US Environmental
Protection
Agency
The Environmental Photographic
Interpretation Center (EPIC)
Introduction
EPA's Environmental Photographic Interpretation
Center (EPIC) provides a wide range of remote sensing
and aerial photographic analyses to EPA Headquarters
and Regional Program Offices in support of investiga-
tions under Superfund, RCRA, the Clean Water Act and
the National Contingency Plan. The comprehensive
aerial photographic analyses are supported by a broad
array of services including aerial photo overflight plan-
ning, collateral data acquisition, aerial film processing,
historical aerial photo search and acquisition, and GIS
data base development. EPIC produces fully annotated
maps and photos accompanied by descriptive text to
document historical or current analyses of hazardous
waste disposal and handling, emergency response
efforts and inventories of potential hazardous waste
sites. Also provided are specialized analyses including
wetlands classification and delineation, photogeology
and fracture trace analysis and photogrammetric map-
ping. EPIC maintains a multidiscipline staff with back-
grounds in geography, geology, biology, remote sens-
ing, forestry and natural resources management.
The following sections present summary descriptions of
EPIC's products and services.
Hazardous Waste Site Analysis
Analysis of hazardous waste sites using historical and
current aerial photography comprises a major part of
EPIC's workload. By utilizing the vast archives of
nationwide aerial photography dating back to the 1930's
which is maintained by government and private
sources, EPIC's analysts can reconstruct the waste han-
dling and disposal history of a site in support of site
cleanup and regulatory or enforcement efforts. Aerial
photography can be a powerful tool in court in the form
of evidence and expert witness testimony.
Interpretation of aerial photography can yield informa-
tion on site size, drainage patterns, type of fill materials,
leachate, burial sites, lagoons, impoundments and their
contents, and general condition of the site. Locations
and descriptions of tanks, drums, open storage areas,
evidence of vegetation stress, on-site obstacles, struc-
tures, equipment and access routes can also be provid-
ed. Historical analysis provides the information neces-
sary to obtain a chronological understanding of a site's
development and activities which can lead to the identi-
fication of a specific problem. The information inter-
preted from the photography is provided to the
requester on photo enlargements, with overlays anno-
tated with descriptive findings; accompanying text pro-
vides a full site description.
Inventories of Potential Hazardous
Waste Sites
The site discovery process involves analyzing aerial
photographs in order to cost-effectively inventory a
large region of potential hazardous waste sites for fur-
ther investigation. Aerial photographs are systematical-
ly searched for specific features or types of sites speci-
fied by the requester. These can include landfills, open
dumps, scrap salvage yards, chemical handling and
storage facilities, impoundments, or abandoned indus-
trial sites. Identified sites are annotated on overlays to
topographic maps and accompanied by data sheets
describing site conditions. The site conditions are pre-
sented chronologically with the period of site activity
shown on the map overlay. Historical aerial photo-
graphs are helpful for determining changing site condi-
tions and for identifying hazardous sites that are cur-
rently hidden by new development.
Emergency Response
EPIC has quick response capabilities to react to emer-
gency situations such as hazardous material releases
and natural disasters like hurricanes (Hugo) and earth-
quakes (San Francisco/Oakland, CA). Aerial photogra-
phy is acquired, processed and analyzed to provide
information to on-site personnel regarding circum-
stances not easily or safely observed from the ground.
Typical products for an emergency response project
include an immediate telephone report to on-site per-
sonnel followed by photographs or positive film trans-
parencies with interpretation results annotated on over-
lays, annotated topographic maps, and a short letter
report describing analysis results.
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The Environmental Photographic
Interpretation Center (EPIC)
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Figures: Clockwise starting at the top - an inventory of possible hazardous waste sites; Kingston Drum site, NH; false color
image for -wetland delineation and species identification; and an oil spill in a run nearManassas, VA.
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The Environmental Photographic
Interpretation Center (EPIC)
Wetlands
Wetland analyses are performed in support of various
sections of the Clean Water Act concerning enforce-
ment, permitting and advance identification. Analysis
of historical aerial photography is often the only means
of establishing the prior existence of wetlands on lands
that have been dredged or filled, and calculating wet-
land loss acreage necessary for mitigation settlements.
Aerial photographs can also provide information con-
cerning vegetative type, periodicity of flooding, tidal
influences, and affected drainage patterns.
A hierarchical wetlands and deepwater habitats classifi-
cation system developed by Cowardin et al. for the US
Fish and Wildlife Service is used in the analyses.
Jurisdictional delineation procedures are followed in the
field according to the Federal Manual for Identifying and
Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands. Field checking of rep-
resentative areas is performed in enforcement cases to
verify the accuracy of interpretation and classification.
Also checked are representative wetlands in proximity
to, and matching the aerial photographic signatures of
those at the site being investigated prior to its alteration.
This information provides the analyst with an indica-
tion of the types of wetlands which were most likely
present prior to alteration.
Simplified studies are also performed on Superfund
sites or on areas where delineation between upland and
wetland is needed. These studies entail the placement
of wetland symbols or the delineation of wetland
boundaries on overlays to photographic prints. The
aerial photographic analysis is supported by collateral
information regarding the soils, hydrology and local
vegetation.
Photogeology
Photogeology involves the interpretation of an area's
geology from analysis of landforms, drainage, tones,
and vegetation distribution on aerial photographs.
EPIC produces four types of photogeologic products:
fracture trace analyses, karst feature identification,
seep/spring detection and channel change analysis.
Fracture trace analysis involves the use of aerial photo-
graphs and other types of remotely sensed imagery to
identify linear features on the earth's surface that are
naturally occurring and are surface manifestations of
subsurface fracture zones in the bedrock. When viewed
in cross-section, fracture traces are seen to be vertical or
near vertical breaks in the bedrock. Fractures are of
particular environmental concern because contaminants
are likely to move more easily through zones of frac-
tured bedrock than through the surrounding more con-
solidated bedrock material. Thus, fracture traces can be
used to identify possible migration routes of pollutants
and are often used in the placement of
monitoring/remedial wells around hazardous waste
sites.
Lithologic mapping (mapping of distinct rock types or
units) from aerial photographs involves the interpreta-
tion of surface features in order to produce a more accu-
rate geologic map in areas where geologic mapping is
incomplete due to limited field work, small map scale,
etc.
Photogrammetric Mapping
EPIC produces highly accurate topographic and plani-
metric maps, generally at a large scale, which conform
with National Map Accuracy Standards and EPA
Photogrammetric Mapping Specifications. Map scales,
contour intervals, and planimetric details can be varied
to suit specific requirements.
Photogrammetric techniques can be used to measure
the area and volume of hazardous wastes; determine
the height and placement of containment berms, dikes,
and impoundments; and determine the depth of waste
pits. Changes in size, shape, and other physical charac-
teristics of a waste site can be documented through
sequential photogrammetric mapping.
Photogrammetric techniques can also be used in estab-
lishing precise location and orientation data to support
geophysical monitoring or monitoring well placement.
Geographic Information Systems
EPIC maintains an active GIS capability to support EPA
Regional office needs. For example, one completed
project supported a National Priorities List (NPL) haz-
ardous waste site investigation using information from
diverse sources (including numerous years of historical
aerial photography, geological data, digital line graph
data, soil data, property ownership, monitoring well
data, etc.). This data was combined to produce topical
maps and analyses for use in the Remedial
Investigation/Feasibility Study decision-making process
under Superfund. Another project involved the ecologi-
cal characterization of a pilot site using photo-derived
information on land use, vegetation, wetlands and land-
forms to produce maps and overlays for landscape
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The Environmental Photographic
Interpretation Center (EPIC)
characterization and trend analysis. Additionally, a GIS
has been used to obtain wetland gain and loss measure-
ments for enforcement actions against violations of the
Clean Water Act.
Miscellaneous Analyses
Additional analyses include interpretation of thermal
infrared imagery for detection of illegal river discharges
and landfill and mine fires; detection of abandoned oil,
gas and water wells; mapping of submerged aquatic
vegetation; and land use and drainage mapping.
Data Acquisition
EPIC acquires historical photographs, dating to the late
1930's, from a wide range of Federal, state and local
government agencies and private aerial survey compa-
nies. Current overflights, customized to the requester's
needs as to scale, imagery type, time of year, etc. are
obtained through a network of private aerial survey
companies across the country. These companies are
also available on short notice for emergency response
efforts. Additional sources of information acquired
include U.S. Geological Survey maps, Sanborn Fire
Insurance Maps and U.S. Department of Agriculture
Soil Surveys.
Photo Lab
The technical services of EPIC include aerial photo-
graphic print production using digital scanning meth-
ods and/or photographic laboratory film processing:
• Complete digital or photographic processing and
printing of black-and-white, color, color infrared,
and black-and-white thermal infrared film;
• Custom processing and printing, to include repro-
ducing old maps, line work, and historical imagery.
Graphics Support
EPIC offers graphics, cartographic, drafting and ancil-
lary support for the preparation of finished documents.
Our present capabilities include:
• Preparing inked overlays keyed to aerial photo-
graphs and maps, and preparation of transparen-
cies for use as overlays or in briefings;
• Assembling completed reports including layout,
mounting of photographs and text, covers, and
binding;
• Mounting and labeling of photographs for litigation
or public hearings.
For further information contact: Environmental Photographic Interpretation Center
US Environmental Protection Agency, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, 555 National Center, Reston, VA 20192
(703) 648-4288, FAX (703) 648-4290
MARCH 1999
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