Environmental Site Assessments

Our Standard Environmental Practices

At ECI Environmental, we adhere to rigorous standard practices that ensure consistent, high-quality environmental services. Our methodologies are based on industry best practices, regulatory guidelines, and our extensive experience in the environmental consulting field.

Standard Practices

ECI's QAPP is structured in total accord with the U.S. EPA's requirements for Quality Assurance. ECI follows the professional standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

ECI follows the guidance and regulations provided in the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Operational Memorandum#2 which is designed to facilitate implementation of Part 201, Part 211, and Part 213 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA), 1994 PA 451, as amended.

Quality assurance, codes of conduct, and professional standards implemented at ECI

The following ASTM Standard Practices are used in ECI's day to day operations:

E1527 - Phase I Environmental Assessment
E1903 - Phase II Environmental Assessment
D6282 - Direct Push Soil Sampling for Environmental Site Characterization
D6001 - Direct Push Water Sampling for Geoenvironmental Investigations
E2600 - Vapor Intrusion
D2488 - Description and Identification of soils
D4220 - Practices for Preserving and Transporting Soil Samples
D4448 - Guide for Sampling Ground Water Monitoring Wells
D5092 - Practice for Design and Installation of Ground Water Monitoring Wells
E1689 - Guide for Developing Conceptual Site Models for Contaminated Sites
G158 - Guide for Assessing Buried Steel Tanks
E1739 - RBCA Evaluations for Risk Based Corrective Action Applied at Petroleum Release Sites
D5745 - Guide for Developing and Implementing Short Term Measures or Early Actions for Site Remediation
D4700-91 - Guide for Soil Sampling in the Vadose Zone
D5299-92 - Guide for Decommissioning Ground Water Wells, Vadose Zone Monitoring Devices, Boreholes and Other Devices for Environmental Activities

ECI Personnel are trained and certified in

Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response in compliance with 29 CFR 1910.120(e)(8)
OSHA Confined Space Entry - Entrant and Attendant trained in compliance with 29 CFR 1910.146
Certified under Michigan Public Act 440 of 1988 and 40 CFR Part 763 (AHERA)
Risk Based Corrective Action (RBCA) and all of the above listed Standard Practices and Guidances

Phase I Environmental Site Assessments

Our Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) are conducted in accordance with ASTM E1527 standards to identify recognized environmental conditions (RECs) that may indicate the presence of hazardous substances or petroleum products.

ECI environmental assessment practices:

Records Review: Historical aerial photographs, fire insurance maps, city directories, and property tax records
Regulatory Database Review: Federal, state, and local environmental databases
Site Reconnaissance: Visual inspection of the property and adjacent properties
Interviews: With property owners, occupants, and local government officials
Vapor Encroachment Screening: Assessment of potential vapor migration pathways
Comprehensive Report: Findings, conclusions, and recommendations

Our Phase I ESAs provide clients with valuable information for due diligence, property transactions, and risk management, helping them qualify for landowner liability protections under CERCLA.

Phase II Environmental Site Assessments

When a Phase I ESA identifies potential environmental concerns, our Phase II ESA services provide a more detailed investigation to confirm or rule out the presence of contamination.

Our Standard Phase II ESA Process:

ECI provides standardized subsurface assessments on potentially contaminated properties
ECI implements ASTM E1903, the trusted standard for subsurface investigations
ECI's subsurface investigations ensures accurate data, regulatory compliance, and allows informed decisions
ECI's subsurface investigations reduce risk and increase stakeholder confidence
From soil & water analysis to complex chemical profiling, our laboratory provides cutting-edge instrumentation with expert insight to provide fast, accurate, and defensible results
With precision, reliability, & scientific excellence, our analytical chemistry laboratory delivers actionable data our clients can trust
Our laboratory leads the charge on PFAS in groundwater detection
Cutting-edge LC-MS/MS technology for precise quantification of legacy and emerging PFAS compounds
Combatting the forever chemicals with forever accurate testing
Rapid turnaround time with reliable data

Our Phase II ESAs provide clients with the data needed to make informed decisions about property transactions, remediation requirements, and risk management strategies.

Environmental Remediation

ECI Environmental designs and implements effective remediation strategies to address soil and groundwater contamination, using a combination of conventional and innovative technologies.

Our Standard Remediation Process:

Site Characterization: Detailed assessment of contaminant nature and extent
Remedial Alternatives Analysis: Evaluation of potential remediation technologies
Remedial Action Plan: Development of a comprehensive cleanup strategy
Regulatory Approval: Coordination with regulatory agencies
Remediation Implementation: Execution of the approved remedial action plan
Performance Monitoring: Ongoing evaluation of remediation effectiveness
Closure Documentation: Preparation of reports to demonstrate cleanup goals have been achieved

Our remediation services are designed to achieve cleanup goals efficiently and cost-effectively, facilitating property redevelopment and protecting human health and the environment.

Environmental Compliance

ECI Environmental helps clients navigate complex environmental regulations and maintain compliance with federal, state, and local requirements.

Our Standard Compliance Process:

Compliance Audit: Comprehensive review of operations and regulatory requirements
Gap Analysis: Identification of compliance deficiencies
Compliance Plan Development: Creation of a roadmap for achieving and maintaining compliance
Permit Applications: Preparation and submission of environmental permits
Regulatory Reporting: Preparation of required environmental reports
Training: Staff education on compliance requirements and procedures
Ongoing Support: Continuous monitoring of regulatory changes and compliance status

Our compliance services help clients avoid penalties, reduce environmental risks, and maintain good relationships with regulatory agencies and the community.

Quality Assurance & Quality Control

At ECI Environmental, quality is integrated into every aspect of our work. Our comprehensive Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) program ensures that all services meet or exceed industry standards and client expectations.

Field Protocols

Our field staff follows standardized protocols for sample collection, documentation, and chain of custody procedures to ensure data integrity and defensibility.

Laboratory Selection

We work with certified laboratories that maintain rigorous quality control programs and regularly participate in performance evaluation studies.

Data Validation

All analytical data undergoes thorough validation to ensure accuracy, precision, and applicability before being used in decision-making.

Peer Review

Our reports undergo internal peer review by senior staff to ensure technical accuracy, completeness, and clarity before delivery to clients.

Our commitment to quality ensures that clients receive reliable data and sound recommendations for their environmental decision-making.

Health and Safety

Safety is our top priority at ECI Environmental. We maintain a comprehensive health and safety program that protects our employees, clients, and the public during all field activities.

Safety Training

Our field staff receives comprehensive safety training, including OSHA HAZWOPER certification, confined space entry, first aid and CPR.

Site-Specific Plans

We develop site-specific health and safety plans for each project that address potential hazards and emergency response procedures.

Protective Equipment

We provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and monitoring instruments to ensure safe working conditions in all environments.

Certifications & Standards

ECI Environmental adheres to industry standards and maintains relevant certifications to ensure the highest quality environmental services.

Standard/Certification	Description
ASTM E1527	Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process
ASTM E1903	Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase II Environmental Site Assessment Process
EPA SW-846	Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste: Physical/Chemical Methods
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120	Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER)
Michigan DEQ Qualified UST Consultant	Certified to perform UST assessments and closures in Michigan
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Methodology	Standard methodology for identifying and delineating wetlands