Environmental degradation can be reversed or stopped through remediation. This technique may be appropriate if a site assessment shows unacceptable hazards from a pollutant. Environmental remediation involves cleaning up polluted soil, groundwater, sediment or surface water to protect human and environmental health. Working with a consultant who specializes in environmental remediation services can ensure that they complete the procedure appropriately and under all necessary regulations.
Kolb Grading’s commitment to a clean environment has a long and substantial history. We have helped remediate EPA cleanup sites, transport toxic waste safely, rehabilitate watersheds, create wetlands and return nature to a healthy state.
Remediation
EPA Superfund Sites
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, “Superfund” is the name given to the environmental program established to address abandoned hazardous waste sites. Created in the wake of the 1970’s discovery of toxic waste dumps at Love Canal and Times Beach, it provides funding for the EPA to assess sites, place them on a National Priorities List, and establish and implement appropriate cleanup plans.
Kolb Grading has worked with the Department of Energy, Department of Defense, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Natural Resources, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and the Fish, Game and Wildlife Service on multiple projects including Superfund sites Times Beach and Weldon Spring, Missouri. Both projects required experienced hands to provide clearing, chipping and demolition, but also handling and disposal of hazardous and contaminated material, parking lot and haul road construction, decontamination of equipment and personnel, and non-public bridge tunnel construction and installation.
State of Missouri Upper Cedar Creek Reclamation
Upper Cedar Creek, Boone County, Missouri lies within the borders of the Mark Twain National Forest and is a significant aquatic resource in Central Missouri. It drains approximately 2,000 acres of abandoned coal mines, and in 1979, the U.S. Forest Service declared 14 miles of Cedar Creek “lifeless.” Between 1985 and 1990, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Land Reclamation Program completed several projects to rehabilitate over 700 acres of land. However, flooding in 1990 and 1993 severely damaged streambanks in the Upper Cedar Creek watershed.
In 1997, additional work was approved by the Land Reclamation Program to construct passive treatment wetlands, repair streambanks and seed barren soil with warm season native grasses. Construction to build streambank improvements and wetlands began in 2000 and were completed in 2002.
Kolb Grading was chosen as the general contractor to lead this second phase of remediation in the Upper Cedar Creek watershed. One of the challenges was to neutralize acid that had leaked from an abandoned mine into the streambed. This project had several elements:
- Survey and Layout
- Site Clearing and Preparation
- Grubbing and Streambank Stabilization
- 1 Million Cubic Yards of Earthwork
- Neutralizing of Impoundments
- Hydrated Lime Installation
- Erosion Control Installation and Maintenance
- Seeding, Mulching and Fertilizing 400 Acres
Wetlands
Wetlands, referred by some as the “link between land and water” are some of the most productive ecosystems in the world, not only serving as a home to fish and wildlife, but also as an economic driver creating opportunities for fishing, hunting, agriculture and recreation.
Kolb Grading has partnered with the US Army Corps of Engineers to create new wetlands as well as rehabilitate existing ones. Our goal for any wetland project is to improve water management, plant food and wildlife habitat while following strict guidelines for safety and environmental protection. A Certificate of Merit was presented by the Corps to Kolb Grading in appreciation for their valued contribution to the advancement of safety for the Dresser Island Wetlands project in St. Charles, MO.
In 2005, Kolb Grading was chosen as General Contractor to build the Lakeside 370 Wetlands in St. Peters, Missouri. Consisting of several contracts, the work required excavation and utility installation at an 800 acre site. In 12 months, the Kolb team moved 6 million cubic yards of dirt and created a 150 acre lake, following an environmental plan provided by the Department of Natural Resources, Fish, Game and Wildlife Service, and the City of St. Peters.
Water Management
- Pond Excavation
- Well Removal and Replacement
- Relief Well Installation
- Pump Ramp Construction
- Channel Excavation
- Water Intake Structure Installation
Excavation
- Clearing
- Earthmoving
- Embankment Construction
- Rip Rap Installation
- Access Road Construction
Environment Restoration
- Seeding
- Tree planting
Levees, Lakes and Reservoirs
After years of moving rock, dirt and creating water management structures, levee, lake and reservoir construction was right inside the Kolb Grading wheelhouse. Whether in conjunction with river or stream water containment, on private land to create a duck club, levee breach repair, or at a power plant to provide energy management, Kolb Grading is the experienced team you want to build your water containment project.
Construction Methods
- PVC Liner Installation
- Canal Reverse Filter Installation
- Clearing and Grubbing
- Drilling and Blasting
- Excavation
- Embankment Construction
- Material Amendments
- Liner Installation
- Soil Stabilization
- Pump Station Installation
Landfills
Kolb Grading has served as General Contractor on multiple landfill projects, creating and closing landfill locations in conjunction with the Department of Natural Resources.
Landfill Creation
- Drilling
- Blasting
- Earthmoving
- Grading
- Cell Construction
- Subgrade Survey and Layout
- Clay Layer Installation
- HDPE Cell Lining
- Sand Installation
- Stabilization
Landfill Closing
- Survey and Layout
- Surface Water Management
- Temporary Pond Construction
- Subgrade Preparation
- Geomembrane Installation
- Site Restoration
- Rock Blankets | Rock Apron
- Drain Channels
- Earthmoving
- Soil Amendments
- Dust Control
- Cast-In-Place Concrete
- Waste analysis Reporting
- Geotechnical and Environmental Testing
