Services

From its headquarters in Golden, Colorado, HirschGibney provides expertise in all phases of development.

PHASE 1

Environmental Site Assessments in Accordance with ASTM 1527 13

In today’s uncertain economic environment, buying or selling real property can be an unmatched investment opportunity or liquidation strategy. As the first step in determining the true value of real property, a quality ESA is prudent to identify liability issues before title is transferred.

We have completed hundreds of accurate, timely ESAs on behalf of municipal and urban redevelopment agencies, real estate developers, attorneys, and commercial and residential property owners. Let us use what we have learned from those ESAs to help you make informed decisions about the actual value of a real estate asset and its potential liabilities and property usage challenges.

Soil, Bedrock, and Groundwater Investigations

Investigating soil, bedrock , or groundwater quality requires careful, informed planning. and effective implementation so that the data collected is representative of the sampled medium and supports the objectives of the investigation (e.g., define the extent of affected medium; identify the source; plan remedial actions).

Our experience includes working in a variety of complicated geologic and hydrogeologic settings such as alluvial fans, bays, river alluvium, lacustrine environments, limestone, gypsum, sandstone, siltstone, mudstone, schists and fractured granite.

In those environments, we have demonstrated that we can complete investigations without delays and during the minimum number of trips to the Site, to provide our clients with a documented representation of their properties in less time and without change-orders.

Hydraulic Testing, Modeling and Development of Conceptual Site Models

A useful Conceptual Site Model (CSM) sheds light on the subsurface to promote a dynamic understanding of contaminant release and potential remedial options.

The basic tools used to develop a useful CSM are (a) an understanding of the relationship between the physical processes present in the subsurface, the nature of the constituents of concern, and the appropriate methods to assess both in situ, and (b) knowledge of the methods and technologies applied to properly remediate a release.

Over time, we have acquired the experience to begin conceptualizing the model using data gathered during an ESA.

We then apply our experience and the results of targeted soil and groundwater sampling to build a CSM that demonstrates how contaminants released to the environment move and spread.

On the basis of the CSM, we can work with the property owner or responsible party to craft a remedial strategy that saves time, money, and the environment, and supports long-term site usage goals.

Regulatory Negotiation, Interaction, and Permitting for Construction Dewatering

Regulatory agencies are charged with enforcing environmental regulations and protecting human health and environment.

Working with the appropriate agencies early, respectfully, and resourcefully helps keep a project on schedule and on budget, and generally produces projects that enjoy support from the local community.

We can work with project stakeholders, including oversight agencies, to negotiate a quality approach, solve problems, secure permits, and communicate the project approach and benefits so that the projects run smoothly, without delays or cost overruns associated with permitting and regulatory oversight.

One of the major keys to the success of HirschGibney is the reputation we enjoy with oversight agencies for working effectively with them and our clients to seek workable solutions that satisfy stakeholder expectations.

Construction Dewatering Oversight, Compliance, Sampling & Reporting

Water is for swimming pools, not construction site excavations. Let us help you keep your crew and equipment out of the pool and your project budget out of the red.

If you are preparing an RFP or preparing to respond to an RFP, we can help you figure out if your project site is likely to need dewatering and if the groundwater to be dewatered is likely to need treatment before discharge to keep you out of the hot seat with oversight agencies.

We can get the permits. We can install the dewatering equipment so that the project schedule suffers minimal or no delays. We can monitor the dewatering for compliance purposes and document and report the results. If the dewatering requires treatment, we can set up the treatment equipment, manage treatment, document treatment, and help you keep your project on schedule.

Before you dig, call USA. Before you dig deep, call HirschGibney.

View CASE STUDY

PHASE 2

Project Management

We begin service by listening to our clients. We strive to fully understand the long-term objectives for the project and how best we can integrate our services into a plan that supports those objectives. We bring our experience and established relationships with the regulatory and construction community into the mix so that we craft effective scopes of work that will meet both our client’s goals and integrate regulatory requirements and construction constraints.

We work hard to develop realistic budgets and schedules so that we can avoid cost overruns and meet client deadlines while minimizing change order requests. In addition, we strive to provide our clients with value by matching the appropriate skill level with the given task rather than building budget bloat into our billings. And when needed, we have established relationships with qualified subcontractors that we can call on to strengthen our project teams.

We use weekly timesheets to document labor hours and provide documentation of reimbursable expenses. Our project managers routinely reconcile labor hours expended with budget and schedule milestones so that we deliver on-budget, on-time service.

Risk Screens and Risk-Based Corrective Action

Soil and groundwater are “contaminated” when naturally occurring elements (e.g., radon gas, arsenic) or man-made compounds (e.g., solvents, hydrocarbons) have a complete exposure pathway to human or ecological receptors at concentrations that meet the criteria established to cause adverse effects.

The function of risk screening is to evaluate if complete exposure pathways exist and if constituents of concern exist at concentrations of concern. The basis of a risk-based corrective action is to demonstrate that exposure pathways are incomplete or that constituents of concern do not exist at concentrations of concern.

We have applied risk screening and risk-based corrective actions at brownfield properties being redeveloped for residential, commercial and public-sector reuse because the approach helps distinguish real concerns from perceived concerns. This distinction helps move projects forward on budget and on time while protecting potentially affected human and ecological receptors.

Remediation Design and Implementation

While today’s remedial technology often allows for use of passive techniques such as bioremediation, in some instances one just needs to design and construct treatment technology for managing an environmental issue. This is especially true for the management of groundwater derived from dewatering activities. State and federal discharge limits, for groundwater discharged to a surface water drainage have become more rigorous, requiring not only the removal of volatile organic compounds associated with the leaky underground gasoline tank on the neighboring property, but also the naturally occurring metals present in groundwater.

For this reason, we have a team of environmental, wastewater and mechanical engineers, treatment technology subcontractors and geochemists who collaborate to design, construct and install treatment systems used to remove and reduce both man-made and naturally occurring elements from the discharge in order to meet regulatory requirements.

Treatment Train Expertise for Solvents (oxidants + bioremediation)

As communities grow real estate uses change. Properties historically used for commercial or industrial activities often leave behind environmental residue associated with prior use(s). These residues are the source for groundwater contamination. This is especially true for businesses that used organic solvents, such as a dry cleaner. Residual solvents can leave long-lasting and problematic plumes that pose a liability to both the property owner and the neighborhood. We specialize in the remediation and rehabilitation of solvent-impacted shallow groundwater.

Today’s solutions no longer involve antiquated pump-and-treat technology, but instead, innovate use of oxidants and bioremedial substrates. More often than not, these materials are used independently in an attempt to clean up groundwater. Instead, are careful review of the site specific conditions beneath an impacted property, we have crafted remedial solutions that may combine the technologies. We refer to these more passive treatment technologies as a “treatment train”. Results are often rapid, eliminating both liability and risk to the property owner and the neighborhood.

Permitting for Long-Term Dewatering, Design of Groundwater Treatment Systems (GWTS)

More and more large inner-city projects include subgrade garages. The depth of the garages are sometimes coincident or deeper than the shallow water table. At first blush, a waterproof garage structure, or bathtub, appears to be the solution. However, costs are significantly higher for the bathtub design and there are no guarantees that the waterproofing won’t fail.

For this reason, many buildings use an underdrain and permit long-term discharge to keep the garage dry. HirschGibney works with the team and the regulatory agency to craft the long-term discharge permit, then designs a groundwater treatment system designed to meet effluent requirements for the discharge permit.

PHASE 3

Civil and Environmental Engineering

When assessment and investigation lead to remediation and implementation of an engineered solution, we are ready to meet a client’s needs. We can develop the plans and specifications, write the operations and maintenance manuals, perform system startup, and complete compliance monitoring. Our systems include groundwater extraction and treatment, free-phase removal, vapor extraction and air sparging, oxidant injection and recirculation for in-situ remediation, and sub-slab depressurization.

We also can prepare RFPs for subcontractor bidding and provide oversight of in-field operations. We are experienced at integrating our work with other disciplines to achieve seamless success. Our in-field personnel maintain complete field notes so that any disputes can be resolved efficiently because documentation is complete and real time.

Construction, Startup, Operations & Maintenance, and Remote Monitoring of GWTS

HirschGibney provides oversight and construction management of electricians, plumbers and control panel vendors for construction and startup of groundwater treatment systems (GWTS) and connection of the GWTS to the internet. Once online, we monitor GWTS’ with control panels connected to the internet, so that system performance can be remotely monitored, various alarms can be diagnosed remotely before sending technicians to the project site to correct conditions. Month to month GWTS monitoring ensures efficient and less-costly O & M visits by technicians and allows for tracking flux of groundwater through GWTS media and sensing when it is time to switch out media to ensure permit effluent requirements are maintained.

Compliance Sampling & ORC Reporting of GWTS Performance, Diagnosis & Correction of Issues with GWTC Performance, Regulatory Interface

CDPHE permits for long-term discharge require sampling of GWTS effluent to demonstrate that the system reduces/removes levels of compounds and elements in groundwater from effluent to the storm sewer. HirschGibney technicians conduct sampling activities with laboratory analyses per the terms of the permit. HIrschGibney’s Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC) reviews the data, compiles results into Discharging Monitoring Reports and submits the documentation monthly.

ORC responsibilities also include diagnosis and correction of upset conditions, coordination with HirschGIbney technicians and vendors, regulatory interface to present conditions and to document implementation of corrective measures to ensure that the GWTS performance meets effluent requirements.

Voluntary Cleanup Plans and Corrective Action Plans

A Voluntary Cleanup Plan (VCP) is administered at the state level. The philosophy behind a VCP is to promote cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated sites on a fast track basis. States encourage these cleanups by allowing accelerated documentation of the characterization, risk evaluation, and development of a remedial cleanup plan.

Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) may be mandated at the federal or state level and generally required more measured documentation and thus a somewhat slower pace for project activities.

In essence, the CAP is one step in a process, whereas the VCP allows several steps to be rolled into one, including a plan to achieve corrective action.

Successful development and implementation of a CAP requires (a) knowledge of the regulatory framework and remedial methods and technologies and (b) experience applying them.

Successful implementation of a VCP often relies heavily on the reputation of the environmental consultant and that entity’s capabilities to develop and secure oversight approval for reasonable, workable solutions to environmental challenges.

We have been successful in gaining approval for and implementing VCPs and CAPs for rail yards, iron foundries, mine tailings, manufacturing facilities, hospitals, shopping centers and fuel service stations.

In addition to satisfying the requirements of the VCP or CAP programs, we have contributed to our clients reaching their goals and achieving their objectives with regard to their investment in real property.

VCP Completion Reports, Petitions for No Further Action Determination and Closure

We form teams from our network of professionals that can respond to your specific needs.

Our teams are supported by experienced field technicians, information management specialists, AutoCAD technicians, technical editors, and illustrators. A supportive, interactive working relationship across disciplines and job classifications generates creativity and optimum sharing of resources. Adaptive management focused on quality client interaction and employee growth produces cost savings and maximum value in resource allocation.

HirschGibney has access to a fully responsive inventory of equipment to support its in-field project efforts. Protocols for equipment use, storage, decontamination, calibration and maintenance ensure that HirschGibney’s sampling activities meet applicable industry standards as well as project-specific quality assurance plans.

HirschGibney makes safety a top priority and includes a site-specific Health and Safety Plan for personnel and contractors as a part of every project. As a result, HirschGibney personnel and contractors have not experienced a single lost-time accident in more than twenty years of operation.

Why You Should Consider Testing Water from your Domestic Well

An overview of groundwater quality evaluation and steps to understanding and managing your water well.

VIEW THE PRESENTATION