Appendix E
Environmental Baseline Survey
The EBS is a multidiscipline site survey. It is conducted during the initial stage of any Service or joint operational deployment and followed by a closeout survey when a site is returned to the foreign nation or when joint forces depart the site. The EBS documents existing deployment area environmental conditions (to include cultural), determines the likelihood for present and past site contamination (such as hazardous substances, petroleum products, and derivatives), and identifies potential vulnerabilities (to include occupational and environmental health risks). The closeout survey defines the conditions existing at the time of departure from a site and documents any changes/variations in conditions from the EBS. Surveys accomplished in conjunction with operational deployments that do not involve training or exercises (contingency/expeditionary operations) should be completed to the extent practicable, consistent with operational requirements for all occupations exceeding 30 days. In cases where less than 30 days of occupation are expected, an environmental assessment should still be conducted to support Servicemember FHP. The EBS is generally performed in conjunction with an EHSA.
PREPARATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SURVEY
E-1. This appendix provides guidance for the preparation of the EBS. Environmental reconnaissance (see FM 3-34.170/MCWP 3-17.4) is conducted to collect the information necessary for the EBS. The reconnaissance is typically focused by information requirements identified by environmental staff planners researching the potential AO. An EBS is typically performed by or with support from general engineer elements, including an on-site visit by environmental specialists as soon as the situation permits. However, engineer reconnaissance teams may need to perform an initial site assessment prior to an EBS with or without assistance from general engineers. While this appendix provides guidance to the general engineer and environmental specialist for completing a detailed EBS, including the site survey, it can also guide the engineer reconnaissance team conducting an initial assessment to begin development of the EBS.
PREPARATION
E-2. The EBS addressed in this manual is focused for use during contingency/expeditionary operations where other established foreign nation agreements or arrangements for a base camp site may not exist. (See FM 3-34.400 for specific planning considerations). Guidance should be provided in annex L of the joint OPORD/OPLAN to direct the conduct of surveys, especially in those situations where specific foreign nation agreements or arrangements may not exist or a foreign nation government may not be operating. It may also come from appendix 5 (Environmental Considerations) to annex G (Engineering) of an OPORD/OPLAN. Through the use of the EBS, Services can maintain situational awareness, maximize combat power, and reduce and/or eliminate the negative effects of occupational health and environmental exposures.
E-3. The primary purposes of an EBS are: (1) the protection of Service personnel (eliminating, minimizing, or mitigating environmental health risks to Servicemembers); (2) sustainability determination of a designated location (includes encroachment considerations and potential requirements to increase the population of Servicemembers or actions performed at a site); (3) sensitivities involved with cultural or architectural considerations; (4) and minimizing any potential U.S. liability for the condition of a site at the time U.S. forces depart. Environmental specialists initiate EBS planning and preparation during the initial planning stages of any military operation through deliberate information gathering and staff estimates. These specialists include, but are not limited to, engineer and medical expertise that incorporate medical intelligence and geospatial information in the planning process. While containing some considerations of FHP, the EBS is not a complete medical assessment and so is always linked to the conduct of the EHSA and ideally accomplished in direct conjunction with this document and process.
E-4. Researching the AO and the specific potential sites that the operational commander will want to inhabit and use for base camps, airfields, logistic sites, and other relatively permanent locations in an AO are part of the staff planning process. This includes map reconnaissance with supporting geospatial products, review of medical information and intelligence about a site, and any other information obtainable (historical or current information) about proposed locations during the planning process. The respective staff estimates by the engineer, surgeon, logistician, joint staff/component/brigade or battalion civil-military operations officer (J-9/G-9/S-9) (with CA support), and others must include this assessment as a part of their normal planning process to evaluate all relevant environmental considerations. The preparation work performed at this point is not considered an EBS, but rather the preparation work to minimize the likelihood of choosing poor sites from an environmental and FHP viewpoint. If adequate information is not available on likely sites to be used, this information becomes information requirements that are fed into the IPB. Some of these may be critical enough to be considered a PIR. All of this assessment process is a part of the predeployment work required to ultimately create EBSs for each specific site, but does not in itself create an EBS. A physical visit of each site by environmental specialists is required for an EBS to be completed. Similarly, while research and preparation are completed to be able to perform a site closeout, a physical survey is required for one to be accomplished.
E-5. The preventive aspects present through the planning of required EBSs serve as a force multiplier and mission enabler through the early identification of environmental, health, and safety conditions that may pose potential health threats to military personnel and civilians that occupy designated areas within the theater of operations. They also assist in making recommendations on a particular site by taking into consideration suitability (to include both natural and cultural considerations) and sustainability determinations for that site. It is critical to obtain an assessment of projected/sustained use for a site and a projected duration of use for a given site from the operational planners. The engineer staff officer is directly involved and uses this information in the engineer support plan and integrates this information into staff planning.
IMPLEMENTATION
E-6. Estimates from the planning process are confirmed or adjusted based on physical site inspection during the EBS. An EBS is conducted for any base camp or similar site that will be in existence for more than 30 days. Ideally, the EBS will be accomplished in conjunction with an EHSA. This survey (and potential preceding assessment) conducted during contingency/expeditionary operations documents environmental conditions before (or immediately after) the occupation of any base camp or related site. This serves to protect Servicemembers by documenting property suitability as well as prevent the United States from receiving unfounded claims for past environmental damage.
E-7. While damage claims are the primary focus for many of the other EBSs performed by the DOD, it is of secondary importance in supporting the operational commander during contingency operations. When ultimately departing from a site, a closure survey is completed using the same basic format as the EBS to provide comparative information documenting the change in conditions over the life of occupation of that site by Servicemembers.
E-8. The importance of a standardized multi-Service format should be apparent. This format is intended to include adequate minimal medical considerations in the case where an EHSA is not able to be conducted in conjunction with the EBS. While each situation/site will be unique, the format for the EBS is intended to provide the standardized multi-Service framework for completion of the physical survey/assessment. Additional applicable references and tools are also listed with this template. See table E-l, page E-4.
E-9. In between the time frame of the EBS and the closure report is a requirement to periodically conduct inspections of the base camp or other similar facility to ensure that environmental considerations are being actively incorporated in the life of the site. This report is called an ECR and is focused on how well the commander of that site is applying relevant and directed environmental considerations. ECRs will be conducted for as long as the site is occupied and not less than on a quarterly basis to measure the environmental health/status of the base camp or similar site. These are ideally linked to medical survey efforts to both combine their effect and to minimize their administrative effects on the command. A standardized template is included as figure E-l, page E-6.
ENVIRONMENTAL BASELINE SURVEY CONTENT
E-l0. Ideally, an EBS will be prepared to the fullest extent possible for each site to document environmental and environmental health conditions prior to the time of Servicemember arrival. This snapshot provides immediate information to the commander and creates a baseline record of conditions at that time. At some point, it is also likely that a closure report will be completed, but this is not the focus of the commander occupying the site. The EBS investigation is designed to provide the commander and his staff with an overview of the designated location/site using real-time field sampling, historical information, and readily available intelligence. Information sources include-
• IPB.
• Current reconnaissance reports of a given location/site.
• Intelligence reports.
• Digital information sources (National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Armed Forces Medical
Intelligence Center, Defense Intelligence Agency, and others).
• Other geospatial information and products.
E-ll. Deliberate information gathering and research for environmentally specific and historical information must be part of the investigative process in the execution of the EBS. This will include interviews with personnel having knowledge of the designated location to gain historical information about a site if possible. In some cases this may be performed by real estate personnel before a site is ever occupied.
E-l2. A physical site inspection is performed by environmental specialists to obtain firsthand visual and physical information pertaining to the property to identify recognized environmental conditions and characteristics. The linkage of environmental and occupational health hazards are integrated as a part of the inspection. These inspections include the information categories contained in the EBS format. As a minimum, this inspection should include-
• Physical description and condition. Note the condition and location of facilities/improvements (if applicable), including the presence of buildings and other structures. Also record sites of known contamination within or immediately adjacent to the property boundaries and, if possible, try to determine the contaminant(s) of concern and the media affected. Include information, if available, on any remediation efforts and sampling conducted.
• Historical use(s) and user(s). Identify any visual and physical indications of past use(s) that may have impacted the property through the use, treatment, storage, disposal, or generation of hazardous substances or petroleum products. Include a list of past owners, occupants, and past uses of the property where available.
• Adjacent land use. The general type of property usage (such as residential, commercial, or industrial) should be documented. Identify any visual and physical indications (such as soil staining or stressed vegetations) of current and past land use practices that may be indicative of a contaminant release.
• Soil type and land cover. Note the soil type and general types of vegetation present on the property. Include in this paragraph any observations of stressed vegetation and potential causes (such as hazardous substances or petroleum product release, lack of irrigation, or high-traffic area).
• Hydrologic and geologic features. In this portion, include hydrologic features important to drainage, such as creeks, ditches, and riverbeds.
• Water supply. Identify any sources of potable water on the property as well as an estimated associated capacity. Note the presence of water facilities, such as pump stations, storage tanks, system age and condition, and its components. In addition, document any wastewater or other liquids discharging from the property into a drain, ditch, stream, or on or adjacent to the location/property.
Table E·1. Environmental baseline survey format
1. Cover page for EBS
1.1. Title will be "Environmental Baseline Survey"
1.2. Location identification
1.2.1. This identification will indicate the location's recognized name or similar means of identification, i.e., Logistics Staging Area Doe
1.2.2. Name of city, township, or AO for the location of the site
1.3. Identification of lead surveyor
1.3.1. Organization/agency with responsibility for conducting EBS
1.3.2. Standard name line of project leader
1.3.3. Period of survey
1.3.3.1. Start date of survey
1.3.3.2. End date of survey
1.3.4. DSN telephone number (if available)
2. Executive summary (separate page)
2.1. Findings. Written to provide users of the EBS a broad overview of the findings regarding the designated location where the EBS was conducted. Discuss specific PIRs addressed/evaluated in the EBS
2.2. Recommendations. General recommendations to be considered by users of the EBS that notes any controls or actions that should be addressed. Recommendations must be supported by findings during the execution of the EBS
2.3. Notes. General comments regarding sampling, additional testing conducted, and related items considered during the development of the recommendations in line 2.2
3. Introduction
3.1. Provide purpose of the EBS, include PIRs to be addressed
3.2. Limitations of assessment in the execution of the EBS
3.2.1. Current use of site
3.2.2. Historical use of site
3.3. Use of adjoining properties
3.3.1. Current use of adjoining properties
3.3.2. Historical use of adjoining properties
4. Site description
4.1. Location. General description of the site location that will include the following information:
4.1.1. Detailed description of the site location
4.1.2. Organization designated for occupation of the site
4.1.3. Grid location of the area
4.1.4. Map series
4.2. Site and vicinity characteristics
4.2.1. Physical setting
4.2.2. Topography
4.2.3. Geology
4.2.4. Soils
4.2.5. Vegetation
4.2.6. Hydrology
4.2.7. Raw materials
4.3. Detailed Site Description
4.3.1. Structures
4.3.2. Roads
4.3.3. Drinking Water Sources
4.3.4. Waste disposal
4.3.5. Other improvements
4.4. Use of site
5. Information sources and supporting documents
6. Information from site reconnaissance
6.1. Background of location upon identification for occupation
6.2. Detailed analysis of information gathered in that includes (but not limited to):
6.2.1. Presence of animals or other vectors such as insects (for example, mosquitoes and sand flies)
6.2.2. Potential radioactive sources (present or past)
6.2.3. Hazards and health risks
6.2.3.1. Site specific
6.2.3.2. Offset site
6.2.4. Environmental hazards
6.2.4.1. Site specific
6.2.4.2. Offset site
6.2.5. Waste disposal
6.2.5.1. Current status
6.2.5.2. Historical perspective
6.2.5.3. Planned Improvements or changes
6.2.6. Agricultural implications
6.2.6.1. Site specific
6.2.6.2. Offset site
6.2.7. Identified environmental and environmental health hazards
6.2.7.1. Historical
6.2.7.2. Present
6.2.7.3. Potential future
6.2.8. Site assessment, to include detailed walk-through with building and infrastructure assessments
7. Environmental and environmental health sampling data
7.1. Sampling and analysis plan(s), to include justification for number, type, and location of samples collected, as well as analysis to be performed on the samples collected. Sampling should be identified as either confirmation or delineation
7.2. Sampling results analysis, to include a summary table of sampling results
7.3. Environmental health site assessment summary (if applicable)
8. Findings and conclusions
8.1. Identification of environmental conditions that have the potential for significant impacts to health or mission
8.2. Detailed concerns
9. Recommendations
9.1. Usability
9.2. Further investigation and additional assessments required to fully address concerns
9.3. Identify and recommend controls to address concerns where applicable
SUSTAINED SITE SURVEYS
E-13. The primary purpose of a base camp is mission support, synchronized with the overall military mission of the deployed force. To execute mission support, a base camp must provide force protection to deployed forces, resource management of critical infrastructure, training opportunities for deployed forces and permanent party, and maintenance of the facilities. Included in that mission support is the continued application of environmental considerations, to include the critical aspects of FHP. This includes periodic, sustained site surveys/assessments similar to those performed by an installation staff. The ECR (see figure E-1, page E-6) assists with that requirement.
Figure E·1. ECR format
Figure E·1. ECR format (continued)