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Environmental Checkpoint Newsletter Spring 2009SAK Environmental Obtains SOMWBA Certification as WBE/DBE Firm
"This is a milestone for us," says founder and Co-Principal Stephen Sakakeeny, "this (certification) will open doors for SAK to subcontract with larger A/E/C firms for environmental consulting and construction inspection on state-funded and DOT-funded infrastructure projects. It's part of our strategic plan to service both private developers and public agencies, and build on our strong background in hazardous materials management and site remediation." New Massachusetts Storm Water Regulations for Properties over 5-acres
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection's (MassDEP) Proposed Storm Water Regulations (314 CMR 21.00) are intended to improve the quality and quantity of Massachusetts waterways by reducing pollutants in storm water runoff from impervious surfaces and to increase infiltration into the ground. All private properties with greater than 5 acres of impervious surface (parking, roofs, roads, etc.) will be covered under the proposed regulations. Properties having over 2 acres of impervious surfaces located in the Charles River Watershed and in other designated "impaired" watersheds will also be subject to the rules. At least 5,000 owners of existing properties and businesses in Massachusetts are expected to be covered under the proposed regulations and will be required to take action. Properties covered under the proposed rule will be required to 1) incorporate good housekeeping and Best Management Practices to reduce pollutants entering storm water, 2) develop a written Storm Water Management Plan, and 3) file an annual certification of compliance with MassDEP. Renovations to existing properties may trigger the need to design and install new storm water control structures. The proposed rule applies to existing facilities, re-developments, and new land development, and requirements will be in addition to any federal rules (NPDES MSGP), local storm water ordinances and wetland protection regulations. For more information and to view the proposed regulations, please visit MassDEP's Storm water webpage at: http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/wastewater/stormwat.htm. The official public comment period ended on March 11th; however, keep an eye out for more developments on this issue. Contact Maureen Sakakeeny msakakeeny@sakenvironmental.com for more information on proposed rules and how they may affect your facility. New Massachusetts Guidelines for Ground Source Heat Pumps Released
SAK Environmental provides design, permitting, aquifer testing, and construction
oversight of geothermal wells. Contact Stephen Sakakeeny at ssakakeeny@sakenvironmental.com
for more information. Make note of the dates below and do not hesitate to call SAK Environmental, LLC for assistance:
Please contact Tracey Benkosky at tbenkosky@sakenvironmental.com, if you need assistance in making these submittals.
Maureen Walsh Sakakeeny has been accredited as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP) by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). This nationally recognized credential provides a standard for professionals participating in the high-performance "green" building projects. As a LEED AP, Maureen will be able to assist clients and project partners through the LEED certification process, from planning to final documentation, and assist clients in implementing sustainable site development and building operations practices. Stephen Sakakeeny participated in 3-day advanced seminar on Open and Closed Loop Geothermal Well Design. Sponsored by HeatSpring Learning Institute, the course included nationally renowned speakers and was attended by designers, owners, and government officials. Additionally, Steve joined the Town of North Andover's Energy Sub-Committee where he is tracking energy projects for municipal buildings. Tracey Benkosky and her husband, Matt, are the proud parents of their first child, 9-month old Brodie Benkosky. Tracey has been back to work since September after a 3-month maternity leave last summer. Tracey is also serving as a volunteer mentor for laboratory safety to Haverhill High School through OTA's School Mentoring program. Engineering student Mark Grady joined SAK this past year as an environmental engineering intern. Mark is a senior honors student in civil engineering at UMass Lowell and will be with us while he continues his education through a master's degree program after graduation. PROJECT PROFILE: SAK provides Brownfield Technical Assistance to City of Haverhill
The City was faced with a complex pollution problem and uncertainty on how to proceed with redevelopment of the land. To assist the City, SAK performed a comprehensive technical review of site conditions and created a composite site map with pertinent data. SAK also reviewed three different technical proposals for site remediation and developed a new comprehensive remediation plan with input from MA DEP, USEPA, and the City's Brownfield Committee. SAK's recommended technical approach of aggressive groundwater treatment and focused soil excavation was coordinated with the MVRTA garage design team. A detailed cost estimate, and project schedule was presented to project stakeholders, including MassDevelopment. SAK's assistance was instrumental in securing additional funding for the project. SAK's emphasis on meeting project milestones while offering technically sound, practical advice to the City was critical to keeping the project moving. The garage is presently in final design, with construction slated to begin (on time) in the spring of 2010. PROJECT PROFILE: SAK Partners with Local High School on Laboratory Safety
Haverhill High School has a student population of 1,850 and a science department of 17 teachers and 16 laboratory classrooms. Ms. Benkosky's work has included improving procedures for chemical storage, developing guidelines for the disposal of waste specimens and hazardous waste, and conducting on-site teacher training for laboratory safety. As a former high school chemistry teacher herself, Tracey understands the financial constraints schools are under, as well as the importance of keeping students and teachers safe when working in a laboratory. According to Peter Kalafarski, Science Department Chair at Haverhill High, "It's been helpful for us to take a fresh look at safety through this program. If we don't continually focus on it, we take it for granted. Although it is not very exciting, (safety) must be part of our good practice."
For additional information on OTA's School Mentoring Program click here for OTA's web site, or contact Tracey at tbenkosky@sakenvironmental.com.
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SAK
Environmental is pleased to announce its recent certification as a Woman-Owned
Business Enterprise (WBE) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
by the State Office of Minority and Women's Business Assistance (SOMWBA).
Maureen Walsh Sakakeeny, who holds majority ownership, is a civil engineer
with experience in infrastructure, construction management, and environmental
planning and permitting. After joining the company in 2007, Maureen immediately
integrated her skills in serving client needs and identifying growth in
public sector projects as a strategic target for the firm.
Major
expansion of proposed Storm Water Regulations in Massachusetts affects
businesses and property owners having over 5 acres of paved or roofed
surfaces (2 acres in certain TMDL-identified storm water impaired areas).
On
February 26, 2009, the Massachusetts DEP released final guidance for geothermal
heating/cooling systems. The guidance only applies to the ground coupling
(i.e. well, loop, etc.). Significant requirements include: 1) Underground
Injection Control (UIC) registration by the Owner or Operator only; 2)
water quality testing of the influent well water and return flow for open-loop
systems; 3) a groundwater discharge permit from MADEP in the case of water
quality exceedances; 4) construction details for both open-loop and closed-loop
systems; and 5) decommissioning requirements. The guidance document is
currently in effect and available at 
Zach
Taylor has been back in the classroom this year participating
in a number of training & continuing education courses including a
course on Low Impact Development (LID) strategies co-sponsored
by the USEPA New England Region, University of New Hampshire Storm Water
Center, and the Environmental Business Council's Construction and Demolition
summit. 
A
former service station heavily contaminated with petroleum was taken by
the City of Haverhill for back-taxes. The property along with adjacent
land is targeted for redevelopment by the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit
Authority (MVRTA) for a parking garage. A "gateway" city with
approximately 56,000 residents, Haverhill has made great progress in renewal
of the Washington Street area. It is located near an MBTA train station
with mixed use development, including high-end restaurants, commercial,
and retail businesses, and new residential condos, all located in historic
brick buildings. The future parking garage will fill a vital transportation
need to enhance the lives of people living, working and commuting in the
area.
Environmental
Scientist Tracey Gilroy Benkosky has been serving as a mentor to the Haverhill
public high school through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental
Affairs (EOEEA) Office of Technical Assistance's (OTA) School Mentoring
Partnership Program for the past year. SAK Environmental provides this
service at no-cost to Haverhill and it is just one way the firm supports
its local community partners in the Merrimack Valley. 
The
School Mentoring Partnership Program was developed by OTA, with the Support
of New England Academy of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers (NEACHM),
American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), and the Massachusetts Chemistry
and Technology Alliance (MCTA), to provide an opportunity for local schools
to improve chemical management practices.