Red Line Transit Environmental Engineering, Segments 2 & 3, LA Metro
CLIENT
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA)
SERVICES PROVIDED
Conduct Initial Site Assessments, Real Estate Site Surveys, Site Investigations, Regulatory Compliance Inspections, Preparation of Health & Safety Plans, Support of CEQA/NEPA Compliance, NPDES Permit Renewal and IW Permitting, Preparation of Remediation Plans, Construction Support Services
DRC provided environmental compliance and community outreach services on LA Metro’s Red Line Segments 2 and 3 Project. DRC conducted initial site assessments to provide an order of magnitude assessment of the potential risks and liabilities due to environmental factors and conducted environmental audits of the mitigation measures associated with Segments 2 and 3 to ensure implementation and compliance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) monitoring guidelines. DRC performed site investigations to identify potentially hazardous and contaminated waste locations, suspected locations of chemical spills, and leaks from underground storage tanks (UST). Our professionals surveyed and tested sites to evaluate the presence of hazardous waste and/or contaminated materials such as asbestos‑containing materials, PCB‑containing materials, fuels, and other chemicals. DRC responsibilities included construction, hydrology and groundwater, hazardous materials, air quality, noise and vibration, and safety and security, among others. Audit activities included verifying contract specifications and designs, monitoring activities, and Cal/OSHA safety requirements. Audit results were submitted quarterly and reviewed by the Federal Transit Administration. DRC contributed to monthly construction discharge monitoring reports for compliance with LA Metro’s program-wide National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting. The reports described each discharge site, including treatment design, wastewater flows and water quality analyses, and noted non-compliant discharges for follow-up sample collection and treatment system augmentation. DRC also provided assistance during NPDES permit renewal and IW permitting activities for Segment 1, including monthly progress reports, data collection entry, and preparing permit applications. DRC assisted with developing and preparing design documents and specifications for proposed remediation work; participated in developing and administrating construction contracts for remedial technologies to determine the most feasible remedial alternative; advised and assisted with government and public affairs regarding environmental issues, providing expert consultation and on‑site evaluation of suspected hazardous conditions, noise, air quality, or other unknown conditions that required immediate resolution. Our public relations services during the project’s construction phase included media interaction, cooperation and compliance with local environmental and government authorities, seminars and public meetings, and presenting all mandatory reports, including the environmental analysis, environmental impact reports, and air/noise pollution reports. DRC contacted and interfaced with all stakeholders—homeowners, residents, businesses, and community organizations—to minimize or respond to impacts of construction on their everyday lives. DRC also organized a Citizens Environmental Committee comprised of community representatives and technical experts to identify environmental concerns, answer questions, and help prevent and mitigate environmental impacts caused by construction. In addition, DRC provided advice and assistance on Government and public affairs relating to environmental issues, providing expert consultation and on‑site evaluation of suspected hazardous conditions, noise, air quality, or other unknown conditions that requires immediate resolution. DRC's public relations services during the construction phase of this project entail media interaction, cooperation and compliance with local environmental and government authorities, seminars and public meetings, the presentation of all mandatory reports including environmental analysis, environmental impact reports, and air/ noise pollution reports. Other project activities involved organizing a Citizens Environmental Committee comprised of community representatives and technical experts to identify environmental concerns, answer questions and aid in the prevention and mitigation of environmental impacts caused by construction. DRC was responsible for contacting and interfacing with all stakeholders (homeowners, residents, businesses, and community organizations) to minimize/respond to any impacts construction may have on their everyday lives.