Better Know the EPA with Cambria Contracting

The United States Environmental Protection Agency is a young Federal administrative body tasked with enforcing the nation's laws in regards to environmental duties. Established December 2^nd, 1970 in order to consolidate all the nation's federal research, monitoring, standard-setting, and enforcement activities to ensure a safe environment for all living creatures. As a major demolition contractor Cambria Contracting often finds itself working to adhere to EPA guidelines and policies. As such we thought it would be a good idea to begin describing the agency behind most of our environmental remediation efforts.

Currently, the EPA is led by administrator Lisa P. Jackson. Appointed on December 15^th, 2008 she became the first person of African American descent to serve as EPA administrator. She oversees the twelve sub-departments of the EPA. She began her environmental career with an appointment in New Jersey by then Governor Jeff Corzine.

Cambria Contracting's dealings with the EPA are usually in regards to making sure all levels of hazardous materials are well within safe parameters at ever job site they are leaving. A lot of the industrial sites which Cambria Contracting works with can often house particles and liquids which can be found to be hazardous once they are disassembled from the casings they were housed in during operation. The EPA can audit a site, but typically the use of approved testing methods is enough to comply. The EPA compliance concerns every possible form of pollution and is incredibly thorough. From radiation to water tables the EPA insists that businesses ensure that when vacating a site that the environment is restored as well.

Cambria Contracting is proud to state that they have never had an issue with the EPA on any of it's industrial sites. It is this dedication to being the best that has allowed Cambria Contracting to rise to the top of this industry as the premier industrial demolition expert in North America.

Cambria Contracting Goes Mobile

One of Cambria Contracting's favorite demolitions, was the structural demolition of a paper mill plant in Mobile, Alabama.  Set over 900,000 sq. ft of land, this sprawling facility was going to test all of the capabilities Cambria Contracting has, including basic demolition, environmental remediation and recycling possibilities   Many people are unaware just how complicated the process of making paper can be, especially the amount of chemicals which are incorporated into making paper the bright white useful product we have today.

The first step of the process, like any demolition really, involved the the identification, removal, and transportation of non-hazardous universal waste materials.  This includes items such as light fixtures, bulbs, ballasts, PCB ballasts, instrumentation controls, and mercury controls.  With these superficial items taken out of the way the more intense phases of the demolition were set to begin.

Cambria Contracting set about on the larger task of plant dismantlement.  You begin by selecting different portions of the plant and set about taking them apart.  Cambria Contracting  took the plant and divided it up into several different phases.  First, were the elevated pipe racks, taken from the ceilings, these racks were chosen first, frankly because they were at the top of the building.  Believe it or not it makes little sense to begin knocking out walls when there is several tons of weight suspended above your head.  The next step Cambria Contracting took was to begin separating the equipment left in the facility.  Much of this equipment took the form of storage tanks and as such they need a special environmental remediation efforts.  This equipment also included rigging and complex conveyor belt systems.

The only real environmental remediation that fell to Cambria Contracting was the handling and transport of several number 6 oil storage tanks.  That was done in no time.

Once the facility had been dismantled, Cambria Contracting had a decision to make about what to do with what was left over.  Choosing an environmentally friendly option as opposed to taking loads of landfill space unnecessarily, Cambria Contracting  instead choose to use over 90,000 tons of concrete as stabilized fill material for future development.

Demolition is a crucial part of social progress.  On scales such as this, these decisions to recycle and the important remediation must be done correctly or the consequences to the community at large are devastating.  That's why Cambria Contracting is the best choice.

Cambria Contracting in Everett, WA

Cambria Contracting's latest project is the demolition of a large industrial structure on the shores of Possession Sound.  This project is a true test of all of Cambria Contracting's skills as it involves every facet of the demolition process, including large scale demolition, removal of site structures, asset salvage and environmental remediation.  Of course, as North America's premier demolition expert, Cambria Contracting was both the easiest and best choice for the project.

The first indication that the job site was not going to be a standard demolition is that part of the structure is attached to the sound itself.  This means there is an aquatic component to the demolition but it is nothing too great for Cambria Contracting to handle.  Barges were brought into buoy cranes and other large demolition equipment needed for this part.  The second part of this aquatic element is to ensure that what is demolished does not make its way out into the sea.  This is done by slowly building a dam between the sound and the water Cambria Contracting has to work in.  Then once the work has been done, before the dam can be taken down and a normal coast returned, that water has to be drained from this reservoir and taken to appropriate disposal. 

Also, an extreme hazard presented itself early in this project, in the form of a water spout.  For those unaware of what a water spout is, more or less imagine a tornado onto of a body of water.  While this was a magnificent sight to behold, it caused quite a bit of stress as it chose to tip toe near the shoreline before turning out towards the deeper ocean waters for good. 

This project is likely to take several months to finish and the customary EPA testing afterwards could push it to over a year.  However, when these large buildings have to come down, there is no one better to trust than the professionals at Cambria Contracting, Inc.

Cambria Contracting and Environmental Remediation

One of the most important tasks Cambria Contracting Inc is responsible for during a large scale demolition project is the environmental remediation of the site at the end of the project.  Environmental Remediation is the removal of pollution and/or contaminants from soils, groundwater, sediments, and/or surface water.  This is stage of a large scale demolition is critical as if it is done incorrectly it can inflict large scale harm to local human health and the larger environment in general.  The issues at stake with environmental remediation projects make it essential to use a firm who has worked closely with the DEC like Cambria Contracting Inc.  Most remediations in general are subjected to a plethora or regulatory requirements from several levels of government.  Both knowledge and experience are crucial in making sure these regulations are met or surpassed.  

A Brownfield Site is a defunct or abandoned industrial or commercial site that is now zoned or available for re-use.  However, re-using the site is oftern in conflict with real or perceived contamination threats left over from the previous occupants.  Cambria Contracting Inc. is well versed in bringing sites like this up to code.  Different requirements exist for different types of remediations.  Paper Mills, Power Plants, and Industrial Forges have several similarities as far as waste goes (asbestos, industrial greases) but they also have significant differences in contaminants as well.  Cambria Contracting's familiarity with these specifications is what makes them the best in North America.

Once a Brownfield site is remediated to a Greenfield status, it is safe for re-use once more.  The value of a location is intrinsic in pursuing projects like this for re-use.  But often regulations cite that environmental remediation also must be at the end of any demolition project with known hazards.  Part of Cambria Contracting Inc's success is that they handle all phases of a demolition project from start to finish.  Their staff and engineers have worked closely with the DEC in the past and understand what is necessary to rehabilitate a site.  Cambria Contracting Inc is an invaluable asset to companies and governments alike that must take on large-scale demolition projects. 

Learn more at our website:  http://www.cambriainc.com/