EBI Consulting has vast experience in the completion and management of a wide variety of environmental due diligence and compliance services for wireless telecommunications and related companies:
FCC and FAA Compliance Audit
EBI Consulting staff completed an audit of the compliance status of 254 on-air sites in Connecticut. The audit revealed that, prior to construction, none of the 254 sites were assessed for environmental impact as required under the FCC’s NEPA-implementing regulations. Based on the audit findings, EBI Consulting’s expert staff conferred with the Connecticut Historic Preservation Officer and developed a plan to review each site’s potential impact to historical places. Of the 254 sites, only five were determined to have an adverse effect on historical places.
For each of the five sites, EBI Consulting’s expert staff coordinated with the client’s design and construction teams and the Connecticut Historic Preservation Officer to reverse the adverse effects. Only minor modifications were made to the facilities, which resulted in shutdown for only a few hours. An EBI Consulting expert negotiated a settlement with the Connecticut Historic Preservation Officer to provide educational funding in lieu of removing one adverse effect tower site.
EBI Consulting experts also audited over 50 Connecticut towers for compliance with FAA airspace regulations. The audit revealed that three towers required FAA notice prior to construction and one tower represented an actual hazard to air navigation. EBI Consulting notified the FAA of the three notice-required sites, and managed the client’s efforts to shorten the hazard-posing tower. The post-construction notice and tower height mitigation were completed without fines or enforcement actions.
Multi-State Preparation of NEPA Assessments
EBI Consulting works closely with a large wireless carrier on their expansion. Our understanding of state requirements has greatly improved the carrier’s efficiency in obtaining approval for proposed projects as required for compliance with the FCC. Due to EBI Consulting’s demonstrated track record of producing accurate, credible reports, we have developed a strong working relationship with State Historic Preservation Officers, US Fish and Wildlife representatives, and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers throughout the nation. EBI Consulting’s relationships with these agencies have allowed us to assist in upgrading the carrier’s existing telecommunications system, ensure NEPA compliance, and perform environmental site assessments at all sites.
Regulatory Compliance Management Services
EBI Consulting currently manages the regulatory compliance management obligations at 350 nationwide sites for a national wireless telecommunications company. EBI Consulting's regulatory compliance experts monitor the carrier’s development tracker and coordinates the ordering of environmental compliance reports, services, and public communication. EBI Consulting has successfully performed these tasks since October 2002, and has allowed the client’s development staff to focus on building sites, negotiating leases, and obtaining local government zoning approval.
EBI Consulting has added value to the development process by constantly communicating with the development managers and identifying strategic points in the development process to initiate compliance assessments. The strategic timing of performing the service allows the client to focus on one site within a development ring rather than multiple reports for multiple sites within the ring.
Environmental Due Diligence & ASTM Screenings
EBI Consulting completed several large environmental due diligence portfolios for a national communications tower company at properties located in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia. Projects within the portfolios typically involved a preliminary environmental site screening that included a site inspection, environmental database review, and contact with local authorities. Based on the preliminary screening findings, more detailed reviews were conducted on those sites requiring further investigation. This approach has been proven to save time and money.
On a recent portfolio completed in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York, EBI Consulting experts successfully completed over 140 preliminary site screenings within a three-week period. The experts identified potential issues on six of the properties. Through a diligent review of existing environmental and health department records, closure was obtained on five of the six properties, thus eliminating the need for investigative sampling.
During one portfolio review, a potential tower acquisition site was found to be located on a former Superfund landfill. EBI Consulting contacted the EPA and local authorities, and responded diligently by assembling all the necessary information to confirm that the site was properly closed and that all prior issues were addressed. The acquisition then proceeded as planned. EBI Consulting’s rapid response and diligent work avoided an unnecessary and potentially costly delay to this acquisition.
Environmental Site Assessment Portfolio
EBI Consulting assisted in managing and performing environmental site assessments and NEPA evaluations for approximately 80 telecommunications towers in Virginia as part of a large acquisition package. In addition to conducting field-work and report writing, EBI Consulting assisted and managed other scientists in order to complete the project efficiently and uniformly.
While performing these field studies, EBI Consulting simultaneously sought potential tower locations for the client. Experts at EBI Consulting identified abandoned towers that were eventually acquired by the client to improve the client’s network. At all locations (potential and existing sites for which EBI Consulting produced reports), experts from EBI Consulting identified on-site hazards, liabilities, and environmental concerns surrounding the tower sites. For the existing tower locations where the client proposed to collocate, EBI Consulting ensured NEPA and FCC compliance.
Emergency Spill Delineation, Hazard Assessment, and Remediation
In addition to environmental site assessments, environmental due diligence, and NEPA services, EBI Consulting maintains in-house environmental experts that are capable of handling virtually all environmental services. EBI Consulting has licensed site professionals (LSPs), licensed environmental professionals (LEPs), professional geologists (PGs), and professional engineers (PEs) on staff that are available to telecommunications clients.
At a tower site in Rhode Island, unbeknownst to the owner or the client, a diesel generator was discovered to have been leaking for an extended period. After the leak was discovered, EBI Consulting was called in to perform emergency spill delineation, hazard assessment, and remediation of the site. Because the tower was located adjacent to wetlands and an underground aquifer, the consequences could have been particularly harmful to the environment and to the client. Due to EBI Consulting’s quick, effective response, the client was soon in compliance with local and state agencies, the environmental threats were alleviated, and a potential disaster was averted.
Exclusive Provider of NEPA Services
EBI Consulting works closely with a national telecommunications carrier to ensure NEPA compliance with local, state, and federal regulators and to expedite tower build-outs and collocation sites. EBI Consulting attends weekly meetings with the carrier, and provides status reports on each project on which EBI Consulting is working.
This close working relationship guarantees that each report produced for the carrier will meet their requirements and specifications. As requested by the carrier, EBI Consulting’s licensed site professional reviews each report prior to final delivery. Due to the relationship maintained with the carrier, an intimate understanding of the carrier’s objectives has been developed. This positions EBI Consulting to deliver timely, precise reports that are on schedule and tailored to the needs of the carrier.
Multi-State Preparation of Phase I Environmental Site Assessments and NEPA Assessments
EBI Consulting recently completed phase I environmental site assessments and NEPA assessments for an 83-site portfolio for a national wireless carrier’s Midwest region. EBI Consulting successfully located and evaluated each site ensure compliance. The entire portfolio, which was spread across five states, was completed in seven weeks. This process has been repeated numerous times across the nation, including:
EBI Consulting has continually proven to have the capability to communicate with clients and state agencies from our headquarters and satellite offices located throughout the nation. These offices allow us to successfully complete reports for our clients and comply with regulatory agencies.
EBI Consulting’s experience in working closely with federal and regional offices has given us the knowledge and experience to properly identify the regulatory agencies for a given project area and understand the specific requirements for project review. Our understanding of the regulatory environment has also allowed us to assist and educate our clients on these region-specific regulations.
Learn more about EBI Consulting’s wireless telecommunications environmental consulting services by calling 781.273.2500 or emailing info@ebiconsulting.com. We’ll be happy to discuss your needs.