Field & Support Projects
Blackshare Environmental conducted a soil sampling event in order to determine if debris from the I-40 bridge collapse had resulted in soil contamination. Items in the pile contained lead-based paint and were a concern for both residual contamination left at the site and for disposal purposes. Because of the accident and subsequent demolition, paint had been damaged and reduced to dust in many instances. The dust is particularly susceptible to mobility and presents various hazards. Blackshare Environmental established a grid and performed statistical sampling to identify impacted soils and confirm that levels of lead remaining at the site were acceptable and within guidelines. Excavated debris piles were also sampled per protocol for waste characterization and disposal purposes.
Blackshare Environmental is the first responder for spills at two metropolitan airports. In the last four years, Blackshare Environmental has responded to more than ten emergency fuel spills including F-14 jet fuel on a military ramp, a jet fuel spill from a DC-10, a jet fuel free product released from a UST system, hydraulic oil and aviation gasoline from an RVS plane crash, and others. The responses have included mobilizing to the site, assessing the situation, directing response activities, deploying booms/pads or retaining structures to contain the release, notifying appropriate agencies, and performing cleanup and disposal activities as necessary. Blackshare Environmental is on call for the airports 24/7/365 and is required to be on site within one hour of receiving an emergency page.
As part of a noise mitigation program to reduce air traffic noise in homes close to the airport, Blackshare Environmental has conducted asbestos surveys and taken samples of suspect asbestos containing material in over 600 homes. Noise mitigation for each home includes installation of noise reducing features such as additional sound insulation, triple pane windows and central HVAC systems. The asbestos surveys are required to determine the presence of asbestos so that it can be safely removed prior to construction. Blackshare Environmental assists in removing the asbestos and conducting air monitoring during and after the removal process.
A one-mile extension of a main transportation arterial will include construction of a bridge over a creek that feeds the Arkansas River in central Oklahoma. Blackshare Environmental obtained all of the environmental clearances and permits, assisted in the public meeting and is currently completing the final draft of the Environmental Assessment (EA). The EA has been reviewed by ODOT and will ultimately be approved by FHWA.
Blackshare Environmental provided expert witness services to evaluate historical air permitting applicability and compliance at an industrial facility for NSPS, PSD and Title V. This case was the result of enforcement activity from the ODEQ and was complicated by the fact that facility was owned by a third party when the alleged violations occurred. Blackshare Environmental performed significant analysis where data was lacking and evaluated regulations in effect at the time of the alleged violations. Blackshare Environmental’s analysis and evaluation resulted in successful resolution of the enforcement action.

Blackshare Environmental has routinely performed air monitoring in association with numerous asbestos abatement projects. This is required by permit and involves monitoring air samples before, during and after abatement activities. The results are evaluated to ensure that asbestos fibers were not released during abatement activities.