Environmental Site Assessment Guidelines - Ohio Department of ...

database search firm is not an indication that there are no historical aerials for the project and
does not release the consultant from obtaining historical aerials to satisfy this requirement.
Aerials must be an interpretable scale (1"=1000' or less) for reviewing individual properties or
small project areas. Larger scales may be acceptable when reviewing large project study areas
or corridors with agricultural areas or other low density areas. A reviewable aerial photocopy
must be provided. Unclear aerial photos will not be acceptable. Suspect parcels and the
project area must be clearly marked on all the aerial photographs.
Preliminary Project Mapping and/or Plans - Available project maps and/or preliminary project
plan sheets must be included in the report. These materials can be obtained from the ODOT
District Offices or, for locally sponsored projects, from the local sponsor (see Appendix C).
Oil and Gas Well Mappinq - When oil and gas wells are located within the project study area or
corridor, then mapping must indicate the locations of these wells. These maps are available
through ODNR, Division of Oil and Gas.
Fire Insurance Maps - Although obtaining and reviewing fire insurance maps is not required in
this step, ODOT recognizes that this type of review may be an appropriate and prudent
investigative tool for less typical projects or properties. Fire insurance maps are still a
requirement of the Phase I ESA regardless of their presence in the ESA Screening.
5.1.4 Regulatory Database Review
A review of regulatory database information should be conducted to identify environmental
concerns within one-quarter mile of the project study area or corridor. Consultants must be
cognizant of the project’s anticipated construction limits and undertake the search appropriate to
these limits. Specifically, linear searches (rather than point searches) will be necessary for most
projects to ensure the 0.25-mile search limit is met for the entire project corridor. The consultant is
responsible for ground-truthing to provide accurate information on whether identified regulatory
sites are located within and/or immediately adjacent to the project corridor. Several lists are
available through the USEPA, OEPA, and BUSTR that provide database information related to
hazardous substances. Several national database research service firms provide comprehensive
environmental database searches which generally include mapping of the identified sites with
respect to the project study area or corridor. At a minimum, the ESA Screening should include the
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