Conduct an Environmental Baseline Survey During Contingency Operations

1. Conduct an Environmental Baseline Survey During Contingency Operations

2. Terminal Learning Objective • Action:Conduct an Environmental Baseline Survey (EBS) for a proposed base camp. • Condition:Given a proposed base camp location, FM 3-100.4, FM 5-19, and the Environmental Baseline Survey Handbook for Contingency Operations.

3. Terminal Learning Objective (Continued) • Standard:Students will: • Define an EBS. • Conduct a risk assessment. • Collect site information and data. • Collect site samples. • Assess site environmental conditions. • Prepare an EBS Report.

4. Safety, Risk, andEnvironmental Considerations • Safety Requirements: None • Risk Assessment Level: Low • Environmental Considerations:Training of an administrative or classroom nature, with little or no environmental impact.

5. Enabling Learning Objective #1 • Action:Define an EBS. • Condition:Given a proposed base camp location, FM 3-100.4, FM 5-19, and the Environmental Baseline Survey Handbook for Contingency Operations. • Standard:Students will define and identify reasons to conduct an EBS.

6. Define an EBS What is an EBS? • An EBS is a technical assessment and a survey of air, soil, surface water and groundwater conditions. It includes review of current and past uses of property. • The EBS identifies hazards (natural and man-made) present on the proposed base camp site. • A tool used with an Environmental Health & Safety Assessment (EHSA) to protect force health.

7. Identify Reasons to Conduct an Environmental Baseline Survey • To identify hazards on proposed base camp sites. • To prevent/limit troop exposure to hazards. • To protect force health by confirming the areas requiring engineering controls. • To protect the environment. • To prevent potential liability, thus saving the US money.

8. The Environmental Baseline Survey Process • Gather information and data. • Analyze the data and information. • Determine the environmental conditions of the area. • Prepare the EBS Report. • Update the report as needed. • Close out report once operations cease.

9. Check on Learning What are the primary reasons for conducting an EBS? • To identify environmental hazards. • To confirm the need for engineering controls. • To protect force health. • To protect the environment. • To reduce potential liability and costs.

10. Enabling Learning Objective #2 • Action:Conduct a Risk Management Assessment. • Condition:Given a proposed base camp location, FM 3-100.4, FM 5-19, and the Environmental Baseline Survey Handbook for Contingency Operations. • Standard:Students will: • Identify hazards. • Assess hazards. • Develop controls. • Implement and supervise control efforts.

11. Risk Management Assessment Overview Soldiers should conduct a Risk Management Assessment prior to beginning the EBS. This will help determine the areas that need further investigation and identify any risks associated with conducting the EBS. [Note: The Composite Risk Management Process is described in FM 5-19]

12. Composite Risk Management Process Identify the hazard Assess the hazard Develop controls and make decisions Implement controls Supervise and evaluate Tactical and accidental risks METT-TC hazards………Environmental hazards

13. Identify Hazards Step 1: Identify Hazards Identify actual or potential conditions that can cause injury, illness, or death to personnel; damage to or losses of equipment or property; or mission degradation. Identify the original characteristics of prior or existing operations and the hazards associated with these activities.

14. Assess Hazards Step 2: Assess Hazards • What is the probability of each hazard? • What is the severity? • Complete a risk matrix to determine the level of risk for each hazard.

15. Develop Controls Step 3: Develop Controls Develop controls and make decisions concerning the identified risks: • Administrative Controls • Physical Controls • Engineering Controls • Educational Controls • Operational Controls • Risk Avoidance

16. Implement Controls Step 4: Implement Controls Inform personnel of the risk control measures and how to implement each of them.

17. Evaluate Controls Step 5: Evaluate Controls Leaders and staff must supervise and evaluate the effectiveness of the controls established.

18. Risk Management Assessment Check on Learning Question: The Composite Risk Management process is described in which FM? Answer: FM 5-19

19. Enabling Learning Objective #3 • Action:Conduct Site Information and Data. • Condition:Given a proposed base camp location, FM 3-100.4, FM 5-19, and the Environmental Baseline Survey Handbook for Contingency Operations. • Standard:Students will: • Review available records. • Interview current/former employees/tenants. • Conduct a site visit. • Determine the need for site sampling.

20. Information/Data Collection Overview The EBS process begins with collecting information and data relating the site in question. Carefully research and interview all information available and properly document this information.

21. Information/Data Collection Sources Gather information from all sources available. These sources may include: • Site records and history • Maps and satellite imagery • Government documents • Employee and neighboring property owner interviews • S2/G2 • Internet

22. Review Available Records • Review all available records from the potential base camp site. These records will include the history of the site as well as present records. • There may not be time to review records in contingency operations – especially combat situations. The information and data collection approach will vary depending on the availability of information (such as permits and titles) to the personnel conducting the EBS.

23. Maps • Maps can provide information on facilities, structures, infrastructure, and available resources (natural & cultural). • Maps often identify buildings, churches, hospitals, railroads, rivers, lakes, and other topographical features.

24. Satellite Imagery • Satellite imagery can provide information on facilities, structures, infrastructure, and available resources (natural and cultural). • Satellite imagery can show more detailed information than maps such as storage tanks, landfills, industrial smokestacks, and the number of stories for buildings.

25. Government Documents • Units can request an Industrial Health Risk Assessment from the United States Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine (USACHPPM). • This assessment will identify industrial health risks at the proposed site. It may also provide historical data on former military facilities within a 10-20 km radius. NOTE: The USACHPPM website is located at: http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil

26. Government Documents (Continued) • Another source of information is the USACHPPM staff. They can provide information/documentation on the typical hazards of the area such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in electrical equipment, types of asbestos building materials, and other hazards.

27. Internet • The Internet is a good resource for finding historical information on a site and can indicate if an area violates international protocol on environmental matters.

28. Records Review Guidelines Use the following guidelines to assist you in obtaining useful/necessary information: • Identify reasonably available records and information sources (i.e. publicly available, obtainable in a reasonable time frame and cost, and are practically reviewable).

29. Records Review Guidelines (Continued) • Request all records of environmental history for the property (permits, surveys, drinking water, storage tanks, etc.). Check for aerial photographs to determine current and historical land uses. Search for records of hazardous material (HM) or hazardous waste (HW) releases. This step will vary depending on the country.

30. Conduct Interviews Interview the local populace including current owners/operators and their employees. Also interview neighboring property owners/ employees and former employees if available. Ask the following questions: • What type of activities/operations occurred on this property? • Does this property flood? • Are there any problems with this property?

31. Conduct Interviews (Continued) Following combat operations, interview the US or allied Soldiers who first occupied the site. Ask the following questions: • Were any areas intentionally destroyed by the enemy? • Where were the ammunitions dumps and trash disposal areas located? • Where were the maintenance areas? • Where were the infirmaries located? • Are there medical areas of concern?

32. Conduct Interviews (Continued) Document all sources of information even if there are no findings. Include: • Sources used. • Date the information was last updated by the original source. • Names of persons interviewed and if an interpreter was used. • Any information needed to validate the source information.

33. Conduct a Site Visit Conducting a detailed site visit is the next step in the EBS process. The site visit includes: • Describing the location in detail, topography, soil type, grid location, structures, roadways, walkways, hydrology, land cover. • Conducting a walk-through. • Documenting (photos, detailed descriptions).

34. Conduct a Site Visit (Continued) • Identifying the environmental issues, determine if HW or petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL) is present or was used at the site • Describing structures, roads, walkways, paths, and other attributes on the site • Describing the natural, geological, hydrological and cultural/religious aspects of the site • Conducting a reconnaissance of the adjacent properties.

35. Waste Disposal Investigation Waste Disposal involves three aspects: • Sanitary: • Identify the sources (residential, industrial). • Identify the distribution system. • Solid: • Identify the sources (residential, industrial). • Determine disposal method (on-site landfill, off-site disposal). • Hazardous: • Determine substances and status (POL, pesticides, PCBs). • Identify storage devices and locations [drums, underground storage tanks (USTs), aboveground storage tanks (ASTs)]. • Identify spill areas (ground staining, odors). • Identify areas that may contain medical waste.

36. Determine the Need for Media Sampling Analyzing the information gathered during the site visit, records review, and interviews will determine the need for media sampling. Any areas where suspected releases have occurred or if storage of HMs is evident will need sampling. The next lesson will present the site sampling procedures.

37. Examples of EBS Findings • Water and sewer lines not buried at sufficient depths. • Structures contained contaminants (asbestos, lead). • Structural integrity lacking, exposed wiring, poor ventilation. • Troops billeted in previous hazardous material (HM)/HW storage areas.

38. Enabling Learning Objective #4 • Action:Collect site samples. • Condition:Given a proposed base camp location, FM 3-100.4, FM 5-19, and the Environmental Baseline Survey Handbook for Contingency Operations. • Standard:Students will: • Collect soil samples. • Collect water samples. • Collect air samples. • Prepare samples for shipment.

39. Collect Soil Samples • Analyzing information gathered through site visits, records review, and interviews will identify the areas of suspected hazardous releases. Collect and analyze samples to determine the extent of contamination. • Before taking samples, develop a sampling plan that identifies the number of samples needed, the collection locations, and the analysis to be performed. • Include a summary table of the sampling tests in the EBS Report. For field testing, indicate the test performed and the results. • Lab results will normally be received well after the initial EBS. Add the analytical results and update the EBS as they become available.

40. Sampling Plan Testing Parameters • Selecting sampling parameters is the first step in developing the sampling plan. If it is an initial survey and there is no indication of specific contamination, perform broad-spectrum testing. • If specific contamination is suspected or identified, this will become the testing focus.

41. Developing a Sampling Scheme • Before developing a sampling scheme, determine if the USACHPPM has sampled the area. Coordinate all sampling efforts with USACHPPM to minimize duplication of work. If medical personnel have sampled the area, use their data in the EBS Report. • There are several sampling schemes that can be used for your sampling plan. They include: • Simple random • Systematic random • Judgment sampling • Combination of all three

42. Sampling Schemes • Random sampling is the purest form of probability sampling. Each sampling point has an equal and known chance of being selected. • Systematic sampling is commonly used to guarantee complete coverage of an area. It always has a random starting point with subsequent sample units located at a set interval. • Judgment sampling selects the sample locations based on the judgment of the person taking samples. When using this method, ensure that the chosen sample is truly representative of the entire site.

43. Sampling Locations • The next step involves identifying the sample locations and the number of samples needed. Determine the sampling locations based on the sampling scheme, existing conditions (ground staining, tank locations, etc.), suspected material use areas, and consider: • Locations with the highest probability of troop exposure. • The size of the area to be sampled and the number of samples needed to characterize the site. • Sampling scheme to be used. • Identify all sampling locations using the military grid reference system (MGRS) coordinates.

44. Soil Sampling Categories There are three categories for soil sampling: • Discrete: Sampling a single point to characterize a specific location. This is typically areas where a chemical spill has occurred. • Composite: Mixture of multiple samples collected from a defined area. Composite samples (aliquots) are collected from the sampling location, homogenized in the stainless steel bowl, and combined into one sample. • Volatile Organic Compound (VOC): If VOC contamination is known or suspected, advanced coordination with the testing facility is required. Special containers will be required for this sampling. Place discrete samples in the special containers with minimum agitation, aeration, or mixing. Collect VOC samples from the bottom of the sample interval (six inches below ground).

45. Soil Sampling Equipment At a minimum, you will need the following equipment to collect soil samples: • 12 oz. Teflon jars (labeled) with lids • Chain of custody seals or tape • Nitrile gloves • Permanent marker • Stainless steel scoop • Soil sampling bowl (stainless steel 1-1/2 quart) • Detergent for cleaning bowl & scoop • Wipes, brushes, and plastic bags • Soil Field Data Sheets • De-ionized water • Cooler for shipping samples • Tape to seal cooler

46. Soil Sampling Equipment

47. Soil Sample Collection Procedure The following protocol is used to acquire samples for laboratory analysis: • Step 1: Identify the sample site. • Step 2: Remove the “Soil Field Data Sheet.” • Step 3: Use the “Soil Field Data Sheet” and record: • Sample ID • Sampling date • Sampling time • Name of person taking the samples • Contact information of person taking the samples • Temperature/weather conditions • Sample type • Collection type • Sampling location with MGRS coordinates

48. Soil Sample Collection Procedure (Continued) • Step 4: Don gloves and remove wipes from plastic bag. • Step 5: Unfold wipe and place sampling equipment on the wipe. • Step 6: Use the soil sample scoop to collect soil within the first six (6) inches. Remove pebbles, roots, etc. from the soil as the sample is collected.

49. Soil Sample Collection Procedure(Continued) • Step 7: Discrete samples should provide enough soil to fill the mixing bowl. If the discrete sample is for VOC, do not mix and proceed to step 10. • Step 8: Composite samples are collected by placing equal amounts of soil collected from multiple collection points into the stainless steel bowl.

50. Soil Sample Collection Procedure(Continued) • Step 9: Once the bowl has been filled with the soil sample(s), mix the contents using the sample scoop until the mixture is homogenized. Remove any remaining pebbles, roots, organic material, etc. If the analysis is for VOC’s, do not mix the sample. • Step 10: Fill the sample jar about 1/3 full and compact the soil using the sampling scoop.