Nationally Known Geologist Joins Braun Intertec

Minneapolis, MN (August 3, 2006) – Kelton Barr, a nationally recognized authority on groundwater studies and hazardous waste, has been named principal hydrogeologist at Braun Intertec Corporation. A 31-year industry veteran, Barr has overseen projects in 48 states and three countries. He has designed bioremediation systems and natural attenuation assessments, and conducted hundreds of hazardous waste investigations and cleanups. He will work in the company’s Bloomington office.

Among Barr’s recent high-profile projects was the recent Highway 55 interchange investigation, which examined groundwater impacts to Camp Coldwater Spring near the Minneapolis/St. Paul International airport. His findings helped predict the groundwater flow, which was verified through dye trace studies, and which resulted in substantial modifications to the highway interchange design to protect groundwater flows to the historic spring.

Barr was also instrumental in developing bedrock aquifer models for the Minnesota Department of Health that delineate wellhead protection areas for 90 percent of groundwater usage in Ramsey, Washington and Anoka counties.

"Kelton has a significant national reputation and is one of the best hydrogeologists in the Upper Midwest. He is the real deal," said Lou Matis, vice president of powerplant operations and safety at Xcel Energy, who has known Barr for 25 years and worked with him on groundwater and de-watering projects. Matis said Barr is well known and highly regarded for his work on numerous Minnesota projects, including tunnels, major transportation corridors, and on-site cleanups involving pollution. "When Kelton speaks, people listen. He is a great catch for Braun Intertec to snag."

Some of Barr’s notable regional projects include contamination investigations at Arsenic Triangle, Minneapolis; Reilly Tar and Chemical Superfund site, St. Louis Park, Minn.; 3M Superfund Site, Oakdale, Minn.; Amoco Pipeline, Oregon, Ill.; and Lower St. Louis River AOC, Duluth, Minn-Superior, Wis.

"Kelton’s deep experience and knowledge in groundwater studies and hazardous waste investigation and remediation will significantly augment Braun Intertec’s hydrogeology efforts," said Jon Carlson, Braun Intertec’s vice president of operations. "Also, his long involvement with karst hydrogeology will help contribute solutions for this emerging area."

Most recently, Barr was the President of Kelton Barr Consulting, Inc. in Minneapolis. He received his B.A. in Geology from Carlton College, Northfield, Minn. and his M.S. in Hydrogeology from the University of Minnesota. He is a registered geologist and hydrologist in several states, and has certifications from American Institute of Professional Geologists and American Institute of Hydrology.

Established in 1957, Braun Intertec is an engineering and environmental consulting and testing firm providing solutions for clients with property development, facility management and infrastructure related issues. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Braun Intertec serves clients on a regional, national and international basis.