consulting engineers and scientists

Transcription

1 consulting engineers and scientists Incorporating Sustainable Principles into Cleanups June 2014 Presented by: Rich Truax, PE

2 GEI Consultants, 650 Personnel Nationwide Rich Truax, P.E. Sr. Program Manager GEI Consultants, Inc

3 Today s 30-Minute Agenda: Green Sustainable Projects Background Catalysts and Expansion Evaluation framework Options for implementation Case Studies

4 Background: Definitions GSR Green and Sustainable Remediation Sustainable Remediation a remedy or combination of remedies whose net benefit on human health and the environment is maximized through the judicious use of limited resources. -SURF 2009 Green Remediation..the incorporation of best available engineering practices in the planning an implementation process that will maximize the net environmental benefit of a remediation project. -US EPA, 2008b

5 Background: Sustainable Remediation Integrates Key Elements of Cleanup Initiatives Energy Use Sustainable Remediation Waste Materials Resource Conservation (Land, Water, Air)

6 Catalysts and Expansion Bush 1/24/07 Executive Order Obama 10/8/09 Executive Order /10/09 Under Secretary of Defense Memo 12/09 and 6/10 Briefings EPA OSWER Green Principles Rapidly Rising Energy Costs Other State and Federal Programs Executive Order Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance October 8, 2009

7 Catalysts and Expansion Third Generation activities add business value and build community assets

8 Evaluation Framework Sustainable Principles in a Project Can Provide a Competitive Advantage Incorporating GSR Evaluation into Project Selection and Implementation Can Look Like: Reputation Management & Stakeholder Relations Conservation and biodiversity Green technologies Reduction of GHG emissions Water Reuse and Conservation Elimination or reduction of waste disposal Renewable energy Adaptive Site Reuse GSR Principles Can Lead to Improved Public Acceptance AND Financial Results.

9 Evaluation Framework: EPA Green Remediation Framework The Framework can be applied at all stages of project life cycle from investigation through closure.

10 Options for Implementation: Energy Usage and Production Evaluate the potential to utilize or develop renewable energy facilities Minimize mobilizations telemetry Identify potential modifications to reduce energy consumption Utilize wind or solar for pumps, blowers, remote applications Cycling pumps, blowers Change in O&M techniques

11 Options for Implementation: Minimize Air Pollutants & Greenhouse Gas Emissions Minimize transportation (e.g.: less dig-n-haul, more insitu?) Utilize in-situ remedies such as stabilization to limit truck traffic/ emissions Use efficient transport for off site disposal Electric/biodiesel dredges and other equipment Inclusion of solar/wind energy use, plantings, habitat enhancements (GHG off-sets)

12 Options for Implementation: Minimize Water Use and Enhance Water Develop a baseline analysis of water consumption Use in-situ or phytoremediation to minimize water extraction Conduct Remedial Process Optimization (RPO) study on existing pump and treat systems Consider engineered wetlands for water management and habitat enhancement (stormwater LIDs )

13 Options for Implementation: Optimize Land Reuse and Ecosystems Consider how adaptive reuse and site remediation can be integrated to meet multiple objectives Reduced total project impacts & costs Integrate remediation and development designs Improved infrastructure and stormwater management Enhanced ecosystems and public access Enhanced energy, water, habitat project features Sustainable neighborhoods & LEED

14 Options for Implementation: Material Substitution and Waste Reduction Use techniques that minimize investigation derived waste such as passive sampling, low flow sampling, reduced frequency, ROST, MIP Recycle demolition material on site such as crushed concrete for road base Reuse low level impacted soil as backfill Reduce use of paper reporting (copies, double side ) Beneficial uses of wastes soils, water, debris

15 Case Study Waterfront Contamination OUTER SLIP

16 Upland Contaminant Seepage The property adjacent to the site was formerly used as a manufactured gas plant from the 1880 s to 1960 s. The facility utilized a waterside offloading area for process barges. In 1996, the U.S. Coast Guard observed the sheen in the harbor

17 Minimum Remedy Requirements Outer Slip: - Remove all sheen-producing sediment in top foot - No off-site disposal - place all dredged sediment in Inner Slip - 2-foot Composite Cap Inner Slip: - Solidify dredged sediment and existing sediment/soil to bedrock - Prepare the site for waterfront redevelopment

18 GSR Components Reduce or mitigate the environmental impact of the site cleanup ISS and Capping versus conventional excavation, transportation and off site treatment Reduced carbon footprint by 125,000 gallons of diesel fuel, or 11,650 tons of CO 2. A design and implementation approach was selected that benefitted the community by using local labor and vendors. The overall design and remedial actions were more efficient and reduced the risk associated with the site when compared to conventional remedial approaches.

19 Site Ready for Waterfront Development

20 Case Study Soil Re-Use / Reduced Excavation Agency Ordered 90,000 Cubic Yard Excavation Includes ACM and non-acm Materials Excavate and haul to off-site facility (90 miles) Excavate and haul back-fill from off-site

21 Collaborative Process / Detailed Evaluation

22 Reduced Excavation / Haul by 60,000 CY Agency Agreement on Focused Excavation Lower Contamination Soil Utilized for Cap Site Wide Drainage Plan Incorporated

23 Site Nearing Completion On Excavation/Haul Reduced by 60,000 Cubic Yards Remaining Soils Utilized as Cap & Drainage Grading Agency & Stakeholder Goals Achieved Site Aesthetics Also Improved

24 Summary Complex sites require a phased, adaptive management approach using combined remedies Improved sustainability assessments should consider the full range of impacts and real world limitations of remedial technologies There are numerous opportunities to manage risk without necessarily conducting large scale removals Complex challenge is integrating GSR into the remedy selection process Small or Large, Complex or Simple GSR Can Always Be Part of a Project!

25 Background and Drivers: Guidance & Tools Available From EPA, States and Other Organizations IEPA USACE Greener Cleanups Matrix

26 Contact at GEI (& Visit Hood River!) Thank You! Rich Truax, P.E. Sr. Program Manager GEI Consultants, Inc