SKA Consulting was retained by a private developer to conduct environmental investigation and remediation activities on an approximate 22-acre former railroad yard.  The railroad yard was active from the early 1950s through mid-2002.  Typical environmental impacts encountered included, petroleum hydrocarbons in soil and groundwater and regulated metals impacts in soil.

SKA entered the property into the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) on behalf of the client.  Cleanup of the property is being completed to a residential land-use scenario utilizing the TCEQ’s Texas Risk Reduction Program (TRRP).  Initially, SKA completed a total of 7 temporary monitoring wells, 75 soil borings, and 8 permanent groundwater monitoring wells across the subject property to conduct site characterization activities.  Based on these investigations and upon completion and approval by the TCEQ-VCP of an Affected Property Assessment Report (APAR) and a Response Action Plan (RAP), environmental response actions to soil and groundwater were determine to be necessary in order to achieve a final COC for residential land use.

SKA conducted decommissioning activities of existing structures on-site, soil remediation of impacted surface soil, and quarterly groundwater monitoring and sampling along with groundwater recovery of an light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) hydrocarbon plume. Decommissioning activities included the removal of 17 belowground sumps and several oil/water separators, former rail iron and ballast material, demolition of former railroad buildings, and the removal of approximately 2,650 feet of belowground piping.  Soil remediation activities included the removal (excavation) of impacted soil from 39 excavation areas, the collection and laboratory analysis of 229 confirmation soil samples, proper waste classification of 27 stockpiles, off-site disposal of approximately 2,000 cubic yards of impacted soil, and site restoration (backfilling and grading).  Currently, SKA is finalizing the quarterly groundwater monitoring and sampling activities along with PSH removal.  To date, approximately 3,000 gallons of fluids have been removed from the site.

SKA also coordinated with insurance agencies that have underwritten Cost Cap remediation, Pollution Legal Liability, and Preexisting Conditions insurance on the property.  The Cost Cap insurance limits were based upon pro formaremediation estimates prepared by SKA.