ECA’s Managing Principal (Brett D. Smith PE, LG) began his environmental services career, working on myriad Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) projects that included gas stations during the ”yank-a-tank” days, restaurants, wood veneer facilities, oil companies and large hydrocarbon-based facilities like Exxon, BASF and Ciba-Geigy. Mr. Smith has characterized sites for the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, the Washington Department of Natural Resources, the Washington State Air National Guard, the Karuk Tribe of California, Tennessee Gas Company, Chemical Waste Management and Daisy Manufacturing, though the latter precluded any tours of their BB Gun factory!
Some typical Phase 2 ESAs performed by ECA are listed below:
Tribal Abandoned Mine Land Investigation (CA): ECA was hired by the Karuk Tribe of California, to characterize (via Phase 2 sampling and analysis) Abandoned Mine Lands bordering the Klamath River nearby Happy Camp, California. He prepared a Work Plan containing a Conceptual Site Model and Sampling and Analysis Plan regarding field reconnaissance and soil sampling of a 52-acre site that was one of the most productive placer gold mines in Northern California. Performed field sampling QA/QC, collected potentially mercury-contaminated soil samples, and submitted same to an EPA-certified laboratory for CAM-17 analysis. Prepared the AML Preliminary Assessment Report.
Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (ID): ECA performed soil sampling of a client’s fuel service station in north Idaho, utilizing Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) -approved Multi-incremental Sampling Methodology that minimizes volatilization losses and eliminated inter-sample cross-contamination. Samples were properly preserved (methanol at 4 degrees Celsius) and strict chain-of-custody protocol was implemented. Prepared a Risk Evaluation Assessment and successfully secured a No Further Action status from IDEQ, on behalf of client.
Active Retail Facility: ECA designed / performed a Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey, to clear the presence of Underground Storage Tanks (USTs) at an active Taco Time restaurant in Spokane, Washington. Directed drilling contractor in the strategic placement of soil borings, to confirm absence of USTs and collected soil / groundwater samples, in accordance with best industry practices regarding sample cross-contamination, collection and transport to local environmental analytical laboratory.
Department of Natural Resources Tank Removal (WA): ECA supervised the removal of a heating oil consumptive use UST from a Washington Department of Natural Resources communications site atop Naneum Ridge. Performed all soil sampling and chain-of-custody procedures as required by the Washington Department of Ecology. Constantly monitored site to ensure that field personnel were not endangered by fugitive fuel emissions. Prepared and submitted final report.
Chemical Manufacturing Facility (LA): While employed for a national environmental services firm (now AECOM), Mr. Smith performed geologic / soils logging of deep borings, collected soil and groundwater samples, and supervised the installation of deep triple-cased 4-inch stainless-steel monitoring wells at locations along predicted edges of monochlorobenzene (MCB) and ethylenedichloride (EDC) contaminant plumes at the BASF Facility in Geismar, Louisiana. Performed all sampling and chain-of-custody procedures as required by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ).
Oil Refinery (LA): As an employee of a national environmental services firm (now AECOM), Mr. Smith supervised the installation of temporary piezometers within the soil-bermed basins surrounding the massive storage tanks at the Exxon Oil Refinery just outside of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Performed soil-logging and collected soil and groundwater samples to determine the vertical extent of hazardous substances. Performed sample collection and chain-of-custody procedures as required by LDEQ. Closely supervised the drilling crew to ensure adequate health and safety.
Cardlock Facility (ID): ECA performed soil sampling of a client’s fuel service station in north Idaho, utilizing Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) -approved Multi-incremental Sampling Methodology that minimizes volatilization losses and eliminated inter-sample cross-contamination. Samples were properly preserved (methanol at 4 degrees Celsius) and strict chain-of-custody protocol was implemented. Prepared a Risk Evaluation Assessment and successfully secured a No Further Action status from IDEQ, on behalf of client.
Environmental Drilling (LA): As an employee of a national environmental services firm (now AECOM), Mr. Smith was the field supervisor and on-site health and safety officer for two drilling crews, to determine the extent of vertical and horizontal migration of fugitive volatile organic substances at the Ciba Geigy Chemical Plant in Saint Gabriel, Louisiana. Coordinated sampling / chain-of-custody procedures required by LDEQ and coordinated all activities with facility representatives.
Underground Storage Tank Removals (AR): As an employee of a national environmental services firm (now AECOM), Mr. Smith supervised the removal of two 12,000 gallon and five 6,000 gallon USTs. Performed all soil sampling and chain-of-custody procedures for this environmental assessment, as required by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality. Monitored site to ensure that field personnel and the public were not endangered by fugitive fuel emissions.
Hazardous Contamination assessment (LA): As an employee of a national environmental services firm (now AECOM), Mr. Smith performed soil-logging and collected soil and groundwater samples to determine the vertical extent of hazardous, previously buried substances. Performed sample collection and chain-of-custody procedures as required by LDEQ. Closely supervised the drilling crew to ensure adequate health and safety.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Investigation (LA): As an employee of a national environmental services firm (now AECOM), Mr. Smith performed initial through final phase investigations for the presence of PCBs at Tennessee Gas compressor stations located near New Albany, Mississippi, Kinder, Louisiana and Natchitoches, Louisiana. Studies required the collection, documentation and proper shipment (to an analytical laboratory) of no fewer than 500 soil samples. Soil sampling and chain-of-custody procedures were performed, in accordance with LDEQ protocols.
Commercial Facility Site Asessment (LA): As an employee of a national environmental services firm (now AECOM), Mr. Smith supervised the drilling of exploratory borings and the installation of groundwater monitoring wells along the perimeter of a suspected plume of previously released product (fuel) at the Ryder Truck Rental facility in Shreveport, Louisiana. Performed geologic logging of borings, collected soil / groundwater samples and maintained chain-of-custody, as per LDEQ protocols.
Commercial Facilities Tanks, Piping and Excavations (WA): As an employee of a national environmental services firm (now AECOM), Mr. Smith performed geologic logging of the soils underlying the Daisy BB Gun manufacturing facility in Rogers, Arkansas. Drilling targeted areas having visual indications of potential contaminants, as determined from the Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment. Soil sampling and chain-of-custody procedures were performed, as per ADEQ protocols.
