Dominguez Channel Site Assessment and Cleanup

In January 2011, liquid petroleum hydrocarbons, known as light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL), were observed on the water in the Dominguez Channel during low tide conditions approximately 400 feet south of the E. Carson Street bridge. In April 2011, the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (LARWQCB) issued Investigative Orders to various entities (including Shell and Chevron) with facilities in the area to assess petroleum hydrocarbon impacts to soil, soil vapor, and groundwater. Resource Environmental LLC (RELLC) was retained by its member companies to manage the investigations under the direction of the LARWQCB. It should be noted that other Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs) include Conoco Phillips Company, Crimson Pipeline, Tesoro Corporation, and BP Pipelines. These other PRPs are conducting their own investigations, which are not reflected in this timeline.

Since July 2011, RELLC has been conducting soil, soil vapor, groundwater, air, and residual petroleum sampling within and along the Dominguez Channel south of E. Carson Street, and at several properties in the immediate vicinity, including the former Carson Air Harbor at 21611 S. Perry Street, the former Texaco Service Station at 1209 E. Carson Street, the 76 Station #6082 at 1025 E. Carson Street, and the former Active RV property at 1202 E. Carson Street to determine the potential source(s) and nature of petroleum seepage in the Dominguez Channel.

The initial phase of assessment was performed to understand the conditions at several locations within the project area. This work included the installation of soil borings, monitoring wells, soil, sediment, and groundwater sampling, as well as, the review of historical technical information regarding site conditions in the project area. This phase of the work effort was performed to identify the relationship between these potential source areas and the Channel, as well as, to better understand the nature and extent of the petroleum seeping into the Channel.

The results of the initial phases of the investigation indicate that the petroleum hydrocarbons detected seeping into the channel are intermediate naphtha mixed with some crude oil (less than 5 percent), and the local detections of hydrocarbons in soil and groundwater suggest a pipeline source(s). Further investigative work is still required to determine the specific source(s) and to formulate a solution.