Frank Santella, PG

Mr. Santella is a Licensed Professional Geologist with more than thirty-five years of experience delivering environmental consulting, regulatory compliance, and remediation services across industrial, manufacturing, solid waste, recycling, legal, and commercial sectors. He has built a reputation as a trusted advisor and strategic problem solver who consistently delivers practical, cost-effective solutions to complex environmental challenges.

Over the course of his career, Mr. Santella has successfully managed numerous high-profile projects involving hazardous waste remediation, PCB investigations and cleanups, vapor intrusion mitigation, landfill corrective action programs, air permitting, and environmental due diligence for multi-site acquisitions and complex regulatory negotiations with federal and state agencies. His work has included remediation projects conducted under USEPA Administrative Orders on Consent, risk-based corrective action programs, and forensic investigations of industrial incidents.

• Managed a time-critical USEPA Superfund Administrative Order on Consent remediation project for an international manufacturer of liquid level and flow control devices. Led overall project management, regulatory coordination, subcontractor oversight, schedule and budget control, and health and safety compliance. Oversaw excavation and off-site disposal of approximately 3,200 tons of hazardous and non-hazardous volatile organic compound (VOC)-impacted soil and implemented a vapor mitigation system to address vapor intrusion and achieve Consent Order compliance.
• Developed and implemented an Incremental Sampling Methodology (ISM) program to characterize and remediate lead-impacted soils at a former nine-acre scrap metal recycling facility in Arkansas. Defined six decision units across seven soil management zones to support risk-based remediation planning. Managed excavation, stabilization, and disposal of approximately 1,300 tons of hazardous lead-contaminated soil and 16,400 tons of non-hazardous soil, addressing lead, arsenic, chromium, and PCBs. Used ProUCL statistical analysis to confirm post-remediation data met site-specific cleanup criteria at the 95% upper confidence limit.
• Led a multidisciplinary forensic engineering investigation for an international scrap metal recycling company following an explosion in a fully enclosed hammermill system at a Minnesota shredding facility. Directed site inspections, damage assessments, and root-cause analysis of operational and mechanical factors contributing to the over-pressurization event. Recommended interim explosion venting measures to reduce risk and improve facility and personnel safety pending implementation of a long-term engineered solution.
• Developed and executed multiple self-implemented and risk-based cleanup strategies for complex PCB-impacted scrap metal recycling properties through effective coordination with clients, contractors, and regulatory agencies. Managed characterization and remediation activities for PCB-impacted soil, debris, and facility media at a former scrap yard after the release of PCB transformer oil from large electrical transformers, implementing response actions consistent with the USEPA Spill Cleanup Policy. Directed site assessment, waste characterization, cleanup activities, and regulatory compliance.

• City of Chicago, Department of Public Health v. General Iron III, LLC. Served as consulting expert, preparing expert report and providing testimony related to alleged soil and water contamination cited in Plaintiff’s Health Impact Assessment used to support operating permit denial; the City’s denial was later vacated.