08_-_PF225_K1B_Phase_I__ESA_Final_070110.pdf

FINAL

PHASE I ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT

El Paso Fence K-1B Section

U.S. Customs and Border Protection U.S. Border Patrol

El Paso, Texas

U.S. Department of Homeland Security U.S. Customs & Border Protection

Office of Border Patrol Washington, D.C.

June 2010

FINAL

EL PASO FENCE K-1B SECTION

U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION

U.S. BORDER PATROL

EL PASO, TEXAS

June 2010

Lead Agency: U.S. Department of Homeland Security U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Laguna Facility Center 24000 Avila Road, Suite 5020 Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Point of Contact: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mark Woods

ATTN: USACE-SWF-PM-ECSO-TI

819 Taylor Street, Room 3B10 Fort Worth, TX 76102

(817) 886-11480

El Paso K-1B Phase I ESA i Final

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................. iii

1.0 PURPOSE OF THE PHASE I ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT (ESA)

1.1 SCOPE OF SERVICES

1.2 BOUNDARIES OF THE PROPERTY AND SURVEY AREA

1.3 SIGNIFICANT ASSUMPTIONS

1.4 LIMITATIONS AND EXCEPTIONS OF ASSESSMENT

1.5 SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1.6 USER RELIANCE

2.0 SITE DESCRIPTION

2.1 PROPERTY LEGAL DESCRIPTION

2.1.1 Site and Vicinity General Characteristics

2.1.2 Current Use of the Subject Properties

2.1.3 Structures and Improvements on the Subject Properties

3.0 USER PROVIDED INFORMATION

3.1 TITLE RECORDS

3.2 ENVIRONMENTAL LIENS OR ACTIVITY AND USE LIMITATIONS

3.3 SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE

3.4 VALUATION REDUCTION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

3.5 OWNER, PROPERTY MANAGER, AND OCCUPANT INFORMATION

3.6 REASON FOR PERFORMING THE PHASE I ESA

4.0 RECORDS REVIEW

4.1 DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENTS REVIEWED

4.1.1 Primary Federal and State Databases

4.2 PHYSICAL SETTING SOURCES

4.3 HISTORICAL USE INFORMATION

4.3.1 Sanborn Insurance Maps

4.3.2 Historical Topographic Maps and Aerial Photographs

4.3.3 City Directory Search

4.4 LOCAL/REGIONAL WATER AGENCY RECORDS

5.0 SITE RECONNAISSANCE

5.1 METHODOLOGY AND LIMITING CONDITIONS

5.2 GENERAL SITE SETTING

5.2.1 Environmental Setting

5.2.2 Physical Setting

5.3 EXTERIOR OBSERVATIONS

5.3.1 Subject Property Corridor

5.3.2 Adjacent Properties

5.4 INTERIOR OBSERVATIONS

5.5 HAZARDOUS WASTE

5.6 NON-HAZARDOUS SOLID WASTE

6.0 INTERVIEWS

6.1 USACE, PROPERTY ACQUISITION CONTRACTOR

El Paso K-1B Phase I ESA ii Final

6.2 ADJACENT SUBJECT PROPERTY OWNERS

6.3 TCEQ REMEDIATION PROJECT MANAGERS

6.4 EL PASO FIRE DEPARTMENT

6.5 EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY

6.6 TEXAS GAS SERVICE

7.0 FINDINGS FOR SUBJECT PROPERTY

7.1 HISTORIC USE

7.2 CITY DIRECTORY SEARCH

7.3 SANBORN INSURANCE MAP SEARCH

7.4 CURRENT USE

7.5 OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

8.0 FINDINGS FOR ADJACENT PROPERTIES

8.1 LAND USES

9.0 APPLICABLE REGULATORY COMPLIANCE ISSUES

9.1 LIST OF COMPLIANCE ISSUES AND CORRECTIVE ACTIONS

10.0 OPINIONS & CONCLUSIONS

11.0 DEVIATIONS AND DATA GAPS

12.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

13.0 CERTIFICATIONS

14.0 REFERENCES

15.0 QUALIFICATIONS

List of Figures Figure 1. Vicinity Map Figure 2. Subject Property Location Map Figure 3. Parcel Map with Photograph Locations and Directions Figure 4. Sewer Utilities Location Map

List of Tables Table 1. Adjacent Subject Properties Summary Table Table 2. List of Historical Topographic Maps and Aerial Photographs

List of Appendices Appendix A. EDR Radius Map Report and Other Environmental Documents Appendix B. Topographic Maps and Aerial Photographs Appendix C. Site Photographs Appendix D. City Directory/Sanborn Map Search Reports Appendix E. Interview Contact Reports

El Paso K-1B Phase I ESA iii Final

EL PASO FENCE K-1B SECTION

U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION

U.S. BORDER PATROL

El PASO, TEXAS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) report was prepared to support the acquisition of property and easements along the K-1B fence section in El Paso, Texas from numerous landowners by United States (U.S.) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S.

Border Patrol (USBP) for construction of a section of fence and maintenance road along the

American Canal. The properties that are the subject of this ESA are located along a 3,100-foot section south of West Paisano Drive (U.S. Highway 85) and north of the American Canal.

This report was prepared and the site reconnaissance was conducted according to the

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard ASTM E1527-05, which defines good commercial and customary practices in the U.S. for conducting an environmental site assessment of a parcel of commercial real estate with respect to the range of contaminants within the scope of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability

Act (CERCLA) (42 USC 9601) and petroleum products.

The properties are located adjacent to an industrial area on the north side of U.S. Highway 85.

Some properties adjacent to the proposed fence construction corridor had known prior underground storage tanks (USTs) with a history of release of tank contents to soils and groundwater, as well as existing above-ground storage tanks (ASTs); therefore, this Phase I

ESA is being prepared for CERCLA clearance prior to acquisition of a portion of the properties from the owners. The current assessment will focus on activities and conditions that currently exist or have previously occurred on the subject property corridor and nearby properties in order to ascertain environmental risk for CBP/USBP associated with the properties.

Recognized Environmental Conditions According to information gathered from document searches, interviews, and the site reconnaissance, recognized environmental conditions and historical recognized environmental conditions exist on adjacent properties in the form of USTs and ASTs, some with a record of prior release of tank contents to soils and groundwater. Based on investigations conducted for this ESA, a business environmental risk was found on an adjacent property where petroleum

El Paso K-1B Phase I ESA iv Final fluids released from a UST have migrated into the subject property corridor. Contaminated soil exists adjacent to the American Canal on the subject property corridor at a depth of approximately 15 feet below ground surface. The contamination is being monitored by the

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and no additional assessment is necessary.

However, excavation of soil for a fence foundation in this area should be monitored for gasoline

(BTEX) vapors and contamination, especially if excavation depths approach 15 feet below ground surface. Any excavated contaminated soil would require special handling and disposal.

The subject property corridor is also located within the area of concern for lead, arsenic, and other metals contamination of surface soils due to air deposition from the closed ASARCO smelter site approximately 0.5 mile to the northwest. While no soil analysis has been performed on the subject property corridor, the potential exists for heavy metal soil contamination in excess of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency screening levels. The potential arsenic and lead soil contamination on the subject property would be considered a recognized environmental condition and a possible health hazard for fence construction workers disturbing soil on the property. Soil removed from the property for disposal off-site would require testing for metals prior to proper disposal.

SECTION 1.0

PURPOSE OF THE PHASE I ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT (ESA)

El Paso K-1B Phase I ESA 1 Final

1.0 PURPOSE OF THE PHASE I ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT (ESA)

The purpose of this Phase I ESA is to identify, to the extent feasible pursuant to the processes described herein, recognized conditions in connection with the subject property, and to provide an opinion on: (1) indications that petroleum products or hazardous or toxic materials and/or waste exist, or have existed, on or adjacent to the subject property that could potentially have an adverse impact; (2) indications of possible contamination, based upon observable conditions and readily available and reviewed public records or information; (3) the possibility that violations of current environmental regulations have occurred, or are occurring, on the subject property; (4) the potential for spilled, leaked, or improperly handled hazardous substances or petroleum products to migrate to or from the subject property; and (5) the existence of unsafe or unhealthful conditions on the subject property. Emphasis is placed on conditions and indicators for the subject property and adjacent properties that would pose an environmental risk for

United States (U.S.) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Border Patrol (USBP).

1.1 SCOPE OF SERVICES

This report was produced in accordance with the following:

“The ASTM guidelines (ASTM E1527-05) which define good commercial and customary practices in the U.S. for conducting an environmental site assessment of a parcel of commercial real estate with respect to the range of contaminants within the scope of the CERCLA (42 USC 9601) and petroleum products. This practice is intended to permit a user to satisfy one of the requirements to qualify for the innocent landowner, contiguous property owner, or bona fide prospective purchaser limitations on CERCLA liability; that is, the practice that constitutes all appropriate inquiry into the previous ownership and uses of the property consistent with good commercial or customary practice.”

The scope of services for this project included five major components: (1) Federal, state, and local environmental records review, including a review of historical and physical setting records;

(2) a site reconnaissance to search for visible indications of impacts or potential impacts to the environment or human health and safety; (3) interviews with key site personnel and local government officials; (4) documentation and descriptions of the condition of current and former buildings and improvements on the property; and (5) the preparation of this report. Following

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) guidelines, the review of individual

El Paso K-1B Phase I ESA 2 Final component items is subject to the “reasonable ascertainability” of that item. The conditions disclosed by this investigation have been separated into the following categories of environmental conditions:

Recognized environmental condition – A recognized environmental condition is defined in ASTM Practice E1527-05 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, ground water, or surface water of the property. The term includes hazardous substances or petroleum products even under conditions in compliance with laws.”

Historical recognized environmental condition – A historical recognized environmental condition is defined in ASTM Practice E1527-05 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. The final decision rests with the environmental professional and will be influenced by the current impact of the historical recognized environmental condition on the property. If a past release of any hazardous substances or petroleum products has occurred in connection with the property and has been remediated, with such remediation accepted by the responsible regulatory agency (for example, as evidenced by the issuance of a no further action letter or equivalent), this condition shall be considered a historical recognized environmental condition.”

De minimis condition – A de minimis condition is defined in ASTM Practice E1527-05 as conditions “that generally do not present a threat to human 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.”

1.2 BOUNDARIES OF THE PROPERTY AND SURVEY AREA

The subject property corridor is located along the west side of West Paisano Drive (U.S.

Highway 85), along a 3,100-foot section, on the north/east bank of the American Canal in El

Paso, Texas. The area is situated within the city limits of El Paso (see Figures 1, 2, and 3).

The adjacent subject properties encompass approximately 10.7 acres, and belong to numerous landowners. The subject property corridor being evaluated for construction of the K-1B fence section consists of a narrow strip of land between the adjacent subject properties and the

American Canal, owned by the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC).

The boundaries of the construction corridor are estimated from a description of the proposed fence construction provided by CBP. In addition, several parcels at the north end of the area are proposed for acquisition by CBP, as well as a temporary staging area at the south end of

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El Paso K-1B Phase I ESA 7 Final the project area, an access easement and staging area near the middle of the project area, and an access easement and staging area at the south end. The exact boundaries of the subject property corridor and adjacent properties are not known, and boundaries shown on figures in this report are estimated from maps provided by CBP and observations in the field.

1.3 SIGNIFICANT ASSUMPTIONS

No significant assumptions were made regarding this assessment.

1.4 LIMITATIONS AND EXCEPTIONS OF ASSESSMENT

At the request of the User, no search of recorded property documents was done for this assessment.

1.5 SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

No special terms or conditions are applicable to this assessment.

1.6 USER RELIANCE

This report has been prepared for CBP, under contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

(USACE), Fort Worth District. It is intended for the sole use of CBP, herein designated as the

User, and no other person or entity may use or rely on any such report for any purpose without written permission from the User.

El Paso K-1B Phase I ESA 8 Final

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SECTION 2.0

SITE DESCRIPTION

El Paso K-1B Phase I ESA 9 Final

2.0 SITE DESCRIPTION

2.1 PROPERTY LEGAL DESCRIPTION

The subject properties adjacent to the fence construction corridor consist of 18 parcels of property (see Figure 3), totaling approximately 10.7 acres) located along the west/south side of

West Paisano Drive, between West Paisano Drive and the American Canal in El Paso, Texas.

The property addresses and apparent uses are listed in Table 1. The subject property corridor consists of an area of approximately 2.2 acres directly adjacent to the north bank of the

American Canal, owned by the USIBWC. The area is located within the city limits of El Paso.

There are improvements, including structures, on most of the adjacent properties to the east.

Improvements within the subject property corridor include an underground sewer main, lights and electrical service on wood poles, a CBP surveillance camera and communications tower, underground stormwater drains, and four concrete access vaults with steel covers containing monitoring wells for groundwater contamination from an adjacent property.

2.1.1 Site and Vicinity General Characteristics

The general area surrounding the subject property consists of mixed commercial and industrial uses. South and west of the American Canal, there is no development between the canal/levee and the Rio Grande. The east canal bank is heavily vegetated with native and invasive species.

A dirt trail exists along most of the east canal bank. The bottom of the American Canal is lined with concrete.

Across West Paisano Drive, is a now-vacant cottonseed mill, and many of the mill buildings, as well as the cottonseed and oil tanks, remain. Several small businesses are also located east of

West Paisano Drive, including a Christian mission, a homeless shelter, and several recycling yards and general storage buildings.

2.1.2 Current Use of the Subject Properties

The adjacent subject properties to the east are developed, and most are occupied. Table 1 summarizes the current use for the properties surveyed. With the exception of two vacant residential properties, all of the properties are commercial.

El Paso K-1B Phase I ESA 10 Final

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El Paso K-1B Phase I ESA 11 Final

Two of the adjacent subject properties are sites of former gas stations with USTs (Parcels 11 and 14, Figure 3). Both of these properties are now vacant, and, according to environmental database reports, the USTs were removed. Monitoring wells were visible on both former gas station properties, but no close inspection was possible due to lack of owner contact. Parcel 14 is undergoing active remediation for gasoline contamination of soils and groundwater. None of the remaining adjacent properties showed any indication of environmental risk due to past or present use.

2.1.3 Structures and Improvements on the Subject Properties

No inspection of structures on adjacent properties was done, since no use of those structures is proposed by CBP. Temporary access to the subject property corridor and possible staging of fence construction materials and equipment on open lots is proposed.

A City of El Paso sewer line is located within the subject property corridor. The location of the sewer line is shown in Figure 4, taken from a map provided by the El Paso Public Works

Department map section. The sewer line enters the corridor adjacent to the city park on Parcel

4, which also is the location of a sewer pump station (Photograph 4, Appendix C). The sewer line extends along the subject property corridor to the approximate location of Parcel 15. One access manhole was found within the corridor (Photograph 26).

There is a CBP surveillance camera and communications tower in the south end of the subject property corridor. Numerous CBP border security lights on wood poles are also located along the east boundary of the corridor, as well as supporting overhead electrical lines and transformers.

Five storm drains and culverts cross the subject property corridor along its length to transport stormwater from the adjacent properties to the American Canal. Four monitoring wells in concrete vaults are located in the subject property corridor adjacent to Parcel 14 to monitor a gasoline release to groundwater from former USTs on that parcel.

El Paso K-1B Phase I ESA 12 Final

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SECTION 3.0

USER PROVIDED INFORMATION

El Paso K-1B Phase I ESA 15 Final

3.0 USER PROVIDED INFORMATION

3.1 TITLE RECORDS

No chain of title was researched by CBP and no title records were provided by CBP. USACE indicated that title research would be conducted prior to any property transactions.

3.2 ENVIRONMENTAL LIENS OR ACTIVITY AND USE LIMITATIONS

No environmental liens or activity and use limitations for the subject properties were reported by

USACE, and none of the property owners interviewed reported any activity or use limitations in interviews conducted as part of this ESA.

3.3 SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE

Specialized knowledge of the subject properties was provided by the USACE project manager for the project and by the property owners interviewed.

3.4 VALUATION REDUCTION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

No value reduction for environmental purposes was reported by USACE. The only real property sale or transactions contemplated would involve properties owned by the State of Texas at the north end of the corridor (Parcels 17 and 18), USIBWC (the subject property corridor), and Mr.

Johns (Parcel 1) at the south end of the corridor.

3.5 OWNER, PROPERTY MANAGER, AND OCCUPANT INFORMATION

USIBWC is the owner of the majority of the subject property corridor. According to USIBWC records, their property was acquired in the 1930s. The American Canal was constructed in

1938 to convey irrigation water from the Rio Grande to agricultural properties south and east of

El Paso.

El Paso K-1B Phase I ESA 16 Final

The State of Texas property at the north end of the corridor is part of the West Paisano Drive

(U.S. 85) road Right-of-Way (ROW). Acquisition date is unknown, but the property was never developed with buildings.

Parcel 1 is owned by Mr. C. J. Johns, who purchased the property approximately 15 years ago.

It is an historic property, the site of the first mill in El Paso and the homestead of one of the first settlers in the area.

3.6 REASON FOR PERFORMING THE PHASE I ESA

This Phase I ESA is being performed to establish the condition of the subject property and adjacent properties prior to acquisition of portions of some of the properties by CBP for construction of a border security fence, and to document any environmental conditions that might pose a business environmental risk for CBP/USBP.

SECTION 4.0

RECORDS REVIEW

El Paso K-1B Phase I ESA 17 Final

4.0 RECORDS REVIEW

4.1 DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENTS REVIEWED

Environmental Data Resources, Incorporated (EDR) was contracted to search Federal and state environmental databases that track activities associated with hazardous waste and incidents that have resulted in major environmental impairment. These databases are prepared and maintained by various Federal and state environmental agencies, such as the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Texas Commission on Environmental

Quality (TCEQ). The minimum appropriate search distance was 1 mile from the subject property boundaries. The EDR report showing all information pertaining to the database searches is presented in Appendix A.

4.1.1 Primary Federal and State Databases

A list of the Federal and state databases searched by EDR can be found on pages 1 through 4 of the Executive Summary section of the EDR Report in Appendix A. The EDR report indicated that numerous parcels of property adjacent to the subject property fence construction corridor and within 0.5 mile of the corridor are listed in environmental databases. The following sites were listed on properties adjacent to the construction corridor:

Paisano’s Auto Salvage, Arturo Garcia – 1908 West Paisano Drive (Parcel 11) – Leaking Petroleum Storage Tank (LPST) and Underground Storage Tank (UST) databases. The facility reported USTs installed in 1974, and removed from the ground in 1990. A tank release to soils was reported in 1990, but no resolution of the release cleanup was reported. The TCEQ

LPST database (TCEQ 2010a) indicated that mailings to the listed responsible party were returned in 2006, and the site was turned over to the state for cleanup. A review of the current

TCEQ file by TCEQ found no additional data in the file, and no activity subsequent to the release to soils reported during UST removal. This site represents a historical recognized environmental condition; but, considering the lack of additional activity, the absence of remediation orders, and the time elapsed since the release occurred, no business environmental risk to the subject property corridor is indicated.

El Paso K-1B Phase I ESA 18 Final

Taylor-Simpkins Welding Products – 1805 West Paisano Drive – Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Non-Generator (RCRA-NonGen) and Industrial Hazardous Waste (Ind. Haz.

Waste) databases. The facility stores and sells welding products, including exotic gases, but is not a generator of hazardous waste. No violations or enforcement actions were listed for the site. It is located across West Paisano Drive, and it does not pose a business environmental risk to the subject property corridor.

Rio Grande Thunderbird – 2000 West Paisano Drive (Parcel 14) – LPST, UST and

Underground Injection Wells (UIC) databases. The facility reported USTs installed in 1990 and removed from the ground in 2002. A tank release to groundwater was reported in 1990, and groundwater monitoring was reported. Injection and extraction wells were installed to purge the contaminated groundwater from the site and monitor the contamination plume. The TCEQ

LPST website (TCEQ 2010a) reported that groundwater monitoring was underway, and the latest monitoring report for January 2010 showed contamination present in two of the monitoring wells within the subject property corridor. The TCEQ project manager for the site reported that the hydrocarbon contamination plume extends across the subject property corridor to the

American Canal, but contamination is generally limited to the groundwater horizon at approximately 15 feet below ground surface (TCEQ 2010b). Prior seepage into the canal was reported, and several sample monitoring points in the canal are also maintained. This site represents a recognized environmental condition with a business environmental risk to the subject property corridor.

ASARCO LLC – 2301 West Paisano Drive, a closed copper and lead smelting facility, is located approximately 0.5 mile northwest of the north end of the fence construction corridor. This facility is listed in the RCRA-Treatment, Storage and Disposal (RCRA-TSDF), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Information System (CERCLIS), RCRA-Large Quantity Generator (RCRA-LQG), LPST, UST, Above-ground Petroleum Storage Tank (AST) and Enforcement Action (ENF) databases. The site is abandoned, and is the subject of numerous ongoing enforcement and cleanup actions. The distance of the site from the subject property, as well as the intervening highway corridor, is sufficient to eliminate the site as a business environmental risk to the subject property corridor.

El Paso K-1B Phase I ESA 19 Final

Past deposition of heavy metals, especially lead and arsenic, due to air contamination from the

ASARCO smelter has resulted in contaminated surface soils in El Paso and in Juarez. The subject property corridor is within the area of concern for soil contamination from this source, and although no soil testing has been done on the subject property, the potential exists for lead and arsenic contamination of surface soils in excess of USEPA screening levels. A soil test conducted on Doniphan Park adjacent to the subject property corridor found arsenic (31.8 to

37.6 parts per million [ppm]) and lead (538 to 695 ppm) in soil above the USEPA residential screening levels of 20 ppm for arsenic and 500 ppm for lead (USEPA 2001).

USACE (2008) conducted soil sampling and analysis for arsenic and lead along the American

Canal from the American Dam to a point south of the subject property corridor. In the vicinity of the subject property corridor, the samples were taken adjacent to the levee on the west side of the American Canal. The levels of arsenic found ranged from 5.45 milligrams per kilogram

(mg/kg) to 30.0 mg/kg, and for lead from 29.7 mg/kg to 109 mg/kg. One mg/kg is equivalent to a ppm. Lead and arsenic contamination of soil would be considered a recognized environmental condition with a business environmental risk for the subject property corridor.

U.S. Plating Works – 101 Ruhlen Court – a metal plating business, was located approximately

1,000 feet east of the subject property corridor, across West Paisano Drive. It is listed in the

Industrial Hazardous Waste database from 1986 to 1997 as a small quantity generator and handler of hazardous wastes. No environmental risk to the subject property corridor is posed by this site due to the distance removed and the intervening highway corridor.

No other sites listed in the EDR report were within a distance to pose any environmental risk to the subject property corridor. A total of 20 other sites were listed as Orphan Sites (lacking sufficient address information, Page 187 of the Map Findings Section) in the EDR report. None of the orphan sites were reported or found to be within a radius distance of the subject property corridor to be considered a business environmental risk.

4.2 PHYSICAL SETTING SOURCES

The physical setting for the subject property was obtained from the current U.S. Geological

Survey (USGS) topographic quadrangle map (Smeltertown, Texas 7.5-minute Quadrangle, El Paso K-1B Phase I ESA 20 Final

1996). The topographic map depicted the adjacent subject properties as a developed area along West Paisano Drive. The average elevation of the subject property corridor is 3,730 feet above sea level. Due to the location adjacent to the Rio Grande, the subject property corridor is lower than most other properties to the north and east.

4.3 HISTORICAL USE INFORMATION

Historical use information on the subject property corridor and surrounding properties was obtained from a review of historical topographic maps and aerial photographs, from historical

Sanborn Insurance maps, from past city directories, and from interviews with persons knowledgeable about the history of the area.

4.3.1 Sanborn Insurance Maps

A search of Sanborn Insurance maps recovered one map (1968-1970) for the subject property area. The Sanborn maps showed the development of the area adjacent to the subject property corridor to include restaurants, apartments, an auto repair business and two gasoline stations.

Other small businesses were not identified. The now-vacant cottonseed oil mill was identified as the major development to the east of U.S. Highway 85. The Sanborn Insurance map search report is included in Appendix D.

4.3.2 Historical Topographic Maps and Aerial Photographs

A search was made by EDR for historical aerial photographs and historical quadrangle maps available for the subject property. Historical topographic maps were recovered for the years

1919, 1955, 1967, 1973, 1991, 1994 and 1996; and aerial photographs were found for 1936, 1947, 1960, 1967, 1974, 1979, 1988, 1995, 2004, 2005 and 2006. A listing of historical maps and photographs reviewed is found in Table 2, and the maps and photographs are located in

Appendix B.

El Paso K-1B Phase I ESA 21 Final

Table 2. List of Historical Topographic Maps and Aerial Photographs

DATE QUADRANGLE/PHOTOGRAPH NAME SCALE

1919 Canutillo, TX 15-minute Quadrangle 1:62,500 1936 Aerial Photograph --- 1947 Aerial Photograph --- 1955 Smeltertown, TX 7.5-minute Quadrangle 1:24,000 1960 Aerial Photograph --- 1967 Aerial Photograph --- 1967 Smeltertown, TX 7.5-minute Quadrangle 1:24,000 1973 Smeltertown, TX 7.5-minute Quadrangle 1:24,000 1974 Aerial Photograph --- 1979 Aerial Photograph --- 1988 Aerial Photograph --- 1991 El Paso West, TX 15-minute Quadrangle 1:50,000 1994 Smeltertown, TX 7.5-minute Quadrangle 1:24,000 1995 Aerial Photograph --- 1996 Smeltertown, TX 7.5-minute Quadrangle 1:24,000 2004 Aerial Photograph --- 2005 Aerial Photograph --- 2006 Aerial Photograph ---

USGS, ASCA, TXDOT, EDR

The 1919 topographic map, at a scale of 1:62,500, showed numerous structures in place in the area between the highway (U.S. 85) and the Rio Grande. The American Canal was not shown, and was not yet constructed. The ASARCO smelter was indicated at its current location, and the railroad access to the smelter was in place. A railroad spur was indicated along the subject property area, parallel to U.S. 85.

The 1936 aerial photograph indicated that all of the properties between the proposed fence corridor and U.S. 85 were developed. A dam or other structure was shown crossing the Rio

Grande at the south end of the subject property area, and buildings were present on Parcel 1.

In the 1947 aerial photograph, the American Canal was indicated in its current location west and south of the subject property corridor.

The 1955 topographic map showed the same level of development adjacent to the subject property corridor. The structure crossing the Rio Grande at the south end of the area was labeled as a lock in the river. The 1960 aerial photograph showed little change in development adjacent to the subject property corridor. The cottonseed oil mill located to the east across U.S.

Highway 85 was shown for the first time. The gas station on parcel 14 was also visible.

El Paso K-1B Phase I ESA 22 Final

The 1967 aerial photograph showed little change on the U.S. side of the Rio Grande, but some structures were visible for the first time in Ciudad Juarez across the river in Mexico. The 1967 topographic map showed the same level of development as the 1967 aerial photograph.

The 1973 topographic map showed no change from the 1967 topographic map. The 1974 aerial photograph showed the same level of development in the subject property area as the

1973 topographic map. Some increase in development of structures was shown in Ciudad

Juarez across the Rio Grande in Mexico.

The 1979 aerial photograph again showed an increase in development across the Rio Grande in Mexico, but no change on the U.S. side of the river near the subject property. The 1988 aerial photograph showed no change from the 1974 aerial photograph. The 1991 topographic map, at a scale of 1:50,000, did not show enough details in the area of the subject property to determine any change in development.

The 1994 topographic map showed a reduction in the number of structures in the area of the subject property in El Paso. In the 1995 aerial photograph, no changes were evident from the

1988 aerial photograph. The 1996 topographic map showed no change in the subject property area from the 1994 topographic map.

The 2004 aerial photograph showed the subject property area in the same state of development as it is currently. The buildings had been removed from the Hart’s mercantile property (Parcel

1) at the south end of the area, and work had begun on the city park property (Parcel 4). The

2005 aerial photograph showed the completion of the city park as the only evident change from

2004. The 2006 aerial photograph showed no change from 2005.

Overall, the historic aerial photographs and topographic maps reviewed showed a complete history of development of the subject property corridor and the adjacent properties from 1919 to present. No obvious industrial structures or activities were indicated in the subject property corridor. The two recognized environmental conditions for the former gas stations on Parcels

11 and 14 were noted in the review of historical photographs and topographic maps.

El Paso K-1B Phase I ESA 23 Final

4.3.3 City Directory Search

The properties adjacent to the subject property corridor are listed in available city directories from 1970 to 2006. A copy of the EDR city directory search report is found in Appendix D.

The city directory search generally verified data recovered from the environmental database search with regard to recognized environmental conditions on properties adjacent to the subject property corridor. The Rio Grande Shell Service Station was indicated at 1908

West Paisano Drive, the location also indicated for Paisano Auto Repair in the EDR database search report. The Rio Grande Thunderbird Service Station was indicated at 2000 West

Paisano Drive, as reported by the EDR database search report. Both gas stations were listed in the 1980, 1985, 1990 and 1995 city directories. No other businesses were listed on the adjacent properties that would indicate possible recognized environmental conditions on the properties.

4.4 LOCAL/REGIONAL WATER AGENCY RECORDS

A search of local and regional water agency records (see EDR Report in Appendix A, pages A-8 through A-10) indicated no wells located within a 0.5-mile radius of the subject property corridor.

El Paso K-1B Phase I ESA 24 Final

SECTION 5.0

SITE RECONNAISSANCE

El Paso K-1B Phase I ESA 25 Final

5.0 SITE RECONNAISSANCE

5.1 METHODOLOGY AND LIMITING CONDITIONS

A site reconnaissance was conducted on April 6 through 8, 2010 by Mr. Stephen Oivanki and

Mr. Greg Lacy of Gulf South Research Corporation (GSRC). The subject properties were generally accessible by vehicle and by foot. The focus of the effort was to investigate the subject property project corridor and properties adjacent to the corridor for visual evidence of potential hazardous or toxic substances, or the presence of potential sources for environmental impacts, such as drums, petroleum products and USTs. The subject properties were visually inspected for any recognized environmental conditions to the extent permitted by access and rights-of-entry (ROEs). Photographs of the subject property corridor and adjacent properties are presented in Appendix C, and an index to photograph locations is found in Figure 3. There were no obstructions limiting access to any portion of the subject properties, except as indicated in Section 5.3. Two properties formerly used as gas stations were not accessible due to locked gates and lack of property owner contact; and these properties were observed from outside the property boundaries. The property inspection was limited to the properties proposed for acquisition by CBP or located within the construction corridor and adjacent properties.

5.2 GENERAL SITE SETTING

5.2.1 Environmental Setting

The subject property area is located in a developed area along the west/south side of West

Paisano Drive and east of the American Canal in El Paso, Texas. The general geologic setting is within the Cretaceous strata in the floodplain of the Rio Grande.

Soil in the vicinity of the subject property consists of Gila fine sandy loam (EDR 2010). This soil is moderately well drained with moderate infiltration rates. All soils in the general area have been extensively disturbed due to a long history of development and occupation in the area.

The depth to groundwater in the area is estimated at 15 feet below ground surface, based on information from monitoring reports provided by TCEQ for Parcel 14.

El Paso K-1B Phase I ESA 26 Final

The general area of the subject properties is developed, and vegetation consists of sparse to heavy herbaceous and shrub vegetation along the canal, with scattered grass and ornamental shrubbery and trees around the remainder of the adjacent properties. The climate is dry, with annual rainfall of approximately 9 inches per year (World Climate 2010).

5.2.2 Physical Setting

The physical setting of the subject property can be described as a developed area adjacent to the Rio Grande and the American Canal along a major highway (U.S. 85 and West Paisano

Drive). Land north, east and south of the subject property corridor is developed, primarily with industrial and commercial businesses. To the west of the American Canal, is the Rio Grande and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

5.3 EXTERIOR OBSERVATIONS

Photographs in Appendix C show the subject property and adjacent properties. Locations for the photographs are shown in Figure 3. The adjacent property parcels are sequentially numbered for reference from south to north, and property use is summarized in Table 1.

5.3.1 Subject Property Corridor

The subject property construction corridor can be described as a vacant strip of land between the adjacent property parcels and the American Canal, which diverts water from the Rio Grande for irrigation purposes to the agricultural fields south of El Paso. The American Canal consists of an open, concrete-lined canal adjacent to the construction corridor, with the upper banks of the canal composed of exposed dirt as the elevations increase to the north. The open canal converts to an underground concrete conduit both north and south of the subject property construction corridor. The strip of land between the top bank of the canal and the adjacent parcels is vegetated with native shrub vegetation along its entire length. The boundary between the construction corridor and the adjacent parcels is marked by a chain link fence of varying height, and in some sections by a stone wall.

Along the chain link fence, there are numerous electrical utility poles, some with electrical transformers, and some with lights installed by CBP to illuminate the canal for USBP enforcement actions (Photographs 3, 7, 8, 13, 16 and 28, Appendix C). There is an electronic

El Paso K-1B Phase I ESA 27 Final surveillance and communications tower near the south end of the subject property corridor, installed by CBP. Five culverts cross the subject property corridor along its length to transmit storm water from the adjacent parcels to the American Canal (Photographs 6, 12, 17 and 29).

Within the subject property corridor, there is a City of El Paso sewer collection and transmission pipeline, as shown in Figure 4. The location of the sewer pipeline was obtained from the city public works department. One sewer access manhole was located within the subject property corridor (Photograph 26) at the approximate north end of the sewer line. Along the boundary of the adjacent parcels, there is a buried fiber-optic communications cable (Photograph 2); but no confirmation of the location of this cable was available. A manhole access to this cable was found at the north end of the corridor adjacent to West Paisano Drive (Photograph 31). Also within the subject property corridor, there are four concrete access vaults containing open PVC monitoring wells (Photographs 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23) adjacent to Parcel 14. The wells monitor groundwater contamination from petroleum fluids released on the adjacent property, a former gas station with USTs.

5.3.2 Adjacent Properties

Parcel 1 (see Figure 3) consists of a vacant lot with ground cover of grass and gravel, with trees and shrubs along waterways. There is an historical monument located on the property

(Photograph 41, Appendix C) commemorating the site as the location of one of the first developments in El Paso, site of Hart’s Mill and an original homestead. There are no buildings on the parcel; however, remnants of concrete foundations are visible at several locations on the property. A large drainage canal bisects the property at the south end, and the canal passes under West Paisano Drive, and is visible to the east until it enters a culvert under the Interstate

10 highway. The canal is vegetated along both banks, and contains an assortment of trash and debris (Photograph 43). No hazardous debris was observed in the canal. An old natural gas outlet and meter location was observed on the property near the north end by West Paisano

Drive (Photograph 42). A fiber-optic cable is buried along the south and west boundary of the property, just inside the chain link fence (Photograph 2).

Parcel 2 consists of an abandoned restaurant (La Hacienda Restaurant) and parking lot

(Photograph 40). According to an interview with the property owner, the restaurant building was

El Paso K-1B Phase I ESA 28 Final the original home of the founder of historic Hart’s Mill. No hazardous materials were observed around the restaurant building, but no interior inspection was done.

Parcels 3, 5, 6, 7 and 8 contain residential apartment buildings. The buildings on Parcels 6, 7 and 8 were former barracks on historic Fort Bliss, and have been transferred to private ownership. All of the apartment buildings are in disrepair. There is abundant debris and trash around the properties, but no hazardous debris or trash was observed. Two sealed 5-gallon buckets with unknown contents were observed near the rear fence of Parcel 7 (Photograph 9).

Parcel 4 contains Doniphan Park (Photograph 5), a modern City of El Paso recreational park with playground areas and a basketball court and restrooms. No hazardous materials or conditions were observed in the park. There is an electrical transformer station at the rear of the property, as well as a sewer pump station (Photograph 4).

Parcel 9 contains a cabinet wholesale business, Boca and Brown Cabinets, and several shipping trucks were parked in the parking lot. No hazardous conditions were observed on the property.

Parcel 10 is the site of Bomanite Artistic Concrete, a concrete paving company. The business installs stamped concrete decks and surfaces. Numerous barrels and containers of concrete materials were present in the yard of the business, as well as abundant forming and structural materials (Photograph 14); but no hazardous conditions were observed. According to the owner, the building previously housed a theater. According to the 1970 Sanborn map, the property formerly was the site of a bus repair and parking facility. A Phase I ESA was completed by the current owner for the property prior to purchase about 5 years ago, and no recognized environmental conditions were reported.

Parcel 11 is the site of a former gas station and automotive repair shop. There were USTs on the property that were removed in 1990 and 2002. Several monitoring wells were observed on the property, related to the former USTs and possibly to a release of UST contents in the past.

The property owner, Ricardo Tapia, stated that the property was declared clean when he purchased it in 2006. The gas station building remaining on the property had UST vent pipes visible at the rear of the building (Photograph 37). An old metal building adjacent to the south

El Paso K-1B Phase I ESA 29 Final property boundary formerly housed an automotive repair shop (Photograph 38). The property was fenced and locked, so no close physical inspection was completed. This property would be considered a historical recognized environmental condition due to the former USTs and a prior release of petroleum fluids to soils. Parcel 12 is the site of MFH Environmental Corporation, an asbestos and lead abatement demolition company. No hazardous conditions were observed on this property. One monitoring well was located in the side parking lot, however, probably related to the former USTs on Parcel 11 to the south. The parking lot was formerly part of Parcel 11.

The owner of the business stated that a Phase I ESA was performed on the property prior to purchase 5 years ago, and no recognized environmental conditions were found at that time. He stated that the building formerly housed a restaurant, and that two abandoned grease traps were located beneath the paved parking lot in the rear of the building.

Parcel 13 is the site of a former residence that was abated for asbestos and demolished 1 year ago by MFH Environmental Corporation. No hazardous conditions were observed on the now-vacant lot.

Parcel 14 is the site of a former gas station, with USTs that were removed in 1991 and 2002. A fenced compound at the southwest corner of the property (Photographs 25 and 36) contains three ASTs and two barrels with manual pumps attached, all within a concrete spill containment basin. The ASTs are part of the groundwater contamination remediation system installed on the property. The UST vent pipes were visible at the rear of the building (Photograph 24), and the apparent location of a former tank pit is at the south end of the property (Photograph 36), as indicated by a tank access manhole cover in that location. Numerous monitoring wells were observed on the property (Photograph 35), related to the former USTs, and the release of UST contents to soil and groundwater reported in the EDR database report. The property was fenced and locked, and no contact information was available for the property owner, so no close inspection of the property was possible. This site is considered a recognized environmental condition with a business environmental risk for the subject property corridor.

Parcel 15 contains a vacant house with adobe or concrete construction. A former gas meter and gas supply was located adjacent to West Paisano Drive at this property (Photograph 34). A concrete and stone wall partially surrounds the house and yard. No hazardous conditions or materials were observed on this property.

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Parcel 16 also contains a vacant house with adobe or concrete construction. There is also a small shed on the property with unknown contents. The yard is filled with miscellaneous debris and trash (Photograph 27), but no hazardous materials or conditions were observed. Parcels

18 and 19 are narrow, vacant properties along West Paisano Drive, and appear to be part of the road ROW.

5.4 INTERIOR OBSERVATIONS

There are no structures within the proposed subject property construction corridor, and no interior inspection was done for properties adjacent to the corridor.

5.5 HAZARDOUS WASTE

No hazardous materials or petroleum fluids were observed within…