Investigative Strategies for a Large Former Industrial Facility “The Diamond Shamrock Painesville Works Site”—Case Study of Preremedial Investigation Activities

Environmental managers and regulatory managers face a complex challenge when investigating large geographic sites. The goals of the two parties seem to be diametrically opposed at times. The environmental manager wants to limit his liability both in near-term expenses and in long-term remedial costs and potential litigation. The regulatory manager wants to limit potential exposure of the public and the environment to site contamination. In many ways these goals are the same. However, it appears to the environmental manager that the regulator desires ultraconservative and extensive data collection that prove no risk, whereas it appears to the regulator that the environmental manager may be reluctant to collect such extensive data due to budget limitations. This challenge is amplified when the geographic area of interest is very large. This case study presents an alternative to this dilemma, and it reveals the preliminary steps taken at the 1100-acre Diamond Shamrock Painesville Works Site in Painesville, O...