June 2014 Newsletter


The Brownfields Process - A North Carolina Case Study   

 

Brownfields Project Site

 

At the beginning of last year, we discussed Brownfields sites in our January newsletter, and briefly touched on one of our own Brownfields case studies. This month, we would like to share the details of that project with you to demonstrate how the process works, and how it can proceed efficiently.

 

In 2013, Pyramid completed a NC Brownfields Program (NCBP) project in less than one year. This is considered a very quick turn-around for a Brownfields project. This project was initiated in a cooperative effort with the previous property owner and the prospective developer (PD). From the beginning (last quarter of 2012), the project required the greatest care to make sure deadlines were met so that the PD could move their facility starting in October 2013. Their current facility was being displaced for a major roadway project, and the entire process had to work perfectly to ensure the timeline could be followed.

In this issue:
  • The Brownfields Process - A Case Study  
  • Pyramid incorporates multi-frequency GPR technology!  
 
 
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Pyramid was involved in all tasks associated with the Brownfields Project, including providing all Brownfields process documents, environmental assessment & reporting, and negotiating in good faith for both parties to keep the project on track. The work was initiated with a Brownfields Eligibility Application submitted November 29, 2012. The following timeline presents the important dates of actions taken relating to the Brownfields Agreement (BFA):

4th Quarter of 2012:

  • Application for Brownfields Acceptance sent - Expedited Fee Payment made
  • A letter was received from the state accepting the site into the Brownfields Program

1st Quarter of 2013:

  • Pyramid prepared and submitted the NCBP receptor survey
  • The state requested additional assessments - Phase I ESA / PCBs / Receptors
  • A work plan was submitted for the additional investigations to the NCBP
  • Multiple monitoring wells were installed, dry wells were abandoned
  • A Phase I ESA was completed
  • The state accepts that property owners did not cause or contribute to the contamination
  • Assessment Report sent to the NCBP with required soil & groundwater data

2nd Quarter of 2013:

  • Met with property owners, explained supply well sampling, sampled supply wells
  • Analytical reports submitted to NCBP
  • Public Notifications were posted as required
  • Air Permit submittal was completed for the new facility permit
  • Removal Report for all wastes was submitted to the NCBP

3rd Quarter of 2013:

  • Brownfields application final changes negotiated
  • Air Permit granted by the state for the new facility prior to moving emissions sources
  • The Brownfields Agreement was deed recorded
  • Vapor Intrusion (VI) Work Plan Approval letter from the NCBP

4th Quarter of 2013:

  • VI work complete & VI Report submitted with no mitigation or limitations required
  • A revised Environmental Management Plan (EMP) was submitted to NCBP for review
  • NCBP approval of EMP

Many tasks were required that are not listed on this table, and the communications to make this happen were constant and open with both parties. The cooperative position of the buyer and seller were necessary for accelerated actions to be effective. Additionally, the NCBP Project personnel and management were excellent to work with by guiding the process to a successful Brownfields Agreement.

 

At this time, all work has been completed with the exception of monitoring well abandonment. The new developer has started the facility improvements on time, completed the move on time, and was operational in December 2013 at the new facility! Ultimately, the Brownfields program resulted in a closed and rusting facility being revitalized and improved into a new thriving business!

 
Pyramid Incorporates the Latest in Multi-Frequency Ground Penetrating Radar Technology
Image from www.geophysical.com
Recently, Pyramid purchased a new ground penetrating radar (GPR) unit from Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc. (GSSI).  The new GPR unit is a GSSI UtilityScan DF system.  This new system incorporates a dual frequency antenna, recording at both the 300MHz and 800 MHz frequencies.  This advanced technology will allow us to obtain much higher resolution GPR data both near the ground surface and at greater depths into the subsurface than our previous system.  These two frequency data sets can also be combined in real-time, allowing for a much more accurate and detailed image subsurface utilities, USTs, structures, and geology than before.

Additionally, our new system is fully integrated with GPS, resulting in more rapid field surveys and GPR data sets that are linked to latitude and longitude positions.  This GPS integration allows us to easily overlay the GPR results on aerial maps, and provide our clients with geophysical data in any GIS format that they may require. 
Example of 3D GPR data set showing reinforcement in concrete
The new system also allows us to collect and visualize our GPR data in 3-D, providing the capability to scan and image large areas in a much more comprehensive way.  The results of these 3D radar surveys can help to better visualize and interpret the location and depth of subsurface targets such as underground storage tanks, utility lines, and geologic anomalies.

Call us today to learn more about how our GPR and other geophysical services can help you!
 
 
Need to know what's underground?
  • Geologic Hazards
  • Geotechnical Drilling
  • Landfills
  • USTs
  • Geologic Mapping
  • Groundwater

June Joke

 

 
3 Questions for Engineers...

 

Question 1:    


How much does a 2,200 sq. ft., 3 bedroom,

2 bath house with a 2 car garage  weigh? 

       

    Question 2:       


How much weight can a rural 2-lane bridge hold?

And...

   

   

   

 

Question 3:  
     

 

WOULD THIS BE COVERED BY 
HOME INSURANCE, CAR INSURANCE OR DOES IT COME UNDER ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE? 



 
 
Dear ,

Pyramid maintains the most up-to-date knowledge of the industry's regulations, changes, and events, and we will continue to pass this information along to YOU.

 

Once again, thank you to all our loyal customers, vendors, and employees for your continued support . Pyramid can't do it without you.



Sincerely,
signiture  
DOUG CANAVELLO
Pyramid Environmental