Notice of Public Review and Request for Comments

RE: Melinda Court, Caselli Way, and Firefox Drive, Santa Maria Contaminated Soil Cleanup Project

ConocoPhillips Co., Inc., as owner, and ATC Associates, Inc., as operator, propose to conduct an excavation and removal project to clean up contaminated soil at 835, 841, 847 Melinda Court, 3030 Caselli Way, and 830, 840, and 846 Firefox Drive in Santa Maria, the previous site of the Rembusch No. 4 Lease oil field. ATC Associates, Inc. has applied to the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) for a permit for this project. Before our agency issues this permit, state law requires that we notify you, since you are either the parent/guardian of a student attending Valley Christian Academy or are a resident or business located within 1,000 feet of the site.

This project involves the removing, loading, and hauling of contaminated soil from under residences located at 835, 841, 847 Melinda Court, 3030 Caselli Way, and 830, 840, and 846 Firefox Drive in Santa Maria. A total of about 22,000 cubic yards of soil will be removed from the project site in the following approximate portions by residence: 835 Melinda Court (1,500 cubic yards), 841 Melinda Court (6,500 cubic yards), 847 Melinda Court (3,000 cubic yards), 3030 Caselli Way (6,500 cubic yards), 830 Firefox Drive (3,500 cubic yards), 840 Firefox Drive (500 cubic yards), and 846 Firefox Drive (500 cubic yards). Excavated material will be loaded onto trucks for transportation offsite to a State-approved treatment and disposal facility. The project is expected to commence in October of 2007, and excavation and removal activities will last for approximately 20 weeks.

The APCD has imposed conditions on the permit for this project that will minimize the release of emissions into the air during the excavation, handling, and transport of the contaminated material. Dust and emissions of smog-forming pollutants will be monitored and minimized through the use of water sprays, vapor suppressants, covering, and direct offsite removal of excavated soils. Stockpiles will be covered with continuous heavy-duty plastic sheeting and sprayed with vapor suppressant to reduce odors, particles, and smog-forming emissions. Contaminated soil will be removed from the site to a State-approved treatment and disposal facility.

We are providing you an opportunity to review and comment on this proposed permitting action. Further, prior to issuing the final permit, we will submit to the permit’s administrative file our written responses to any comments we receive during the comment period.

A copy of the draft Permit to Operate permit document (PTO 12343) prepared for this project is available for review at the following locations: APCD offices (260 North San Antonio Rd, Suite A, Santa Barbara and 301 E. Cook St, Suite L, Santa Maria).

The document (PDF file) may also be downloaded by clicking here. 

Please provide any comments to us within 30 days of the receipt of this notice at the address below (Attn: Michael Goldman, 961-8821).

Sincerely,

Michael Goldman Engineering Supervisor