ASTM E1527 lists aerial photographs, topographic maps, fire insurance maps, local city directories, building department records, interviews, property tax files and zoning and land use records. ASTM E2247 only lists aerial photographs and topographic maps.
The size of properties for which we use ASTM E2247 necessitates that historical resource information gathered is presented differently than in an ASTM E1527 report. Standard database packages can accommodate properties that are 640 acres or less. Many of the larger renewable energy development for which ASTM E2247 is used are more than 640 acres and are comprised of multiple parcels. For these properties, an Area Study Report is needed. The Area Study Reports do not contain physical setting information. This information will need to be obtained from other resources as part of the Phase I ESA. However, in the case of solar and/or wind projects, this information may be gathered as part of other scope items within the project.
Aerial photographs and topographic maps can be ordered as tiffs or prints. Preferably, aerial photographs and topographic maps should be ordered as tiffs. An expert GIS consultant from TRC can electronically stitch the aerial photographs and topographic maps together using GIS referencing data that is accessed via webviewer. The use of a webviewer allows the team to view these resources more effectively and allows the report writer to zoom in and out for better visibility while describing the resources. If aerial photographs and topographic maps are ordered as prints, the report writer must manually piece the flight lines together, which is problematic for reuse in updates and in reviews. EDR Lightbox only works for standard packages and does not allow an online review of aerial photographs and topographic maps for these larger sites.
ASTM E2247 does not require that city directories or fire insurance maps are obtained. Many of the properties contained in the larger forestland and rural properties sites do not have addresses and have no fire insurance map coverage; therefore, these resources are not particularly helpful. If environmental professionals choose to order city directories for an entire site, they should make sure to include all streets within the footprint of the site. In the event specific parcels within a site appear to present an environmental concern, obtaining city directory information along cross streets for these isolated portions of the site can be useful to determine specific parcel ownership and utilization history. Because larger properties assessed using ASTM E2247 are commonly located in rural areas, TRC’s GIS experts note the presence of cemeteries and orchards on aerial photographs, Google Earth imagery and topographic maps as these property uses present potential environmental concerns. We also identify pipelines and oil and gas wells via online resources (e.g., website maintained by applicable state and federal agencies).
EDR must provide individual quotes for database materials on a per project basis for larger sites. These also need to be ordered through your EDR representative as opposed to the website directly. Frequently, providing a shapefile of the site to the environmental database firm contact is necessary to obtain an accurate quote.
