ASTM D6008-96

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Designation:D6008–96
Standard Practice for
Conducting Environmental Baseline Surveys
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6008; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope conducted EBS may be updated as necessary and used for
making a FOST or FOSL. An EBS also may help to satisfy
1.1 Purpose—The purpose of this practice is to define good
other environmental requirements (for example, to satisfy the
commercial and customary practice in the United States for
requirements of CERFA or to facilitate the preparation of
conducting an environmental baseline survey (EBS) in order to
environmental condition reports). In addition, the EBS pro-
determine certain elements of the environmental condition of
vides a useful reference document and assists in compliance
federal real property, including excess and surplus property at
with hazard abatement policies related to asbestos and lead-
closing and realigning military installations. This effort is
based paint. The EBS process consists of discrete steps. This
conducted to fulfill certain requirements of the Comprehensive
practice principally addresses EBS-related information gather-
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of
ing and analysis.
1980 (CERCLA) section 120(h), as amended by the Commu-
1.1.2 CERCLA Section 120(h) Requirements—This practice
nity Environmental Response Facilitation Act of 1992
is intended to assist with the identification of installation areas
(CERFA). As such, this practice is intended to help a user to
subject to the notification and covenant requirements of CER-
gather and analyze data and information in order to classify
CLA § 120(h) relating to the deed transfer of contaminated
property into seven environmental condition of property area
Federal real property (42 USC 9601 et seq.).
types (in accordance with the Standard Classification of
1.1.3 CERFA Requirements—This practice can be used to
Environmental Condition of PropertyAreaTypes). Once docu-
provide information that can be used to partially fulfill the
mented, the EBS is used to support Findings of Suitability to
identification requirements of CERFA [Pub. L. 102-426, 106
Transfer (FOSTs), Findings of Suitability to Lease (FOSLs), or
Stat. 2174], which amended CERCLA. Property classified as
uncontaminated property determinations, or a combination
area Type 1, in accordance with Classification D 5746 is
thereof, pursuant to the requirements of CERFA. Users of this
eligibleforreportingas“uncontaminated”undertheprovisions
practice should note that it does not address (except where
of CERFA. Additionally, certain property classified as area
explicitly noted) requirements for appropriate and timely
Type 2, where evidence indicates that storage occurred for less
regulatory consultation or concurrence, or both, during the
than one year, may also be identified as uncontaminated. At
conduct of the EBS or during the identification and use of the
installations listed on the National Priorities List, Environmen-
standard environmental condition of property area types.
tal ProtectionAgency (EPA) concurrence must be obtained for
1.1.1 Environmental Baseline Survey—In accordance with
the property to be considered “uncontaminated” and therefore
the Department of Defense (DoD) policy, an EBS will be
transferable under CERCLA § 120(h)(4). The EPA has stated
prepared or evaluated for its usefulness (and updated if
that there may be instances in which it would be appropriate to
necessary) for any property to be transferred by deed or leased.
concur with the DoD Component that certain property can be
The EBS will be based on existing environmental information
identified as uncontaminated under CERCLA § 120(h)(4)
related to storage, release, treatment, or disposal of hazardous
although some limited quantity of hazardous substances or
substances or petroleum products on the property to determine
petroleum products have been stored, released, or disposed of
or discover the obviousness of the presence or likely presence
on the property. If the information available indicates that the
ofareleaseorthreatenedreleaseofanyhazardoussubstanceor
storage, release, or disposal was associated with activities that
petroleum product. In certain cases, additional data, including
would not be expected to pose a threat to human health or the
sampling, if appropriate under the circumstances, may be
environment (for example, housing areas, petroleum-stained
needed in the EBS to support the FOSTor FOSL.Apreviously
pavement areas, and areas having undergone routine applica-
tion of pesticides), such property should be eligible for
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E50 on Environ-
expeditious reuse.
mental Assessment, Risk Management and Corrective Action and is the direct
1.1.4 Petroleum Products—Petroleum products and their
responsibility of Subcommittee E50.02 on Real Estate Assessment and Manage-
derivativesareincludedwithinthescopeofthispractice.Areas
ment.
on which petroleum products or their derivatives were stored
Current edition approved Oct. 10, 1996. Published December 1996. Originally
published as PS 37. Last previous edition PS 37 – 95.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D6008–96
for one year or more, known to have been released or disposed priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
of [CERCLA§ 120(h)(4)] are not eligible to be reported as bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
“uncontaminated property” under CERFA.
2. Referenced Documents
1.1.5 Other Federal, State, and Local Environmental
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Laws—This practice does not address requirements of any
federal, state, or local laws other than the applicable provisions E 1527 Practice for Environmental SiteAssessments: Phase
I Environmental Site Assessment Process
of CERCLA identified in 1.1.2 and 1.1.3. Users are cautioned
that federal, state, and local laws may impose additional EBS E 1528 Practice for Environmental Site Assessments:
Transaction Screen Process
or other environmental assessment obligations that are beyond
the scope of this practice. Users should also be aware that there D 5746 Classification of Environmental Condition of Prop-
erty Area Types
arelikelytobeotherlegalobligationswithregardtohazardous
substances or petroleum products discovered on property that 2.2 Department of Defense Policies:
DoD Policy on the Environmental Review Process to Reach
are not addressed in this practice and that may pose risks of
civil or criminal sanctions, or both, for noncompliance. a Finding of Suitability to Lease (FOSL), September 1993
DoD Policy on the Environmental Review Process to Reach
1.1.6 Other Federal, State, and Local Real Property and
a Finding of Suitability to Transfer (FOST) for Property
Natural and Cultural Resources Laws—This practice does not
Where No Release or Disposal Has Occurred, June 1994
address requirements of any federal, state or local real property
DoD Policy on the Environmental Review Process to Reach
or natural and cultural resources laws. Users are cautioned that
a Finding of Suitability to Transfer (FOST) for Property
numerous federal, state, and local laws may impose additional
Where Release or Disposal Has Occurred, June 1994
environmental and other legal requirements that must be
DoD Policy on the Implementation of the Community
satisfied prior to deed transfer of property that are beyond the
Environmental Response Facilitation Act (CERFA), Sep-
scope of this practice.
tember 1993
1.2 Objectives—Objectives guiding the development of this
2.3 Department of Defense Guidance Document:
practice are (1) to synthesize and put in writing a standard
BRAC Cleanup Plan Guidebook, Fall 1993
practice for conducting a high quality EBS, (2) to facilitate the
2.4 Federal Standards:
development of high quality, standardized environmental con-
Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 300,
dition of property maps to be included in an EBS that can be
National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contin-
used to support FOSTs, FOSLs, and other applicable environ-
gency Plan
mentalconditionreports,(3)tofacilitatetheuseofthestandard
Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 302,
classification of environmental condition of property area
Designation Reportable Quantities and Notification
types, and ( 4) to facilitate the development of a standard guide
Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 355,
for preparing and updating EBS reports.
Emergency Planning and Notification
1.3 Limitations— Users of this practice should note that,
while many of the elements of an EBS are performed in a
3. Terminology
manner consistent with other “due diligence” functions, an
3.1 This section provides definitions (of terms not unique to
EBS is not prepared to satisfy a purchaser of real property’s
thispractice),descriptionsoftermsspecifictothispractice,and
duty to conduct an “appropriate inquiry” in order to establish
a list of acronyms and abbreviations used herein.The terms are
an “innocent landowner defense” to CERCLA § 107 liability.
an integral part of this practice and are critical to its under-
Any such use of any EBS by any party is outside the control of
standing and use. Many of these terms are also found in
the United States Department of Defense and its components
Practice E 1527.
and beyond the scope of any EBS. No warranties or represen-
3.2 Definitions:
tations are made by the United States Department of Defense,
3.2.1 asbestos—six naturally occurring fibrous minerals
its components, its officers, employees, or contractors that any
found in certain types of rock formations. Of the six, the
EBS Report satisfies any such requirement for any party.
minerals chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite have been most
1.4 Organization of This Practice—This practice has 15
commonly used in building products. When mined and pro-
sections. Section 1 is the scope. Section 2 identifies referenced
cessed, asbestos is typically separated into very thin fibers.
documents. Section 3, Terminology, includes definitions of
Because asbestos is strong, incombustible, and corrosion-
terms not unique to this practice, descriptions of terms unique
resistant, asbestos was used in many commercial products
to this practice, and acronyms and abbreviations. Section 4 is
beginning early in this century and peaking in the period from
the significance and use of this practice. Section 5 describes
user’s responsibilities. Sections 6-13 are the main body of the
data gathering analysis steps of the EBS process. Section 14
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
briefly describes the EBS Step 3 classification of environmen-
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
tal condition of property area types. Section 15 contains a list
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
of keywords. the ASTM website.
Available from Department of Defense, Office of Environmental Security, 3400
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3400.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- Office, Washington, DC 20402.
D6008–96
World War II into the 1970s. When inhaled in sufficient substance under subparagraphs (A) through (F) of this para-
quantities, asbestos fibers can cause serious health problems. graph, and the term does not include natural gas, natural gas
liquids, liquefied natural gas, or synthetic gas usable for fuel
3.2.2 asbestos-containing material (ACM)—any material or
(or mixtures of natural gas and such synthetic gas).” Users of
product that contains more than 1 % asbestos.
this practice should note that certain states may expand this
3.2.3 Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensa-
definition to include other substances not meeting the above
tion, and Liability Information System (CERCLIS)—the list of
definition. The user or environmental professional should
sites compiled by EPAthat EPAhas investigated or is currently
consider whether the state in which the installation is located
investigating for potential hazardous substance contamination
has identified such identified substances.
for possible inclusion on the National Priorities List.
3.2.11 hazardous waste—any hazardous waste having the
3.2.4 contaminated public wells—public wells used for
characteristics identified under or listed pursuant to section
drinking water that have been designated by a government
3001 of the Solid Waste DisposalAct (42 USC § 6901 et seq.)
entity as contaminated by toxic substances (for example,
(but not including any waste the regulation of which under the
chlorinated solvents), or as having water unsafe to drink
Solid Waste Disposal Act has been suspended by Act of
without treatment.
Congress) and so forth.
3.2.5 drum—a container (typically, but not necessarily,
3.2.12 landfill—a place, location, tract of land, area, or
holding 55 gal [208 L] of liquid) that may have been used to
premises used for the disposal of solid wastes as defined by
store hazardous substances or petroleum products.
state solid waste regulations. The term is synonymous with the
3.2.6 dwelling—structure or portion thereof used for resi-
term solid waste disposal site and is also known as a garbage
dential habitation.
dump, trash dump, or similar term.
3.2.7 environmental lien—a charge, security, or encum-
3.2.13 local street directories—directories published by
brance upon title to a property to secure the payment of a cost,
private (or sometimes government) sources that show owner-
damage, debt, obligation, or duty arising out of response
ship, occupancy, or use of sites, or combination thereof, by
actions, cleanup, or other remediation of hazardous substances
reference to street addresses. Often local street directories are
or petroleum products upon a property, including (but not
available at libraries of local governments, colleges or univer-
limited to) liens imposed pursuant to CERCLA 42 USC §
sities, or historical societies.
9607(1) and similar state or local laws.
3.2.14 material safety data sheet (MSDS)—written or
3.2.8 ERNS list—EPA’s Emergency Response Notification
printed material concerning a hazardous substance
...