NewFields, LLC services

Contaminated sediment management is a complex issue that encompasses initial site assessment, remediation and restoration, monitoring and 5-year reviews, and determination of potential natural resource damages. Adding to the technical complexity is the need to interface with multiple regulatory agencies while addressing legal requirements, competing public interests, and constraints of cost and time. NewFields’ sediment management specialty provides clients with strategic solutions based on focused, cost-effective technical approaches that are compliant with regulatory requirements. We draw upon multidisciplinary resources: (1) our state of the art analytical laboratory for risk based detection limits and source identification; (2) experienced risk assessors focused on managing uncertainties; (3) our ecotoxicity laboratory for evaluating site-specific effects; and (4) GIS specialists to dynamically manage the complex data developed during the assessment process. Overarching these technical capabilities are consulting specialists who integrate the multiple lines of evidence to best direct the sediment management process.

Decisions regarding environmental challenges can seem daunting. NewFields offers a solution that has helped hundreds of clients gain consensus and make more informed decisions. We use decision consequence analysis (DCA)—a structured process that combines statistics, probability theory, utility theory, game theory and awareness of psychological barriers—to help clients proceed wisely when facing uncertainty. An established technique in pharmaceutical and petroleum industries, DCA lets data drive important decisions and allows adjustment of variables to see the impact on cost and other consequences. Our proprietary Facilitated DCA approach takes the process even further, showing the impact of decisions on all parties in an easy to use format that helps build consensus and binding decisions.

When facing an environmental challenge, it is essential to have a clear understanding of all relevant data before formulating a strategy to address it. NewFields uses GIS (geographical information systems) to collect and integrate information from multiple data sources, such as aerial images, environmental chemistry, geotechnical data, infrastructure, ecology and demographics. We vigorously test and process this information to create a comprehensive site analysis that details its history, nature and fate. NewFields also uses GIS to efficiently communicate and collaborate with our clients. We create an interactive presentation of all relevant data that helps clients to better understand the challenge and move forward with clarity and confidence.

NewFields applies and interprets groundwater models to assist clients in strategic planning and risk-based decision making. Applications range from remedial design and optimization, to water resources management and planning. Working with NewFields scientists, clients can benefit from enhanced value of existing data, clear communication of risks associated with design alternatives, and facilitation of shareholder decision making. Based on client goals and site conditions, NewFields pursues the most cost-effective modeling approach for each project. Capabilities range from basic analytical solutions to complex three-dimensional numerical solutions. Flexible and practical, NewFields offers experience applying public domain and proprietary modeling software in addition to commercial pre-and post-processing modeling software. For complex projects and those requiring visualization and communication to stakeholders, NewFields integrates groundwater modeling software with sophisticated analysis and visualization tools such as GIS and Google Earth. NewFields may also develop custom software, drawing upon its facility in a broad range of computer programming languages.

NewFields Investigative Environmental Sciences offers unique strategies to assess the causative agents in complex freshwater, marine and terrestrial resource evaluations. Realizing that contaminants alone may not explain toxicity levels, NewFields goes well beyond traditional contaminant profiling. By also focusing on Contributing Factors, the NewFields approach encompasses the dynamic interaction of natural chemical, geophysical and biological processes. The application of this approach allows precise environmental assessment and precludes the costs of unnecessary assessments and unwarranted remedial actions. As a result, clients may benefit from cost-effective resolution of both problem contaminants and areas of impact.