Hyalite Projects

Hyalite Environmental has performed and managed the environmental tasks required by NEPA (National Environmental Protection Act) and MEPA (Montana Environmental Policy Act) for State and Federal Agencies. This work included hazardous materials/substances and water quality assessment and investigation; geotechnical evaluation; cultural resource management; wetlands delineation, mitigation and permitting; biological resources assessment and impact analysis; coordination of inter-agency requirements; development of environmental documents; environmental permitting; traffic noise impact assessment; and air quality assessment. Hyalite has also been responsible for sediment and erosion control plans for these projects. Example clients include the Montana Department of Transportation, United States Forest Service, and US Army Corps of Engineers.

Hyalite Environmental has performed Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) work and documentation for private properties, following the ASTM standards. These projects include records research, field site investigations and a wide range of contacts and personal interviews for further documentation of site conditions. Example clients have included private property owners, developers, real estate agencies, engineering companies, lawyers and financial institutions.

Hyalite has performed wetland delineations on numerous urban, suburban and rural properties traversed by stream and river systems, springs, ponds and irrigation facilities. Delineation has included extensive grass and sedge vegetation mapping, as well as investigation of historical hydrologic conditions and regional ground water fluctuations. Hyalite works with project design engineers to avoid, minimize and/or mitigate wetland impacts. Example clients have included private property owners, developers, real estate agencies, engineering companies, lawyers, municipalities and financial institutions.

Hyalite has performed Environmental Assessments (EA) for several municipalities and county governments. These assessments included the investigation and evaluation of all environmental components required under NEPA and the documentation and reports needed for the environmental permit and agency requirements. Municipality and county projects frequently are funded with Federal and State grants, which require a more rigorous level of environmental analysis and are frequently under short time-lines. Hyalite expedites and facilitates the environmental process so that municipality / county staff are not over-extended by the environmental analysis triggered by grant monies. Example clients have included the cities of Bozeman, Livingston, Kalispell, and Sheridan (WY).

Hyalite has performed Environmental Assessments (EA) for numerous clients that are involved in both private and commercial development. These assessments included the investigation and evaluation of all environmental components required by municipalities or county planning review and the documentation and reports needed for the environmental permit and agency requirements.

Hyalite has experience with preparing and submitting required environmental permits and has worked extensively with Federal, State and local regulatory agencies. Hyalite provides our clients with proactive planning and support service to ensure that permitting does not interfere with project schedules and that the project remains in compliance throughout implementation. Examples of environmental permits required, but not limited to, include Section 404, 310, SPA 124, Section 10, Floodplain, storm water, and 318 Authorization.

Hyalite personnel have evaluated storm water runoff for urban and rural areas in Montana. Erosion Control Plans (ECP) were developed that included the selection and placement of Best Management Practices (BMP) for both Storm Water Prevention Pollution Plans (SWPPP) as required by the State, and management of long term storm water for specific projects.

Hyalite personnel evaluated the impacts of point and non-point sources to water quality, designed alternatives, made conceptual designs for evaluation, performed cost-benefit evaluation, modeling of results and evaluation of alternatives. Options considered included improvements to riparian health, stream and bank restoration, river habitat improvements, diversion of tributaries, and removal of sediments. Water balance, ground water studies, hydrologic and watershed modeling were used to evaluate alternatives and determine potential effectiveness of actions within the watershed.

Hyalite personnel developed site investigations and characterization, sampling and analysis plans, health and safety plans, remedial action plans and closure plans for industrial sites subject to RCRA regulations. Work at these sites included field investigations; oversight of site demolition, remediation, and closure; and long-term monitoring and reporting programs. Clients have included commercial and industrial facilities.

Hyalite personnel made preliminary evaluations of over 100 abandoned mining properties for potential hazardous wastes or existing environmental problems. This project included thorough investigation of proprietary records, evaluation of potential risks to human health and the environment related to site conditions, and assessment of potential environmental liability.

Hyalite personnel were the technical lead for the remedial investigations and feasibility studies under Superfund on several projects in Montana. Work included data compilation, analysis, interpretation, definition of data gaps, design of sampling and analysis and quality assurance programs, collection of data, preparation of reports, monitoring and evaluation of project success. These projects addressed streams and rivers, soils and ground water, riparian and aquatic flora and fauna. Responsibilities included preparation of proposals, reports, presentation materials, etc.