PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Mr. Varljen has been conducting quantitative hydrogeological investigations and research as a professional in industry, government research, and private consulting since 1986.  Mr. Varljen was founder and principal hydrogeologist with Applied Hydrogeologic Research, Inc., which was acquired by SCS Engineers in November, 2000.  Prior to forming AHR in 1994, Mr. Varljen was previously employed as a hydrogeologic tecnician at the Hanford Site in Richland, Washington (1986-1988), a research hydrologist at the Illinois State Water Survey in Champaign, Illinois (1988-1992), and a project manager/hydrogeologist at Hart Crowser, Inc. in Seattle, Washington (1992-1994).

Mr. Varljen is experienced in the supervision and conduct of drilling, sampling, geophysical and soil gas surveying, aquifer testing, aquifer yield evaluation, well design, statistical analysis, and predictive modeling aimed at groundwater protection, groundwater exploration and development, and contamination assessment and remediation. His particular expertise is in site characterization methods and approaches including groundwater sampling methodologies and statistical analysis; information systems for decision support in site characterization, site selection, and remedial design; and groundwater modeling for contaminant containment and remediation, risk assessment, and wellhead protection area delineation.

Mr. Varljen's expertise has been widely recognized by the scientific community, as evidenced by his peer-reviewed scientific publications and presentations at national and international scientific conferences.  As a consultant, Mr. Varljen has completed projects throughout the country, and continues to conduct research concerning geostatistical analyses of aquifer properties and contaminant distributions, stochastic (probability estimation) modeling, optimization, and field methodologies.

Contamination Assessment, Monitoring and Remediation

• Landfill Groundwater Monitoring Consulting Services, Snohomish Health District, Various Sites. Reviewed hydrogeologic data and sampling results from 16 landfill sites in the County and recommend a standardized testing program for each facility.  The work involved evaluating the hydrogeologic characterization and groundwater monitoring at each of the facilities in terms of effectiveness and compliance with applicable regulations and guidelines.  The goal was to determine which wells have the highest priority for monitoring and to recommend basic sampling parameters for each site, a sampling schedule, and statistical analysis procedures.  Recommendations were also provided for upgrading the monitoring network at several of the landfills.

• Landfill Groundwater Monitoring Technical Assistance, Portland Metro Regional Environmental Management, Portland, Oregon. Reviewed existing well information (well depth and placement, construction, well condition, etc.) for 30 monitoring wells, reviewed groundwater conceptual model, and recommended groundwater sampling protocols for obtaining representative data at a lower cost that will meet monitoring objectives.  Subsequently provided training of Metro staff, oversight of sampling activities by METRO Staff,  and  worked with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to obtain program approval.

• Landfill Groundwater Monitoring Program Development and Implementation, Dryden and Manson Landfills, Chelan County, WA.  Audited existing monitoring practices and developed recommendations for improved monitoring at a lower cost at each facility.  Installed dedicated low-flow groundwater monitoring pumps at 10 wells and implemented baseline monitoring at each facility.

• Groundwater Flow and Contaminant Transport Modeling, Normandy Park Shopping Center/Sooper Cleaners, Des Moines, Washington. Coalesced regional and site-specific hydrogeologic characterization data and developed a 3-dimensional groundwater flow and contaminant transport model (implemented with the computer codes MODFLOW, PMPATH, and MT3D) to track contaminant movement from a former dry cleaning facility to where groundwater discharged to nearby Puget Sound.  Initial contaminant conditions were determined via geostatistical estimation from on-site soil and groundwater monitoring data. Modeled travel times and contaminant breakthrough concentrations at Puget Sound were used assess the need for remedial action.

• Groundwater Modeling for Contaminant Release Determination/Litigation Support, delaminate Shopping Center,  Monterey, CA.  Developed a three-dimensional groundwater flow model for a shallow aquifer system in weathered and fractured bedrock to estimate groundwater travel times from potential contaminant source areas to locations where contaminants had been identified.  Project activities involved examining available aquifer test data to verify the fractured bedrock could be assumed to behave as an unconsolidated aquifer, determining representative aquifer property parameters, calibrating the model to observations, and completing a flow/path and travel time analysis.  The modeled travel times were compared to historical land use records to identify likely contaminant release areas.  A sensitivity analysis approach was employed to account for uncertain input parameters and "bracket" contaminant release dates, which proved to be significant for insurance purposes.

• Groundwater Modeling and Remedial Design, Canadian Occidental Petroleum Squamish Chlor-Alkali Plant, Squamish, B.C., Canada. Developed a three-dimensional groundwater flow model to understand the dynamics of groundwater flow at the plant, calculate discharge fluxes from the site for risk assessment, visualize site-wide groundwater flow paths, and evaluate remediation alternatives.  Calibrated the model to two rounds of extensive water level measurements and used it to design a remediation system which contained a zone of mercury-contaminated groundwater with a minimum amount of groundwater pumping.

• Fate and Transport Analysis and Remedial Measures Evaluation, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington. Developed spatial information management system to coalesce field and analytical data from diverse sources and formats that had been gathered over 5 years of various disjointed characterization programs previously implemented across the Shipyard, and conducted detailed 3-dimensional groundwater flow and solute transport modeling in support of remedial investigation/feasibility study work for Operable Units A and B.   Flow modeling efforts required simulating transient effects of tidal surges and groundwater drawdown created by six drydocks.  Initial conditions for solute transport modeling were developed via a geostatistical analysis of groundwater sampling data.  The remedial measures evaluation included simulating effectiveness of a proposed barrier containment wall.

• Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study, U.S. Naval Submarine Base Bangor, Washington. Directed and conducted field investigations of soil and groundwater contaminated with ordnance compounds, and conducted extensive analytical and numerical modeling of contaminant transport for risk assessment and evaluation of groundwater remediation options (completed fully three-dimensional flow and transport modeling for design of pump-and-treat system).

• Site Characterization and Remediation, Summit Timber Company, Darrington, WA.   Providing site characterization and regulatory negotiation services for Summit Timber at two separate locations at Summit's Darrington, WA saw mill.   Characterization included adaptive soil and groundwater sampling using direct-push techniques and in-field screening analyses to guide the sampling pattern.  Seriously affected soils were removed and alternative risk-based cleanup levels were determined.  Both areas were closed under Washinton State's Voluntary Cleanup Program.

• Liability Evaluation and Contamination Assessment, SeaTac Airport, WA.  Critically reviewed investigations of soil and groundwater contamination conducted by Continental Airlines and United Airlines to evaluate claims by each that Olympic Pipeline Company contributed to the area-wide contamination at SeaTac Airport through leaks at their distribution facility.  Subsequently conducted soil gas survey and soil sampling to determine extent of soil contamination in the vicinity of an industrial waste sewer line which was used by Olympic Pipeline.  Investigation revealed an aerially-extensive problem that could not be attributed to Olympic Pipeline's Facility.  Provided technical support during liability allocation negotiations between Olympic, United and Continental.

• Groundwater Sampling for Litigation Support, Federal Way Washington. Completed rigorous independent sampling of monitoring wells at the request of Plaintiff's attorney's.  Sampling was completed using "low-flow" techniques and demonstrated erroneous sampling results by Defendant's contractor due to improper field procedures.

• Hydrogeologic Characterization and Contamination Assessment, Pacific Grinding Wheel Company, Marysville, WA.  Conducted an adaptive site characterization effort to define the extent of hydrocarbon contamination and define hydrogeologic conditions including temporally-variable groundwater flow conditions.  Innovative approach using direct-push sampling technology and on-site analysis allowed for complete definition of the zone of contamination under the manufacturing facility building floor.  Developed clean-up levels for the site using a risk-assessment approach, and verified that groundwater was not being impacted through low-flow groundwater sampling.  Work resulted in the issuance of a ‘No Further Action” determination from the Washington State Department of Ecology. 

• Subsurface Contamination Investigations, Clearview and Maltby, Washington.  Completed contaminant screening through limited subsurface sampling prior to real estate transactions on two properties utilizing innovative sampling and on-site analysis technologies.  The investigation confirmed the need for and approximate extent of required remedial action at both properties within two weeks without expensive investigation costs typically associated with drilling and laboratory analysis testing programs.

• Soil Remediation, Maltby, Washington. Remediated hydrocarbon contamination resulting from indiscriminant dumping at a vacant property.  Employed an observational removal method where excavated soil was tested on-site for total petroleum hydrocarbons which ensured that a minimum of “clean” soil was excavated (reducing overall costs) and reduced the amount of time required for the clean-up. Confirmation of the clean-up was achieved by completing 15 GeoProbe exploration holes across the site and submitting samples for laboratory analysis.

• Hydrogeologic Characterization, Contamination Assessment, and Groundwater Remediation Design, Olympic Pipeline Shell Booster Station, Anacortes, WA. Conducted expedited evolutionary assessment of subsurface hydrocarbon contamination, using immunoassay field screening to guide sampling. Developed optimized monitoring network based on hydrogeologic conditions and the results of the initial assessment, interpreted through a geostatistical (indicator Kriging) methodology. 

• Contaminant Containment System Analysis, Finley, Washington.  Conducted two-dimensional groundwater flow modeling and groundwater flowpath/traveltime analyses for a high capacity extraction well to verify the containment of a potential chemical release to groundwater.

• In-Well Sparging Treatability Study, Hanford Site, Washington.  Reviewed design and evaluated effectiveness of two in-well sparging techniques for remediating VOC-contaminated groundwater.

• VOC Assessment and Remediation, Tacoma, Washington.  Assessed soil and groundwater contamination at a paint manufacturing facility, and designed and installed combined soil vapor extraction/groundwater monitoring wells to remove VOCs. Conducted scheduled monitoring to assess system performance.

• Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study Work Plans, Hanford Site, Washington.  Summarized existing information, determined data needs and data quality objectives, and outlined limited field investigations for the 200-UP-1 and 200-ZP-1 Groundwater Operable Unit Work Plans.

• Interim Remedial Action Design, U.S. Naval Submarine Base Bangor, Washington.  Conducted detailed three-dimensional groundwater modeling and capture zone analyses to design a groundwater extraction system that would prevent migration of groundwater contaminants from an ordnance disposal lagoon.

• Hydrocarbon Migration Assessment, Kalispell, Montana.  Planned and conducted an evaluation of the migration of dissolved hydrocarbon and hydrocarbon vapors through utility trenches leaving a contaminated site.  Investigative technique developed for this project allowed simultaneous collection of soil vapor and groundwater with analysis in the field using portable gas chromatography. 

• Property Assessment, Sandpoint, Idaho.  Planned and conducted rapid investigation of potential soil and groundwater contamination to facilitate a real estate transaction using rapid, unobtrusive state-of-the-art direct groundwater sampling techniques (HydroPunch).

• Groundwater Compliance Monitoring Statistical Methods Review, Clatskanie, Oregon.  Reviewed plan for statistical analysis of groundwater monitoring data for an industrial landfill.

• Emergency Response Investigation, Spokane, Washington.  Provided an emergency investigation of groundwater impacts and extent of soil contamination resulting from a release of industrial chemicals.

• Leaking Underground Storage Tank (UST) Investigation, Seattle, Washington.  Planned and conducted investigation of soil and groundwater contamination resulting from releases of petroleum compounds from four USTs.  Involved characterizing the temporal variability in the direction and magnitude of groundwater flow due to tidal influences, which resulted in the identification of an off-site source of contamination.

• Evaluation of Site Characterization Techniques and the Spatial and Temporal Variability of Volatile Organic Compounds.  Served as a key investigator in this USEPA-funded project which involved an intense characterization of the geological conditions and the volatile organic contamination at the Southeast Rockford Superfund Site in Northern Illinois.  The goal of the project was to evaluate the contribution of sampling and natural variability to the overall variability of data collected by several different methods.  The results of this were used to provide a practical, field-tested methodology for site characterization, to supplement EPA manuals, which would allow consistent collection, analyses, and interpretation of data for similar sites.  Sampling variability was evaluated through a statistical comparison of various sampling techniques, and natural variability was evaluated through an analysis of the spatial and temporal variability of factors which affect the fate and transport of the contaminants.  This work involved planning, drilling, developing, and routine sampling of over 50 monitoring wells.  State of the art experimental data collection techniques were implemented to measure the spatial variability of hydraulic conductivity and the direction and magnitude of the hydraulic gradient across the site.

• Groundwater Monitoring Activities at a Meat Processing Facility, Beardstown, Illinois.  Utilized experimental direct groundwater sampling techniques (HydroPunch) and traditional sampling techniques (monitoring wells) to evaluate inorganic contamination from an anaerobic treatment pond at a pork slaughterhouse in west central Illinois.

• Development of Statistical Method for Determining Confidence Limits on Estimates of Spatial Correlation.  Co-developed and verified a statistical technique for determining confidence intervals about semivariogram estimates of spatial correlation used in geostatistical estimation of spatially distributed hydrogeologic parameters.

• Identification of Temporal Change in the Spatial Correlation of Regional Groundwater Contamination, Roscoe, Illinois.  Evaluated the statistical significance of temporal changes in spatial correlation (important for the design of spatially optimized monitoring networks) of nitrate concentrations from a dense network of domestic wells.

• Hydrogeological Support, Hanford Site, Washington.  Participated in monitoring well construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation; aquifer testing; contaminant distribution mapping; and geological characterization.

• Development of Desktop GIS for Hydrogeological Investigations.  Developed a personal-computer based Geographic Information System framework in support of USEPA-funded site characterization research.  This inexpensive system allows for the concurrent display of base maps and site specific data such as monitoring well locations, contaminant distributions, groundwater elevations, and model predictions.

• RCRA Part B Application, Grout Facility, Hanford Site, Washington.  Assisted with the preparation of the groundwater sampling and analysis plan and the statistical framework for the detection monitoring program.

• Decontamination and Decommissioning Activities, Hanford Site, Washington.  Prepared work plans for the stabilization of inactive waste burial trenches and the closure and remediation of a large surface impoundment.

Groundwater Supply Exploration, Development and Management

• Groundwater Resource Evaluation and Water Supply Development, Quinault Indian Nation, Quinault Beach Resort, Ocean Shores, Washington.  Provided consulting services during final stages of construction of the resort to make two existing shallow on-site wells functional for project opening, including procurement and installation oversight of rudimentary water treatment hardware.   Further work includes developing a long-term solution to the resort's water needs.  An aquifer characterization/resource evaluation was completed to determine the recharge-discharge relationships, chemical stratification of the water bearing zone, and develop a monitoring network to assess groundwater-surface water interactions and how the surface water may be affected by pumping.   Future work includes installation and testing of  new production wells, numerical groundwater modeling, and delineation of time-related capture zones for wellhead protection.

• Groundwater Source Development, Trinidad, Washington.  Provided hydrogeologic consulting and project management services to develop the water supply source for a planned development along the shores of the Columbia River.  Work involved rehabilitating an existing test well on the property to bring it up production well standards by constructing a proper surface seal and installing a screen and liner.  A back-up well was drilled, logged, installed and tested.  The testing consisted of a 24-hour constant rate pumping test and a full suite of water quality analyses.  Discharge from a nearby spring was monitored during the test to evaluate possible surface water connectivity.  Also evaluated regional geologic information, the geologic log from the new well, the pumping test data, and local meterological and river stage data to prepare a hydrogeologic assessment report to fulfill source approval requirements.

• Extraction and Injection System Modeling, Kelso, WA.  Developed a 3-dimensional groundwater flow model to simulate groundwater-surface water interactions associated with proposed extraction and injection wells for a ground source heat pump system. The flow model, implemented with MODFLOW, was specifically used to calculate induced hydraulic flux through a riverbed that would result from various proposed pumping and injection scenarios.  A preferred scenario was selected based on design objectives which included minimizing induced infiltration from the nearby river, maintaining the required 350 GPM flow rate, and preventing "short circuiting" between the extraction and injection well that would have reduced the efficiency of the heat pump system.

• Modeling Program Review, South Florida Water Management District, Florida. Provided expert review of the District’s proposed (in-house) area-wide modeling program to evaluate potential subsidence from groundwater withdrawal.  Recommendations were provided to develop a more robust regional modeling program which would be more responsive to environmental factors such as climate change, interface with various existing GIS coverages, and yield additional information to allow system optimization.

• Well Failure Investigation, Algona, Washington.  Investigated sand entrainment and subsequent well failure for insurance purposes.  Analyzed stratigraphy and aquifer grain size data to assess well screen design and placement.  Determined failure was due to inadequate coarse material above the well screen, which during accidental backwashing of the well allowed displacement of natural gravel pack and subsequent caving-in of overlying fine materials.  Developed robust design for new well which would not be subject to similar failure.

• Water System Contamination Analysis, Woodinville, Washington.  Reviewed well logs to assess hydrostratigraphy, completed shallow borings to characterize shallow groundwater, and completed water quality testing at several points within the well system to identify the point of contaminant entry.  Determined that the aquifer was not contaminated and identified the source to be shallow, perched groundwater that was contaminated by a nearby waste disposal drainfield. The shallow groundwater was infiltrating into the water system’s below-ground concrete storage tank. Recommendations were provided to upgrade the system.

• Well Testing and Evaluation/ Water Supply Development, Vashon Island, Washington. Conducted pumping test analyses on an existing well, geochemical analyses (to evaluate corrosion and encrustation), recommendation of well rehabilitation measures, site selection for an additional well, preparation of drilling specifications, drilling oversight and geologic logging of a 280 foot-deep cable-tool production well, well screen design, well testing and aquifer yield evaluation, and documentation and permitting assistance.

• Groundwater Supply Enhancement, Friday Harbor, Washington.  Compiled existing regional and local information to assess various options for enhancing the existing water supply, including well rehabilitation through deepening or hydrofracturing, and construction of a new well. Recommendations were to construct a new well in a location selected based on a fracture trace analysis conducted through aerial photograph interpretation and field reconnaissance.  New well produced flowing artesian conditions with a 600% increase in yield over the previous well.

• Production Well Construction and Water Rights Permitting, Woodinville, Washington.  Managed and conducted groundwater development and permitting program which included drilling oversight for three observation wells and two large-diameter production wells, production well design, aquifer testing, water quality analyses, evaluation of potential for aquifer storage through artificial recharge, and quantitative evaluations of drawdown impacts to surface water and existing groundwater users. 

• Water Right Impact Analysis, Puyallup, Washington.  Conducted two-dimensional numerical groundwater flow modeling to evaluate potential drawdown impacts to existing water right holders in the vicinity of a proposed wellfield.

• Groundwater Resource Exploration, Woodinville Water District, Woodinville Washington. Managed and conducted project which included drilling oversight, well design, geological interpretation, aquifer testing, water quality analyses, yield determination, and identification of possible water rights issues for three 400-foot-deep test production wells.

• Industrial Water Supply Development, Seattle, Washington.  Responsibilities included drilling observation, geologic logging, and well design for a 500-foot deep production well to be used for industrial process water.

• Well Testing and Water Rights Data Collection, Woodinville, Washington.  Work included detailed testing of an existing well to evaluate aquifer yield and water quality, as well as potential surface water impacts and other information relevant to water rights acquisition.

• Aquifer Yield Analysis, Snoqualmie Basin, Washington.  Compiled and evaluated existing data and performed preliminary calculations to evaluate the feasibility of developing a 50-100 MGD regional water supply from a previously unexplored aquifer located in the Snoqualmie River Basin. Recommendations lead to a planned field study involving test well construction.

• Groundwater Flow Model Development, Taylorville, Illinois.  Developed groundwater flow model to evaluate potential drawdown effects from a proposed contaminant extraction well at a coal gasification facility on a nearby surface water impoundment used for rural water supply.

 Groundwater Protection

• Development of Coupled Simulation-Optimization Techniques for Optimal Wellfield Management. Served as principal investigator and project manager for USEPA-funded effort to develop coupled simulation-optimization modeling techniques aimed at minimizing the risk of contamination of municipal groundwater supplies.

• Methodology Development for Stochastic Delineation of Capture Zones.  Served as Principal Investigator on project to develop modeling techniques for estimating uncertainty in the delineation of time-related capture zones of pumping wells.

• Evaluation of Representative Aquifer Conditions in Illinois for Wellhead Protection Program Recommendations.  Developed information system to compile aquifer test data and pumping histories for 318 Public Water Supply Wells in Illinois, and calculated groundwater travel times for each well based on analytically modeled drawdowns. This information system was used to recommend a statewide wellhead protection strategy to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

• Wellhead Protection Area Delineation, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska.  Evaluated hydrogeologic conditions, analyzed well test data, and conducted analytical modeling and flowpath/traveltime analyses to calculate time-related capture zones for six Borough-owned water supply wells.

• Wellhead Protection Program Development, Kent, Washington.  Activities involved a detailed hydrogeologic evaluation, development of a data management system for water levels and stratigraphic information from well logs, groundwater modeling, capture zone calculation, preliminary uncertainty analyses, land use assessment, and development of management strategies aimed at reducing the risk of contamination of the City's primary ground water supply which consists of three gravity-fed spring sources which are periodically enhanced by pumping.

• Wellhead Protection Area Delineation, McCleary, Washington.  Managed and conducted project which involved collecting field data and conducting numerical modeling to determine time-related capture zones for several city wells.  Work also included evaluating aquifer vulnerability in the capture zones and identifying land use concerns.

• Criteria and Methods Identification for Wellhead Protection, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska. Provided recommendations for the criteria and methods to be used in the delineation of wellhead protection areas for forty-one public water supply wells owned and operated by the Borough.

• Water Quality Impact Analysis, Auburn, Washington.  Evaluated hydrogeology and conducted simple modeling to calculate time-related capture zones for one of the City's water supply wells to assess the potential for water quality impacts resulting from the expansion of two sand and gravel mining operations.

• Aquifer Vulnerability Evaluation, Kent, Washington.  Provided interpretation of hydrogeologic conditions and conducted simple modeling to estimate groundwater travel times from a proposed solid waste transfer/recycling station to the City's water supply.

• Application of Optimal Wellfield Management Techniques, Pekin, Illinois.  Served as project manager to collect necessary field data and construct a detailed flow model that would facilitate accurate capture zone delineation and allow for the application of optimal wellfield management techniques.  This effort involved planning and conducting a field program involving observation well drilling and testing, and the production testing of one city well.  Application of coupled simulation-optimization techniques lead to recommendations concerning wellfield pumping rates that would minimize the risk of contamination while maintaining the required output from the wellfield.

• Wellhead Protection Area Delineation, Rockford, Illinois.  Planned and conducted field characterization activities (observation well installation, aquifer testing and geophysical surveying), geostatistical estimation of aquifer parameters, and groundwater flow modeling to estimate time-related capture zones of five high capacity city wells.

Property Development Support

• Hydrogeologic Evaluation for Stormwater Infiltration, Meridian Towne Center Development, Puyallup, Washington.  Completed research to develop an understanding of geologic structure and subsurface hydrology relevant to the infiltration of stormwater at this proposed commercial/high density residential development. In addition to defining the regional hydrogeologic setting of the proposed project site, the evaluation included identifying nearby water supply wells and regulatory-defined wellhead protection or aquifer recharge areas. The research was intended to determine if proposed project falls within an area (e.g. a wellhead protection area) that would require special regulatory measures, and whether or not the proposed infiltration of stormwater would have negative environmental impacts to the hydrogeologic system.  A final report of investigations was prepared which satisfied concerns of the Department of Ecology, Pierce County Planning and Land Services, and the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD) regarding potential groundwater impacts of the development.

• Groundwater Modeling for Impact Assessment and Stormwater Management Design, Park Pointe Development, Issaquah, Washington.  This hydrogeologic characterization and groundwater modeling effort was aimed at designing a hydraulically operational stormwater management system that would not have negative environmental impacts with respect to groundwater (quantity and quality). Project involved collecting field data, developing a rigorous hydrologic budget for the site, modeling pre-development conditions, and modeling several design alternatives.  Groundwater modeling included two-dimensional numerical flow modeling, pathline analysis (particle tracking), and analytical solute transport modeling.  An important component of this project involved integrating this modeling effort with work conducted by the City of Issaquah for their Wellhead Protection Program.  

• Groundwater Evaluation, Proposed Firgrove Landing Development, Puyallup, Washington. Evaluated local soil and groundwater conditions at a proposed housing development site to determine the feasibility of on-site stormwater infiltration.  The evaluation involved assessing compliance with Washington Department of Ecology guidelines for stormwater infiltration, reviewing well logs for the area to define regional groundwater conditions, and completing test pits to determine the soil texture distribution and local shallow groundwater conditions.