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Projects
Leaking
Underground Storage Tanks Business Acquisition Problem: Our client was purchasing 60 convenience store/service station properties and required Phase 2 investigations at each site to determine environmental risks. The investigations had to be completed within three months in order to meet due diligence deadlines for acquisition negotiations. Solution: EMS developed specific work scopes for each site. A model was developed to coordinate soil boring, sampling activities and reporting. Staff was mobilized from other offices to complete the project within the allotted time. Benefit: Remediation costs were calculated for several sites with environmental problems. The client utilized the information to appropriately value the properties and successfully negotiate the acquisition. top Environmental Site Assessment Problem Our client wanted to refinance a shopping mall (50 stores) and the lending institution required an environmental site assessment. Financial conditions required that the assessment be completed within two weeks. Solution: The Phase I scope of work was developed for this 50 store shopping complex to comply with the guidance standards outlined in the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) documents E 1527 and E 1528. Phase II sampling was added to the project when dry-cleaning and service station facilities were identified. Benefit: The client obtained the financing. top Property Acquisition Problem: Our client was interested in developing a 43 acre tract of land considered a Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) adjacent to the present location of an Airport. There was concern of impact due to past dumping activities. Solution: EMS initiated an extensive environmental assessment. The assessment identified an area of past dumping activities, the presence of two irrigation wells and a potable water well on an adjacent property, and consent orders for environmental clean-up efforts were identified for three adjacent property owners. The assessment also identified the area as part of a public well field protection area. Benefit: The client obtained a clear understanding of the risks associated with this property. top Landfill RI/FS Problem: The EPA required our client investigate a former construction debris landfill. Initial investigation indicated heavy metals concentrations exceeded groundwater standards. EPA required additional site characterization and a remedial action plan. Solution:Prior to initiating additional subsurface investigation, EMS personnel reviewed the sampling data and reviewed data from reported landfill composition. The pattern of contaminant occurrence and reported landfill materials did not correspond with the data. EMS then conducted research into local sediment origin to determine if there was a potential background source of contaminants. Research indicated the possibility of bioconcentration of naturally occurring heavy metals and that the sample preservation process (reduce pH of sample to <2) could cause the naturally occurring metals to leach from the sediments into the sample. EMS designed a test to determine if sediment turbidity, and metals attached to the sediments, affected sample concentrations. Based upon test results, sampling procedures were modified to reduce turbidity and the existing monitoring wells were resampled. The results from resampling indicated acceptable metals concentrations and no further investigation or remediation was necessary. Benefit: Research and innovation led to the elimination of an extensive site characterization/feasibility study. The client realized a significant economic benefit. Results of this investigation were also applied to other areas undergoing remedial investigation within this large industrial complex. top Air Permitting/Testing Problem: Stack testing performed at specialty chemical manufacturer indicated that discharged time weighted average concentrations of Ethylene Oxide (EO) were greater than allowable limits. Solution: EMS was contracted to confirm test results. Following results confirmation, EMS conducted air dispersion modeling. The model indicated that time weighted averages along the plant's property lines were greater than allowed by state of Maryland regulations. However, EMS identified a provision within the regulations that would allow for a conditional permit should several conditions be proved. EMS prepared the application for the conditional permit. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) agreed with the arguments made in the application and granted the permit to the client. According to representatives at the MDE, this was the first conditional permit authorized by the state. Benefit: By identifying cost-effective actions that maximized their regulatory flexibility, the client did not have to move the process to a different plant or undergo extensive and expensive process modification. top Indoor Air Quality (Chemical) Problem: Employees in a manufacturing facility complained fumes made them ill. Solution: EMS conducted an investigation of the facility by utilizing equipment designed to detect and quantify organic vapors. We also surveyed and inventoried materials and compounds utilized in the manufacturing process. Results indicated an adhesive used in one of the processes was the source of the odors. We worked with the staff to identify a substitute adhesive. Benefit: Management demonstrated regard for and rapid response to employee health concerns. Productivity improved measurably. top Indoor Air Quality (Biological) Problem: Following an accidental water leak, employees in the building complained of rashes and allergies. Solution: EMS completed a detailed inspection of the facility and then developed a comprehensive indoor air quality assessment plan to detect, identify, and quantify suspected bio-aerosol contaminants. EMS investigators collected air samples at suspected problem and control locations and collected wipe samples from potentially impacted building materials. Result: EMS prepared a report that summarized the findings and provided recommendations that ultimately resolved the problem. top Regulatory Compliance Problem: A Pharmaceutical manufacturing firm was concerned about environmental liabilities associated with compliance issues within their existing facility and also with potential liabilities associated with site acquisition/expansion Solution: EMS assisted the plant environmental officer to quickly evaluate current and projected plant production activities and develop a program for environmental compliance for the plant. Permit applications were prepared to assist the client with Title V, NPDES and SARA Title III regulations within the first 90 days of the contract. A modified Phase I assessment was conducted to determine if an adjacent property was suitable for plant expansion. Benefit: The Plant Manager was able to focus on the details of production and expansion rather than environmental compliance issues. top Benefit:
The discharge has been in compliance since that time. RCRA Sampling Problem: EPA required routine sampling around RCRA permitted facilities at a remote location. Solution: EMS was contracted to provide sampling services. We then developed a detailed sampling procedures manual with explicit checklists and documentation requirements. In-house client staff were then trained to conduct routine sampling while EMS provided an oversight role. Benefit: Client staff assumed greater responsibility for environmental compliance and realized consultant mobilization cost savings. top Litigation Support Problem: Our client was in litigation with a landowner of a property adjacent to a business formerly owned by the client. Potable wells on the adjacent property were contaminated. There were multiple defendants including more recent owners of the client's property and other nearby potentially responsible parties. Solution: EMS provided technical review of complex site data, data contained in regulator files, investigative reports, depositions, expert reports prepared by the other defendants, and expert reports prepared on behalf of the claimants. EMS prepared expert reports for the client's counsel and assisted counsel with preparation for witness depositions. Benefit: Our work convinced the litigants that our "deep pocket" client caused none or very little of the contamination. The case was settled well under client budget amount. top Spill Response Problem: Over 11,000 gallons of gasoline were released into a fractured, meta-basalt bedrock. Due to the nature of the fracture system, product seeped into a tributary that entered a nearby state park. Solution: EMS provided emergency response services at this site which is the one of the largest underground storage tank release sites in North Carolina. Emergency response consisted of damming and rerouting the tributary, well drilling, and installation of combined pumping and vapor extraction systems. Over 8,000 gallons of liquid phase product were recovered. Benefit: The plume was successfully captured thus averting impact to the tributary and nearby potable wells. top
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