NOAA Debris Removal and Closure Sampling – St. Paul Island, Pribilof Island,    Alaska

The removal action was phased to accomplish both winter and summer removal and involved more than 20 sites in almost every corner of the Island. Project phases included: The preparation of an array of environmental sampling & analysis, quality assurance, environmental protection plans to describe anticipated procedures to accomplish the debris removal; the removal and staging of 1,000 tons of solid waste debris, vehicles, drums, hazardous materials, buildings, and contaminated soils to a single, centralized island staging area; and the demolition and disposal of two dilapidated buildings. Debris and salvageable material were loaded on a barge and shipped to Seattle for disposal. Individual reports including sample analysis and data quality validation were completed for each site. Delivery order efforts included hiring, management and oversight of local labor and equipment; drum and waste characterization, community relations, agency coordination, safety and health plan preparation (no loss time accidents), AutoCad and photographic (video and digital) documentation of all field efforts.

NORTECH has in-house technical expertise in the use of Tremble's GPS Pathfinder® Pro XRS receiver, laser range finder, data logger and pathfinder software. During our recent contract with NOAA on St. Paul Island in the Baring Sea, we used our GPS skills to create real-time sub-meter maps of project locations. The remoteness of the project dictated the setup and operation of a DGPS base station for the collection of correction data. We exported our differentially corrected data to AutoCAD 2000 and created the first on site ground-truthed AutoCAD maps of the Island. The Pathfinder software allowed us to pre-plan our data collection sessions for more productive use of field time by determining satellite availability. We also used it for creating data dictionaries with unique lists of features and attributes, which ensured data integrity, and compatibility with our other software systems. We then used our maps as air photo overlays for immediate on site decision-making such as the precise layout and placement of a new city landfill.

GPS mapping was crucial in site characterization and closure at this remote project site. The delays between sampling events meant a non-vegetated site might have 3 feet of grass by the next visit. By importing sample locations from our maps into the data logger we could navigate to the exact location regardless of the site changes.

Another unique aspect of St. Paul Island is that most beaches are closed off all summer as seal rookeries. The laser rangefinder is an indispensable tool in allowing objects and areas to be accurately located from a remote location, thus preventing any disturbance of the seals. We also used it to map objects on a steep slope that could not have been accomplished without safety ropes and other gear. (2000-01)

 Suntrana Coal Tipple HazMat & PCB Contamination Assessment, Report, and    Cleanup Plan, Suntrana, Alaska

NORTECH performed a Phase I as well as a limited Phase II ESA for the Blocks 2 & 3 area of downtown Fairbanks in 2001. The initial Phase II ESA effort allowed for some hazardous materials surveying of several of the property’s existing buildings, and uncovered the presence of TCE and other volatile organic contaminants in the site’s groundwater. Liability concerns relative to anticipated land purchases by the City warranted further, more detailed, investigation and delineation of the contamination. The City of Fairbanks hired NORTECH to perform a soil gas survey and groundwater investigation to assess and delineate soil and groundwater contamination in the Block 2 area. Block 2 was canvassed for property access and previous environmental reports were reviewed for historical information in planning the soil gas and monitoring well installation program. NORTECH's contamination investigation pinpointed the likely source for TCE contamination, found other localized areas of source contamination, and revealed that aging, underground wood-stave sewer pipes were conveying and leaking contamination under the City’s right-of-way. The results of this investigation assisted the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation with their area groundwater investigation toward identifying responsible parties and mitigating future property transfer liabilities.

 Suburban Propane/ARRC Lease Lot Corrective Action, Fairbanks, Alaska

Risk Management at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) requested NORTECH assist with spill response, assessment, and cleanup of a generator diesel spill at the Toolik Field Station (TFS) in Fall 2001. Stakeholders included UAF, the federal Bureau of Land Management, National Science Foundation, and others. UAF and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) approved a corrective action plan consisting of assessment, excavation and stockpiling of contaminated soil, and replacement with clean backfill. Due to the significant environmental sensitivity of the research site, UAF requested a corrective action goal of Non-Detect when removing diesel-contaminated soils, well below the ADEC's Arctic Zone cleanup criteria of 200 mg/kg. The remote nature of this arctic field station proved environmentally and logistically challenging. Over 2,200 cubic yards of contaminated soil were excavated over a 17,000 square-foot area, and stockpiled in a lined containment cell for future remediation. Complete removal and relocation of the TFS power generation facility and support equipment was necessary during the project. Remote coordination with ADEC, the analytical laboratory, and the University was integral to the completion of the cleanup excavations, confirmation sampling, and backfill efforts. Response fieldwork was completed in less than 30 days, well within University expectations, and before winter closed out further operations. (2001-2002)

Remedial Investigation and Remedial Action Oversight

NORTECH’s remediation and monitoring efforts have included expedited emergency action efforts under adverse weather conditions in remote sites. For rural and remote site work, NORTECH is experienced in logistical coordination and transporting of contractor equipment, personnel, and support facilities to areas with no locally available services. Expediters and contract administrators are geared toward the rapid procurement cycle while adhering to all Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). Where necessary, NORTECH has established field camps that have the capability to be self-reliant, small “communities” providing full support to field crews. These facilities can operate for several months at a time.

NORTECH’s remediation project roles have included all aspects of site remediation and monitoring including Prime Contractor, Construction Administration, third party monitoring, owner assistance, EPA CERCLA quality assurance oversight, contractor support and closure sampling. A clean-up or remediation plan will include provisions for the cleanup of soil and groundwater contaminated in excess of the site cleanup criteria. The field and project management staff has hands on qualifications and experience in most types of environmental remediation methodologies under all types of conditions. The team is familiar and comfortable working with contractor and local hire employees in remote and sensitive rural circumstances. The team is knowledgeable and experienced with working with native cultures and remote site conditions involving adverse weather and site conditions in environmentally sensitive areas. NORTECH, and EMI, have managed or effectuated a number of significant remedial investigations and cleanup actions, as can be seen by review of these disparate and unusual projects.