EDUCATION

B.S. - University of Maryland, Geology, 1991

PROFESSIONAL LICENSES

Certified Professional Geologist in VA
Licensed Professional Geologist in NC

  PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Solid Waste Association of  North America
- Chairman of Landfill Groundwater Management Committee (2001-2002)
National Ground Water Association
Association of Groundwater Scientists & Engineers
National Speleological Society

  PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Mr. Blase provides SCS with experience across a broad spectrum of engineering and environmental programs. A hydrogeologist and environmental consultant since 1991, he has been responsible for scheduling and following regulatory guidelines for monitoring events for numerous groundwater (GW) monitoring clients, including solid waste facilities, hazardous waste sites, wastewater lagoons, and underground storage tanks (UST). Other primary responsibilities include data management, QA/QC of laboratory data, statistical analysis of data (using approved EPA techniques), and reporting results to both the client and regulatory agency.

He has represented clients in front of regulators including the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) and has given legal depositions to attorneys on behalf of his clients. He has participated in regulatory negotiations for many RCRA hazardous and solid waste facilities, as well as UST projects. A summary of his more significant experience is provided below, organized by subject heading. Examples of his project experience include:

Solid Waste Projects:

•            Covington, Virginia, GW Monitoring Program Oversight, Hercules Incorporated Closed Industrial Landfill - This project included data review, statistical evaluations, reporting, and regulatory negotiations. Successfully submitted a variance petition to reduce the analyte list under a Phase II monitoring program based on historical waste stream data and monitoring results. The reduced analyte list saved the client over $7,500 per year in monitoring costs. Installed additional up gradient well to increase the pool of up gradient data and assess the possibility of natural spatial Variation could be causing the past statistical increase in several parameters. Prepared permit amendment and developed GW protection standards (GPS) for future compliance events.

•      Big Island, Virginia, GW Monitoring Program Oversight, (2) Industrial Landfills, Georgia-Pacific Corporation - This project included data review, statistical evaluations, reporting and regulatory negotiations, concerning background concentrations of several analytes. Analyzed pre-disposal data and prepared a report demonstrating the presence of natural spatial Variation in several monitoring parameters, allowing the facility to remain in a Phase I monitoring program. Implemented statistical techniques to assess spatially variable GW data.

•      Bath County, Virginia, Closed Sanitary Landfill GW Program Oversight -This project included data review, statistical evaluations, reporting, and development of Groundwater Protection Standards (GWPS). Conducted geochemical study to determine the possible influence of the local geology on the concentrations of barium and nickel found in the ground water. Installation of multi-level landfill gas monitoring network (17 probes), and reporting of monitoring data to VDEQ.

•     Town Of Christiansburg, Virginia, Closed Sanitary Landfill GW Monitoring Program Oversight - This project included data review, statistical evaluations, reporting and regulatory negotiations with VDEQ concerning the monitoring parameters.

•     Prince William County, Virginia, GW Monitoring Data Compliance - Reviewed laboratory data and prepared semi-annual statistical analyses. Reviewed and updated GW protection standards prior to regulatory approval. Prepared and submitted GW annual reports. Assisted in the preparation of a Corrective Measures Work plan to delineate the nature and extent of organic compound contamination at the facility.

•      Fairfax County, Virginia, GW Monitoring Compliance - Reviewed laboratory data and prepared statistical evaluations and semi-annual reports. Reviewed and updated GW protection standards for permit amendment submittal in 1999. Prepared the GW potentiometric maps for annual reports.

•      Hiwassee, Virginia, Closed Industrial Landfill GW Monitoring Program Oversight - This project included data review, statistical evaluations, reporting, and regulatory negotiations for Hercules Incorporated. Avoided Phase II monitoring program by modifying well purging and sample collection techniques.

•           Radford, Virginia, Lynchburg Foundry GW Monitoring Program Oversight - This project included data review, statistical evaluations, reporting, and regulatory negotiations for Intermet Corporation. Successfully proved to VDEQ that an offsite contaminant source was impacting the up gradient wells at the facility.

•      Sample Collection Procedures Oversight, Westvaco Corporation Industrial Landfills, Covington, Virginia - Made recommendations and developed specifications for the purchase of dedicated sampling pumps for a network of monitoring wells at a new industrial landfill facility.

•      Gloucester County, Virginia, Closed Sanitary Landfill GW Monitoring Program Oversight - This project included data review, statistical evaluations, reporting, and regulatory negotiations for a utilized GW modeling to predict contaminant concentrations at the point of compliance. Conducted a full-scale site characterization and baseline risk assessment to support the pending permit amendment for GWPS. Site characterization included a 24-hour pump test and sampling of multiple media around the landfill. The results proved that contaminants were not migrated offsite laterally or vertically, and natural attenuation mechanisms were degrading all contaminants of concern before crossing the property line. The risk assessment showed that most of the possible exposure routes were incomplete, and that for the (potentially) completed exposure routes, all hazards and risks were below the standards set by EPA and VDEQ.

•         Madison County, Virginia, Closed Sanitary Landfill GW Monitoring Program Oversight - This project included data review, statistical evaluations, reporting, and regulatory negotiations. Redesigned GW monitoring program to meet the current regulations. Installed new monitoring wells and re-collected background data for future statistical evaluations. Installed landfill gas monitoring network around the perimeter of the facility.

•     Town Of Marion, Virginia, Closed Sanitary Landfill GW Monitoring Program Oversight - This project included data review, statistical evaluations, reporting, and regulatory negotiations. It included negotiations with VDEQ regarding the correct monitoring program for facility. Successfully defended the current well locations based geologic and hydrogeologic criteria. Designed and specified dedicated sampling pumps and custom mounting brackets for 6-inch open hole monitoring wells.

•      Mid-County Landfill, Christiansburg, Virginia, GW Monitoring Program Oversight - This project included data review, statistical evaluations, reporting, and regulatory negotiations for Montgomery Regional Solid Waste Authority. Proved that an old well installed by previous consultant was screened in a perched GW lens and was being impacted by leachate from the surface. Conducted pump draw down on a new deeper well and proved that the perched water was not connected to upper-most bedrock aquifer. Authored remediation plan for the perched GW lens, and received approval from VDEQ for the facility to return to a Final Detection Program and to implement the remediation plan.

•            Montgomery County, Virginia, Closed Thompson Sanitary Landfill - Reviewed GW monitoring program being conducted by another consultant and made recommendations to improve the program. Recently awarded a contract to conduct GW monitoring program for the next 5 years.

•      Closed Ingles Mt. Sanitary/Debris Landfills GW Monitoring Program Oversight - This project included data review, statistical evaluations, reporting, and regulatory negotiations for the New River Resource Authority. Prepared GW module and developed GWPS to incorporate into a major permit amendment. Calculated post-closure GW and gas monitoring costs for financial assurance purposes.

•      Regional Landfill GW Monitoring Program Oversight - This project included data review, statistical evaluations, reporting, and regulatory negotiations for the New River Resource Authority. Installed additional up gradient well to increase the pool of background data, due to a statistical increase in barium prior to the opening of the facility. Documented pre-disposal data to prove to VDEQ the presence of natural spatial variation in the GW quality. Conducted and analyzed surface geophysical measurements to delineate the extent of a nearby abandoned mine.

•      Page County, Virginia, Closed Sanitary Landfill GW Monitoring Program Oversight - This project included data review, statistical evaluations, reporting, and regulatory negotiations.

•      Patrick County, Virginia, Closed Sanitary Landfill GW Monitoring Program Oversight - This project included data review, statistical evaluations, reporting, and regulatory negotiations. Conducted hydrogeological assessment to determine the impact of the landfill on nearby supply wells. Installed down gradient wells to delineate extent of contaminants and supervised 24-hour pump test to determine aquifer properties. Used down hole geophysics probe and camera to identify prominent fracture patterns in the bedrock aquifer.

•      City of Radford, Virginia, Closed Sanitary Landfill GW Monitoring Program Oversight - This project included data review, statistical evaluations, and reporting at the Constructed database and report queries to manage 10 years of quarterly monitoring data.

•      Scott County, Closed Sanitary Landfill GW Monitoring Program Oversight - This project included data review, statistical evaluations, reporting, and regulatory negotiations. Installed additional up gradient well to determine impact of nearby closed landfill cells on the currently regulated unit. Identified local karst features affecting the flow of GW near the landfill. Successfully defended down gradient well location based on hydrogeology and local karst features. Completed Part A application for a new landfill cell, and negotiated with VDEQ concerning additional exploratory work.

•       Town of South Boston, Virginia, Sanitary Landfill GW Monitoring Program Oversight - This project included data review, statistical evaluations, reporting, and regulatory negotiations. Designed and oversaw the installation of a replacement GW monitoring network. New monitoring network allowed the facility to return to a Final Detection program. Made recommendations concerning updated well purging and sample collection techniques.

•      Harford County, Maryland, Closed Landfill Pre-Design Hydrogeologic Investigation Phase - Assisted in the preparation of the Sampling and Analysis Plan, as well as the Well Installation Report and the first Analytical Report. Oversaw the sampling of monitoring wells, surface water, and sediment throughout the facility.

•     Accomack County, Virginia, Two County-Owned Landfills GW Monitoring Data Review - This required preparation of annual monitoring reports for both facilities. Prepared statistical evaluations of the GW data for regulatory compliance purposes.

•      Danville, Virginia, Closed Sanitary Landfill GW Monitoring Program Oversight - This project included data review, statistical evaluation, reporting, and regulatory negotiations concerning replacement well locations. Installed of monitoring wells and landfill gas monitoring network. Developed GWPS and prepared permit amendment to incorporate GWPS into permit.

Hazardous Waste Projects:

•      Leesburg, Virginia, Top Cleaners Dry Cleaners Facility Monitoring Wells Installation - Analyzed aquifer and chemical data to assess the impact of dry cleaning solvents on the local aquifer. Oversaw follow-up sampling events utilizing low flow sampling techniques and advised client of potential options for further characterizing the rate and extent of impact to the aquifer.

•      Cambridge International, Maryland, Aquifer and GW Remediation System Data Review - This project included water level and chemical data. Assisted in preparation of annual report demonstrating natural attenuation of chlorinated solvents on the shallow unconfined aquifer. Prepared GW potentiometric maps and statistical trend plots of chemical constituents in the GW.

•      Acadia Polymers, Inc., Virginia, GW Monitoring Program and Abandoned Remediation Plans Review - Advised client concerning the possible purchase of the property (inactive Panasote RCRA facility). Based on historical data, and a GW sampling event, which indicated a significant contaminant plume of 1,1,1-TCA and degradation products, advised client not to purchase property from bankrupt previous owner. Reviewed the possibility of the client entering the Voluntary Remediation Program to begin a clean up of the aquifer beneath the facility.

•      Bristol Compressors, Virginia, Risk-Based Closure, Abandoned 1,1, TCA Tank - Analyzed sampling plan and grid, and advised project manager on appropriate statistical methods to achieve closure to risk-based criteria.

•            Winchester, Virginia, Cooper/Abex Friction Products Deep Well Installation and Statistical Analysis Review - The site was a former RCRA surface impoundment and asbestos landfill facility. The review results were compared to GWPS. The project included conducting data review and overseeing of the statistics on quarterly GW monitoring data.

•      Henry, Virginia, Blue Ridge Talc Company Facility GW Monitoring and Closure Plans and Three RCRA Surface Impoundments - Negotiated with regulators concerning target analytes list, sampling protocols, sampling locations, and statistical methods. Oversaw the installation of the GW monitoring networks and the implementation of the soil sampling for the closure plans. Conducted data analysis and statistics on the analytical data.

•      Blacksburg, Virginia, Federal Mogul Powertrain Products, GW Monitoring Data Analysis and Statistics, Former RCRA Surface Impoundment, Post-Closure Monitoring - This project triggered assessment monitoring and an assessment of corrective measures. Compiled monthly water level data and created potentiometric maps to assess effectiveness of pump and treat remediation system.

•      Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, Maryland, Large-Scale RI/FS, Multi-Layered Unconsolidated Aquifer - This project was to determine the nature and extent of multiple contaminants, which included coal tar, petroleum, and ferric cyanide. Assisted the preparation and implementation` of a 3-week long series of aquifer tests on the confined and unconfined aquifers. Responsible for setting up and programming dataloggers, transducers, and tide gauges. Managed and analyzed all results of the aquifer tests and developed a spreadsheet method of correcting tidally influenced pump test data. Authored section of the RI/FS concerning the tidal correction method. Developed a database to manage over 50,000 records spanning over 10 years of analytical data from the facility. The data was later integrated into a geographic information system (GIS) for overall data management.

•      Baltimore, Maryland, Manekin Corporation (Apex Cleaners) Former Dry Cleaners Well Installations - Work was conducted at night to avoid interfering with traffic and pedestrians. Conducted aquifer test and analyzed data to determine the possible impact of PCE in the GW on an approaching subway tunnel to be drilled under the adjacent street.

•      Hampstead, Maryland, Nulook Cleaners PCE Release Site Investigation - The release was confirmed in the septic tank system and subsequently released in the GW. Collected aquifer test data and analyzed data to determine remedial option plan.

•      Red Lion Creek, Delaware, Tybouts Corner Landfill (adjacent to NPL) Bridge Construction Environmental Site Inspector - Oversaw the construction of a sheetpile coffer cell and the handling and sampling of contaminated GW being pumped from the coffer cell for dewatering purposes.

•      Dover, Delaware, Hastings Cleaners PCE Release Site Investigation, Multiple Layer Unconsolidated Aquifer - Oversaw the field work related the implementation of a full-scale aquifer test. Evaluated possible influence of adjacent Dover Air Force Base on detected contaminants.

VPDES Permit GW Monitoring - Wastewater Lagoons Projects:

•            Blacksburg, VPI Sanitation Authority - Oversight of GW monitoring program, data review, and reporting

•      Dublin, Virginia, Burlington Industries - Oversight of GW monitoring program, data review, and reporting

•      Fieldale, Virginia, Courtaulds Performance Films - Oversight of GW monitoring program, data review, and reporting

•      Big Island, Virginia, Georgia-Pacific Corporation - Oversight of GW monitoring program, data review, and reporting 

•      Radford, Virginia, Intermet Corporation, Lynchburg Foundry Co. - Oversight of GW monitoring program, data review, and reporting

Air Force Center For Environmental Excellence (AFCEE) Projects:

•      Andrews AFB - Feasibility study, Hydropunch samples, monitoring wells, IRPIMS database, and remedial options

•      Dover AFB - Well installation, Geoprobe samples, remedial study for Bolling AFB - Well installation, soil sampling, PCB wipe samples, slug tests

•      Ellesworth AFB - Preparation for multiple unit site investigations 

Base Realignment And Closure (BRAC) Program:

•     Willow Grove Naval Air Station, Pennsylvania - Fuel farm wells, aquifer tests

•     Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Pennsylvania - Fuel farm wells, vapor extraction trench pilot test

•      Davisville, Rhode Island, Quonset Point Naval Base Allen Harbor Landfill - Soil borings, geotechnical samples for a bentonite slurry wall and sheet pile wall design. Aquifer properties were determined utilizing the apparent tidal response in wells. Data logger/transducer programming, setup, and data analysis.

U.S. Coast Guard Projects:

•            Annapolis Station, Maryland - UST investigation, well installation, aquifer tests, sampling, and well abandonment

•            Bay Station, North Carolina - UST investigation, well installation, aquifer tests, sampling and analysis

Petroleum Storage Tanks (ST) Projects:

•      Round Hill, Virginia - Oversight of hydrogeologic investigation involving a multiple source contaminant plume involving petroleum compounds (BTEX) and MTBE. Conducted a large-scale characterization project to define the extent of MTBE contamination in the fractured bedrock aquifer. Oversaw the installation of a series of nested wells (shallow/deep) and a 48-hour deep aquifer-pumping test. Analyze the pump test data and authored final report.

•           Ripplemead, Virginia - UST removal, sampling, and closure report for Eastern Ridge Lime

•      Henry Grocery and Grill - Corrective action plan, GW modeling, monitoring, and closure report

•      Maryland, Pennsylvania, And Virginia, Exxon Corporation Multiple Retail And Terminal Facilities - Conducted site characterizations, grassroots studies, corrective action plans, and remediation implementation. Installed GW monitoring wells, recovery wells, air sparging wells, soil vapor extraction wells, and micro-wells. Conducted slug tests, pump tests, and pilot tests for various systems.

•      Chevron Corporation, USA - UST investigation, well installation, and slug testing

•      Delaware Department Of Transportation, Multiple Site Investigations - The investigations involved USTs and potential hazardous waste projects. They were related to road building and road widening projects. Conducted soil borings and well installations for both geotechnical and environmental purposes.

•           Delaware, Schmidt Baking Company - UST investigations for several sites

Environmental Site Assessments (ESA) Projects:

•      Roanoke, Virginia - Phase I ESA for radio station property for Mel Wheeler, Inc.

•      Pulaski, Virginia, Realstar Realtors - Phase I and Phase II ESA located in shopping center property adjacent to former chemical plant

•      Blacksburg, Virginia, Teske Leasing Company - Phase I and Phase ESA for commercial property

•     Guayama, Puerto Rico, Smithkline Beecham Pharmaceutical Plant, Unipro/Chemsource, Phase II ESA - Conducted Phase II in conjunction with local engineering company. Oversaw all drilling and sampling procedures, collected samples, screened for headspace, determined random samples, and shipped to lab for analysis. Simultaneously ran three (3) drilling rigs and crews for ten (10) straight days to complete the project within the allowed timeframe.

•      Norcross, Georgia, EMCON Corporation: Phase I ESA for municipal waste hauling business property

•          Greensville, South Carolina, Nelson and Jordan, P.A. - Limited Phase II ESA for commercial property to determine possible influence of nearby TCE plume on the subject property. Prepared report and gave legal deposition to attorney on behalf of the client.

•      Radford, Virginia, Rainey Engineering - Phase I ESA on commercial property containing a small foundry

•      Bedford, Virginia, Golden West Foods - Phase I ESA for large food processing plant

•      Maryland, NationsBank Corporation - Multiple Phase II ESAs for commercial properties

•      Hagerstown, Maryland, Coopers and Lybrand - Phase II ESA for food processing plant

Phase II ESA Voluntary Remediation Program (VRP) Projects:

•      Henry, Virginia, Blue Ridge Talc Inc. - Assisted in preparation of VRP package for the Seep Area and reviewed historical soil sampling results 

•      Fieldale, Virginia, Courtaulds Performance Films - Phase I and Phase II site assessment third party review. The project included split soil and GW samples. Helped client to review historical data after finding former industrial sludge disposal trenches. Drafted letter of intent for the facility to enter the VRP. Awaiting response and file review from VDEQ.

•      Salem, Virginia, Healthcare Realty Management Permaclean Facility, Former Dry Cleaners - Oversee fieldwork and sampling investigation. Confirmed a release of PCE to the soil and GW and assisted in the preparation of a VRP package to VDEQ. Oversaw additional site investigation tasks including the installation of wells, sampling, and slug tests. Conducted GW modeling to predict contaminant transport in the upper-most aquifer.

Professional Development

•      Natural Attenuation for Remediation of Contaminated Sites, NGWA Course, Atlanta, Georgia, September 1998, 1.6 CEU.

•      Karst Waters Environment Symposium and Workshop, Virginia Water Resources Research Center, Roanoke, Virginia.

Technical Training

•      OSHA 40-hour Hazardous Waste Site Worker Training, Hazmat, Inc., Columbia, Maryland, July 1991.

•      OSHA 8-hour Hazardous Waste Site Manager's Training, Haztrain, Inc., LaPlatta, Maryland, August 1991.

•      OSHA 8-hour Hazardous Waste Site Refresher, SCS Engineers, May 1999.

•      First Aid and CPR Training Course, American Red Cross, 1994.

Presentations

•      Speaker, SCS Landfill and LFG Seminars, Roanoke and  Richmond, VA, May 1999.

•      Visiting Instructor, Virginia Polytechnical Institute and State University (VPI/SU), Environmental Engineering Department, Hazardous Waste Management Class, Fall 1998.

•      Speaker, Nonpoint Source Management in Karst Terrain, Technical Workshop and Field Trip, New River Valley Planning District Commission, October 1998.

•      Instructor, GW Monitoring for Solid Waste Facilities, SWANA - Southwest Virginia Chapter Meeting, 1997.

•      Speaker, GW Monitoring Strategies, National Association of Facility Engineers, Roanoke Chapter, 1997.