PHASE I AND II ESAS AND LIABILITY ESTIMATES

Client: City of Vancouver LP
Location: Vancouver, BC
Date: 2015
Project Lead: James Mair
Project Team: Lesley Knight, Kim Hancock, Jeremy Chua, Justin Hains

Overview

Hemmera was retained to assist the City of Vancouver with PS3260 Compliance Support and to design a program to identify contaminated sites within the scope of the new Public Sector Accounting Standard (PSAS). This project involved completion of multiple and concurrent Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs). The final phase of this project included generating probable costs for each site to further investigate, physically remediate or risk assess, and ultimately prepare a submission package for a BC Ministry of Environment Instrument. Hemmera completed a preliminary remedial options assessment with costs to support these deliverables.

Approach

Phase I ESAs were completed at eight City-owned, non-productive sites. The assessments were completed in general accordance with Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Standard Z768-01 for Phase I ESAs. The types of sites assessed ranged from vacant and vegetated properties, to sites that were once used for heavy industrial uses.

Based on the results of the Phase I ESAs, four of the properties were carried forward and Phase II ESAs were completed. The ESAs consisted of soil, groundwater, and soil vapour assessments at each site. Each site had complex logistical challenges, which included permitting, drilling in high profile areas (on streets, near public areas and parks), and complex geological conditions. Multiple drilling methods were used, including sonic, odex and air rotary, and limited access rigs. Project efficiencies were realized by completing this work concurrently, with consistent staffing. Hemmera successfully completed the Phase II ESAs under a limited timeframe.

Results

Hemmera put together a team of technical experts with the proven ability to develop rigorous management decision-making tools to appropriately characterize, classify and prioritize remediation costs for all sites the City deemed responsible. This project demonstrates Hemmera’s ability to deliver multiple and concurrent Phase I and II ESA projects under a tight timeline, sample multi-media, project manage, and complete remediation planning activities. Hemmera understood the requirements of the Public Sector Accounting Board (PSAB) process, and advised the City on appropriate paths forward for each site.

Hemmera put together a team of technical experts with the proven ability to develop rigorous management decision-making tools to appropriately characterize, classify and prioritize remediation costs for all sites the City deemed responsible.