Techlaw, Inc. teamed up a three-person field crew with a Geoprobe® 54DT and the MC5 Sampling System to make short work of a large sampling project on Bainbridge Island, WA. Terry Fowler, Site Supervisor for Techlaw, is at the controls of the 54DT working with Doug Wood, ICF International, representing both companies involved in the EPA ESAT project.

... from Terry Fowler, Techlaw, Inc. Site Supervisor
Port Orchard, WA

We completed an extremely successful project at the Wyckoff Eagle Harbor “Mitigated West Beach” area on Bainbridge Island, WA, in the spring. Although we estimated the project to take over 2-1/2 weeks, we completed the work in just 7-1/2 days! The plan called for sampling at specific tide levels, primarily at the suspected contaminated 0-ft. tide level. Some of the sample sites on the beach were on a down slope that was as much as 10 degrees.

The suspected contaminated area of this project (creosote) covered a 50- by 150-ft. area at the 0-ft tidal area. In total, we sampled a 1400- by 150-ft. area of natural and mitigated beach using the Geoprobe® Model 54DT. I WAS IMPRESSED! We collected more than 240 sediment samples, many of which were at the 0-ft. tide level, from more than 120 locations. Most of the beach sampling area was at a 10-degree slope and contained very loose and deep (as much as 15- to 20-ft.) mitigated sand that the 54DT tracked through with no problems.

By using the 54DT track-mounted machine, we were able to eliminate the huge logistics problem of needing plywood for traction! We used MC5 tooling and light-weight center rods for sampling. We also used the core extractor [hydraulic liner extruder] several times to get sand-locked cores out of the sheath, which was a big problem for our earlier Wyckoff projects in 2001 thru 2003. The extruder tool was a great investment!

Techlaw used a Geoprobe® 54DT owned by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminstration (NOAA), who provided a person each day to support the sampling team. Techlaw, Inc. is an environmental contractor and completed the Wyckoff Eagle Harbor project for the Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10. CH2M HILL was the onsite Engineer and Project Manager.

The stratigraphy of the beach sampling area was primarily: (1) 4- to 8-ft. depths of fill sand that was put in as the result of an earlier mitigation project; (2) natural cobble, hard-packed sand, and clay layers; (3) cut-off pilings (located in the suspected contamination zone at the 0-ft. tide zone; and (4) a couple natural spring areas (almost like quick sand). We referred to the spring areas as “boot sucking areas” that we avoided after the one and only time we ever got bogged down (fortunately for only 20 minutes and as the tide was still going out). The majority of the samples were collected from 0 to 4 ft. Approximately 28 of the locations involved profiling every 4 ft. from the surface to 20 ft. or to the aquatard, whichever came first.

We did numerous 90 degree turns in the soft, loose sand to get onto our location and we never got stuck. Several times we had to pull into tight locations that were on an uncomfortable side slope because of logs and other drift wood that were too long and heavy to move. But with the aid of the outriggers, the foot hydraulics, and some of the driftwood in the area, we were able to level out our platform and get the job done.

One hundred twenty locations were identified at the “Mitigated West Beach” area where more than 240 sediment samples were collected from a portion of the beach. This working site map was displayed on one of the work vehicles.

We experienced a good workout every day walking the tools and the 2.125 in. probe rods as far as 300 feet through soft sand to get to the decon area. We’ll rent a 4-wheel beach buggy next time!
This project was the result of complaints in the summer of 2005 from local residents who could smell creosote during their walks along the beach. The visibly contaminated portion of the beach was roped-off and warning signs were posted in the fall to restrict access to the area.

We (Techlaw) were a part of the U.S. EPA Region 10 Environmental Services Assistance Team (ESAT) for this multiple-year project. The team consisted of Techlaw and ICF International, both located in Port Orchard, WA. ESAT has been working on and off this site since 1995. They have pushed literally thousands of bore holes and collected samples from as deep as 107 ft., sampling both inside the heavily contaminated fenced area as well as the outside surrounding areas. This included three tidal samplings as low as a -4-ft. tide.

Some of the sample sites on the Wyckoff Eagle harbor beach were on a down slope that was as much as 10 degrees.

Techlaw is a contractor for Region 10 EPA who owns a 540MT, 5400, and 6600/PC111. This project was our first to operate the 54DT, thanks to the generosity of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) who lent it to us for the beach project.
We’re sold on this little 54DT!

Wyckoff Eagle Harbor Site Information Soil and groundwater at the Wyckoff site are contaminated primarily with creosote and pentachlorophenol (PCP) that were used as wood preservatives. Chemicals used at the site include creosote, pentachlorophenol, solvents, gasoline, antifreeze, fuel waste oil and lubricants. These chemicals were stored in above-ground storage tanks, conveyed through above- and belowground piping, disposed in sumps, and spilled and buried on site. EPA began investigating the property in 1971, and the site was subsequently placed on the National Priority List. In 1988, the Wyckoff Company closed their bulkhead building business on the property. Since 1904, this property was used for the treatment of wood products by a succession of owners and companies. The primary visibly contaminated area is about 150-ft. long by 50-ft. wide and extends from the midpoint of the beach to the 0-ft. mean lower low water contour line. (More site information is available at link: www.geoprobe.com -- techlawsitedoc.htm.)

ESAT (Environmental Services Assistance Team for US EPA Region 10) has been working on and off this site for nearly ten years; collecting samples both inside the heavily contaminated fenced area as well as the outside surrounding areas to include three tidal samplings as low as a -4-ft. tide.