Environmental Compliance

The work activities performed by Tidewater require preparation of engineering reports related to sampling and investigation and also require interpretation of regulatory issues for compliance. Tidewater maintains an on-line database of current Federal and State environmental regulations, chemical regulations, and occupational health and safety regulations. We have also developed working relationships with persons in at the Federal (e.g., EPA) and State level within various environmental agencies and departments to allow us to address questions regarding the interpretation of regulations with pertinent regulatory agencies early in the planning and analysis of a project.

As an example of Tidewater's experience in regulatory compliance assistance, Tidewater worked with the Maryland Department of the Environment, Air and Radiation Management Administration, to obtain an Asbestos Generator's Permit for the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC). This permit allowed WSSC to perform small scale asbestos abatement projects and to store asbestos waste for short durations.

The goal of the Phase I ESA is to determine if any environmental concerns exist at the site utilizing existing federal, state and local government databases, historical site and site ownership documents, aerial photographs, topographic maps, geologic maps, site inspection and surrounding area reconnaissance and interviews. The objective of the Phase I ESA is to identify the presence or likely presence of hazardous substances or petroleum products on a property. The objective includes identifying observable conditions that indicate an existing release, a past release, or a material threat of release into structures, the ground, the ground water or the surface water of the property.

Phase I ESA's with sample collection and analysis are often conducted at facilities with potential or known contamination.

Environmental Baseline Surveys

Tidewater performs Environmental Baseline Surveys (EBS) of federal property, including property at closing or realigning military installations. The EBS is conducted in accordance with (ASTM D6008–1996.)

The goal of the EBS is to discover or determine the presence of a release or the threat of a release of hazardous substances or petroleum product on the site. The EBS is based on existing data related to the storage, release, treatment or disposal of hazardous substances or petroleum products on the site. The EBS is used to support the Findings of Suitability to Transfer (FOST) or the Findings of Suitability to Lease (FOSL). Sampling may be included with the EBS to support these findings.

Phase II Environmental Site Assessments

Tidewater performs Phase II ESA's based on the Phase I ESA recommendations. Tidewater also performs Phase II ESA's when a potential contaminant of concern (COC) is known or suspected based on site operations (i.e., gasoline stations, chemical manufacturing or the presence of underground storage tanks).

Tidewater routinely conducts Phase II ESAs in order to obtain samples for laboratory analysis and reporting/site characterization purposes. TIDEWATER conducts standard hollow-stem auger drilling. In addition, Tidewater utilizes subsurface hydraulic probing techniques that allow for quick and inexpensive collection of soil gas, groundwater and soil samples. The vertical profiling and characterization of soil gas, soil and groundwater helps to determine the 3-dimensional geology and the distribution of contamination.

Subsurface Investigative and Sampling Capabilities

Tidewater maintains a total of four drilling rigs to include various Geoprobe Direct Push Rigs. One of our Geoprobe Hydraulic Probing Units is a 66DT Unit that is track mounted to enable sampling on slopes, marshes or tight spaces that are not truck accessible.

Tidewaters' in-house experience in subsurface sampling and subsurface exploration includes:

•  Soil Borings and Soil Sampling for Geotechnical and Environmental Investigations

•  Temporary and Permanent Piezometer Installation

•  Groundwater Monitoring Well Installation

•  Monitoring and Sampling of Groundwater and Surface Water

•  Characterization of Soils for Disposal and/or Treatment

•  Soil Gas Surveys

•  Electroresistivity Surveys

•  Electromagnetic Surveys

•  Seismic Surveys for Rippability

Phase III – Environmental Remediation

Tidewater performs Phase III Environmental Remediation projects based on the Phase II ESA recommendations or known conditions. Often, site soils are contaminated with petroleum products, lead or other metals, PCB's, or chlorinated solvents.

•  Removal of Underground Storage Tanks and related contaminated soil.

•  In-situ (in-place) remediation of contaminated soils and groundwater utilizing air sparging, soil washing or surfactant injection, soil vapor extraction and nitrification of indigenous bacteria in combination with air sparging and soil washing to facilitate the biological degradation of petroleum products.

•  Remediation of excavated petroleum contaminated soils in bioremediation cells.

•  Lead in soil remediation at Fire Arms Ranges .

•  Excavation of contaminated soils and transportation to treatment facilities, hazardous waste landfills and/or non-hazardous waste landfills.

•  CERCLA Investigations and Removal Actions at Superfund Sites.

•  Oversight and characterization to support small-scale and large-scale construction and excavation projects.