Site Assessments & Remediation

BKI has provided environmental services to the St. Bernard Port, Harbor & Terminal District for the last 25 years, a majority of which were at the Chalmette and Arabi Terminals. This project included Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP) and Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plans (SPCC), and LDEQ coordination for LPDES permits.

BKI  provided LPDES Permit applications over several renewal cycles as well as LPDES permits, SWPPP, and SPCC compliance inspections for the Chalmette Terminal. BKI also evaluated the waste water discharges from Port tenants including Boasso, MET, and Rain CII, and provided recommendations for management. 
In addition, BKI prepared SWPPP-Construction  for a new administration building for the Port. BKI coordinated with the contract laboratory, EASI, regarding effluent sampling and analysis on numerous occasions. 

BKI also completed remediation services on a portion of the former Kaiser Aluminum, Chalmette Works site that the was converted into a port facility. This site was found to contain soil and ground water with chlorinated hydrocarbon contamination. 
The firm conducted environmental sampling and analyses to delineate the extent of the contamination. BKI’s staff analyzed the site geology and hydrogeology, evaluated pollutant and receptor exposure pathways, identified the appropriate Risk Evaluation/Corrective Action Program (RECAP) action levels, evaluated corrective alternatives, and prepared a corrective action plan for remediation.

BKI then designed the remediation; prepared a Health and Safety Plan, specifications, work drawings, and bid documents; and submitted bid documents to Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) as a corrective action work plan.

BKI managed all aspects of the remediation. Upon completion, BKI prepared closure documents and conducted post-remediation evaluation of the site in accordance with the updated RECAP document and negotiated with LDEQ for a No Further Action determination. The firm also obtained an NFA letter from LDEQ.

BKI was contracted by the Jefferson Parish Hospital Service District dba West Jefferson Medical Center to conduct a site investigation of a location with buried waste. The site was used during Hurricane Katrina to bury potentially infectious medical waste, including sanitary and medical waste; however, the site’s location could not be verified. The site investigation consisted of exploring excavation and, once located, collecting soil and groundwater samples to determine the presence of potential contaminants.

Project responsibilities included the preparation of project documents (project work plan, site safety and health plan, quality assurance project plan, and site investigation report); collection and analysis of environmental samples; development of project bid documents for the excavation, removal/disposal of buried waste; and contractor oversight of the waste removal contractor. Contractor oversight included ensuring contractor compliance with the project work plan, SSHP, and ensuring restoration of the trenches to previous conditions (fill material and surface covering to facilitate use as a supplemental vehicle parking area for the hospital). After removal of the buried waste, additional sampling activities focused on identifying potential contaminants in  soils on the bottom and side walls of the site. 

During the project, BKI also provided oversight of its subcontractors that were hired to perform soil borings and to assist in collection and analysis of soil and groundwater samples. Project activities were closely coordinated with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. BKI served as West Jefferson Medical Center’s representative to the Louisiana Department of Human Health, as well as, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. 

BKI was selected by Southern University at New Orleans to conduct an environmental assessment of the lakefront property. 

The assessment included asbestos abatement design and an asbestos and lead paint survey. 

A comprehensive review of governmental records indicated the listed sources would not cause environmental impairment to the property. Leaking underground storage tanks or electrical equipment containing PCBs were not seen as a risk to the property’s environment.

BKI concluded there were no potential hazards on or adjacent to the site.