Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs)
Phase I ESAs are the building blocks of environmental consulting and property due diligence. A traditional Phase I ESA is a research project into the historical development and uses of a property to evaluate if a release of hazardous materials has or may have occurred. Traditional Phase I ESAs must meet the requirements and processes laid out in a standard published by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) which include historical research, a site reconnaissance, reviewing regulatory files, and conducting interviews. Increasingly, buyers don’t require a full Phase I and opt for a more basic Transaction Screen or move to a Phase II based on a known previous or current use of a property. Knowing historical uses based on architecture, utilizing many different avenues of research, asking the right questions, and sometimes reading between the lines allows us to discover details about a property that others may miss. KMC Environmental has conducted hundreds of Phase I ESAs, Transaction Screens, and research on residential, rural residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial properties in Washington, Oregon, and California. The end goal of each project and property is different. In each case we use our expertise to make sensible and pragmatic recommendations that are always in the best interest of our clients.
Phase II ESAs/Environmental Investigations
Whether based on the recommendations of a Phase I ESA, previous or current use (such as the presence of an underground storage tank), the presence of known contamination, pre-construction evaluation, or emergency response, environmental investigations provide crucial data about the type, location and extent of contamination and therefore potential risk at a site. Collecting quality data is our top priority and there are many details that go into making sure things go efficiently. KMC Environmental has conducted and directed hundreds of Phase IIs and Environmental Investigations from simple soil vapor investigations at residences to evaluating multiple media and types of contaminants at industrial facilities. We have the expertise and experience with collecting representative samples from soil, sediment, surface water, storm water, groundwater, sub-slab vapor, and soil vapor using just about every type of equipment out there from hand tools to large sonic drilling rigs.
Through the whole process, KMC Environmental keeps the client appraised of project updates and milestones. Once data has been obtained, we offer clear and concise reporting with quick turnarounds so our clients get the data they need to make informed next steps. We have the depth of knowledge and experience to choose the tools, procedures, and quality subcontractors to evaluate and delineate any site quickly and cost effectively. Proper previous planning, including planning for the unexpected, can make the difference between a delineated site ready for the next step and exceeded budgets, blown deadlines, and soured relationships.
Regulatory Closure, Cleanup, and Remediation
When a property has contaminated media (soil, groundwater, soil vapor) at a level where it poses a risk to humans or other sensitive receptors, reporting the release to state environmental regulatory agencies is required by law. Through various programs, the agencies review and guide the work needed to obtain a No Further Action determination, meaning the state no longer views the site as a risk to humans or other sensitive receptors. Often, this requires a Remedial Investigation, Feasibility Study, and Corrective Action Plan (RI/FS/CAP). An RI/FS/CAP details the background and physical properties of a site, where and what type of contamination is present, the cost/benefits of different remediation possibilities, and the plan for the chosen remediation strategy. Environmental remediation to obtain regulatory closure can take on many forms. At its simplest, it can be a risk-based closure where contamination is allowed to remain on the property with certain guidance and restrictions in place or the removal and closure of an underground storage tank with no evidence of contamination. Remediation can scale up quickly depending on the site and can consist of one or more of the following: contaminated soil dug out and taken to a solid waste facility, contaminated groundwater being pumped and treated before disposal, in-situ chemical remediation of groundwater or installation of a soil-vapor extraction system. KMC Environmental has the experience to plan, design, and execute many different types of remediation to obtain regulatory closure.
Monitoring, Operations, and Maintenance
Often dovetailed with remediation and regulatory closure is long-term monitoring, operations, and maintenance. This can be quarterly sampling of groundwater using a network of installed wells, taking measurements and repair of a soil vapor extraction system, protective cap maintenance, or contractor observation. From installation to utilizing an existing network, we provide quick and efficient monitoring, operations, maintenance, and reporting services.
Asbestos Sampling and Hazardous Building Material Surveys
Our AHERA certified inspectors have years of experience with conducting asbestos surveys at residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial sites. We have the experience to identify what materials to test and where they can be hidden. Our clear and concise reporting makes it easy for regulators and contractors identify asbestos containing materials for abatement and worker safety.
Often combined with asbestos sampling at residential and commercial properties, hazardous building material surveys can include sampling for lead-based paint, surveys for PCB containing materials, mold assessments, and indoor air quality assessments. Asbestos testing can be combined with lead-based paint sampling and other hazardous materials surveys.
Stormwater Permitting, Monitoring, and Compliance
KMC Environmental is well suited to assist our clients with all of their stormwater needs. For the planning stages we have the experience to design storm systems, prepare Stormwater Pollution Prevention and Control Plans and apply for NPDES permits. Our Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead (CESCL) can conduct routine compliance visits during the construction phase. At established sites we can assist with observation, monitoring, sampling, permit updating, and reporting to stay in compliance with local, state, and federal permits.
Permitting Services
KMC Environmental has assisted and guided private and public clients with obtaining a wide range of permits and approvals. From relatively straightforward local street use/opening and state NPDES permits, to State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation, to the Joint Aquatic Resource Permit Application (JARPA) process for dredging projects we are diligent about the details and communication to obtain approvals in a timely manner.