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CERCLA-Related Project Summaries

CERCLA Site Investigation Program, MDEQ/ERD

Currently performing State-lead CERCLA site investigations in Montana for the Montana Department of Environmental Quality/Environmental Remediation Division (MDEQ/ERD). Responsible for collecting sufficient technical data to perform EPA HRS scoring at potential hazardous waste sites. The program includes performing record searches to determine ownership and operational history; writing sampling and analysis plans to obtain data required for HRS scoring; drilling and installing groundwater monitoring wells; leading field sampling teams while collecting soil, surface water, groundwater, soil gas, and waste characterization samples; validating and interpreting analytical data; preparing concise technical reports; and generating possible HRS scores, using various scenarios, to determine whether or not a site qualifies for inclusion on the National Priorities List (NPL). Managing program and project budgets and schedules for several concurrent project sites, as well as project Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC), is required for this project. This program requires extensive knowledge of CERCLA/SARA regulations, especially current HRS scoring guidelines.
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Lemitar Landfill Site Focused Site Inspection, DOI/BLM

Completed a Federal Facility-lead CERCLA focused site inspection at an old landfill in New Mexico for the DOI/BLM, Las Cruces District. Responsible for planning documents, laboratory coordination, site reconnaissance, and sampling and for preparing the narrative report and HRS PREscore.
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Idaho Pole Company NPL Site RI/FS, MDEQ/ERD

The Idaho Pole Company Site is an active white wood preservative treatment plant located in Bozeman, Montana. This facility has been in operation since 1946 and has used both creosote and pentachlorophenol as the preservative fluids over the history of the operation. Preservatives were released from leaking treatment vats and boil-overs in the pressure treatment vessel (retort). Developed the RI/FS Work Plan and other supporting documents, as well as managed both the RI/FS tasks. This project was conducted on an accelerated schedule and within the ranges of the original budget estimate. During the RI, the Pioneer Technical Services, Inc. staff led all major investigations, including the potential sources, soils/sediment, groundwater, and surface water investigations. Additional responsibilities during the RI included overseeing coordination of sample analyses through the Contract Laboratory Program and developing the project database. Feasibility study tasks included conducting laboratory-scale treatability studies, assisting in developing remediation goals, calculating volumes of contaminated media, screening potential remedial process options, developing and refining remedial alternatives, conducting the detailed analysis of remedial alternatives, and performing the comparative analyses of the remedial alternatives. The alternatives developed were generally innovative in nature and were designed with consideration to continued operation of the wood-treating facility.
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Montana Superfund Program (CECRA), MDEQ/ERD

Provide technical support to the Montana State Superfund (CECRA) Program, administered by MDEQ/ERD. The State Superfund program focuses on evaluating and remediating hazardous waste sites within Montana that did not qualify for the Federal Superfund program but that may pose concerns to the State of Montana. Technical aspects of State Superfund RI/FS support include technical oversight, data reviews, remedial investigations, risk assessments, feasibility studies, remedial design, and construction management. A variety of hazardous waste sites across Montana are included in the CECRA program, and some specific project sites are discussed below.
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Reliance Refinery Site, Kalispell, Montana

The Reliance Refinery Site is an abandoned refinery site which is located adjacent to an abandoned wood treating plant. The Reliance Refinery Site may have been used for bulk fuel storage and wood treating; the site occupies approximately seven acres in the city of Kalispell. Pioneer Technical Services, Inc. personnel were responsible for conducting the RI at the site including field pentacholorphenol screening, monitor well installation and sampling, soil sampling (over 100 soil sample locations), data evaluation, and interpretation. Personnel are currently conducting the FS including the evaluation of alternatives for the soil and sludge medium.
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Corbin Flats Site, Jefferson City, Montana

Pioneer Technical Services, Inc. personnel provided a completeness review of the voluntary cleanup plan submitted by the Pegasus Gold Corporation for the Corbin Flats Site. Historical mining operations deposited approximately 900,000 cubic yards of mine tailings at the site. Previous investigations have determined there are high levels of metals which are a threat to human health and the environment. Pioneer Technical Services, Inc. personnel were responsible for review of the risk assessment generated cleanup standards, the hydrogeology, the revegetation, the preferred cleanup remedy, and the surface water hydrology.
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Arro Refinery Site, Lewistown, Montana

The Arro Refinery Site is an abandoned petroleum refinery that produced leaded and unleaded gasoline. The site of this former refinery is currently residential property. Several uncontrolled waste sources remained on site and presented health risks to the residents. The two most significant waste units were 2,000 cubic yards of soils contaminated with lead concentrations up to 8 percent from the tetraethyl lead plant area and a large petroleum waste pit. The staff of Pioneer Technical Services, Inc. was tasked to characterize the extent of the contamination and design remedies for the units. The staff of Pioneer Technical Services, Inc. was also responsible for the design, bid specification, and construction management necessary to remove and properly dispose of the lead contaminated soils.
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Bannack Apex Mill, Bannack, Montana

The Bannack Apex Mill is a historic hardrock mill structure within Bannack State Park. The purpose of this project was to remove and isolate hazardous milling wastes from the structure to allow public tours of the former facility; to redirect storm water runoff from a drainage above the mill to prevent further contamination of the runoff water from heavy metals associated with the milling waste and to avoid additional water damage to the mill structure; and to excavate and properly dispose of approximately 1,100 cubic yards of mill tailings that had breached the existing tailings ponds located within the 100- year floodplain of Grasshopper Creek. A field investigation to support remedial design, a detailed topographic survey, a feasibility study necessary to select the preferred alternatives, a remedial design for the selected alternatives, development of bid specifications, and construction management were conducted in conjunction with achieving the remedial goals.
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Big West Refinery, Kevin, Montana

Determined potential health and safety hazards that remained on-site after the refinery closed in 1977. This work was conducted as a supplement to an initial site investigation performed by EPA. A Phase I RI/FS Work Plan was prepared and implemented, and the resultant site characterization data were used for a preliminary baseline risk assessment and the preliminary screening of remedial alternatives.
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Joliet Pesticide Site Treatability Study, Joliet, Montana

Successfully demonstrated the White Rot Fungi's ability to degrade chlorinated herbicides (2,4-D and 2,4,5-T) present in soils at the site. Concentrations were reduced by more than 95 percent for each contaminant. This study was conducted in conjunction with MycoTech Corporation of Butte, Montana.
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Texaco Works, Sunburst, Montana

Performed oversight of the Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) contractor's remedial investigation and feasibility study at a former petroleum refining site that ceased operation in 1961. The site was initially investigated by EPA but was determined not to have the potential for listing on the NPL.
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Silver Bow Creek CERCLA Site - Phase I RI, MDEQ/ERD

Assembled and statistically analyzed a large volume of previously collected and RI-generated data, interpreted and summarized these data, and prepared comprehensive technical reports for three of the major studies of the Phase I RI: Surface Water and Point Source Investigation; Groundwater and Tailings Investigation; and Warm Springs Ponds Investigation. Important objectives of this phase of the study were accomplished, including identifying and quantifying major sources of contaminants to the creek, quantifying the physical and chemical processes controlling contaminant migration, and determining contaminant fate within the surface water system.
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Silver Bow Creek Superfund Site - Phase II RI, MDEQ/ERD

Performed a leachate reduction pilot study which monitored the vadose zone using lysimeters and tensiometers while revegetating the mine tailings. Revegetation plots included adding cover soil and/or adding amendments. Performed water table monitoring with a neutron probe and saturated hydraulic conductivity studies. This work was conducted for the MDEQ/ERD under the STARS program.
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Proposed NPL Site-Litigation Support, Confidential Client

Provided technical litigation support for challenging the listing of a site proposed for the NPL by EPA. Determined that an erroneous, unsupported HRS score was derived from improper sampling and interpretation by the EPA and that other contaminant sources were present. The review was based on EPA CERCLA/SARA HRS guidelines. SARA Real Estate Audits, Various Sites, Montana Completed numerous real estate audits satisfying the "due diligence" requirements for purchasers of property under the SARA amendments and identified other potential environmental problems associated with the sites. Property involved in this project included agricultural, industrial, and business.
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