Services

Site Investigation/Remediation

Through the course of his professional career, Mr. Robinson has had the great fortune to be involved in virtually all aspects of site investigation, assessment and remediation. Much of his work has been focused on finding and applying the best approach to moving a project towards the goals of establishing and meeting the site-appropriate remediation requirements, and allowing a site to continue in or be restored to productive use. His work has included private and public sector sites ranging in size from < 0.25 acre to 300+ acres. Representative projects are listed below:

• Groundwater Remediation Program Evaluation, Chemical Company, PA
  Evaluated effectiveness of a 17-year pump and treat groundwater remediation program designed to remediate a chlorinated hydrocarbon plume. No thorough assessment of the program had been previously been performed. Determined that intrinsic, in situ bioremediation was a having a substantial impact on chemical species. In much of the impacted area, PCE and TCE had largely been dechlorinated and transformed to cis-1,2-DCE and vinyl chloride. Prepared report and recommended a series of program upgrades to better evaluate the subsurface environment, improve data collection and meet agency compliance and reporting issues.
• Nepera Chemical NYS Superfund Site, PRP Group, NY
  Provided new technical direction in seventh year of a 10-year guaranteed groundwater remediation project. Reevaluating the geologic data associated with the complex suite of glacial valley sediments/aquifer systems, developed new site contaminant distribution/remediation conceptual model, established clear relationship between site groundwater and West Branch Ramapo River, documented remediation progress, and implemented a plan to restore in-situ groundwater remediation system effectiveness. Developed an endgame approach and worked closely with NYSDEC officials to obtain their support for the updated evaluation of site groundwater quality, a proposal for the discontinuation of the active biosparge system, and the initiation of monitored natural attenuation in accordance with NYSDEC protocols. This proposal was accepted in 2008.

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• NJ ISRA Site Remediation Program, Former Personal Products Manufacturing Facility, NJ
  • Directed and managed Remedial Investigation, Remedial Action Selection and Remedial Action for facility-wide soil, subsurface piping, treatment lagoons, groundwater and building interior for 70 acre facility in accordance with NJ Technical Requirements.
  • Managed survey for asbestos, PCBs, mercury and other interior hazardous materials
  • Worked closely with client and NJDEP to foster cooperative working relationship and obtain expedited reviews and approvals
  • Obtained NFAs on 18 Areas of Concern

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• Pump and Treat System Termination and Monitoring Program Downsizing, Two Bus Maintenance and Storage Facilities, San Mateo County Transit Agency, South San Francisco, CA
  Groundwater pump and treat systems, along with extensive sets of groundwater monitoring wells requiring monthly sampling, were operating at two bus maintenance and storage facilities constructed on fill adjacent to San Francisco Bay. The monitoring and treatment programs had been developed by a prior consultant in response to hydraulic oil spills. Upon taking over the project and reviewing the monitoring program, Mr. Robinson successfully demonstrated to the regulatory agency that the consistency of prior analytical results warranted a reduction in the frequency of monitoring well water level measurements and sampling. After observing bailed samples from the wells, Mr. Robinson suspected that natural organic material in the bay mud in which the wells were screened was producing false positive results for total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) contamination. As part of the next groundwater sampling event, samples were split. Both sample sets were extracted and analyzed using standard EPA Method 418.1 analytic procedures. Prior to analysis of the second set of samples, a silica gel cleanup to remove non-petroleum hydrocarbons was performed. The results demonstrated that all 70 monitoring wells were free of petroleum products. This was further confirmed by analysis of diesel-related organic compounds and SVOCs. Based on these findings, both pump and treat systems operations were terminated and the number of wells sampled was reduced from 70 wells quarterly to eight wells semi-annually at a substantial savings to SAMTRANS.

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• Environmental Due Diligence, Redesign of I-95, Philadelphia, PA
  Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
  As part of the conceptual design phase for the reconstruction of I-95 in Philadelphia, Mr. Robinson performed a comprehensive Environmental Site Assessment for the one-mile highway segment extending from the vicinity of the Betsy Ross Bridge to the Frankford Arsenal. Using historical maps and aerial photographs, identified the location of the filled, former Frankford Creek streambed beneath the existing pile structure. Obtained and reviewed 1960s-era original soil boring logs to qualitatively characterize the 1950s-era fill material. Using recent soils/fill quality data obtained during design of the Betsy Ross Bridge ramps, provided guidance to the design team that resulted in a major engineering concept change effecting the redesign.

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• Project Manager, Ewan Superfund Site, PRP Committee, NJ
  • Entered project at the point of 5-year remedy review; initial remedy was a large pump, treat and reinject close-loop system with high operating costs and diminished effectiveness. Reviewed RI, FS, RD/RA and other documents to assemble a coherent understanding of work completed prior to team's involvement in taking over the site remediation program.
  • Developed new conceptual remedial model, working closely with PRP committee, USEPA/NJDEP, and local government representatives.
  • Obtained USEPA Region II approval and NJDEP permit for pilot testing two-phase vacuum extraction, which proved to be highly effective in removing remaining contamination at a much lower cost. Implementation ultimately led to the discontinuation of the pump/treat/reinject system operation.

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• Project Manager, Paoli Rail Yard Superfund Site Construction Management Contract, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and AMTRAK
  • Construction management project manager for $8M remediation project ($950,000 CM fee).
  • Remediation involved excavation and stabilization of 83,000 cu. yd. of PCB-contaminated soils with on-site disposal in a lined-containment facility.
  • Assembled and led CM team. Established highly successful working relationships with team, contractor, client and USEPA/PADEP personnel.

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• Project Technical Director, Ringwood Mines and Landfill Superfund Site, PRP, NJ
  • Provided technical direction and leadership to project team in to response to USEPA Region II's request that the responsible party completely reinvestigate the entire 900-acre site, necessitating growth in project annual budget from $150K to $6M.
  • On behalf of client and counsel, helped coordinate project with all stakeholders, including USEPA, NJDEP, NJ Geological Survey, State Park, state mining, municipal officials and the public.
  • Developed a topographic screening process and field procedures to focus the paint sludge/waste survey on less than 100 acres of the site. CADD-based historical topography overlay process proved highly successful in identifying disposal locations in extremely rugged and altered terrain.
  • Led the design and implementation of an interim remediation program to excavate paint sludge from upland and wetland areas, and development of work plans for new groundwater investigations.

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• Project Manager, Former Copper Foil Manufacturing Facility NJ ISRA, NJ
  • Managed ISRA compliance program for former copper foil manufacturing facility.
  • Led team of scientists, engineers and remediation specialists for all program elements associated with facility decontamination and demolition, soil remediation, site investigation and assessment, groundwater characterization, remedial design and wetlands construction permitting.
  • Assessed magnitude and extent of facility induced groundwater impairment in conjunction with evaluation of uncommon natural conditions and impacts from adjacent property.

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• NJ ISRA Site Remediation Program, Former Electronics Manufacturing Facility, NJ
  • Project manager for completion phase of a long term ISRA/ECRA program. The site generated multiple chlorinated solvent plumes that extended well off site.
  • Led review of 20-year ECRA/ISRA activities, accomplishments and No Further Action declarations to refine program focus on remaining areas of concern.
  • Worked with client to develop a new strategy for closing out the 20-year program.
  • Successfully piloted highly effective in-situ reactive zone groundwater remedy
  • Led development of Remedial Action Plan in accordance with NJ Technical Requirements

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• Phase 1 and 2 Environmental Site Assessment, Cook County Hospital Expansion, Chicago, Illinois
  Project manager and senior investigator for Phase 1 ESA as part of a major, property-wide hospital facility expansion program. Historical Sanborn maps showed that during the 19th century, numerous small industries occupied much of the property. Gasoline-related compounds from spills associated with fleet fueling operations and heavy metals associated with the 19th century industry were identified during the Phase 2 investigation. Prior to excavation, risk-based cleanup levels were negotiated with Illinois EPA.

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• Route 940 Superfund Site, PRP, Pocono Summit, PA
  Developed and led the investigation of the magnitude and extent of chemical waste and soil and groundwater contamination on the site when it was the subject of a PADEP enforcement action and before it received a Superfund site designation. Implementation of a magnetometer survey revealed three locations with buried, deteriorated waste chemical drums. Supervised the excavation of over 100 drums and 4,000 cubic yards of contaminated till soil. Designed a geologic, hydrogeologic and groundwater quality investigation that revealed that groundwater contamination was limited to a geologically constrained, perched groundwater zone and was not traveling offsite.

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• Determination of Extent of Acid (RCRA Hazardous) Sludge, Petroleum Refinery, Arkansas
  Developed and implemented a program to identify the extent of RCRA hazardous, acid-bearing sludge beneath a nine-acre stormwater impoundment. Prior to designing the program, it was understood that an active stormwater/emergency water pond was underlain by petroleum-based sludges that were by-product of lubricating oil refining and that some portion of the sludge might be RCRA hazardous due to low pH (pH < 2). The acid sludge had been generated by a formerly used, sulfuric acid treating process. Initial sampling with core augers identified pH concentrations as low as 0.3. Physical observations revealed that the RCRA hazardous sludge had a consistency similar to asphalt, whereas the site's non-hazardous sludge was soft and would not support heavy weight. With this knowledge, the area of RCRA hazardous sludge beneath the pond water was rapidly and inexpensively delineated by shallow-draft flatboat, using a solid, hand-held rod and survey equipment on shore.

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• Facility-wide Characterization and Investigation Plan, Chemical Refinery, Alabama
  Led the site history and inventory of active and former waste management operations for a 1000-acre site used for the manufacture of chlorinated and non-chlorinated pesticides and other chemical substances. Developed the work plans for the initial soil and groundwater investigations for over 20 waste management units and disposal areas.

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• Technical Director, Industrial Waste Landfill Investigation, Chemical Refinery, PA
  • Led the investigation of a 100+ acre landfill established in a former wetlands/dredged sediment disposal facility along the Delaware River.
  • Landfill wastes included chemical manufacturing wastes, wastewater sludge, drummed wastes and ammonium sulfate mother liquor.
  • Investigation included borings, geophysical surveys, monitoring wells, surface water quality survey, and wetlands and habitat surveys.
  • Investigation provided the basis for facility remediation including grading and capping.

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• Discovery of NPDES Discharge Effluent Limitation Exceedence Source, Stainless Steel Tube Manufacturer, PA
  Plant treated wastewater effluent limits for fluoride and pH were periodically exceeded. Reviewing plant piping drawings, Mr. Robinson requested access to a post-treatment sump, positioned between the treatment system and discharge point. On opening the brick-lined sump, it was apparent that the mortar between the bricks has dissolved over time and blue-colored, shallow, groundwater was entering the sump and combining with the treated effluent. Analytical testing identified high fluoride concentrations and very low pH in the shallow groundwater. Further investigation identified hydrofluoric acid from a leaking pickle liquor tank as the source.

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• Groundwater Investigation and Remediation, Personal Products Manufacturer, NJ
  Directed the investigation and remediation of groundwater containing TCE, trichlorfluoromethane, xylene and other compounds. Established that impaired groundwater resulting from tank leaks and spills had migrating within a dipping, well-fractured siltstone bedrock facies. By geometrically projected the facies dip and drilling monitoring wells to the projected depth, the zone was successfully followed and monitored. An initial pump and treat system arrested plume migration. Use of dual-phase vacuum extraction system resulted in substantially DNAPL recovery.

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• Floor Drain/Septic Tank Drainage Field Source Contaminated Groundwater Source Identification, Electronics Manufacturer, PA
  Developed and implemented an investigation program that established manufacturing operation floor drains and sink washwater discharged to the onsite septic tank and associated distribution pipe network wastewater treatment system as the source of TCE-contaminated groundwater in the onsite production well.

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• Brownfield Redevelopment Site, Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment and Soil Sampling, Restaurant Developer, Philadelphia, PA
  Developed and led Phase 1 ESA and soil sampling program for a brownfield site on Venice Island. The site, situated between the Manayunk Canal and the Schuylkill River, had an industrial history reaching back to the early 1800s. The site was successfully redeveloped as a restaurant, the first of many brownfield developments in the Venice Island District in Philadelphia's acclaimed Historic Manayunk redevelopment.

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• Phase 1 and 2 Environmental Site Assessment, Amtrak Maintenance Facilities Expansion, Oakland, California
  Developed and led Phase 1 ESA and soil and groundwater assessment for a former freight rail yard to be used by Amtrak to expand and modernize their West Coast passenger rail maintenance facilities. Site had been constructed on fill into San Francisco Bay and was bordered by several sites identified with soil and groundwater contamination. Successfully subcontracted Phase 2 field activities. Developed report and remediation plan that was incorporated into the project demolition and construction program.

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• Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment, Perris Valley Line Commuter Rail, Riverside County Transportation Commission, Riverside, California
  As part of a NEPA Environmental Assessment, developed and led the Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment for the right-of-way and station areas for the proposed 24-mile extension of the Metrolink 91 Line service from Riverside to Los Angeles. The extension would begin at the existing Downtown Riverside Station and proceed northeast for approximately two miles through the City of Riverside before turning southeast along I-215 and ending in the City of Perris.

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• Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment, Monterey Peninsula Line, Transportation Agency for Monterey County, Monterey, California
  The Monterey Peninsula Fixed Guideway Service will provide light rail transit service along a 16 mile corridor extending between Monterey and Castroville on the publicly owned tracks adjacent to Highway 1. As part of a NEPA Environmental Assessment, developed and led the Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment for the rail corridor, which includes Ford Ord.

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• Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment, Schuylkill Valley Metro Project, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, Philadelphia, PA
  As part of the NEPA-mandated Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed 60-mile rail-transportation service link from Reading to Philadelphia, developed and led the corridor-length Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment. Alignment traversed several 19th and 20th century industrial centers. Project made extensive use of archival maps, includes Reading Railroad and Pennsylvania Railroad right-of-way maps circa 1917.

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