Temple Distributing Carson Oil

In February 2012, approximately 970 gallons of gasoline were spilled onto the soils at the Temple Distributing property (also known as Carson Oil). The spill was due to overfilling an aboveground storage tank (AST); much of the spill was contained within the bermed area beneath the AST, but the product quickly infiltrated into the gravel and soils within the bermed area.

In April 2012, approximately 415 tons of petroleum impacted soils were excavated and disposed of in a landfill.  Subsequent confirmation soil samples revealed the presence of petroleum impacted soils exceeding MTCA Method A cleanup levels remaining in the excavation pit, with concentrations of gasoline range organics as high as 3,080 mg/kg and benzene concentrations up to 36 mg/kg.

In April 2012, four groundwater monitoring wells were installed on the property.  Goundwater sampling revealed concentrations of gasoline range organics in groundwater as high as 14,500 ug/L and benzene concentrations ranging up to 1,250 ug/L.

In 2015, soil and groundwater samples were taken from the right of way directly north of the Site. More contamination above state cleanup levels was discovered. More environmental investigation is needed to see how far the contamination has spread through soil and groundwater.

Ecology issued an Enforcement Order (DE 14134) in April 2017 requiring additional investigation work and a Feasibility Study to determine how best to address residual petroleum hydrocarbons in soil and groundwater. An Enforcement Order is a legal document issued by Ecology requiring remedial action(s) to be performed at the site. Remedial actions are cleanup activities at contaminated sites. A Feasibility Study (FS) outlines options to cleanup contamination.

In accordance with the 2017 Enforcement Order and Remedial Investigation Work Plan, additional borings and monitoring wells were installed in April 2018. Based on the initial sample results, additional borings were completed in December 2018 to define the extent of contamination in the soil to the south and west of the release area.