RENOVA was selected as the prime contractor by the United States Coast Guard, Civil Engineering Unit Providence to perform site investigation and remediation services at the East Chop Lighthouse in Oak Bluffs, located on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. Prior to RENOVA’s involvement, the site had been closed to the public due to identification of elevated levels of lead in the soil, attributed to the historic use of lead-based paint. As the lighthouse is surrounded by land owned by the township and maintained by the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, the project required close coordination with many stakeholders with a vested interest in reopening the site to the public. RENOVA’s work supported the project goal of identification and removal of site contamination prior to the transfer of the property out of federal ownership and the eventual reopening of the site as a public park and historic monument.

RENOVA engaged with a Massachusetts Licensed Site Professional for oversight of all project activities and ensuring that all work was conducted in accordance with the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP). RENOVA conducted an initial remedial investigation to establish vertical and horizontal boundaries of lead contamination onsite. As part of the Remedial Action Work Plan (RAWP), RENOVA completed Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act (WPA) requirements, including coordination with the Oak Bluffs Conservation Commission, preparation and submission of a Notice of Intent, and performing work in accordance with an Order of Conditions. To comply with requirements from the Massachusetts Historical Commission, RENOVA and a licensed archaeological partner conducted an intensive locational survey of the site prior to remediation. Site remediation was conducted in March of 2022 and included scheduling all transportation and subcontractor deliveries around limited ferry departures, removal and disposal of approximately 150 tons of soil, and collection and analysis of post-excavation soil samples. RENOVA prepared a Release Abatement Measure Completion Report and the project was completed at the end of August 2022 with no safety incidents and ahead of schedule.