Since revision of the MCP in 1993, our LSPs have closed out more that 750 listed sites and have completed hundreds of response actions, including Limited Removal Actions, Immediate Response Actions, Release Abatement Measures, Utility Release Abatement Measures, Phase I and Phase II investigations, and Phase III/IV remedial measures. Response actions have been conducted for industrial clients, state and local agencies, transportation and housing authorities, insurance companies, commercial businesses and homeowners. These actions have been in response to historic releases of oil and hazardous materials on industrial properties, leaking underground and aboveground storage tanks, releases from vehicles and equipment, and impacts to surface water and wetlands.

Prior to a real estate transfer, many lenders and potential property buyers require an environmental site assessment to verify that an environmental condition does not exist on the property under consideration. These "21E" assessments include a review of the historic use of the site, an inspection of surficial features of the property and surrounding area, and if warranted soil and groundwater sampling. While ASTM International provides standards of practice for Phase I and Phase II site assessment, the extent of the assessment may vary widely depending on site specific considerations and the customer's concerns and objectives. A through assessment can save thousands of dollars in otherwise unexpected clean-up costs and years of regulatory red tape. Prior to conducting a site assessment, Vineyard carefully reviews all aspects of the project and then designs an assessment that best meets the customer's needs.

The primary residential heating fuel in New England is oil, which is typically stored in 275-gallon tanks located in the basement or outside next to the house. Over time, these tanks corrode from the inside out and may develop a leak. Unprotected fuel lines beneath the concrete floor may also fail, resulting in a release that may not be immediately detected. If not promptly addressed, clean up costs can be tens of thousands of dollars and devastating for the homeowner. Vineyard understands the need for a prompt and comprehensive response to mitigate impacts and restore the site to acceptable standards.

Subsurface Investigations may be performed as part of a real estate assessment or in accordance with the Massachusetts Contingency Plan in response to a release of oil or hazardous materials to the environment. Vineyard has done numerous subsurface investigations either to identify an interested property holder’s liability for an environmental issue prior to a real estate transaction or to define the nature and extent of a release to the environment in accordance to the MCP. Typically, the investigations include installation of soil borings and monitoring wells, but may also include other investigative measures such as test pits, ground penetrating radar, hydraulic conductivity testing, magnetometer surveys, and soil gas sampling. The investigation may identify other impacted media that warrant sampling of indoor air, surface water or sediments. Accordingly, Vineyard believes that a well designed investigation is key to understanding the site’s environmental condition and developing a cost effective remedial plan.