Landfills

Landfill Investigation and Closure - Wisconsin

Saga personnel worked on behalf of a development company in support of development of a portion of a former municipal landfill. Saga staff completed a Phase I ESA on behalf of the developer client (then a prospective purchaser) in 2007. Based on a review of available files the approximately 17-acre parcel in question was in the southwest quadrant of a larger 110-acre licensed landfill, operated from 1962 to 1990. During operation of the landfill, most of the waste was deposited on the southeast quadrant of the landfill (adjacent to the east of the proposed development property). The landfill closure plan (submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in April 1995 and approved in July 1995) included removal of the majority of waste from the remainder of the property to the southeast section of the property and construction of a compacted clay cap, with associated groundwater and methane monitoring. Following completion of the Phase I, Saga staff initiated a Phase II investigation to assess the extent of solid waste remaining on the proposed development property, and evaluate baseline groundwater quality. A large berm containing incinerator and other solid waste was discovered on the western edge of the property, covered by a stand of approximately 20 to 30 year old trees. Saga staff recommended to the client that that area be removed from development consideration and divided into a separate parcel, which the municipality could maintain ownership and liability for. The split-off of the berm portion was successfully negotiated between the developer and municipality. No other significant areas of contamination were discovered during Phase II investigation activities.
In 2010 Saga moved forward with the Exemption to Build on a Historic Fill Site in accordance with Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 506.085 and NR 500.08(4) on behalf of the client. Saga staff installed methane monitoring points and collected several rounds of methane monitoring data in support of the application request. As a complicating factor, one parcel out of the 17-acre proposed development had a prospective developer buyer with his own team of investors and lenders, who also had input on the scope of work and negotiations with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and municipality. Methane levels on that particular parcel were higher than those on the remainder of the property, and it was decided that two applications would be submitted, with different building construction requirements for each application (detectable vs. non-detectable methane).
The exemptions were granted in late 2010, and the estimated total cost of the development is expected to be approximately $50 million.

Landfill CERCLA Remedial Design and Remedial Action - Iowa

Saga staff were the design engineer and construction manager at the Iowa CERCLA landfill. We were responsible for pre-design activities including clay borrow investigation and design surveys, preparation of plans and specifications, preparation of bid documents, and construction management services.

Landfill Superfund Project RI/FS - Indiana

Saga personnel managed a Landfill Superfund Project Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Statement in Indiana. Responsibilities included conducting the remedial investigation and preparation of the remedial investigation report, completion of a feasibility study, and involvement in a pre-design loading study. Saga personnel also served as the construction manager during construction of a remedial clay cap. Additional activities performed by Saga personnel included of preparation of bid documents, contractor selection, and coordination with the resident engineer.