Environmental
Oil and Gas Assessment and Remediation, Texas. Dr. Harkins is currently the project manager to provide professional civil and environmental engineering and consulting services related to environmental oversight, and representation for a private client for response to oil and gas contamination of the clients’ private property due to the pipeline transfer of refined and unrefined petroleum product. Dr. Harkins has conducted an independent assessment of the remediation of a refined product spill from a ruptured pipeline into shallow groundwater on the property including an analysis of groundwater data, product recovery efforts, and overall remediation effectiveness. This review demonstrated the pipeline company had overstated the effectiveness of remediation. Dr. Harkins established a remediation endpoint based on recovery data, developed a groundwater monitoring well network for the site, and provided continued recovery recommendations to the TCEQ.
Dr. Harkins is also conducting a creek and lake assessment from previous metals contamination. Dr. Harkins has also completed an on-site sampling of a recent discovery of a petroleum product spill during pipeline assessment and repair. Dr. Harkins is also project manager for the placement and installation of several groundwater monitoring wells to test for the presence and potential restoration of petroleum related discharge.
PCB Contamination and Remediation, Houston, Texas. Dr. Harkins served as a project manager of a multi-million dollar remediation of an industrial site in Texas contaminated with PCBs, heavy metals and total petroleum hydrocarbons. Work has included: delineation of the contamination profile, site surveys, groundwater assessment with groundwater monitoring wells, remediation design, on site management, soil samples, and contractor bid and oversight. The site was accepted into the VCP program of the TCEQ. Dr. Harkins completed all the site delineation, remediation design and managed first hand all field work. Remediation was accomplished via excavation and disposal with concrete pad for final overlay. Post closure documentation has been provided to both the TCEQ and EPA for completion. A release of liability has been awarded by the TCEQ.
Pantex/BWXT Site-Wide Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA), Amarillo, Texas. Dr. Harkins served as the field manager for the sample collection requirement for additional data needed to support the ERA. Tasks include coordination with Pantex personnel, organization of sampling crews, sampling, QA/QC and reporting requirements. Both surface water and sediment samples were collected at five separate playas at approximately 18 sites per playa to represent potential points of exposure and biologically active zones.
Phase II Environmental Site Investigation: Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons and BTEX Contamination, Possum Kingdom, Texas. Dr. Harkins served a project manager for a Phase II environmental site investigation for a currently planned development. The site has a history of oil and gas production with a resulting contamination around well heads and storage tank embankments.
Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), Jonestown, Texas, Texas. Dr Harkins performed a Phase I environmental site assessment for a commercial property used for boat storage, off-site storage, a small mobile home park, and vacant land. The ESA was completed in accordance with all applicable ASTM standards.
Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), Possum Kingdom, Texas, Texas. Dr Harkins performed a Phase I environmental site assessment for a large undeveloped ranch land planned for a large multi-family, marina and estates development. The site had numerous oil and gas production facilities. The ESA was completed in accordance with all applicable ASTM standards.
Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), San Marcos, Texas. Dr Harkins performed a Phase I environmental site assessment for a commercial property for a previous auto restoration and salvage operations. The ESA was completed in accordance with all applicable ASTM standards.
Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), Austin, Texas. Dr Harkins performed a Phase I environmental site assessment for a land development project. The ESA was completed in accordance with all applicable ASTM standards.
Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), Austin, Texas. Dr Harkins performed an ESA compliant with §25-8-121 Environmental Assessment Requirements of the Land Development Code for the City of Austin of a commercial property planned for light commercial strip and hotel.
Flagship Emerald Point Marinas, Lake Travis, Texas. Dr. Harkins served as the project manager for a wastewater treatment plant assessment for a on-site wastewater treatment plant utilizing a large in-ground treatment plant and low-dose pressure drainfields. Work included soil surveys and installation of groundwater monitoring wells.
Hamilton Pool Hamilton Creek and Davis Creek Assessment and Remediation, Travis County, Austin, Texas. Dr. Harkins is currently the project manager for a detailed creek assessment and natural pond remediation due to point source pollution upstream due to failure of on-site erosion control measures and insufficient best management practices. As a result large and repetitive stromwater runoff events led to the discharge of sediment laden stormwater. As a result, large amounts of silt have been deposited in the creek and in Hamilton Pool. A detailed project assessment was completed. Remediation design has been completed. Restoration activities include a crude clean-up and a combination of crude and washdown method. Clean-up of the pool will be conducted using divers and high pressure filter presses with a return of treated water to maintain water level vegetative benches.
Water Quality Assessment and Remediation, Austin, Texas. Dr. Harkins was the field manager for a natural pond remediation due to point and non-point source pollution upstream. The project contained many sensitive biological and ecological factors. Remediation encompassed a pump and treat system with careful return of treated water. Project assessment included a detailed assessment of the current water quality, nutrient loadings from sediments (in the pool and upstream), background concentrations, and comparable water quality concentrations. A detailed literature review has been completed as well as an extensive field assessment. The project met its goals and was successfully completed.
Water Quality and Streambed Assessment and Restoration, Hays County, Texas. Dr. Harkins was the project manager to assess a streambed affected by upstream development activities. Point and non point source pollution was washed down the contributing stream affecting a large subdivision downstream. Results of the assessment and remediation alternatives have been presented.
Water Quality Pond Assessment and Wastewater Reuse, Austin, Texas. Dr. Harkins served as field manager for a project to assess the applicability of using treated wastewater effluent as make-up water for a stormwater quality pond/detention pond. An extensive literature review was completed and field analysis and prototype studies were scoped. Field studies were designed to test the pond’s ability to treat the potentially higher levels of nutrients and other potential contaminants.
Vista and Encantada Environmental Assessment, Llano County, Texas. Dr Harkins was a project manager for a surface water pond water quality investigation for potential herbicide, pesticide, and other potential contaminants of concern as part of a due diligence for a property transfer.
