Building Industry Magazine - May 2011 - (Page 36)

ENVIRONMENT BY LEE SCHALLER and the LAW What is going on in Hawaii’s environmental area that is impacting or will impact development and construction? Here is a sampling of current issues and concerns: From the Field “One of the biggest challenges in developing properties has been the discovery of remnant concentrations of chlordane in the soil,” says Randy Herold, president of ENPRO Environmental, a Hawaii-based, nationally operating environmental consulting firm. Chlordane was used as a pesticide in the United States from 1948 to 1988 when, due to concerns about damage to the environment and harm to human health, it was banned by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). “Chlordane is a very effective pesticide,” explains Herold, “and one of Randy Herold its characteristics is persistency in soil. Many of the military developments encounter chlordane and it has become routine to sample and test for its presence. ENPRO has just completed a pilot demonstration project that successfully reduced very high concentrations of chlordane contaminated soil to well below regulatory action levels using a proprietary bioremediation process.” Dan Ford, president of Bureau Veritas North America, another leading company in quality assurance, health and safety areas in Hawaii, agrees that sites with contaminated soil present a major challenge. “You have to be sure that all of your workers are trained in this area,” he stresses, “and are aware of the increased enforcement of environmental compliance.” Ford emphasizes that “safety requirements are becoming much more stringent.” Addressing another area of concern, he says, “Both the state and the EPA are getting stricter with storm water runoff enforcement. There also is more inquiry into vapor intrusion in addition to soil sampling protocols. The DOH (Department of Health) is watching very closely how samples are collected and will continue to monitor this area carefully. The DOH is in the process of updating policy statements and guidelines on soil sampling protocols for multi-increment soil sampling.” ENPRO Environmental’s recent successful bioremediation of chlordane-contaminated soil 36 | BUILDING INDUSTRY | MAY 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Building Industry Magazine - May 2011

Building Industry Magazine - May 2011
Contents
Datebook
March in the BIA Parade
First Wind Turns on Kahuku Wind Farm
Two New Rail Contracts
U.S. Transportation Head Visits Hawaii
Kalakaua Sidewalk Improvements Begin
New Turf for Aloha Stadium
Contracts Awarded
Hawthorne Hauls Blocks for Mission House
RENOVATION & REMODELING
MILITARY TRIBUTE
Low Bids
ENVIRONMENT & THE LAW
Spotlight on Success: West Hawaii Civic Center
Best Practices
WINDOWS, SKYLIGHTS & DOORS
Concept to Completion: Heleloa Neighborhood
New Products

Building Industry Magazine - May 2011