| Site Photos | ||||
| Click to View Photo | Picture Date | Caption | Size | |
| View Photo | 07/10/2006 | Figure 1: Topographical map (Gladstone 7.5 minute quadrangle) showing location of PCC Structurals, Inc. – Johnson Creek Complex site and surrounding area in southeast Portland and north Milwaukie. | 111 Kb | |
| View Photo | 07/10/2006 | Figure 2: Composite of 4” aerial photographs of PCC Structurals, Inc. site (Portland Maps, 2006). Note that composite was roughly made from 3 separate images and may not be completely aligned. | 86 Kb | |
| View Photo | 07/10/2006 | Figure 3: Plot of PCE concentrations measured in two on-site industrial water supply wells located at PCC Structurals – Johnson Creek Complex. Data is from samples taken between June 1996 and April 2003. | 47 Kb | |
| View Photo | 07/10/2006 | Figure 4: PCC Structurals – Johnson Creek Complex site diagram and stormwater system map (Figure 7 from SAIC March 1993 RCRA Preliminary Assessment). Location of site industrial water supply wells are highlighted in yellow. | 44 Kb | |
| View Photo | 07/13/2006 | Figure 5: Data summarizing PCE concentrations measured in PCC-JCC industrial water supply wells. | 63 Kb | |
| Site ID: 274 | Site Name: PCC Structurals, Inc. - Johnson Creek Complex | CERCLIS No: 009027970 | |||||||||
| Address: | 4600 SE Harney Dr. Portland 97206 | ||||||||||
| County: Multnomah | Region: Northwest | ||||||||||
| Other location information: | The Portland Large Parts Campus (LPC) site straddles the Multnomah and Clackamas County line and comprises the steel and titanium plants. The titanium building is located at 5001 SE Johnson Creek Blvd. (Clackamas County), while the steel building is located at 4600 SW Harney Drive (Multnomah County). | ||||||||||
| Investigation Status: | Suspect site requiring further investigation | ||||||||||
| Brownfield Site: No | NPL Site: No | Orphan Site: No | Study Area: No | ||||||||
| Property: | Twnshp/Range/Sect: 1S , 2E , 19 | Tax Lots: | |||||||||
| Latitude: | Longitude: |
Site Size: 23.02 acres | |||||||||
| Other Site Names: |
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| General Site Description: |
The Johnson Creek Complex site straddles the Multnomah and Clackamas County line. The Portland Building has the 4600 SE Harney Drive Address and is located in Portland on the Multnomah County side of the line. The Titanium Building has a Milwaukie address (5001 SE Johnson Creek Blvd.), and is located in Clackamas County. The complex is in a mixed industrial/residential area. The site is almost entirely paved or covered by buildings. Johnson Creek is located 500 feet south of the site. Shallow groundwater is less than 20 feet below the surface at the site. Deeper groundwater is used extensively in the area for drinking water - there are several City of Milwaukie municipal drinking water supply wells less than 1 mile south of the site. Shallow groundwater migrating southwest from the site is expected to discharge to nearby Johnson Creek. The site is located along a relatively steep incline to its north which levels off as you approach Johnson Creek Blvd to the south. A channelized creek is present below the site which collects storwmater from a number of site catchbasins, and eventually discharges to Johnson Creek west of the site. |
| Site History: | (7/10/06 CWH/SAP) PCC Structurals, Inc., originally known as the Precision Castparts Corporation (PCC), was incorporated in 1956 and has been operating at this site, referred to as the Johnson Creek Complex, since 1957. The Portland Building (also known as the Large Structurals Business Operation, or LSBO) was built in 1957. The Titanium Building (also known as the Titanium Business Operation, or TBO), was constructed in 1949-50 by the Oregon Saw Chain Corporationfor manufacturing saw chains. During the 1970's the TBO was owned by Ford Industries, Inc., and occupied by Cod-A-Phone, which manufactured electronic communications equipment, including answering mahcines. PCC purchased the TBO building in 1981. The Neutralization Building was constructed by PCC in 1986-87 for on-site hazardous waste neutralization and recycling operations. |
| Contamination Information: |
(5/24/95 KPD/SRS) The Precision Castparts Corporation (PCC) manufactures parts and components from various alloys using an investment casting process. Stainless steel parts are produced in the Portland Building, while titanium parts are produced in the Titanium Building. Various hazardous materials are used. Spent solutions of nitric and hydrofluoric acids, and potassium and sodium hydroxides, are sent to an on-site Neutralization Building for pH adjustment, filtering, and discharge to the industrial sewer system under permit. Slightly radioactive thorium, which was formerly used in the titanium casting process, was disposed of at Hanford, Washington. Solvents, were formerly used including perchloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE), are drummed and recycled off-site. These solvents have not been used at the site since the 90's. In 1993, the drums were stacked in storage areas that were outside, uncovered, and unbermed. Asphalt surfaces direct stormwater runoff to storm drains that discharge to the City stomwater system and subsequently to an outfall at Johnson Creek. Various releases are known to have occurred. PCE contamination has been detected in groundwater beneath the site, and is currently under investigation. Investigation of groundwater contamination is nearing completion as of April 2016 (7/10/06 CWH/SAP) An updated review of groundwater sampling data at thise time showed a clear trend in increasing concentrations of PCE at the site (See Figure 3 presented in Image 3). PCE has been measured at 15.6 ppb in Well #2 in April 2003 - above EPA drinking water MCL of 5 ppb, EPA Region 9 Preliminary Remediation Goal (PRG) for tap water of 0.1 ppb. During groundwater sampling of Well #2, trichloroethene (TCE) was detected for the first time at a concentration of 1.67 ppb. The TCE concentration is below the EPA drinking water MCL of 5 ppb, but above DEQ Risk-Based Concentrations for protection of drinking water (0.029 ppb) and EPA Region 9 PRG for tap water of (0.028 ppb). A single soil sample test result submitted to DEQ in March of 2006 that showed no detections of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is not considered relevant for several reasons: (a) details of the soil sample location were missing; (b) laboratory detection limits were above several relevant DEQ risk-based soil concentration levels for protection of groundwater. Overall trend of data since 1996 is increase in chlorinated solvents in groundwater below the PCC-JCC site. PCE and TCE have been used at this site for many years. A review of DEQ Water Quality Stormwater sampling records shows that stormwater discharge at the PCC-JCC site has exceeded (non-enforceable) benchmarks established for zinc. Concentrations of zinc measured in Johnson Creek sediments near the PCC-JCC site showed local increases, relative to upstream concentrations at the discharge point that serves the sites southern boundary and the main storm outlet located east of the site. (11/14/13, DJH Northwest Cleanup) As of 2014, primary site contaminants appear to be chlorinated solvents including PCE and TCE detected in soil and groundwater, metals, and PCBs. Given that the site is paved, primary concern for metals and PCBs is discharge of these contaminants to Johnson Creek via stormwater releases. (4/19/16) PRS Northwest Region Cleanup. Investigation performed under the 2008 agreement between DEQ and PCC has shown that PCE, TCE, metals and PCBs are the primary contaminants at the site. Soil, catch basin sediments, stormwater and groundwater are the affected media. |
| Manner and Time of Release: |
Discharge of wastes (through spills, overflows, etc.) down storm drains to Johnson Creek. Time of Release: occasional; known to have occurred at least once per year from 1987 to 1992. (7/10/06 CWH/SAP) Summary of Hazardous Waste inspection problems: (a) DEQ RCRA inspection in January 1986 - Inspectors found numerous drums of hazardous waste that were being stored outside for more than 90 days. Addressed by (then) Precision Castparts in November 1986. (b) DEQ RCRA Compliance inspections in Dec. 1986 and Feb. 1987 - Inspectors found improper storage of waste oil containers, some of which caused a discharge to Johnson Creek via storm sewers. (c) DEQ RCRA compliance inspection in Nov. 1987 - Additional rule violations were noted, including storing hazardous wastes for more than 90 days; mislabelling hazardous waste storage containers, and discharging cooling water contaminated with ethylene glycol into the storm sewer. (d) In February 1992 a Multi-Media Compliance Inspection was performed at the site by EPA's Oregon Operations Office under the Federal RCRA program. The inspection focused on PCC's use and disposal of regulated hazardous wastes. The inspection found numerous violations, including unlabelled storage containers, improper storage, incorrect shipping manifests, and a lack of documentation. (e) PCC had been fined or cited for improper discharges to Johnson Creek at least once a year from 1987 to 1991. In February of 1990, DEQ performed sampling at the site as part of an NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit monitoring report. DEQ sampled PCC's cooling water discharge to Johnson Creek (which enters the creek through the storm sewer outfall), above and below the outfall. Samples were analyzed by EPA Method 8240 for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). PCE was detected in the cooling water discharge at up to 11 ppb. PCE was also detected in Johnson Creek below the storm outfall at 5 ppb and was not detected in Johnson Creek above the outfall. (11/14/13) Remedial investigation under DEQ has identified solvents including PCE and TCE in soil and groundwater beneath site buildings, in particular the Steel Building. The source of the releases is solvent storage and degreasing operations. PCBs releases detected in Steel Building flooring, soil, etc. were apparently associated with the Vacuum Mastermelt. The source of PCBs detected elsewhere including in catch basins and the parking lot west of the Steel Building is unclear. |
| Hazardous Substances/Waste Types: |
Chlorinated solvents (PCE, TCE, etc.), metals including titanium, acids and bases including sodium hydroxides, hydrofluoric and nitric acids, radioactive thorium. Also PCBs, which have been detected in both soil and stormwater. Metals have been released to Johnson Creek via stormwater. |
| Pathways: |
Primary exposure pathways of concern: -occupation worker exposure to soil -occupational worker exposure to soil vapor from contaminated soil and groundwater -excavation worker exposure to contaminated soil and shallow groundwater -construction worker exposure to shallow soil contamination - eco receptor and human exposure to contaminated water or sediment resulting from stormwater releases to Johnson Creek. |
| Environmental/Health Threats: | |
| Status of Investigative or Remedial Action: |
(5/24/95 KPD/SRS) Groundwater at the site has fluctuated between having no detectable levels of contamination, and having contamination at twice the federal MCLs. Soils at the site had not been sampled (as of 1995). Considering the long history of on-site operations, the large amounts of hazardous substances used at the site, and Precision Castparts' record of poor waste-management practices, SRS feels that this site is a medium priority for further agency action. An expanded Preliminary Assessment (XPA) should be performed to collect additional soil, groundwater, and sediment samples, plus additional information on hazardous substance use, storage, and disposal practices. The XPA should either be performed by Precision Castparts under the supervision of the Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP), or by DEQ's Site Assessment Program. (7/10/06 CWH/SAP) DEQ performed an updated evaluation of the PCC Structurals, Inc. - Johnson Creek Complex (PCC-JCC) site. As part of this evaluation DEQ received additional groundwater well testing data that showed a continuing increase in perchloroethylene (PCE) concentrations in groundwater below the PCC operation. Between June 1996 and April 2003, PCE concentrations in groundwater below the site have increased from 2 parts-per-billion (ppb) to 15.7 ppb. These concentrations are well above the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for drinking water of 5 ppb and the EPA Region 9 Preliminary Remediation Goal (PRG) for cleanup of groundwater used as drinking water of 0.1 ppb for PCE. While it is true that measured PCE concentrations have fluctuated somewhat over the period that sampling has occurred, the overall trend is a continuing increase. In addition, the April 2003 sample results also detected trichloroethene (TCE) at 1.67 ppb in Well #2. This result is at a concentration that is below the EPA MCL of 5 ppb, but above the EPA PRG of 0.028 ppb. In response to this evaluation PCC-JCC submitted laboratory results for a single soil sample that was tested in November 2005. No details of the area where the soil sample was acquired was provided. The laboratory results for the soil sample was all non-detects for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, it should be noted that the detection limits for the November 2005 soil tests for PCE (99.5 ppb) and TCE (99.5 ppb) are above DEQ's risk-based concentrations for leaching to groundwater for protection of residential drinking water sources of 5.3 ppb for PCE and 0.48 ppb for TCE. There are several factors that would point to PCC-JCC as a probable source of the detected PCE - (a) PCC's casting process has long incorporated the use of PCE and TCE; (b) The PCC-JCC site has a past record of poor waste management and spills; (c) A current soil and groundwater investigation of the PCC plant on SE 84th Avenue in Clackamas (ECSI #1617) - an operation similar to the PCC-JCC plant - has found high concentrations of chlorinated solvents in groundwater; (d) There are no other major manufacturing operations near the PCC-JCC site that are likely sources of PCE and TCE contamination. PCC-JCC stormwater sampling data also indicates that it may be a source of zinc discharges to Johnson Creek. Recent sampling of Johnson Creek sediments indicate local increases of zinc in sediment at outfalls that service the PCC-JCC property and facilities. CONCLUSIONS (a) The PCC Structurals, Inc. - Johnson Creek Complex site is located in close proximity to the City of Milwaukie's drinking water aquifer and residential areas. Chlorinated solvent contamination that exceeds risk-based standards for protection of human health have been measured in PCC-JCC wells. Concentrations of PCE measured in groundwater have been increasing steadily over time. (b) A Site Investigation (SI) is required at the PCC-JCC site to determine if it is a source of PCE contamination. Given that the PCE concentrations in groundwater below the PCC-JCC site exceed risk-based screening criterion, further action is considered to be a high priority. (c) Further investigation of possible sources of zinc contamination to Johnson Creek from the PCC-JCC site should be performed. (11/6/08 SM/SRS) PCC entered into an agreement on September 9, 2008 with DEQ to conduct a Remedial Investigation (RI) to assess whether chlorinated solvent contamination exists in soil and groundwater at the JCC. PCC will submit an RI proposal to DEQ by November 14, 2008. UPDATE, 11/14/13. A remedial investigation has been performed by PCC under DEQ's Voluntary Cleanup Program, which has included extensive soil and groundwater investigation, stormwater sampling, and collection of data from PCC's outfall to and within Johson Creek. Chlorinated solvents, metals, and PCBs have been identified at levels of concern. DEQ is currently reviewing the comprehensive RI report submitted in July 2013. Based on initial review and new stormwater data provided by the City of Portland, additional investigation of PCB sources and potential releases, in particular to Johnson Creek via stormwater, appears necessary. UPDATE April, 19 2016: DEQ completed the review of the 2013 draft RI report and made comments on that report. In late 2013, before the report could be finalized, PCBs were detected in stormwater from the site. In response, in 2013, 2014 and 2015, several rounds of investigation of stormwater, catch basin sediments, on site soil and Johnson Creek sediment have been performed. In 2015, extensive cleanout of the site stormwater conveyance system was performed, including the City of Portand line to Johnson Creek. Currently, a stormwater treatment system is under design to prevent future contamination. In addition, the groundwater investigation is being expanded to ensure the full extent of contaminated groundwater is delineated. Evidence does not indicate impacts to drinking water sources. The next steps are to complete the remedial investigation including an assesment of risk from off-site contamination including Johnson Creek, and development of remedial options in a feasibility study. |
| Data Sources: |
GENERAL INFORMATION SOURCES 1) December 1990 Preliminary Environmental Site Assessment report. 2) February 1992 RCRA Multi-Media Compliance Investigation report. 3) March 1993 RCRA Preliminary Assessment report. 4) Correspondence FROM owner and/or operator. 5) Newspaper Articles. 6) Laboratory Data. 7) NWR HSW files. 8) NWR Cleanup Files Landau Associates. 2016a. Technical Memorandum: Polychlorinated Biphenyl Source Control, Storm Drain System Cleaning and Video Inspection Report. Landau Associates, to Paul Seidel, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. January 14. Landau Associates. 2016b. Supplemental Groundwater Well Installation Workplan. Prepared for PCC Structurals, Inc by Landau Associates, March 30, 2016. Landau Associates. 2015a. Technical Memorandum: Phase II Remedial Investigation. February 2015 Catch Basin and Stormwater Sampling, Landau Associates, to Cyndi Ryals, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. April 3, 2015. Landau Associates. 2014a. Technical Memorandum: Phase II Remedial Investigation. Additional Sediment Sampling of Johnson Creek, Landau Associates, to Cyndi Ryals, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. September 29, 2014. Landau Associates. 2014b. Technical Memorandum: Phase II Remedial Investigation. October 2014 Upland PCB source Investigation, Landau Associates, to Cyndi Ryals, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. December 17, 2014. Bower, J. 2010. Email message from Jay Bower, Landau Associates, to Scott Manzano, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Re: Thorium Data for Johnson Creek – Summary and Request for Concurrence on Phase II RI Scope Modification. August 4. DEQ. 2012a. Letter: Remedial Investigation Data Requirements. From Scott Manzano, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, to Chris Myers, PCC Structurals, Inc. April 27. DEQ. 2012b. Letter: Remedial Investigation Data Requirements. From Scott Manzano, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, to Chris Myers, PCC Structurals, Inc. May 31. DEQ. 2010a. Letter: Additional Phase II RI Work Plan Scope Requirements. From Scott Manzano, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, to David Murray, PCC Structurals, Inc. March 18. DEQ. 2010c. Letter: Conditional Approval of Phase II RI Work Plan. From Scott Manzano, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, to David Murray, PCC Structurals, Inc. June 10. DEQ. 2010d. Letter: Supplemental Scope of Work for Phase II Remedial Investigation Work Plan. From Scott Manzano, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, to David Murray, PCC Structurals, Inc. October 19. DEQ. 2009. Letter: Phase II RI Work Plan Scope Requirements. From Scott Manzano, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, to David Murray, PCC Structurals, Inc. October 29. Landau Associates, 2014. Response to DEQ January 23, 2014 Comments (draft RI Report). March 17. Landau Associates, 2013. Agency Review Draft, Remedial Investigation Report. From Jay Bower, Landau Associates, to Scott Manzano, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. July 17. Landau Associates. 2013. Technical Memorandum: Summary of Historical PCB Assessment and Cleanup Activities, PCC Structurals Large Part Campus. From Jay Bower, Landau Associates, to Scott Manzano, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. February 11. Landau Associates. 2012a. Technical Memorandum: Soil Characterization for Storm Drain Replacement. From Jay Bower, Landau Associates, to Scott Manzano, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. January 20. Landau Associates. 2012b. Technical Memorandum: Additional Soil Characterization near Storm Drain. From Jay Bower, Landau Associates, to Scott Manzano, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. July 16. Landau Associates. 2012c. Technical Memorandum: Phase II Remedial Investigation Supplemental Quarterly Stormwater and Surface Water Sampling. From Jay Bower, Landau Associates, to Scott Manzano, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. July 16. Landau Associates. 2012d. Technical Memorandum: Phase II Remedial Investigation Quarterly Sub-Slab Vapor Sampling and Monitoring Well Installation. From Jay Bower, Landau Associates, to Scott Manzano, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. August 1. Landau Associates. 2011a. Technical Memorandum: Phase II Remedial Investigation Supplemental Stormwater and Surface Water Sampling. From Jay Bower, Landau Associates, to Scott Manzano, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. April 29. Landau Associates. 2011b. Technical Memorandum: Phase II Remedial Investigation Supplemental Sub-Slab and Soil Gas Sampling – Round 3 Sampling. From Jay Bower, Landau Associates, to Scott Manzano, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. April 29. Landau Associates. 2011c. Technical Memorandum: Phase II Remedial Investigation, Direct-Push Soil and Groundwater Sampling. From Jay Bower, Landau Associates, to Scott Manzano, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. October 1. Landau Associates. 2011d. Technical Memorandum: Phase II Remedial Investigation Supplemental Sediment Sampling. From Jay Bower, Landau Associates, to Scott Manzano, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. December 21. Landau Associates. 2010a. Work Plan: Phase II Remedial Investigation, PCC Large Parts Campus, Portland, Oregon. Prepared for PCC Structurals, Inc. May 21. Landau Associates. 2010b. Technical Memorandum: Phase II Remedial Investigation Groundwater Monitoring Well Installation. From Jay Bower, Landau Associates, to Scott Manzano, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. December 8. Landau Associates. 2010c. Technical Memorandum: Phase II Remedial Investigation Supplemental Sub-Slab and Soil Gas Sampling. From Jay Bower, Landau Associates, to Scott Manzano, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. December 8. Landau Associates. 2009b. Agency Review Draft: Phase I Remedial Investigation, PCC Large Parts Campus, Portland, Oregon. Prepared for PCC Structurals, Inc. September 14. Landau Associates. 2009a. Work Plan: Phase I Remedial Investigation, PCC Large Parts Campus, Portland, Oregon. Prepared for PCC Structurals, Inc. April 1. Manzano, S. 2013. Email message from Scott Manzano, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to Jay Bower, Landau Associates. Re: PCC Structurals, Inc., Large Parts Campus – Conceptual Site Model. May 2. Manzano, S. 2008. Letter from Scott Manzano, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to David Murray, PCC Structurals, Inc. Re: Transmittal of Voluntary Cleanup Agreement. September 3. SAIC. 1993. RCRA Preliminary Assessment, RP/VSI Report, Precision Castparts Corporation, Portland, Oregon, EPA I.D. No. ORD009027970. Science Applications International Corporation. Prepared for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. March. |
| Substance | Media Contaminated | Concentration Level | Date Recorded | |
| TETRACHLOROETHYLENE | Groundwater | 7.2 ug/l; Well #3 | 7/1/1998 3:55:31 PM | |
| TETRACHLOROETHYLENE | Groundwater | 5.89 ug/l; Well #3 | 6/6/1997 3:55:31 PM | |
| TETRACHLOROETHYLENE | Groundwater | 1.93 ug/l; Well #3 | 3/4/1997 3:55:31 PM | |
| TETRACHLOROETHYLENE | Groundwater | 4.2 ug/l; Well #3 | 7/29/1996 3:55:31 PM | |
| TETRACHLOROETHYLENE | Groundwater | 2.0 ug/l; Well #3 | 5/23/1996 3:55:31 PM | |
| TETRACHLOROETHYLENE | Groundwater | 15.6 ug/l; Well #2 | 4/22/2003 3:55:31 PM | |
| TRICHLOROETHYLENE | Groundwater | 1.67 ug/l; Well #2 | 4/22/2003 4:15:03 PM | |
| Action | Start Date | Compl. Date | Resp. Staff | Lead Pgm | |
| REMEDIAL INVESTIGATION (Primary Action) | 03/22/2019 | Heidi Nelson | |||
| View Full Report Showing Action History | |||||
Key to Certain Acronyms and Terms in this Report:
You may be able to obtain more information about this site by contacting Heidi Nelson at the Northwest regional office or via email at heidi.nelson@deq.oregon.gov. If this does not work, you may contact Ximena Cruz Cuevas (503) 229-6811, or via email at ximena.cruzcuevas@deq.state.or.us or contact the Northwest regional office.