Tidewater's expertise in wetlands delineations and studies encompasses federal and state/local wetland delineation techniques including U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Evaluation Techniques and a variety of other assessment methodologies, as well as expertise in permit compliance requirements of applicable federal (Section 404 of the Clean Water Act), state (wetland protection acts/regulations) and local (town/city ordinances) regulations. Tidewater's staff of environmental scientists, geologists, and environmental engineers has performed wetland delineations, wetland mitigation designs, and wetland permitting for a number of Federal, State, and private clients including U.S. Department of Agriculture, Maryland State Highway Administration, and private developers.

Tidewater staff is also well versed in performing vulnerability analyses, biohazard protection, and threat mitigation. Tidewater has assisted the U.S. Department of Labor, National Office of Job Corps in developing policies and preparing anti-terrorist plans, biohazard plans, and emergency response plans for 122 Job Corps Centers throughout the US and Puerto Rico .

Tidewater provided safety and security assessments at the Detroit Job Corps Center , Detroit , Michigan . This center has 700 students who live at the center full time. Tidewater was present at the center during the blackout that spread throughout the Eastern and Midwest United States in 2003. Tidewater assisted in organizing the students, providing a head count, securing the Job Corps Center, and keeping order at the Center during the crisis. Tidewater also determined the need for emergency management plans at the Center and assisted the Detroit Job Corps Center in the preparation of emergency management plans to handle similar situations.

At the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Tidewater assisted in the development of policies and plans to handle mail and incoming packages after the discovery of anthrax spores in packages at Federal buildings. Tidewater also conducted testing for anthrax spores in the mailrooms at the Main Treasury Building and Annex Building .

Tidewater's staff has developed and implemented environmental management programs for Federal and private facilities to ensure full compliance with Federal and State environmental regulations. Tidewater has extensive experience in obtaining operating permits including National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits, air quality permits, and oil operations permits. Tidewater also performs the sampling required to ensure compliance with the applicable permits.

Tidewater staff members are experts in obtaining operating permits throughout the country. Tidewater has obtained operating permits for Federal Prison facilities in California , West Virginia , Kentucky , and Pennsylvania .

Tidewater has also prepared contingency plans for large utility companies to determine the areas where hazardous materials could potentially be encountered. Tidewater developed maps detailing the location of potentially contaminated areas and coordinated work plans for the construction crews working in these areas.

Some project examples include:

Site Investigation and Risk Assessment for Metro Redi-Mix Concrete Plant, Baltimore, MD

Tidewater performed a site assessment of this former scrap yard located in a heavy industrial area in the Westport Section of Baltimore. The site assessment included historical research of the property including review of aerial photographs, historical topographic maps, Sanborn Fire Insurance maps, and previous environmental studies at the site; a site reconnaissance; a review of files at the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE); interviews with local residents and the local fire department; and the preparation of a detailed report.

The site assessment revealed that the site was immediately adjacent to a National Priorities List (NPL) site and that there was suspected PCB contamination at the site. Tidewater then developed and conducted a sampling program to determine the area and vertical extent of subsurface contamination. The sampling program included excavation of test pits, soil sampling using a Geoprobe, and installation of groundwater monitoring wells.

The sampling confirmed that the soil and groundwater were contaminated with PCBs. Tidewater performed a risk assessment of the property. Based on the risk assessment, it was determined that engineering controls could be implemented to prevent migration of the contamination off-site and to mitigate hazards to human health and the environment. These engineering controls include construction of a fence around the perimeter of the property, implementation of full-time site security, and capping of the contaminated areas.

The planned development was to pave the site with Portland cement concrete. Furthermore, the site was connected to the Baltimore City water and sewer system. Therefore, Tidewater recommended that the site be developed as planned by Metro Ready Mix.

Tidewater prepared the Brownfield's application for submittal to Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). Tidewater also represented Metro Ready Mix at public hearings and zoning meetings that were conducted by the City of Baltimore . Tidewater also prepared the site plans for development of the property. The plans and the Brownfield's application were approved by MDE

Hazardous Material Program Management for the General Services Administration ?National Capital

Tidewater provides hazardous materials surveys and risk assessments to collect data and document the existing environmental condition as well as identify areas of environmental concern for hundreds of GSA-NCR owned and leased real properties. These investigations supplement work plans that are generated for planned reconstruction activity within each facility. For properties documenting environmental concerns, Tidewater assists GSA in the preparation of plans and specifications to assure proper and safe abatement procedures in accordance with EPA, OSHA, General Services Administration (GSA), and local requirements. The contracts require multiple and simultaneous task orders. The studies are formulated to ensure each facility is in compliance with the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, Noise Control Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act. Tidewater also provides environmental and personal exposure monitoring for emergencies. Tidewater is often called upon to respond to work orders in as little as ½ to 4 hours. The following are representative tasks:

•  Provided peer review and technical evaluation of a Remedial Action Plan for a VOCs and metals contaminated industrial site within the shoreline of the South-East Federal Center/Washington Navy Yard, under Tidewater's term contract. Evaluated results of bench scale and pilot scale studies to provide FS recommendations for acceptable remedial actions and obtain a Record of Decision (ROD) from the regulatory agency.

Recent Tidewater experience includes:

Site Characterization, Remedial Design, and Construction Oversight, Southeast Federal Center , Washington , D.C.

Tidewater was contracted by GSA, National Capital Region to provide remedial design and construction oversight services for the removal of PCB contaminated sediments from the Southeast Federal Center, Washington, D.C. The total cost for the project was $60,000,000. Tidewater's portion of the project was $300,000. The remediation was completed in 2003.

Site Characterization and Long Term Monitoring/Long Term Operation, Gainesville Job Corps Center , Gainesville , Florida

Tidewater developed and implemented a soil and groundwater remedial design at the Gainesville Job Corps Center site in Gainesville , Florida for the U.S. Department of Labor, National Job Corps Office.