Pederson Farm

The site was a former farmstead, and at the time of the release was a cold-storage chicken distribution center. Underground petroleum storage tanks had been placed under a lawn between an old residence and warehouse.
 
In March 1990, a release was reported to Ecology after the two underground storage tanks were removed from the site. One tank was a 300-gallon gasoline tank of unknown age. Water inside the gasoline tank indicated that it had leaked. The second tank was about 15 years old, with a 500-gallon capacity, and had contained diesel fuel. This diesel tank was reportedly in good condition. A soil sample collected from the excavation pit confirmed petroleum contamination. The contaminant was reportedly characterized as gasoline.

In 1991, the site was added to Ecology’s Hazardous Sites List with a ranking of “3”. Sites on the Hazardous Sites List are a priority for Ecology, and have completed a Site Hazard Assessment (SHA). A SHA provides information about the environmental risk of the site. Risk is based on the amount of contaminants, how toxic they are, and how easily they can come in contact with people and the environment. Sites are ranked relative to each other on a scale of “1” to “5”; with a rank of “5” being the lowest.

Petroleum contaminated soils were excavated and transported off-site for disposal. About 3,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil was disposed of at Anderson’s Rocky Top site.

Based upon cleanup activities, Ecology determined the site is no longer a threat to human health and the environment. Ecology made a no further action determination in May 1998. The site has been removed from the Hazardous Sites List.