Site Investigation, including Drone Deployment, for Property Redevelopment

The client, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), required an extensive site-wide soil investigation to develop a plan for site remediation to reuse this former landfill and scrap yard property as a public park. GES was hired to complete site investigation activities, including surface-soil sampling/screening, aerial photography/mapping, vertical soil investigation, monitoring well installation, groundwater monitoring, and report preparation to assist in advancing the site to remediation and eventual reuse as a public park.

Prior to initiating the soil sampling activities, GES completed a small, unmanned aircraft system (sUAS or drone) flight to obtain current site features, baseline condition of the site, and to identify stressed vegetation. A Licensed Surveyor established ground control points to utilize for the aerial mapping and the surface-soil sampling grid.  During the surface-soil investigation, 275 locations were screened/sampled for laboratory analysis, not including all quality assurance and duplicate samples. 

GES developed an initial conceptual site model that aided the PADEP in assessing the magnitude and extent of the soil impacts at the site. The pre-planned, staged approach to the investigation helped to keep costs in check and allow time to discuss the next phase of the investigation.