ENVIRONMENTAL DUE DILIGENCE & REMEDIATION
ERO’s experience with agricultural, urban, and industrial sites allows us to bring our practical knowledge to site assessment, characterization, and remediation activities. Using innovative technologies, we specialize in cost-effective solutions to address our clients’ site-specific challenges. Our understanding of the most current federal, state, and local environmental regulations and policies allows us to assist clients with regulatory compliance, environmental due diligence, and project-oriented environmental support.
Areas of Expertise
Phase I environmental site assessments
ERO has completed hundreds of high-quality Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (Phase I ESAs), as well as other forms of environmental site assessments (e.g. CDOT Initial Site Assessments [ISAs] and Modified ESAs [MESAs]) throughout the west that meet or exceed the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards for properties including undeveloped agricultural properties, large forested and ranch properties, complex urban and industrial sites, and road and pipeline corridors. From sensitive real estate transactions to regulatory compliance, small property owners to government agencies, ERO provides clients with comprehensive, coherent assessments that have resulted in a growing list of loyal customers who depend on our expertise.
PHASE II LIMITED SITE INVESTIGATIONS
If a Phase I ESA identifies recognized environmental conditions (RECs) on a subject property, ERO has the technical expertise and staff to efficiently conduct a Phase II Limited Site Investigation (Phase II LSI) to assist our clients with further limiting their risk of environmental liability. We have conducted numerous site investigations to identify soil, groundwater, and soil vapor contamination at a variety of properties across the front range of Colorado.
SITE CHARACTERIZATION AND REMEDIATION
ERO has conducted numerous site investigations to characterize and delineate soil, groundwater, and soil vapor contamination at a variety of properties to include, but not limited to, service stations, dry cleaners, oil and gas facilities, industrial plating shops, and manufacturing facilities. ERO has designed and operated numerous remediation systems using standard and innovative approaches tailored to cost effectively return contaminated properties to full use and value. Where appropriate, ERO staff have used industry standard technologies, such as pump and treat. In other instances, we have developed and used techniques such as permeable reactive barriers to stop off-site migration of contaminants, in situ chemical oxidation or reductive dechlorination, have overseen large-scale excavations to remove source area contamination, and other innovative technologies on the forefront of the industry.
Groundwater modeling
ERO’s modeling capabilities include digital and analytical groundwater flow, capture zone, contaminant transport, and surface water quality modeling. Our hydrologists use models to assist clients by:
- Expediting closure of contaminated sites
- Designing groundwater remediation and control systems
- Estimating cleanup time for contaminated sites
- Determining the impact of surface water diversions and dams on downstream flow volumes and water quality
- Estimating the impact of groundwater pumping on nearby wells and streams
- Evaluating potential impacts on groundwater and surface water due to proposed projects
VOLUNTARY CLEANUP PLANS
Many states have recognized that historical contamination is limiting development of properties, particularly in urban areas. In response, laws such as Colorado’s Voluntary Cleanup and Redevelopment Act and Idaho’s Land Remediation Act have been passed to encourage voluntary assessment and cleanup of contaminated properties. ERO works with current owners or prospective developers of such properties to determine the extent and magnitude of contamination, and to implement Voluntary Cleanup Plans if necessary. We have developed Voluntary Cleanup Plans for various types of properties including, but not limited to, former industrial sites, commercial greenhouses, historical firing ranges, and other commercial properties.
PETROLEUM STORAGE TANK CLOSURES
ERO has been working on underground storage tank sites since 1987, prior to their regulation. Our broad range of services for owners and operators of petroleum storage tanks include:
- Overseeing tank removals
- Coordinating emergency response in the event of a spill or release
- Conducting site characterizations to determine the extent of soil or groundwater contamination
- Preparing and implementing corrective action plans
- Longterm monitoring and reporting
- Developing reimbursement applications for owners who are eligible for cost reimbursement from the Petroleum Storage Tank Fund
Environmental Due Diligence Leads
Courtney Sockwell – Principal
