Environmental

Ordinances & Regulations

Consultation to townships and cities for writing local ordinances or interpretation of state and federal regulations regarding environmental hazards such as:

• Wetlands         
• Shoreland
• Woodlands
• Blufflands
• Storm Water
• Prairies
• Geologic Hazards
• Sinkholes and Karst Features
• Decorah Shale


Services Include:

Natural Areas Consultation

• Wetland and Prairie Identification
• Tree Protection
• Natural Areas Management Plans

Geological Consultation

• Sinkholes and Karst Features
• Landslides: Slope Failures and Rock Falls
• Decorah Edge Issues
• Flooding






Soil Science Consultation

• Soil Surveys
• CER Ratings
• Soil Properties
• Soil Testing

Mapping

• Geologic Mapping
• Soils Mapping
• Natural Areas Mapping




 

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Wetland Permitting

Under the Clean Water Act, the term wetlands means “those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas.”  The Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act protects wetlands from development impacts.  Let MBESI be your guide through the maze of wetland regulations.

Local, state and federal regulations protect wetlands, and at least nine different agencies currently define, regulate, permit and enforce activities in wetlands.

Our team provides you experienced professionals: Regulation Specialists, Minnesota Certified Wetland Delineators, Planners, Civil Engineers, Geologists, Soil Scientists, Landscape Architects, Surveyors and Environmental Managers.






Services Include:

• Wetland Delineations
• Wetland Permits or Exemptions
• Wetland Replacement Plans
• Wetland Banking
• Wetland Management Plans
• Wetland Monitoring Plans




 

 

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Hazardous Materials

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber that was used in thousands of building products before it was regulated in 1980. If building materials containing asbestos are disturbed, asbestos fibers can escape into the air and become a health hazard (lung cancer).  State and Federal Regulations require that an asbestos inspection, management plans and project design be completed by Licensed Professionals.  McGhie & Betts Environmental Services has over 20 years experience dealing with asbestos.

Services Include:

• Asbestos Inspections: Identifying, sampling and reporting asbestos containing materials.
• Asbestos Management Plans: Design of Asbestos Management Plans for public and private buildings to define operation, management practices, and budget for asbestos management (including AHERA Compliance).
• Asbestos Removal Project Design and Management:  Design of specifications and contract documents for asbestos removal projects.
• Collection of sealed competitive bids from asbestos abatement contractors and recommendation of qualified contractor for the project.  Save money by obtaining qualified competitive bids.
• Site inspections of removal activities and communication with abatement contractor.

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Environmental Site Assessment

A Phase I Investigation identifies Recognized Environmental Conditions and Business Environmental Risks including: presence of hazardous substances and petroleum products. This investigation includes site inspection and review of historic records.  MBESI has performed over 500 Phase I Audits.



When do I need a Phase I?

Usually banks and lenders require a Phase I during property transactions. Also, if a property owner is applying to the VIC program, a Phase I is submitted along with the application.

What is a Phase II Environmental Assessment?

A Phase II investigation identifies the presence of hazardous substances and petroleum products underneath the surface. A Phase II investigation includes groundwater and soil sampling and analysis.

 

Services Include:

• Phase I Environmental Assessment Report following ASTM E 1527-05
• Transaction Screen Report
• Phase II Environmental Assessment Report
• Groundwater and soil sampling and analysis for Phase II Report

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Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) & Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)

An EAW is a questionnaire about a project’s environmental setting, the potential for environmental harm and plans to reduce the harm. The EAW is prepared by the Responsible Governmental Unit (RGU) to determine whether an Environmental Impact Statement should be prepared.  MBESI is the regional leader in preparing EAWs.

When do I need an EAW?

• Mandatory: the mandatory EAW categories are listed in the Minnesota rules at part 4410.4300. Some of the projects that require an EAW are: waste water treatment system exceeding 1,000,000 gallons of flow per day, stream diversions, feedlots, residential or commercial projects over a certain size, land conversions of more than 80 acres, and sports and entertainment facilities.
• Discretionary: the RGU may require one.
• Voluntarily: the owner decides to do one even if it’s not required.


How long will an EAW take?

The process typically takes about 6 to 12 weeks to complete. The EAW needs to be reviewed by the RGU before it is published, then a public comment period follows, and lastly approval of the EAW.

An EIS is a thorough study of a project with potential for significant environmental impacts, including evaluation of alternatives and mitigation. EIS are done for large scale projects such as large transportation projects, buildings of over 1,000,000 square feet in second class cities (i.e. Rochester), non-metallic mining of more than 160 acres, and electricity generating plants. The process typically takes about 3 months to a year.

 

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Indoor Air Quality

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)


The most common indoor air quality concerns are mold, odors, dust, hazardous gases and radon. Determining the source of the concern is the first priority of an investigation to define health risks and to recommend cleanup and mitigation.  MBESI is the regional leader in IAQ Assessments and Mitigation Design.



Services Include:

• Mold Identification:  MBESI can provide the sampling materials and instructions to allow homeowners to complete sampling in their homes in order to economically identify the species of visible mold in the home. MBESI can also provide air sampling if mold is suspected but not readily visible.
• Remediation Plans:  If indeed mold growth is identified at the property MBESI can make unbiased recommendations concerning the removal of the mold. Recommendations made by MBESI have ranged from the removal and reconstruction of large portions of homes to a simple cleaning that can be completed by the individual.
• Mold Intrusion Investigation/Correction:  Mold will not grow without a source of moisture.  If mold is identified MBESI has the equipment and expertise to identify the source of moisture and provide solutions to eliminate the moisture source.

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Voluntary Investigation Cleanup (VIC)

VIC is an MPCA program for individuals or businesses seeking to investigate or cleanup contaminated property and receive liability protection from the State of Minnesota. This program provides technical assistance and administrative or legal assurances to its applicants.

VIC Participants:

• Property owners
• Potential property buyers or developers
• Insurers
• Development agencies
• Engineers, architects, and environmental consultants
• Attorneys
• Lending institutions
• Local government units

 

Services Include:

• Initial Site Investigation
• Site inspection and site history investigation
• Phase I Environmental Audit
• Phase II Environmental Audit
• VIC/VPIC Application
• Completion and submittal of application to VIC or VPIC Program
• Communication with MPCA regarding site under investigation
• Site Remediation
• Remediation design and reporting
• Site Safety and Contingency Plan

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Monitoring Wells & Environmental Drilling

Our drilling equipment can be used to provide sub-surface soil information for foundation and utility design or ground water / soil sampling for environment contamination issues.




Services Include:

• Licensed Monitoring Well Installation
• Hollow-stem Auger Drilling and Sampling
• Environmental Screening of Soil Samples Collected using Photo Ionization Detectors
• Soil Sample Logging including N-Values
• Well Development and Sample Collection following MPCA Guidelines
• Monitor Water Samples following MPCA Natural Attenuation Process
• Piezometer Installation
• Monitor Well Closure

 

 

McGhie & Betts has collected subsurface data in Rochester and the surrounding communities since 1946. Our multi-departmental company can handle issues in-house, saving valuable time and money. Our staff includes professional engineers, geologists, soil scientists, certified well drillers and biologists that oversee all projects.

Projects Include:

• Numerous site clean-up projects including the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Program (LUST).
• Phase II projects for a broad range of land uses such as dry cleaners, gas stations and agricultural and chemical facilities.
• Subsurface investigations needed to facilitate property transfers.

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Geologic Hazards

A geologic hazard assessment identifies existing conditions and remediation that includes sinkholes, slope stability and failures, sidehill seeps, drainage and flooding issues.  The assessment completed by our staff of geologists and soil scientists includes site investigation, review of historic records, soils and geologic formations and remediation.  MBESI has performed over 500 geologic hazard assessments.



 

Services Include:

• Geologic Assessment Report
• Geologic Hazard Remediation Plan Report
• Decorah Shale Assessment Report
• Sinkhole Assessment Report and Remediation Plan
• Drainage or Flood Remediation Plan

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Natural Resource Assessments

Natural resource assessment and management plans include a variety of environmental services that utilize GIS or Survey based site plans. Our staff of Geologists, Soil Scientists, Foresters, Botanists, Stream Specialists, Ornithologists, Archeologists, Environmental Specialists and GIS Specialists have vast experience as listed below.


Services Include:

• Native Prairie Establishment and Management Plans
• Tree Surveys and Forest Management Plans
• Stream Survey assessment and restoration plans
• Sensitive Feature and Setback Mapping
• Wetland Delineation Survey, Wetland Creation/Restoration and Management Plans
• Lake Shore Restoration Plans
• Invasive Species Identification and Management Plans
• Flood Mitigation Assessment
• Ground Water Contamination Assessment
• Aggregate Assessment and Mining Plans
• Order I & II Soil Surveys
• Fen and Slope Supported Wetland Management Plans
• Bird and Bat Surveys
• Archeological Surveys

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Facility Permitting

Facility Permitting and Conditional Use Permits (CUP) are required before rock, sand or gravel extraction, recycling facilities, transfer facilities and other operations can be initiated.  These services outline and address local zoning requirements as well as Minnesota Pollution Control Agency requirements and requirements from other agencies. 



 

Our Services:

• Permit by Rule and Full Facility Permits
• Industrial Storm Water Permits
• Hazardous Waste Generator Permits
• Conditional Use Permits
• Zone Changes
• Site Plan Development
• Grading Plans/Drainage Studies
• Surveying/Legal Descriptions
• Annual Monitoring

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Fatal Flaw Analysis

MBESI can assess the feasibility of your proposed project and assist in minimizing your exposure for risks that may be beyond your control.  We routinely conduct “Fatal Flaw Analysis” to define, characterize and advise our clients how to manage potential physical, environmental, social or regulatory risks while your project is still in the planning stage.  Our analysis can eliminate costly surprises in the project because undiscovered flaws and hurdles during project planning can lead to unnecessary delays and expenses. The analysis is a relatively inexpensive method for obtaining knowledge on potential development issues.  MBESI's investigations meet the requirements of the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) and the National Historic Preservation Act, Section 106 and exceeds the ASTM requirements for Phase I Environmental Assessments.

Services Include:

• Preparation of a preliminary estimated Scope of Work
• Site Reconnaissance
• Regulatory-Database Review
• Historical Aerial and Topographic Map Reviews
• Historical Topographic-Map Review
• Review of Regional and Local Geology and Soils
• Review of all currently listed Cultural Resources including National Register of Historic Properties, State Landmark listings, and Pre-recorded Archaeological sites
• Preliminary Assessment of Unrecorded Historical Architecture
• Preliminary Assessment of the Scientific Value of Pre-recorded Archaeological Sites

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