■ Special Environmental Report
Continued From Page 38 to NJDEP for review . After a series of communications , this language was ultimately approved . The important takeaway is that NJDEP personnel are continuing to engage with the regulated community in this remote environment . While the process may sometimes take longer , with the proper tools it is still possible to accomplish a client ’ s regulatory objectives .
Equity Environmental Engineering By Peter Jaran , PE , LSRP , Managing Director
For a project located in Brooklyn , New York , Equity had to assist our client with petitioning the New York City Department of Buildings ( DOB ) to allow the commercial real estate project to continue . At a time when only affordable housing projects were given the green light to continue with construction , Equity was able to craft a persuading letter , supported by data and project details , to have the DOB issue correspondence for the non-residential project to continue . There was some low-level contamination exposure for onsite workers that had to be addressed , which may have been the deciding factor in allowing the project to proceed . Our client was up and running with a fairly short delay during the pandemic .
Gibbons P . C . By Camille V . Otero , Esq ., Chair , Environmental Department .
In March , before issuance of COVID‐19-related executive orders and court closings , Gibbons was deep into discovery in a major environmental litigation , representing a plaintiff seeking indemnity for cleanup costs . We were on the cusp of depositions when suddenly thrust into the quarantine , with no ability to meet with our clients or fact witnesses to prepare them for , or defend them at , depositions . Gibbons adapted quickly to the new , unprecedented COVID‐19 restrictions . With the court providing only modest extensions , we learned how to manage and conduct depositions remotely , to advance this critical matter for the plaintiffs while complying with mandated quarantines and social distancing guidance . In total , Gibbons conducted 18 remote depositions , avoiding significant delay that could have prejudiced our client ’ s interests . We also argued several discovery and dispositive motions remotely and continue to aggressively advance the client ’ s interests while navigating technological obstacles to litigation in the COVID‐19 world . We ’ re now in expert discovery , having interviewed and retained experts remotely , and will conduct expert depositions
virtually through November . Our jury trial was recently adjourned to March 2021 ; we hope it will proceed in person . Otherwise , we ’ ll prepare for trial remotely and learn how to present the case to a jury virtually .
GZA GeoEnvironmental , Inc . By David Winslow , Ph . D ., PG , Senior Vice President / Principal
GZA performed environmental consulting services on a large brownfield redevelopment project in Orangeburg , New York , where construction of a large data center was in the final stages when COVID‐19 restrictions went into effect . Maintaining security , health and safety and schedule were paramount to the client and GZA . We worked closely with state authorities to determine that our work was considered essential and could continue . GZA instituted a series of COVID‐19 response plans : developed a proprietary app for employees to self-monitor and report symptoms daily ; created our COVID‐19 Playbook for office and field personnel ; provided field staff with personal protective equipment and confirmed their understanding of social distancing requirements and other best practices ; limited access to jobsite trailers ; and conducted site meetings and
Continued On Page 42
Environmental sampling at brownfield site Foundation recommendations for warehouse development
Land use consulting
INTEGRATED SERVICES SOLVING COMPLEX DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES
Our engineers and scientists provide geotechnical engineering , environmental services , and land-use consulting , supporting New Jersey ’ s development :
• Over five decades of award-winning geotechnical experience
• LSRP leadership and four decades of award-winning environmental experience
• Resiliency , dam engineering and other water resources consulting
• Comprehensive ecological and land-use planning and permitting experience
For more information about GZA ’ s services :
Southern NJ / Philadelphia John J . Oberer , LSRP John . Oberer @ gza . com 215.591.3800
Central NJ Melick-Tully , a Division of GZA Eugene Gallagher , P . E . Eugene . Gallagher @ gza . com 732.356.3400
Known for excellence . Built on trust .
www . gza . com
Northern NJ David Winslow , Ph . D ., PG David . Winslow @ gza . com 973.774.3300