* Use this guide at your own risk. I cannot be responsible for your results.*
It's possible today to use free online resources to complete all of the necessary government records searches required under ASTM E1527-05. Several of the sources have map-based search features, and all but a few can easily be searched in a small enough geographic unit to provide you with a short list of addresses to review to identify any sites of concern to your subject property. In general,it's a good idea not to rely entirely on map-based searches, and to check address lists for mis-mapped or unmapped sites. In a few cases it is necessary to download a data file and review it off line. A basic understanding of Excel spreadsheets, particularly of Excel's auto-filter function, is sufficient to allow you to adequately review the data from these sources.
Step #1 -- Find nearby zip codes.
For several sources, searching by zip code is the easiest method. To identify all listed sites within one mile of your subject property, you'll need to identify all zip codes within one mile of your subject property.
USEPA's Enviromapper is a useful tool for this. Enter the zip code for the subject property, click the "Enviromapper" radio button and Submit. Click in the map as needed to center on the subject property, then use the Zoom in by Radius function to set the radius to 1 mile. Use the Identify function to find all zip codes which occur on the map. Make a note of them.
Step #2 -- Map Interface for NPL, CERCLIS, and RCRA generators.
Review the Enviromapper screen for any CERCLIS sites -- marked by orange icons. Use the Identify feature to obtain further information. The information window will include a statement of whether the site is on the NPL.
Use the Identify feature to check any RCRA generators (green icons) which appear to be on or adjacent to the subject property. Investigate any other icons on the map to your heart's content as well.
Step #3 -- Address list interface for NPL, CERCLIS, and RCRA generators.
You're done with Enviromapper. Move on to the Facility Registry System (FRS). Under the Geography Search section, enter the zip code for the subject property. Scroll to the bottom of the page, select "Selected National Systems from the list below" and check "CERCLIS"; click "Search". Scan the resulting list for sites which did not appear on the map in Step #2; check their addresses to see if they are inside your minimum search distance. Repeat for each zip code identified in Step #1.
Re-enter the subject property zip code in the Geography Search section, scroll to the bottom, uncheck "CERCLIS" and check "RCRAInfo". Scan the resulting list for the subject property or an adjacent address. If the subject property is on a zip code boundary, repeat for the adjacent zip.
Step #4 -- Download CERCLIS NFRAP data.
Unfortunately, Enviromapper and FRS do not include No Further Action sites. It's necessary to download and unzip the files. They're found at EPA's CERCLIS Database page. Click the "download" link below "Archived Sites dBASEIII+Format (.dbf) ". Unzip the file to a folder on your hard drive; it will create 30 or so files there. Open "site.dbf" in Excel (or the database application of your choice) and use the filter and/or sort functions to identify any sites within the zip codes identified in Step #1.
Note: Delisted NPL sites will appear in either the active or NFRAP CERCLIS listings, and will be identified as delisted in the NPL status field.
Another note: it's not necessary to download a fresh copy of the NFRAP file each time; EPA only updates in a couple of times a year. Check at least often enough to meet the ASTM 90-day rule.
Step #5 - Download RCRA CORRACTS data.
You can download a statewide list of CORRACTS sites, sorted by city, at the EPA Region 9 web site. There are not more than a half-dozen sites in any one city; it's an easy list to review.
Step #6 - RCRA TSD sites.
In theory, you could click on each of the RCRAInfo sites identified in Step #3 to find our which ones are TSD facilities. But fortunately, there's a short cut. Go to Enforcement & Compliance History Online (ECHO). In the "Designation" section of the entry page, check TSD (CEI), TSD (operating), and Transporter. Enter the zip code in the lower part of the screen, click "Search." You'll get not only a list of TSD facilities, but a compliance history for the past 3 years. Repeat for each zip code.
Step #7 - "Federal institutional/engineering control registries"
I can't find any such thing. EPA Region 9, does at least, have information about Brownfields sites.
Step #8 - ERNS
ERNS can be queried by zip code at the National Response Center.
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You're halfway done! All the Federal sources above are good nationwide, with the exception of the EPA Region 9 data. I presume other EPA regions make similar data available, but I have yet to investigate how to find it.
Availability and organization of state data varies greatly. The following is for California.
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Step# 9 - CalSites
The State equivalent of CERCLIS and NPL in California is CalSites. And as I write this, I discover that DTSC has just unveiled a whole new interface for CalSites data called Envirostor. It appears to give both map and list options! Voluntary cleanup sites are here, too.
The Deed Restrictions list is sorted by site name, but you can use the "Export to Excel" link to search by geography. See also the link about Brownfields sites.
Step #10 - Landfills
The smallest geographic unit you can search for in the Solid Waste Information System is by county, but the number of sites is low enough that this is not a problem. Click the "Display By: Detail" radio button to get a list which includes location information.
Step #11 - Geotracker.
Leaking UST and Registered UST information is found in Geotracker, as well as SWRCB's SLIC list. I find it easiest to start by zooming to the zip code, then clicking to zoom in and center on the subject property. Use the check boxes on the left side to display USTs and SLIC, use the controls at the top of the map to display All sites (default is Open sites only), to navigate the map and select the type of information to identify by clicking on it. The reports reached by clicking on a site's icon often include recent monitoring reports, site plans, analytical data, etc.
Optionally, the data files can be downloaded for viewing in Excel here.
Step #12 - Historic USTs.
Geotracker contains only UST information for sites active during the last couple of years. Older data has not been entered into this system to identify tanks that were already out of service at the time Geotracker was being assembled. The only reliable source of information about older USTs is the local regulatory agency which oversees them. The last previous statewide UST list was last updated in 1994, and it was incomplete at the time. You can download a copy of this list, converted to Excel format, here.
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Congratulations! You're done!!
5/3//2006