No, we’re not talking about Orphan Annie here! If you have ever worked on an environmental site assessment (ESA), you may be familiar with the term “orphan site,” or may know it as an “unmapped site.” An orphan site is an environmental record from various state or federal databases that cannot be accurately mapped or “geocoded” based on the information provided by the data source. As environmental data providers, we collect and maintain datasets for the Phase I process. It is important that we use all tools available to us to map environmental records accurately when possible and, alternatively, clearly indicate relevant orphan sites for environmental professional (EP) review. Continue reading
Orphan Sites: Why they exist and how we address them
Posted in Analysis, Environmental data, GIS, Phase I ESA
Comments Off on Orphan Sites: Why they exist and how we address them
Natural disaster planning with new technologies
Since we are once again in hurricane season, it seems like a good time to address how geospatial data and new data collection systems are shaping the way that we now interact with forces of nature. Although we have not yet experienced any major hurricanes this season, the lingering effects of hurricanes in past years are still present in many areas. Due to a new drone system, we may soon be able to learn more about hurricane patterns before they touch land. Continue reading
Posted in Aerial photography, Geomapping, GIS, Technology
Comments Off on Natural disaster planning with new technologies
Possible foreshadowing in Texas Supreme Court Ruling
In March, we presented a story that involved arguments at the Texas State Supreme Court regarding underground trespassing. While a decision is still pending in that case, the court’s recent ruling on a similar argument may provide insight on future rulings. Continue reading
Posted in Regulatory issues, TCEQ, TX
Comments Off on Possible foreshadowing in Texas Supreme Court Ruling
EPA removes E1527-05 from AAI
Effective October 6, 2015 the use of the historical standard (ASTM E1527-05) will no longer be in compliance with the All Appropriate Inquiries Rule (AAI).
On December 20, 2013 ASTM E1527-13 procedures were published by the EPA for persons conducting all appropriate inquiries (AAI). When initially published, the new rule did not require the use of E1257-13 but allowed previous standards to be used to comply with AAI assessments.
Earlier this year the EPA proposed an amendment to all appropriate inquires under CERCLA to remove the reference to E1527-05. Public commenters suggested EPA should continue to allow the use of E1527-05 arguing that vapor releases are not a CERCLA concern. EPA disagreed with the assertion with the following explanation found in the Federal Register’s October 6 Final Rule.
Summary from the Federal Register Docket
The scope of the AAI Rule and the ASTM E1527–05 standard always included the requirement to identify all indications of releases and threatened releases of hazardous substances, or “recognized environmental conditions (RECs),” including indications of vapor migration or vapor releases. With the updates included in the 2013 version of the ASTM E1527 standard, ASTM modified the definition of migration to specifically include vapor migration and remove any confusion regarding the need to identify all RECs, or all indications of releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances, when conducting an AAI investigation.
Other commenters noted environmental professionals need more time to finish ongoing investigations and adequately become familiar with the updated industry standard (ASTM E1527-13). EPA agreed that one year would be sufficient time for AAI investigations to adhere to the new standard.
Carissa Ries
carissar@banksinfo.com
Posted in EPA, Industry news, Phase I ESA, Regulatory issues
Comments Off on EPA removes E1527-05 from AAI
North Carolina coal ash spill update
A Duke Energy power plant and coal ash ponds outside Asheville.
Photo: Zen Sutherland
Last month North Carolina state legislators passed a new law regulating the management of coal ash waste. The new regulations were developed in response to the Dan River coal ash spill in February 2014 at a closed power plant previously operated by Duke Energy.
Even though the plant had stopped producing coal, waste from the facility remained on site in a coal ash basin. When underground stormwater pipes broke, the coal ash waste water from the basin leaked into the Dan River. Duke Energy estimated 39,000 tons of waste was emptied into the river. The events from February are captured by North Carolina Health News: Dan River Coal Ash Spill Timeline.
Continue reading
Posted in Environmental data, Industry news, Regulatory issues
Comments Off on North Carolina coal ash spill update
A guide to placing online orders in the Customer Portal
The Banks Customer Portal gives you full control when placing environmental orders. Our step-by-step process allows you to easily identify your target property and select from a wide variety of environmental data resources. If you do not already have a Portal account, click here to access the registration page.
The Portal is best viewed using the most current versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Internet Explorer.
Posted in Environmental data
Comments Off on A guide to placing online orders in the Customer Portal