|
A selection of projects is presented below to illustrate the range of our experience. Highlights of each project are shown in the shaded box within the project experience description.
Groundwater Remediation and Containment Zone Monitoring For a California RCRA Site, Confidential Semiconductor Client, Santa Clara, California. Stellar Environmental Solutions was retained by a leading semiconductor firm in 1995 to evaluate their groundwater extraction and treatment operation, complete groundwater modeling and design, and site closure strategy. The Groundwater Treatment System (GTS) had been operating continuously for 8 years; SES completed system modifications and assessed moving the site towards the RWQCB's newly adopted Containment Zone (CZ) status. The CZ policy initiative by the RWQCB was in recognition of the fact that groundwater contaminated by volatile organic compounds such as TCE, TCA, DCE, and DCA will never achieve the drinking water cleanup goals set for many of them due to the sorption/desorption mechanisms of VOCs in alluvial environments. SES analyzed the hydrochemical record and justified the closure of four wells, performed aquifer pumping tests and groundwater modeling of the extraction system's maximum capture zone, and designed and implemented a pulse pumping program. A solute transport model of the groundwater plume was completed in support of the containment zone petition. The petition was subsequently granted by the RWQCB, resulting in significant cost savings to the client. SES is currently performing the facility groundwater treatment system NPDES monitoring as well as the monitoring of the groundwater wells as part of the post CZ. Other projects conducted for this client have included: removal of a solvent
waste tank; sampling and analysis of the contents of a replacement waste
solvent tank; abandonment of multiple agricultural wells; evaluation
of construction-phase dewatering as regards encountering site groundwater
contamination; RCRA-closure operations; disposal profiling of construction-generated
soil and groundwater; and third party review of environmental investigations
conducted at an adjacent property in the context of impacts to our client's
property.
Remediation and Natural Attenuation Remedy Implementation for a Hexavalent Chromium Site, Confidential Client, Berkeley, California. Prior to SES being retained, this site had extensive groundwater monitoring data collected from up to 11 groundwater monitoring wells over a 5-year period. However, no viable analyses of the data had been conducted, nor had there been any development of a closure strategy. The site operations involved electroplating with chromium solutions; over a period of 30 years of operation, hexavalent chromium had migrated into the shallow aquifer beneath the site that extended approximately 1,000 feet offsite. SES completed a comprehensive review of the data, conducted additional subsurface investigations to address data gaps, developed a site closure assessment report, and met with the key regulators to present the findings. The regulators had been asking for site groundwater remediation, but agreed with SES' conclusion that a risk assessment and groundwater plume attenuation model should be completed to evaluate the efficacy of natural attenuation of the plume. SES completed a risk assessment and groundwater model, and developed a residual risk management plan that provides an interface between the responsible party, potentially impacted downgradient property owners, and the lead regulatory agency. SES coordinated the removal of remaining contaminant source areas (process equipment, sumps and contaminated soil) and prepared a Corrective Action report. SES successfully negotiated reducing the frequency of groundwater monitoring from quarterly to bi-annual, and is currently responsible for groundwater monitoring and reporting. Associated tasks have included subsurface investigations to address data gaps, and destruction of redundant groundwater monitoring wells. At the client's leased San Jose facility, SES coordinated environmental facility closure activities that were required by the property owner and local regulatory agencies. The project began with a critical review of site operations and chemical usage, and development of a closure strategy to address potential issues. SES conducted excavation confirmation soil sampling beneath removed process equipment, chemical storage areas and sumps; evaluated the analytical results in the context of regulatory agency requirements and guidelines; profiled waste soil and demolition debris for proper disposal; and prepared a closure report.
Construction-Related Soil and Purge Water Disposal Evaluation and Implementation, Rudolph and Sletten, Santa Clara, California. SES was retained to determine the environmental consequences and to develop appropriate methods of disposal for construction-related soil and purge water at a semiconductor manufacturing facility. The prime contractor (Rudolph and Sletten) was involved in a facility expansion that entailed the excavation of building footprints and supporting utility trenches. Thousands of cubic yards of soil was removed, some of which was from areas of known or suspected diesel fuel or VOC contamination. SES completed profiling of the excavated soil for landfill disposal. Because dewatering of the deeper excavations was required, SES also coordinated the tankage, sampling and analysis of the dewatering fluids, and evaluating if the fluids met local sanitary sewer influent criteria, or needed to be treated onsite via the groundwater treatment system (GTS). SES was responsible for interfacing with the regulators. This project required close coordination with the ongoing construction activities and rapid-response for sampling due to the limited space available for storing soil and dewatering fluids.
Construction Dewatering System Impact Modeling at a Superfund Site, Confidential Client, Santa Clara, California. An expanding semiconductor client purchased a land parcel for development; the leading edge of a VOC groundwater plume from an upgradient adjacent facility is underlying the parcel. SES was retained to evaluate the potential impacts of the proposed piling building construction design on long-term cross contamination and to model the impact of construction dewatering on the adjacent groundwater plume. The required depth of the dewatering wells meant that some of the wells were screened across the A- and B-aquifers in the area and the potential impacts of cross contamination were assessed. Fifteen dewatering wells were installed. Field support to sample and determine the appropriate fate of the water was completed. Following the successful dewatering, the 24-inch OD wells were properly decommissioned by overdrilling with a 30-inch bucket auger to remove all traces of the pack material and eliminate the potential for future cross contamination.
Vapor Extraction System Site Closure at a Cal Superfund Site, PFG Facility, Brisbane, California. Stellar Environmental Solutions was initially retained by the site owner to critical review a site that was undergoing remediation of VOCs by a vapor extraction system. Based on the findings, SES proposed and implemented further studies which included subsurface confirmation sampling, a RBCA risk assessment, and soil and vapor trend analyses. These data were successfully used to petition the lead regulatory agency to grant site closure status. Following the conditional closure from the agency, SES completed the destruction of the six vapor extraction wells and five groundwater monitoring wells, as well as the proper disposal of the water and soil accumulated over the 6 years of the site investigations, remediation and monitoring.
VOC and TPH Remediation and Site Closure at a Cal Superfund Site, Clarklift Facility, Oakland, California. Stellar Environmental Solutions was initially retained by the site owner to perform a site audit and to review historical underground fuel storage tank records of a previous facility operator. The facility operations washed and repaired industrial forklifts, and in the course of its operations fuel oils and solvents were used. The dominant problem was identified as diesel and hydraulic oil contamination in the unsaturated soil zone. Some VOC contamination was also identified, but limited to trace amounts in the soil. The extent of contamination was characterized, and the SES remedial action plan submitted for review was approved by the lead agency, Alameda County Department of Environmental Health (ACDEH). SES also provided an operations and maintenance evaluation to improve facilities housekeeping. Remediation of the identified TPH contaminated soil was performed and documentation provided for the State UST reimbursement fund. A comprehensive Site Closure Petition report was completed integrating data collected by previous investigators. Following some post remediation groundwater monitoring, site closure was granted. SES was also responsible for closing the eight site monitoring wells, the final condition of closure.
Containment Zone Criteria Study, Confidential Semiconductor Firm, Sunnyvale, California. Stellar Environmental Solutions principal Richard Makdisi was retained to evaluate Containment Zone Criteria for a confidential semiconductor client with a site that was in its tenth year of groundwater extraction and treatment as its mandated regulatory remedy. SES reviewed the extensive site investi-gation and remediation reports, developing a database of data critical to evaluating the potential for meeting CZ criteria. Statistical analysis of the site hydrochemical data was performed to identify mass recovery and concentration trends. A report was completed for the client, summarizing the CZ criteria, the likelihood of the site meeting the criteria, and proposing strategies to facilitate the movement towards CZ status.
Post Remediation Monitoring and Site Closure Assessment, Don's Tires, Berkeley, California. SES was retained by Don's Tires to perform critical analyses of the hydrologic and hydrochemical trends at the site and develop a strategy to move the site towards site closure. Previous consultants had removed three fuel USTs, placed six groundwater monitoring wells at the site, and had been performing years of groundwater monitoring, with no interpretation of the results. Following the completion of a comprehensive Closure Assessment report, SES met with the lead regulators to discuss site closure criteria. Based on the concentrations of residual contamination and the absence of nearby sensitive receptors, SES demonstrated to the regulators that natural attenuation is the most viable and cost-effective remedial strategy. As of April 2000, SES is responsible for implementing the groundwater monitoring program necessary to validate the model.
RI/FS and Remedial Design For SVOC and Metals-Contaminated Soil, International Paper Facility, Newark, California. Stellar Environmental Solutions was retained by the Principal Financial Group to perform a RI/FS, remediation plan and cost estimate for remediation in an accelerated timeframe of 3 months for a property they were interested in purchasing. The site was used for paper product manufacturing for over 40 years and had a variety of waste products with the potential to impact the environment, including petroleum and acetone USTs, metals-principally lead and copper-and a variety of cleaning solvents and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs). An extensive field program of soil bores and grabwater sampling was performed with an onsite mobile laboratory to provide quick analytical turnaround to guide the location of additional bores. The site was characterized and the ARARs evaluated. A comprehensive report was prepared for the lead regulatory agency, the Alameda
County Water District (ACWD). Costs to remediate the site to a probable closure
status were developed for the client.
Asphalt Mobility Study, Tank and Site Closure, Miles Laboratory (Bayer), Berkeley, California. Stellar Environmental Solutions principal Richard Makdisi was retained to evaluate the need to remove a 20-foot deep underground storage tank that contained asphalt product which was discovered during site development activities at the Bayer facility. Working closely with City of Berkeley Toxic Management Program personnel, a comprehensive assessment of the potential mobility of the asphalt compound and its long-term degradation was completed. Evaluation of extensive data from the American Asphalt Institute was assessed along with the subsurface conditions and development plans. The study concluded that the asphalt tank could be left in place without compromising current or future public health or the environment. The regulatory personnel agreed with the conclusions and gave Bayer a variance to leave the UST in place. For 8 years, while with his previous firm, Bruce Rucker of SES was the program
manager providing comprehensive toxics and environmental services for this client.
Projects conducted under his supervision include: preliminary site investigations;
Phase I environmental site assessments; a regulatory compliance audit; an asbestos
survey; a geologic assessment; remedial actions associated with multiple leaking
USTs and historical surface spills; design and implementation of post-remediation
groundwater monitoring and reporting program; air monitoring and source testing;
biological field assessment; cooling tower discharge sampling and analysis;
noise monitoring during construction; design, permitting, installation, sampling,
operation and maintenance and reporting for a construction-phase dewatering
fluids treatment system; and regulatory agency liaison.
UST Soil and Groundwater Investigation and Remediation, City Corporation Yard, City of Berkeley, California. While with a previous firm, SES's principal Richard Makdisi was project manager for the RI/FS investigation to determine the extent of soil and groundwater contamination associated with five underground storage tanks (USTs) that had been previously removed. Four of the USTs had been used to store fuels (gasoline and diesel), while one UST had been used to store waste oil. Other areas investigated as part of the project included four below-grade hydraulic lifts used for vehicle maintenance and a bermed storage area used to store used oils prior to disposal. Since the site is used to support public works activities, the facility is subject to constant vehicle traffic. The investigation had to be conducted with a minimum of disturbance and a maximum of public health and safety protection to access local workers and local citizens action group's concerns. A Work Plan, a Field Sampling and Analysis Plan, and a Health and Safety Plan
for the project was prepared. Field work included sampling and analyses from
four existing monitoring wells, soil sampling in the area of the former tanks,
using a CPT rig, and the collection of grab-groundwater samples from 10 locations
within the corporation yard site. We prepared the final Remedial Action
Plan (RAP) for the site, which included a focused Feasibility Study (FS) with
an evaluation of potential remedial action alternatives including anticipated
costs. Based on the results of the FS, soil excavation, treatment and
disposal was selected as the appropriate remediation alternative. Contractor
bid documents, which included technical plans, specifications, and contract
documents, were prepared. Following the remediation by excavation, a comprehensive
report was developed.
RI/FS, Remediation, Post Remediation Monitoring and Site Closure for Chromium and Hydrocarbon Contamination, The Tannery, Berkeley, California. SES's principal performed an RI/FS, remediation, and post-closure monitoring for a former Tannery which was converted from industrial
use to commercial and residential use. The two principal areas
of environmental concern were the extensive chromium contamination in
the soils beneath the old tanning and de-hairing rooms and leakage of
fuel hydrocarbons from an old UFST used to fuel the facility before
natural gas came online in the 1950s. The remediation remedy accepted
by the DTSC for the chromium-contaminated soil was to encapsulate the
soil beneath the building. The TPH contamination was partially
excavated and removed. Groundwater impacts were considered relatively
minimal, showing a maximum of 5 mg/L TPH in the underlying shallow groundwater.
The local groundwater was already of degraded water quality due to its
natural geochemistry and historical heavy industrial use in the area.
The final conditions of approval for the new development at the site
included a deed notification, maintenance inspections and groundwater
monitoring at parameter wells to ensure no increases in contaminants
of concern occurred. Following the remediation and commercial/residential
development of the site, Stellar Environmental Solutions was retained
by the developer to perform post closure monitoring and maintenance
inspections and to move the site towards final closure though the City
of Berkeley Toxic Management Program. Post-remediation monitoring
consists of annual groundwater testing at the one site "guard" well
installed near the downgradient site boundary. The guard well
was subsequently closed, and no further remediation was required.
Soil Remediation, Purge Water Treatment, and Site Closure of Fuel Leak Site, City of San Leandro, California. SES completed a comprehensive turnkey site closure at a San Leandro site that contained approximately 600 CY of residual TPHd contaminated soil in the shallow soil environment after the removal of a leaking UST. The shallow groundwater conditions also required that approximately 30,000 gallons of TPH contaminated groundwater be purged from the excavation during the remedial action. Sidewall and base of excavation samples were collected to document that all of the contaminated soil of environmental concern was removed. A comprehensive report and site closure application was submitted to the lead regulator, the City of San Leandro. Following subsequent groundwater monitoring to demonstrate that the residual TPHd in the groundwater was below concentration levels of concern, a conditional closure was granted. After completing the hydrochemical analyses and obtaining a permit to complete the closure of the three remaining groundwater monitoring wells at the site, "no further action" status was granted by both the City of San Leandro and the RWQCB.
Site Characterization and Risk Assessment, Former Auto Wrecking Yard, Hayward, California. This site was one of the first sites in the Bay Area to follow the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) abbreviated Preliminary Endangerment Assessment method of site characterization and site assessment. The site was part of a property transfer transaction and pre-development study. High concentrations of lead were found in the surface and subsurface soils. A remedial clean-up goal was calculated based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Uptake and Biokinetics Model. A multi-media approach was used to evaluate potential human exposures as well as potential ecological effects to the Bay. The Department of Fish and Game's Natural Diversity Database was incorporated into the ecological and environmental evaluation. After remediation, residual concentrations of lead were sampled, and an abbreviated method of evaluation was performed that included the methodology in the initial site assessment in order to gain cost effectiveness in the completed evaluation.
RI/FS and Remediation Plan For Former Nursery Site, Berkeley, California. SES conducted Phase I and Phase II site investigations at this former 2-acre nursery site. The investigation revealed that the site had residual pesticide contamination from chlordane and hydrocarbon contamination from a former UST. While the soil had some concentrations of concern, the groundwater contamination was minimal. This site required conditional site closure within a year to permit conversion of the site to other commercial development. SES prepared and implemented site investigation and a proposed remedial action plan which is to be used by the client. Remedial alternatives were identified within 3 months of the investigation. Feasibility studies have been conducted for residual pesticides on the site soil. An abbreviated construction phase risk assessment and construction phase health and safety specification was also completed.
Solid Materials Management Program, Santa Clara Valley Water District, Santa Clara County, California. Stellar Environmental Solutions was retained by the Santa Clara Valley Water District (District) to implement their Solid Materials Management Program, which addresses disposal of District solid waste materials. The primary District wastestreams evaluated included dredged sediment (approxi-mately 80,000 tons per year), water treatment plant sludge (approximately 25,000 tons per year), and office solid waste. SES assembled a multi-disciplinary team to address the varied project technical issues, including regulatory and industrial assessment, waste analytical data evaluation, sediment generation patterns, solid municipal waste management, treatment plant sludge generation and management, agronomic reuse, and options assessment. SES reviewed over 10 year's worth of District disposal characterization and management data; determined and described significant District wastestreams; evaluated current management practices; developed criteria for desirable waste management practices; identified and evaluated options for disposal/reuse; and developed Standard Operating Procedures for wastestream management. The SES project team worked closely with multiple District staff to determine data needs and define project requirements. SES determined that previously-considered options for disposal were infeasible, and identified additional, cost-effective options, such as reuse of dredged sediments in wetlands creation, and agronomic reuse of treatment plant sludge. Our thorough evaluation of the wastestreams and options provided the District with the information necessary to revise their wastestream management practices in a way that minimized liability, reduced costs, and met the District's charter objectives.
PCE Soil Vapor Monitoring, Dry Cleaning Facility, Fresno, California. Stellar Environmental Solutions was initially retained by Principal Capital Management, LLC (Principal Financial Group) to conduct a Phase I ESA for a multi-tenant retail plaza in Fresno, California. One of the tenants, a dry cleaners, had documented soil and groundwater contamination by tetrachloroethylene (PCE) from historical spills. Following a critical evaluation of previous investigation reports, SES installed and sampled several vapor monitoring points (VMPs) at key locations, with the principal objectives of monitoring soil contaminant concentrations over time and evaluating potential impacts to site occupants. The VMPs were installed within the close confines of the facility in such a manner as to not disrupt facility operations. SES conducts bi-annual vapor monitoring of the VMPs and prepares monitoring reports.
Plant Closure: Decontamination Oversight and Closure Document Preparations, Hewlett-Packard Company Facility, Sunnyvale, California. SES's principal provided technical direction for the closure of a printed circuit (PC) board production plant owned and operated by Hewlett Packard Company in Sunnyvale, California. An initial assessment of the extent of contamination was performed to identify areas requiring cleanup, and to prepare the detailed specifications, health and safety plan and bid documentation for the remediation contractor. Following this, bids were obtained from qualified contractors and SES assisted the client in contract negotiations. The plant included facilities operating under RCRA and PBR permits. Responsibilities included monitoring performance of the work for conformance with the contract, collecting samples to ensure that specified clean-up levels have been attained, observing contractor's health and safety practices, negotiating change orders on behalf of the owner as additional work becomes necessary, and developing proper documentation to allow for proper closure of the building in preparation for future occupancy. Six underground storage tanks were removed as part of the plant closure, contract documents were prepared, and construction oversight for the UST removal was
provided. A closure report documenting that the facility has been decontaminated
was completed to assist the client in obtaining regulatory agreement of closure.
Various Environmental Assessment Projects, City of Emeryville, California Service Agencies. Stellar Environmental Solutions was initially retained by the City of Emeryville Public Works Department (City) to conduct a subsurface contaminant investigation at a former tool manufacturing facility that had been purchased by the City and was proposed for redevelopment as a City facility. SES began by critically evaluating a previous Phase I assessment in the context of potential contaminants and drilling locations. Boreholes were advanced and sampled in areas of former chemical usage that corresponded to areas of redevelopment excavation, and at several upgradient and downgradient locations. SES determined that site soil and groundwater were impacted with various metals, MTBE, and various VOCs. Our evaluation of site history, hydrogeologic conditions, and the analytical results indicated that only VOCs were a site-sourced contaminant, with the others likely originating from an offsite location(s). SES prepared a comprehensive report of findings that emphasized the potential for redevelopment activities to encounter site contamination, and provided standard operating procedures for safe and legal management of contamination. SES was subsequently retained by this agency to conduct a subsurface investigation
within a public roadway, to determine if proposed street improvements would
encounter contamination. A series of boreholes were advanced and sampled
within the work area, and soil and groundwater samples were collected for laboratory
analysis of likely contaminants, based on our knowledge of current and historical
vicinity land use. SES determined that soil and groundwater contained
concentrations of various metals that posed both a risk to construction worker
safety as well as requiring special disposal if brought to the surface.
Based on these findings, the City decided to re-engineer the project to avoid
encountering the contamination, resulting in significant cost savings and lower
liability to the City.
For the City's Department of Housing and Economic Development, SES conducted
a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment of multiple contiguous properties that
were being considered for purchase and redevelopment.
Pesticide Investigation and Remediation, Pest Control Facility, Alameda County, California. Stellar Environmental Solutions was retained by the property owner to conduct investigation and remediation of pesticide-contaminated soil associated with former site usage as a pest control facility. Previous limited investigations had documented elevated concentrations of various organochlorine pesticides (primarily chlordane, DDD, DDE, and DDT) in shallow soils at various site locations. SES worked closely with the lead regulatory agency to negotiate investigative protocols and clean up targets, developed workplans for subsurface investigations to delineate the lateral and vertical extent of contamination, evaluated the results in the context of regulatory agency guidelines for residual soil contamination, and prepared a report of findings. SES demonstrated that groundwater had not been impacted, and that the mobility of the soil contamination was limited by site lithology and by the recalcitrant nature of the pesticide compounds. In order to preserve the most beneficial use of the property, the owner elected to remove as much contaminated soil as possible above USEPA Preliminary Remediation Goals (PRGs). SES developed a workplan approved by the lead agency, obtained competitive bids for soil excavation and site restoration contractors, coordinated onsite remedial activities (excavation and offsite disposal of 25 tons of contaminated soil from four locations), collected excavation confirmation soil samples to document residual contamination, and prepared a Corrective Action report. Based on contaminant concentrations and site usage, excavated soil was classified as hazardous, and SES coordinated the legal disposal of this material to a California Class I landfill facility. While removal of soil contamination to the cleanup targets was not possible in all locations due to site constraints, SES demonstrated that groundwater had not been impacted, and that the residual soil contamination posed no risk to human health or ecological receptors. No further action has been required by the regulators.
Tank Closure and Related Services, Berkeley Cement, Inc., Northern California. Stellar Environmental Solutions was initially retained by this concrete contractor to provide regulatory assistance associated with temporary closure of multiple underground fuel storage tanks at their Berkeley facility, prior to the December 1999 State of California deadline for removal/retrofitting of underground tanks. SES determined the regulatory requirements, submitted the permit applications, and provided regulatory agency liaison. SES was sub-sequently retained to remove the tanks, including permitting, tank removals, contaminated soil corrective action, excavation confirmation sampling and analysis, and closure reporting. While minor residual soil and groundwater contamination was documented, SES demonstrated to the regulators' satisfaction that the residual contamination was low risk, and the site was granted closure. SES was subsequently retained to conduct a Phase I ESA for the client's new
facility in Richmond, California, which had extensive fuel contamination resulting
from USTs containing diesel fuel and crankcase oil. Based on the findings
of the Phase I ESA, SES conducted a comprehensive subsurface investigation and
closure assessment, including RBCA modeling. SES determined that site
contamination did not pose a risk to human health or ecological receptors, and
was subsequently retained to coordinate removal of the USTs and associated soil
and groundwater corrective actions. Services included: preparing a Corrective
Action Plan; permitting and regulatory agency liaison; obtaining competitive
bids for subcontractor services; properly destroying impacted groundwater monitoring
wells; removing four USTs; excavating approximately 1,000 tons of contaminated
soil; removal of floating petroleum product and contaminated pit water; coordinating
proper disposal of waste materials; and preparing a Corrective Action report.
Following corrective actions, SES coordinated the installation and sampling
of replacement groundwater monitoring wells. SES also provided the client
with assistance in obtaining reimbursement from the State of California's Petroleum
Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund. SES is responsible for post-closure
groundwater monitoring to validate the RBCA findings.
Comprehensive Toxics Remediation and Site Closure Assessment at Multiple Park District Facilities, East Bay Regional Parks District, Northern California. Stellar Environmental Solutions was initially retained by a regional parks district in 1998 to conduct a closure assessment related to leaking underground fuel tanks. Prior to that time, Mr. Bruce Rucker of SES had been project manager of the site investigation since its inception in 1993 while with another firm. Petroleum from the former UFSTs had migrated downgradient and was discharging into a trout stream. SES conducted a critical review of previous site findings in the context of contaminant distribution and fate over time, conducted a comprehensive subsurface investigation to evaluate current conditions, conducted groundwater monitoring in the six site wells, and coordinated an instream bioassessment in accordance with California Department of Fish & Game protocols. Using these data and a RBCA approach, SES determined that: site groundwater contaminant concentrations were increasing over time due to desorption of residual soil contamination; there were no documented biotic impacts in the trout stream; fuel discharges into the trout stream were likely to increase over time; monitored natural attenuation (MNA) was not a viable remedy due to site conditions; and borehole injection of an oxygen-releasing compound to enhance biodegradation would be the most viable and cost-effective remedy to mitigate future discharge to the stream. As of April 2000, SES continues to conduct groundwater and surface water monitoring and reporting, and is working with the owner and local regulatory agencies to determine if additional remedial actions are warranted. The client subsequently retained SES to coordinate UST (fuel and waste oil) removals and corrective actions at several park maintenance facilities.
Activities conducted included: obtaining permits; conducting pre-removal
subsurface investigations to evaluate contaminant magnitude and extent;
oversight of the owner's tank removal contractor activities; conducting
excavation confirmation sampling and lab analyses; evaluating analytical
results in the context of residual contamination; and preparing closure
reports. Full regulatory agency closure was granted by the regulators
at the two sites where the USTs were removed. A third site with
a waste oil UST is proposed for removal activities.
Lead-Contaminated Soil Disposal Assistance, Construction of Retail Pharmacy, San Francisco, California. Stellar Environmental Solutions was retained to provide technical services associated with lead-contaminated soil encountered during construction of a retail pharmacy on the bottom floor of a multi-story parking garage. Project excavation activities were halted when petroleum contamination in soil was noted by site workers. SES conducted initial sampling within 1 day of the client's request, and determined that site soils contained hazardous levels of lead, resulting from placement of contaminated fill following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Minor petroleum contamination had resulted from former site usage of aboveground fuel tanks. The primary objective of SES' subsequent work was to coordinate the legal disposal of approximately 1,200 tons of waste soil, while keeping the construction project on schedule. SES obtained competitive bids from disposal facilities, determined disposal facility waste profiling requirements, conducted pre-excavation sampling and analysis, processed hazardous waste manifests for soil transport, conducted post-excavation confirmation soil sampling and analysis, and prepared a closure report. SES also provided the owner and their construction contractors with recommendations and support regarding regulatory requirements for working with contaminated soil (e.g. license and training requirements for soil excavation and transport contractors).
Pre-Purchase Site Investigation, Multiple Properties, Petaluma, California. SES was retained by a potential buyer of a multi-acre industrial property adjacent to the Petaluma River to evaluate environmental conditions prior to purchase and redevelopment. The properties had a long history of industrial usage, including a coal gasification facility and usage of multiple underground fuel tanks. Soil and groundwater contamination had been documented in previous investigations commissioned by the various property owners. The first phase of the SES project was a Phase I ESA that critically evaluated site historical usage and contamination investigation findings. SES then developed and implemented a comprehensive subsurface investigation workplan to evaluate the nature, magnitude and extent of contamination at the various properties, pursuant to developing preliminary cost estimates for long-term environmental responsibilities. At the coal gasification site, SES determined that shallow soils and groundwater contained several heavy metals and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in excess of USEPA Preliminary Remediation Goals (PRGs), indicating that remediation and/or additional investigation would likely be required. At the fuel release sites, SES determined that petroleum contamination in groundwater was extensive and had the potential to threaten the Petaluma River, a sensitive receptor. Our report provided focused recommendations and preliminary cost estimates for future environmental work. Based on the findings and the property owners' offer conditions, our client elected not to purchase the property.
Phase I/Phase II Assessments, California Real Estate Developer, Bay Area, California. Stellar Environmental Solutions performed over 50 regulatory compliance audits and due diligence audits (Phase I ESAs) throughout the Bay Area for The Principal Mutual Life Insurance Financial Group of Des Moines, Iowa, a major real estate developer and mortgage lender in Northern California. The regulatory compliance audits are typically performed where there are tenants with extensive industrial operations. Phase I ESAs, which often entail multiple sites concurrently and under quick turnaround conditions, meet or exceed the normal ASTM standards, and some also included an asbestos survey and/or a limited Phase II subsurface sampling program. The properties were located in San Francisco, Alameda, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Napa counties. The sites included heavy industrial use sites, light manufacturing facilities, shopping malls, commercial buildings and office buildings. Stellar Environmental Solutions compiled and reviewed property records and associated historical data to construct property fitness reports. A significant subset of the properties also had ACM/lead-based paint surveys completed when the buildings were older than 1982. For some of the properties, SES provided estimates of potential remediation costs and technical support at meetings with the lending institutions.
Environmental Demolition and Closure, Various Sites, Northern California. Stellar Environmental Solutions has conducted numerous environmental demolition and facility closure projects for a variety of clients. These are typically conducted at the property transfer and/or facility redevelopment stage, and require close coordination with site construction activities. We have completed both full facility closure as well as partial closure of specific processes and areas. Facility types closed have included: rotogravure cylinder manufacturing, laboratory wastewater treatment systems, automobile repair and service, forklift manufacturing and repair, hide tannery, warehouses, steel drum reconditioning, and U.S. Postal Service vehicle maintenance. The regulatory status of these facilities ranged from RCRA and permit-by-rule to unregulated sites undergoing proactive closure. Tasks conducted have included: reviewing historical and current facility environmental documentation; determining current regulatory status and closure requirements; obtaining permits and acting as regulatory agency liaison; removing aboveground and underground storage tanks, hydraulic hoists, sumps, drain lines and process equipment; confirmation soil and wipe sampling; characterizing and coordinating the legal disposal of waste materials; asbestos and lead-based paint surveys and abatement; conducting site restoration; and preparing closure reports. When necessary, SES has conducted subsurface investigations and corrective actions to address documented contamination. Our expertise in conducting environmental closures carries over into our other projects (e.g., conducting environmental compliance audits and Phase I ESAs) such that SES can quickly evaluate site environmental issues and provide a focused and accurate assessment of future liabilities or requirements that can be expected.
EIRs/EISs/Negative Declarations, Northern California. SES Principal Richard Makdisi has extensive experience in completing Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) for projects throughout California, particularly in Northern California. He has completed the geology, soils seismicity, hazardous materials, groundwater and water quality sections for over 50 EIRs or EISs. The range of topics covered by the EIR experience includes Land Development EIRs, typically associated with the development on hillsides with some landslides; institutional EIRs such as the Stanford University development or U.C. Berkeley Bodega Bay Research Station expansion; and Water Resource Development and Reclamation. SES was retained as a subconsultant to Orion to assist the San Francisco Department of Public Works and Water Department in the preparation of an EIR to provide long-term guidance to the City for development and use of recycled water for non-potable use and groundwater for both potable and non-potable use. Also included were specific proposals for treatment, storage and distribution facilities. Siting of large water storage tanks is some areas of steep slopes was of concern and required evaluation of the near surface hydrology and water quality. SES was responsible for completing the geology, soils, seismicity, surface and groundwater and hazardous waste sections which analyzed the project-specific effects of construction and operation of the proposed master plan system components. SES's Richard Makdisi also provided hazardous materials, geology, soil, seismicity
and water quality analyses for the South Bay Water Recycling Project EIR.
The EIR evaluated the first phase of the providing reclaimed water to the "Golden
Triangle Area" in the northern sector of San Jose, including areas for future
expansion. The reclaimed water was to be provided to landscape, agricultural
and industrial users to insure a water supply that would support planned growth
and help prevent over drafting of the aquifer. The technical sections
focused on the evaluating the water balance to achieve no overdraft. Other
important elements were the potential impacts of reclamation water (to be provided
through a pipeline) encountering adverse conditions (both geological and hazardous
waste-related) as a result of the historical industrial use of the area.
A major issue with expanding the project was potential groundwater impact of
water reuse in the forebay of the Santa Clara Valley Water Groundwater Basin.
|