Environmental Risk Management Inc.'s Environmental Services Team offers a complete range of consulting and services related to environmental contamination / remediation and EPA compliance. Our diverse and experienced team coupled with our joint-venture contracting relationships allows us to provide turnkey project management capability. Represented on our team are former EPA compliance inspectors who can thus provide unique insight into the regulatory process.
Our team strives to provide "sole-source" service to maximize project control and efficiency. We pride ourselves on providing affordable answers to unique situations.
Examples of service available from the Environmental Services Team are presented below:
EPA Audits/Inspections: Do you want to avoid costly fines and adverse publicity? Can you afford to be found out of compliance during an agency compliance inspection?
Recently more aggressive enforcement of environmental regulations has resulted in increased fines and even imprisonment for corporate officials. Having a Compliance Audit is a meaningful stride to reduce the risk of civil and criminal penalties or lawsuits from employees or neighbors.
Environmental Risk Management, Inc. performs audits to determine compliance with state and federal environmental regulations. Audits are increasingly valuable as concern grows over individual and corporate liability, Environmental Impairment Liability Insurance, SEC environmental disclosure requirements and compliance with complex regulations.
Audits may include a complete records review, detailed facility evaluation, evaluate compliance with laws and regulations, presentation of results, and follow up. Environmental Risk Management, Inc.'s compliance audits will provide you with strategic information to reduce compliance issues, prioritize issues, and create a plan for corrective action and verification of performance. Because noncompliance with existing regulations increases a company's financial liability, conducting a compliance audit is becoming an increasingly important tool for managing your risks.
Environmental Risk Management, Inc. respects the confidentiality of information developed during your audit and we routinely sign confidentiality agreements or work through the client's attorney.
Audit Types
Due diligence
Third party certification
Discipline specific [air, water/ wastewater/stormwater, hazardous waste management, hazardous waste site cleanup and liability, storage tank management (UST/AST), SARA community right-to-know reporting, waste minimization, DOT, etc]
Operation review; including storage, handling, treatment, transport, and disposal of chemicals and waste products
Permit compliance; review of existing air, water, and waste permits from local, state, and federal regulatory agencies
Evaluation of environmental monitoring programs; tank testing programs, spill plans, contingency plans, closure plans, and other required operating procedures
Audits may be scheduled annually to update changing operations and determine the effectiveness of recommendations.
Environmental Site Assessments: Environmental site assessments are an essential tool for corporate managers, investors, borrowers, and lenders to provide due diligence research on developed and vacant properties before purchase, sale, development, refinancing, or foreclosure. Because the threat of litigation over damage to natural resources or human health and the cost of remedial action are considerations with every property transaction, financial institutions and corporations require environmental information before making a financial commitment. As businesses become more aware of liability issues, many clients request an inspection of their property to identify potential liabilities in order to optimize the selling price of the property and to make it more marketable.
Environmental Risk Management, Inc. completes confidential, comprehensive environmental site assessments in accordance with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard Practice E 1527 for Environmental Site Assessments. Transaction Screens are also conducted confidentially, and in accordance with ASTM Standard Practice E 1528. We evaluate existing environmental issues from past operations and potential environmental problems from current or proposed operations at a site. Environmental Risk Management, Inc.'s team has conducted thousands of environmental site assessments for banks, insurance companies, real estate financing companies, industrial and commercial companies, law firms, public institutions, and government agencies.
Phase I Assessments: The purpose of the Phase I ESA is to gather sufficient information to develop an independent professional opinion about the environmental condition of a property and to identify actual or potential environmental contamination which may impact the property value or effect claim to an "innocent land owner" exemption following acquisition.
A typical Phase I report includes:
Executive Summary, Scope of Work, and Provision of Supporting Documentation and Sources o Identification of Current and Past Uses/Conditions.
Review readily available public environmental records maintained by government agencies within ASTM Approximate Minimum Search Distances. ( i.e. computerized record databases, land ownership records, regulatory files, etc.) for evidence of present and historical use of the subject and adjacent properties
On-site Reconnaissance identifying site features, site activities, and potential site impairments
Personal Interviews of person(s) with knowledge of the site history Evaluation of information gathered and development of a report
ASTM Recommended Report Format along with a clear, concise executive summary
Strict Client Confidentiality
If Conditions Warrant and Client Authorizes, Additional Investigation (Phase II Environmental Site Assessment) via sampling may be necessary to identify and quantify the extent of suspect contamination.
Upon your request, Environmental Risk Management, Inc. can include an asbestos and/or lead-based paint inspection(s) and risk assessments. Our asbestos and/or lead-based paint inspection involves identifying and observing suspect materials, collecting samples for analyses, interpreting the data and advising you of your options.
Phase II Sampling: Environmental conditions at a site are investigated for many reasons. These investigations are commonly triggered by concern over historical site activities or as part of corrective actions to address suspected spills. The primary objective of each investigation is basically the same: characterize the nature and extent of the known or suspected environmental concern. When completed properly and with foresight, the data collected will assist in the characterization of potential risk to sensitive receptors and the examination of site restoration technologies.
Environmental Risk Management, Inc. performs assessments of soils, groundwater, sediment and surface water. Using today's most sophisticated, cost-effective, and unobtrusive testing equipment, we can investigate properties for soil and groundwater contaminants, recommend remedial action (and estimate associated costs), and issue fast, understandable reports in formats acceptable to you. Our team also has extensive experience in performing Facility Investigations and Corrective Actions under RCRA, and conducting Remedial Investigations / Feasibility Studies (RI/FS) under CERCLA.
A phased approach is frequently applied to the Phase II assessment, particularly when performed for our banking, legal and industrial client bases. A phased approach allows our clients the opportunity to evaluate, in a step-wise method, the most significant concerns associated with the presence of contamination on their site (e.g., does the contamination affect a nearby well or extend onto adjacent properties). If at the end of any phase an unacceptable condition is discovered, the client can stop the project or evaluate the costs of site restoration activities and proceed accordingly.
Phase III Remediation:
Underground Storage Tank Management:
Brownfields Voluntary Action Program: Environmental conditions at a site are investigated for many reasons. These investigations are commonly triggered by concern over historical site activities or as part of corrective actions to address suspected spills. The primary objective of each investigation is basically the same: characterize the nature and extent of the known or suspected environmental concern. When completed properly and with foresight, the data collected will assist in the characterization of potential risk to sensitive receptors and the examination of site restoration technologies.
Environmental Risk Management, Inc. performs assessments of soils, groundwater, sediment and surface water. Using today's most sophisticated, cost-effective, and unobtrusive testing equipment, we can investigate properties for soil and groundwater contaminants, recommend remedial action (and estimate associated costs), and issue fast, understandable reports in formats acceptable to you. Our team also has extensive experience in performing Facility Investigations and Corrective Actions under RCRA, and conducting Remedial Investigations / Feasibility Studies (RI/FS) under CERCLA.
A phased approach is frequently applied to the Phase II assessment, particularly when performed for our banking, legal and industrial client bases. A phased approach allows our clients the opportunity to evaluate, in a step-wise method, the most significant concerns associated with the presence of contamination on their site (e.g., does the contamination affect a nearby well or extend onto adjacent properties). If at the end of any phase an unacceptable condition is discovered, the client can stop the project or evaluate the costs of site restoration activities and proceed accordingly.
ISO 14000 Environmental Management Sysem Services:
Risk Assessments:
Regulatory Compliance Permitting: SARA Title III (EPCRA) Reporting -Section 303 Notifications, Section 311 MSDS Submittals, Section 312 Tier II Submittals, Section 313 Form R Reporting - Constantly changing environmental regulations present a challenge to communities and industries. ERMI helps industrial clients, municipalities, and utilities with all aspects of environmental permitting. Services include interpreting regulations, preparing documentation, obtaining and analyzing data, evaluating engineering options, conducting modeling, completing complex permit applications, and negotiating with regulators.
Environmental Risk Management, Inc. has successfully negotiated permits for air quality, water quality and contaminant remediation, under SARA, CAA, CWA, CERCLA, RCRA, SDWA, and other federal and local regulations. For NPDES permits, our team provides technical input on effluent limits, industrial pretreatment, stormwater management and monitoring programs.
Environmental Permitting Services
Permit Applications
Regulatory Negotiations
NPDES Compliance Monitoring
Sample Collection
Laboratory Analysis
Data Evaluation
Modeling
Mitigation Plans
Toxicity Reduction Evaluations
Air Pollution / Air Quality: Environmental regulations regarding air pollution have never been more complex. Issues such as applicability of regulations, inclusion of operating limits and alternative scenarios have made operating, renovating/modifying, or building new facilities more complicated. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAA) require more stringent reductions in emissions and expand the permitting requirements for both new and existing facilities. In addition to traditional industrial sources, non-traditional sources, such as automobile repair shops and dry cleaning establishments are subject to the new CAAA provisions.
Services Available
Permitting/Control Programs
Title V
NSR New Construction Permits
Operating Permits
Renewals
Registrations/Emission Statements
MACT
Air Pollution Emission Assessments
Compliance Source Emissions Testing
Fugitive Emissions Monitoring
Emission Inventories
Technical and economic evaluations of air pollution control systems
CAAA Compliance Audits
BACT /RACT Determinations
Air Toxics or Hazardous Air Pollutant Control and Monitoring Programs
Air Quality Modeling
Air Quality/Meteorological Database Management
Accidental Release Exposure Assessments
Health risk assessments Accidental Release Contingency Planning
Expert testimony at public hearings
Legal Counsel Technical Support
Wastewater:
Storm Water: Environmental Risk Management, Inc. works with municipal and industrial clients to resolve the problems of drainage, flood control, and pollution caused by stormwater run-off.
Our team performs site evaluations, inventory, sampling, analysis, and laboratory testing and prepares permits. Where necessary, the application process includes best management plans.
Our team will develop effective stormwater management plans to control or eliminate run-off using source controls, regulatory controls, infiltration methods, and treatment. Storage facilities for stormwater run-off control include in-line and off-line retention and detention facilities.
Services include:
Best Management Practices Identification
Site Characterization/Site Narrative
Stormwater Masterplan Preparation
Preparation and Implementation of Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPP) and Annual Review of SWPP
Stack Emissions Testing and Opacity Determinations:
Sampling of Groundwater, Surface Water, Soil, Sludge, Drums and Tanks:
Emergency Response Management Team: Do you have an emergency response program at your facility?
Environmental Risk Management, Inc. can help you improve your existing programs with hands-on training and modifying plans and procedures. Our team will ensure that your programs include EPA RMP emergency response requirements, and consolidate emergency response program documentation into one single plan.
Environmental Risk Management, Inc. is also experienced in consolidating multiple emergency response plans conforming to the Federal Integrated Contingency Plan (ICP) guidance. The ICP is also known as the "one plan," because it provides a way for consolidating multiple emergency response plans into one plan. It offers an alternative compliance procedure that avoids needless reiteration in complying with the emergency planning requirements of these agencies. Emergency response requirements included in the guidance are OSHA PSM and EPA RMP, OSHA Emergency Action Plan, HAZWOPER, RCRA Contingency Plan, OPA SPCC and facility response plans, DOT/RSPA Pipeline Response Plan, MMS Facility Response Plan, and USCG Facility Response Plan.
As you know, prompt, appropriate response is the key to containment and cleanup of releases and spills. Our team has responded to the needs of industrial and transportation companies, commercial establishments and private and public clientele for emergency services. Our services have been instrumental in mitigating the effects of spills, and managing the remediation of major hazards.
Environmental Risk Management, Inc. provides spill managers, spill management teams, and standby spill response consultation services on a 24-hour, 7 day-per-week basis. Our teams are capable of selecting, immediately deploying, and coordinating appropriate personnel, equipment, and other essential resources required to execute a proper response.
Our emergency response services include:
Rapid response to any spill incident involving petroleum and/or specific chemical products
Liaison with federal and state agencies
Providing well managed, cost effective and orderly response operations to minimize claims
Emergency Preparedness: Do you have an established Emergency Preparedness system? Have you identified all possible situations where contingency planning is needed? When ERMI completes your Emergency Preparedness system, you will have a specific list of situations for which to be prepared. In addition, our team will incorporate company policies, response strategies, and local conditions into your plan.
We will help you prepare comprehensive plans that comply with international, federal, and state requirements - including:
Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plans
Discharge Prevention, Containment and Countermeasures (DPCC) Plans
Storm Water Pollution Prevention (SWPP) Plans
OPA '90 Vessel and Facility Response Plans
Integrated Contingency Plans (ICP)
Plant Decommissioning & Facility Closing:
Risk Based Corrective Action (RBCA): RBCA is a judgment process for the assessment and response to a release of regulated materials. RBCA provides a streamlined approach to contamination assessment in which exposure and risk assessment are linked with conventional components of the corrective action process to promote the selection of suitable and cost-effective solutions. Developed for use in the petroleum cleanup industry, RBCA uses a 3-tiered approach that considers site conditions and analogous risk potential at each phase. The ASTM guideline for performing RBCA at petroleum sites, E 1739, is often utilized at non-petroleum sites.