Barrett Kays & Associates

Barrett Kays wrote Chapter 5: "Environmental Site Assessment: Site Characterization Methodologies" in the book Urban Soils (pending publication). Urban Soils is part of the Soil Society of America's Monograph Series authoritative technical desk reference books on soils. This chapter presents the range of site characterization methodologies which are being used for urban planning, development and environmental remediation, of which soil science is the common denominator. This chapter is the first of its kind and which is critical information considering that today, it is "virtually impossible to obtain a commercial bank, real estate or construction loan in the United States without preparing an Environmental Site Assessment." The chapter reviews:

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (also known as CERCLA or Superfund) planning and audits, real estate transactions, corporate compliance assurance, and facility planning.

Soil surveys for urban areas.

Hazardous waste site investigations under CERCLA and Resource Conservation and Recover Act of 1976 (RCRA), hydrocarbon contamination site investigations for leaking underground storage tanks, wetland site investigations, landscape restoration site investigations, derelict lands site investigations, transportation facility site investigations, engineering site investigations, sanitary landfill site investigations and land application of wastewater site investigations.

A case study was discussed of the site characterization study, findings, and restoration plan of New York City Central Park's Great Lawn and Belvedere Lake.

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