For space constraints, analytical reports have been removed from this web document. Contact Environmental Health and Safety for review. This soil characterization sampling report has been prepared by Woodard & Curran on behalf of the University of Massachusetts (UMass) to document the soil sampling activities and analytical results associated with the assessment of shallow soils adjacent to three dormitories referred to as the Sylvan Residential Complex on the UMass Amherst campus.
The three dormitories are all of similar construction and were built consecutively. These buildings are referred to as the Brown, McNamara, and Cashin Residences (see Figure 1-1). Between 2011 and 2013, UMass conducted building envelope repairs at each of these structures, including the removal of exterior masonry joints identified as containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at concentrations ≥ 50 parts per million (ppm). These activities were conducted consistent with Remediation Plans submitted to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under 40 CFR 761. Consistent with the plans once the repair projects were complete on the three buildings, ground surfaces surrounding each of the three buildings are being assessed and remediated, as necessary. Upon completion of the assessment, a Remediation Plan will be prepared and submitted to the EPA for review and approval.
As part of this assessment, soil results were detected in excess of the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP) reporting requirements and a Release Notification was submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) on September 25, 2014. Following the notification, the MassDEP issues a Notice of Responsibility (NOR) on October 2, 2014, which included the submittal of a report summarizing the environmental assessment activities completed to date, as they related to PCBs in soils.
