https://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov/map/

Here’s what it does and why it matters for ecological assessments:

Core Functions

·         Regulatory Tracking & Compliance

o   GeoTracker archives data on authorized and unauthorized discharges of waste, hazardous substance releases, and cleanup activities.

o   It supports compliance reporting for programs like:

§  Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Cleanup Program

§  Site Cleanup Program (SLIC)

§  Military and Land Disposal Sites

§  Oil & Gas Monitoring

§  Confined Animal Facilities and Irrigated Lands.

·         Data Repository

o   Responsible parties must submit laboratory analytical results, site reports, and geospatial data electronically.

o   The database contains hundreds of millions of analytical records for over 50,000 contaminated or formerly contaminated sites, dating back to 2001.

·         Public Access & Transparency

o   GeoTracker provides open access to environmental data, including:

§  Site History and cleanup status

§  Groundwater monitoring results

§  Well locations and depth-to-groundwater data

§  Georeferenced maps and aerial imagery.

·         Geospatial Analysis

o   Integrated GIS tools allow regulators and consultants to assess the proximity of contamination to sensitive receptors (e.g., drinking water wells).

o   Facilitates risk assessment and property due diligence during real estate transactions or environmental site assessments.

Why It’s Important for Property Assessments

• Phase I & II Environmental Site Assessments often rely on GeoTracker to identify historical contamination, cleanup status, and regulatory oversight, helping professionals feel assured in their evaluations.
• It helps determine whether a property is impacted by soil or groundwater contamination, which affects liability, redevelopment feasibility, and financing.

In a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), the goal is to identify Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs) that could affect property value or liability.  When using GeoTracker, here are the key data points to review:

1.  Site Identification

• Site Name & Address: Confirm the property and any adjacent parcels.
• Global ID & Case Number: Unique identifiers for regulatory tracking.
• Program Type: Indicates the nature of contamination (e.g., LUST, SLIC, Military, Land Disposal).

2.  Regulatory Status

• Case Status:
• Open: Active cleanup or investigation.
• Closed: Regulatory closure granted (but check for residual contamination).
• Responsible Agency: State Water Board, Regional Board, or Local Oversight Program.

3.  Contaminant Information

• Contaminants of Concern (COCs):
• Typical examples: Petroleum hydrocarbons, solvents (PCE/TCE), heavy metals.
• Media Impacted:
• Soil, groundwater, vapor intrusion potential.

4.  Analytical Data

• Depth-to-Groundwater: Important for migration risk.
• Monitoring Well Data: Concentrations over time.
• Plume Maps: Shows contamination spread.

5.  Cleanup Actions

• Remediation Method: Excavation, soil vapor extraction, and pump-and-treat.
• Closure Criteria: Was the cleanup to residential or commercial standards?

6.  Proximity Analysis

• Nearby Sites:
• Adjacent or upgradient properties with contamination.
• Sensitive Receptors:
• Drinking water wells, schools, and wetlands.

7.  Historical Use Indicators

• UST Records: Underground storage tanks (active or removed).
• Hazardous Waste Generators: Past industrial activity.

Practical Tip

For Phase I assessments, prioritize reviewing case status, contaminant type, media impacted, cleanup documentation, and nearby contamination sources to streamline your process.

• Case status
• Contaminant type
• Media impacted
• Closure documentation
• Nearby contamination sources

✅ GeoTracker Phase I ESA Checklist

1.  Site Identification

• Confirm property address and parcel boundaries.
• Record GeoTracker Global ID and Case Number.
• Note Program Type (LUST, SLIC, Military, Land Disposal, etc.).

2.  Regulatory Status

• Check Case Status:
• Open / Closed / Completed.
• Identify Oversight Agency (State Water Board, Regional Board, Local).

3.  Contaminant Information

• List Contaminants of Concern (COCs) (e.g., petroleum hydrocarbons, solvents, metals).
• Identify Media Impacted:
• Soil
• Groundwater
• Vapor intrusion potential.

4.  Analytical & Hydrogeologic Data

• Depth-to-groundwater (from monitoring wells).
• Review plume maps or geospatial data.
• Note any migration pathways (utilities, preferential flow).

5.  Cleanup & Closure

• Document Remediation Methods used.
• Verify Closure Documentation:
• Was the cleanup to residential or commercial standards?
• Check for Residual Contamination warnings.

6.  Proximity Analysis

• Identify nearby contaminated sites (within a 1-mile radius).
• Check upgradient/downgradient relationships.
• Note sensitive receptors:
• Drinking water wells
• Schools
• Wetlands.

7.  Historical Use Indicators

• UST records (installed, removed, abandoned).
• Hazardous Waste Generator History
• Past industrial or commercial uses.

8.  Documentation

• Save the GeoTracker site summary report.
• Include maps and case status screenshots in the Phase I ESA report.
• Record the date of data retrieval for the audit trail.

Closing Paragraph

This GeoTracker review provides a critical component of the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment by identifying potential Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs) associated with historical or current contamination.  While GeoTracker offers valuable regulatory and analytical data, it should be supplemented with site reconnaissance, interviews, and additional databases to ensure a comprehensive evaluation.  Findings from this checklist should guide risk assessment, inform property transactions, and support compliance with ASTM E1527 standards.  Always document sources, retrieval dates, and maintain an audit trail for transparency and defensibility.