ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
Columbia West provides a variety of environmental consulting services. We provide ongoing storm water planning, monitoring, and sampling services for many clients with facilities located throughout the Pacific Northwest and regularly prepare environmental site assessments for proposed developments in the Portland–Vancouver area.
Columbia West prepares Phase I Environmental Assessments (ESA) for a wide variety of residential and commercial clients. A Phase I report is conducted to evaluate environmental conditions and potential issues resulting from current or past activities at a site. Phase I reports are performed in general accordance with ASTM E 1527-13 to comply with “all appropriate inquiry” standards. Detailed reviews of environmental records from federal, state, and local agencies are conducted to identify past and current environmental conditions. Past owners and occupants, government and agency officials, and others who may have relevant environmental information about the site are interviewed. Site reconnaissance including observations of the subject property, its current and past uses, structures located at or near the site, as well as observations of the geologic, hydrologic, and topographical conditions is also conducted. The findings and conclusions of the site assessment are evaluated and summarized in a final report.
Storm water runoff is regulated by state and local environmental agencies via the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). Columbia West specializes in advising clients regarding water quality issues, effective storm water pollution control, planning, and management, and the NPDES process. We also provide assistance with other regulatory permits and environmental compliance issues.
Columbia West is a regional leader in providing quality storm water management and planning services throughout western Washington and Oregon. Columbia West has prepared site-specific Storm Water Pollution Control and Prevention Plans and for numerous companies to address industrial or business activities potentially exposed to precipitation. A typical storm water plan includes a detailed description of the site, relevant onsite materials, drainage patterns, monitoring locations, sampling protocol, and record-keeping procedures. Discharges into storm water drainage systems are identified and recommendations for limiting violations of surface water quality and impacts to receiving waters are provided. In addition, recommendations for implementation and maintenance of best management practices to identify, reduce, and limit discharge of storm water pollutants are provided.
Columbia West has a regular list of clients for whom we provide monthly site inspections and storm water monitoring to determine compliance with relevant permits. We also perform storm water sampling for compliance with NPDES 1200-Z and 1200-COLS permits. Samples are submitted to an experienced environmental testing laboratory within specified hold times. Columbia West evaluates and summarizes results in a letter presented to our clients and provides recommendations for achieving compliance if benchmark standards are exceeded.
Columbia West prepares Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure and Emergency Response plans that present guidelines, procedures, methods, and equipment to address accidental release of petroleum or hazardous products to public waters. Site-specific plans establish spill prevention and response guidelines to minimize impacts to the environment.