Phase II
ESAs and Subsurface Investigations
Large State Brownfield Site - Brooklyn, New York
The irregular shaped lot occupies a full block in Brooklyn, New York. The site was formerly utilized by a chemical company. The project was entered into the State Brownfield Cleanup Program with confirmed contamination in the soil and groundwater related to historic on-site operations. Touchstone supervised the installation of 32 soil borings, 24 monitoring wells and 25 soil gas implants in accordance with NYSDEC requirements. During this time over 100 soil samples, 25 soil gas samples and 24 groundwater samples were collected in accordance with NYSDECs strict requirements. The work was completed on time and within the budget. Touchstone is currently finalizing the Site Investigation Report. Touchstone will work with others to properly completed the Remedial Action Work Plan.
Brownfield Site - Flushing, New York
The Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) discovered the Site was used a Dry Cleaner for the past 40 years. Oversaw and managed the completion of a Phase II ESA consisting of the installation and sampling of soil and groundwater probes. The results of the investigation identified levels of chlorinated solvents in the soil and groundwater at concentrations greater than their respective regulatory standard. Based upon discussions with the client and client attorney, applications were completed for the New York State Brownfield Program (BCP). Once the site was accepted into the program, additional on-site investigations of soil, groundwater and soil vapor were conducted. Additionally, the groundwater and vapor quality of an off-site daycare was conducted. Overall, more than 10 soil borings, 10 monitoring wells and 20 soil vapor implants were installed. All work was documented to the NYSDEC in the form of Site Investigations Reports. Soil Investigations are still on-going at the Site.
Auto Repair Facility - Astoria Queens
The Phase II ESA investigation consisted of the installation of 5 soil probes and 3 groundwater monitoring wells. The placement of the soil probes was essential to the investigation being properly completed. While on-site Rachel Ataman, PG identified a slop sink which discharged into 20-gallon drums once these drums were moved, cracks in the foundation were identified. The placement of the soil and groundwater probe next to the cracked foundation allowed for the identification of petroleum and solvent contamination on-site. If the drums were not moved, than this contamination would not have been identified. Based upon the presence of petroleum and solvent contamination the NYSDEC was notified of a release. After the preparation of cost estimate letters, it was determined that the purchase would not be completed.
Development Site - Bronx, New York
The property is currently used as an auto repair facility. The property was assigned an E designation and the potential owners plan on developing it for residential use. Touchstone Environmental brought the property to the New York City Office of Environmental Remediation (NYC OER) to address the E designation. Touchstone met with the NYC OER for a pre-application meeting and then obtained an approved Investigation Work Plan. Touchstone then investigated the site through the installation of soil probes, groundwater probes and soil vapor probes. Touchstone prepared a Site Investigation Report and is currently awaiting its approval from the NYCOER. Based upon the results of the Site Investigation, Touchstone prepared a cost estimate for the site to be remediated during development. Because all work was performed prior to purchase, the cost to remediate the site was included in the development costs.
Industrial Loop - Staten Island, New York
The site was investigated to determine if an adjacent BCP site was impacting upon its environmental quality. The
investigation consisted of the installation of monitoring wells, soil probes and soil vapor probes. Indoor and outdoor air samples were also collected. The investigation was completed in one day. Based upon the results of the investigation it was determined that the off-site property was not impacting upon the Subject Property and no further work was required. The property was then purchased.
Development Site - Queens, New York
This former gasoline station is currently being developed into a commercial building with a day care facility. Touchstone worked with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) to develop an Investigation Work Plan. Touchstone then investigated the site through the performance of indoor air testing, the installation of two soil probes and two monitoring wells. The results of the investigation were submitted to the NYCDEP in a Site Investigation Report (SIR) and Remedial Action Work Plan (RAWP). Based upon the results of the SIR and RAWP the NYCDEP issued a Notice to Proceed to the project.
Touchstone is currently supervising the remediation of the site, including the performance of waste characterization testing, coordination with disposal facilities, the performance of air monitoring, the collection of end point samples and the preparation of a site closure report. Upon completion of the Site Closure Report it is anticipated the NYCDEP will issue of Notice of Satisfaction to the project.
Apartment Building - Brooklyn, New York
The project originally consisted of reviewing historical reports and remedial plans provided by others. Based upon the review of the reports, it was determined that the recommended remediation (tank excavation) would not be cost effective. It was recommended rather than remove the tanks, they be abandoned in place, accessible soil be properly excavated and disposed of, and the groundwater be remediated through Enhanced Fluid Recovery. After presenting this idea to the board of directors, I prepared a new Remedial Action Plan and had it approved by the NYSDEC.
The remedial action consisted of the excavation and disposal of approximately 200 tons of petroleum contaminated soil and the installation of over 20 4-inch monitoring wells. EFR was then performed for over 3 years. During this time, I coordinated all work with the co-op board and the NYSDEC. Once the oil was removed from the groundwater, the NYSDEC closed the Spill Numbers.
Cropsby Avenue - Brooklyn, New York
Rachel Ataman has also performed many site remediation’s through the installation of remedial chemicals. This was the case on a site on Cropsey Avenue in Brooklyn. The site was historically used as a gasoline station. A petroleum plume was emulating from an historic tank bed. The plume was characterized through the installation of 5 monitoring wells. After discussing the remediation with the NYSDEC it was determined that the most cost-effective remedial option would the injection of multiple types of remedial solvents. Upon official approval of a Remedial Action Work Plan by the NYSDEC the injection was performed twice over a 3-month period. The monitoring wells were then monitored quarterly for a 1-year period. The quarterly sampling showed the solvent injection was successful in properly remediating the gasoline release and the NYSDEC closed the spill.
Third Avenue - Bronx, New York
A historic fire impacted soils at the site with hazardous levels of lead. The levels of lead were properly characterized through multiple subsurface investigations. Once the lead areas were defined, a detailed waste characterization sampling program defining the vertical and horizontal extent of the hazardous lead impact soil.
The disposal of hazardous soil can be a complex and expensive part of site development. In this project it would have been the most expensive line item in the building construction. As another example of innovative project management, Rachel Ataman assisted the construction team in saving $140 per ton penalty fee (total of more than $100,000). This was accomplished by first entering the project into the NYC Brownfield Program and then by lobbying the state to remove the $140 penalty for projects entered the NYC Brownfield Program. In the end Rachel Ataman managed the investigation, waste characterization and disposal of soil containing hazardous levels of lead from a construction site on Third Avenue in the Bronx. This project received an award from the NYC OER.
