Projects

 BEC performs a wide array of services related to underground storage tanks (USTs) including: Due diligence site inspections, agency file reviews, and soil sampling.  Many lending institutions require Phase II sampling for older UST systems, even if there are no indications of a release and the system passes tightness testing.   

BEC conducts Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ASTM E 1527-05 AAI Compliant) and Transaction Screens (ASTM E 1528-06) for a variety of clients including utilities, banks, developers, and prospective buyers and sellers of commercial properties.  The purpose of a Phase I ESA is to identify, to the extent feasible, recognized environmental conditions as defined by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard Practice E 1527-05 in connection with past or current uses of the Property. Completion of this report is intended to permit the user to satisfy one of the requirements to qualify for the innocent landowner defense to Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) liability.

BEC conducts Phase I ESAs within 10-15 working days (normal turnaround time), or can expedite the report if necessary.  BEC will immediately notify the Client of any significant findings ("red-flag issue") during any stage of the project, since the timing of the property transaction or even the viability of the deal may be affected if a Phase II ESA is necessary.  BEC's findings are confidential and are only disclosed to the Client or to parties named by the Client.  BEC's Phase I ESA reports meet or exceed the ASTM standard, and are thorough, well-documented, and provide the high level of due diligence required by many of our clients.  The field inspection, historical resource review, and other data collection are conducted by experienced field personnel (Environmental Professionals), while the completed Phase I ESA reports are reviewed in detail by an Arizona-registered geologist.  

BEC has experience assessing a wide variety of properties including vacant, undeveloped land; agricultural parcels; farming-related operations including maintenance yards, chemical and fuel storage; crop dusting airstrips (see photo); apartments; office buildings; commercial businesses; auto dealerships; industrial facilities; waste disposal and transfer facilities (including several that handled hazardous waste); retail service stations and bulk plants; former and active mining properties; utility substations; and, military installations.  BEC has assessed large properties (up to 2,900 acres), right-of-way assessments of multiple commercial properties, and has the capability of mobilizing a team of professionals for fast-track assessments of multiple properties. 

BEC has conducted numerous exploration mapping and sampling projects for various clients related to copper, gold, and silver prospects throughout Arizona, Nevada, and South Dakota.   These projects have ranged from reconnaissance mapping of a single claim, to regional mapping and sampling of thousands of acres.   

BEC has prepared NEPA environmental assessment documents for a proposed mining operation on USFS lands, and has experience providing compliance with the ADEQ Aquifer Protection Permit (APP) Program on many other mining properties.  Clean Closure through the APP has been granted by ADEQ as the result of BEC's efforts at a former gold mining heap leach operation.      

Due diligence to identify mining hazards on properties being developed for other uses.  These hazards can include physical hazards such as unprotected shafts and adits, or chemical hazards due to leftover chemicals from ore processing, maintenance area spills of fuels, lubricants and solvents, metals, cyanide and acids from leaching operations. 

Response to chemical hazards related to mining operations. BEC personnel have been involved in the response to a million-ton tailings dam collapse, a major spill of acidic solutions from a pregnant solution pond at an Arizona copper mine, an assessment of a custom mine tailings treatment facility, and the location and removal of hazardous chemicals from a supplier of mining chemicals.  BEC has also  been involved in the closure of several copper smelters throughout Arizona. BEC personnel have overseen remedial excavations of petroleum contaminated soil (a total of 50,000 tons) at numerous fueling areas and haul truck readylines at a major coal mining operation in northeast Arizona.