2008 Presentation to the local chapter of the Risk Managment Association showing photographs of potential environmental issues that might affect the findings of a phase I ESA

1. Environmental Risk for Bankers 101
Site Reconnaissance
ASTM Std Practice E 1527-05, Section 9
Memphis Chapter of
Risk Management Association
Presented by Gene M. Bailey, PE and George D. Mayo, PG
Fisher & Arnold Environmental
October 14, 2008

2. Objective
The objective of the site reconnaissance is to
obtain information indicating the likelihood of
identifying recognized environmental
conditions in connection with the property.

3. Recognized Environmental Condition
The term Recognized Environmental
Condition means the presence or likely presence
of any hazardous substances or petroleum
products on a property under conditions that
indicate an existing release, a past release, or a
material threat of a release of any hazardous
substances or petroleum products into
structures on the property or into the ground,
ground water, or surface water of the property.

4. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Exterior – Visual and Physical Observations are made of the
outside portions of the property
Interior – Visual and Physical Observation are made of the
inside of buildings, structures, etc.
Methodology – Systematic methods are used for making Site
Reconnaissance Observations (grid, etc)
Limitations – Limitations imposed by physical obstructions
such as adjacent buildings, bodies of water, asphalt, or other
paved areas, and limiting conditions (for example, snow, rain)
Frequency – ASTM Std does not intend more than one Site
Reconnaissance.

5. Prior Environmental Assessments
The Site Reconnaissance information from a prior
Environmental Site Assessment may be used for
guidance but new Site Reconnaissance must be
conducted.

6. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Current Use(s) of the Property
Any current uses likely to involve the use,
treatment, storage, disposal, or generation of
hazardous substances or petroleum products
are identified. Unoccupied spaces are noted. In
identifying current uses of the property, more
specific information is more helpful than less.

7. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Current Use of the Property – Vacant Field

8. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Current Use of the Property - Woods

9. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Current Use of the Property – Gas Station

10. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Current Use of the Property – Dry Cleaner

11. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Current Use of the Property - Industrial

12. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Current Use of the Property – Vacant

13. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Past Use(s) of the Property
To the extent that indications of past uses of the
property are visually and/or physically
observed on the site visit, or are identified in
the interviews or records review, they are
identified, especially if they involve hazardous
substances or petroleum products.

14. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Past Use of the Property – Was Gas Station

15. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Past Use of the Property – Was Gas Station

16. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Past Use of Property – Was Dry Cleaner

17. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Past Use of the Property – Was Gas Station

18. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Storage Tanks
Aboveground Storage Tanks (ASTs)
Underground Storage Tanks (USTs)

19. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Storage Tanks (ASTs)

20. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Storage Tanks (ASTs)

21. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Storage Tanks (ASTs)

22. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Storage Tanks (UST Fill Ports)

23. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Storage Tanks (UST Vents)

24. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Storage Tanks (UST Fill Port)

25. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Storage Tanks (UST Fill Port)

26. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Odors
Strong, Pungent, Obnoxious Odors are
observed and the source of the odors is
identified to the extent that the odors or
sources can be visually or physically observed.
For the next Slide, think of recently dry cleaned
clothes that you just picked up and are hanging in
the back seat of your car.

27. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Odors – Freshly Cleaned Clothes, Squared

28. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Odors – Source

29. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Pools of Liquid
Standing surface water is noted: Pools or sumps
containing liquids likely to be hazardous
substances or petroleum products are
identified to the extent visually and/or
physically observed or identified from the
interviews or records review.

30. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Pools of Liquid – Note Sheen

31. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Drums
Drums are identified, whether or not they are
leaking, unless it is known that their contents
are not hazardous substances or petroleum
products. Drums often hold 55 gal. of liquid, but
containers as small as 5 gal. are also described.

32. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Drums

33. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Drums

34. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Drums

35. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Unidentified Substance Containers
Open or damaged containers containing
unidentified substances suspected of being
hazardous substances or petroleum products.
Approximate quantities involved, types of
containers, and storage conditions are noted.

36. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Unidentified Substance Containers

37. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Unidentified Substance Containers

38. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Unidentified Substance Containers

39. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Electrical or hydraulic equipment known to
contain PCBs or likely to contain PCBs is
identified along with the condition of the
equipment (ie leaking).

40. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Transformers (not all contain PCBs)

41. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Transformers (not all contain PCBs)

42. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Hydraulic Fluid (not all contain PCBs)

43. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Other INTERIOR Observations
Heating and Cooling – What is source of fuel?
(in NE states diesel is used as fuel oil)
Stains and Corrosion – Stains & corrosion on
floors, walls, and ceilings
Sumps and Drains – Both the presence and
where do they drain

44. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Stains and Corrosion

45. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Stains and Corrosion

46. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Stains and Corrosion

47. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Sumps and Floor Drains

48. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Sumps and Floor Drains

49. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Sumps and Floor Drains

50. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Other EXTERIOR Observations
Pits, Ponds and Lagoons
Stained Soil or Pavement
Stressed Vegetation
Solid Waste
Wells
Septic Systems

51. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Pits, Ponds and Lagoons

52. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Pits, Ponds and Lagoons

53. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Pits, Ponds and Lagoons

54. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Stained Soil or Pavement

55. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Stained Soil or Pavement

56. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Stained Soil or Pavement

57. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Stained Soil or Pavement

58. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Stained Soil or Pavement

59. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Vegetative Stress

60. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Vegetative Stress

61. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Vegetative Stress

62. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Solid Waste

63. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Solid Waste

64. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Solid Waste

65. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Solid Waste

66. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Solid Waste

67. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Solid Waste

68. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Solid Waste

69. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Solid Waste

70. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Waste Water / Outfalls

71. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Waste Water / Outfalls

72. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Waste Water / Outfalls

73. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Wells – Public Water Supply Well

74. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Wells – Monitoring Well

75. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Wells – Monitoring Well

76. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Wells – Ground Water Remediation Well

77. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Remediation system inside locked fence

78. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Septic Systems – Covers over Septic Tank

79. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Unidentified Surface Openings

80. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Unidentified Surface Openings

81. Site Reconnaissance Observations
Unidentified Surface Openings