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 Environmental Site
Characterization -
 We provide site characterization from pre-Phase 1
environmental site assessments (Phase 1 ESAs) through multi
- phase subsurface investigations. Phase 1 ESAs are
typically provided for real estate transfer, financing, or
for site development purposes as part of the Due Diligence
process. For Phase 1 ESAs we comply with the current ASTM
standard for US EPA mandated All Appropriate Inquiry (or
AAI). Experienced environmental scientists and geologists
conduct the field observations, which are a critical part of
Phase 1 work. We also use the services of
Environmental Data Resources
for our regulatory database searches, which are supplemented
by hands on research of local regulatory agency files.
Beyond Phase 1 ESAs we provide
a variety of more in depth and focused investigations to
characterize property if a recognized environmental condition is encountered. These include: soil and groundwater
sampling using a variety of methods (solid and hollow stem
augers, direct push, cone penetrometers, and excavations).
Soil gas surveys and geophysical surveys are also useful
exploration tools.
 Underground Storage Tanks
- A common environmental and regulatory problem is leaking
underground storage tanks or USTs. Our services include
contractor selection, management of removals and disposals,
initial sampling and analysis of soil and groundwater,
regulatory interfacing and reporting.
Where contamination
problems are discovered, we provide site characterization,
monitoring and remediation through case closure. When the
UST is covered by insurance (such as the
California
State
UST Fund),
we provide
client cost recovery and reimbursement services.
Geologic Hazard Investigations
- Geologic hazards in the western United States are many and
varied, and include
landslides,
expansive soils,
surface fault rupture,
strong seismic shaking,
erosion, and even
volcanic
activity. We provide services to identify which
geologic hazards can impact existing or proposed
developments, and make recommendations to mitigate the
impacts. Our senior geologists have provided these services
for numerous projects. On a large scale mapping the
Inyo National Forest (click
here
for map) was conducted to zone for
landslide,
fault rupture,
strong
seismic shaking, and
volcanic eruption
potential. Locally, on a smaller scale we have
conducted numerous investigations of landsliding, faulting,
expansive soils, and erosion. One such ongoing investigation
is for UAHC Camp Swig located in the San Andreas fault rift
zone west of Saratoga, California. Over the past several
years we have excavated and logged over 2000 feet of
exploratory trenching to identify areas free of evidence of
active faulting for housing, a water storage reservoir, a
waste water treatment plant, treated water discharge fields,
and other facilities.
Failure Analysis and Litigation
Support
- In the western States there
are numerous problems related to geologic, soils, and water
conditions. In periods of higher than normal rainfall,
during drought conditions, or when strong earthquake shaking
occurs, failures to foundations and other structural systems
occur. In addition, poor design and construction practices
can result in failures.
Environmental Geology
Services has provided services for owners, insurance
companies, and attorneys to determine the cause of
geotechnical failures, earth movement, erosion, flooding,
seismic damage, as well as hazardous materials /
environmental impairment for
numerous cases
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