Ms. Whetter has more than 14 years of experience as an environmental scientist. She has conducted more than 360 Phase I environmental site assessments (ESAs), some of which included limited environmental compliance audits. The Phase I ESAs were conducted in general accordance with the American Society for Testing and Materials
Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process and 40 CFR Part 312,
Standards and Practices for All Appropriate Inquiries.
Ms. Whetter has conducted Phase II ESA projects including soil and groundwater investigations, surface water and sediment sampling, geophysical surveys, test pit explorations, groundwater elevation surveys, asbestos surveys, lead-based paint surveys, lead in drinking water surveys, and testing for radon gas. She supports site investigation and remediation projects in RCRA, CERCLA, and state cleanup programs including the Washington State Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA). Ms. Whetter also conducts site evaluation and research in support of litigation projects. Her areas of expertise include data quality review and validation, site evaluation, and regulatory compliance.
Phase I ESAsPrepared Phase I ESAs for sites in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska, California, and Arizona as part of real estate transactions for local and national lending firms, insurance companies, real estate companies, and developers. Properties included power plants, semiconductor manufacturing facilities, vehicle maintenance facilities, retail gasoline stations, dry cleaners, electroplating facilities, automotive wrecking yards, landfills, mining sites, housing developments, hotels, restaurants, office parks, apartment complexes, and retail shopping centers. All projects were completed within 2 to 4 week timeframes. The scope of these assessments included review of environmental conditions, historical research, and review of regulatory databases and files. Various projects also included sampling of asbestos, lead-based paint, lead in drinking water, and radon gas. Example projects include the following:
Completed nine Phase I ESAs for a national insurance company in Washington as part of a real estate transaction. The nine properties included over three million square feet of land and twenty buildings with over one million square feet of space. The scope of these ESAs included review of environmental conditions, historical research, review of regulatory databases and files, and a limited evaluation of asbestos-containing building materials. All nine Phase I ESAs were completed within approximately 4 weeks.
Completed six Phase I ESAs for automotive wrecking yards in the western United States as part of a planned acquisition. The properties covered over 55 acres and had been in operation from 35 to 70 years. The scope of these ESAs included review of environmental conditions, historical research, and review of regulatory databases and files. All six Phase I ESAs were completed within approximately 4 weeks.
Phase II ESAs Completed Phase II ESAs for multiple sites in Washington and Oregon. Properties include retail gasoline stations, automotive wrecking yards, a crane manufacturing facility, a glass manufacturing facility, and vacant commercial/industrial land. The scope of these assessments varied, including many elements such as soil and groundwater sampling, stormwater and surface water sampling, geophysical surveys, test pit explorations, groundwater elevation surveys, and correspondence with regulatory agencies. Drilling techniques included direct-push, hollow stem auger, and air-rotary. Constituents of concern included petroleum hydrocarbons, metals, PCBs, VOCs, and SVOCs including PAHs. Example projects include the following:
Completed a Phase II ESA for a national brewing company in the western United States to determine the extent of a suspected ethanol release. The scope of the Phase II ESA included the installation of direct-push soil borings to characterize shallow soil, collection of surface water samples from a storm drain outfall, and collection of groundwater samples from a nearby tributary situated downgradient from the suspected release.
Completed a Phase II ESA in Nebraska for a client as part of a planned real estate transaction. The objectives of the project were to confirm the presence or absence of trichloroethylene (TCE) impacts to groundwater previously detected in the shallow aquifer at the site, determine the direction of groundwater flow, and evaluate potential sources based on available information and the distribution of contaminants.
Post-Closure Activities Assisted in investigation activities related to leachate outbreaks from cement kiln dust (CKD) landfills in the western US. This project included routine historical research, leachate and groundwater monitoring, subsurface investigations, hydrogeologic characterization, agency negotiations, environmental permitting, and remedial alternatives analysis.
Litigation SupportProvided litigation support as directed by a senior expert for sites across the United States. Work has included research, evaluation, review of site documents, and preparation of exhibits and chronologies. Example cases include the following:
Energy Company, Louisiana. Case involved alleged petroleum hydrocarbon groundwater contamination from a gas plant.
Duane & Carol Ankney, et al. v. PPL Montana LLC, et al., Montana. Case involved alleged groundwater contamination from coal-fired power plant operations.
Sotero Carrillo, et al., v. Reichhold, Inc. et al., Texas. Case involved evaluation of environmental due diligence and adequacy of same.
Harbor Square Associates, LLC v. Port of Edmonds v. Union Oil Company of California, Washington. Case involved remediation of petroleum-contaminated soils underlying a commercial establishment.
Energy Company, New Mexico. Case involved allegations of third party damages relating to oil field waterflooding operations.
Permitting
Assisted with regulatory compliance activities for closed RCRA and CERCLA landfills at a former aluminum reduction facility in the western United States. Project was conducted in compliance with a post-closure permit with oversight by the state regulatory agency. Conducted additional investigation, groundwater monitoring, statistical analysis, and other activities to maintain compliance with the permit.
Groundwater RemediationAssisted with a remediation project conducted under the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s (ODEQ’s) Voluntary Cleanup Program at a former manufacturing site in Oregon. Ongoing operation and maintenance activities included groundwater monitoring, operation and maintenance of a hydrocarbon recovery system, management of investigation-derived wastes, research, and reporting. Assisted in site closure activities including historical research, soil investigation, and well decommissioning.
State Environmental Cleanup SitesConducted historical evaluations for a site and surrounding areas in the western United States related to a former gas plant on the property. This evaluation was conducted to determine the nature and extent of contamination and to determine the scope of the remedial investigation. Provided field oversight for remedial investigation activities including soil, groundwater, and surface water investigations. Assisted in developing the remedial investigation work plan, health and safety plan, and sampling and analysis plan.
Assisted with the review of historical documents for a black dross landfill in the western United States to determine the nature and extent of contamination defined by previous investigations and to determine the scope of a remedial investigation. Work at the site is being performed under an Agreed Order with the state regulatory agency. Assisted in developing the remedial investigation work plan, health and safety plan, and sampling and analysis plan.
Completed feasibility study reports for neighboring petroleum terminals located in Anchorage, Alaska. Both terminals have been in operation for more than 50 years in a predominately industrial area. These reports were produced under an Administrative Settlement Agreement and an Order on Consent with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with oversight by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.
Assisting with an environmental project in the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Industrial Site Recovery Act Program at a former manufacturing site in New Jersey. Activities include groundwater monitoring, management of investigation-derived wastes, research, reporting, and agency communications.