Russell C. Baer, CHMM, LSRP
Principal Consultant
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Expert QuestionS & AnswerS
How does investigating environmental contamination differ from hazardous materials, and what unique evidence or challenges does each present?
The investigation of environmental contamination focuses on a specific matrix such as soil, groundwater, and surface water. Investigations can be complex due to the requirement to achieve low remediation standards and identify all sources of contamination. Investigating hazardous materials often addresses direct exposure risks from chemicals, wastes, and hazardous building materials. Investigations can often be challenging due to the potential for acute impacts to the public and workers.
As someone who trains others in your discipline, what’s the most common mistake you see less experienced investigators make in environmental investigation?
Failing to do enough research to determine potential sources of contamination and types of contaminants prior to implementing an initial field investigation at a site.
What’s one piece of advice you find yourself giving clients over and over again?
No further action at a site following remediation activities does not always mean the project is complete. Many sites where a no further action determination has been issued, go through periods of post-closure monitoring for many years adding significant costs to the project.
Background
Mr. Russell Baer is a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager and a New Jersey Licensed Site Remediation Professional with over 37 years of diverse experience involving the investigation and remediation of numerous contaminated sites under various state and federal regulatory programs.
He also has extensive experience performing environmental assessments across the country, identifying environmental liabilities associated with property transfers and site development, and determining compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations. He has performed hundreds of environmental compliance audits; environmental management system audits; environmental, health, and safety audits; and property transfer assessments in 25 states, Canada, Mexico, and Great Britain.
As a Lead Environmental Auditor for multi-state corporate transactions and multi-site property transfer assessments, he has managed numerous projects under various federal and state environmental regulations including underground storage tank (UST) closures, site investigations, remedial investigations, delineation of soil and groundwater contamination, development of long-term site monitoring and remediation plans, projects under the New Jersey Industrial Site Recovery Act (ISRA), projects involving the identification and remediation of hazardous materials (e.g., asbestos and lead-based paint) and preparation of various types of permits. He has managed technical staff of geologists and environmental scientists and has been responsible for business development, marketing, preparation of cost proposals, client billing/invoicing, staff management and training, QA/QC of project deliverables, and ensuring compliance with corporate and project health and safety requirements.
Education and Certifications
- Biology, B.S.: The Pennsylvania State University (1988)
- Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP): New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection (License No. 576440)
- Certified Hazardous Materials Manager: Certification No. 12604
- Lead Environmental Management Systems Auditor: ANSI-RAB NAP Accreditation Program (ISO14001)
- Certified Environmental Auditor: National Registry of Environmental Professionals (Certification No. CEA 2148)
- Accredited Asbestos Inspector: Certified New York/AHERA (Certification 9610263)
- Memberships: Licensed Site Remediation Professionals Association