WATERWAY CONSTRUCTION/ REMEDIATION

 

SHINN KELLOGG, LLC. (SK) Principals of KA has provided technical and environmental expert services for the pre-design, design, construction, and post construction of contaminated soil and ground water including design and construction.

 

Upland & Cedar River, Austin, MN. MGP Site (OBG/Ranboll/WEC Energy Group)

 

SK submitted on and was hired to provide remedial efforts on the above-mentioned project. However, SK was hired to redesign the above-mentioned project, as SK submitted an alternative design summary as part of the RFP submittal. Therefore, SK provided a design / build performance-based scope of work (SOW) for the civil and remedial execution on land and in the Cedar River. 

 

The entire Midwest, including the project from the begging was plagued by significant rain in the fall of 2018. SKs SOW entailed attaining all permits and surveying and photographing the existing conditions of the project site on land in in river, including photo documentation of sidewalks, curbing, utilities and nearby foundations of homes and businesses nearby.  Additionally, securing the working perimeter with particulate and visual controls, constructing run-on and run off, and job site traffic routes and controls, designing and building an on-site waste water treatment plant (intended for use during river sediment removal only), stripping existing topsoil, removal of MGP odorous source contamination and debris fields to an elevation of 1160. The pre-excavation removal action elevation was 1179 and when SK arrived at the site the ground water (GW) was at 1182, versus the original engineering firm RFP and Contract Agreement depicted GW elevation of 1177. SK was mandated to pre-excavate to 1177, forcing SK to begin its civil technique removal action 2’ below water…critical engineering firm mistake, as SKs sheetpiling and steel sheets were paid for and already delivered to the project. Starting over in materials would have cost hundreds of thousands and delayed the project 90 - 120 days.

 

The Phase 1 removal of 19’ (feet) of the non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) impacted soils were removed in the wet through the water column without dewatering using mechanical excavation techniques. An additional challenge became the significant light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) contamination that floated to the top of the water column during excavation disturbance that required skimming, collection and consolidation for final disposition or treatment of the LNAPL. SK designed a cost effect soil and sediment removal technique to accelerate closure for responsible parties (RP). The design is contrary to the industry norm of stop, NAPL contamination removal at the top of the water column…now it’s a groundwater problem. A total of approximately 21,398.04 tons of NAPL impacted soils were removed, managed (including solidified), and hauled off-site from the upland area for final disposition. Given SK was able to attain MGP impacted soil removal to elevation of 1160, the client was not required to install a significant cut off wall at the river’s edge to prevent NAPL recontamination. SK managed all water, collecting it and pumping it to its waste water treatment operation and discharging to the local POTW. Water treatment upland was not anticipated, however due to 3 weeks of rain and a higher than anticipated water table and the river, SK managed and treated 500,000 gallons of water and MGP NAPL. 

 

Phase 2, SKs next challenge was the unpredictable Cedar River that rises and falls quickly, therefore flash flooding occurs. SK was required to perform ALL sediment work from only one side of the river. SK designed to re-route one half of the river at a time to eliminate the challenging speed of the river (300-4,000 fps) through the areas of impact, during sediment removal. SK performed a deflection diversion to re-route the river around dredge management units (DMU) 1, 3 and 5 on the West side of the river. SK drove steel sheeting and plates, installed turbity barriers, sediment containment curtains and oil booms on the interior and exterior to contain the dredge management units (DMU), while removing up to 8’ of MGP NAPL impacted sediment. Upon completion of the removal action and restoration (existing river grade + or – 25 cubic yards throughout ALL DMUs) of the West side of the river, SK diverted and contained the East side of the river during removal of DMUs 2, 4, 6 and 7, while removing up to 6’ of MGP NAPL impacted sediments, while protecting the West clean side of the river. SK managed and treated 1.3MM gallons of NAPL and water. Phase 1 & 2 of the Cedar River sediment removal action quantity of sediment removed, managed (including solidification) and hauled off site for final disposition was 6,810.99 tons.

 

Not anticipated was a Phase 3. SKs follow on challenge, as it was discovered 900’ down river that another 1,000’ of sediment was impacted from 6” to 2’. SK redeployed down river in March of 2019, challenged with stationary and floating ice, cold weather conditions and a tight window to remove an additional 2,250 tons of MGP NAPL impacted sediment before the flash flood arrival. SK designed a deflection and shoring system, however the engineering firm wanted SK to perform the SOW with turbidity curtains alone and take on the liability of safety and contamination migration. SK designed a robust sandbag deflection wall. SK waited for the perfect window of river height and water speed to pull this design off, however it would save $500K, if successful. That window occurred and SK removed the sediment in 4 days, just 6 hours before the river increased its elevation by 9’ the next 24 hours. The work was performed in the wet, while managing NAPL in-situ with manpower, oil booms, pads and pumps to contain.

 

Upon conclusion of removal of NAPL impacted soils and sediment, SK restored the upland, including 1,200’ of river bottom and shoreline using specified sand, gravel, rip rap and some carbon core mats in certain locations. All removal activities delineation was performed first, by 3rd party surveying the existing horizontal and vertical extents of the site, including anticipated removal of impacted soils and sediment. SK performed ALL removal and restoration activities upland and in the river using excavators and dozers that were equipped with global positioning systems (GPS). GPS enabled equipment checked in daily, with an independent surveyor established base and verified its coordinates. The GPS enabled equipment then communicated with the Topcon instrumentation during operation to ensure vertical and horizontal positioning. Critical location marking points were established by the engineering firm and logged into the SKs equipment GPS software to provide the required as-built identified in SKs Contract Agreement. SK has completed Phase 1, 2 & 3, including final grading and built a prairie field in the summer of 2019 making this a green space. SK will go back in 2020 to ensure measured growth has occurred and or will occur.

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Ashland Lakefront, WI. Mega-Site Superfund Site/Xcel Energy

SK Principal assembled a Team that was awarded the PRAP (pre-remedial action plan) consultancy on this estimated $100MM plus Superfund site. The project oversight was performed by USEPA and WDNR. Initial goal was to overturn the PRAP that mandated a hybrid removal consisting of significant dewatering and removal of sediment in the dry within Lake Superior. We performed upland and in-water assessments including focused feasibility input, PRAP, regulatory strategy, technical and legal team strategy, re-design of remedial design and remedial action plan (RDRA), performance sampling and verification plan (PSVP), health and safety plan (HASP), performance of soil and sediment treatment (pilot design on treatment of sediment), and further refinement of Lake Superior remedial action of 16 acres of contaminated sediment with long chain hydrocarbons (creosote and coal tars).  This also included consulting during the Record of Decision (ROD) and the Consent Decree (CD) negotiations. Additionally, the employment of an in situ chemical oxidation pilot study, including development of collaboration with EPAs SITE Program for the degradation and recovery of DNAPL at depth on the site. The site today has received regulatory approval to wet dredge the entire area in Lake Superior, saving Xcel Energy multi-millions.

 

Metropolitan Utility District (MUD) MGP Site

SK Principal completed the remediation of the Omaha 26 acre MGP site for Burns & McDonnell (BMcD) and the Metropolitan Utility District of Omaha. Mr. Kellogg had significant input in the redesign and implementation of the site. The project changed significantly when hazardous levels of lead in the soils were encountered requiring a work stoppage. He participated in a written modification to the remedial action plan (RAP) for lead solidification. Civil structual expertise was required to eliminate the need for high cost shoring near an active rail line and adjacent street. Significant demolition was employed to remove highly contaminated soils within robust MGP purifier infrastructure. The contaminated soil volume increased from 11,800 tons to 46,647 tons. A significant portion of work was performed in Level C due to high benzene or lead levels. Benzene reduction measures, such as continuous foaming, was required due to very low perimeter benzene requirements. Because of these significant changes Mr. Kellogg lived in the field 5 days a week for 2 of the months, to ensure minimal price change on a per unit ton basis. The total project bid was $76 per ton and ended at $70 per ton. This price included additional lead stabilization, multiple excavations, compaction and backfilling at separate times. The original scope of work (SOW) at $76 per ton used less labor and iron assets, as specified in Mr. Kellogg’s prepared technical execution plan (TEP). The work also included T&D of contaminated material to landfill. Cost savings to the client was in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Due to Mr. Kellogg's foresight, he built and bid efficiencies into the project for a larger SOW prohibiting significant spend creep.

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Metropolitan Airport Commission, Wetland Restoration Ham Lake, MN.

This SOW consisted of the creation of a high-quality wetlands on 120 acres that consisted of excavation of 420,000 CY, installation of a water control structure and creation of embankments. We treated the site with herbicides and replanted carious types of native wetland seed mixtures. Additional responsibilities consisted of erosion control and stormwater runoff compliance. PROBLEM SOLVING…the project was due to be completed in December through February, during freezing conditions. The project was

delayed by others until March, changing the anticipated frozen site conditions to water saturated site conditions. SK Principal designed specialized equipment that we were able to complete the project using low ground pressure hauling units.

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LaCrosse, Chippewa Falls, WI and Grand Forks, ND MGP Sites for Xcel Energy

SK Principals served in a consulting, constructability design and general contractor for the remediation of the sites including: assisting in the preparation of the remedial action work plans (RAWP); meeting with state and local regulatory agencies and officials to demonstrate minimal community impacts; demolition of concrete foundations and other structures; sanitary sewer by-pass and installation of new sewer system, excavation including excavation 34 Ft below the groundwater table, crushing, screening, contaminated materials for treatment in a DCI medium temperature thermal desorption (MTTD) treatment facility; recycling of materials; treatment of contaminated water and discharge to the local POTW; completion of comprehensive stack testing to verify emissions in accordance with state and federal standards.  A total of 78,386 tons of contaminated material was remediated from these sites.  

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Storm Lake, Chariton, Oelwein, Boone, Marshalltown, Perry, Clinton, Creston, Burlington, IA and Austin and Albert Lea, MN MGP Sites for Alliant Energy

SK Principal served as general contractor for the remediation of the site including: assisting in the preparation of the remedial work plans (RAWP); meeting with the state and local regulatory agencies and officials to demonstrate minimal community impacts; and demolition of concrete foundations and other structures; sanitary sewer by-pass and installation of new sewer system, excavation, crushing, screening, contaminated materials for treatment in a DCI medium temperature thermal desorption (MTTD) treatment facility; recycling of materials; treatment of contaminated water and discharge to the local POTW; completion of comprehensive stack testing to verify emissions in accordance with state and federal standards.  A total of 321,770 tons of contaminated material was remediated from these sites.

 

Blue Stem Solid Waste Agency/Cedar Rapids Iowa

SK Principal designed and built an innovative soil and sediment treatment center for several utility companies to transport their MGP contaminated waste for treatment in a DCI medium temperature thermal desorption (MTTD) treatment facility. The facility utilized an alternative energy applications as methane gas from the nearby landfill was used in the thermal application as a main source of fuel for treatment of the contaminated soil and sediment.  The treated soil was tested for treatment standards of less than 5 mg/kg total PAH and less than 100 ppm total petroleum hydrocarbons and transported to the landfill and used for daily cover.  All contaminated water was treated and discharged to the local POTW.  A total of 395,866 tons of contaminated waste was treated at the facility.

 

Sheboygan and Oshkosh, WI MGP Sites for Wisconsin Public Service (Integrys)

SK Principal served as treatment contractor for the remediation of the sites including: assisting in the preparation of the remedial action work plans (RAWP); meeting with state and local regulatory agencies and officials to demonstrate minimal community impacts; screening, contaminated materials for treatment in a DCI medium temperature thermal desorption (MTTD) treatment facility; completion of comprehensive stack testing to verify emissions in accordance with state and federal standards.  A total of 34,434 tons of contaminated material was remediated from these sites. 

 

Neenah, Racine (Gas Point), Fort Atkinson, Appleton, Westside and Third Ward, WI MGP Sites for WEPCO (WeEnergies)

SK Principals served as general contractor for the remediation of these sites including: creative shoring, demolition of concrete foundations and other structures; sanitary sewer by-pass and installation of new sewer system, excavation, crushing, screening, contaminated materials for treatment in a DCI medium temperature thermal desorption (MTTD) treatment facility; recycling of materials; treatment of contaminated water and discharge to the local POTW; designing and construction of a lime injection system to control sulfur emissions from the MTTD and completion of comprehensive stack testing to verify emissions in accordance with state and federal standards.  Additionally, installation of impervious liners acting as vapor control barriers were used in the Racine project to protect a residential complex buildout on Lake Michigan. A total of 198,506 tons of contaminated material was remediated from these sites, including 11,506 tons of CCR solidification and management.

 

Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, Ottumwa, Sioux City, Davenport, Red Oak, IA MGP Sites for MidAmerican Energy Company

SK Principal served as general contractor for the remediation of these including: these sites including: assisting in the preparation of the remedial action work plans (RAWP); meeting with state and local regulatory agencies and officials to demonstrate minimal community impacts; demolition of concrete foundations and other structures; sanitary sewer by-pass and installation of new sewer system, excavation, crushing, screening, contaminated materials for treatment in a DCI medium temperature thermal desorption (MTTD) treatment facility; recycling of materials; treatment of contaminated water and discharge to the local POTW; completion of comprehensive stack testing to verify emissions in accordance with state and federal standards.  A total of 34,434 tons of contaminated material was remediated from these sites, including 14,501 tons of CCR solidification and management. USEPA HQ worked with SK Principal to demonstrate multi-site bundling to model cost efficiencies. 

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DEMOLITION WORK

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Above Ground and Below Ground Demolition, Removal and Abatement of Hundreds of Buildings Associated with Remediation of 98 Former Manufacture Gas Plant (MGP) Sites Throughout the United States for 11 Utility Companies

Single Story to Three (3) Story Buildings

Client – Multiple Utility Companies - References Available Upon Request

 

SK Principal was involved in building out of security and run-on and run-off controls were instituted. MGP structures were built from the early 1800’s through early 1900’s. Typically consisted of concrete, brick and brick and clay blocks. Significant below grade infrastructure demolition occurred within footings and foundations associated with the gas holders, separators, purifiers, tar tanks, naphtha tanks, smoke stacks.

 

General Contracted the Scope of work consisting of lead and asbestos abatement work that was subcontracted to Utility client approved abatement company. All required permits and notifications were submitted for and attained. Utility locates and abatement was completed. Prepared and executed work according to work and dust suppression plan. Before commencing structural demolition, remove all mechanical, electrical, piping, and miscellaneous appurtenances.  Demolition consisted of breaking up, cutting, filling of any holes resulting, final grading of the area, performing any other operations required, and the removal from the site of all structures and equipment (structures, substructures, floor slabs, equipment, tanks, pipes, fittings, electrical systems, light poles, wiring, underground conduits and wiring, isolated slabs, and sidewalks) as specified. Locating and abated various recyclables, including steel, wood, etc.

 

Examples of Specific MGP Projects;

 

• SK Principal was involved with the design and implementation of the The Milwaukee Wisconsin Gas Historic 3rd Ward MGP Site SOW consisting of 2 City blocks of above and below grade demolition and remediation. A former glass manufacturing facility that occupied the former MGP sites one full City block was 2 stories in height located in downtown Milwaukee. Foundations and waffle floor were massive concrete buildouts not anticipated due to not having the availability of buildout documentation.

• SK Principal Designed and built the The Norfolk, Nebraska MGP Superfund Site SOW consisting of a 3-story former MGP building and a 2-story building demolition in downtown. Below ground utility infrastructure, particular fiber optics 6’ away from dig depths of 21’ needed protection including shoring. Additionally, demolition of the 2-story building needed special attention as it was occupied on the other side of the common wall. We added an additional footing and tie in wall to existing common wall to preserve common. Upon completion, we modified existing common wall to specified City ordinance for use as an outside wall. Critical nature was if any portion of the common wall or roofline was disturbed, the entire building that was not within City code would have been required to be brought to within City code for occupancy.

 

Scopes of work consisted of post abatement work. All required permits and notifications were submitted for and attained. Utility locates and abatement was completed. Prepared and executed work according to the work and dust suppression plan. Before commencing structural demolition, remove all mechanical, electrical, piping, and miscellaneous appurtenances.  Demolition consisted of breaking up, cutting, filling of any holes resulting, final grading of the area, performing any other operations required, and the removal from the site of all structures and equipment (structures, substructures, floor slabs, equipment, tanks, pipes, fittings, electrical systems, light poles, wiring, underground conduits and wiring, isolated slabs, and sidewalks) as specified. Locating and abated various recyclables, including steel, wood, etc.

 

Multiple buildings were abated, demolished and recycled. Significant above grade and below grade infrastructure consisting of significant steel and concrete that was sized and recycled via yellow iron attachments and a portable crushing plant. 

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LANDFILL WORK

 

MPCA WDE Hazardous Waste Landfill Remediation, Andover, MN. 

Principal Frank Kellogg, has pro-bono consulted on this site to the City Council, Andover residents, the MPCA and Clean Harbors Environmental Services (CHES) over the last 26 years...including when the landfill was managed as a Superfund site by USEPA Regions 5. The site contains approximately 8,000 barrels of various hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals of concern (COC). The initial remedy was containment due to concerns of multiple COCs, health and safety of workers and residents and lack of technology for safe treatment or removal actions. Mr. Kellogg monitored quarterly ground water data and noticed in 2015 PCBs were detected. At that point Mr. Kellogg began his journey of methodically and behind the scenes advocating with the MPCA, Senators and House of Representatives to understand the significance of the upper aquifer contamination, surrounding residents and private/public wells. The Govenor, Senators, House of Reps and the MPCA got behind the remedial efforts and created a funding vehicle consisting of $20MM to remedy this remedial action.

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The MPCA/Department of Administration went out for bid and CHES was awarded the WDE project to remediate. SK Teamed with CHES on the project is providing various services to the remedial action. CHES assured in writing that SK would perform $1MM to $1.5MM in revenue if we sole sourced teamed. SK Teamed with CHES only to be strung along and given crumbs on the project totaling $250K.

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Superior/Onyx Seven Mile Landfill, Eau Claire, WI.

The SOW consisted of construction of a clay cap consisting of placement of geomembrane liner, placement of select granular fill drain layer, installation of gas collection/conveyance piping and site restoration. The project was designed by Ayers Engineering and specifications were met accordingly.

 

MPCA Maple Landfill, Pequot Lakes, MN.

The SOW consisted of installation of 308,500 Sf of 40 mil LDPE textured liner, erosion control, including erosion mat, pipe and media drainage systems. Additionally, a gas venting system was build according to specifications.

 

City of Rice Lake, Lemler Landfill, Eau Claire, WI.

The SOW consisted of installing a passive LFG venting system. We installed of 100,00 Sf of 40 mil PVC in a vertical trench encompassing a entire 10 acre perimeter. The liner was installed from a minimum of two Ft below static water level to the ground surface with depths of over 16 Ft. Upon completion placement of vacuum probes on each side of the trench to test for leaks and validate completion of SOW.

 

Monroe County Landfill, Sparta, WI.

The SOW consisted of excavation, loading, hauling and disposal of over 100,000 tons of refuse. Additional work consisted of segregation of waste, sampling, overpacking of drums and transportation and disposal of drums. Upon completion, site grading and

restoration was completed.

 

City of Eau Claire, Blue Island Landfill

The work consisted of restoration of a failing drainage control system and regarding of contour to prevent ponding of water. Heavy run-off created deep gullies on a steep slope, hence exposing refuse. We hauled, placed and compacted over 8,000 tons of topsoil and 20,00 SY of erosion blanket to remedy the problem.

 

MPCA, Olmstead County Landfill, Oronoco, MN.

The SOW consisted of construction of a gas extraction system. A total of 75 gas extraction wells were installed, including 22,547 Lf of gas extraction piping. Additionally, modification to the leachate collection system and installation of leachate tank, waste relocation, rock excavation, flare pad buildout, landfill capping and construction of surface water drainage features, as well as site restoration.