Donna Cline, Ricker Lamphier and Joe Ullo

Chicken Farm to Health Care

Donna Cline, Senior Associate/Remediation Engineer, Ricker Lamphier, E.I., Senior Staff Engineer, Terracon Consultants, Inc. and Joe Ullo, Shareholder, Carlton Fields, P.A.

This project presents findings from a former agricultural site, former chicken farm, which was contaminated with arsenic. The identification of the Phase I ESA recognized environmental condition (REC) of: “The former onsite chicken farm … Arsenic has historically been added to chicken feed to kill internal parasites inadvertently picked up by the birds. Arsenic is then excreted onto surficial soil where it can accumulate, resulting in potentially elevated arsenic in addition to other potential contaminants associated with chicken waste such as nitrate.” 

The use of arsenic, particularly organoarsenic compounds such as 3-Nitro (Roxarsone), in chicken and other agricultural feed was a common practice in the United States until the outright ban of the product in 2013. The dynamics of the contamination source is interesting as housing/coup construction, stormwater/sanitary management, and natural landscape and topography contribute to contaminant transport. Yet, of most significant contribution, the livestock (the birds) themselves are all singular point sources, but when aggregated, serve as a largely distributed point source that behaves similarly to systemic application, in either case the contamination is excreted by the birds and accumulates in the soil where is has the potential to leach to groundwater. 

During this project several complications arose, including the late discovery of shallow / perched groundwater contamination resulting from a mineralized / precipitated “hardpan” layer at the Site, resulting in a shallow groundwater contaminant plume during the wet season, off site contamination, and future land development of a stormwater pond, . Nevertheless, the remedial strategy for this project was source removal of the arsenic contaminated soil. The remedial efforts of this project also included dewatering with treatment by an activate alumina treatment system, an on-site infiltration.  All the remedial efforts included in this project were aided by Florida Brownfield Program and VCTC incentives including, closure bonus, jobs creation bonus, and healthcare incentive bonus – this project is being developed into a hospital.      

Ms. Cline has a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics, and a Masters in Mechanical Engineering.  She has been involved in site assessment and remediation design and system operation and maintenance projects since her time at the SJRWMD, working on the restoration of Lake Apopka.  Currently , she is the Terracon Contract Manager Waste Cleanup Program working closely with FDEP.

Specialties: Remedial Engineering Design, Environmental Site Assessments, and
Risk Based Closure Management Options

Ricker Lamphier is an aspiring environmental engineer with a strong academic background and a passion for leadership and innovation in the field. His expertise in managing complex projects, mentoring teams, and providing technical solutions make him a valuable asset to any endeavor. He has pioneered assessments for multiacre contaminated sites including former agricultural land and golf courses. His background in environmental chemistry and spatial analysis coupled with alternative approaches to site assessments have proved to be advantageous for developing remedial strategies and soil management plans for a diverse portfolio of clients ranging from healthcare facilities to local government entities. 

Ricker's commitment to education and his track record of success in various competitions and conferences underscore his commitment to environmental engineering excellence.

Joe Ullo counsels large and small business owners, landowners, private companies, and county and municipal governments statewide in all aspects of federal, state, and local environmental law, regulations, and processes that govern the consideration and usage of land, management of waste, and real property rights.

Joe has more than 25 years of experience serving clients throughout Florida in environmental matters, including representing clients in administrative enforcement proceedings and related civil actions, assisting in the completion of institutional controls and negotiating cleanup requirements for sites subject to state and local cleanup rules, and negotiating property transactions involving land contamination and environmental liabilities and permits.

Previously, Joe served as the director of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Waste Management (DWM). In this role, Joe directed the policy and the programmatic management of solid and hazardous waste generated and disposed of throughout the state. Joe also advised the deputy secretary of regulatory affairs on DWM policy and activities.

Before practicing law, Joe worked as a registered professional engineer for almost 10 years. He managed hazardous waste, petroleum, and dry cleaning cleanups in the southeastern United States, oversaw environmental compliance for private manufacturers, and assisted with wastewater infrastructure evaluations at federal facilities. Joe also led the environmental cleanup for various military bases, particularly in Jacksonville and Orlando, which now serve as incredible reuse examples for both industrial and residential mixed uses in Florida. This hands-on experience helps Joe coordinate expert analysis to best express a client’s position to reach favorable outcomes.

Since 2009, Joe is also a registered patent attorney and assists clients on intellectual property matters especially where those matters relate to green energy technologies, water treatment, or remedial technologies.