EPS Alumni Student Forum. Environmental Consulting Perspectives & Information By: Mauricio Escobar and Nick Walchuk December 3, 2008

Transcription

1 EPS Alumni Student Forum Environmental Consulting Perspectives & Information By: Mauricio Escobar and Nick Walchuk December 3, 2008

2 Introduction Who are these guys? What can I learn from them? What is environmental consulting? What does someone with an EPS degree do? What lessons can we learn from M & N? In hindsight, M & N would have Questions, lots of questions?

3 The Presenters Nick Walchuk Geology, 1996 California Professional Geologist (P.G.) 2005 ENVIRON Emeryville office Expertise: Environmental Due Diligence, Site Characterization Mauricio Escobar Earth Science, 1995 California P.G ENVIRON Los Angeles office Expertise: Site Characterization and Remediation of Hazardous Substances

4 Why Are We Here? Provide students with examples of real world application for EPS degrees Provide insight and information regarding environmental consulting Share our professional experiences Make ourselves available as a professional resource

5 Who Do We Work With? Geologists Engineers (Chemical, Civil, Environmental, etc.) Toxicologists Risk Assessors Atmospheric Scientists Biologists Chemists Epidemiologists Regulatory Specialists

6 What is Environmental Consulting? Air Quality Management, Carbon Management Ecology and Sediment Management Environmental Due Diligence Site Solutions Risk Assessment / Risk Management Water Quality and Industrial Wastewater Management Litigation Support Health Sciences

7 Our Personal Areas of Expertise Environmental Due Diligence (Nick) Real estate transactions and property redevelopment Corporate Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) due diligence Site characterization (Remedial Investigation) Soil and ground water investigations Ground water monitoring Delineating contaminant plumes in soil, soil gas and ground water Site Solutions (Mauricio) Site characterization Evaluating best alternative for site cleanup (Feasibility Study) Soil excavation In-situ remediation Bioremediation Remedial Implementation We often work on behalf of Clients negotiating with other private parties, or regulatory agencies such as USEPA, California DTSC, California Water Control Board, local health agencies, and fire departments.

8 Mauricio s Project Example Empty site in Southern California Former gasoline service station Fuel impacts to subsurface (soil and ground water) Client Proposes Commercial Structures with Subterranean Parking Mauricio s Role: Evaluate work completed to date by other consultants Interact with former site owner and consultant Meet with regulatory oversight agency Coordinate with planning consultants Satisfy oversight agency and City that potential concerns are being handled in a safe and effective manner

9 Technical Issues Subterranean parking requires excavation Shallow ground water Significant soil impacts Fuel hydrocarbon plume off-site Dewatering is necessary for development (ground water impacted) Single family homes adjacent to site on two sides Residual contamination likely to remain in ground water after development (possible vapor intrusion concerns) Construction restrictions by City during summer months

10 Solutions Meetings held with stakeholders to understand concerns Technical Memorandum prepared detailing proposed management of impacted soils and ground water during construction Budgets and schedules prepared for Client Support provided to planning consultants related to public concern Project approved and on track for Spring 2009

11 Mauricio s Project Example #2 Tidal marsh and degraded wetlands adjacent to major drainage channel Levee improvements considered and implemented to prevent potential collapse Concerns over channel influence on ground water and adjacent wetlands Mauricio s Role: Evaluate work completed to date by other consultants Establish baseline ground water conditions (pre-improvements) Design monitoring program to evaluate water levels post-improvements Provide opinions on the effects of improvements on water levels

12 Technical Issues Restricted access to areas adjacent to levee Limited number of wells Tidal influence likely strong

13 Approach and Observations Two wells installed; four existing wells included in program; channel probe installed to track tides Downhole equipment used to track water level Wells monitored for 7 months

14 Atmospheric Science Assessment of potential air toxics impacts to facility from surrounding uses. Visual survey within 1,000-foot radius Identified facilities of potential impacts and reviewed haz-mat permits and business plans. Modeled potential extent of impacts from catastrophic release of hazardous materials Provided mitigation measures

15 Project Example Dry Cleaning Property Agency requested investigation based on a previous finding Release of cleaning solvent to soil, groundwater, and resulting soil vapor problem Reviewed prior reports, designed investigation to delineate the problem Worked with client, attorney, and agency case manager to propose future actions at the site Dispute among current and former operators over WHEN the contamination occurred Litigation support

16 Property Redevelopment Commercial/Industrial Residential Phase I ESA no sampling required Agency records, interview site contacts, review historical resources (maps, photographs, etc.), review prior environmental reports Former gas station and auto repair from the 1950s through the 1990s Residual contamination left in soil Needs to be addressed if property to be redeveloped for future residential use

17 Mergers & Acquisition (M&A) Due Diligence Corporations acquiring other companies Standard Phase I ESA agency records, interview site contacts, review historical resources (maps, photographs, etc.), review prior environmental reports Add Review of Regulatory Compliance Issues Air emissions, wastewater, storm water, hazardous materials, hazardous waste, offsite disposal liabilities What does it mean financially in context of deal?

18 Lessons Learned in the Real World We use what we learned at CAL all the time Book Smarts How to read/interpret/produce maps (topographic, geologic) Thinking in 3-D is a special skill! Particular Classes taken and used in career All field courses, especially Summer Field Camp observation and critical thinking are essential Hydrogeology Geomorphology Geochemistry Environmental Policy, Administration, and Law

19 Lessons Learned in the Real World (cont) Street Smarts Written skills; we sell reports and our ability to provide contextual analysis People skills; key to learning and advancement The BIG picture; each project is part scientific, part political, part economic. Solid educational foundation provides us with a basis for analysis of a field- or site-specific scenario; helps focus our analytical thinking and allows formulation of proper questions. Critical thinking is the key to success in the Real World.

20 In Hindsight Copyright 2008 by Sidney Harris.

21 Hindsight is ALWAYS 20/20 Particular Classes Not taken but wish we had (or wish we d paid more attention!!) Organic Chemistry More Hydrogeology Statistics/Risk Assessment/Environmental Statistics & Analysis Stratigraphy & (more) Structural Geology Atmospheric Science Rhetoric/Public Speaking More Field Courses

22 Pop Quiz: What Did you Learn? We hope we provided real world insight We hope to be a professional resource to you We hope to receive lots of questions now and/or later If you like, you can reach us: Nick Walchuk (Emeryville) 510/ nwalchuk@environcorp.com Mauricio Escobar (Los Angeles) 213/ mescobar@environcorp.com

23 Questions?? Copyright 2008 by Sidney Harris.