Final Solar Site EBS R1

CH2-AFC-SRPT-09203-0013

FINAL

ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE SURVEY FOR

ISSUANCE OF EASEMENT TO FOUR SOLAR-POWER SITES

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, CALIFORNIA

July 2009

95th Air Base Wing Environmental Management Directorate

Edwards Air Force Base, California

CH2-AFC-SRPT-09203-0013

iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section Title Page No.

1.0 PURPOSE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE SURVEY

1.1 Location and Setting of Project Sites

2.0 SURVEY METHODOLOGY

2.1 Approach and Rationale

2.2 Description of Documents Reviewed

2.2.1 Documents

2.2.2 Database Records

2.2.3 Maps

2.2.4 Aerial Photographs

2.3 Visual Site Inspection

2.4 Personal Interviews

2.5 Environmental Sampling

3.0 FINDINGS FOR THE SUBJECT PROPERTIES

3.1 Past and Current Use

3.2 Groundwater and Drinking Water

3.3 Hazardous Substances

3.3.1 Hazardous Materials and Petroleum Products

3.3.2 Hazardous and Petroleum Waste

3.4 Environmental Restoration Program Sites

3.5 Storage Tanks and Related Systems

3.5.1 Aboveground Storage Tanks

3.5.2 Underground Storage Tanks

3.6 Pipelines, Hydrant Fueling, and Transfer Systems

3.7 Oil/Water Separators

3.8 Pesticides

3.9 Medical and Biohazardous Waste

3.10 Ordnance and Explosives

3.11 Radioactive Waste

3.12 Solid Waste

3.13 Wastewater Treatment, Collection, and Discharge Systems

3.14 Asbestos-Containing Materials

3.15 Polychlorinated Biphenyls

3.16 Radon 12

3.17 Lead-Based Paint

4.0 FINDINGS FOR ADJACENT PROPERTIES

4.1 Solar Site SW of SCE Corum Substation, Main Base

4.2 Solar Site SW of Switch Station 3, Main Base

4.3 Solar Site South of Switch Station 1, North Base

4.4 Solar Site SW of Substation Number 2, AFRL

iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS (Concluded)

Section Title Page No.

5.0 APPLICABLE REGULATORY COMPLIANCE ISSUES

5.1 Compliance Issue

5.2 Corrective Actions

5.3 Estimates of Various Alternatives

6.0 CONCLUSIONS

6.1 Property Categories

6.1.1 Project Site Property Categorization

6.2 Data Gaps

7.0 RECOMMENATION

7.1 Recommendation Related to Hazardous Substances and Petroleum Products

7.2 Recommendation Related to Other Substances

8.0 CERTIFICATIONS

8.1 Certification of the Environmental Baseline Survey

8.2 Certification of Polychlorinated Biphenyls Clearance

8.3 Certification of No Contamination

9.0 REFERENCES/BIBLIOGRAPHY

v

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Title Page No.

1 Location of Edwards Air Force Base and the Solar-Power Sites

2 Location of Solar Power Site Southwest of SCE Corum Substation, Main Base

3 Location of Solar Power Site Southwest of Switch Station 3, Main Base

4 Location of Solar Power Site South of Substation Number 1, North Base

5 Location of Solar Power Site Southwest of Substation Number 2, AFRL

6 Adjacent Properties Around Solar Site near the SCE Corum Substation, Main Base

7 Adjacent Properties Around Solar Site near Switch Station 3, Main Base

8 Adjacent Properties Around Solar Site near Switch Station 1, North Base

9 Adjacent Properties Around Solar Site near Substation Number 2, AFRL

LIST OF PHOTOS

Photo Title Page No.

A-1 The Solar Power Site Area near SCE Corum Substation is the Area Beyond the Dirt Road .................................................................................................... A-1

A-2 The Solar Power Site Near Switch Station 3, Main Base, is the Area Beyond the Power Line Poles ........................................................................................ A-2

A-3 The Solar Power Site at Switch Station 1, North Base, is the Open Tract Beyond the Pad Area ..................................................................................................... A-3

A-4 Solar Site at Air Force Research Laboratory ................................................................ A-4 vi

This page intentionally left blank.

vii

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS, ACRONYMS, AND SYMBOLS

AAFES Army and Air Force Exchanges Service

AFB Air Force Base

AFFTC Air Force Flight Test Center

AFI Air Force Instruction

AFRL Air Force Research Laboratory

AOC Area of Concern

AST aboveground storage tank bgs below ground surface

BO biological opinion

CE Civil Engineering

CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

EBS Environmental Baseline Survey

EM Environmental Management

ERP Environmental Restoration Program

LBP lead-based paint

MW megawatt

PCB polychlorinated biphenyl pCi/L picocurie/Liter

SCE Southern California Edison

SW southwest

USAF United States Air Force

U.S.C. United States Code

U.S. EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency

USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service

UST underground storage tank

VOC volatile organic compound

VSI visual site inspection

§ Section viii

1.0 PURPOSE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE SURVEY

The purpose of this Environmental Baseline Survey (EBS) is to document the existing environmental condition of four proposed solar-power sites on Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) (Figure 1). This EBS is intended to support the issuance of a 10-year easement between the Air Force and a private developer to install the solar-power units on Air Force property. The private developer would have access to four sites on Edwards AFB to construct and install high-capacity photovoltaic-power units to generate solar electric power for base consumption.

An EBS assists the Air Force in meeting its obligations under Section (§) 120(h)(1) through (h)(4) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) as amended (42 United States Code [U.S.C.] 9620[h][l]); or any applicable state or local real property disclosure requirement. An EBS collects all available information on existing environmental conditions into a single document for use by the Air Force in making decisions concerning real property transactions. It is required by Department of Defense policy before any property can be sold, leased, transferred, or acquired.

1.1 Location and Setting of Project Sites

The four proposed solar sites are located on undeveloped lands adjacent to substations and switch stations on Main Base (2 sites), North Base (1 site), and at Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) (1 site). The sites on Main Base are located southwest (SW) of the Southern California Edison (SCE) Corum Substation (Figure 2) and SW of Switch Station 3 (Figure 3). The site on North Base is located south of Switch Station 1 (Figure 4), and the site at AFRL is located SW of Substation Number 2 (Figure 5). Appendix A presents photographs of the site locations.

Proposed site preparation would include both surface and subsurface investigations, surface grading, site clearing, and construction of access roads. The area of each site would be between 5 and 8 acres.

The solar units installed at each site would be turnkey designs and remotely operated for off-grid connections. The site near the SCE Corum Substation, Main Base, would generate 0.5 MW;

and the remaining three sites would generate 1 MW. The expected minimum annual energy output will be no less than 7,665 MW per year from the four aggregate sites. The private developer would be responsible for all materials, equipment, and connections to the base electrical grid and the SCE electrical distribution system.

2.0 SURVEY METHODOLOGY

2.1 Approach and Rationale

This EBS documents whether any evidence exists to suggest possible contamination at the solar sites, either in the soil or groundwater, resulting from past or current use of hazardous material or petroleum products, or the storage of generated waste.

Figure 1. Location of Edwards Air Force Base and the Solar-Power Sites

Figure 2. Location of Solar-Power Site Southwest of Southern California Edison Corum Substation, Main Base

Figure 3. Location of Solar-Power Site Southwest of Switch Station 3, Main Base

Figure 4. Location of Solar-Power Site South of Substation Number 1, North Base

Figure 5. Location of Solar-Power Site Southwest of Substation Number 2, AFRL

This EBS was prepared in accordance with Air Force Instruction (AFI) 32-9003, Granting Temporary Use of Air Force Real Property (1997); and AFI 32-7066, Environmental Baseline Survey in Real Estate Transactions (1994). This EBS uses the revised category codes from the Letter Memorandum, Interim Use of Environmental Baseline Survey (EBS) Property Categorization Codes (United States Air Force [USAF], 1999).

2.2 Description of Materials Reviewed

A variety of information and references were reviewed pertaining to the area surrounding the sites, including environmental documents and database, maps, and historical aerial photographs.

2.2.1 Environmental Documents

a. Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC), 2000, Action Memorandum, Site 133 Groundwater Plume, Air Force Research Laboratory Operable Unit Number 4, Edwards Air Force Base, California. 18 August 2000. Document on file at 95th Air Base Wing Environmental Management, Edwards AFB, California.

b. AFFTC, 2004, Interim Remedial Action Operations, Treatability Study Work Plan, Site 44—Groundwater Plume, Operable Unit 1, Edwards AFB, California. 6 January 2004.

Document on file at 95th Air Base Wing Environmental Management, Edwards AFB, California.

c. 95th Air Base Wing Environmental Management, 2009, Annual Groundwater Monitoring Report for 2007, Sites 37. 120, 133, 162, 177, 318, and 461 (Operable Unit 4) and Site 325 (Operable Unit 9), Edwards Air Force Base, California. 30 January 2009. Document on file at 95th Air Base Wing Environmental Management, Edwards AFB, California.

d. 95th Air Base Wing Civil Engineering and Transportation Directorate, Environmental Management (CEV), 2006, Site 11 and Site 44 Well Installation Report Main Base Flightline Operable Unit Number 1, Edwards Air Force Base, California. 30 March 2006. Document on file at 95th Air Base Wing Environmental Management, Edwards AFB, California.

e. 95th Air Base Wing Environmental Management, Restoration Division, 2008, Site 297, In Situ Chemical Oxidation Pilot Study Work Plan, Operable Unit 8, Edwards Air Force Base, California, 27 August 2008. Document on file at 95th Air Base Wing Environmental Management, Edwards AFB, California

f. 95th Air Base Wing Environmental Management, 2009, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Proposed Plan for Site 3, Main Base Inactive Landfill, Operable Unit 7 (OU7), Edwards Air Force Base, California, 6 November 2009.

Document on file at 95th Air Base Wing Environmental Management, Edwards AFB, California.

2.2.2 Database Records

95th Air Base Wing Civil Engineering and Transportation Directorate (CE), 2009, Geobase Integration Office, Webmap Database, accessed on various dates in February and March 2009.

2.2.3 Maps

Topographical Maps, 7.5-minute and 15-minute, from the 1940s to the 1990s of the Main Base, North Base, and AFRL areas were reviewed to identify conditions surrounding the four project sites; and a Base Layout map 1964/1982. A list of the maps is presented in Appendix B.

2.2.4 Historical Aerial Photographs

Historical aerial photographs were reviewed to identify and/or confirm historical land use of the project sites and adjacent areas (Table 1).

Table 1. Historical Aerial Photographs Reviewed

Year Source Project Sites Adjoining Areas Possible

Concerns 1946 Aerial photo

(No scale) View of Rogers Dry Lake and Muroc Airfield area. The area of the two project sites on Main Base is undeveloped and open lands.

All areas are unimproved and covered in native vegetation.

No obvious concerns

1946 Oblique photo (No scale)

View of Muroc Airfield and surrounding area. The area of the two project sites on Main Base is undeveloped and open lands.

All areas are unimproved and covered in native vegetation.

No obvious concerns

1954 Aerial photo (No scale)

View of Main Base runway and South Base runway. The area of the two project sites on Main Base remain undeveloped and open land.

All areas are unimproved and covered in native vegetation.

No obvious concerns

2004 Aerial photo (Various scales)

A view of the undeveloped and open land at the four sites at Main, North, South, and the

AFRL.

Substations and switch stations are installed near proposed solar sites.

Buildings and facilities are constructed at AFRL.

No obvious concerns

2.3 Visual Site Inspection

A visual site inspection (VSI) of the four proposed solar sites was conducted on 17 and 23 April 2009 and conducted again on 21 May 2009. The sites were inspected for unusual odors, surface stains, stressed vegetation, and evidence of leachate seeps, all indicators of possible chemical spills and soil contamination.

2.4 Personal Interviews

Persons interviewed for this EBS included those with past and current knowledge of activities that may have occurred on the four project sites. Table 2 contains a list of those interviewed for this EBS.

Table 2. List of Persons Interviewed

Name Title/Organization Civil Service Mark Hagen Environmental Management, 95 ABW/EM Patrice Hallman Environmental Management, 95 ABW/EM Rica Lynn Real Property Management, 95 ABW/CER Thomas Merendini Environmental Management, 95 ABW/EM Sharon McLain Manager, Real Property Management, 95 ABW/CER Stephanie Smith Historian, AFFTC/HO Enrique Torres Energy Manager and Utility Engineer, 95 ABW/CE Air Force Contractor Richard Bark Cultural Resources Section Lead, JT3/CH2M HILL Environmental

Management Wendell Blackwell Water/Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants Section Lead, JT3/CH2M HILL

Environmental Management Mark Bratton Natural Resources Section Lead, JT3/CH2M HILL Environmental

Management Charles Klassette Compliance/Environmental Restoration Program (ERP) Project

Consultant, JT3/CH2M HILL Environmental Management Larry McGetrick Conservation Manager, JT3/CH2M HILL Environmental Management Irene Nestor ERP Lead, JT3/CH2M HILL Environmental Management

2.5 Environmental Sampling

Sampling was not conducted as part of this EBS. A review of environmental documents, databases, map, historical aerial photographs, and site inspections did not indicate any past storage, product spills, or site cleanup actions at the four proposed solar sites.

3.0 FINDINGS FOR THE SUBJECT PROPERTIES

3.1 Past and Current Use

The four solar-site locations have remained undeveloped lands since the 1940s based on a review of historical aerial photographs and topographic maps from the 1940s to the 1990s.

Based on a review of available documents and the VSI, there is no indication of past or current storage of equipment on the properties.

3.2 Groundwater and Drinking Water

The groundwater beneath the proposed solar site SW of AFRL Substation Number 2 is contaminated with solvent constituents. The depth to the contaminated groundwater varies from 30 to over 80 feet below ground surface (bgs) and would be at a depth that would not pose a health risk during construction, maintenance, and operation at the solar site (Hallman, 2009).

The surface soils at the site are not contaminated, and are not an area of concern (AOC) or within an Environmental Restoration Program (ERP) site.

The groundwater beneath the other three solar sites is not contaminated with either chemical or petroleum constituents according to information from the restoration database (EM, 2009).

There are no potable water wells in the vicinity of the four solar-power sites according to available water system database records (EM, 2009).

3.3 Hazardous Substances

3.3.1 Hazardous Materials and Petroleum Products

There is no indication that hazardous material or petroleum products were used or stored on the solar-site locations based on a review of historical aerial photographs, the CE database records, environmental documents, EM interviews, and the VSI.

3.3.2 Hazardous and Petroleum Waste

There is no indication that hazardous and petroleum wastes were generated or stored on the solar-site locations based on findings from the VSI, a review of the CE database records, and Environmental Management (EM) interviews.

3.4 Environmental Restoration Program Sites

Three of the solar-site locations are not within ERP sites according to the restoration database records (EM, 2009) and EM interviews. The AFRL site is located within the ERP Site 37 containment zone. There is no surface contamination at Site 37, but there is a groundwater plume 30 feet below ground surface (EM, 2009).

3.5 Storage Tanks and Related Systems

3.5.1 Aboveground Storage Tanks

There is no indication that aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) were located on the solar sites based upon EM interviews, a review of the fuel-system database records (EM, 2009), and historical aerial photographs, which indicate the solar sites have been undeveloped since the 1940s.

3.5.2 Underground Storage Tanks

There is no indication that underground storage tanks (USTs) were located on the solar sites based on a review of the fuel-system and restoration database records (EM, 2009), EM interviews, and a review of historical aerial photographs, which indicate the solar sites have been undeveloped since the 1940s.

3.6 Pipelines, Hydrant Fueling, and Transfer Systems

There is no evidence of pipelines, hydrant fueling, or transfer systems on the solar sites based on a review of the fuel-system database records (EM, 2009), EM interviews, and the VSI.

3.7 Oil/Water Separators

A review of the fuel-system and restoration database records (EM, 2009) does not indicate oil/water separators have been installed on the solar-site locations.

3.8 Pesticides

There is no indication of pesticide use on the solar-site locations since housing and office buildings have not been constructed on the proposed solar sites based on findings from the VSI.

A review of maps and historical aerial photographs indicate the lands have remained undeveloped since the 1940s.

3.9 Medical and Biohazardous Waste

There is no record of medical or biohazardous waste based on a review of restoration database records (EM, 2009) and historical aerial photographs, which indicated the lands have been undeveloped since the 1940s.

3.10 Ordnance and Explosives

There is no evidence of ordnance or explosive storage or use on the solar-site locations based on a review of historical aerial photographs (which indicate the lands have been undeveloped since the 1940s), the VSI, and a review of historic base maps and documents.

3.11 Radioactive Waste

There is no indication of radioactive waste storage or use on the proposed solar-site locations based on a review of historical aerial photographs (since the 1940s) and historic documents, and environmental restoration database records (EM, 2009). During the VSI, a posting of radioactive waste was not observed.

3.12 Solid Waste

Based on the VSI, EM interviews, and a review of historical aerial photographs, there is no indication that the proposed solar-site locations were used as a solid-waste dump site. The sites have remained undeveloped since the 1940s.

3.13 Wastewater Treatment, Collection, and Discharge Systems

There is no wastewater treatment, collection, or discharge systems on the solar-site locations based on available records and a review of the sanitation and stormwater system database records

(EM, 2009).

3.14 Asbestos-Containing Materials

There is no indication that asbestos-containing materials were located on the solar sites, since buildings or structures have not been constructed on the sites, based on a review of historical aerial photographs (which indicated the areas have been undeveloped since the 1940s) and historic topographic maps. During the VSI, no buildings or structures were observed on the properties.

3.15 Polychlorinated Biphenyls

There is no indication that polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were used on the proposed solar-site locations. No electrical equipment was recorded for the sites. A review of historical aerial photographs, the VSI, and electrical system database records (EM, 2009) indicate the proposed solar sites have remained undeveloped properties since the 1940s.

3.16 Radon

Radon gas emissions for Kern County are below the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) action level of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) (U.S. EPA, 2009). In addition, the solar units would be an outdoor facility, minimizing any significant radon gas accumulation.

Construction and installation of the solar units would not pose a health exposure risk.

3.17 Lead-Based Paint

There is no indication of lead-based paint (LBP) since there are no buildings or structures at the proposed solar-site locations. A review of historical aerial photographs indicates the areas have remained undeveloped since the 1940s. During the VSI, no buildings or structures were observed.

4.0 FINDINGS FOR ADJACENT PROPERTIES

The adjacent properties were evaluated to determine occurrences of storage, release, or disposal of hazardous substances or petroleum and its derivatives that could pose an environmental concern for the solar-site locations. The adjacent properties include the area within 1 mile of the boundary of the solar sites. Contaminated sites and associated groundwater contamination have been identified and mapped under the Edwards AFB ERP. The sites are currently under various stages of remediation.

4.1 Solar Site SW of SCE Corum Substation, Main Base

The ERP Site 3, Operable Unit 7, Main Base, is an inactive sanitary landfill located over one half-mile northeast of the proposed solar-site location (Figure 6). Waste consolidation, stormwater and land-use controls, and monitoring of groundwater are being proposed as the remedial action for the inactive landfill (EM, 2008a). The conditions at the landfill would not impact the environmental condition at the solar site.

4.2 Solar Site SW of Switch Station 3, Main Base

The ERP Site 297, the groundwater contaminated plume from the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) gas station, is located about three quarter-mile north of the solar site (Figure 7). The groundwater plume contains petroleum products that will be undergoing an in situ chemical oxidation pilot study to reduce the contaminant concentrations (EM, 2008b).

Figure 6. Adjacent Properties Around Solar Site near the SCE Corum Substation, Main Base

Figure 7. Adjacent Properties Around the Solar Site near Switch Station 3, Main Base

The contaminated groundwater plume is confined and would not impact the environmental condition at the solar site.

4.3 Solar Site South of Switch Station 1, North Base

There are no ERP sites or AOCs that are being investigated for contamination in the adjacent properties surrounding the solar site Figure 8).

4.4 Solar Site SW of Substation Number 2, AFRL

The ERP Site 37 is a former parts cleaning, testing, and UST site located northeast of the solar site (Figure 9). Contaminated groundwater plumes containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have migrated from the ERP site and lie beneath the solar-site location. The groundwater is being remediated under the ERP and land-use controls for buildings and enclosed structures are in place (EM, 2009). The depth to groundwater contamination is 30 to 80 feet bgs and would not pose a health risk to the construction or operation of an outdoor facility (Hallman, 2009).

The ERP Site 133 is a CE storage yard located over one-half a mile to the east of the proposed solar site (Figure 9). Groundwater contaminated with chemical solvents is associated with the storage yard and are migrating to the south (AFFTC, 2000). The groundwater plume would not impact the environmental condition of the proposed solar site based on restoration database maps (EM, 2009).

The ERP Site 13 is an abandoned landfill located over one-half a mile to the east of the proposed solar-site location (Figure 9). The landfill is capped and will be recapped in the future (AFFTC, 2001b). Actions at the landfill area will not impact the solar-site location.

5.0 APPLICABLE REGULATORY COMPLIANCE ISSUES

The private developer would be responsible for complying with all federal and applicable state environmental laws. This would include regulations regarding the desert tortoise, a threatened species found on Edwards AFB; and complying with the California Endangered Species Act.

5.1 Compliance Issues

The private developer shall be responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, county, and local environmental laws. This includes, but is not limited to, a Section 7 consultation with the United State Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to obtain a biological opinion (BO) for the desert tortoise. If solar-energy systems are connected to the state energy grid, such as at the SCE Corum Substation, the private developer would also be responsible for complying with the California Endangered Species Act, as well as any other state environmental laws.

5.2 Description of Corrective Actions

The completion of a basewide BO is anticipated during 2009 and would require the private developer to comply with recommendations in the BO.

Figure 8. Adjacent Properties Around Solar Site near Switch Station 1, North Base

Figure 9. Adjacent Properties around the Solar Site near Substation Number 2, AFRL

If the basewide BO is not completed at the time of construction of the solar-energy systems, consultation with the USFWS would be required. The consultation would result in a BO for the desert tortoise in some of the solar-site locations.

5.3 Estimates of Various Alternatives

The consultation timespan with the USFWS to obtain a BO ranges from 4.5 months to 1 year.

6.0 CONCLUSIONS

This section summarizes the findings of this document and provides conclusions regarding the environmental condition of the property, and the basis for the property category.

6.1 Property Categories

Property categorization is used to identify environmental site conditions and storage or disposal sites of petroleum products and hazardous materials or waste. The property categories are defined in the Letter of Memorandum, Interim Use of Environmental Baseline Survey (EBS) Property Categorization Codes (USAF, 1999) as:

a. Category 1–Areas where no release or disposal of hazardous or petroleum substances has occurred (including no migration of these substances from adjacent areas);

b. Category 2–Areas where only release or disposal of petroleum substances has occurred;

c. Category 3–Areas where release, disposal, and/or migration of hazardous substances has occurred, but at concentrations that do not require removal or remedial response;

d. Category 4–Areas where release, disposal, and/or migration of hazardous substances has occurred, and all removal or remedial actions have been taken;

e. Category 5–Areas where release, disposal, and/or migration of hazardous substances has occurred, and all removal or remedial actions are underway, but not yet completed;

f. Category 6–Areas where release, disposal, and/or migration of hazardous substances has occurred, but remedial actions have not been implemented; and

g. Category 7–Areas that are not evaluated or that require additional evaluation.

6.1.1 Project Site Property Categorization

Three sites are Property Category 1 based on findings from this EBS. The sites are located on Main Base (sites near SCE Corum Substation and Switch Station 3) and North Base (near Switch Station 1).

The site near Substation Number 2 on AFRL is designated Property Category 4 based on groundwater contamination migrating from adjoining properties. The contaminated groundwater is being remediated under the ERP, and land-use controls are in place for buildings and enclosed structures in the area. The actions meet the provisions of CERCLA Section 120 (h)(3).

Construction and operation of the outdoor solar facility would not be affected by the contaminated groundwater, since the depth of contamination is 30 to 80 feet bgs.

Property Categories 1 through 4 can proceed with the planned real property transaction under AFI 32-7066, Section 2.1.3.1.

6.2 Data Gaps

Data gaps represent incomplete findings identified during the preparation of the EBS. Based on the property evaluation, there were no data gaps identified.

7.0 RECOMMENATION

Based on the following findings, it is recommended the issuance of an easement to the properties can proceed.

7.1 Hazardous Substances and Petroleum Products

The information obtained during the VSI and preparation of this EBS indicates no storage, product spills, use of hazardous substances, or petroleum products has occurred on the four solar-power sites that would alter the recommendation to proceed with the easement.

7.2 Other Substances

Regardless of the property category, there are no other substances occurring on the subject properties that would alter the recommendation to proceed with the easement.

This page left intentionally blank.

8.0 CERTIFICATIONS

8.1 Certification of the Environmental Baseline Survey

JT3/CH2M HILL conducted this Environmental Baseline Survey on behalf of the United States Air Force. IT3/CH2M HILL has reviewed all appropriate records made available and conducted visual site inspections of the four proposed solar sites requested for easement. The information contained within the survey report is based on interviews and records made available and, to the best of JT3/CH2M HILL's knowledge, is correct and current as of 8 July 2009.

Certified by:

HOMAS RADEMACHER Date?U

JT3/CH2M HILL

Environmental Department Manager

Approved by:

ld~or

Date _-= -

8.2 Certification of Polychlorinated Biphenyls Clearance

The four solar-power sites in this environmental baseline survey are in compliance with Title 40, Code ofFederal Regulations, Part 761 as follows:

There is no known polychlorinated biphenyl-contaminated soil, waste, or unserviceable equipment remaining, including evidence of any equipment having been installed, on the existing properties.

Certified by:

THOMAS RADEMACHER

JT3/CH2M HILL

Environmental Department Manager

Approved by:

E E. JUDKINS,

ase Civil Engineer

8.3 Certification of No Contamination

The four solar~power sites in this EBS contain no known hazardous substances as defined in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 United States Code [U.S.C.] 9601), as amended, or other contamination as specified by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (Title 42 U.S.C. 6901 6992k), the implementation of Environmental Protection Agency regulations (Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] Parts 261, 262, 263, and 761), and the Federal Property Management Regulations (41 CFR Part 101-47). A complete review of available records indicates that no hazardous substance has been stored for more than 1 year, or known to be released or disposed of, on the subject properties referred to in this environmental baseline survey.

Certified by:

a_"1._ :2:;;IL2001 THOMAS RADEMACHER Date

JT3/CH2M HILL

Environmental Department Manager

Approved by:

M!h0

Date V'~

9.0 REFERENCES/BIBLIOGRAPHY

95th Air Base Wing Civil Engineering and Transportation Directorate (CE), 2009, Geobase Integration Office, Webmap Database, https://maps.edwards.af.mil/GWM, accessed between February and March 2009.

95th Air Base Wing Civil Engineering and Transportation Directorate, Environmental Management (CEV), 2006, Site 11 and Site 44 Well Installation Report Main Base Flightline Operable Unit Number 1, Edwards Air Force Base, California, March, Document on file at 95th Air Base Wing Environmental Management Directorate, Edwards AFB, California.

95th Air Base Wing Environmental Management Directorate (EM)

2008a, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Proposed Plan for Site 3, Main Base Inactive Landfill, Operable Unit 7 (OU7), Edwards Air Force Base, California, September, Document on file at 95th Air Base Wing Environmental Management Directorate, Edwards AFB, California.

2008b, Site 297, In Situ Chemical Oxidation Pilot Study Work Plan, Operable Unit 8, Edwards Air Force Base, California, August, Document on file at 95th Air Base Wing Environmental Management Directorate, Edwards AFB, California.

2009, Annual Groundwater Monitoring Report for 2007, Sites 37. 120, 133, 162, 177, 318, and 461 (Operable Unit 4) and Site 325 (Operable Unit 9), January, Document of file at 95th Air Base Wing Environmental Management Directorate, Edwards AFB, California.

Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC)

2000, Action Memorandum, Site 133 Groundwater Plume, Air Force Research Laboratory Operable Unit Number 4, August, Document of file at 95th Air Base Wing Environmental Management Directorate, Edwards AFB, California.

2001a, Remedial Investigation Site Summary Report Site 3, Operable Unit 7, Edwards Air Force Base, California, September, Document on file at 95th Air Base Wing Environmental Management Directorate, Edwards AFB, California.

2001b, Action Memorandum Site 13, Inactive Landfill, Air Force Research Laboratory Operable Unit 4, Edwards Air Force Base, California, July, Document on file at 95th Air Base Wing Environmental Management Directorate, Edwards AFB, California.

2004, Interim Remedial Action Operations, Treatability Study Work Plan, Site 44-Groundwater Plume, Operable Unit 1, Edwards AFB, California, January, Document on file at 95th Air Base Wing Environmental Management Directorate, Edwards AFB, California.

Air Force Instructions

32-7066, Section 2.1.3.1, 1994, Environmental Baseline Surveys in Real Estate Transactions, 25 April.

32-9003, 1997, Granting Temporary Use of Air Force Real Property, 19 August; and Supplement 1, 1 July 1998.

Bark, Richard, 2009, JT3/CH2M HILL, personal communication.

Blackwell, Wendell, 2009, JT3/CH2M HILL, personal communication.

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

Title 40, Parts 261, 262, 263, and 761, Implementing Environmental Protection Agency Regulations.

Title 41, Parts 101-47, Federal Property Management Regulations.

Edwards Air Force Base, 2004. Base Guide.

Hallman, Patrice, 2009, 95th Air Base Wing Environmental Management Directorate, personal communication.

Klassette, Charles, 2009, JT3/CH2M HILL, personal communication.

Merendini, Thomas, 2009, 95th Air Base Wing Environmental Management Directorate, personal communication.

United States Air Force (USAF)

1999, Letter Memorandum, Interim Use of Environmental Baseline Survey (EBS) Property Categorization Codes (Our Memo 6 Jan 99), 9 February.

2006, Letter Memorandum Air Force Materiel Command Environmental Baseline Survey (EBS) Guidance.

United States Code (U.S.C.)

42 U.S.C. 6901-6992k, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976.

42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq., Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, Federal Facilities, Section 120 (h)(4), Identification of Uncontaminated Property, 9620(h)(1), Section 120(h)(1) through (h)(4).

United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), 2009, EPA Map of Radon Zones.

http://www.epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html, accessed 17 February.

APPENDICES

July 2009

A-1

APPENDIX A

SITE PHOTOGRAPHS

A-2

A-3

Photo A-1. Solar-Power Site Area near the SCE Corum Substation is the Area Beyond the Dirt Road

Photo A-2. Solar-Power Site near Switch Station 3, Main Base, is the Area Beyond the Powerline Poles

A-4

Photo A-3. Solar-Power Site at Switch Station 1, North Base, is the Open Tract Beyond the Pad Area

A-5

Figures not Available due to AFRL Restrictions

Photo A-4. Solar Site at Air Force Research Laboratory

A-6

B-1

APPENDIX B

LIST OF AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS

B-2

B-3

Topographic Maps Reviewed:

Rogers Lake, California, 15-minute Quadrangle Sheet, 1942

Fluhr, California, 7.5-minute Quadrangle Sheet, 1947

Rich, California, 7.5-minute Quadrangle Sheet, 1947

Kramer, California, 15-minute Quadrangle Sheet, 1956

Edwards, California, 7.5-minute Quadrangle Sheet, 1973

Leuhman Ridge, California, 7.5-minute Quadrangle Sheet, 1973

Edwards, California, 7.5-minute Quadrangle Sheet, 1992

Comprehensive Plan, Base Layout, C-1 Sheet 41, Edwards Air Force Base, 1964/1982

B-4