Phase I Environmental Site Assessments

DES performs Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESA’s) in accordance with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), a Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process (E1527-97). This ASTM process is the widely accepted standard for completion of ESA’s needed to meet one of the due diligence requirements under CERCLA.

The Phase I ESA is an investigation of the background of a property and surrounding lands in an effort to identify potential environmental liabilities. The ESA can be divided into three basic tasks:

The history of the property and nearby lands is compiled by reviewing public and private records such as aerial photographs, city directories, land title information, as well as other sources, like interviews with locals familiar with area.

Contaminant impacts to a property can be ascertained through a comprehensive review of federal, state, and local databases and files of potential contaminant sources.

Any existing condition that could pose an environmental liability are identified through an inspection of the property and nearby lands. A comprehensive report is then completed which describes the assessment process, all findings, and conclusions.

If DES should identify a need for further investigation (Phase II ESA) of a property, we notify the client immediately. The client can then decide whether to proceed further and allow us to move to the Phase II ESA expeditiously, where required.

Phase II Environmental Site Assessments

If a Phase I ESA reveals a reasonable probability of contaminant impacts to soil and/or groundwater at a project site, we will recommend a Phase II ESA. The Phase II ESA Involves invasive testing of the soil and/or groundwater. The purpose of the Phase II ESA is to confirm the presence of contaminant impacts to the property.

The invasive testing can include soil sampling for screening with an Organic Vapor Analyzer or laboratory analysis, as well as installation of groundwater monitor wells to collect water samples for laboratory analysis. We select testing locations according to the most likely areas to be impacted. These results will not provide the extent of contaminant impacts but will reveal a reasonable confirmation, or ruling out, of contaminant impacts on the property.

DES conducts all field operations for Phase II ESA’s to the same QA/QC standards as are required for state mandated investigations/assessments. Thereby, we provide equally reliable and accurate data.

Transaction Screen Processes

Increasingly popular with the lending community is the Transaction Screen Process (TSP), an abbreviated Phase I ESA. It is used for sites with an inferred lower potential for liability. Our TSP’s, although less expensive than a Phase I ESA, are completed in accordance with the ASTM Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Transaction Screen Process (E 1528-96). The TSP Involves completing a questionnaire during interviews with the property owner/occupants, a limited database search, and a site inspection.

If at any time during the TSP, we identify the need for more intensive assessment (Phase I or II ESA), we notify the client immediately. When approved by the client, we will apply the costs incurred for the TSP toward the normal cost of a phase I ESA.

Contamination Assessment

A Contamination Assessment (CA) is normally mandated by a regulatory agency once a contaminant discharge has been identified in the soil and/or groundwater. We complete a CA in accordance with the Florida Administrative Code 62-770 for petroleum spills, or Corrective Actions for Contamination Site Cases when hazardous materials are involved.

The CA is implemented to determine the contaminant area vertically and horizontally as well as the concentration levels of the discharged contaminants; and to investigate subsurface soil and groundwater conditions. The CA also includes surveys of other potential sources of contaminant discharge and potential receptors, such as water wells and bodies of surface water. The information generated during the CA must be sufficient to develop a Remedial Action Plan (RAP), a groundwater Monitoring Only Plan (MOP), or sufficient evidence that ‘No Further Action’ (NFA) is warranted.

Remedial Action Plan

DES personnel can use the information generated by a CA to develop an effective plan to restore an impacted site. We use subconsultants who specialize in state-of-the-art technologies (stripping, in-situ, bioremediation, etc.) to engineer a system which will reduce contaminants in the soil and/or groundwater in an efficient, cost-effective, and timely manner.

In both the CA and RAP phases, we work closely with the regulatory authority so that we can proceed in the most efficient manner. This enables us to minimize costs and complete the project in the shortest possible amount of time. We have found that maintaining a close, positive relationship with the regulatory authorities works to our client’s advantage. Many consultants will complete a CA or RAP without seeking regulatory guidance. This routinely results in additional work and expense to the client. We prefer to discuss our approach with the regulatory authority staff from the start, thereby enabling agreement on an acceptable scope of work.

Site Restoration

Site restoration is a process that can occur in steps throughout an assessment and remediation. Where appropriate, DES conducts source removal (Interim Remedial Actions) in the form of free product recovery of liquids that may be located in underground structures or floating on the groundwater. We also excavate and remove impacted soils for proper treatment or disposal. This eliminates, at the source, the continuing spread of contaminants in the groundwater.

Typically, once these sources are removed, natural attenuation will accelerate the breakdown of contaminants in the groundwater. This reduces and sometimes eliminates the need for expensive remediation systems and their associated operating and maintenance costs.

When active remediation is required, we can install and operate state-of-the-art remedial systems. We realize that site remediation is a continually evolving process. DES personnel continue, throughout the project, to fine-tune and/or upgrade the remedial system to keep the restoration process efficient and cost-effective.

Monitoring Only Plans

Many times contaminant concentrations are above “No Further Action” levels, but less than that required for active remediation. In these cases, DES will implement a plan to adequately monitor the natural attenuation of groundwater impacts until above “No Further Action” levels are achieved

Storage Tank Services

If installation and/or removal of storage tanks is needed, DES can provide these services. We subcontract installations and removals to experienced state-certified Pollutant Storage System Contractors. We oversee these functions to assure that the system is in compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements.

Storage tank removals require a Closure Assessment to identify potential impacts from leaky storage tanks. DES personnel have completed numerous Closure Assessments, which include the testing of soil and groundwater. We then submit written reports and closure forms to the regulatory authority as a permanent record of the closure action.

Waste Management

DES can manage your hazardous and non-hazardous wastes. We have the capability to containerize the wastes, collect samples of the waste for analysis, and arrange for transportation and disposal of the material through a licensed subcontractor.

Hydrogeological Investigations

The permitting process for landfills, wastewater treatment plants, and application of effluent reuse water requires a detailed investigation of subsurface soil and groundwater conditions, as well as an analysis of projected impacts as a result of the permitted process or facility. The permit will usually require an approved plan to monitor groundwater conditions during operations.

DES personnel have extensive experience in this area. We will complete aquifer characterization tests, including slug tests, pump tests, and groundwater flow surveys. We use soil classification and particle size distribution analyses to develop subsurface stratigraphic cross-sections. We analyze groundwater mounds and investigate changes in groundwater flow; and we develop Monitor Well construction specifications and location plans for periodic monitoring. This information is then compiled into a written report for submittal as part of the construction permit application.

Environmental Compliance Audits

Many commercial and industrial firms now retain consultants to evaluate their compliance with the EPA, OSHA, and DOT regulations. Routinely, corporate liability insurers require proof of regulatory compliance. DES provides these services. We have performed numerous compliance audits on both industrial and commercial operations.

A compliance audit involves our reviewing personnel training and corporate health and safety records for compliance with OSHA standards. We also observe ongoing operations for compliance with hazardous and non-hazardous waste handling, storage and transportation provisions of both DOT and EPA regulations.

In addition, we conduct a site inspection to evaluate employee compliance with company programs as well as to assess potential environmental liabilities to the site.

Finally, we submit a written report that details our investigation, findings, and recommendations.