TEAM D

1009-77 Edmonton Street

Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 4H8

t: 204-957-1313

www.teamd.ca

December 11, 2014

Mr. Robert Officer

Environmental Management Instructor

Red River College of Applied Arts, Science and Technology

2055 Notre Dame Avenue

Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3H 0J9

Dear Mr. Officer,

Subject: Phase One Environmental Site Assessment

Red River College Zone RRCSE, 2055 Notre Dame Avenue, Winnipeg Manitoba

We are pleased to submit this report for the Phase One Environmental Site Assessment of Red River

College, Zone RRCSE located at 2055 Notre Dame Avenue in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

The Phase One ESA followed the standard as per CSA Z768-01 which includes completion of a detailed

checklist during a site visit (see Appendix A – Phase 1 ESA Site Assessment Process Checklist), record

review of Red River College Board of Governor minutes, aerial photographs dating to 1960 and

interviews with staff from Red River College and preparation of the final report pertaining to the site.

The following observations can be made:

• Red River College uses extensive amounts of salt to deice road and walkways during the winter

months.

• Pesticide use has been modified recently to include newer more eco-friendly methods.

• Runoff from the roofs of adjacent buildings constructed from torched asphalt does not

discharge into a proper drain or catch basin, it drains into the soil.

Based on the review of records, photos, interviews and the site visit, Team D concludes that there is

potential for soil and groundwater contamination on the Notre Dame Red River College Campus zone

RRCSE. A Phase Two ESA will be required to confirm the presence or absence of environmental

contamination at the site.

Sincerely,

Jodi Neumann, Vipan Sandhu, Lucas Gannon & Mark Dacquel

Senior Environmental Management Group Project

Prepared for:

Robert Officer

Phase One Environmental Site Assessment

2055 Notre Dame Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba Red River College Zone RRCSE

Prepared by:

TEAM D Jodi Neumann

Lucas Gannon

Mark Dacquel

Vipan Sandhu

i

Executive Summary

At the request of Mr. Robert Officer, Environmental Management instructor at Red River

College, a Phase One Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) was conducted for the

southeast campus grounds at 2055 Notre Dame Avenue in Winnipeg, Manitoba as for

the purpose of potential development.

The main objective of this Phase One ESA was to identify potential environmental

liabilities at the site that may have resulted from activities on and adjacent to the

property and to identify any present conditions or practices that may represent

significant environmental risks or liabilities.

The Phase One ESA followed the standard as per CSA Z768-01 which includes

completion of a detailed checklist during a site visit (see Appendix A – Phase 1 ESA

Site Assessment Process Checklist), record review of Red River College Board of

Governor minutes, aerial photographs dating to 1960 and interviews with staff from Red

River College and preparation of the final report pertaining to the site.

The following observations can be made:

• Red River College uses extensive amounts of salt to deice road and walkways

during the winter months.

• Pesticide use has been modified recently to include newer more eco friendly

methods.

• Runoff from the roofs of adjacent buildings constructed from torched asphalt

does not discharge into a proper drain or catch basin, it drains into the soil.

Based on the review of records, photos, interviews and the site visit, Team D concludes

that there is potential for soil and groundwater contamination on the Notre Dame Red

River College Campus zone RRCSE. A Phase Two ESA will be required to confirm the

presence or absence of environmental contamination at the site.

.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................... i

1.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Objectives .................................................................................................................... 2

2.0 Site Description ............................................................................................................... 2

3.0 Site Assessment Process .................................................................................................. 3

3.1 Scope of Work ............................................................................................................. 3

3.2 Methodology ............................................................................................................... 3

3.2.1 Records Review .................................................................................................... 3

3.2.2 Interviews ............................................................................................................ 4

3.2.3 Site Visit ............................................................................................................... 4

4.0 ESA Findings .................................................................................................................... 4

4.1 Historical and Current Land Use ................................................................................... 4

4.2 Adjacent Land Use ....................................................................................................... 5

4.3 Building Materials ........................................................................................................ 6

4.4 Grounds and Roadways ............................................................................................... 6

4.5 Surface Staining ........................................................................................................... 6

4.6 Pesticides and Herbicides ............................................................................................. 6

4.7 Sumps and Drains ........................................................................................................ 7

4.8 Pipelines ...................................................................................................................... 7

4.9 Stressed Vegetation ..................................................................................................... 7

5.0 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 8

6.0 Recommendations ......................................................................................................... 10

Bibliography .............................................................................................................................. 11

Appendices ............................................................................................................................... 13

Appendix A: Phase 1 ESA Process Checklist ............................................................................ 14

Appendix B: Red River College Campus Zone RRCSE .............................................................. 14

Appendix C: Aerial Photograph 1960 ..................................................................................... 15

Appendix D: Aerial Photograph 1968 ..................................................................................... 16

Appendix E: Aerial Photograph 1975 ..................................................................................... 17

Appendix F: Aerial Photograph 1983 ..................................................................................... 18

Appendix G: Aerial Photograph 1998 ..................................................................................... 19

Appendix H: Aerial Photograph 2014 ..................................................................................... 20

Appendix I: Auxiliary Equipment of Sprinkler System ............................................................. 21

Appendix J: Interview Notes .................................................................................................. 22

Appendix K: Adjacent Properties ........................................................................................... 25

Appendix L: Deterioration of Concrete Steps ......................................................................... 26

Appendix M: Concrete Gutter ................................................................................................ 27

1

1.0 Introduction

At the request of the Civil Engineering Technology Department of Red River

College of Applied Arts, Science and Technology, a Phase One ESA was

conducted at the Red River College southeast campus grounds at 2055 Notre

Dame Avenue in Winnipeg, Manitoba as for the purpose of potential

development. Authorization to proceed with this assessment was given by Mr.

Robert Officer, Environmental Management instructor at Red River College on

November 4, 2014.

The property is owned by Red River College of Applied Arts, Science and

Technology and is located at the southeast corner of Route 90 and Notre Dame

Avenue (Zone RRCSE) and occupies approximately 4.1 hectares (see Appendix

A – Red River College Zone RRCSE). The aerial photographs of the area are

provided in Appendix C, D, E, F, G, and H.

The site is a grass park with two parking lots located on the northwest and west

side. Activities on the site include surveying labs for Civil Engineering

Technology students, canine relief for the Veterinary Department and a resting

place for migrating geese. The north face of the Red River College CARSI Lab is

the only building located on the site and was built in 2007. Catch basins are

located throughout the site with weeping tile underground. East of the Antoine

Avenue right of way is a large stone enclosure where auxiliary equipment of the

grounds sprinkler system is located (See Appendix I – Auxiliary Equipment for

Sprinkler System). Located on the north side is a concrete gutter that runs east

towards route 90.

We understand that Red River College is looking into potential develop of this

property and this Phase One ESA was requested by the client to assist in the site

development plan approvals and to support filing a Record of Site Condition

(RSC).

2

1.1 Objectives

The Phase One ESA was conducted in accordance with CSA Z768-01 to identify

potential environmental liabilities at the Site resulting from existing and previous

land uses and to identify any present conditions or practices that may cause

significant environmental risks or liabilities.

The objectives of the Phase One ESA include:

• To develop a preliminary determination of the likelihood of contamination

in soil or groundwater at the property.

• To develop the need for a Phase Two ESA and if necessary, provide the

basis for conducting a Phase Two ESA.

The objectives were met through the evaluation of the information gathered from

a records review, interviews, and a site visit which includes completion of a

detailed checklist during reconnaissance.

2.0 Site Description

The property is owned by Red River College of Applied Arts, Science and

Technology and was constructed in 1963. The property is located at the

southeast corner of the campus on the corner of Route 90 and Notre Dame

Avenue (Zone RRCSE) and occupies approximately 4.1 hectares (see Appendix

A – Red River College Zone RRCSE). The subject property was vacant prior to

1963 and is of pasture cover type The site is a grass park with two parking lots

located on the northwest and west side. Activities on the site include surveying

labs for Civil Engineering Technology students, canine relief for the Veterinary

Department and a resting place for migrating geese. Catch basins are located

throughout the site with weeping tile underground. East of the Antoine Avenue

right of way is a large stone enclosure where a sprinkler system is located.

Located on the north side is a concrete gutter that runs east towards route 90

and stops prior to the sidewalk.

3

3.0 Site Assessment Process

3.1 Scope of Work

The Phase One ESA consisted of:

• Records review

• Aerial photographs

• Interviews

• Site Visits

• Providing detailed recommendations for further environmental assessment

3.2 Methodology

The Phase One ESA was conducted in accordance with CSA Z768-01 to identify

potential environmental liabilities at the Site resulting from existing and previous

land uses, to identify any present conditions or practices that may cause

significant environmental risks or liabilities and to prepare a final report that

documents the study results.

3.2.1 Records Review

Documents relating to the development history were reviewed during this

assessment. Any environmental issues identified were subject to further

investigation during the Site inspection and interviews. The records reviewed

consisted of the following:

• Aerial photographs obtained from Mr. Robert Officer

• Red River College Board of Governors Minutes

• Red River College history as documented on the Red River College

website (http://www.rrc.ca/index.php?pid=316)

4

3.2.2 Interviews

In an effort to obtain further information regarding the development, occupancy

history and environmental conditions of the Site, interviews were conducted with

the following people:

• Gordon McCleod – Pavement and Grounds Department

• Robert Zakaluk - Red River College Civil/CAD/GIS Instructor

Interview notes are provided in Appendix J.

3.2.3 Site Visit

Field personnel visited the Site on November 5, 2014 between the hours of 1 and

3pm to conduct a walk-through inspection, evaluate potential on-Site issues and

determine whether any surrounding land uses may have and/or are currently

impacting the environmental condition of the Site. The weather at the time was

overcast and approximately 4̊C. Photographs were taken from the Site and

publicly accessible lands to document current site conditions.

4.0 ESA Findings

4.1 Historical and Current Land Use

The Site was vacant and of grassy cover type prior to 1963. Development of the

Red River College Campus Zone RRCSE includes:

• 1963 - Access roads, parking lots, concrete gutter and buildings A and B

constructed

• 2007 – CARSI Lab constructed

• 2007-2014 – Paved walkways around flower beds constructed and Red

River College LED signage erected on southeast corner of the Site.

The Site is a grass park with two parking lots located on the northwest and west

side. Activities on the site include surveying labs for Civil Engineering

Technology students, canine relief for the Veterinary Department and a resting

5

place for migrating geese. The north face of the Red River College CARSI Lab is

the only building located on the site and was built in 2007. Catch basins are

located throughout the site with weeping tile underground. East of the Antoine

Avenue right of way is a large stone enclosure where auxiliary equipment of the

grounds sprinkler system is Phase located (See Appendix I – Auxiliary

Equipment for Sprinkler System). Located on the north side is a concrete gutter

that runs east towards route 90.

4.2 Adjacent Land Use

Properties surround the Site are summarized as follows:

North of the Site

Adjacent to the north perimeter of the site is the CARSI Lab, Building B and a

recreational field (See Appendix K – Adjacent Properties).

East of the Site

Adjacent to the east perimeter of the site is Route 90 and the Brooklands

Community (See Appendix K – Adjacent Properties).

South of the Site

Adjacent to the south perimeter is Notre Dame Avenue and industrial/commercial

zone (See Appendix K – Adjacent Properties).

West of the Site

Adjacent to the west perimeter of the site is the east wall of the south gym,

Building A and parking lot (See Appendix K – Adjacent Properties).

Summary

Based on observations of these surround properties, no potential environmental

concerns were identified at the time of the Site inspection associated with

surround land activities.

6

4.3 Building Materials

Building Material on the Site buildings include:

• Torched asphalt and 2” river rock on roofs

• Non recycled asphalt on parking lots

4.4 Grounds and Roadways

The college salts their roads, sidewalks and parking lots as needed. The mix

consists of 10% calcium and 90% sand.

4.5 Surface Staining

Observations of surface stains include:

• Oxidation of exposed rebar on south entrance of south gym (see Appendix

L – Deterioration of Concrete Steps)

• Visible stains are on various locations of the north and northwest parking

lots and can inferred that it is motor oil or gasoline from parked vehicles.

4.6 Pesticides and Herbicides

Pesticides used on for lawn care and flower beds include:

• Round-up (glyphosate) to control grassy weeds

• Eco Clear

• 2-4-D or Par 3 to control broad leaf weeds

• Fiesta to control broad leaf weeds

• Copper spray as a fungicide on trees & shrubs

7

4.7 Sumps and Drains

Sumps and drains observed during site visit include:

• Catch basins throughout the Site

• A concrete gutter collecting rain from the roofs of the south gym, Building

B and the CARSI Lab (see Appendix M – Concrete Gutter)

4.8 Pipelines

Underground pipelines were inferred with observations of sprinkler check valves

throughout the grounds. A housing unit of underground pipes was also observed

on grounds (See Appendix I – Auxiliary Equipment for Sprinkler System).

4.9 Stressed Vegetation

Locations of stressed vegetation include:

• Along the east and west right of way of Antoine Avenue

• Along southern border of north parking lot

• Throughout the Site (inferred from ponding)

• At the end of concrete gutter (see Appendix M – Concrete Gutter)

8

5.0 Conclusion

Conclusions regarding the current environmental conditions at the Notre Dame

Red River College Campus Zone RRCSE property in Winnipeg, Manitoba are

based solely on the results of the information reviewed, Site inspection and

interviews conducted as part of this Phase Once ESA as described in this report.

Based on the Phase One ESA, we conclude there is a high potential for

significant environmental liabilities to be associated with the Site. The following

potential environmental concerns associated with the current and historical use

of the Site and its environmental condition were identified:

• Spills and Leaks

There is no protocol as to response to spills and leaks occurring from parked

vehicles on Antoine Avenue and the north and northwest parking lot. There is

high potential for contaminants to reach the soil and groundwater.

• Deterioration of Concrete Steps

At the south gym south entrance, concrete steps have deteriorated and exposes

rebar that has rusted. It is assumed that when rainfall and snow melt occur the

precipitation that is exposed to this rusty metal is running off of the steps into the

grass field and drainage systems. With stating this, rust is non-toxic and

therefore does not present any biological hazards to the environment. The only

concern that this site finding presents is the support of the structure. It is clearly

noticeable that the concrete structure has been worn down, cracked and broken

away, but with the rebar being exposed, the air and moisture that it is exposed to

has caused it to rust and therefore arise concerns of supporting the structure in

the future. The exposed rebar also creates serious safety concerns for the

pedestrians using these steps as the concrete could crack or collapse at any time

and pedestrians could trip or cut themselves on the exposed rebar, especially if

hidden by a snowfall in the winter.

• Salts

Adjacent to City of Winnipeg Streets and sidewalks, which are salted in the

winter as needed. As cars drive by, they cause salt to spray onto Red River

property. When the snow melts the ice can make its way into the soil and ground

9

water. The college salts their roads, sidewalk and parking lots as needed. In the

year 2013, a total of 8 semi loads were used on the entire college.

Excessive amounts of chloride used for snow melt can have an impact on wildlife

and vegetation. The chloride is very soluble and once it gets into soil, there is no

natural process that can remove it. Because chloride is so soluble, there is a

chance of groundwater contamination.

• Pesticides and Herbicides

Although roundup is a toxic compound, it breaks down into harmless substances.

“Eco Clear” is made of organic products and is considered safe to use and

ecofriendly.

“2-4D” or “Par 3” has a short half-life and a low persistence in soil and water.

Because it has a high potential to leak from soils, groundwater contamination is

possible.

The “Fiesta” now used to control broad leaf weeds is considered lower risk and

non-toxic. Is has a low environmental impact and acts as a non-toxic way to

control pests.

The copper spray used on trees can build up in soils.

• Torched Asphalt Roofing

Acid rain decays the asphalt on your roof. While asphalt will not rust under

normal conditions, the acidic solution will eventually break down the asphalt,

exposing the underlying structure. Left unchecked, it can result in costly repairs.

The corrosive effect of acid rain is well established in Winnipeg The decay

increases with continued deposition. Precipitation flows from the rooftops of

Building B, the CARSI Lab and the south gym down the concrete gutter towards

Route 90. There is no observable catch basin and it can be inferred from visible

stressed vegetation that ponding occurs at the end of the concrete gutter.

10

6.0 Recommendations

Team D recommends that an ESA II be conducted to determine the extent of

possible soil and ground water pollution/contamination from salt, runoff from the

torched asphalt roofs and pesticides currently being used on trees and gardens

as well as pesticides used in the past.

Testing should focus on the discharge area of the concrete gutter, the soil along

roads, sidewalks and areas with stressed vegetation to test for salt and random

sampling throughout the property to test for pesticides in soils. Once pollution

reaches the groundwater it can spread faster therefore it is important that random

groundwater sampling be conducted throughout the entire site.

11

Bibliography

Amec Earth & Environmental. (2005, March 31). PHASE 1 ENVIRONMENTAL

SITE ASSESSMENT FORMER BAIE VERTE MINE. St. John's,

Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Laso, M. D. (n.d.). Effects of Acid Rain on Asphalt Shingles. Retrieved December

6, 2014, from eHow:

https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad

=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB0QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ehow.com%2

Flist_6150104_effects-acid-rain-asphalt-

shingles.html&ei=y9ODVLKIPMKyyATcjYLABg&usg=AFQjCNGJrOr9l6Fv

EMP8i7izDIt77y9euA&sig2=ZXX5kOos

Monsanto. (n.d.). ORGANIC CONSUMERS. Retrieved December 2014, from

organicconsumers.org:

http://www.organicconsumers.org/monsanto/roundup.cfm

New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. (2014). Environmental,

Health and Economic Impacts of Road Salt. Retrieved December 6, 2014,

from New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services:

http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/wmb/was/salt-reduction-

initiative/impacts.htm

Pinchin Environmental. (2013, April 22). Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment

400 and 444 South Drive. Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

12

Red River College. (2014). RRC HISTORY. Retrieved December 6, 2014, from

Red River College: http://www.rrc.ca/index.php?pid=316

13

Appendices

14

Appendix A: Phase 1 ESA Process Checklist

15

14

Appendix B: Red River College Campus Zone RRCSE

15

Appendix C: Aerial Photograph 1960

16

Appendix D: Aerial Photograph 1968

17

Appendix E: Aerial Photograph 1975

18

Appendix F: Aerial Photograph 1983

19

Appendix G: Aerial Photograph 1998

20

Appendix H: Aerial Photograph 2014

21

Appendix I: Auxiliary Equipment of Sprinkler System

22

Appendix J: Interview Notes

23

24

25

Appendix K: Adjacent Properties

Notre Dame Red River College Campus (Google Maps 2014

26

Appendix L: Deterioration of Concrete Steps

27

Appendix M: Concrete Gutter