Jackson Kayak, Sparta, Tennessee

One of the largest exporters of goods in the state of Tennessee was looking to expand operations after outgrowing the facility they had been solely operating out of for six years.  As a leading kayak, paddleboard and cooler manufacturer, Jackson Kayak found themselves at the doorstep of what was once the illustrious Phillips Luminaries Plant, but was now a vacant warehouse ready for a new purpose, just three miles away from their current plant.

PM Environmental was retained by Jackson Kayak to assist with updating a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment report on the property.  This led to a subsequent Phase II, where samples were taken to test for possible contamination in and around the 300,000 square-foot property, which also consisted of 3 vacant buildings and 44 acres of land. 

Activities & Results

Based on the findings of PM’s Phase II ESA, potential health risks may have been present in the building unless soil gas and groundwater impacts identified onsite were removed or mitigated through corrective action.  This led to PM preparing the engineering design plans for a Vapor Intrusion Mitigation System.  The system consisted of vapor barrier and a sub-slab depressurization (SSD) system.  

PM assisted the client on EPA brownfield incentives and state programs, successfully entering into the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Voluntary Oversight and Assistance Program (VOAP).

A Brownfield Voluntary Agreement (BVA) was successfully negotiated, and the client was able to access EPA brownfield assessment funds to assist with the property assessments.  PM also assisted in leveraging a $6.5 million Revolving Loan Fund from the area Development District.

Renovations to the building were completed by the end of 2015, and over 300 new jobs were created.