| “After being targeted as a suspected source of TCE found downgradient from our property, we retained Cooperstown Environmental LLC to conduct a thorough site investigation. Their work showed that Stafford was not responsible for any release. Their services were first class in every way and highly credible in the eyes of DEP, and as a result of their work our name was cleared. They were problem solvers and great to work with as well." Wray Falwell Manufacturing Manager Stafford Manufacturing Corporation |
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PROJECT: Cooperstown Environmental was retained by the College of the Holy Cross’ Physical Plant Department to provide LSP services regarding several sites on campus, including underground storage tanks (USTs), an elevator, and electric transformers. The college, located on 175 acres in Worcester, has a student body of nearly 3,000 and is the oldest Roman Catholic college in New England dating back to 1843. Cooperstown first began work on two 20,000-gallon USTs that had released No. 6 fuel oil causing contamination in soil and groundwater. Cooperstown Environmental’s initial responsibilities at the site included a preliminary investigation of the oil release and a Release Abatement Measure (RAM) plan. Site cleanup began in August 2004 with the emptying and cleaning of the tanks and the installation of sheet piles around the USTs. Other RAM activities included dewatering, soil excavation, removal of the waste, soil and groundwater sampling and analyses, and backfilling. Following these actions, Cooperstown Environmental completed a Response Action Outcome (RAO) statement stating that the site is of “No Significant Risk” based on the Method 1 Human Health Risk Characterization. Furthermore, a Class A-2 RAO was determined for the site indicating that a permanent solution was achieved and the level of oil and hazardous material had not been reduced to background. In March 2004, Holy Cross removed eight electrical transformers and eight service switches that were dated between 1909 and 1931. The equipment were found full of oil. Each was sampled and was found to have elevated Arochlor 1260 (PCB) concentrations. A floor drain in the center of the transformer room was also tested and indicated a high concentration of PCBs. In response to this release, Cooperstown Environmental complete RAM activities that included investigation of the horizontal and vertical extent of PCBs and petroleum hydrocarbons in the soil beneath the floor, and excavation of removal of underlying PCB-contaminated soil. The site achieved a level defined as “no PCBs” under TSCA and was given a status of “No Significant Risk.” It was also classified as a Class A-2 RAO. In January 2008, Cooperstown Environmental provided additional services related to hydraulic fluid leaking from an elevator. Immediate Response Actions (IRA) were taken including an assessment of the fluid release, investigation of the horizontal and vertical extent of fluid released, and recovery of any released product. Cooperstown returned to the site after a week to sample and analyze water from the site. The IRA field activities were deemed successful and it was determined that a condition of “No Significant Risk” existed at the site. CLIENT: College of the Holy Cross, Physical Plant Department LOCATION: Worcester, Massachusetts |