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 1995 a petroleum release was discovered. Five aboveground storage tanks connected by 250 feet of underground piping had been leaking diesel fuel for an unknown amount of time. RTI installed monitoring wells, belt skimmers, collection tanks, peristaltic pumps, sump pumps, passive canister floats, sorbing pads, and free-product recovery trenches. Fifteen monitoring wells extended over two city blocks.
During recovery processes it was discovered that the release had infiltrated the nearby public pool. Cracks in the floor of the pool began leaking free product directly into the pool water. RTI advised during negotiations between the town of Townsend and the Petroleum Tank Compensation Board. The pool’s bottom was replaced with an impermeable surface to protect from further contamination.
In 2022 the gas station and fuel storage systems were removed. RTI coordinated to excavate the whole area’s contaminated soils. Once all free products had been removed RTI 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). RTI managed this site in a safe and cost-effective manner by monitoring the safety of the site, performing free product recovery in the most cost-effective ways, and allowing for natural attenuation and biodegradation to occur.
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 can consult on all Phase II procedures such as asbestos abetment, The Methamphetamine Cleanup Program (MCP), lead paint inspections, and more.
