Austin Falciani

Historical PFAS Evaluation, Pennsylvania — Conducted a PFAS evaluation as part of the EPA 5-year review process. Researched the potential for PFAS to be present in wiring as well as various wire materials that could have been associated with the historical landfill onsite and completed the necessary Freedom of Information Act reviews. Additionally, reviewed historical fire records and interviewed fire department personnel to understand how onsite fires in the 1970s would have been extinguished. Evaluation also included reviewing historical reports, site records, and peer-reviewed research for the preparation of comprehensive technical assessment. EPA accepted the comprehensive assessment, which determined PFAS sampling was not warranted.

Long-Term Monitoring and PFAS Support, Pennsylvania — Responsible for groundwater monitoring activities, including offsite reconnaissance to identify monitoring well locations and coordination for offsite property access, development of sampling and analysis plan, completion of a groundwater sampling event, review of groundwater data, and preparation of a summary letter report to EPA.  Continued permitting activities include review of stormwater sampling results, review of active stormwater discharge permits, and development of a corrective action plan. PFAS support activities involve coordination with the onsite fire department and completion of a facilities inspection documenting potential PFAS sources, collection of fluorine-free foam concentrates for PFAS analysis, and coordination with laboratories.

Groundwater Treatment Operations and Maintenance, Pennsylvania — Responsible for the long-term stewardship activities including annual reporting, monthly reporting, and quarterly inspections at two groundwater treatment facilities at Superfund sites. Duties included mapping, data evaluation, and subcontractor coordination and oversight. Completed construction oversight of stormwater conveyance systems and effectively mitigated onsite problems as they arose. Instrumental in the management of the licensed wastewater treatment system operator and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Brownfield Redevelopment, Pennsylvania — Responsible for conducting site investigation activities and material management activities in accordance with Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) ACT 2 guidance. Completed investigations for heating oil #2 underground storage tanks (USTs) discovered onsite during construction activities. Developed a soil sampling and collection plan in accordance with DEP ACT 2 guidance. Managed drilling and utility and locating subcontractors, and managed the treatment of impacted groundwater stored in temporary tanks onsite. Also managed subcontractors to install a temporary treatment system, including oil/water separation, sediment filtration, and granular activated carbon treatment, collecting samples of treated groundwater (investigation-derived waste) for offsite disposal. Used ArcGIS Pro for production of supplementary materials for reporting, including data tables and figures regarding UST investigations.

Asbestos-Containing Material Investigation, Maryland — Assisted in surface screening for asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) through heavily wooded areas and implemented ArcGIS Field Maps to reduce time spent in the field. Responsible for summary reporting and producing supplemental materials, including figures, tables, and appendices. Continued management of ArcGIS Online maps throughout the project life cycle. Effectively supported the task manager for this project and filled in as necessary, ensuring that all site investigation and remedial action activities related to ACM, PAHs, and metals at the 1,200-acre property were conducted in accordance with EPA and Maryland Department of the Environment guidelines. More than 600 acres have been remediated.

Vapor Intrusion Investigation, Maryland — Performed a subslab soil gas investigation at an actively operating facility with two rounds of sampling and identified potential human health and regulatory concerns. Subsequently performed indoor air sampling and supported the lead engineer in developing an interim mitigation plan and deployment of indoor air treatment/purification units. Supported the predesign investigation team in collecting site-specific data to design a subslab depressurization system (SSDS) and managed the field installation, commissioning, and startup of the system. Prepared field reports and technical memorandums for each sampling event, including data tables, graphics, and trend analysis. Performed confirmatory indoor air sampling to verify the effectiveness of the SSDS and performed a maintenance inspection and rebalancing of the system to optimum performance conditions. Performed compliance monitoring and groundwater sampling at the site and supported the lead engineer with long-term stewardship activities (treatment system operations and maintenance, including periodic repairs) and associated reporting to the regulatory agencies.