Environmental Compliance, Soil and Groundwater Investigation and Remediation and Construction Oversight for High Energy Research Facility

EKI has provided a broad range of environmental consulting services for a 426-acre facility devoted to experimental and theoretical research in particle physics. VOCs and semi-VOCs are present in soil and groundwater, and PCBs, lead, and other metals are present in soil and sediment.

EKI has prepared Remedial Investigation (RI) reports, Baseline Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessments, Feasibility Studies/Remedial Action Plan (FS/RAPs) for three operable facility units. The reports were prepared pursuant to National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP) guidance pursuant to an Order from Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) and developed consistent with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) guidance. In support of site investigation and remediation efforts under this process, EKI has:

• Prepared Engineering Analyses/Cost Estimates for multiple accelerated removal actions involving soil excavation and has implemented such removal actions at several locations on the site.
• Conducted investigations for soil, soil vapor, groundwater, and stormwater.
• Performed vapor intrusion assessments for multiple buildings.
• Designed and managed construction of a stormwater treatment system to reduce polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in runoff, a sub-slab vapor extraction system for vapor intrusion mitigation, and dual phase extraction (DPE) systems for groundwater and soil remediation.
• Designed and implemented soil excavation projects and in situ remediation systems.
• Monitored and evaluated long-term remediation progress.
• Represented client in monthly regulatory meetings and public meetings.

Outcome

EKI has facilitated complex regulatory approval processes for our client, including for an excavation of wetland sediment containing PCBs under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process, which included attainment of a Mitigated Negative Declaration from the RWQCB, a Section 404 permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), a Programmatic Biological Opinion Consultation from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), a Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and a Section 401 Certification and Restoration Monitoring Plan (RMP) from the RWQCB.