SSCI Environmental

Founded in 1986, SSCI specializes in enhancing the environment through its sound solutions approach. “Getting the job done is priority number one, not prolonging our participation,” says Helen I. Hodges, President and CEO.

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SSCI News

Brays Bayou Greenway Bridge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SSCI is pleased to announce our part in the opening of a new Bridge on Brays Bayou as part of the massive $220 million undertaking to connect Houston’s parks and turn 3,000 acres into public green space.

SSCI performed the environmental services for this bridge being opened, as well as the United States Army Core of Engineers (USACE) permitting, United States Coast Guard (USCG) coordination, and TxDOT environmental review.

Please consider SSCI for any of your  Environmental, Engineering or Construction needs.

View our Services!

March 6, 2020 Company news, Environmental services, , 0 Read more >

July 1st, 2020 -Armand Bayou Nature Center: Bayou Self at Home Gala – Virtual Event

In partnership with Armand Bayou Nature Center, SSCI urges you to enjoy a night in at Armand Bayou Nature Center’s virtual gala, no event, just creative online engagement, allowing 100% of the funds raised to go towards the survival of the Nature Center and the creatures who inhabit it.

Don’t dress up or hire a babysitter, wear your pajamas and enjoy your open bar – it’ll be the most comfy gala of the year! Our goal this year is to raise $200,000. Sponsors and individuals are invited to donate online or by mail before we share the results at the big reveal, July 1, 2020.

Your donation will go directly towards funding ABNC’s crucial efforts to:

  • Provide a safe haven for over 370 species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians

  • Preserve & restore 2,500 acres of rapidly vanishing Gulf Coast habitats; forest, prairie & wetlands

  • Protect the last remaining unaltered Bayou in Houston, which is critical for flood mitigation & water quality

  • Continue education & visitor programs that provide access to one of the largest urban wilderness preserves in the United States

April 29, 2020 Community, Company news 0 Read more >

TxDOT Changes DBE Requirements for March 2020 Letting

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has implemented changes to specification regarding Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) commitments for the March 2020 Letting.  All bidders must submit a DBE Utilization Plan within five calendar days of each bid opening.  For more information visit TxDOT Submission Deadlines – DBE Utilization Plans – Fiscal Year 2020.  SSCI Environmental is a TxDOT certified DBE with certifications and experience in TxDOT projects.

SSCI currently serves as the Hazardous Materials Manager for the SH 288 Toll Road Expansion Project and the Emergency Response contractor for Grand Parkway Segments F1, F2, and G.  We are pleased to have held contracts on TxDOT and other roadway construction projects for over 30 years.  SSCI is TxDOT pre-certified in Environmental Studies including hazardous materials initial site assessment and wetlands.

Our services:

  • Phase I and Phase II Site Investigations
  • Asbestos abatement, disposal, oversight and monitoring
  • Well installation, sampling, monitoring and plugging
  • Monitoring of workers for hazardous material exposure
  • Hazardous waste sampling, profiling, transportation and disposal
  • Removal of impacted soil and groundwater
                                        • Wetlands, critical habitat and archaeological surveys

 


March 20, 2020 Company news, Industry news, , 0 Read more >

SSCI Gives Back – Pelican Island Beach Cleanup

SSCI team member Stacy Emerick lead the clean-up crew known as the Vilmaris Crew to help clean the beach along Pelican Island.  The cleanup was organized by the Mountain Ocean Project (MOP) an organization that has removed over 7,200 pounds of trash from the beaches of Galveston, Texas. 

Participants in the beach cleanup included over 150 individuals with groups from SSCI and the Save Our Seas – Texas A&M University at Galveston.  Save Our Seas is a student organized network supporting conservation efforts and healthy lifestyles through education and participation in environmental outreach.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 19, 2020 Community, , , 0 Read more >

Disaster Response and COVID-19

SSCI’s team of professionals including industrial hygienists, safety professionals, biologists, and engineers have experience in disaster response and recovery including emergency response for natural disasters and catastrophes.

Our services include Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) compliant programs.

Our team members have performed as Incident Commanders for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and EPA response for Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Ike and Harvey in Texas and Louisiana as well as for many tornado debris responses in Oklahoma.

Our team has performed emergency response for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) including response activities including hurricanes, floods, and the Columbia Space Shuttle Cleanup.

Our services are available through multiple purchasing cooperatives including HGACBuy’s Emergency Preparedness & Disaster Recovery.

COVID-19 Services

  • Facility Health and Safety Plans.
  • Development of Cleaning Protocols.
  • Emergency Response and Training.
  • Cleaning Oversight.
  • Site Clearance.

 

 

March 19, 2020 Community, Environmental services, Safety, , 0 Read more >

Phase I ESA Services

IMMEDIATE AVAILABILITY

RUSH TURN AROUND WITH NO FEE

COMPETITIVE PRICING

ASTM AND AAI COMPLIANT

SSCI’s approach to risk audits and Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) assures sounds, reliable findings and cost-effective solutions.  SSCI has over thirty years of experience in Phase I, Phase II, and other environmental services.  SSCI is experienced in HUD grants, GLO grants, and SBA loans.  Our staff has set a professional standard in the industry and conducts investigations in accordance with the standard practice of ASTM E 1527-13.  With offices in Texas and Louisiana, SSCI can respond quickly to your ESA needs.

EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS

  •  Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, ASTM E 1527-13 and AAI
  •  Phase II ESAs, ASTM E1903-97
  •  Transaction Screens, ASTM E1528-14e1
  •  Property Condition Assessments
  •  Inspections:  Asbestos, Lead-Based Paint and Mold, Vapor Intrusion, Indoor Radon
  •  Remediation, Abatement and Decontamination
  •  Natural Resources:  Wetlands and Threatened and Endangered Species
  •  NEPA Considerations:  Categorical Exclusions, Environmental Assessments, Environmental Impact Statements

We specialize in serving the public and private sector!

General Site Inspection

     Review of Site Records and Activities

Regulatory Records Research

Title and Historical Records Search

Initial Facility/Site Assessments

Oversight of Remediation Contractors

Individual Interviews

Geological Evaluation

Asbestos and Lead-Based Paint Surveys

Extended Records Review

Detailed Land Use Evaluation

On-site Sampling and Analysis of Soil

Water and Building Material Sampling

Operations Review

March 19, 2020 Company news, Environmental services, Industry news, , 0 Read more >

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Safe Cleaning Products

Concerned about cleaning surfaces for homes and businesses potentially impacted by COVID-19?  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is providing Resources for Home including cleaning and disinfection recommendations.  For non-porous surfaces, a bleach solution consisting of 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) bleach per gallon of water or 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water will is effective for disinfection.  When using bleach make sure you are in a well ventilated area, that the bleach is not expired, and never mix bleach with ammonia products.  Alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered household disinfectants are also expected to be effective against COVID-19 according to the CDC. For porous surfaces such as carpet, rugs, and drapes, after cleaning visible contamination with appropriate cleaners, launder the items with the warmest water setting appropriate for the item.  The EPA registered household disinfectants are expected to be appropriate for porous surfaces as well.

The link below provides the complete list of EPA Registered Antimicrobial Products for Use Against Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the Cause of COVID-19.

sars-cov-2-list_03-03-2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

When handling dirty laundry, ensure that you wear gloves and wash hands immediately afterwards when the laundry is from an ill person.  Avoid shaking laundry, use the warmest water setting appropriate for the item, and disinfect clothes hampers regularly.

 

March 12, 2020 Community, Safety, , 0 Read more >

Asbestos Awareness Training for Galveston Historical Properties

SSCI recently had the opportunity to provide Asbestos Awareness training for Galveston area historical property owners and volunteers. The  presentation included discussions of asbestiform minerals, common commercial products  containing asbestos, health associated with asbestos exposure, and a review of regulatory requirements for asbestos management and removal.  The presentation was provided by Vice President and Board Member, Ms. Jo Drake Keim.  Ms. Keim has 25 years of experience in the environmental consulting and occupational safety and health training.  She has provided classroom instruction for occupational training courses in industrial hygiene, property assessments, and environmental regulations.  Ms. Keim has instructed occupational and environmental training courses including Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Model Accreditation Program (MAP) courses for asbestos inspector, management planner, supervisor/contractor, air monitoring technician, project designer, and worker.  Classroom instruction has included teaching Federal regulations including Occupations Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), EPA and Texas and Louisiana Law.  She has develop instructional materials for occupational and environmental training for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESA), indoor air quality, mold assessments, and various other industrial hygiene training programs.  Ms. Keim has instructed environmental courses at a local community college teaching Phase I ESAs and environmental law.

It is a misconception that buildings recently constructed do not have asbestos containing materials (ACM) or that a survey is not required before construction activities.  Asbestos containing building materials (ACBM) are still commonly found in new construction in floor tiles, mastic, insulation and wall systems.  The Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) regulates ACM within the state and requires that Safety Data Sheets (SDS) be obtain by public building owners prior to construction of new structures.  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) requires that a survey be performed for any structure or facility prior to demolition or renovation.  Construction, maintenance and abatement activities are considered a renovation.  Notification to the TDSHS may also be required before being a construction project.

The following presentation gives an overview of the Awareness Training provided by SSCI.

SSCI is Texas Licensed Asbestos Management Planner Agency and employees both Licensed Management Planners and Inspectors.  If you are interested in having any asbestos service performed, please view our asbestos services page and reach out to us at ssci@sscienvironmental.com.

Asbestos Services

  • Asbestos Management Planning
  • Operations and Maintenance Plans
  • Initial Facility / Site Assessments
  • Asbestos Surveys
  • Project Planning
  • Asbestos Abatement Services Oversight
  • Material Sampling, Analysis and Testing
  • Air and Personnel Monitoring Services Oversight
  • Safety/OSHA Procedures and Protocols
  • Oversight of Remediation Contractors
  • QA/Risk Assurance
  • Construction Management
  • Turn-Key Project Management

March 11, 2020 Company news, Safety, 0 Read more >

BACREN Presentation: Mitigating Wetlands

   SSCI-Environmental is pleased to have had the opportunity to speak at the Bay Area Commercial Real Estate Network (BACREN) Monthly Luncheon on February 20, 2020.  BACREN is a non-profit professional organization formed to serve Commercial Real Estate practitioners, associated businesses, investors, and the public in the Houston Bay Area, including but not limited to Harris, Galveston, and Brazoria Counties, Texas.  SSCI-Environmental has been a long time sponsor and supporter of BACREN.  SSCI’s Vice President, Jo Drake Keim, and Natural Resource Specialist, Allyson Graziano, presented the ins and outs of wetland mitigation for the real estate market.  The audience of real estate specialists and service contractors were intrigued and found the presentation to be informative and enlightening.  May attendees had questions regarding their specific projects and how wetland regulations affect development of their properties.

Wetlands are protected under the Clean Water Act and development of properties containing Wetlands or Waters of the United States (WOTUS) are regulated by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  SSCI provided an overview of how wetlands are identified and what tools are used in evaluating wetlands for real estate developers.  Delineations, permitting, agency coordination, and mitigation was discussed. A link to the BACREN presentation is provided below:

Wetlands Presentation BACREN 02-2020 v2

March 3, 2020 Community, Environmental services, , , , , , 0 Read more >