Gas Station cleanup site — Restorical Research
McKenzie Gateway Service
Lane 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 those prior operations and through 1986 could help fund the cleanup that lies ahead.

McKenzie Gateway Service is a gas station property in Lane County where regulated underground storage tanks were decommissioned in July 1991, with the 25-year tank lifecycle indicating installation and fueling operations dating to the 1960s or 1970s. Petroleum contamination from gasoline has been confirmed in both soil and groundwater at the site. The site remains open in Oregon DEQ's system with no No Further Action determination or closure, a responsible party is under agreement or order with DEQ, and no remediation completion documents exist. 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
LocationLane County
Historical UseGas Station
Est. Operating SincePredating 1986
Project StatusUnassigned
Contamination & Investigation
Site Assessment Summary
ContaminantsPetroleum hydrocarbons from gasoline in soil and groundwater
Regulatory ProgramOregon DEQ — Cleanup Program / VCP
DEQ ECSI #20-91-4197

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 were installed in the mid-1960s and operated continuously through their decommissioning in 1991, placing decades of fueling operations in the years before 1986. With the site still open in Oregon DEQ's system, no No Further Action determination issued, and petroleum contamination from gasoline confirmed in both soil and groundwater, the investigation, remediation, and ongoing compliance costs this property still faces represent future obligations that historical pre-1986 carriers may be obligated to fund.

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.