2008-08-25 18:26:54 -

NORTHVALE, N.J. (August 25, 2008) - Whitman, New Jersey's leading environmental, engineering and management firm, recently completed environmental work at the site of the Rio Vista Greens adult residential community, remediating soil and groundwater contamination that was the result of leaking underground storage tanks.

The six-acre parcel in Bergen County served as the fictional town of Stuckeyville, Ohio on the Golden

Globe-nominated sitcom 'Ed,' which aired on NBC from 2000-2004. During the 1960s, the site had been used as a premiere sports complex, featuring a bowling alley, indoor tennis facility, basketball and other sports.

But the owner of the property also operated a land development and construction business on site, which contained 2,000-gallon gasoline, diesel, waste oil and other unregulated underground storage tanks. Over the years, as the sport complex was expanded, new buildings were placed on top of these storage tanks, which eventually leaked benzene and other contaminants into the soil and groundwater.

'This is a case where the contamination of the ground and water might not have been as critical if the use of the land was going to remain as industrial or commercial,' said Whitman's Vice President of Business Development and Marketing Michael Sylvester. 'But Rio Vista had plans for an adult residential community, and that meant a more aggressive remedial action had to be implemented to address the contamination.'

Rio Vista undertook the rezoning of the land for the upscale, 88-unit community that includes a three-story clubhouse, pool and other recreational facilities as well as townhouses and apartment style units, and began to voluntarily remediate the land while obtaining site approvals.

'Bringing in an environmental consultant at the outset of the project helped us to incorporate the remediation plan with the design, saving a lot of time and money, as well as potential headaches,' said Rio Vista Companies' Chief Executive Officer John Mavroudis. 'We had on-hand a team with a vast amount of experience and the ability to identify real environmental problems and concerns and create innovative solutions to help redevelop this site.' In addition, the State of New Jersey played a significant role by providing technical assistance and financial support through its Brownfield Reimbursement Program. The New Jersey Department of Environmental protection is highlighting this project as a 'Brownfield Success.'

Whitman is New Jersey's leading environmental, engineering and management firm, with more than 23 years experience in managing environmental projects, including site remediation projects, the removal of underground storage tanks, asbestos abatement and the demolition of small structures. Since its founding in 1985, the East Brunswick-based company has performed over 2,500 site assessments and has secured over $30 million in state and federal reimbursements for environmental work for their clients.

Rio Vista
Rio Vista is a leading land development, construction and real estate management company established in 1977. Rio Vista has developed more than 1,000 acres in northern New Jersey, constructed hundreds of single family and condominium residential dwellings and developed numerous commercial, medical and light industrial sites.

Whitman
Whitman is New Jersey's leading environmental, engineering and management firm, offering expertise in brownfield redevelopment, civil and geotechnical engineering, site assessment, remediation cost recovery, groundwater contamination and recovery, indoor air quality solutions, industrial hygiene and innovative remediation technologies. Since its founding in 1985, the East Brunswick based company has performed over 2,500 site assessments, remedial investigations and remediation designs for all types of development and redevelopment projects, including commercial, retail and residential properties in more than 12 states. Whitman has secured over $30 million in state and federal reimbursements for environmental work for their clients.

In 2007, Whitman acquired Brownworth Engineering, a mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering firm. The acquisition has created one of the largest full-service firms in the state, providing expertise in all areas of environmental and engineering services.

For more information on Whitman please call 732-390-5858 or visit www.whitmanco.com.



# # #