Client: Sunkist Growers, Inc
Date: 2009 – 2013
Based on the successful implementation of BEC’s risk based closure program, which involved the reuse of impacted crushed concrete, Sunkist realized a cost savings of approximately $3.0 million.
Sunkist entered into an agreement to sale the historic Ontario packing plant to the City in 2008. As a condition of the sale, Sunkist was required to decommission the 11 acre facility and to close out all environmental issues. The City’s consultant implemented a limited site assessment and found the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), lead, diesel range organics (DRO), and poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil.
Sunkist retained BEC to complete the site assessment, manage the agency process, and implement the removal actions and to conduct environmental monitoring during the demolition of below grade foundations and the remaining structures. The subsurface investigation activities were completed and BEC recommended and prepared a risk-based Remedial Action Plan (RAP).
During the demolition of above ground structures, concrete, and asphalt was crushed on-site and placed into numerous large stockpiles. The crushed concrete was sampled and found to contain PCBs at concentrations in excess of 1.0 mg/kg. Under the Toxic Substances and Control Act (TSCA) the EPA has jurisdiction over the cleanup of PCB impacted media. The TSCA standards for the implementation of a self-directed cleanup require all material in excess of 1.0 mg/kg to be disposed off-site. The costs to dispose of all of the crushed concrete in excess of this limit would have been almost $4.0 million.
BEC’s RAP met both the requirements of the County of San Bernardino and the EPA requirements for risk-based cleanups. BEC subsequently implemented the removal actions in conjunction with environmental monitoring during the remainder of the demolition. Due to delays that Sunkist had in negotiating the removal of a cell tower on one of the still existing buildings, the removal action and environmental monitoring was conducted in phases between 2011 and 2012.
Soil removals were conducted at three areas for DRO, one area of PAHs, and one area for soluble lead. In addition, an underground storage tank area and associated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and several previously unidentified pipelines were removed during the final demolition phases. The majority of the crushed concrete and asphalt met the risk-based cleanup levels and was utilized as base material across the site.
The County issued a no further action (NFA) for the site on October 1, 2012. The EPA approved the completion of the PCB cleanup on October 2, 2012.
