RLARC Environmental Services

Client: Redevelopment Land Agency Revitalization Corporation (RLARC)

Location: Washington, DC

Services: Multi-phased environmental investigation and remediation services

The KCI Team was retained by the RLA Revitalization Corporation (RLARC), a subsidiary of the National Capital Revitalization Corporation (NCRC), to conduct a multi-phased environmental investigation and remediation services at the site of a former gasoline station located in Washington, DC. NCRC is a quasi-public entity, created by the Federal government and the DC Council to stimulate development, particularly in the city’s underserved communities.

As part of this project, the KCI Team provided investigative and remedial services that included Phase I and II environmental site assessments (ESA), including geologic studies and geophysical surveys; leaking underground storage tanks (UST) investigation, excavation and disposal; waste management for PCBs and lead contaminated hazardous wastes; groundwater dewatering and on-site treatment; and contaminated soil excavation and on-site testing. The KCI Team performed a risk assessment and worked closely with regulatory agencies and stakeholders to develop cleanup goals for the site.

Innovative, Cost-Effective Strategies – The Phase II ESA focused on locating petroleum-based constituents in the soil and groundwater and determining the presence of unknown USTs. Several exploratory techniques were used to develop a flexible work plan that was modified in the field to maximize the data collection effort. The field plan was used to rapidly narrow the focus of the testing, maximize the quality of the collected data, and minimize costs.

Through the development of innovative strategies, the KCI Team helped RLARC achieve significant savings. For example, the KCI team obtained a pump and treat permit that allowed contaminated water to be pumped directly from the tank field excavations and discharged to a storm drain after treatment using an onsite carbon unit. In addition, the location of the most heavily impacted soils was determined early on, allowing these to be stockpiled separately, resulting in significant cost savings.

Multiple Stakeholder Coordination – Coordinating closely with the Underground Storage Tank Division, Water Quality Division, and the Hazardous Waste Division of the District of Columbia Department of Environmental Health (DCDH-EHA), the KCI Team worked with the Developer and RLARC to define the scope for future remedial actions at the site.

UST Excavation and Removal – As a result of the stakeholder meetings, temporary piezometers were installed at the site boundaries and test pit excavations were conducted at the anomalous areas. The findings confirmed the presence of three buried USTs, which were excavated and removed from the site. During the excavation, extensive contamination was revealed in the tank field soils, and one of the USTs was found to contain hazardous waste (oil and petroleum sludge contaminated with lead and PCBs). As each new complication revealed itself, the KCI Team maintained contact between the Client and the regulators to keep the project moving on schedule.

Risk Based Corrective Action – Subsequent meetings were held with the Client, DCDH-EHA, and all other concerned parties to discuss remediation approaches with respect to the future use of the site. In order to promote the overall goal of the RLARC, the KCI Team worked with potential developers and commercial retailers to define the possible future uses of the site and focus the remedial activities towards Risk Based Corrective Action (RBCA) in accordance with the DCDH-EHA’s developing Voluntary Cleanup Program.

Human Health Risk Assessment – Based on the future use, KCI addressed contaminants of concern identified during the previous investigations in terms of human exposure scenarios. KCI performed a site reconnaissance of the surrounding properties within a one-block search radius of the subject site, concentrating on Federal, state, and local database-listed properties. KCI identified potential off-site contaminant sources, potential sensitive receptors, and contaminant transport pathways. Potential human exposure pathways and routes were evaluated using identified constituents and a tiered, risk-based screening system to determine if completed pathways were available to potential receptors. The exposure pathways were evaluated in terms of the anticipated future use of the site as a commercial store with a paved parking lot.

As a result of the study, KCI worked with the project stakeholders to develop engineering controls to minimize or eliminate completed exposure pathways. In-house engineers from various disciplines are currently creating a design that minimizes disturbance to the site during construction phase. KCI is evaluating grading activities, site development impacts, and future engineering controls for storm water management to reduce earthwork and optimize the use of the property for future owners.

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