High-Hazard Remediation

Radiological Survey and High-Hazard Remediation – Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM. After conducting radiological surveys to determine the nature and extent of contamination, WESTON and its teaming partner performed a fast-track interim removal action to excavate and restore a disposal pit contaminated with high explosives, reactive chemicals/metals, gas cylinders, and radionuclides. WESTON performed the work at night to avoid safety hazards associated with other contractors working near the site during the day and to increase the productivity of staff working in Level A and B personal protective equipment in an area where daytime temperatures typically reach 100°F.

UXO Investigation and Land Transfer – Former Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA. After being closed under the Base Realignment and Closure Act, the former Mare Island Naval Shipyard was designated to be turned over to the City of Vallejo. Before the site’s dredge ponds could be transformed into a Regional Dredged Material Disposal Facility to support the San Francisco Bay’s Long-Term Management Strategy, WESTON abated UXO and Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste left over from 120 years of military operations. Managing the Early Transfer Process under a Fixed Price Remediation with Insurance (FPRI) contract, WESTON helped limit cost and environmental liabilities during ownership transfer, while placing 2,800 acres of land back into beneficial use.

Landfill Capping and Integrated Remediation – O-Field, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. In addition to designing and building a groundwater treatment system, WESTON implemented an innovative permeable cap solution to cover a 4.5-acre ordnance landfill containing CWM-filled munitions, UXO, white phosphorus, and other hazardous waste. Remote operations saved $500,000 and reduced the task schedule 15%. The project was completed on schedule, recovering more than 6,000 UXO-related items without CWM release or OSHA Recordable or Incident.

UXO Survey and Disposal During Excavation – LCOR/Turner Construction, Alexandria, VA. As site remediation contractor on this redevelopment of a former rail switching yard and landfill that predates World War II, WESTON excavated and disposed of 730,000 tons of soil contaminated with petroleum, PCBs, heavy metals, UXO, compressed gas cylinders, and drums. WESTON conducted geophysical surveys to identify and evaluate potential UXO concerns. WESTON was successful in expediting site remediation so construction could proceed on schedule, saving costly penalties of $150,000 per day. This 22-acre site will be home to the new headquarters of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Underwater Geophysical UXO Investigation – Former Nansemond Ordnance Depot, Suffolk, VA. At the Nansemond Ordnance Depot, a Superfund site formerly used for ordnance disposal, WESTON completed an Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis that included an innovative geophysical survey of the James River beachfront to identify underwater UXO. WESTON also conducted a Remedial Investigation that included groundwater, soil, and sediment sampling. Working with two U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Districts, WESTON completed the site sampling program on schedule without a safety incident, and provided real-time data to better plan the removal action.

Robotic Lead Azide Sludge Waste Characterization – Savanna Army Depot, IL. WESTON was contracted to remotely sample each solid and liquid component of twenty-two 55-gallon drums containing explosive waste material for sensitivity analysis by an on-site laboratory at this active Systems Command facility.WESTON developed a self-contained robotic system capable of opening and sampling drum contents in a remote unsupported location. The robotic system was deployed in two days. The operations lasted approximately 7 days, and removal of the system was accomplished in half a day.