Gas Station cleanup site — Restorical Research
SUMNER STORE
Coos County
Restorical Research
Preliminary Site-Specific Analysis

This property has a documented history as a gasoline service station predating 1986. Historical insurance policies issued during operations at this property and through 1986 could help fund the ongoing and future cleanup under Oregon DEQ oversight.

This former gas station property in Coos County released diesel and gasoline contamination when regulated underground storage tanks were decommissioned in May 1994, with both soil and groundwater confirmed as impacted media. Oregon DEQ has assigned the site for active oversight, and a Cost Recovery Agreement executed in December 2022 establishes an ongoing financial obligation for investigation and remediation. The property carries Brownfield designation with active EPA IIJA funding, and no No Further Action determination has been issued. That history could support an insurance coverage claim against the carriers who issued policies more than 40 years ago — coverage that could help fund the cleanup ahead.

Former Use
Former Gas Station
LocationCoos County
Historical UseGas Station
Est. Operating SincePredating 1986
Project StatusAssigned
Contamination & Investigation
Site Assessment Summary
ContaminantsDiesel motor fuel and gasoline hydrocarbons in soil and groundwater
Regulatory ProgramOregon DEQ — Cleanup Program / VCP
DEQ ECSI #06-94-0030

Why Historical Insurance Policies May Be Accessible

Pre-1986 Commercial General Liability (CGL) policies were occurrence-based and did not contain an effective pollution exclusion in Oregon — and those policies may provide coverage that remains enforceable today. If contamination occurred while those policies were active, those historical insurance carriers may still have a legal obligation to fund the cleanup costs, even if the business closed or the property changed hands.

The underground storage tanks at this property operated for years before their 1994 decommissioning, placing the contamination's origins within the pre-1986 period. With the site under active Oregon DEQ oversight, a Cost Recovery Agreement in force, and EPA IIJA funding engaged, the soil and groundwater investigation and remediation work ahead represents substantial costs that pre-1986 carriers whose policies were in effect during the tanks' operational years may be obligated to fund going forward.

Restorical's role is to locate viable historical policies, determine whether a successful coverage claim is possible, and assist our clients and their legal counsel to obtain insurance coverage. Restorical then manages the claim, including accounting, to ensure the cleanup is funded in a timely manner.

What We Look For

  • Historical insurance policies (pre-1986)
  • Policy numbers, carrier names, and coverage periods
  • Connection between contamination timing and policy period
  • Evidence linking cleanup obligation to insured activity

What We Deliver

  • Historical Coverage Chart
  • Trigger Analysis & Property/Policy Nexus
  • Coverage strategy with recommendations
  • Insurance funding for your remediation
  • Claims Management

The Restorical Proven Process

Task 1 — Research and Analysis
Restorical searches for viable historical insurance policies, researches the site history, analyzes the contamination impacts, and underwrites potential coverage — including a proprietary trigger analysis. At the end of Task 1, we provide a clear yes or no on whether viable insurance coverage exists to fund the cleanup, along with a strategy and recommendation specific to your situation, even if you are not the policyholder.
Task 2 — Coverage and Funding
When Task 1 confirms viable coverage, Restorical works with your legal counsel to tender the claim, negotiate and secure insurance coverage. Restorical will manage the ongoing claim process, including accounting to ensure the insurance companies are funding your remediation in a timely manner.

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This analysis is preliminary and based on publicly available records. Restorical Research is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.