Environmental Compliance Management
RCI has a thorough understanding of Federal and State environmental regulations. Our extensive experience in working with the regulating agencies, diverse science disciplines, and using a practical approach to compliance issues has been a winning combination for our clients.
Niotan, Inc – Moundhouse, NV
RCI has assisted Niotan with civil engineering, environmental, and regulatory assistance over the past three years during the construction and “start-up” of their Tantalum ore processing facility in Moundhouse, Nevada. Tantalum ore is processed at only 5 facilities throughout the world. Tantalum is the preferred metal used in capacitors for the many new electronic devices used by man including cell phones, computers, and other wireless equipment. RCI’s services have included assistance with hazardous material storage and permits, hazardous waste determination, hazardous generator compliance (corrosive and ignitable waste), Chemical Accident Prevention Program evaluation, Air Quality permits, and Washoe County – Lockwood Regional Landfill authorization permits.
Tantalum processing requires the use of large quantities of hazardous materials including elemental sodium, argon gas, as well as hydrofluoric, nitric, and hydrochloric acids. The process also requires the use of large quantities of ionized water and the operation of a wastewater treatment facility to support the tantalum process. Since tantalum production processes were patented in the 1960’s and the demand for significant quantities of specific grades of tantalum only began in the 1980’s, the tantalum process still requires a significant amount of research and development to perfect.
Aerojet General Corporation, Garfield Flat Test Site Property Description and Summary of Test Activities – Garfield Flat, NV
The Aerojet General Corporation has utilized the Garfield Flat Test Site to conduct research, development, and production testing on various munitions systems for the Department of Defense since 1967. The Garfield Flat Test Site is located near Hawthorne, Nevada and covers over 10,000 acres.
Since 1990, RCI has provided Aerojet with environmental oversight during all munitions testing to ensure that the post test clean-up activities were consistent with approved EPA protocol for the clean-up of residual, inert waste, and the disposal of unexploded munitions. Implementation of the approved protocol ensured the waste was handled in a manner consistent with RCRA and Nevada hazardous waste requirements.
RCI conducted a review of historical records on 25-40mm ammunitions, cluster bombs, and the tests that were conducted on small and large rocket motors. Interviews were conducted with past site workers to verify types of tests, test locations, and waste handling procedures used during post test clean-up. Select munitions test sites were surveyed to determine the presence or absence of unexploded munitions and whether proper disposal of unexploded munitions took place. These surveys were coordinated by RCI.
RCI also prepared a summary document “Property Description and Summary of Test Activities at Garfield Flat Test Site” (December 2006). The document describes the past test activities, clean-up protocol, historical permitting documentation, and existing test site improvements. This document was presented to Lt. Colonel Hardy Greene, Hawthorne Army Munitions Depot, to begin the due diligence process in support of the Army’s interest in taking over the test site.