The Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services (RMCHCS) East Facility site is located at 640-660 Vanden Bosch Drive in Gallup, McKinley County, New Mexico. Constructed in the 1960s, the 40-acre site consists of five onsite structures that were used by RMCHCS as medical facilities, office buildings, 2-story warehouse, storage shed and a Navajo Hogan. The 33,544 square foot single-story building with basement at 650 Vanden Bosch Drive was used as a medical services facility and dormitory to support substance abuse patients. The 7,249 square-foot single-story building at 640 Vanden Bosch Drive was used as a medical office building. There are two metal buildings that were used as a storage warehouse and a small shed. There was a Navajo Hogan that was present but was not included in the survey. The PI-ESA site walk was completed by Jim Blazek in 2022 and then Jim Blazek (Asbestos and Hazmat) and Gary Brooks (Lead and Hazmat) completed in Sept. 2023.
Leaaf Environmental conducted a comprehensive Targeted Brownfields Assessment (TBA) under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Brownfields Program. The project involved several phases, including a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), Phase II ESA, a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP), and a detailed hazardous materials survey.
Phase I ESA:
The Phase I ESA involved a thorough review of historical records, site reconnaissance, and identification of Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs) on the property. No major RECs were identified, but due to the facility’s age, the assessment flagged the potential presence of asbestos-containing materials (ACM), lead-based paint (LBP), and other hazardous materials. The Phase I ESA report recommended further investigation through a Phase II ESA.
Phase II ESA:
During the Phase II ESA, soil and groundwater sampling were conducted in areas identified during the Phase I assessment. Samples were analyzed for hazardous substances, including petroleum hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), and metals. The Phase II assessment confirmed the presence of ACM and LBP in various parts of the facility, leading to the development of abatement plans.
Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP):
A QAPP was developed to ensure that all data collection and analysis methods adhered to the EPA’s strict quality standards. The QAPP outlined the procedures for sample collection, handling, and laboratory testing, ensuring the integrity of the data used for decision-making in subsequent environmental assessments and abatement planning.
Hazardous Materials Survey:
The hazardous materials survey involved a detailed inspection of building materials, including asbestos, lead-based paint, mercury-containing devices, and electronic waste. Bulk samples were collected from various locations within the facility, and laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of ACM and LBP at significant levels. Gary Brooks conducted the lead-based paint inspection using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), and the team documented materials requiring abatement prior to any renovation or demolition.
Final Reporting and Abatement Recommendations:
The final report included detailed maps of the facility, inventory lists of hazardous materials, and laboratory results for the analyzed samples. Leaaf Environmental provided recommendations for the safe abatement of asbestos and lead-based paint, as well as the proper disposal of hazardous waste. This comprehensive report helped ensure that the facility met all regulatory requirements before redevelopment.
The RMCHCS East Facility project was instrumental in mitigating environmental risks associated with the presence of hazardous materials, facilitating the safe redevelopment of the property for future use.
