Underground Storage Tank Excavation/Disposal
Former BJ's Party Store

The MDEQ (currently EGLE) retained Environmental Resources Group, LLC (ERG) to conduct petroleum impacted soil excavation activities at the former BJ’s Party Store (the “Site”), located at 93 N Michigan Avenue, Beulah, Benzie County, Michigan. The work was performed under the 2017 Indefinite Scope Indefinite Delivery (ISID) Design-Build Services for Tank and Soil Removal contract between the MDEQ and ERG (2017 Design/Build ISID – Contract No. Y18119).

Per the Scope of Work provided to ERG by the MDEQ on December 4, 2017, the overall project goals were to: 1) Provide design and build services to excavate, transport, and dispose 2,000 tons of contaminated soil; 2) Provide field oversight during excavation activities; 3) Excavate and dispose of 2,000 tons of petroleum-impacted soils; 4) Backfill with overburden soil and clean imported fill; 5) Perform soil/groundwater sampling; and, 6) Restoration/gravel limestone.

The Site is currently occupied by a vacant building, formerly a gas station. In the spring of 1986, gasoline was discovered in an open excavation being dug for a basement beneath an addition to the Brookside Inn located on the north adjacent property. Groundwater and soil testing performed in August and September 1986 indicated that petroleum-related hydrocarbons were present in groundwater primarily between the Brookside Inn and the Site.

ERG completed site assessments in 2017. Soil, groundwater, and soil gas analytical results from the 2017 investigations indicated petroleum-related hydrocarbons were present above the MDEQ Cleanup Criteria Requirements for Response Activity (CCRRA).

In March 2018, ERG began excavating the northeastern portion of the Site. Excavation of the Site continued southwest towards Michigan Avenue. The excavation was backfilled from northeast to southwest following the removal of contaminated soils. ERG continually screened soils removed from the excavation using a PID. Elevated PID levels, petroleum odors, and soil staining were typically observed from approximately 4 feet below ground level (bgl) to 7 feet bgl. Groundwater was encountered in the excavation from between 5 and 6 feet bgl. The excavation was continued where safely and feasibly possible, horizontally and vertically, until the screening samples indicated VOC levels no greater than 50 ppm. The northern extent of the excavation was limited by the presence of an access drive as well as sewer and water lines. Structural safety concerns with the Site building limited the eastern extent in that area of the excavation. The southern extent of the excavation was limited by the presence of a gas line. The western extent of the excavation was limited by a concrete driveway. Seventeen (17) soil samples were delivered to the State of Michigan Environmental Lab located in Lansing, Michigan to be analyzed for VOCs in accordance with ERG’s proposed scope of work. Twenty-six (26) loads of impacted soil, totaling 981.1 tons in weight, were transported to the Wexford County Sanitary Landfill in Manton, Michigan.

Due to the presence of groundwater approximately 5-6 feet below grade level (bgl), a layer of crushed limestone was used to line the bottom of the excavation for compaction purposes. The crushed limestone was overlain with clean type II sand. The excavation was finished with six-inches of 23A road gravel.

 SERVICES PROVIDED

Soil Excavation/Disposal