EPA Projects / Representative Work

Remediation of Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (LUSTs) in Indian Country - Nationwide Contract

Project Objectives / Project History: 

In October 2007, Bristol (as BERS) was awarded a five-year, $15 million contract with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to remediate leaking underground storage tanks (LUSTs) in Indian Country throughout the United States.  Prior to the formation of BERS, another Bristol company (BEESC, a sister BBNC subsidiary) had been awarded the previous contract for this work from October 2001 through September 2007.

Bristol, working with the USEPA and Tribes, has completed site assessments and recommended site closure at 28 sites on eight Indian Reservations.  As of December 2007, BERS was operating one remediation system, designing several others, and actively conducting site assessments/site characterizations at many sites.  Bristol has conducted work for EPA Regions 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. 

Current Work Assignments:

Region 2, Tuscarora and Tonawanda-Seneca Nations – In 2007, Bristol conducted a site assessment at an abandoned gas station on the Tuscarora Reservation in Sanborn, New York.  The site assessment was preceded by a 2005 site visit by Bristol at the gas station site, as well as at another nearby site.  During the site assessment, two known underground storage tanks (USTs) and a previously unknown UST were removed so that soil and groundwater samples could be collected for laboratory analysis. Laboratory analysis and field observations indicated the soil and groundwater were contaminated. Bristol prepared a Site Assessment Report. Bristol has been tasked to conduct groundwater investigations at sites on both Nations to assess the impacts and potential impacts from USTs and to conduct follow-up work from the previous site assessment conducted by Bristol.

Region 5, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Nation – Bristol has been tasked to review file information and conduct site visits at 31 sites in and near Mount Pleasant, Michigan to evaluate if the sites met the EPA’s LUST Trust Fund eligibility criteria.  Bristol will prepare eligibility checklists for each site to assist the EPA in determining if the sites are eligible for site assessment/corrective action under the EPA program.

Region 7, Tier I RCBA Review – Bristol is reviewing the Tier I Risk Based Decision Making Document for Petroleum Releases at Underground Storage Tank Sites that was prepared for a former gas station on the Winnebago Reservation.  Bristol will review the Tier I report in relation to the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) requirements.  After review of the report, Bristol will prepare a report for the EPA that consists of comments and recommendations on whether or not the RCBA requirements have been met; whether or not the Tier I risk based screening levels (RBSLs) have been exceeded; what contaminant of concern has exceeded the RBSLs; what pathways are threatenend; whether or not the site can be closed and issued a No Further Action; whether or not a Tier 2 Site Evaluation will be necessary for the site; and if additional information needs to be collected. 

Region 9, Multiple Sites – In 2005, Bristol reviewed UST files in EPA’s Region 9 office for approximately 200 sites in California, Nevada, and Arizona.  Bristol then completed a site-ranking worksheet for each site and entered the data into the EPA’s USTRAC database. In addition, Bristol prepared the Indian Lands LUST Eligibility Profile Checklist for 20 sites to assist the EPA in determining if the sites met the LUST Trust Fund eligibility criteria. 

Bristol conducted site assessments at eight sites on the Navajo Nation to evaluate if releases from LUSTs have occurred.  Bristol is currently conducting follow-on investigations at six sites to evaluate the type and extent of contamination and to recommend corrective actions and will be conducting site assessments on seven additional sites.

Region 9, Gila River Indian Community – In 2004, Bristol conducted a site assessment at the Arizona Traders LUST site in Sacaton, Arizona. Bristol reviewed and provided comments to the EPA on a Risk-Based Corrective Action (RBCA) assessment performed by a previous contractor. Bristol’s recommendations to the EPA included the development of remedial action objectives for the site and the development of feasible numeric cleanup goals. In 2005, Bristol oversaw the design and installation of a remediation system at the site. Bristol field activities included conducting a pilot study, design of the remediation system, installation of three soil vapor extraction wells, and preparation of a feasibility study and a remedial plan for implementing soil vapor extraction and monitoring natural attenuation. Bristol is currently overseeing the soil vapor extraction system in operation at the site.

Region 10, Nez Perce and Coeur d’Alene Reservations – Bristol will conduct site assessments at two abandoned gas stations on the Nez Perce Reservation and one station on the Coeur d’Alene Reservation in Idaho.  During the site assessments, USTs will be removed so that soil samples can be collected for laboratory analysis to assess the impacts and potential impacts from the USTs and to determine if fuel releases have occurred. 

Region 10, Makah Reservation – Bristol will conduct a site assessment at an abandoned gas station on the Makah Reservation in northwest Washington.  During the site assessment, USTs will be removed and groundwater monitoring wells will be installed so that soil and groundwater samples can be collected for laboratory analysis to assess the impacts and potential impacts from the USTs and to determine if fuel releases have occurred. 

Region 10, Yakama Reservation – Bristol has been tasked to review file information and conduct site visits at up to a potential 200 sites in Washington to evaluate if the sites met the EPA’s LUST Trust Fund eligibility criteria.  Bristol will prepare eligibility checklists for each site to assist the EPA in determining if the sites are eligible for site assessment/corrective action under the EPA program.

Project Activities Include:

√ Remote Site Work
√ Determine LUST eligible sites
√ Audit Report Reviews
√ Financial Analysis
√ Identify Site Closure Options
√ Underground Storage Tank Removal & Disposal
√ Site Assessments
√ Site Characterizations
√ Drilling Program Oversight
√ Pilot Studies
√ Design & Implement Remediation Systems
√ Conduct Tier I Reviews to Determine Cleanup Levels
√ Implement EPA’s Risk-Based Corrective Action (RBCA) Cleanup Criteria
√ Geophysical Surveys
√ Site Specific Health & Safety Plans
√ Quality Assurance Program Development
√ Education Materials Development

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