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Environmental Engineering Back |
Property
Liability Evaluation and Remediation
The transfer of property ownership dictates conducting Phase I Environmental
Assessments (EA) to protect the buyer, seller, lender and/or insurer. A Phase
I EA completed for an ongoing project or facility assures involved parties
that proper techniques are used in operations and disposal, and reduces the
risk of costly enforcement actions. The Phase I EA is based on ASTM standards
and can be tailored to the client's needs. Once the potential for a problem
is identified, the EA can move into a more in-depth analysis - Phase II, which
serves to define the magnitude of potential problem areas. The remediation
during Phase II can be designed and implemented in the most effective manner.
If a client prefers peer supervision, this management or oversight can be
provided. When a new project is being considered, a Phase I EA can be preceded
or followed by a feasibility analysis of the project siting. Multiple options
for project siting can be developed that integrate all regulatory factors
that could impact project placement. The occurrence of T&E species, cultural
or historical resources, or sensitive habitat can play an important part in
the initial phases of project siting. WEIR personnel have been involved in
numerous liability evaluations that have protected the client from risky purchases
or enhanced the client's leverage during transactions.
Reclamation Liability Audits
Reclamation audits of operating mines provide an evaluation of reclamation
practices and costs. Non-contemporaneous reclamation, exposed highwall, continuous
water treatment, altered final-cut impoundments, and other issues can subject
the owner to extensive and unplanned reclamation costs. Audits can be performed
on a single operation or corporate holdings. Often, reclamation liability
audits are associated with an environmental assessment. This type of combined
audit can be tailored to meet the needs of the client. The individuals that
perform these audits are experienced in conducting combined environmental
assessment's and reclamation liability audits, as well as mining practices.
Regulatory Compliance
Compliance services for federal, state, and local permits are designed to
assure clients the most cost-effective method of conforming to regulatory
standards. The permitting process should proceed concurrently with planning
mechanisms to ensure workability and operating efficiency. Operational aspects
are evaluated by WEIR, or the permittee, depending upon client preference.
All activities are tailored to address specific sites and unique circumstances.
Weir's permitting experience encompasses both coal and non-coal mining, 401
water quality, 404 dredge and fill, and NPDES considerations. Our trained
professionals are experienced in both surface and underground operations for
both coal, hard rock and aggregate operations.
Water Quality Investigation, Treatment, and Protection
Plans
The protection of water quality is a major consideration of any active or
idled operation, including issues such as acid mine drainage from abandoned
mine sites. Problems can be managed on a site-specific scale or handled on
a watershed-wide basis. Regardless of the source, baseline data must be collected
to properly ascertain the scope and critical nature of the problem. Contaminant
loading, discharge volumes, chemical balance, are all important aspects for
assessment. The baseline data can then be used to select a viable treatment
option that suits the accessibility of the site, provides the most cost-effective
treatment, and contributes the greatest improvement to water quality. The
water quality improvement can be achieved through chemical or passive treatment,
or can be limited to enhancing a degraded stream. Such enhancement can be
as simplistic as trash and debris removal or as complicated as designing wildlife
enhancement measures. On the other hand, written protection plans for spills
provide a level of protection to surface and ground waters against accidental
spills. WEIR has applied its expertise to identifying, assessing, treating,
and protecting the water resources throughout the United States.
Areas of Expertise: