Environmental Site Assessments

Voluntary Investigation and Cleanup

Brownfields Redevelopment

Environmental Site Assessments

Phase I/Phase II, Circuit Board Manufacturing Facility, Bloomington, MN (2003): Working for a confidential developer, VAI completed a comprehensive Phase I environmental site assessment of a 108,000 square foot manufacturing plant with a 40-year history of plating operations. Identified issues associated with past chemical, PCB and petroleum spills, large-quantity hazardous waste generator compliance violations, chemical and petroleum underground and aboveground storage tanks, wastewater treatment plant discharges, air emissions, and hazardous building materials. Implemented subsurface Phase II investigation, including interior sub-floor soil sampling and exterior soil and groundwater sampling and testing, and special inquiry related to compliance and hazardous materials management. Addressed soil and groundwater impacts from a range of hazardous substances and petroleum products, impacts to building materials, and hazardous building materials management.

Automobile Dealerships and Service Centers, Twin Cities (2000-present): Working for a prominent dealership owner since 2000, Vieau Associates has provided Phase I and Phase II assessments and related consulting services on approximately 20 sites in support of property and business acquisitions, site redevelopment, and financing. Resolved issues pertaining to petroleum tank releases (UST and AST), flammable waste traps, leaking underground hydraulic hoist systems, former septic systems, leaking transformers, past gasoline station activities, and ongoing hazardous materials and waste management practices.

27-Acre Former Minnesota Valley Landfill, Savage, MN (2000 – 2002): Representing the property owner, Vieau Associates provided review and consultation in connection with a State-funded PhaseI/Phase II investigation of a closed landfill located within an industrial and barge shipping area along the Minnesota River. The site is now developed with ongoing industrial operations, including a waste transfer station, aggregate company, and construction company. Issues included soil and ground water impacts, surface water quality, methane, dust, and landfill cover integrity. Responded to reports by the State Pollution Control and Health agencies on behalf of the owner, successfully challenging certain assertions and response action requests. Advised on various regulatory program initiatives, proposed response actions, tenant activities related to potential associations with identified releases, and ongoing mitigation measures.

Voluntary Investigation and Cleanup

Renovation of a Vacated Electro-Plating Facility, Coon Rapids, MN (10/02-01/03): Vieau Associates was retained by a buyer to review Phase I and Phase II assessments completed by two different firms for the seller. Issues included groundwater impacts from volatile organic compounds, and underground fiberglass-lined concrete vaults used for wastewater treatment. Enrolled the property in the MPCA VIC program, obtained No Association Determinations for the buyer and lender, designed and secured expedited MPCA approval of a Response Action Plan to plug and abandon a leaking secondary containment structure under the vaults. We successfully implemented the response actions, working in confined space on an accelerated schedule, concurrent with ongoing building renovation. A No Further Action Determination was obtained from the MPCA.

Proposed Residential Redevelopment on Dumpsite, Mendota Heights, MN (2000-2002): Managed the investigation and cleanup of an old dump, beginning with a Phase I assessment and concluding with cleanup and a No Further Action agreement for unrestricted land use from the MPCA VIC program. Working for the owner/seller, cleanup was completed for about 20% of the cost estimated by the prospective buyer’s consultant. Cleanup included removal of soils impacted by metals, semi-volatile organic compounds, and solid waste. Effective segregation of wastes during excavation and coordination with four separate disposal facilities resulted in reduced waste volumes and costs for transportation and disposal fees. Documentation during cleanup resulted in reduced contractor costs.

Dry Cleaners Release Site, Spring Park, MN (2002): Completed Phase I/Phase II investigations for a buyer of a 16-acre commercial retail strip center. Discovered a chlorinated solvent release from former dry cleaners occupant. Performed soil and groundwater investigation, risk assessment, and receptor survey. Secured all necessary approvals and written liability assurances from the MPCA VIC program to allow for property transfer and financing. Helped negotiate agreements with the former operator and position the property for eligibility to receive MPCA Dry Cleaners Fund reimbursement during redevelopment and cleanup. Assisted in drafting a restrictive covenant affidavit for approval by the Attorney General.

Brownfields Redevelopment

Superfund Site Redevelopment for Private Developer, Golden Valley, MN (2000-2001): Beginning with a Phase I assessment and proceeding through cleanup, Vieau Associates assisted a developer in securing all necessary approvals and regulatory assurances from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Voluntary Investigation and Cleanup (VIC) unit for carving out a 9-acre parcel of an active industrial State Superfund site for an industrial redevelopment. Investigations showed significant soil and groundwater impacts from petroleum products and chlorinated solvents. Prepared all necessary MPCA VIC investigation, risk assessment and response action plan documents, effectively using prior investigation and geotechnical data for significant time and cost savings. Cleanup included excavation and disposal of 16,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil, synthetic liners for new sewers, and a synthetic and compacted clay liner for a storm water pond. Provided oversight of all remediation work. Coordinated remediation with construction testing on excavation backfill. Obtained No Further Action and related liability assurances, with no engineering controls or restrictive covenants imposed on the new construction or land use.

Dry Cleaners Release Site, Robbinsdale, MN (2002 – in-progress): Vieau Associates completed a Phase I and Phase II assessment and coordinated a geotechnical investigation for a buyer/developer of a former dry cleaners site in a downtown location targeted for office building redevelopment, and discovered a chlorinated solvent release. Enrolled the project in the MPCA VIC program to secure regulatory liability assurances and manage cleanup during construction. Obtained MPCA approval of a Response Action Plan with provisions for monitoring and disposal of an estimated 1600 tons of impacted soil. Negotiated with landfill and MPCA officials to allow impacted soil to be used as daily cover, reducing disposal fees by 50%. The plan included design contingencies for a vapor barrier and venting system for the new building (which included a full basement). Working closely with City officials, helped prepare a successful application for nearly $100,000 in public cleanup grant funds. Cleanup is targeted for Summer 2003.

US Bank/West Side Flats Brownfields Redevelopment, St. Paul, MN (2000-2001): VAI provided technical review and consultation to the City for environmental investigations and cleanup plans in connection with a proposed $60M, 8-acre commercial office and parking ramp complex, as well as an adjoining 9-acre site targeted for residential redevelopment. The City was an owner of the property. Developed a Work Plan for additional Phase II investigation, which was approved by the MPCA and implemented by the developer’s contractor. Worked closely with the City’s project manager and legal counsel to advise on: the scope and cost of remediation estimated by the developer; cleanup goals; regulatory assurances; cleanup funding; public and worker exposures within new right-of-way and utility corridors; restrictive covenants; indemnification; and environmental insurance.