Commandant
2100 Second Street,S.W.
United States Coast Guard
Washington, DC 20593-0001
Phone: (202) 267-1907
COMDTINST 16475.5
MAR - 6 1996
COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION 16475.5
Subj: ENVIRONMENTAL INITIAL ASSESSMENT SURVEY (IAS) PROGRAM
Ref:
(a)
COMDT (G-ECV) ltr of 17 Feb 95, IAS Program
(b)
40 CFR 300.420, Chapter 1 (7-1-94 Edition)
(c)
42 U.S.C. 9620(h)
1.
PURPOSE. This instruction establishes policies, procedures, and responsibilities for the
Coast Guard Environmental Initial Assessment Survey (IAS) program that was outlined in
reference (a).
2.
ACTION. District commanders, commanders of maintenance and logistics commands,
commanding officers of Headquarters units, commanding officers of civil engineering units,
and commanding officers of all shore units affected shall assist with the provisions of this
instruction.
3.
DISCUSSION. It is CG policy to undertake an IAS within a 10-year time frame at all
currently and formerly occupied CG facilities located in the United States. An IAS is
considered a Preliminary Assessment, an initial step within the Comprehensive
Environmental Response Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) to differentiate CG
sites that pose little or no potential threat to human health and the environment from those
sites that warrant further investigation as per reference (b). The IAS is also considered a
Facility Assessment under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) to
determine the need for a Corrective Measure Study. Additionally, the IAS program is to
fulfill public-right-to-know requirements, and to facilitate real estate transfers as per
reference (c). Due to CG specific conditions, the IAS scope of work will be designed to
encompass all the overlapping requirements. Once the IAS identifies action areas and sets
priorities, long term funding requirements can be established for cleanups.