The property is located on the main thoroughfare through Pinehurst within a mix of residential properties and commercial properties. The property was a vacant lot until 1970 when a petroleum station began operation. There is one single story building on the property that was constructed in 1975. In 1998, the five USTs were removed and samples were collected that showed a release had not occurred. Therefore, this is an CREC. At this same time, four USTs were installed and remain at the subject property. These four USTs are a REC. The station last pumped petroleum products under Coleman Oil Company in 2016. Shortly after Beamis Oil, the immediate past owner, purchased the property, Beamis drained the four USTs, removed the hoses to the pumps and sent DEQ a notification for UST closure in June 2020. Beamis Oil then sold the property to 111 South Division LLC, who also did not dispense or own the property during the time of operation. Presently, a fuel island is located in the center of the paved area and includes a canopy and three fuel dispensers that are intact with the dispenser hoses removed.
The property is located within the Bunker Hill Mining and Metallurgical Complex Superfund Site (BHSS), which is known to have soil contaminated with heavy metals related to mining, milling, and smelting activities. These metals are present throughout the BHSS in soil and sediment. The most significant contaminants are antimony, arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, and zinc. In 1999, the property was sampled for lead in the unpaved area of the subject property. Results show 278 mg/kg lead in the 0-1 inch depth, 408 mg/kg in the 1-6 inch depth, 3,500 mg/kg in the 6-12 inch depth, and 1,070 mg/kg in the 12-18 inch depth. Soil was removed and a barrier cloth was placed at the 12-inch depth and covered with gravel. Contamination remains on the subject property under a capped barrier. Activities involving excavation, grading, construction, and building demolition within the BHSS must have approved permits from Panhandle Health District (PHD) and be completed by PHD-permitted contractors. This ensures the integrity of the remedial actions that have been enacted at and around the parcels are maintained.
In January 2021, DEQ received an brownfield application for the former Hico Pinehurst currently owned by 111 South Division LLC. The Mayor of Pinehurst sent a letter supporting the application. DEQ's contractor Alta Science & Engineering, Inc. completed a Phase I ESA in April 2021. Based upon the available information collected from historical databases, personal interviews, and site reconnaissance activities, Alta recommended performing a Phase II ESA. The property requires environmental assessment activities related to the four USTs that may include subsurface soil samples and removal of the four USTs. There may be groundwater sampling if soils sampling results indicates a need to investigate potential impacts. Soil and groundwater samples will be collected by advancing soil borings using direct-push technology. Estimated Phase II assessment costs are approximately $70,000.
Petroleum Determination: 1) Beamis Oil, the immediate past owner, never dispensed any fuel. Shortly after purchasing the property, the USTs were drained, the hoses to the pumps were removed, then Beamis Oil sent in a notification for UST closure to DEQ. 2) Neither the current owner, 111 South Division LLC, nor the immediate past owner, Beamis Oil are responsible parties since they did not dispense or own the property during the time of operation. 3) Beamis Oil is a small Pinehurst petroleum operator who purchased the Hico station for the potential revitalization of the site. Beamis Oil then sold the property to 111 South Division LLC. Michele Castro and Cassidy Hurd are partners in the LLC. Castro and Hurd are not developers with deep pockets but are very invested in the revitalization of downtown Pinehurst. DEQ's brownfields assessment will enable Castro an