Updated list of Identification of Bureau of Land Management Environmental Professionals

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENTWASHINGTON, D.C. 20240http://www.blm.govMay 17, 2010In Reply Refer To:1703 (WO280) PEMS TRANSMISSION 05/25/2010Information Bulletin No. 2010-078To:        All Field OfficialsAttn: Hazard Management and Resource Restoration Program Leads, Lands and Realty Program Leads From:        Assistant Director, Renewable Resources and PlanningSubject:    Updated list of Identification of Bureau of Land Management Environmental Professionals The purpose of this Information Bulletin (IB) is to provide managers with an updated list of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) personnel who are qualified to conduct Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) for property acquisitions. The personnel listed in Attachment 1 are Environmental Professionals (EP) and are the only persons currently identified, who meet the requirements of 40 CFR Part 312 for conducting environmental screening for BLM land purchases, leases, grants, or any other type of land acquisition in which the BLM gains a real property interest.  The application process for adding personnel to the list and additional training information can be found in IM No. 2007-204, Identification of Bureau of Land Management Environmental Professionals.  This IB does not provide new guidance but reiterates existing guidance found in this IM. Managers should fully support training to ensure that these personnel meet the continuing education requirements of the new regulation.  Managers that do not have personnel who meet these EP qualifications will need to request assistance from their Hazard Management and Resource Restoration (HMRR) State Office Program Lead or contract a qualified EP to conduct ESAs.  The BLM Washington Office will coordinate with an EP Panel, the National Training Center and the HMRR State Office Program Leads to: ·    Distribute an annually updated EP list via an IB·    Annually solicit applications from candidates seeking to become EPs (IM No: 2007-02, Environmental Professional Process) The 40 CFR Part 312 was effective November 1, 2006, and applies to all ESAs conducted by the BLM after that date.  This IB is effective immediately.This IB complies with an Environmental Protection Agency regulation, effective November 1, 2006, modifying the way the BLM conducts ESAs for new land acquisitions.  The new regulation has specific requirements concerning the qualifications of personnel engaged in the environmental screening process (see IM No. 2007-02, Definition of an Environmental Professional and Relevant Experience).  The regulation 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.”  All new acquisitions are required by 602 Department Manual 2 to have an ESA.  The Washington Office issued IB No. 2006-117 to prepare BLM personnel for changes resulting from 40 CFR Part 312.  A survey (IM No. 2007-027) was conducted to identify BLM personnel meeting the requirements of 40 CFR Part 312.  Subsequent guidance, IM No. 2007-027, was issued to identify individuals that met the requirements.In an effort to maintain an updated listing of EPs, an EP Panel consisting of Washington and State Office HMRR Leads and Lands and Realty Program personnel assessed new responses and updated the EP listing identified in Attachment 1.  This policy has been coordinated with the Lands, Realty and Cadastral Survey Division (WO-350) and the National Training Center.  Please direct any questions regarding this IB to Miyoshi Stith, HMRR Program Lead, 202-912-7452, Division of Environmental Quality and Protection (WO-280).Signed by:                                    Authenticated by:Richard Hanes                              Robert M. WilliamsActing, Assistant Director            Division of IRM Governance,WO-560Renewable Resources and Planning1 Attachment        1 - Updated list of BLM Environmental Professionals (2 pp)