Projects
Emergency Response Services
Case: Yellowstone Petroleum Spill
On August 19, 2022 a petroleum gasoline transport hauling a full tankard and pup was driving on US Highway 191 over Grayling Creek in Yellowstone National Park. The transport lost control and the 4,800 gallon pup overturned and released the entire load onto the road surface and into the surrounding wetlands.
RTI along with the local fire department, Hanser's Environmental and Remediation, and Yellowstone personnel immediately responded. In the immediate aftermath of the spill the team intercepted the spill with hydrocarbon-sorbent booms and pads, excavated contaminated soil from the highway embankments, and installed Light Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid recovery sumps. By October 2023, a total of 31,850 gallons of water and gasoline were removed from surface water and the LNAPL recovery sumps.
RTI had air sparging and soil vapor extraction (AS/SVE) wells installed by April 2024. The air sparging wells have been used during the field season to pump medical-grade oxygen to increase groundwater dissolved oxygen levels to increase biodegradation activity. The SVE system has been used to extract volatile petroleum hydrocarbons from the ground.
RTI has performed comprehensive groundwater and surface water sampling three times a year since the spill. We are continuing to work closely with Yellowstone Parks personnel to develop a long term remedial action plan for the site with minimal impact to the environment.
Petroleum Storage Tank Services
Case: Townsend Petroleum Release
During renovation activities of a gas station and fuel storage center in Townsend in 1998 a petroleum release was discovered. The extent of the release reached over two city blocks. RTI installed monitoring wells, belt skimmers, collection tanks, peristaltic pumps, sump pumps, passive canister floats and sorbing pads and collected more than 10,000 gallons of free petroleum product.
During recovery processes it was discovered that the release had infiltrated the nearby public pool and RTI advised during negotiations between the town of Townsend and the Petroleum Tank Compensation Board.
Once all free product had been removed RTI has monitored the groundwater and as of 2025 all contaminant concentrations have dropped below the Department of Environmental Quality's (DEQ) Risk Based Screening Levels (RBSLs).
Environmental Site Assessments
RTI has performed 149 ESA's in Bozeman alone as of July 2025 and more across all of Montana. Our knowledge of the history of Bozeman and Montana is extensive. If the Phase I ESA reveals any contaminations then RTI has experience with Phase II procedures such as asbestos abetment, The Methamphetamine Cleanup Program (MCP), lead paint inspections, and more.
