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. 090CMB03-FS-EPIC-Drft ------- The Environmental Photographic Interpretation Center (EPIC) V R •e-v 7fl^—J3—™ 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. ------- 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 ------- 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 ------- |