Terra-Petra Partners with Law Firm Wactor & Wick in Downtown Los Angeles

With an increase in the amount of expert environmental work requested by law firms throughout California in recent months, Oakland, California environmental law attorneys, Wactor & Wick LLP recently hired Terra-Petra to perform a methane soil gas investigation for a Methane Buffer Zone site in downtown Los Angeles.Terra-Petra was selected based on its expertise and knowledge in the field of methane soil gas and upon its prior work on numerous projects throughout the Los Angeles Basin over the last 25 plus years.. 

CEM 75 Drill Rig in action at the project site in Los Angeles, CaliforniaWactor & Wick LLP was founded in 2002 by two former EPA enforcement attorneys. The firm provides cost-effective solutions to reduce environmental risks to clients such as property owners, developers, manufacturers, retailers, lending institutions, mining companies, attorneys and consultants. Wactor & Wick is rated as a Pre-Eminent law firm and both partners have earned the Highest (AV) Rating from Martindale-Hubbell for Legal Ability and Ethical Standards, the Super Lawyer rating (top 5% of all lawyers), the Superb rating from Avvo and have been named in The International Who’s Who of Environmental Lawyers.

According to Vice President and GM, Justin Conaway, Terra-Petra determined that the use of a CME 75 Drill Rig was imperative in reaching our designed depth of 50 feet below surface grade in the gravel like soils at this specific site (based on the Wactor & Wick's due diligence on the project), Terra-Petra also determined that typical direct push probe drilling equipment would not have been able to reach a depth of even 15 feet given the specific conditions of the site.

"We had a great experience collaborating with Wactor & Wick and are looking for more opportunities to work with other such accomplished law firms in this industry," said Conaway, "Wactor & Wick is extremely knowledgeable about environmental regulations; they are very diligent in their effort to coordinate this investigation. We really appreciate working with a law firm that is dedicated to getting the job done right."

 

Terra-Petra’s GM/VP Justin Conaway to speak at the Colorado Environmental Management Society March 10

JustinConawayVPGM Terra-Petra GM/VPCEMS March Luncheon – Engineering Control Trends in Vapor Intrusion Mitigation – March 10

Speaker: Justin Conaway, Vice President |General Manager and Patrick Guan, Regional Manager, Terra-Petra Environmental Engineering.

Tuesday, March 10, 11:30am – 1:00pm.  There will be no CLE for this presentation.

In recent years the implementation of vapor intrusion mitigation systems has become more common for ground-up development. There are many different forces and factors that are influencing this rise in popularity. There are also numerous engineering controls available to protect a given building from vapor intrusion. This presentation discusses the Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Engineering Control Trends that are being specified and installed today on new construction projects. The benefits of these systems will be outlined and we will identify how various stakeholders have influenced the current trend.

Justin Conaway, VP/GM of Terra-Petra has been with the company since 2004. In this time he has developed a unique knowledge of the vapor intrusion industry in that he has been involved with nearly every aspect of the vapor intrusion cycle from site characterization through installation.

Mr. Conaway has a wealth of experience and competencies, including: Construction Quality Assurance Inspection, Mitigation System Design, Permitting, Document Submittal and Negotiations with Governing Agencies, Risk Management Decision Making Process with Developers, Contract Negotiation, Installation Costing, On-Going Operation and Maintenance Monitoring and Reporting, and Research and Development to launch innovative vapor intrusion products.

Patrick Guan, Regional Manager for Terra-Petra has been with the company since 2012. In this time, he applied his vast experience in sales/marketing, strategic planning, operational management, and superior customer service skills that he developed over the past 17 years working for fortune 500 companies to help drive the ambitious expansion goals of Terra-Petra from a regional success story to a thriving successful nationwide operation. He has done this by executing a clear and concise marketing campaign that presented a positive compelling brand identity for the company. He helped increased the company’s market share throughout the country by emphasizing Terra-Petra’s expertise, and superior value driven customer service that has made it so successful in the West Coast region.

LOCATION: The EPA Conference Center located on the 2nd floor of the EPA Region 8 Headquarters building at 1595 Wynkoop Street in Denver, Colorado. 

To register, please visit this link

Terra-Petra team attends Introduction to Brownfield Redevelopment seminar

An Introduction to BrownField RedevelopmentTerra-Petra's VP/GM Justin Conaway recently attended the “Introduction to Brownfield Redevelopment” seminar with Terra-Petra's Nate Shamosh.

The seminar (held in Oakland, California on February 11, 2015) was sponsored by the Center for Creative Land Recycling (CCLR). Advertised as being for “individuals new-and not so new-to brownfield redevelopment," the workshop provided an interactive series of presentations, panels, and case studies. Both Justin and Nate found that the CCLR seminar did a great job of living up to its billing. There was a diverse group of professionals from many different levels in the redevelopment process including governing agencies, developers, environmental engineers and environmental attorneys in attendence.

According to Justin Conaway: "In the environmental construction and engineering industry there is always something new to learn and we acquired valuable information by attending this seminar. CCLR did a great job as the sponsor and host of this event. The speakers were very knowledgeable and experienced. They all provided great insight into the brownfields management process. The seminar was well attended and the audience was engaged throughout the event."

Terra-Petra going “underground” (aka below grade) in Denver and beyond…

at Haselden ConstructionWe are very excited about the new opportunities that have developed for Terra-Petra in the Denver area, as well as the state of Colorado, and other surrounding states including Wyoming, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma as of late. One of our key contacts that we met with is working for Haselden Construction out of Wyoming. The company is working on the final stages of a hospital building project in Laramie. Terra-Petra is looking to take on some potential future waterproofing design consulting projects with Haselden. We would also like to plan to work with Haselden in the Wyoming area and support them with more below grade waterproofing, as well as some environmental consulting needs in the near future.

It looks as though the “wild-west” area is booming again thanks to certain industries – particularly with regard to below grade waterproofing needs. There are also many construction sites that are subject to some sort of contamination issue due to the fact that Denver, for one, is growing very fast. Multi-unit housing complexes going up in droves to support (population) growth in this area. The oil, mining, and legal marijuana industries, in particular, are driving this kind of speedy growth.

To that end Denver appears to also have plenty of waterproofing requirements, but they also have their share of environmental concerns. However, the Denver area still does not have a tremendous amount of regulations in place with regard vapor barriers and mitigation systems (like there are in cities like in New York or Los Angeles). So owners/developers in the Denver, as well as in many of the surrounding (Rockies/Midwest) areas, are now in a rush (or will soon need to be in a rush) to put these specific measures in place for current/older and new buildings —and this will become more and more of a necessity in order to maintain the clean environmental conditions in the area(s). We all know that there are many environmentalists residing in places like Colorado, so the consensus is that it is just a matter of time before tighter measures and regulations are put into place and owner/developers will be required to go down certain mitigation paths to better conditions.

Terra-Petra is looking to be the “go-to” environmental engineering firm as the construction industry (in the “wild west” area) continues to catch on to a growing environmental protection concern where building and land development is concerned. Yes, there are plenty of big environmental engineering firms located in Denver including URS and AECOM. This indicates that there is a market for larger scale environmental projects now and on the horizon. It’s going to be another wild ride in the west!

Terra-Petra holds court at ICSC RECon Las Vegas

Terra-Petra's CEO, Kevin Buchanan and VP/GM, Justin Conaway "held court" with many current and future clients in booth 60 at the ICSC RECon 2014 at the Las Vegas Convention Center last week (May 18-20).

RECon is the global convention for the shopping center industry and provides networking, deal making and educational opportunities for retail real estate professionals from around the world. With over 32,000 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors it is the largest retail real estate industry convention.

"We had such a great opportunity to meet so many people who had methane and vapor gas mitigation needs," said Buchanan. "We hope to be able to continue these conversations and develop as well as continue current relationships in the retail real estate development industry."  Here are some of the highlights.

RECON BOOTH TB BOOTH RECON BOOTH TB BOOTH.2 RECON BOOTH TB BOOTH.3 RECON Marketplace 2014.5 RECON Marketplace 2014.6 RECON KBTP Badge RECON Mark Cuban guest star TERRA-Petra at ReCon Booth in Green ZoneRECON BOOTH TB BOOTH.4 RECON BOOTH TB BOOTH.6 Justin ReCon 2014 1RECON Marketplace 2014 RECON Marketplace 2014.2 RECON Marketplace 2014.3 RECON Marketplace 2014.4 RECON BOOTH PREIT RECON BOOTH Irvine Company RECON BOOTH Related - TP Client RECON BOOTH PREIT.2 RECON BOOTH TB Isle 600TERRA-Petra at ReCon Booth

Daniel Valdez holds successful DMBI training seminar in Terra-Petra’s Los Angeles Office

Terra-Petra's Director of Field Operations Daniel Valdez Inspector training seminarTerra-Petra's Director of Field Operations, Daniel Valdez, held a Deputy Methane Barrier Inspector training seminar in our Los Angeles office this past week. He is responsible for overseeing the largest Deputy Methane Barrier Inspection (DMBI) team in the industry–as the Terra-Petra DMBI team continues to grow.  Daniel believes that it is imperative to periodically go over inspector responsibilities, requirements and reporting protocols to ensure that the information stays fresh in every inspector's mind and that Terra-Petra maintains continuity across the company.

IMG_20140430_163553_993Valdez is also a big proponent of staying in touch with the material manufacturers to ensure that his team members are certified to perform their work, keep up to speed with changing technologies, warranty requirements, what approved applicators are out there and inspection and reporting procedures. 

To that end he was able to schedule an inspector's certification webinar on the CETCO Hydroshield Warranty system to follow his presentation. The webinar was a refresher for most of the inspectors on the Terra-Petra DMBI team, who have inspected several projects under the Hydroshield program. Five new inspectors are set to receive certification for the first time.

The seminar was a success and there is no one more qualified than Mr. Daniel Valdez to have given the presentation.

Terra-Petra Completes 2201 E. Cerritos Ave. Project for Western Realco

Southern California environmental engineering firm, Terra-Petra recently wrapped up its PMP project for Newport Beach-based developer Western Realco LLC on 2201 E. Cerritos Ave. in Anaheim, California.WRlogo

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) April 11, 2014–Terra-Petra was pleased to have been a part of a very successful project with Western Realco, LLC in Anaheim this last month. Terra-Petra carried out the Property Management Plan (PMP) for the site during grading activities ahead of the construction of the building’s foundation, given that TPH and VOC-impacted soil might be encountered during site grading and building construction activities.

As a precautionary measure, the building on site was equipped with an active soil gas mitigation system, complete with a sub-slab venting system, vapor barrier and mechanical extraction fans. Based upon Terra-Petra’s expertise, the company was responsible for serving as the Construction Quality Assurance and Construction Quality Control (CQA/CQC) Officer for Western Realco throughout the construction of the soil vapor mitigation system. Each and every item of the approved plans was inspected and under the watchful eye of Terra-Petra’s inspection team. The system was installed with minimal issues. Terra-Petra was there every step of the way to document and ensure compliance with all project specifications.2201ECerritos

During the sale of the property, Terra-Petra also drafted and implemented an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Plan for Western Realco that provided the determining mass emissions output for the active vent risers as was required in the project specifications. Test results were finished in record time in order to ensure that the work was completed within the due diligence phase of sale upon project completion.

About Terra-Petra

Terra Petra is an environmental engineering firm that specializes in contaminated soil and groundwater conditions. Our expertise starts with soil gas characterization, remediation, and in the design and inspection of gas mitigation systems for buildings of all types – including commercial, multiple family, single family, industrial, institutional and retail. For more information, visit: http://www.terra-petra.com.

About Western Realco

Western Realco, established in 1972, is a real estate business firm specializing in the development and acquisition of institutional quality commercial properties. For more information, visit: http://www.westernrealco.com.

Contact: 
Laurie Pehar Borsh
Laurie Pehar Borsh PR
http://www.lpbpr.com 
1.800.915.2151 706

 

Terra-Petra now hiring qualified Environmental Field Technicians

Terra-Petra is seeking qualified Environmental Field Technicians on an as-needed basis to work on numerous projects throughout the Los Angeles Areas.

Experience should include:

Environmental field data collection including: soil, soil vapor and ground water.

Ability to use environmental testing equipment, PID, FID, GEM 2000, RKI Eagle Etc.

Ground Water Well Construction, Development and Decommissioning.

Understanding of EPA Testing Guidelines.

Additional Qualifications (Not Required):

·         Geotechnical experience as a soils technician.

·         40 hour Hazwoper Certification.

·         Licensing a plus.
 

Email Resumes to: Justin@terra-petra.com

Justin R. Conaway
Vice President|General Manager
Terra-Petra
www.terra-petra.com

Los Angeles:                                                   San Francisco:
700 S. Flower St., Suite 2580                             One Sansome St., Suite 3500
Los Angeles, CA 90017                                    
San Francisco, CA 94104
213-458-0494                                                   415-590-4890                     

INSPECTION UPDATE: 4661 W. Wilshire Blvd. Methane Zone Property

Terra-Petra is serving as the Deputy Methane Barrier (DMBI) and Waterproofing inspector for the Wilshire Condominium project at 4661 W. Wilshire Blvd. The condominium project was designed by Archeon Group Architects and is being constructed by Becker General Contractors, Inc. The methane barrier membrane installation is being performed by Ralph Ray Construction.

Terra-Petra’s DMBI Eduardo Rangel is serving as the projects inspector. Terra-Petra’s Daniel Valdez (Inspection Supervisor) is onsite today conducting a tutorial for the Terra-Petra office staff to bring them up to speed on the nuances of the Vapor Lock-M system, one of the many approved methane barrier membranes in the City of Los Angeles.

Terra-Petra is a big proponent of cross training our staff to provide them with an appreciation and understanding for each field of work that we can handle. This approach has proven to be invaluable in our success as a company as all staff members have a better grasp of each person’s roll with the company.

We've found that the guys are very supportive of one another and tend to “pull together" to finish projects and ensure a high quality work product for our clients.  

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