Updated list of Bureau of Land Management Environmental Professionals

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENTWASHINGTON, D.C. 20240http://www.blm.govSeptember 9, 2011In Reply Refer To:1703 (WO280) PEMS TRANSMISSION 09/13/2011Information Bulletin No. 2011-091To:                   All Field OfficialsAttn: Hazard Management and Resource Restoration Program Leads, Lands and Realty Program LeadsFrom:               Assistant Director, Renewable Resources and PlanningSubject:           Updated list of Bureau of Land Management Environmental ProfessionalsThis Information Bulletin (IB) provides managers with an updated list of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Environmental Professionals (EP) qualified to conduct Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) for property acquisitions. It also updates the EP application form located in Instruction Memorandum (IM) No. 2007-204.  This IB is effective immediately.Attachment 1 is a comprehensive list of EP who meet the requirements of 40 CFR Part 312 and are authorized to conduct ESAs for BLM land purchases, 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 the EP meets the continuing education requirements of 40 CFR Part 312.Managers that do not have an EP on staff must either contact an EP listed on Attachement1 to conduct an ESA, or request assistance from their Hazard Management and Resource Restoration (HMRR) State Office Program Lead.  An updated application is provided as Attachment 2 for individuals to use in applying for status as an EP.The BLM Washington Office coordinates with an EP Panel, the National Training Center and the HMRR State Office Program Leads to: 

• Distribute a semi-annually updated EP list via an IB;
• Semi-annually solicit applications from candidates seeking to become EPs (IM No: 2007-02, Environmental Professional Process). 

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.”  All new acquisitions are required by 602 Department Manual 2 to have an ESA. The Washington Office issued IB No. 2006-117 to prepare the 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.This policy has been coordinated with the National Training Center. Please direct any questions regarding this IB to Dan McGoldrick, HMRR Program Lead, 202-912-7452, Division of Environmental Quality and Protection (WO-280).Signed by:                                                                   Authenticated by:Robert T. Ratcliffe                                                      Robert M. WilliamsDeputy Assistant Director                                          Division of IRM Governance,WO-560Renewable Resources and Planning2 Attachments       1 - Updated list of BLM Environmental Professionals (3 pp)      2 – Updated Environmental Professional Application (7pp)