Michael Lesakowski

Vice President Principal Scientist Co-Operations Manager

About

EXPERTISE

Brownfields

Due Diligence

Environmental Liability Transfers

EDUCATION

MS, Environmental Engineering Science – University at Buffalo

BS, Biology – State University of New York at Fredonia

Michael Lesakowski

Vice President Principal Scientist Co-Operations Manager

Mr. Lesakowski encompasses twenty-five years of professional experience in environmental engineering, science, and consulting at numerous contaminated sites throughout the northeast United States as Vice President (Roux Environmental Engineering and Geology, DPC); President, Principal Scientist, Sr. Project Manager, and Project Manager (TurnKey Environmental Restoration, LLC); Executive Vice President, Project Manager, and Environmental Scientist (LCS, Inc.); and Environmental Scientist (GZA GeoEnvironmental of NY).

representative projects
  • Olean Redevelopment Sites, Olean, New York. Manager and Principal Investigator/Remediator for a Remedial Investigation/Alternatives Analysis and Remedial Action under New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) guidance at 3 adjacent NYSDEC Brownfield Cleanup Program sites at a former 60-acre petroleum refining and major storage facility in Olean, New York. Remedial work involved treatment, excavation, and disposal of approximately 25,000 tons of contaminated soil/fill; removal of underground storage tanks (USTs) and over 150 drums; excavation of 150,000 linear feet of subsurface metallic product piping; installation and operation of five SVE systems; product recovery using absorbent socks and product skimmers; and construction of a site cover system. The Site was redeveloped as a hotel and commercial solar power generating facility.
  • Seneca Market I, LLC Site, Watkins Glen, New York. Manager of site Investigation and Remediation at a former dry cleaner, bus garage, and asphalt plant under NYSDEC guidance with significant chlorinated volatile organic compound (CVOC) impact. The investigation included a hydrogeologic assessment, including soil borings, test pits, and monitoring well installation; development; and sampling. The remediation approach involved UST removal, in-ground hydraulic lift removal, hazardous soil excavation, and disposal proximate a commercial building; enhanced biodegradation of groundwater; an active sub-slab depressurization system to protect the occupants from potential soil vapor intrusion; and an engineered soil cover system. The property was redeveloped with an up-scale hotel.
  • 330 Maple Road Site, Amherst, New York. Manager and Principal Investigator/Remediator for a Remedial Investigation (RI)/Alternatives Analysis and Remedial Action under NYSDEC guidance for a small-arms shooting range with hazardous lead and semi volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in soil. The RI involved collecting over 1,000 soil samples on 26-acre parcel slated for future mixed-use commercial and residential development. Bench-scale testing was completed to select a substrate to treat the characteristic hazardous soil to below toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) thresholds. The Remedial Action included physical removal of lead shot from the soil matrix, in situ stabilization of characteristically hazardous lead-impacted soil, and excavation and off-site disposal of lead and SVOC-impacted soil.
  • 300 Ohio Street Site, Buffalo, NY. Manager and Principal Investigator/Remediator for a Remedial Investigation/Alternatives Analysis and Remedial Action under NYSDEC guidance at a NYSDEC Brownfield Cleanup Program site at a former petroleum storage and sales facility in Buffalo, New York. The investigation included a hydrogeologic assessment, including soil borings, test pits, and monitoring well installation; development and sampling; and sub-slab vapor/indoor air testing. The Remedial Action included excavation and off-site disposal of 16 USTs and related piping and appurtenances, excavation, off-site disposal of approximately 18,650 tons of grossly contaminated petroleum soil, and construction and maintenance of a cover system. A portion of the Site was redeveloped as a brewery and restaurant.
  • 3100 Clinton Street Site, West Seneca, NY. Manager and Principal Investigator/Remediator for a Remedial Investigation/Alternatives Analysis and Remedial Action under NYSDEC guidance at an NYSDEC Brownfield Cleanup Program site at a former railyard filled in with miscellaneous soil/fill in West Seneca, New York and located adjacent to a regulated wetland. The Remedial Investigation included a hydrogeologic assessment, including soil borings, test pits, and monitoring well installation; development; and sampling. The Remedial Action included clearing and grubbing of vegetation, shrubs, and trees to allow remedial excavation activities (approval to complete work activities within designated wetland areas was received from the United States Army Corps of Engineers and NYSDEC prior to starting work in those areas); excavation and off-site disposal of approximately 45,850 tons of polyaromatic hydrocarbon- (PAH) and metals-impacted soil/fill; excavation and off-site transport to an approved location of 761 loads of surplus native soils which were determined to be structurally unsuitable for redevelopment purposes; excavation and off-site disposal of 5.9 tons of treated/weathered wood (former railroad ties); collection, storage, volume measurement, and discharge of 1,005,000 gallons of groundwater and/or rainwater encountered during remedial activities; and backfilling of the excavation area with approximately 172,724 tons of backfill including screened backfill and surge stone. Surge stone was required in areas of the Site where natural soils were not suitable for geotechnical requirements of the planned building. In those areas, certain native soils were removed and/or bridged with filter fabric, and surge stone was installed beneath compacted gravel. The Site was redeveloped with a state-of-the-art food processing protein plant.