Site Assessment and Remediation

SynTerra identifies site-specific problems and develops unique cleanup strategies.

SynTerra professionals apply scientific expertise and the latest technologies to help commercial, industrial, and governmental clients meet environmental-compliance requirements and business objectives.

Whether the challenge is developing remediation strategies, monitoring remediation plan implementation, or complying with environmental regulations, SynTerra provides cost-effective solutions that mitigate environmental hazards and restore ecosystems.

SynTerra capabilities for environmental remediation

Brownfields redevelopment

Monitored and natural attenuation (MNA)

Site management

Environmental compliance

Remedial efficiency monitory

Wetland design and construction

CERCLA/RCRA

Due diligence

Long-term stewardship

Permitting

Stream restoration and mitigation

Sustainable development

Project example: City of Rock Hill, South Carolina

Client challenge
More than 16 years ago, the City of Rock Hill sought a partner to assist with on-call environmental services. The community, just south of Charlotte, N.C., was experiencing tremendous growth and placed high importance on clean sites, expanded green spaces, and across-the-board sustainability. With a multitude of development projects being planned or already in motion, Rock Hill officials requested assistance in activities ranging from site assessments to sampling of groundwater, soil, air, and surface water to asbestos and lead-based paint testing.

SynTerra solution
As the City of Rock Hill’s partner, SynTerra has successfully completed Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), site remediation and redevelopment, wetlands delineations, and habitat surveys. SynTerra also has assisted the City of Rock Hill in several Brownfields project activities — from preparing South Carolina Voluntary Cleanup Contract (VCC) applications to assessment activities and management plans. Such activities regularly yield a final Certificate of Completion.

Current Brownfields projects have been conducted under a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) assessment grant. Related to that grant, SynTerra has prepared site-specific Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs) for approval by the USEPA, work plans, and health & safety plans. SynTerra’s work has been in accordance with VCC requirements and subject to approval by SCDHEC. SynTerra has also completed Analysis of Brownfields Cleanup Alternatives (ABCAs) pertaining to each of the Brownfield sites.

Rock hill south carolina downtown autumn season

Kathy Webb, P.G.

Senior Market Leader | Principal

Kathy Webb, who co-founded SynTerra (then known as The Fletcher Group) in 1992, has completed remedial investigations and regulatory compliance projects associated with Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) facilities, state and federal Superfund sites, solid waste landfills, brownfield redevelopment, utility coal combustion residual (CCR) management units, and regulated industrial facilities. She has supported litigation as an expert witness related to chlorinated solvents, metals, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Kathy is known for her practical assessment strategy with the perspective of the client’s business objectives. She routinely evaluates groundwater corrective action systems for effectiveness and progress toward achieving compliance objectives. She has co-authored a trade journal paper with case studies of low-impact remedial strategies. Kathy is a licensed Professional Geologist in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Mark Taylor, P.G.

Principal

Mark has worked more than 40 years in natural-resource based industries. His expertise includes mine geology and mine engineering, hydrogeologic and geotechnical investigations, solid and hazardous waste management, and regulatory negotiations. He has published peer-reviewed papers about coal geology, ore geochemistry, mineralogy, and solid waste management. He is a leading expert in mining and environmental permitting for litigation support.

Mark is licensed as a Professional Geologist in South Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Washington. He serves on the boards of the Upstate Red Cross and Upstate Forever. He served on the South Carolina Board of Registration for Geologists for six years. Mark holds a Master’s degree in Geological Sciences from The University of Michigan and a Bachelor’s degree in Geological Science from Harvard University.

Andrea Kehn, P.E.

Vice President of Engineering | Principal

Andrea Kehn, leader of our Civil & Environmental Engineering Business Unit, has 28 years of experience in chemical manufacturing and environmental consulting. She leads and supervises staff professionals on multidisciplinary projects for a variety of industrial clients. Andrea’s vast experience and expertise includes: air quality construction and operating permitting; air quality modeling; air permit record-keeping and reporting; Oil Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP); NPDES permitting; water quality modeling; process safety management; risk management compliance and auditing; and RCRA compliance.

Andrea is registered as a Professional Engineer in South Carolina. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Michigan Technological University.

Ruth Albright, P.E.

Vice President | Principal

Ruth has led projects for major industrial facilities throughout the Southeast and beyond. She built her knowledge of environmental regulations and their application to manufacturing operations while working for the second largest chemical manufacturing company in the United States. At SynTerra, she has expanded both her knowledge and reputation working for chemical manufacturing operations of all sizes. She has also worked extensively with other manufacturing operations, including pulp and paper, industrial equipment, pharmaceuticals, food, and automotive parts and assembly. Her experience includes air and wastewater permit compliance, solid and hazardous waste management, solid waste construction permitting, hazardous materials transportation, wastewater treatment systems, air pollution control equipment operations and maintenance, and ambient air monitoring systems.

Ruth is a professional engineer registered in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Michigan, Arkansas, and Kentucky. She is an active member of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Environmental Technical Committee and serves as the chair of the water subcommittee. She has previously served as the program and committee chair for the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce Environmental Affairs committee. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Clemson University.