Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Services: Soil Sampling, Waste Characterization, Air Monitoring, Dust Control, Vibration Monitoring, Stormwater Planning and Environmental Compliance

Leaaf Environmental is providing comprehensive environmental monitoring and construction support for the Desire Neighborhood Roadway and Infrastructure Rehabilitation and Improvement Project in New Orleans.

The project includes roadway, drainage and infrastructure work within and near the former Agriculture Street Landfill. Because construction activities involve contaminated urban fill and historically sensitive areas, the work requires careful soil management, air monitoring, waste characterization and regulatory coordination.

Therefore, Leaaf developed a practical environmental program that helps the contractor protect workers, nearby residents and the surrounding community while keeping construction moving.

Environmental Protection and Compliance Planning

First, Leaaf prepared an Environmental Protection Plan for excavation and infrastructure activities within and adjacent to the former landfill.

The plan established procedures for:

  • Worker protection
  • Soil and debris handling
  • Equipment decontamination
  • Dust and air monitoring
  • Erosion and sediment control
  • Asbestos-containing material management
  • Environmental documentation

Leaaf updated the plan as project conditions changed and incorporated comments from the contractor, the City of New Orleans and other project stakeholders. As a result, the construction team received clear procedures for managing environmental risks in the field.

Soil Sampling and Contaminated Material Management

Leaaf developed a Soil Sampling and Analysis Plan to determine where contaminated urban fill transitioned into native clay. The plan identified boring locations, laboratory methods and decision points for classifying soil in both landfill and non-landfill areas.

Next, Leaaf used direct-push sampling methods to collect soil from multiple depths throughout the project area. Laboratory testing helped the team distinguish contaminated material from soil that could follow standard disposal procedures.

Where necessary, Leaaf also coordinated additional testing for waste classification. This included Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure testing and other analyses needed to determine whether material required disposal at a Subtitle D or hazardous waste facility.

Using the sampling results, boring logs and field observations, Leaaf prepared block-by-block soil depth delineation figures. These figures showed the approximate transition from urban fill to native clay and helped guide excavation and soil routing decisions in real time.

Construction Waste Management

Leaaf also prepared a Construction Waste Management Plan that established procedures for separating, tracking and disposing of construction waste and excavated materials.

The plan worked together with the soil management program. Consequently, the contractor could identify waste streams, maintain disposal records and route materials to the appropriate facility.

In addition, Leaaf coordinated directly with River Birch and the project team to establish disposal profiles and confirm acceptance requirements. This coordination reduced uncertainty and helped prevent delays when soil left the site.

Air Monitoring and Dust Control

Because excavation could generate airborne dust, Leaaf’s Certified Industrial Hygienist developed a project-specific Air Monitoring Plan.

The plan established monitoring locations, equipment requirements, action levels and response procedures. During construction, Leaaf technicians performed real-time particulate monitoring at multiple perimeter stations.

Technicians also recorded weather conditions, calibrated equipment and maintained daily field logs. When conditions required additional dust control, the monitoring program gave the contractor timely information to adjust field activities.

At the end of the monitoring period, Leaaf compiled the data, daily logs, calibration records and air-quality trends into a final report.

Stormwater Pollution Prevention

Leaaf prepared a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan to reduce construction-related impacts to nearby drainage systems.

The plan included Best Management Practices, inspection schedules, erosion controls and permit-tracking requirements. Leaaf also prepared the Notice of Intent for coverage under Louisiana’s Construction General Permit.

As construction progressed, Leaaf revised the SWPPP to reflect changing site conditions and project comments. This ongoing support helped the contractor maintain stormwater compliance throughout the work.

Vibration Monitoring Planning

The City also raised concerns about potential vibration impacts to nearby structures. In response, Leaaf prepared a Vibration Monitoring Plan that identified monitoring locations, baseline conditions and response thresholds.

The plan also described instrumentation, field procedures and reporting requirements. Therefore, the project team had a documented approach for evaluating and responding to vibration concerns during construction.

Practical Environmental Support for Complex Construction

Projects in historically impacted urban areas require more than a single environmental report. They require ongoing coordination between field crews, laboratories, disposal facilities, regulators and the project owner.

Throughout the Desire Neighborhood project, Leaaf provided technical consultation, plan revisions, data interpretation and contractor support. By combining soil sampling, waste management, air monitoring, stormwater planning and construction oversight, Leaaf helped the project team manage environmental risk while advancing critical neighborhood infrastructure improvements.

Leaaf Environmental provides practical environmental monitoring, soil management and construction compliance services for infrastructure projects throughout New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.