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Environmental Investigations
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ESI conducts a wide range of technical investigations to accurately characterize conditions in soil, water (ground and surface) and air. The staff uses a combination of the technical skills, regulatory knowledge, and experience to characterize existing site conditions. ESI conducts simple, non-intrusive screenings for real estate transactions (e.g., Phase I Environmental Site Assessments), as well as comprehensive Remedial Investigations / Feasibility Studies on more complex sites. Investigatory services offered by ESI are performed in accordance with standards approved by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), as well as by federal and state agency procedures and/or directives.
Phase I Environmental Site Assessments and Transaction Screens
ESI has performed over 1,000 environmental site assessments and transaction screen assessments of residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional properties since the firm's incorporation in 1992. The project specific Scopes of Work developed by ESI meet and exceed standards set forth by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Methods E 1527-00 and E 1528-00. Examples of projects include:
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Phase I Assessments for a portfolio of 28 nursing homes throughout New York State for the NYS HFA, including a review of compliance with air quality, medical and radioactive waste handling and disposal, waste discharge, and chemical and petroleum bulk storage regulations.
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Phase I Assessment on a 1.2 million square foot, muilti-building, medical facility in New York City, including a review of compliance with medical waste disposal regulations, local and state petroleum bulk storage requirements and asbestos removal procedures.
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Phase I Assessments on eight (8) industrial and commercial properties in Los Angeles, California, including a metal fabrication facility and two plastics fabricators, and documentation of compliance with both state and federal environmental regulations.
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Phase I Environmental Site Assessment/Environmental Compliance Audits on three (3) laboratories: one site in Houston, Texas and two sites in Alabama. Provided detailed assessment of current operations, including media discharge compliance, regulated materials/waste storage handling and disposal, and indoor air quality compliance.
Hydrogeologic Investigations
ESI performs analyses to document both quality and quantity of groundwater, drawing upon professional expertise in geology, hydrology, chemistry, biology, and toxicology. Innovative investigative techniques (e.g., hydropunch, geoprobe, and/or horizontal drilling), as well as traditional tools (monitoring wells), are utilized by ESI to accurately assess groundwater conditions. Some examples of Hydrogeologic Investigations include:
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Hydrogeologic investigation of a former gas station in New Jersey. Utilized various investigatory methods, including groundwater quality monitoring, groundwater velocity and directional calculations, soil sampling, and hydrocarbon fingerprinting to document off-site sources of on-site contamination. Currently negotiating with NJDEP to shift geographic focus of the investigation.
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Hydrogeologic assessment, including fate and transport studies for petroleum and chlorinated hydrocarbons, groundwater velocity and directional studies, and on-site chemical handling practices to assess activities at an automotive parts recycler as a potential source of local groundwater contamination. Technical assistance provided by this office was instrumental in determining the recycler's lack of contribution.
Brownfields / Superfund Sites
ESI conducts technical investigations and provides remedial system design and review, as well as expert testimony for responsible parties at both Federal and State Superfund properties. ESI staff have been successful in providing regulatory agencies with accurate and comprehensive data to both characterize a site and assign financial responsibility.
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Site Investigation / Remedial Alternatives Report for a 12-acre proposed conversion of abandoned underdeveloped land to a waterfront park in Irvington, New York. The site was the first Brownfields project funded by New York State under the 1996 Brownfields Initiative Project. This office completed the Remedial Design Phase of the project involving the design and construction of a geosynthetic cap, specific excavations of contaminated soils, and bulkhead reconstruction. This project was the recipient of the 2000 Engineering Showcase of Excellence Award by the 2000 American Consulting Engineers Council.
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Site Investigation / Remedial Action Plan for a former manufactured gas plant, documenting soil and groundwater contamination. Remedial plan included site improvements to remove LNAPL and DNAPL, excavation and disposal of contaminated soil, monitoring of groundwater contamination, and the installation of a subslab vapor extraction system under the proposed building. Site is currently under construction (completion anticipated Spring 2003).
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Surface and subsurface investigation to document the presence of perchloreothylene (PCE) at a New York State Superfund site in Dutchess County. Isolated a sewer line as a potential source of on-site soil and groundwater contamination. Currently providing technical assistance and expert testimony to a Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) during negotiations with other involved parties.
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Site Investigation of former boiler repair site in Poughkeepsie, New York in conjunction with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) "Brownfields" restoration project. Tasks completed to date include excavation and removal of seven (7) underground storage tanks (USTs), documentation of soil and groundwater contamination, qualification of asbestos materials and preliminary design of remedial actions.
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Documentation of subsurface conditions as a New York State-listed inactive hazardous waste disposal site in Putnam County, New York. Completed all actions necessary to successfully remove this site from State "Superfund" list, including the design and implementation of a periodic groundwater sampling regimen and the preparation and provision of complete documentation to the NYSDEC.
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Prepared and submitted an approved site remediation plan to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) that included soil vapor extraction technology and soil excavation for PCE contamination of soil and groundwater at a former manufacturing facility, an NPL site. Compiled monthly monitoring reports for USEPA and implemented site remediation under a USEPA consent order.
Air Quality / Asbestos / Lead-based Paint
ESI, in conjunction with Adelaide Associates, LLC, provides investigative services in the field of air quality. ESI has been instrumental in assisting clients in meeting abatement and/or management responsibilities regarding indoor air quality, (OSHA) compliance, asbestos-containing materials, and lead paint.
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Management of chemical odor source identification and source removal at New Paltz High and Middle Schools, New Paltz, New York. Conducted comprehensive building assessments to identify all sources of chemical odors that had shut the schools down and developed a Response Plan, which was approved by both the County and the State Health Departments. Directed and monitored response activities and provided post-response air quality documentation.
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Air discharge permit applications and periodic monitoring reports for soil vapor extraction systems at various sites in New York. Currently providing summary reports on contaminate concentrations in air discharge flows, based on field screening readings and air sampling data.
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Air sampling of indoor air quality of homes in the vicinity of an unpermitted demolition debris landfill in Westchester County, New York. Provided interpretation of data and assessment of analytical techniques for legal counsel.
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Technical assistance to lender in oversight of methane gas remediation at urban New York City shopping center. Services included review of remedial system specifications, monitoring of compliance studies and communication with lender and regulatory agencies regarding source determination and site closure.
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Asbestos survey of 452-unit residential complex on Long Island, New York, documenting the presence of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in roofing, flooring, pipewrap, and boiler breaching. Prepared facility Operations and Maintenance plan for material abatement and future management; services were integral to the Client securing renovation funding.
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Asbestos survey of 380,000-square-foot warehousing facility in Westchester County, New York, including sampling and abatement cost projections. Currently preparing abatement specifications.
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Asbestos and Lead-based Paint Survey of 78,000-square-foot, vacant, industrial building for prospective use as alternative high school in New York City. Currently preparing abatement cost estimates.
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Air Quality and Noise Survey for proposed 275,000-square-foot shopping center in Westchester County, New York, including design and proposed noise attenuation devices.
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