Zebra Mussels have been positively identified for the first time at Lake Travis in Central Texas. Zebra Mussels are an invasive species originating from eastern Europe and western Russia. A single adult female zebra mussel can produce up to one million larvae each year that cannot be seen by the naked eye, causing infestation to occur before a sighting. Zebra mussels attach to any hard surface in the water including submerged infrastructure, piping, watercraft, and even native mussels. Currently, there is no known way to eliminate zebra mussels from entire lakes without harming native species and colonies, and are expensive Read More »
Community Environmental services Industry news Safety
SSCI: Hazardous Materials Manager for SH 288 Toll Lanes Expansion Project
SSCI began work on the State Highway (SH) 288 Toll Lanes Expansion Project in Harris County providing hazardous materials management and emergency response in July 2016. Since that time, SSCI has assisted in construction activities, hazardous material handling and disposal, and in managing environmental hazards associated with the project. Construction activities have taken place in the early morning hours before rush hour traffic and in the middle of the night. We’ve been there to see it all. The project consists of expanding three major interchanges within a 10.3-mile stretch from US Interstate 59 (US 59) to the Harris County line Read More »
Community Company news Environmental services SSCI history
Wetlands Permitting, Continuing Education
Project Manager, Chrystal Fretwell, recently attended a Wetland Permitting Workshop based on the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Regulation and the Clean Water Act (CWA) Enforcement requirements. The workshop included documentation of wetland delineations, review of hydric soils, and performance of a Hydrology and Hydric Soils Field Practicum at Jesse Jones Park and Nature Center in Humble, Texas. Gathering soil data using the Munsell Soil Color Book. Wild strawberries growing at the Jesse Jones Park & Nature Center. Iron deposit fissures in the soil indicate hydric soils. Soil testing location. Mr. Jim Herrington, PWS was the Read More »
The usage of drones by civilians has increased significantly over the past few years. An estimated 600,000 drones will be in use by commercial enterprises by 2018. The top industry using drones in the United States is photography with the second largest being real estate ( DMR, www.expandedramblings.com). Drones have been used in military applications for years but as the drones move to the commercial industry and to hobbyists, concerns have been raised regarding safety and enforcement of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. The FAA refers to drones as an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) and regulations apply for personal and Read More »
Registration Forms are available at www.sscienvironmental.com or by contacting us at (281) 486- 1943 or (800) 324-7724.
Separation Systems Consultants, Inc. has been awarded a vendor contract by the Southeast Texas Cooperative Purchasing Organization. Cooperative buying can provide lower prices and better quality for school districts. Region 5 Education Service Center (ESC) acts as the coordinator for this cooperative and facilitates the process needed for it to be successful. Through the ESC Region 5, SSCI has been awarded an Environmental Services contract. Purchasing Cooperative Members include school districts, colleges, cities, counties, and charter schools. Members participating in the SETCP can access SSCI’s vendor profile by searching the Vendor Database. Southeast Texas Purchasing Cooperative Awarded Vendors Read More »
Galveston Bay Foundation wants Bay area residents to have a stake in keeping harmful bacteria out of Galveston Bay. That’s why GBF will host this public meeting at the Civic Center in League City on Monday, June 12, at 6:30 pm to update residents on our plan to keep our waters clean. In partnership with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and local stakeholders, GBF is working to keep bacteria out of the Bay through improving wastewater treatment plant operations, improving pollution reporting strategies, eliminating boater waste and more. Galveston Bay Foundation wants Bay area residents to have a stake Read More »
Company news Environmental services Industry news Safety
SSCI approved by ISNetworld for Health, Safety, Environmental & Quality Procedures
SSCI has been approved by ISNetworld for Safety & Health Procedures. Through ISNetworld’s review and verification services, SSCI has been approved as meeting all necessary government safety & health policies.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) has proposed new rules for Mold Assessors and Remediators. The proposed new rules are necessary to implement the transition of the Mold Assessors and Remediators program from the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) to TDLR. Texas Senate Bill 202 proposed transferring Mold licensing from TDSHS to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) effective on November 1, 2017. The proposed rules are published in the April 21, 2017, issue of the Texas Register (42 TexReg 2057). The TDLR will accept comments on the proposal until May 22, 2017. The proposed Read More »
Community Environmental services Industry news Safety SSCI history
Hidden Dangers of Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells
Oil spills consisting of crude oil or drilling “mud” are often found at oil and gas drilling sites. Drilling fluids are captured during drilling in pits and held for later disposal. The frequency of spills and improper maintenance and disposal of drilling mud results in soil, surface water, and groundwater impacts. Once the drilling field has been exhausted or abandoned due to economic reasons, the wells, drilling equipment, tanks, pits, gathering lines, and other equipment (as seen in the pictures above) are left behind for property owners to cleanup. Because there are no requirements in most states for property owners Read More »