Pollution

Environmental Impact

Broad scale environmental studies conducted by Carr Research Laboratory, Inc. (CRL) include Federal Environmental Impact Studies (EIS), State Environmental Impact Reports (EIR), and Local Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA). CRL has performed complete environmental analyses and has been part of technical teams working on very large projects. Examples of representative projects are described below.

Lake Waban Energy Conservation Project (EIA)

Lake Waban is a deep, cold lake in eastern Massachusetts. It had been proposed to use the cool water at depth for summer air conditioning for Wellesley College with an anticipated savings of $250,000 per year. CRL conducted the complete EIA and assisted in acquisition of all state and federal permits for the project.

Robyn Estates - Foxboro, MA (EIR)

An apartment complex expansion was proposed which required a stream and wetland crossing along with associated flood control. The EIR included analyses of pre- and post-development flooding conditions, surface and groundwater water quality impacts from on-site sewage disposal and parking lot runoff, wetland impacts, and a combined wetland replication and flood compensation program. CRL composed the draft and final EIR under the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) regulations. The project was approved.

Reclamation of Morses Pond - Wellesley, MA (EIS)

For the town of Wellesley to acquire an EPA grant for a lake reclamation project, an Environmental Impact Statement was required. Carr Research Laboratory, Inc. compiled the entire grant application and performed the EIS for this project. The grant application was successful and the project received funding.

Blynman Canal Bridge - Boston, MA (EIS)

This project involved replacement of an existing bridge over an active boating canal. CRL’s work on the EIS involved the complete evaluation of impacts related to air quality, noise pollution, water quality, and wave analysis relative to the four major design alternatives for this project.

"Project: Independence Blueprint" (Summary EIS)

CRL performed the technical components of a study for the Department of the Interior. The project involved U.S. planning for energy independence in the 1980s. CRL’s work focused on areas of oil shale development in Colorado and coal development in Appalachia, the Midwest, and the Great Plains. Work involved complete EIS requirements including land use, socio-economic impacts, water supply, water quality, wildlife, air quality, and quality of life.

Sites for Liquefied Natural Gas Transfer Facilities - Gulf of Mexico (EIS)

This project involved a screening of the potential siting facilities along the Gulf of Mexico for off-loading of liquefied natural gas from tankers. This work involved coastal analysis including impacts due to flooding, hurricanes, adverse weather, location of faults and associated earthquake hazards, socio-economic impacts, analysis of population exposure to potential hazards. Additional investigations were performed on the potential impacts to air quality, water quality, and ecological communities.

Depleted Uranium for U.S. Navy (EIS)

The U.S. Navy is now using uranium, which is depleted of most of its radioactivity, for special purpose munitions. CRL investigated manufacturing, storage, uses, alternative materials, environmental impacts, and composed major sections of the Environmental Impact Statement on this uranium use. A Navy E for Excellence was awarded to the EIS team for this project.

Chapter 21E

The experience of the Carr Research Laboratory, Inc. (CRL) in MA General Laws Chapter 21E site inspections includes diversified projects such as undeveloped sites, commercial buildings, multi-family housing units, light industrial sites, foundries, oil spill locations, burning dumps, landfills, munitions factories, chemical plants, fuel depots and marinas. CRL works with a variety of engineers and surveyors in eastern Massachusetts as well as EPA/DEP certified environmental analytical laboratories.

CRL has developed a "level of effort" scale for its 21E investigations based on site conditions and history. The most basic study is a walk-over and the most complex is a level 4 survey. This scale focuses our studies and eliminates excessive, costly testing. The 20 plus years of experience in site assessment work has allowed CRL to refine and direct its efforts via the following procedures.

The basic survey offered is a 21E walk-over assessment. The components of this survey are:

• a site inspection to identify any visual evidence of the improper storage or disposal of oils and hazardous materials (OHMs);
• an evaluation of the vegetation on and near the site to see if there are any unusual signs of stress on the plant community;
• a review of local features or man-made structures to identify any suggestion of OHMs being improperly utilized, stored, or disposed of on site;
• a brief examination of abutting land uses and topography to investigate likely sources of OHMs which may effect the subject site;
• an examination of current federal, state, and municipal records for the property and surrounding sites; and
• a review of other reference information such as old maps, existing soil logs, and aerial photographs along with verbal communications with persons having pertinent information regarding the study site.

As potential risks are identified, a higher, more thorough level of survey is required to determine if a site is clean. The following table lists the additional evaluation needed to achieve the higher levels of study.

The initial level of a survey depends on the site history. During the site investigation, if concerns regarding pollutants are initiated, the level of survey will escalate to resolve the site condition.

CRL has performed more than 100 21E site assessments. Examples of these projects follow.

• Agricultural site-Norwood, MA
• Commercial store-Somerville, MA
• Foundry-Norwood, MA
• Fuel depot-Boston, MA
• Gas station-North Reading, MA
• Burning dump-Lowell, MA
• Industrial property-Ashland, MA
• Landfill-Canton, MA
• Marina-Wellfleet, MA
• Multi-family housing-greater Boston, MA
• Munitions factory-Maynard, MA
• Oil spill location-Natick, MA
• Tannery-Canton, MA
• Undeveloped sites-throughout MA

 

Hazardous Waste

The hazardous waste experience of the Carr Research Laboratory, Inc. (CRL) includes diversified projects involving site inspections, field sampling, evaluation of standards, and total problem solving. For further details, please refer to the Chapter 21E page in this brochure. Examples of representative projects are listed below.

Buried Paint Wastes, Wellesley, MA.

During a major earth moving project near an abandoned paint shop, soils contaminated with paint wastes were uncovered. Leaching tests were conducted to determine the hazard potential. Hazardous concentrations of several heavy metals were leached freely from the soil after 30 years or more of burial. After demonstrating the severity of the problem, a firm specializing in hazardous waste clean up was hired by the land owner.

Oil Leak in Government Office Building.

An office building in coastal Boston suffered from occasional oil leaks. Previous studies had failed to reveal the source of the oil and corrective actions could not be specified. CRL studied the problem and determined that the site had a unique geology which caused oil to leak into the building only when rainfall events coincided with the highest high tide of the month. This indicated that the reoccurring spill was actually a single, old oil spill repeatedly washed into the government building. Once the oil and oily sediments were removed from beneath the structure, the oil leaks ceased.

Sanitary Landfill Operation, Town of Natick.

This project involved evaluation of the proposed operation of the Natick Sanitary Landfill and its potential impacts to downstream private wells. CRL's testing showed that corrective actions were required.

Nyanza Chemical Waste Dump, Ashland, MA.

This site consisted of an abandoned disposal area for chemical and dye manufacturing waste products. Mercury contamination was a major concern during this project. CRL conducted a field monitoring program and proposed recommendations for hazardous waste disposal. After the federal government took over the project, CRL's on-site containment program was implemented after it was determined to be the most cost-effective solution to the hazardous waste problem.

Basement Oil Spills.

Two private homes had oil leaks in their basements. In one case, CRL supervised the steam cleaning of the spill and did minor soil removal. In the second case, CRL monitored soil removal to be sure cleanup was completed according to DEP guidelines.

Pillings Pond Sediment Contamination.

This investigation focused on heavy metals and toxic materials in lake sediments. Cadmium and mercury were the problem elements impacting the recycling of the sediments. CRL evaluated and rejected the use of this soil material for gardens.

Highway Salting Study, Sherborn, MA.

A complete evaluation of sodium contamination in groundwater was the subject of this investigation. Groundwater supplies for six critically impacted areas in the town were investigated. The town eventually covered and contained its salt piles.

Jet Spray Corporation, Norwood, MA.

A new manufacturing facility for Jet Spray Corporation was located near two sets of water supply wells. The geology and hydrology of the site were analyzed relative to risk associated with potential spills of hazardous materials used in manufacturing. CRL demonstrated that the site was not a significant danger to the well fields. The project was approved based on our analysis.

Sewer Leaks.

CRL has worked on several projects where testing was required to determine the source of water leaking into buildings. In several cases, leaked materials were identified as sanitary sewage by our testing programs. These findings mobilized the City of Boston and other communities to fix leaking sewer pipes.

CRL utilizes licensed site professionals (LSPs) as back-up consultants when required.