Bio
Ms. Silvia Barber is a scientist and experienced project manager with 19 years of experience in the environmental field, specializing in contaminated site investigations, remediation, and litigation support. She has managed complex projects, leading interdisciplinary teams and large field programs, overseeing all technical, managerial, and financial aspects. Ms. Barber has particular expertise in the application of handheld x-ray fluorescence (XRF) technology and has successfully integrated portable XRF with conventional analytical methods in soil sampling program design, with a focus on investigations of arsenic and lead contamination. Her project experience includes investigating sites contaminated with heavy metals and organochlorine pesticides. She has successfully supported litigation efforts, reconstructing evidence related to historical facilities and their chemical use. Her academic background in environmental science, agriculture, and natural resource economics provides a strong foundation for addressing environmental issues related to agricultural land use.
Relevant Experience
Litigation Support
Human Health Exposure Assessment, Confidential Location — Project manager leading a team of experts to review scientific and legal documents regarding potential human exposure from contaminants in a potable water system. Supporting the development of expert opinions in a defense against class action certification. Functioning as primary contact with law firm, providing project management, research coordination, and financial control.
Soil Remediation and Housing Redevelopment Assessment, Hawai‘i — Project manager leading a team of experts to review scientific and legal documents regarding potential human exposure from contaminants in soil during the redevelopment of several military housing neighborhoods. Supporting the development of expert opinions regarding organochlorine pesticide in soil. Functioning as primary contact with law firm, providing project management, research coordination, and financial control.
Cleanup Liability and Divisibility Analysis, California — Project manager leading a team to review historical documents covering nearly a century of operation at a secondary lead smelter. Supported development of expert and rebuttal reports for a group of potentially responsible parties in litigation framework. Analyzed historical releases to support development of divisibility arguments. Functioned as primary contact with supervising law firm providing project management, financial control, and technical support.
Quantification of Remedial Cost Allocation, Alaska — Provided expert services to an oil company for litigation involving groundwater contamination. Conducted GIS analyses and reviewed scientific evidence to support the allocation of remedial costs among the parties involved.
Evaluation and Quantification of Settlement Scenarios, Honolulu, Hawai‘i — Provided expert services on a high-profile EPA litigation matter involving illegal storage and disposal of hazardous waste. Conducted forensic analysis of EPA removal actions and costs in support of the sentencing process.
PCB Sources, New Jersey — Provided expert services to a chemical company for litigation involving sediment contamination at a Superfund site. Reviewed historical documentation to identify possible sources of PCBs at an industrial facility.
Assessment of Herbicide Drift Claim, Hawai‘i — Provided pretrial expert services as scientific expert on a case involving alleged herbicide drift. Reviewed scientific evidence and laboratory reports to assess the validity of the damage claims. The case settled prior to trial.
Remedial Design
Remedy Selection and Engineering Design, Select Public Schools, Hawai‘i — As project manager, responsible for the selection of remedies to address soil contamination at multiple public schools in Hawai‘i. Managing the production of engineering design documents for the selected remedies, consisting of soil excavation and cap-in-place remedies. Providing permitting support and environmental management of remedy implementation, including pre-, during, and post-construction within the required regulatory framework.
Sediment and Upland Source Tracing and Control at Electric Power Generating Station, Hawaii — Project manager for a range of projects conducted for an electrical utility in association with the U.S. Navy’s planned Superfund cleanup of PCB-impacted sediments in Pearl Harbor. Activities included a PCB source tracing and control project at the power plant to identify continuing upland sources of PCBs and ensure that those sources are mitigated; engineering design plans, drawings, and specifications development for various remedial areas with historical PCB contamination in accumulated sediment in water bodies, pipes, and tunnels; permitting support to obtain federal, state, and local approvals for the remedial actions; and support to the facility with TSCA requirements regarding PCBs.
Site Investigation
Dredged Material Assessment and Reuse Option Evaluation, Hawai‘i — Supporting the County of Hawai‘i in the assessment of approximately 25,000 cy of dredged sand for possible contaminants including arsenic. Coordinated activities and communications among stakeholders, including various state agencies. Providing an evaluation of a series of material reuse options to meet County needs, in compliance with state agencies.
Assessments of Hazardous Materials in Soil, Various Public Schools Statewide, Hawai‘i — Project manager of a statewide investigation project for the State of Hawai‘i Department of Education, Facilities Division. The project consists of building-exterior soil studies at about 200 school campuses in Hawai‘i, including development of sampling strategies, field implementation, and determining mitigation actions. Field activities include use of both XRF and incremental soil sampling. Developed recommendations and soil management plans for soil containing metals (primarily arsenic and lead) or organochlorine termiticide compounds at concentrations above regulatory action levels.
Site Investigation, Remedy Design, Remedy Implementation Oversight, and Site Closure at a Lead-Impacted Site, Kona, Hawai‘i — Project manager for the oversight of an investigation and remediation project at a former scrap metal recycling facility with lead-contaminated soil and debris. Conducted multiple site investigations to evaluate removal action alternatives. Quantified lead concentration in more than 100 discrete soil samples via innovative use of XRF technology. Performed air sampling to assess exposure of onsite workers. Prepared an environmental assessment for the site remediation considering ongoing and future uses of the property by the county. Helped with engineering design for the selected remedy. Provided oversight of the implementation of the remedial action, which consisted of soil and debris excavation and removal. Assisted the client in gaining regulator’s approval of a proposed remedy modification based on site constraints.
Dust Monitoring Study, Hawai‘i — Designed and coordinated sampling activities to assess airborne fugitive dust concentrations at various farms across the State of Hawai‘i. Used air sampling pumps and portable TSI Dust Trak™ units to generate real-time, continuous dust concentration readings for various particle sizes. The study documented correlations of dust with human activities and with meteorological conditions.
Background Metal Study, Hawaiian Islands — Conducted a study for the Hawai‘i Department of Health to identify background concentrations of metals in Hawaiian soils; findings were intended for use in setting action levels. Reviewed and statistically analyzed published data to establish upper thresholds in metal concentrations. Designed and implemented a soil sampling plan, and collected soil samples across the Hawaiian Islands.
Site Assessment
Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments, Hawai‘i, Continental U.S., Canada, and Europe — Coordinated Phase I and II environmental site assessments in support of real estate transactions involving commercial and industrial properties, and portfolios of commercial properties for the car rental industry. Phase II site assessments involved soil, groundwater, and air testing.
Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessment of Former Honouliuli Internment Camp, Hawai‘i — Conducted a Phase I environmental site assessment of a former World War II internment camp on the island of Oahu. Now the Honouliuli National Monument, the site was acquired from a private landowner. The due diligence process included review of archaeological reports and other historical documents.
Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments of Agricultural Lands, Hawai‘i — Conducted site assessments of former pineapple and sugarcane fields acquired by agricultural businesses for growing seed crops. Conducted site assessment of properties used for seed crop production. Main contaminants were residual pesticides (arsenic, dioxins, organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides, and total petroleum hydrocarbons). Analyzed arsenic concentrations using XRF.
Sampling
Upper Columbia River RI/FS, Washington — Participated in the collection and processing of sediment samples from 34 remote beaches extending over 150 miles of river in northeastern Washington State. The main chemicals of concern were heavy metals.
Berry’s Creek Superfund Site RI/FS, Bergen County, New Jersey — Participated in sampling biota from Berry’s Creek and from surrounding waterways and wetlands. The main chemicals of concern were mercury and PCBs. Biota included perch, blue crab, fiddler crab, and mummichog. Sampling methods included gill nets, cast nets, and traps. Responsibilities included sample collection, handling, and processing.
Portland Harbor Superfund Site RI/FS, Portland, Oregon — Participated in surface and subsurface sediment sampling to define vertical and horizontal extent of contaminants at a Superfund site on the Willamette River. The main chemicals of concern were organochlorine pesticides (DDx). Sampling methods included drilling sediment boreholes from a barge. Responsibilities included sample collection, handling, and processing.
Environmental Economics
Avocado Industry Analysis, Hawai‘i — Coordinated a project funded by a USDA Extension Service special grant to investigate the use of locally grown avocados instead of imported avocados. Identified avocado cultivars with the highest potential for grafting and propagation.
Education & Credentials
M.S., Natural Resources and Environmental Management, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawai‘i, 2008
M.A., Philosophy of Science, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy, 2000
Certified Lead-Based Paint Activities Risk Assessor: Hawai‘i (Certification No. PB-0957)
Continuing Education
Olympus Vanta Handheld XRF Safety Training (2021)
OSHA 8-Hour HAZWOPER Supervisor
Lead Risk Assessor Initial Course (2017)
Lead Inspector Initial Course (2017)
Certificate in Marketing & European Public Relations, Ateneo Impresa, Rome, Italy (2001)
Professional Affiliations
Member of Hawai‘i Association of Environmental Professionals (2009 to present)