Sunbelt began operations in 1986 as an environmental consulting and waste brokerage firm. Environmental services were expanded to include Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, underground storage tank consulting, removal, remediation services related to leaking underground storage tanks and emergency response in the early part of 1988. Sunbelt expanded service operations to include subsurface investigation and well installation. Equipment such as excavating equipment and waste transportation vehicles were added to accommodate these operations. Sunbelt maintains a conventional B53 mobile drill unit for well drilling and installation. A direct push model 5400 Geo Probe unit was added for subsurface investigations (Phase II Environmental Site Assessments) and site characterizations. In response to the equipment additions, personnel were added, certified, and licensed to conduct drilling operations. These licenses and certifications are maintained in multiple states. A Registered Geologist was added to manage drilling operations. The combination of equipment and personnel greatly expanded Sunbelt’s operational capabilities. Sunbelt has added and upgraded equipment over the years to respond to growing needs for environmental services in the area. Sunbelt maintains a variety of equipment inclusive of excavation equipment, dump trucks, vac trucks, air strippers, soil vapor extraction units, and other miscellaneous equipment for the remediation of contaminated soils and liquids. Sunbelt is a licensed hazardous waste transportation company with equipment and personnel to transport both solid and liquid wastes.

In addition to these services, Mr. Leroy Schaefer is a certified instructor who has provided OSHA 1910.120 HAZWOPER training to numerous industrial facilities, railroad operators, financial institutions, and other environmental firms. These training classes and presentations also include hazardous materials transportation, Phase I Environmental Site Assessment information and requirements, mold investigations and remediation, health and safety, and environmental hazards. Mr. Schaefer has prepared and presented training modules for the Academy of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers. Education is a continuing process at Sunbelt. There are currently four Certified Hazardous Materials Managers (CHMM) on staff as well as a Registered Geologist and a licensed Professional Engineer. Other certifications include licensed Asbestos Inspectors, licensed Well Drillers, Registered Environmental Managers, and licensed Lead Inspectors. Staff and field service personnel maintain numerous certifications inclusive of drilling operations, heavy equipment operations, DOT certifications, and HAZWOPER certifications. Health and safety certifications are also maintained by staff and field personnel, including First Aid and CPR.

Sunbelt presents the following experience with regulatory agencies and private clientele:

• Experience with Federal Agencies: Sunbelt has worked on a subcontract basis with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on multiple projects. These projects include: (1) sampling and source removal of manufactured gas plant hazardous waste in Brookfield, MO, (2) cleanup of a major oil spill on the Petuxant River near Baltimore, Maryland, (3) sampling and decontamination of a US Postal facility contaminated with anthrax, and most recently (3) the remediation of 12,000 cubic yards of soil contaminated with volatile organic constituents by means of excavation and land farm technology. Sunbelt has performed subsurface investigation with the Geo Probe system at a number of Superfund sites, including sites that require Level B personal protective equipment (PPE). Sunbelt maintains a current contract with an environmental firm that serves as an EPA prime contractor for emergency response.
  • Additional EPA oversight projects:
    • Multiple Wood Treatment Facility Site Assessments and Remediation
    • Mercury Sampling and Remediation of Residential Facilities
    • Sodium Hydroxide Contaminated Soil Assessment and Remediation
• Experience with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources: Sunbelt has a current contract with MDNR for emergency response in southwest Missouri. Sunbelt also has a contractual agreement with MDNR for the review of Stormwater Permit applications. Sunbelt has conducted numerous underground tank removals and site remediation projects under the supervision of the MDNR and the Petroleum Storage Tank Insurance Fund (PSTIF). Current active sites include site characterizations, remedial action recommendations, site remediation, and on-going monitoring projects. Remediation activities are inclusive of water treatment including aeration, flocculation, air-stripping, and carbon treatment, soil vapor extraction procedures, land farming, bio-remediation projects, and excavation and disposal projects.
  • Additional MDNR Oversight Projects:
  • Voluntary Cleanup Program – Preparation of Remedial Action Plans (RAP) and RAP Implementation at heavy metals contaminated facilities, and non-regulated UST facilities for VCP closure
  • Corrective action plan implementation for free product removal and dissolved phase groundwater collection and treatment (MDNR contract)
  • Multiple environmental emergency response incidents - remediation and groundwater assessment for chemical releases
  • Multiple UST/AST Facilities - soil and groundwater site characterization, risk assessment, preparation and implementation of risk management plans

• Phase I Environmental Site Assessments: Sunbelt typically conducts Phase I Assessment projects for law firms, financial institutions, developers, and commercial firms. These assessments have been conducted in compliance with ASTM 1527-00 standard and the projects have been adjusted as the ASTM standards have changed. Sunbelt has recently upgraded the Phase I process to accommodate the 11 January 2004 proposed guidelines established by the EPA.
• Phase II Environmental Site Assessments: Phase II site assessments are currently conducted in compliance with ASTM 1903-97. Sunbelt typically employees a Model 5400 Geoprobe® unit that utilizes direct push boring technology. A conventional mobile drill rig is utilized in applications where the Geoprobe® unit may encounter refusal conditions. On-site activities typically include field screening by use of a Photoionization Detector (PID) of all boring intervals to assist in identifying vertical extents. Boring logs are maintained during all boring and/or drilling operations. Sampling and decontamination activities are conducted in compliance with the Sunbelt site work plan which complies with sampling and decontamination procedures found in both the ASTM standards and within EPA/MDNR guidance documents.
• Site Remediation and Site Closure: Sunbelt has conducted numerous site remediation activities under contract to corporations, private firms, state agencies such as MDNR and the EPA. The range of remedial technologies varies from site to site. Sunbelt has conducted both conventional remedial actions as well as leading edge technology remediation. Determination of the technology to be employed at a site is based on numerous factors inclusive of but not limited to; 1) the media and contaminants involved, 2) subsurface conditions and migration pathways; 3) speed required to minimize risk and actively control the spread of subsurface plumes in soil and groundwater, 4) a cost analysis based on risk and effectiveness versus time, 5) regulatory requirements and cleanup goals and, 6) owner requirements. The range of technologies being utilized by Sunbelt include the conventional excavation and disposal operations, pump and treat systems, soil vapor extraction systems, carbon absorption, air stripping, subsurface injection of proprietary constituents for in-situ biological remediation, and land farming operations. Some remediation projects have required a combination of remediation activities in order to minimize risk to site workers as well as the surrounding residents. These site remediation activities have been conducted under the guidance of and in compliance with state and federal regulators and regulations as well as for private firms and owners.