Article by Rich Townsend, Director of Business Development

Having spent most of my career working for consulting firms in various business development and marketing roles, it has been an interesting year having the opportunity to meet so many consultants throughout the country in my role as Director of Business Development for HIG.

Whether it’s the office of a large multi-national firm or a small company in the basement of the owner’s home, most of the people I meet enjoy their work and that makes it equally enjoyable for me in my position.

In addition to in-person meetings, I have also had the chance to travel to meet many new consultants at conferences in different states. For those of you who don’t have the opportunity to get out, here are some key highlights:

Groundwater Association of California (GRA) Annual Conference – Sacramento, CA – the main focus of the sessions involved the new Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) which requires that each basin develop its own groundwater sustainability plan including management of both groundwater quantity and quality.

Northwest Environmental Business Council (NEBC) Remediation Conference – Tacoma, WA –like many remediation conferences, this highlighted new technologies, case studies, etc. The one huge takeaway however, was the fact that brownfield redevelopment is very hot in the Puget Sound area. The main driver is that there is so much competition for highly valued in-fill sites that developers in Seattle, sometimes up to a dozen, are competing for prized properties. In some cases buyers are willing to take on the potential environmental liability on the site in order to acquire the property.

Association of Environmental and Health Sciences (AEHS) Fall Conference, Amherst, MA – PFAS and more PFAS was the topic here. For those not aware, PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are commonly found in fire retardant chemicals. There is still a lot to learn about how these emerging contaminants impact the environment, and they are yet another hazardous substance that may need to be accounted for in the due diligence process.  On a positive note, the keynote luncheon speaker was Gina McCarthy, the former US EPA Administrator. She gave an honest but uplifting message on the challenge that all of us have to keep up the fight for science as the driver for making future policy decisions.

Let HIG help you!

With all of these issues, HIG can be your go-to historical information provider.  Most previously unknown environmental concerns identified during the due diligence process are discovered when consultants are provided with high quality historical data that allows for proper identification of past property uses.  HIG’s historical aerials and fire insurance maps make it easier for you to see where potentially hazardous substances were stored. Combine these images with the best city directory research in the business, and you will be able to best protect your client from future environmental liability concerns.

August 1, 2017 – Public comments expected to delay AAI reference to current Phase I Standard for Forestland and Rural Properties

This past June, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed an amendment to the Standards and Practices for All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) under CERCLA to update the existing reference to ASTM International’s Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process for Forestland or Rural Property. This amendment was issued as a Direct Final Rule that would have taken effect in mid-September if no adverse comments were received prior to the July 20 deadline for public comments.

After two public comments were received prior to the deadline, we reached out to EPA representative Patricia Overmeyer of the Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization. Ms. Overmeyer noted that EPA would most likely withdraw the rule, and then take some time to decide how to address the comments received. After that process, EPA could presumably move forward with a new direct final rule. The timetable for these EPA next steps was unknown at the time of HIG Insight publication.

Background Information: AAI currently states that two ASTM Standards can be used to satisfy the statutory requirements for conducting all appropriate inquiries under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA); ASTM E2247 Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process for Forestland or Rural Property and the more well-known E1527-13 Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process. An ASTM Task Group updated the “Phase I for Rural Properties” over an approximate three year period with input from many professionals who use the standard and other stakeholders. The updated standard is designated E2247-16 as it was published by ASTM in December of 2016. 

The publication of the revised standard, and ASTM’s request to EPA that it be referenced in AAI, coincided with a new administration that wanted time to review policies and pending regulations. By June of this year, EPA had completed review of the updated standard and found no significant differences between the regulatory requirements in the All Appropriate Inquiries Rule and E2247-16, and the Direct Final Rule for an amendment to AAI was issued. The Direct Final Rule, supporting documents, and the comments received may all be found on the government’s website for Proposed Rules and Notices from the Federal Register at https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EPA-HQ-OLEM-2016-0786

Article by Jeri Massengill, CEO

I am glad to report that attendance was up at the recent ASTM E50.02 Subcommittee meetings held in October.  Why did we have a great turnout?

• Outreach by our hard working ASTM Task Group Chairs and Officers to recruit new members and encourage current members to become more active.
• Discussions have begun regarding possible revisions to the extensively used E1527 Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Standard.
• The E50 Social – A fun get-together with ASTM colleagues to relax and exchange ideas over drinks and appetizers.
• The New Orleans Experience – Great food, music and people watching make for a great diversion after a long day in ASTM meetings!

Did you know?
These ASTM standards and standard guides fall under the
E50.02 Subcommittee on Real Estate Assessment and Management

I look forward to another well attended ASTM Committee Week next April in San Diego.  Click here for ASTM membership information and let me know if you have any questions about getting involved.

Jeri Massengill – ASTM E50.02 Subcommittee Chair
jerim@historicalinfo.com / 952-457-5751 office