

EXHIBIT G

3.2 Site and Vicinity General Characteristics

The Property for the Proposed Public Works and Animal Control Facilities is located approximately two (2) miles northeast of the City of Manning, Clarendon

County, approximately two (2) miles southeast of the Alcolu Community, Clarendon

County, approximately thirteen (16) miles southeast of the City of Sumter, Sumter

County, and approximately fifty-two (52) miles southeast of the Capital City of

Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina. The subject property is also located approximately one and one half (1.5) miles southeast of the intersection of US Highway

521 and Interstate 95 at Exit 122. The subject property is bound to the north and east by forested land, to the west by US Highway 301, and to the south by the Community

Deliverance Temple. US Highway 301 is a two (2)-lane paved roadway that extends along the western boundary and provides access to the subject property.

3.3 Current Site Use

The subject property encompasses approximately twenty-eight (28) Acres and is currently forested land with an eight and one half (8.5) Acre portion housing covered sheds formerly used by Edwards Wood Products, Inc. The forested portion of the subject property is currently zoned Performance (PZ) per Clarendon County Zoning Ordinances.

PZ designates lands that may include a single use or combination of a variety of housing types with commercial, civic, or industrial uses. The currently occupied portion of the subject property is currently zoned Industrial 1 (IND 1) per Clarendon County Zoning

Ordinances. IND 1 designates lands for manufacturing, fabrication, and distribution use with no commercial or industrial uses permitted. While there are other underground utilities assumed to be nearby, their location is beyond the scope of this Phase I ESA.

Photographs of the subject property are presented in Appendix A.

3.4 Past Site Use and Ownership

A review of the Clarendon County Tax Maps and recorded deeds and plats, indicate that the subject property is comprised of TMS# 185-00-02-017-00, 185-00-03-002-00, and 185-00-03-027-00. Information gathered from review of

Clarendon County Tax Maps, recorded deeds and plats, and personal interviews indicate that the subject property has primarily been forested land until the addition of the covered sheds on the southern parcel. The reasonably ascertainable ownership histories of the parcels identified are presented below.

Clarendon County Tax Map Number 185-00-02-017-00 (8.5-Acre portion)

December 18, 2015: Edwards Wood Products, Inc. acquired the property from J. C.

Witherspoon Jr., Inc.

December 28, 2010: J. C. Witherspoon Jr., Inc. acquired a portion of the property from

Witherspoon Enterprises, LLC.

December 14, 2006: Witherspoon Enterprises, LLC. acquired a portion of the property from Emory Mixon and J. C. Witherspoon, Jr.

September 14, 1990: Emory Mixon and J. C. Witherspoon, Jr. acquired a portion of the property from J. C. Witherspoon, Jr., Inc.

January 30, 1989: J. C. Pelfrey acquired a portion of the property from Southern

Wood Piedmont Company.

December 7, 1973: Southern Wood Piedmont Company acquired a portion of the property from James E. King, et al.

Clarendon County Tax Map Number 185-00-03-002-00 (12.8-Acres)

April 4, 2017: Edwards Wood Products, Inc. acquired the property from

Deborah P. Spigner.

January 28, 2017: Deborah P. Spigner acquired the property from Deborah P.

Spigner, J. C. Pelfrey, J. Wayne Pelfrey, Jr.

December 1, 2015: Deborah P. Spigner, J. C. Pelfrey, J. Wayne Pelfrey, Jr. acquired the property from Joe Curtis Pelfrey, Sr.

January 30, 1989: Joe Curtis Pelfrey, Sr. acquired the property from Southern Wood

Piedmont Company.

Clarendon County Tax Map Number 185-00-03-027-00 (6.7-Acres)

April 4, 2017: Edwards Wood Products, Inc. acquired the property from

Deborah P. Spigner.

January 28, 2017: Deborah P. Spigner acquired the property from Deborah P.

Spigner, J. C. Pelfrey, J. Wayne Pelfrey, Jr.

December 1, 2015: Deborah P. Spigner, J. C. Pelfrey, J. Wayne Pelfrey, Jr. acquired the property from Joe Curtis Pelfrey, Sr.

August 13, 1987: Joe Curtis Pelfrey, Sr. acquired the property from Southern Wood

Piedmont Company.

3.5 Adjoining Property Uses

Adjacent and adjoining properties are primarily forested or industrial in nature.

Six (6) properties are located adjacent to the subject property, and information for the owners of the adjoining properties can be found in Table 1.

TABLE 1 - ADJOINING PROPERTY OWNERS

Tax Map No. Acreage Property Owner Boundary Direction

185-00-03-003-00 188.83 James F. Alderman North and East

185-00-03-026-00 2.4 Deborah P. Spigner South

185-00-02-017-00 24.11

(Remainder) Edwards Wood Products, Inc. West

185-00-02-009-00 3.27 J. C. Witherspoon, Jr., Inc. West

185-00-02-007-00 3 Joe C. Pelfrey, Jr. West

185-00-02-008-00 1.4 Joe C. Pelfrey, Jr. West

3.6 Drainage

Surface and subsurface drainage is often of interest during an Environmental Site

Assessment because it provides an indication of the direction in which contaminants could potentially be transported by surface waters or groundwater. Based upon a review of Clarendon County’s FEMA Flood Map (Exhibit F), it appears the subject property is identified in Zone X, which designates areas of minimal flooding. A review of the NWI

Map (Exhibit G) indicates a small area of Freshwater Forested/Shrub potential wetlands on the subject property. Per the Clarendon County Soil Survey (Exhibit E), the subject property is comprised of Clarendon (Cd) and Rains (Ra) series soils. Clarendon series soils are of Hydraulic Soil Group (HSG) B. Soils in HSG B are moderately drained with moderate permeability. Rains series soils are of HSG A/D. Soils in HSG A are well drained with high permeability and soils in HSG D have very poor drainage with very slow permeability and are typically shallow over nearly impervious material. Dual class soils follow the drainage and permeability of their first HSG group when present in drained locations. Only soils in HSG D in their natural condition are assigned to dual classes. Since perimeter soil characteristics are neither conducive nor restrictive of passage of contaminants to the subject property due to average drainage, it is unlikely that soil composition will have much bearing on whether contaminants from off-site locations will impact the subject property.

The subject property is comprised of negligible slopes. The precise direction of groundwater flow is a parameter that is not always easily discernible for a particular site and is beyond the scope of this assessment. A USGS Topographic Map dated 2020

(Exhibit D) was used to characterize suspected drainage patterns on the subject property.

Based on the topography of the subject property, it is believed that stormwater will meander south toward the Pocataligo River.

4.0 REGULATORY RECORDS REVIEW

One (1) primary purpose of this Phase I ESA was to perform a sufficient assessment to identify obvious, actual, and potential sources of contamination that might be associated with the subject property in question. Information related to the past and present use of the subject property is of extreme interest in assessing its environmental condition. Recognition of the manner in which human activities have affected a tract of land is vital in evaluating the impact that these activities may have had on the subject property and the environment.

Alliance Consulting Engineers, Inc. utilized the services of its sub-consultant, Environmental Data Resources, Inc. (EDR), to query the environmental regulatory lists available through the US EPA and

SCDHEC for any regulated sites within the approximate minimum search distance from the subject property boundary. A detailed list of database acronyms is included in the Environmental

Data Reports dated May 30, 2023, which are presented in their entirety as Appendix B.

Two (2) facilities were identified within the limits of the approximate minimum search distance of the subject property boundary on the EDR Radius Map Report (Appendix B). The sites are presented in Table 2.

TABLE 2 - SITES WITHIN APPROXIMATE MINIMUM SEARCH DISTANCE

SITE OR FACILITY

DISTANCE

(mi)*

DIRECTION LISTING

East Coast Industrial Services, Inc. 0.005 SW SWF / LF

J.C. Witherspoon, Jr., Inc. 0.099 SSW LUST, UST, RCR, GWCI

* Distances are measured radially from the centroid of the property boundary.

In addition to the records review, EDR completed an Aerial Photo Decade Package, Certified Sanborn Map Report, Historical Topographic Map Report, and City Directory Image

Report for the subject property (Appendix B). Historical aerial photographs documenting the uses of the subject property for 1957, 1961, 1964, 1972, 1974, 1983, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2006, 2011, 2015, and 2019 were included within the report. The subject property and adjoining properties appear to have been undeveloped forested land and industrial land. US Highway 301 is present near the subject property with a residential dwelling in the image dated 1957. A wood processing facility appears on the adjacent property in the image dated 1972. An industrial facility appears on the southern portion of the subject property in the image dated 1983. With the exception of outside storage and trailers moving around, there does not appear to be any discernible changes from the image dated 1983 to present.

The Certified Sanborn Map Report for the subject property completed by

EDR indicated that fire insurance maps were not available for the subject property. The Historical Topographic Map Report includes topographic data collected in 1920, 1921, 1944, 1947, 1980, 2014, 2017, and 2020 of the subject property. The

City Directory Image Report for the subject property completed by EDR provides occupancy information obtained via USA Services for addresses located off of US Highway 301, adjacent to the subject property, for 2005, 2010, 2014, 2017, and 2020.

To assist in determining the possibility of hazardous substances or petroleum products in the subsurface environment through vapor migration to the subject property from facilities within the approximate minimum search distance of the subject property, Alliance Consulting

Engineers, Inc. consulted the EDR Vapor Encroachment Screen (VEC) prepared using EDR’s

Vapor Encroachment Worksheet, which references databases comprising of facilities likely correlated with hazardous substance or petroleum product vapor contamination due to typical operations at the facilities. A Vapor Encroachment Screen conducted in accordance with ASTM

E 2600-10: Vapor Encroachment Screening is used to identify, to the extent feasible pursuant to ASTM E 2600-10, if a VEC exists at the property. ASTM E 2600-10 defines a VEC as the presence or likely presence of hazardous substances or petroleum product vapors in the subsurface of the subject property caused by the release of vapors from contaminated soil or groundwater either on or near the property. ASTM E1527-21 states that a Vapor Encroachment

Screen is not required to achieve compliance with all appropriate inquiries; however, a Vapor

Encroachment Screen can be useful in conducting an environmental site assessment of a subject property to assist in determining whether hazardous substance or petroleum product vapors are migrating towards the property. ASTM E1527-21 describes migration as the movement of hazardous substances or petroleum products in any form, including solid and liquid at the surface or subsurface, and vapor in the subsurface. The Vapor Encroachment Screen conducted for approximately twenty-eight (28)-Acre Property for the Proposed Public Works and Animal

Control Facilities indicated there were no facilities within the approximate minimum search distance from the subject property therefore there are no VECs with regard to the subject property.

ASTM E1527-21 states that all obvious uses of the subject property shall be identified from the present, back to the property’s first developed use, or back to 1940, whichever is earlier.

A review of standard historical sources at less than approximately five (5) year intervals is not required by ASTM E1527-21. The standard also states that if the specific use of the subject property appears unchanged over a period of longer than five (5) years, then it is not required to research the use of the subject property during that time. A portion of the subject property appears to have been developed since 1983, per the Aerial Photo Decade Package and appears to have remained unchanged to present and review of standard historical sources can be considered complete.

5.0 SITE RECONNAISSANCE

5.1 Methodology and Limiting Conditions

Alliance Consulting Engineers, Inc. performed a site reconnaissance of the subject property on June 19, 2023. The subject property was observed by traversing the perimeter and interior of the property. The reconnaissance involved viewing adjoining properties and structures from publicly accessible areas. Observation of nearby properties was limited to areas visible in the line of sight from public roadways. A vehicular tour of the area was made to confirm the locations of facilities listed by regulatory agencies and to verify nearby land use.

5.2 Exterior Observations

Exterior conditions or items that were observed are depicted in Table 3.

TABLE 3 - OBSERVED EXTERIOR CONDITIONS OR ITEMS

Conditions or Items Observed If yes, describe

a. above ground storage tanks Yes Steel caged plastic tanks present.

b. underground storage tanks No

c. pipelines/utility lines No

d. damaged/leaking transformers No

e. surface impoundment/holding ponds No

f. monitoring wells No

g. remedial cleanup activity No

h. landfill/burial activity No

i. chemical/petroleum spills or releases No

j. gas/oily sheens on water

(excluding parking lot ponding) No

k. chemical/petroleum odors No

l. stained or discolored soil No

m. distressed/discolored vegetation

(chemically impacted) No

n. dumping No

o. stored substances/drums/ containers/vats Yes

55-gallon drums present. No discoloration around drums.

p. spray rigs/tankers/mobile storage tanks No

q. marshes/low lying wetlands No

r. air emission facilities No

5.3 Interior Observations

Interior observations during the site reconnaissance showed the interior of covered, open-air sheds on the subject property. Photos can be seen in Appendix A.

Drums and steel caged plastic tanks were present in and around these sheds and will be discussed further in Section 7.0 – Findings and Opinions

6.0 INTERVIEWS

On July 24, 2023, Mr. Jeffrey Edwards, the Owner of the subject property, indicated that to the best of his knowledge and belief there are currently no known nor have been any environmental liens or governmental notifications relating to environmental laws; nor any past, threatened, or pending lawsuits or administrative proceedings concerning a release or threatened release of hazardous substances or petroleum products on the property. Mr. Edwards did not have any additional knowledge of any hazardous substances, petroleum products, unidentified waste materials, tires, automotive or industrial batteries, or other waste materials being dumped above grade, buried, and/or burned on the subject property. This correspondence is included in

Appendix C.

On June 28, 2023, Mr. David Epperson, the End User of this Phase I ESA indicated that to the best of his knowledge and belief there are currently no known nor have been any environmental liens or governmental notifications relating to environmental laws; nor any past, threatened, or pending lawsuits or administrative proceedings concerning a release or threatened release of hazardous substances or petroleum products on the subject property. This correspondence is included in Appendix C.

7.0 FINDINGS AND OPINIONS

During the records review and site reconnaissance, the subject property features, activities, uses and conditions, which may indicate the presence or likely presence of hazardous substances or petroleum products at the subject property, were reviewed to determine if the findings, but not necessarily all findings, may be indicative of a recognized environmental concern (REC), controlled environmental concern (CREC), historical environmental concern

(HREC), or de minimus conditions.

J. C. Witherspoon, Jr., Inc. (Witherspoon) is located 0.099 miles south-southwest and downgradient of the subject property. Witherspoon is listed on the Leaking Underground

Storage Tank (LUST) database, Underground Storage Tank (UST) database, Registry of

Conditional Remedies (RCR) database, and Groundwater Contamination Inventory (GWCI) database. Witherspoon is on the LUST database for two (2) simultaneous Class 2BB releases.

These Class 2BB releases were on June 30, 1993, with cleanup initiated on January 11, 1995, and a No Further Action (NFA) determination for both releases on June 17, 2003. A Class 2BB release indicates that water supply wells are less than one thousand (1,000) feet downgradient from the release. These releases’ financial liability is listed as DS which indicates the release qualified for coverage by State Underground Petroleum Response Bank (SUPERB) and work was done directly by SCDHEC. Witherspoon is listed on the UST database for three (3) abandoned tanks. These tanks include two (2) Gasoline tanks of unknown volume and one (1)

Diesel tank of unknown volume. Witherspoon is on the RCR database due to the releases of benzene naphthalene and benzene ethylbenzene naphthalene that contaminated the groundwater during the LUST releases. The Conditional Remedy for attaining levels below the Conditional

Use Maximum Contaminant Level (CU-MCL) was met on June 17, 2003, leading to the NFA determination mentioned previously. Witherspoon is on the GWCI database because of the groundwater contamination that occurred in 1993 and was later given an NFA determination.

Based on the regulatory records indicating an NFA determination in regard to the groundwater contamination from the LUST releases, and Witherspoon being downgradient of the subject property, it is the opinion of the environmental professional that Witherspoon is not considered an REC with regard to the subject property.

During the site reconnaissance there were several drums and steal caged plastic tanks on site. None of the noted drums or tanks appeared to show any sign of deterioration or leakage. There was also no discoloration or dead vegetation around any of the drums or tanks.

It is the opinion of the environmental professional that if the noted drums and tanks are properly and carefully removed without incident, the drums and tanks are not considered an REC with regard to the subject property.

8.0 CONCLUSIONS

The Phase I ESA has been performed in conformance with the scope and limitations of

ASTM E1527-21: Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments of the subject property.

Any exceptions to, or deletions from, this practice are described in Section 9.0 of this report.

This assessment has revealed no evidence of a recognized environmental condition in connection with the approximately twenty-eight (28)-Acre Property for the Proposed Public

Works and Animal Control Facilities. No further environmental assessment is needed at this time.

9.0 DEVIATIONS

Alliance Consulting Engineers, Inc. project personnel have attempted to prepare this

Phase I ESA in conformance with ASTM E 1527-21: Standard Practice for Environmental Site

Assessments, which was approved on February 13, 2023, and to our knowledge and practice have not deviated from the standard.

10.0 REFERENCES

1. ASTM E 1527-21 Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I

Environmental Site Assessment Process. West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM

International, 2021.

2. Gerald, Talbert R., Soil Survey of Clarendon County, South Carolina. US

Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, in Cooperation with

South Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station and South Carolina Land

Resources Conservation Commission, 1976.

3. Clarendon County Registry of Deeds, Clarendon County, South Carolina. Accessed

June 27, 2023.

12.0 STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS

Alliance Consulting Engineers, Inc. is a South Carolina based consulting engineering firm engaged in the practice of civil and environmental engineering. The firm was founded in

2004, and has offices located in Columbia, South Carolina; Bluffton, South Carolina; Greenville, South Carolina; Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. The staff of Alliance

Consulting Engineers, Inc. currently consists of two (2) principals, two (2) senior project managers, one (1) project manager, two (2) senior project engineers, three (3) project engineer, six (6) engineering associates, four (4) CAD technicians, two (2) regional managers, five (5) business development directors, one (1) design associate, and two (2) senior administrative assistants. Alliance Consulting Engineers, Inc.’s staff includes eleven (11) registered

Professional Engineers, ten (10) LEED Green Associates, and the firm is properly licensed to practice engineering in South Carolina and twelve (12) other states.

The firm is regularly involved in performing engineering services for industrial, municipal, institutional, and commercial clients on projects that span the breadth of the civil, and environmental engineering disciplines. Environmental work regularly performed by the firm includes Potable Water Facilities, Wastewater Facilities, Stormwater Facilities, Environmental

Site Assessments, Air Quality Permitting, and Solid Waste Management. The firm has performed numerous Environmental Site Assessments.

This Phase I Environmental Site Assessment has been completed under the direction of

Mr. Kyle M. Clampitt, P.E. Mr. Clampitt has twenty-one (21) years of engineering experience, and currently Serves as Vice President and Senior Project Manager with responsibilities that include client coordination; design in concrete, steel and site drainage; oversight of plan generation; direct involvement and responsibility for permit applications; project estimates and scheduling; and extensive building code review. In addition, Mr. Clampitt is responsible for overseeing the project management of solid waste facilities and environmental assessments. Mr.

Clampitt graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, 2001. Mr. Clampitt is a Professional Engineer that is licensed to practice in the State of South

Carolina and Indiana. Mr. Clampitt’s resume has been included in Appendix D of this Phase I

Environmental Site Assessment.