Comments
Mike - this URL from the State Coalition for Remediation of Dry Cleaners (SCRD) website includes a list with a brief description of all member programs and links by State.
I strongly suggest to anyone with questions regarding what AAI “requires” to read the entire 2005 All Appropriate Inquiries; Final Rule. At a minimum, refer to the commentary starting on page 66085, “L. What Are the Objectives and Performance Factors for the All Appropriate Inquiries Requirements?” This section details the intent of the Final Rule to establish “overall performance factors and specific objectives” to allow for “…the application of professional judgment and expertise to account for site-specific circumstances.” As the Final Rule generally rejects the “checklist approach” to inquiries, a more appropriate question may be: Is a chain of title needed for this assessment?
Good question Larry. At first I was thinking it was Gary Sheffield because he just hit his 500th, but he never hit four. The I thought of Thome, I was sure he had done it, but nope. So I had to look it up at that point and found out that Willie Mays hit four. I was really surprised that only 15 players have done it and only two from the 500 club.
The heart and soul of commonground should be the discussions and blogs. The homepage should reflect that commitment. Keeping links to the purely promotional and fun stuff at the bottom of the homepage sidebar makes more sense and will help with user navigation.
As far as the topics discussions and blogs, I refer to the goal of commonground as stated in the FAQ:
Our goal is to provide a platform for environmental and property due diligence professionals to advance their industry, their businesses and careers through networking, knowledge sharing and collaboration.
During the past year, the vast majority of contributors have stayed true to the goal of the site. I don't think we need to further segregate the discussions or blogs. Commonground has succeeded in providing our industry an effective platform. It is up to us, the users, to keep it on course. I think that is exactly what happened in this case. Thanks for the feedback.
Mark,
I noticed that the discussions I looked at today and not rendering correctly in Internet Explorer. Basically, the Reply to This Comment link and other links normally at the bottom of each post are floating higher and on top of the comment text (see attached screen shot). Maybe it is just old IE but I thought you would want to see it.
Alan
screen sho.bmp (36KB)- posted July 24, 2009 in Environmental Home Health
Mark,
A single short-term radon test result over 4 pCi/L is an indicator of potential elevated radon levels, but before you move to mitigation I suggest you review some of the radon guidance documents on testing and mitigation available from EPA that are available here. You will find that the precision of radon measurement methods vary and the results are influenced by methodology, season and environment. You may want to conduct longer-term tests using inexpensive alpha-track monitors for 30 - 90 days that are generally more precise than short term tests. If you do opt for mitigation, be sure to find a specialist who can document success with similar structures in your area. Check references and speak with someone who has had a system in place for at least a year and has conducted follow-up tests during that time. Be advised that some methods that are effective in one locale may not work in another. Some address the radon but may introduce consequences issues such as excessive humidity, mold or noise.
Great post and comments! Here are a few more preparation tips to help with nerves:
1) Pay particular attention to your opening and closing. Write them out completely and practice to the point where you can deliver them naturally without reading the script. A great start will help alleviate any jitters and establish your connection with the audience. If things get a little loose or off-track during a presentation you can keep your confidence up by knowing you have a strong finish.
2) Resist using detailed notes. You may be tempted to read them verbatim and, in a pinch, it can be hard to find your place without breaking your concentration. If you are concerned that you may miss important points or mix up the sequence, use a single page or card with key words or phrases in large print. If you have practiced enough, you probably won’t need to look at them. But it helps to know they are there when needed.
3) Plan in advance what you will do if you draw a blank or lose focus. One technique is to keep a glass of water on a nearby table or podium and place your note card next to it. Pause for a moment take a few sips while you look down at your note card. Take breath and go right into the next point. It will seem like an eternity to you, but to the audience it will be completely natural. Most won’t even notice.
Sounds good, Sean. I look forward to "the cycle" becoming a cycle again!
Jason,
The Environmental Institute in Atlanta offers a 3-day course that includes basic ESA training and the most common nonscope considerations (asbestos, lead paint, mold, etc.). Here is a link for more information: http://www.tei-atl.com/html/phase_i.html
- E 1527 recognizes that data gaps are inherent within the limitations of the ESA. Essentially, the lack of any information required by the practice is a data gap. But if one follows the standard documentation requirements of the practice then each section of a report should effectively identify “ordinary” data gaps, and provide an explanation as to why those gaps exist and what efforts were made, if any, to fill the gaps with other data.
The 2005 version of the practice requires special consideration and report documentation of an SDG. What an SDG is and how it should be documented are described in sections 8.3.2.3 (Historical Records) and 12.7 (Report). The primary factor that differentiates a routine data gap from an SDG is (paraphrased): if other information and/or professional experience raises reasonable concerns that the gap affects the ability of the EP to identify recognized environmental conditions. The key is the potential impact on the REC determination. Once a data gap is identified in a report as an SDG, the EP will need to specifically comment on what impact the SDG had on the REC determination. Since it has an impact on the REC determination it makes sense to include the consideration of an SDG along with the report findings, opinions and conclusions.
It is difficult to answer hypothetical questions like you posed regarding whether or not the lack of an interview with an owner is an SDG because that determination is highly dependant upon the completeness and credibility of project information available from other sources on the use of the subject property and surrounding area. If the former owner is the only available source with direct knowledge of a property that has the potential for use, storage or disposal of hazardous substance or petroleum products then that would be significant. But I can imagine situations when the lack of an interview with an owner would not significantly impact the REC determination.