Post on 11-Jan-2016
Land Transaction Land Transaction ScreeningScreening
Blake VeldeBlake VeldeSr. Environmental ScientistSr. Environmental Scientist
USDA Hazardous Materials Management GroupUSDA Hazardous Materials Management GroupOctober 2006October 2006
OverviewOverview
• Environmental Liability• Innocent land owner/Bona fide prospective
purchaser• Land transactions• All Appropriate Inquiry• Department Guidance• Checklist Overview• Technical Assistance
Environmental LiabilityEnvironmental Liability
• CERCLA and other environmental laws
• Report quarterly to OCFO
• OCFO Act requirement
• CERCLA Liability -- $2 B plus
• DM-5600-1 Goal
• All Appropriate Inquiry shield
Environmental LiabilityEnvironmental Liability
• Superfund Sites• USDA program• No more increase to
environmental liability
Innocent Landowner/BPPInnocent Landowner/BPP
• Land Acquisitions after November 1, 2006
• Protection from CERCLA liability
• Conduct search to determine condition of property at the time of acquisition
• Includes easements
• Defense for innocent landowner and a bona fide prospective purchaser
Why Should NRCS Care?Why Should NRCS Care?
• WRP and other conservation programs
• Trigger CERCLA or RCRA liability when lands are “managed”
• Disturb hazardous substances or materials that otherwise may not be mobile
• “Protective of Human Health & the Environment”
InundationInundation
• Changes to the condition of the property
• Potentially increase mobility of contaminants
• Management of land features (dykes, berms) where contaminants may be concentrated
• Adverse impacts
All Appropriate InquiryAll Appropriate Inquiry
• EPA promulgated rule (40 CRF 312)
• 2002 Brownfield Act provisions
• Amended CERCLA (Superfund)
• Prospective land purchases afforded shield to liability
• USDA/Interior Land managing agency joint guidance/policy
Joint WorkgroupJoint Workgroup
• USDA (OPPM, OGC, Forest Service, NRCS
• Interior (OEPC, Solicitors, FWS, BLM, BIA, NPS)
• Justice
• Others on the sidelines – GSA, Defense, EPA, USCG
• Federal Land managers – over 33% of US
Requirements of AAI Requirements of AAI § 312§ 312
• (a) One year prior to Acquisition • (b) 180 day refresh• (b)(1) Interviews• (b)(2) Record Search for cleanup
liens• (b)(3) Record Search other
Fed/State/Local• (b)(4) Visual Inspection• (b)(5) Report by Environmental
Professional
Guidance OverviewGuidance Overview
• Interior/USDA developed guidance for each of these requirements
• General overview and explanation of terms
• Detailed checklists for record search, interviews, site visits
• Overseeing a Contractor• Reviewing Environmental Professional
qualifications
AAI ProcessAAI Process
• Exercise of Professional Judgment• Current/past practices causing release of
HAZMATS• Gathering records• Interviews with current/past owner operators• Site inspection• Report detailing findings• Sign-off by qualified Environmental Professional• AAI conducted by individuals under the
“responsible charge of a qualified Environmental Professional
Qualified Environmental Qualified Environmental Professional (EP)Professional (EP)-- -- § 312.10 (a)§ 312.10 (a)
• (1) Possesses specific training, work experience, education to conduct this work:
• (2)(i) PE or PG license and 3 yrs full time relevant experience (FTRE), or
• (2)(ii) Lic. or certified by Fed/State/Local to conduct this and 3 yrs FTRE, or
• (2)(iii) Bachelors Science or Engineering and 5 yrs FTRE, or
• (2)(iv) Equivalent of 10 yrs FTRE
EP Full Time Relevant ExperienceEP Full Time Relevant Experience
• Participation in AAI’s• Env. Site Assessments• Phase 1/Phase 2’s• CERCLA PA/SI’s, RI/FS’s
EE/CA’s• RCRA, NEPA or other site
assessments• Full Time definition
EP Relevant ExperienceEP Relevant Experience
• Years and qualifications may not be enough
• Specialized experience for specific projects
• Team approach
• ASTM standard and “non-scope” items
• Partial responsibility = partial year experience (10 yrs @ 50% duty = 5 yrs)
EP EducationEP Education
• Bachelor of Science or Engineering and professional registration
• Other AAI certification/licensing – ongoing project
• Relevant Training
• Possible course information provided
Pre-Acquisition Environmental Site Pre-Acquisition Environmental Site Assessment (PESA)Assessment (PESA)
• Similar to Phase 1
• Similar to ASTM Phase 1 – non scope items
• Updated existing ASTM standard -- ASTM E1527-00 suffices for EPA rule – USDA and other federal land managing agencies have other legal requirements - CFO Act
Why Non-Scope?Why Non-Scope?
• CFO Act “environmental liabilities”
• Impact on Mission
• Asbestos, Lead Paint, oil
• Assess Fair Market Value
• DM-5600-1 requirement to provide costs/liabilities to decision makers
• Early go/no-go decision making
ProcessProcess
• Qualified EP – Appendix C
• Responsible Charge of EP
• Record Search
• Interviews
• On-site survey
• EP report
Who?Who?
• Qualified EP ultimately signs report• Responsible Charge of EP may conduct actual work• §312.10(b)(5): “A person who does not qualify as an
environmental professional … may assist in the conduct of all appropriate inquiries … if such person is under the supervision or responsible charge of a person meeting the definition of an environmental professional…”
• Oversight, Control, Direction of Work• Does NOT have to be direct report• Contractor – new appendix under development
What?What?
• Records Search
• Interviews
• Site Survey
• Report
Record SearchRecord Search
• Gather existing records Fed/State/Local
• Old photos, maps• Check waste site
inventories• Adjacent properties• Permits, wells, sewer,
waste treatment
InterviewsInterviews
• Past and current owners/operators/ occupants/employees
• Subject/Adjacent properties
• Site History• Use• Problems• Follow-up from record
search
Site SurveySite Survey
• On-site visit 1 yr of acquisition - 180 days prior to transaction
• Waiver for unusual circumstances
• Adjacent properties
• Obvious contamination
• Verify questions from records search and interviews
• Photo log and journal
EP Final ReportEP Final Report
• Critical component of AAI
• Written Documentation of findings from records search, interviews, site survey
• No specific format – additional guidance forthcoming on outline
• Findings
• ID data gaps
EP Final Report Cont.EP Final Report Cont.
• Professional judgment
• Sign – qualified EP (312.10)
• Sign – conducted inquiry consistent with 312
• Does not require professional “stamp”
• No retention requirements, but need to retain for future court actions.
Next StepsNext Steps
• Issue Secretary Memo authorizing use of interim guidance, checklists and other tools
• Use for a year and update DM-5600-1 and AGPMRs
• Continue developing common tools for use by federal land managing agencies
• Develop more detailed training courses
Contact InformationContact Information
• Blake Velde
USDA HMMD
1400 Independence Ave SW MS-9100
Washington DC 20250
blake.velde@usda.gov
202.205.0906
Questions?Questions?