Identification of the Bureau of Land Management Environmental Professionals and Application Requirements

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20240

August 5, 2016

In Reply Refer To:

1703 (280) P

EMS TRANSMISSION 08/25/2016

Information Bulletin No. 2016-071

To:                   All Field Office Officials

            Attn:  Hazard Materials Management Program Leads

            Lands Realty Program Leads

From:               Assistant Director, Resources and Planning

Subject:           Identification of the Bureau of Land Management Environmental Professionals and Application Requirements

This Information Bulletin (IB) provides managers with a list of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Environmental Professionals (EP) qualified to conduct Environmental Site Assessments (ESA) for property acquisitions.  This IB is effective immediately.

Regulation 40 CFR Part 312 provides that only an EP may certify an ESA.  An EP is defined as “someone who possesses sufficient specific education, training, and experience necessary to exercise professional judgment to develop opinions and conclusions regarding conditions indicative of releases or threatened releases of hazardous substance on, at, or to a property, sufficient to meet the objectives and performance factors of the rule.”  An ESA must be conducted on all new land acquisitions as required by 602 Department Manual 2.

Attachment 1 is a comprehensive list of EPs who meet the requirements of 40 CFR Part 312 and are authorized to conduct ESAs for BLM land purchases, exchanges, sales, leases, grants, or any other type of land acquisition in which the BLM gains a real property interest.  Managers are encouraged to support training to ensure that EPs meet the continuing education requirements of 40 CFR Part 312.  Throughout the year, staff that has satisfied the requirements of 40 CFR Part 312 may apply for certification through their State Hazardous Materials Management and Restoration (HMMR) Lead.  The State HMMR Lead will review the applications and forward suitable applications to the EP review committee.  If approved, such individual will then be authorized to conduct ESAs for the BLM.

Managers who do not have an EP on staff must either contact an EP listed on Attachment 1 to conduct an ESA, or request assistance from their Hazardous Materials Management (HMM) State Office Program Lead.  The BLM offers a process for EP candidates to be certified by the federal government as documented in 40 CFR Part 312.10 (b )(2)(ii).  The EP Process is described in Attachment 2.  An EP application is provided as Attachment 3 for individuals to use in applying for EP status.  The BLM Washington Office coordinates with an EP Review Panel, the National Training Center, and the HMM State Office Program Leads to:

• Distribute an updated EP list via an IB.
• Solicit applications from candidates seeking to become an EP.

This IB has been coordinated with the Washington Office Division of Environmental Quality and Protection (WO-280) and Division of Lands, Realty and Cadastral Survey (WO-350). 

State Office HMMR Leads should forward applications to the EP Review Committee for consideration; Ken Henke (WY HMMR Lead), John Barber (OR/WA HMMR Lead), and John Callan (NV AML Lead).

Please direct any questions regarding this IB to McKinley Ben Miller, Deputy Chief, 202-912-7126, Division of Environmental Quality and Protection (WO-280).

Signed by:                                                                   Authenticated by:

Nancy K. Haug                                                           Robert M. Williams

Acting, Assistant Director                                          Division of IRM Governance,WO-560

Resources and Planning

3 Attachments 

1 - List of BLM Environmental Professionals (2 pp)

2 - Environmental Professional Process (1 p)

3 - Environmental Professional Application (7 pp)