Located within one of Appalachia’s most iconic landscapes, reflects a layered history of natural beauty, industrial use and ecological recovery. Drawing on deep experience in abandoned mine lands reclamation, Ұ����Ƶapp supports the park’s restoration by designing site-specific solutions that address legacy mining impacts while preserving the area’s scenic character and environmental integrity.

��Ұ����Ƶapp developed reclamation design plans for five sites within the park system, each shaped by both abandoned surface and underground mining activities with the land altered by these past activities.�� ��Although mining operations ceased several decades ago, lingering impacts continue to affect surface and groundwater quality, landscape stability and visual aesthetics. Ұ����Ƶapp’ approach focused on understanding the unique conditions at each site and developing thoughtful, low-profile solutions that restore function while blending naturally into the surrounding environment.

A central element of the work involved managing acid mine drainage (AMD) and other waters emanating from abandoned deep‑mine entries. At several locations, discharges were largely dispersed, difficult to control and highly visible within protected park settings. Ұ����Ƶapp’ designs consolidate, control and convey flows, routing them through engineered systems that subtly follow natural drainage patterns. Treated water is directed to existing swales leading to the New River, reducing visual impacts while protecting water quality.

In areas where low‑volume seeps were identified, Ұ����Ƶapp developed targeted capture and conveyance strategies to direct flows to designated outfall locations. These designs incorporate a proposed grout curtain to control subsurface pathways, with the resulting discharges routed to natural drainage features. Final outfalls are intentionally designed to appear seamless within the landscape, underscoring Ұ����Ƶapp’ emphasis on technical performance paired with visual sensitivity.

Beyond mine water management, the project scope included reclamation design for abandoned highwalls, coal refuse and spoil piles, sealing of portals, stream restoration and remediation and demolition of legacy structures. Each component was approached with long‑term land management, safety and ecological recovery in mind — reflecting Ұ����Ƶapp’ commitment to solutions that not only address existing hazards but also support natural processes and enhance the visitor experience.

Collaboration was integral throughout the design process with Ұ����Ƶapp working closely with agency partners, including the National Park Service and the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, to align technical solutions with regulatory requirements, agency standards and long-term management objectives. This coordination helped navigate the complexities of working within a federally protected landscape while remaining consistent with the park’s mission. ��

“Through thoughtful planning, innovative engineering and respect for the natural and cultural significance of the New River Gorge, Ұ����Ƶapp is helping transform areas affected by historical mining into stable, functional and visually harmonious landscapes. These projects demonstrate how reclamation design plans can successfully bridge the past and the future — addressing legacy impacts while protecting one of the nation’s newest and most treasured national parks for generations to come,” said Clayton Kirk Roderick, Ұ����Ƶapp Abandoned Mine Lands Program Manager.

Learn more:

• Ұ����Ƶapp Abaonded Mine Lands Solutions
• Restoring What Was Left Behind—Ұ����Ƶapp’ Leadership in Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation

Ұ����Ƶapp Senior Ecologist Kyle Helal explains why protecting bat habitats during abandoned mine land reclamation is essential, as many legacy mine features create the stable microclimates endangered bat species rely on. This elevates thoughtful planning and mitigation from a regulatory requirement to a cornerstone of long-term ecological conservation.

Did you know Abandoned Mine Land (AML) reclamation is entering a new phase — one that recognizes that old mine openings, highwalls, portals and underground tunnels are not just safety hazards, but rather, important habitats for cave-dwelling bats? These underground spaces often provide stable temperatures and a protected environment bats need to roost and hibernate. As AML programs evolve, more practitioners are pairing traditional remediation work with strategies that protect these unexpected ecological resources and support recovering bat populations.

Underground Microclimates: Small Spaces with Big Ecological Value

Across former mining landscapes, rock outcrops, mine entrances and underground tunnel networks create unique microclimates — stable pockets of cool, consistent air. Bats rely on these areas because temperatures between 38°F and 42°F help them conserve energy through winter hibernation. The design of many abandoned mines naturally supports these conditions. ��

Inside mine passages, airflow patterns — driven by pressure differences and chimney-like effects — often produce “cold-sink” zones where temperatures stay low all year. These conditions closely mimic natural caves. As White‑Nose Syndrome, caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans, continues to harm bat populations, these colder, deeper zones (below 39.2°F) are becoming even more important. While the fungus thrives in cool environments, it struggles to persist in these colder extremes. ��

Going Beyond Basic Compliance

When AML work overlaps with potential bat habitats, projects may be subject to federal laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Endangered Species Act. The requirements under those laws typically include habitat assessments, species surveys, mine portal evaluations and coordination with regulatory agencies. But many organizations are pushing further, bringing ecological considerations into project planning phases much earlier.

This proactive approach helps teams to potentially avoid costly project redesigns, support long-term conservation and treat abandoned mines not just as hazards to remediate but as ecological assets that require thoughtful stewardship. ��

Bat‑Friendly Gates: Protecting Bats While Protecting People

One of the most effective tools for balancing public safety and bat conservation is the installation of bat-friendly gates. Modern gate designs allow air and temperature conditions to remain stable inside the mine while giving bats clear flight paths in and out. These gates also prevent unauthorized human entry and allow researchers to have controlled access through removable bars.

Multiple gate styles, such as basic, flyover, window, chute and cupola systems, provide flexibility for different mine shapes and bat colony sizes, making them a reliable solution at a wide range of sites.

Strengthening Conservation Outcomes Through Thoughtful Planning

Today’s AML projects increasingly prioritize protecting the microclimates and roosting conditions that bats rely on. When ecological knowledge is integrated directly into engineering and compliance processes, it helps safeguard sensitive species, promote stable underground ecosystems, reduce human-driven climate disruptions inside mines and support long-term population continuity. This approach helps to create reclaimed landscapes that are more resilient and ecologically connected.

The future of AML reclamation lies in blending engineering, regulatory strategy and ecological science. By designing closure and mitigation practices that help protect underground microclimates, sustain bat populations and limit disturbance, reclamation practitioners can promote outcomes that protect both people and the ecosystems intertwined with legacy mine features.

Ұ����Ƶapp continues to align its practices with this integrated model as part of a growing industry-wide shift toward ecological stewardship. Explore how Ұ����Ƶapp’ strategic reclamation practices protect bat habitats and encourage long-term environmental resilience through innovative, ecologically informed AML solutions.

What long‑term national security signals mean for infrastructure

By: Ұ����Ƶapp Chief Growth Officer Harshal Desai

As we mark Infrastructure Week (May 18–22), it is worth stepping back and asking what the country’s own strategic documents are telling us about where infrastructure is headed.

The White House’s , released last November, names priorities that read less like a traditional defense strategy and more like an infrastructure and industrial policy mandate: “Energy Dominance,” “Reindustrialization,” “Reviving our Defense Industrial Base” and “Securing Access to Critical Supply Chains and Materials.” For those of us in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, that language is a signal worth paying attention to.

This blog explores how the latest National Security Strategy reinforces that reality, why it matters now and how Ұ����Ƶapp is positioned to help clients plan, deliver and operate advanced facilities, data centers and other complex, mission‑critical infrastructure.

Reading the Strategy as a Market Signal

Every administration publishes a National Security Strategy. Most are read through a policy lens and filed away. This one deserves a second look — because it functions less as a defense document and more as a signal of where long-term infrastructure demand, capital and execution expectations are converging.

The strategy directly ties national security to America’s ability to build and operate physical infrastructure — energy systems, manufacturing capacity, supply chains and technology facilities. These are not abstract policy goals. They are a practical description of what the country needs to build, and they map almost directly to the work the AEC industry does every day.

What makes this moment different is that the rhetoric is being backed by action.

Since the strategy’s release, the administration has moved beyond rhetoric. In April 2026, the White House invoked the Defense Production Act across five energy sectors — designating the full fossil fuel and grid supply chain as defense-critical and unlocking DOE loans, guarantees and purchase commitments for domestic energy infrastructure. Executive orders have targeted accelerated data center permitting on federal lands, streamlined nuclear reactor licensing with 18-month approval timelines and critical minerals trade actions. Meanwhile, private capital is moving at an unprecedented pace: the top five U.S. hyperscalers are projected to spend a collective $720 billion in capex in 2026, with roughly 75% directed at AI infrastructure. Data center construction starts alone are tracking $88 billion in the next six months. The signal is not just strategic — it is backed by capital and policy mechanisms already in motion.

Why This Matters to the AEC Industry

For the AEC industry, this is not a policy abstraction. It is a description of the projects already moving through our pipelines — grid hardening, domestic manufacturing buildouts, data center campuses, energy generation and supply-chain facilities.

Over the past several years, there has been sustained emphasis on reshoring manufacturing, modernizing power systems, expanding data and digital infrastructure and strengthening supply chains. These priorities reflect long-term changes in how energy, manufacturing, data and supply-chain systems are planned, funded and delivered — reinforced by private capital, public investment and an increased focus on reliability and resilience.

The bar is rising. Speed, reliability, scale and the ability to deliver consistently across complex, mission-critical programs are what clients are selecting for — often ahead of lowest cost.

Ұ����Ƶapp’ Position in This Environment

From Ұ����Ƶapp’ perspective, these signals reflect a direction the firm has been intentionally building toward for years. Strategic diversification into power, advanced manufacturing and data center facilities has positioned Ұ����Ƶapp ahead of the curve — not simply following market trends but anticipating the convergence of economic capability and national security priorities.

That positioning is translating into tangible results today. Recent work in power and nuclear environments, a growing role in AI‑driven data center development and experience delivering infrastructure in complex, high‑reliability settings align directly with the needs this environment is generating. Nuclear energy — particularly advanced reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs) — is a growing part of this picture, with federal policy now pushing to streamline licensing and accelerate deployment. One example is Ұ����Ƶapp’ involvement as part of a nuclear project’s early development, where Ұ����Ƶapp supported critical geotechnical investigation, on-site testing and advanced surveying services — informing site design, infrastructure placement and regulatory approvals for a facility designed to deliver reliable, long-term power capacity.��

Ұ����Ƶapp has also recently secured work supporting a large, nationally scaled data center platform — programs that demand rapid mobilization, consistent execution across regions and reliable delivery in mission-critical environments.

Beyond these core platforms, Ұ����Ƶapp is also active in defense modernization — areas where security spending and infrastructure delivery are converging in real time.

Looking Ahead

The signal from Washington and the capital markets is the same: the country needs to build, and it needs to build fast, at scale and with a level of reliability that many programs have not historically required.

At Ұ����Ƶapp, the focus is on helping clients translate long-term trends into executable solutions — supporting infrastructure across power, advanced manufacturing, data and mission-critical systems that are resilient, adaptable and aligned with where capital and policy are converging.

When this infrastructure gets built well, the benefits extend beyond the project itself — economic opportunity, jobs, reliability and long-term stability for the communities that depend on it. That’s the work Ұ����Ƶapp is focused on.

Hillary Hagen-Peter is a Senior Engineering Geologist at Ұ����Ƶapp, currently working on Oklo Inc.’s Aurora powerhouse project at Idaho National Laboratory near Idaho Falls. As fieldwork lead and now project manager, Hillary is helping assess and prepare this Aurora powerhouse site, which supports advanced reactor technology designed to deliver low to near‑zero emission energy. Hillary explains how geoscience bridges the environmental challenges of past energy practices with the sustainable, low‑carbon solutions needed for the future.

“I am deeply passionate about my work on the Oklo Aurora powerhouse project and other advanced nuclear initiatives that are opening doors to a cleaner energy future. With today’s��ability to recycle and reuse spent fuel through advanced nuclear technologies, I see this work as a vital bridge between the environmental impacts of past energy practices and the sustainable, low‑carbon solutions we need moving forward.” –Hillary Hagen-Peter

My path into geology began long before my professional career. I was inspired by my older brother, whose undergraduate and graduate fieldwork took him from Mongolia and Italy all the way to Antarctica. Hearing his stories about working in remote, rugged places sparked my curiosity about a field that blends science, exploration and global travel. I signed up for an introductory geology course soon after and was immediately hooked. The combination of fieldwork, problem‑solving and understanding how the Earth shapes our infrastructure and communities set me on the path I’m on today.

So far, my work as a geologist has taken me across the Pacific Northwest, where I’ve led complex geotechnical and geohazard evaluation programs for nuclear and technology infrastructure projects throughout the United States and Canada. Whether hiking through steep terrain, flying by helicopter to remote sites or working in extreme weather, including temperatures dropping to –40°F (the rare point where Fahrenheit and Celsius finally agree), each location brings its own challenges and a distinct set of potential geohazards.

At Ұ����Ƶapp, I’ve managed large scale geotechnical programs involving comprehensive hazard assessments. One of the most meaningful has been leading geotechnical work for the Oklo Aurora powerhouse project at the Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls. This project is advancing a more resilient and sustainable energy future, and I’m proud to contribute to efforts that support the broader transition to clean, reliable nuclear energy.

On this project, I started out as a Fieldwork Lead for subsurface drilling and geophysical investigations before moving into full project management, overseeing drilling operations, laboratory testing and final reporting, all in compliance with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Nuclear Quality Assurance (ASME NQA1) requirements. This work is meticulous and often challenging, but it is foundational to building safe, sustainable infrastructure.

Through both my studies and field experience, I have seen how geoscience directly shapes the success of advanced nuclear projects, helping see that innovative clean‑energy technologies are built on safe and resilient ground. From evaluating hazards such as flooding, expansive and collapsible soils, landslides, faulting, seismicity and volcanic activity, to leading subsurface drilling and geophysical investigations, geoscientists provide the critical data that informs design, safety and long‑term performance.

I’m especially inspired by the nuclear sector’s ability to recycle and reuse spent fuel through advanced nuclear technologies. This capability represents a vital bridge: connecting the environmental impacts of past energy practices with the low‑carbon solutions we need moving forward. When paired with renewable sources like solar and wind, advanced nuclear energy becomes part of a resilient, diversified path toward achieving the United Nation’s global goal of net‑zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Across all of these efforts, I am reminded that sustainable energy isn’t just a technological challenge; it’s a geotechnical one. The future we build must stand on solid ground, and I’m proud to help ensure that the next generation of clean‑energy infrastructure is resilient, responsible and built to support communities for decades to come.

Engineering for Impact: Leadership, Innovation and the Future of Infrastructure

Ұ����Ƶapp’ Sector Lead & Director of Operations – New York & New Jersey, Angel Cambero, P.E., MSI shares how his parents inspired him to become an engineer and how he finds meaning in serving his community through his engineering profession.

For me, engineering has always been more than a profession—it’s a legacy. Growing up with two civil-engineer parents, I learned early how ideas on paper become real structures that shape people’s daily lives. That exposure gave me a deep respect for the discipline and ultimately guided me toward a career where creativity, logic and community impact intersect.

Today, in my role leading operations across the New York and New Jersey regions at Ұ����Ƶapp, I still approach challenges the way I did as a young engineer: with curiosity, precision and a commitment to quality. While my focus now spans strategy, financial performance and team leadership, the engineer in me remains central. A technical mindset enables better decisions, supports our project teams and ensures that quality isn’t a goal—it’s a standard.

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve led is our work at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal. This project is part of a multi‑billion-dollar investment in renewable energy and represents exactly where the industry is headed. Our team oversaw the special inspections and materials testing across a 73‑acre offshore wind hub, ensuring structural integrity and safety for infrastructure that will power New York’s clean energy future. It was a reminder that engineering isn’t just about building structures; it’s about building progress.

Technology is accelerating that progress at an unprecedented pace. Tasks that once required days of manual calculations can now be completed in minutes from a mobile device. Digital reporting, real‑time data tools and advanced testing equipment are transforming how we deliver projects, enabling greater accuracy and faster, more informed decision‑making. As these tools evolve, engineers will spend less time processing information and more time interpreting it—shaping outcomes instead of reacting to them.

Yet despite the rapid pace of innovation, the fundamentals remain unchanged. Field experience, humility and collaboration continue to define exceptional engineers. My advice to aspiring engineers is simple: stay curious, ask questions and embrace every opportunity to learn. The field will teach you as much as the classroom ever will, and each role—no matter how small—gives you a new lens through which to understand the built world.

At Ұ����Ƶapp, engineers play a vital role in ensuring public safety and the resilience of our infrastructure. Whether through inspections, materials testing or technical guidance, our work directly affects the communities we serve. That responsibility is both grounding and motivating. It reminds us that engineering will always matter, no matter how much technology evolves.

A century ago, the challenges were different, but the mission was the same: build safely, wisely and for the future. This Engineers Week, I’m proud of the work Ұ����Ƶapp is doing to help transform the future and enable our communities to flourish and thrive. As we look ahead, I’m excited to help shape what the next century of engineering will look like—and to support the next generation of engineers who will carry that mission forward.

With more than two decades of experience in the nuclear industry, Robinson will lead Ұ����Ƶapp’ Nuclear business, advancing safe and sustainable clean nuclear solutions.

Denver, Colorado, December 22, 2025 — Ұ����Ƶapp Technical Consultants (Ұ����Ƶapp), a leading infrastructure and environmental solutions provider, has announced Chris Robinson as Director of Nuclear Services. Robinson will be based in the firm’s Idaho Falls office, where Ұ����Ƶapp has supported the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) for years, most recently helping with the Oklo Aurora powerhouse project, as well as the U.S. Department of Energy’s long-term cleanup mission at the INL and the Spent Fuel Handling project, among others key projects.

Robinson has held a variety of management roles in the nuclear sector and is known for driving innovation, optimizing reliability and lifecycle cost and fostering collaboration with utilities, vendors and government stakeholders.

Before joining Ұ����Ƶapp, Robinson founded a nuclear consulting firm, advising global clientele on the development, licensing and strategic planning of new nuclear and nuclear fuel cycle projects. During this time, he provided guidance on advanced nuclear reactor technologies, regulatory compliance and project feasibility. His focus was in supporting the potential expansion of nuclear power in the Nordic nations, and he advised on Poland’s first nuclear projects.

“Ұ����Ƶapp has been a trusted partner in the nuclear industry for years, delivering excellence through every phase of a nuclear project’s lifecycle. We are excited to have Chris Robinson leading Ұ����Ƶapp’ nuclear business and growing Ұ����Ƶapp’ nuclear service capabilities in Idaho and across the country,” says Tom Price, Ұ����Ƶapp President of Infrastructure.

Prior to launching his firm, Robinson held various positions at GE Vernova, most recently serving as an Engineering Director on the Steam Power team, where he led a globally matrixed team of engineers responsible for refurbishment and retrofit projects for installed-base nuclear customers. In this role, Robinson provided 24/7 customer support, drove innovation to enhance reliability and introduced ISO strategies to streamline operations. Additionally, he oversaw all nuclear engineering and quality aspects for a $5 billion project pipeline and was recognized for his outstanding contribution on commissioning an advanced steam turbine generator controls retrofit during a provincial grid emergency.

Ұ����Ƶapp brings expertise in Nuclear Quality Assurance, and excellence in construction materials testing to support nuclear rules, codes and standards, as well as accredited quality management systems. The company’s comprehensive nuclear service program supports the design, development, construction, maintenance and modernization of nuclear assets—helping facilities operate with confidence.

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About Ұ����Ƶapp Technical Consultants

Ұ����Ƶapp provides professional testing, inspection, engineering, consulting and quality management services from more than 100 locations nationwide. With a talent base of 3,500 and $685 million in revenue, we deliver infrastructure and environmental solutions to public- and private-sector clients. To learn more about Ұ����Ƶapp, visit  and follow us on  ��  �� .

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