Soil & Water Sampling Project Related to a Solvent Release at a Cannabis Growing Facility, Snowflake, AZ

August-October 2018: On behalf of Copperstate Farms Chris, under a former employer, led a soil & water sampling Investigation at their Snowflake facility in response to an ADEQ requirement to determine potential impacts from a June 2018 small solvent spill. The investigation determined there were minimal impacts to soil and groundwater that did not pose environmental risks or health risk to workers at the facility. Copperstate Farms is one of the largest greenhouse cannabis producers in North America, with over 1.7 million square feet of canopy and 40 acres under glass. It is also the largest & top rated wholesaler for cannabis in AZ.

Fuel Underground Storage Tank (UST) Sampling Assistance, Various Sites, Greater Phoenix Area

Courtney Consulting has assisted Bender Environmental Consulting, Inc. (BEC) (https://benderenv.com/) with numerous UST replacements projects by assisting them with collecting the required ADEQ soil samples for laboratory analyses. The UST removals have included 30-year old plus tanks formerly containing unleaded and diesel automotive fuels. The UST replacements were performed under ADEQ’s Tank Site Replacement Program (TISP). Under the TSIP, UST replacement funding is provided by the State up to $300,000 per facility.

Oil-Water Separating Tank Investigation for a Privately Owned Airport Hanger, Falcon Field Airport, Mesa, AZ

November 2020: Courtney Consulting conducted an investigation to determine potential impacts to soil from an oil-water separation tank. Soil and water sampling was conducted, along with an abbreviated Phase I field survey to support a property sale of the hanger facility. he study determined no adverse impacts, and the transaction was completed shortly thereafter.

Groundwater Depletion Investigation for a Property Condemnation Lawsuit, Wilcox, AZ

February - April 2021: On behalf of Tiffany & Bosco P.A., Chris Courtney supported a lawsuit attorney with a property condemnation via an eminent domain lawsuit involving a private power utility vs. a local agricultural farmer. Chris’ work involved investigating the power utility’s groundwater pumping network, groundwater depletion and well performance trends, and local hydrogeological conditions. The case was resolved favorably and at a modest expense for the attorney’s client.

William Fischbach, Shareholder & Trial Attorney (Tiffany & Bosco P.A.) - “My law firm retained Chris as an expert witness in a complex eminent domain case involving water wells and well capacity.  Chris provided thorough, prompt, and professional advice at every step.  With his help, we were able to resolve the case favorably and at a modest expense for our client.  I give Chris my highest recommendation.”

100-Year Assured Water Supply Study, Jackrabbit Ranch Marketplace, Buckeye, AZ

October 2020 - October 2021: On behalf of SimonCRE Rubicon III, LLC, a local real estate developer, Courtney Consulting, assisted by Matrix New World, conducted groundwater modeling and completed a Hydrologic Study to obtain groundwater rights for the future Jackrabbit Ranch Marketplace which will be constructed in the West Salt River Valley (WSRV) Sub-basin of the Phoenix Active Management Area (AMA). The site encompasses approximately 12.45 acres in Buckeye, Arizona and will host a supermarket, a variety of retail shops and restaurants, a car wash, and two automotive supply stores. Courtney Consulting also conducted a separate industrial/commercial water use study to determine the final water demands for the new development, and assisted the client in preparing the 100-year Certificate of Assured Water Supply (CAWS) application and the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District (CAGRD) Enrollment application. The Hydrologic Study was approved by the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) resulting in issuance of a new 100-year CAWS. CAGRD enrollment, a requirement for the project, was also approved.

https://simoncre.com/properties/#!/projects/multi-buckeye-az-753

Jonathan Strawther, Development Associate - "Chris Courtney with Courtney Consulting LLC provided excellent service and detailed knowledge while assisting with our 100-Year Certificate of Assured Water Supply on our Jackrabbit Ranch Marketplace project in Buckeye, Arizona. The course of this review took well over a year and Chris was at the forefront of communicating with the Arizona Department of Water Resources Department, Arizona Water Company and Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District. Chris represented this project professionally and provided cost-savings alternatives that were critical for this project."

Aquifer Protection Permitting (APP), Groundwater Sampling, & Data Analysis, IMSAMET of Arizona

2009 - Present: IMSAMET of Arizona is an aluminum ingot producing and recycling facility in Goodyer, AZ. Chris has been the Project Manager & Lead Hydrogeologist for this site since 2009. Chris manages the quarterly groundwater sampling program for IMSAMET to comply with the site’s Aquifer Protection Permit (APP), and performs all sampling, data analysis & reporting tasks. Chris also assists IMSAMET with various data analysis efforts associated with their overall APP compliance requirements which includes detailed analysis of changing groundwater flow conditions and occasional exceedances of APP compliance constituents in groundwater. Chris also leads technical meetings and presentations with the ADEQ to keep IMSAMET in compliance with their APP.

Chris has assisted IMSAMET with two major APP revisions, several geochemical groundwater trend studies, and an engineering study to provide alternative zero fluid discharge plant upgrades, His work has enabled IMSAMET to avoid doing expensive offsite hydrogeological studies or installing new monitoring wells by establishing that the existing well system is adequate to characterize potential offsite impacts to groundwater.

The estimated total savings to IMSAMET to date that Chris has managed or implemented is ~$300,000.

Well Siting Study, Prescott, AZ

June - July 2021: Courtney Consulting completed a well siting study for an interested property buyer of a 10-acre parcel of land located approximately 20 miles south of Prescott. The site is located in difficult bedrock drilling conditions which yield unpredictable small volumes of groundwater. The study convinced the property buyer to acquire a nearby property which has an operating domestic well that can fulfill his needs to acquire the interested property.

Tire Recycling Pyrolysis Plant Permitting, Oasis, CA

May 2021 - Present: Prepared a comprehensive Environmental Assessment (EA) Report in accordance with the Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Home Ownership Act of 2012 (the HEARTH Act) for an investor looking to construct a tire recycling pyrolysis plant near the Salton Sea on the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indian Tribe’s land in Oasis, CA. When built the plant will employ up to 40 new full and/or part-time jobs and approximately $19.3 million dollars in annual gross profit. A portion of these jobs will be given to select convicted inmates to assist with their positive reintroduction into society. The EA is currently under a 30 day public review/comment period. This will be only the 2nd operating tire recycling pyrolysis plant in the United States.

Water Resource Assessment for Gold Mine Expansion – Bullhead City, AZ

August 2019 - January 2020: Chris, supported by a Staff Hydrogeologist from Wood, led a comprehensive surface water and groundwater study in support of an Environmental Assessment (EA) to support a Mine Plan of Operations (MPO) for Golden Vertex Corp’s Moss Mine Phase III Expansion Project on BLM owned land located in Bullhead City, AZ. The study included: 1) Field surveying six spring sites to identify flow characteristics, laboratory analysis of general water chemistry, and bench testing for biological growth communities using Biological Activity Reaction Test (BART) test kits; 2) Collecting groundwater samples for laboratory analysis of general water chemistry and bench testing for biological growth communities using BART test kits from six bedrock wells located on Moss Mine property; and, 3) Developing a Conceptual Site Model (CSM) for the surface and groundwater systems at the Moss Mine to determine that the springs and bedrock aquifers were not connected. The result of the study was critical in obtaining BLM approval of the EA for the Phase III Expansion Project.

Joe Bardswich, President (Golden Vertex Corp.) - “Chris – I certainly appreciate the work you did by taking the bull by the horns and leading the expeditions to the alluvial springs, and the thoughtfulness you put into the arguments that we would not drain the springs.”