Environmental and Special Studies

Environmental Contact: Rich Nowack


Special Studies: Lori Quigg

City of Belleville, Illinois National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit (NPDES)

QEI staff provides management and guidance for the City of Belleville’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permits (NPDES) program under the IEPA NPDES ILR10 and ILR40 permit requirements. QEI is responsible for assisting Belleville in implementing erosion and sediment control for road improvements and private development. QEI conducts inspections, prepares SWPPPs, reviews developer prepared SWPPPs, meets with regulatory authorities, assists contractors with construction of erosion and sediment control practices, trouble shoots illicit discharges, and assists in the preparation of the Annual Report to IEPA. QEI drafted Belleville’s Storm Water and Erosion Control Ordinance as part of our efforts with Belleville.


City of Belleville, Illinois Wetland Mitigation for Freeburg Avenue Maintenance Campus (Illinois 13)

Developed a wetland mitigation proposal for the new Belleville Maintenance Campus on Freeburg Road. QEI’s work included preparing a wetland avoidance strategy document, an alternatives analysis based upon the Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Compensation Guidance, onsite field meetings with the ACOE to discuss minimization and mitigation strategies, and a wetland mitigation plan. The project involved extensive coordination with numerous resource and regulatory agencies. As a result of QEI’s efforts, the ACOE agreed to issue a 404 permit with a condition to mitigate wetland impacts to the City of Belleville.


City of Belleville, Illinois Underground Storage Tanks Freeburg Avenue Maintenance Campus (Illinois 13)

QEI prepared all information, including a written installation process, for the construction of new underground fuel storage tanks at the Belleville Maintenance Campus. The work consisted of a feasibility study of tank location, permit requirements, plan components and coordination with the Office of the State Fire Marshall.


Supportive Services Technical Assistance Program, Illinois Department of Transportation

QEI provides technical assistance services to disadvantaged and minority owned firms as the prime consultant in IDOT Districts’ 4,5,7, and 9. We also provide technical assistance as a sub consultant in IDOT Districts’ 1, 2, and 3. Our work is coordinated through the IDOT Office of Small Business. QEI provides services in the areas of estimating and bidding, plan and specification interpretation, contract trouble shooting, one on one assistance, and onsite project review with contractors. In addition, QEI conducts seminars throughout the Districts on such topics as Estimating and Bidding, Project/Construction Management, and Plan Interpretation.


American Recovery and Restoration Act (ARRA) Audits, Illinois Department of Transportation

QEI provides auditing of construction contract documents as a subconsultant for projects funded under the Federal ARRA and administered through the Illinois Department of Transportation. This work requires extensive knowledge and familiarity with ARRA and IDOT documentation procedures in order to ensure quantities and costs are accurately accounted for and measured.


Environmental Assessment, DeKalb County Broadband Technology Opportunities Program

QEI was a co-preparer for the Environmental Assessment for the DeKalb County, Illinois fiber optics project. The project involved the construction of 139 miles of fiber optic cable throughout DeKalb County and parts of Kane and LaSalle Counties. The project, funded by the Federal National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), required the preparation of an Environmental Assessment as required under NEPA in order for the project to be implemented. QEI prepared text, conducted analysis for wetlands and water resources, performed QC/QA on all document sections and environmental analysis, and provided overall direction to DeKalb County on NEPA compliance.


PTB 150 #44 NPDES Field Inspector’s Manual

QEI is a sub consultant on an effort to develop an erosion and sediment control field inspection manual for the Illinois Department of Transportation. A portion of the contract work is to investigate the appropriateness of a number of Green Infrastructure practices that are appropriate for the Department to implement in projects and operation activities. This involves, researching technologies and practices such as bioswales, infiltration practices, use of vegetation for trapping pollutants of concern and other storm water pollutant loading reduction techniques. QEI was selected to join in this effort due to our extensive knowledge of Clean Water Act requirements, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permitting and vast storm water inspection experience for construction projects. This experience includes SWPPP preparation and implementation, developing storm water sediment and erosion control plans, and jobsite recommendations to minimize the discharge of pollutants from highway construction projects and highway operational activities. QEI is preparing portions of the Green Infrastructure Report for submission to IDOT in December 2009.


PTB 150 #43 NPDES Construction Inspection

Reviewed Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans and provided comments to the Department of Transportation on ways to improve the development of their SWPPPs.


PTB 143 #18 Various/Various Phase I Reports, IDOT District 6

Prepared Phase I reports for IL 96 over Branch and Riley Creek. Also, prepared typical sections, overlay plans and stage construction plans for replacement of the existing structure at Riley Creek with a triple box culvert, and replacement of the existing structure at Branch Creek with a triple 11’ x 7’ RC box culvert, requiring raising of the profile.


Dakota Asphalt Pavement Association

Provides asphalt certification training (materials testing, construction, mix design) in two states.