DUE DILIGENCE

Environmental due diligence is the process of reviewing historical sources, regulatory records and current conditions to identify potential environmental risk associated with a property.  Having a clear understanding the environmental risk associated with a real estate transaction is no less important than understanding cash-flow projections, historical occupancy rates and property conditions.  Many things can impact your expected return on investment like an unexpected environmental clean-up.  Lightship Engineering can assess site conditions and develop real-world cost estimates associated with managing environmental risk identified during due diligence.  Lightship Engineering’s experience in assessment and remediation of oil and hazardous materials positions our clients with the information they need to make informed decisions during due diligence.

ASSESSMENT

The first step in assessing a solution to a problem is to clearly identify and define the problem to be remedied.  Lightship Engineering employs a variety of well-established and cutting edge tools to collect the data necessary to define the problem and identify viable solutions that achieve the goals and objectives of our clients.  Understanding the nature and extent of a release of oil and hazardous materials is not only necessary for regulatory compliance but is critical to developing technically viable and cost effective remedies.  Lightship Engineering has decades of experience with the assessment of hazardous waste sites and employs a variety of well-established and cutting edge technologies to define the problem.

REMEDIATION

Successfully cleaning up oil and hazardous materials requires a team of professionals with appropriate experience.  Even seemingly simple remediation such as excavation and off-site disposal of contaminated soil has challenges that only an experienced team can prevent from becoming an untimely costly problem.  Lightship Engineering has a broad range of experience remediating releases of oil and hazardous materials including a full range of in-situ and ex-situ remediation technologies including: multi-phase and dual phase extraction, air sparging, soil vapor extraction, chemical oxidation, chemical reduction, bioinnoculation, stabilization, encapsulation, excavation and off-site disposal, excavation dewatering, groundwater extraction and treatment, etc.  Lightship Engineering’s experience provides our clients with the remediation alternatives best suited to meet our client’s goals consistent with applicable regulatory requirements.  Lightship Engineering also has extensive experience with regulatory closure alternatives that do not include active remediation such as site-specific risk assessments, exposure mitigation measures and land use restrictions.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

The quality of the work environment has long been established as a major factor for improving productivity.  Poor indoor air quality can induce fatigue, headaches and an overall negative effect on occupants, which has a direct negative impact on productivity.  Lightship Engineering has extensive experience in conducting indoor air quality assessments and developing remedial plans to create a more comfortable and productive work environment.

BUILDING MATERIALS ABATEMENT

Building materials, especially in older buildings, often contain regulated materials that require specialized management, handling and disposal methods.  The most commonly known are asbestos and lead paint but lesser known but very common is PCBs and asbestos in caulking and PCBs in paint and varnishes.  If not properly conducted, removal of these materials (e.g., paint sanding) can pose serious health risks. The materials require special sampling and disposal methods unlike common construction and demolition wastes. Lightship Engineering provide our clients with turnkey sampling, abatement and disposal services to meet their scheduling demands.

LITIGATION SUPPORT

The Lightship Engineering team provides expert testimony and litigation support associated with environmental controversies.  This includes assessing compliance with local, state and federal regulations associated with due diligence assessments, regulatory compliance services as well as the assessment and remediation of the full range of oil and hazardous material impacted environmental media.  Projects have included identifying the source(s) and extent of contamination resulting from multiple parties and allocating cost to assess or remediate such to potentially responsible parties.  Review of assessment and remediation work conducted to determine if the work was necessary, reasonable and appropriate at sites subject to the MCP, TSCA, RCRA, SWDA, ASTM, Chapter 21J, or other applicable regulations.  Projects have included reasonableness of cost evaluations associated with assessment and remediation conducted and cost allocation to assess releases from multiple parties.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT

Hazardous materials are present throughout the working environment and the storage, use and disposal of these materials are often subject to complex, overlapping and sometimes contradictory regulations. Lightship Engineering conducts third-party inspections of facilities for compliance with local, state and federal regulations and uses the results of the inspection to develop new or modify existing programs for managing hazardous materials in the work place.  Most companies face at least some level of environmental regulations and many are not aware of all their obligations.  Lightship Engineering can provide cost effective management solutions that will support your business goals, improve worker safety and protect the environment.

PERMITTING

Navigating through the regulatory labyrinth of environmental regulations can be daunting to even the most seasoned veteran and downright painful for a novice.  Lightship Engineering’s project team has the practical experience that provides our clients with confidence of receiving the necessary project permits in a timely manner.  From air quality, to wetlands, to coastal zones, Lightship Engineering has the experience to guide your project through the environmental permitting process to successful completion.

WATER & WASTEWATER

Community water and wastewater services are not always available and installation of private services is the only viable alternative for some development projects.  Lightship Engineering has broad experience in siting, permitting and installing potable water supply wells and wastewater treatment systems.  Ranging from residential systems to commercial properties to large communities, Lightship Engineering has the practical experience and technical expertise to support all of your development plans.