Today’s LectureAnnouncementsPhase I Environmental Site AssessmentPhase II Environmental Site Assessment
AnnouncementsLecture
Tuesday: Environmental site assessments Thursday: HAZWOP (Bruce Renz)
Lab Wednesday: HAZWOP, 2 pm, ECCE 1B47 Wednesday, Sept 9: Phase I ESA (Jack
Webster) meet in ECCE 1B47 walk to site proper attire for site inspection
Wednesday, Sept 16: Report Writing Workshop (Jack Webster)Tchobanoglous and Leverenz, 2013. A Guidance Manual on the Preparation of Technical Reports, Papers, and Presentations, 2nd Edition.
Environmental Site AssessmentsPhase I ESA
ASTM E1527-13
Environmental Site AssessmentPhase I ESA steps
client-provided information historical research regulatory agency research interviews
property owners site personnel
site reconnaissance subject property and adjacent properties assess topography, drainage, groundwater
flow direction report
Environmental Site AssessmentClient-provided information
title records known environmental liens activity and use limitations (AULs) “specialized knowledge” about
environmental problems “commonly known” information “reasonably ascertainable” information valuation reduction for environmental
issues owner, occupant, lessee, property
manager information reason for performing Phase I ESA
Environmental Site AssessmentHistorical research
search of records regarding contamination required distances based on site type,
contaminant type adjacent to property 1 mile
up-gradient sources back to “first developed use or 1940, whichever
is earlier” database research companies
historical aerial photos and topographic maps fire insurance maps land titles; zoning and building permit records mining claims
time resolution of about 5-year intervals
Environmental Site Assessment Interviews
conducted by Environmental Professional must include key personnel
current site owner current site manager current occupants and lessees
abandoned properties must interview adjacent property owners
questions current use, chemicals on site knowledge of previous use knowledge of environmental investigations
Environmental Site AssessmentSite reconnaissance
should be done by Environmental Professional
entire property (to extent practical) interior
maintenance areas chemical storage and use areas boiler rooms
exterior document any access limitations
locked rooms, gases, dangerous access snow cover
identify RECs document with photographs
Environmental Site AssessmentReport
describe purpose and scope of services document all findings
list RECs identified identify information gaps
were standards met? assess significance of gaps relative to RECs
provide opinions regarding RECs recommend additional investigation for
RECs list environmental concerns outside of
Phase I scope ASTM section 13.1.5 has partial list
declare certification as Environmental Professional
Environmental Site AssessmentPitfalls
Phase I ESAs often regarded as a commodity
lowest bidder regardless of quality example: Argo Mine, Boulder County
clients may not prioritize delivery of information
potentially different opinions about RECs caution regarding
“reliance letters” letter from one party to
another allowing reliance on previousPhase I ESA report
Environmental Site AssessmentPhase I ESA
example:Valmont Butte,Boulder, Colorado
report
Environmental Site AssessmentBrownfield sites CERCLA property where re-
use or re-development is complicated by the presence or perceived presence of environmental contamination
potential liability limits remediation of under-used or abandoned properties
neighborhood blight reduced value of
surrounding property
Environmental Site AssessmentBrownfields Redevelopment – Small Business Liability Relief and Revitalization Act, 2002 liability protection for purchasers and
owners of contaminated property must conduct “all appropriate inquiry” to
qualify for liability protection other versions of innocent landowners
bona fide prospective purchaser purchaser unaware of another’s claim to property
title contiguous property owner
owner unaware of contamination from adjacent property
ability to apply for grants to pay for property remediation and re-development
Environmental Site AssessmentBrownfields grant
example:Elysian Park,Jamestown, Colorado
proposal
Environmental Site AssessmentsExample from consulting firm
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
Phase II Environmental Site Assessment
Environmental Site AssessmentsPhase II ESA
assessment of expected environmental liabilities (RECs) of a site
sampling and analysis type, distribution, and extent of hazardous
substances components
Sampling and Analysis Plan Quality Assurance Project Plan Health and Safety Plan Report – purpose, summary of sampling and
analysis, health risk assessment, data validation, results and recommendations
ASTM E1903-11
Environmental Site AssessmentsPhase II ESA
example:RTD FasTracksGold Line CorridorOlde Town StationDenver, Colorado
report