Book Description
Investigations of Study Area 43E (Historic Gas Station Site) at Fort Devens, Massachusetts have resulted in the decision that no further hazardous waste studies or remediation are required at this site. Study Area 43E was identified in the Federal Facilities Agreement between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Defense as a potential site of contamination. Fort Devens was placed on the National Priorities List under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act on December 21, 1989. In addition, under Public Law 101-510, the Defense Base Realignment and Closure Act of 1990, Fort Devens was selected for cessation of operations and closure. In accordance with these acts, numerous studies, including a Master Environmental Plan, an Enhanced Preliminary Assessment, and a Site Investigation, have been conducted which address Study Area 43E. Field investigation of Study Area 43E was initiated in 1992 in conjunction with the other 12 Groups 2, 7, and Historic Gas Stations Study Areas at Fort Devens. The Study Area 43E site investigation consisted of surficial geophysical surveys, which included a metal detector and ground penetrating radar survey. The geophysical surveys indicated that one abandoned underground storage tank was present on the northern side of Building 2020. This tank was removed by ATEC Environmental Consultants on September 3, 1992. No visually contaminated soil was observed in the excavation, and groundwater was not encountered. ATEC Environmental Consultants performed field screening for volatile organic compounds and total petroleum hydrocarbons on 10 soil samples collected from the walls of the excavation. The photoionization detector headspace screening showed volatile organic compound concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 0.5 parts per million.