Physical Assessment

1
Physical Assessment
2
Geology
3
Site Topography

• Note all All Surface Water and location on
  property
• Note Surface Water Body Classification
• Determine Stormwater drainage and discharge
• Note distances of buildings to surface water

4
Surface Water

• Lakes
• Streams
• Ponds
• Wetlands

5
Geologic Characteristics

• Geological Characteristics of site
• Soil Types
• Bedrock Geological Characteristics
• Known depth to bedrock

6
Flood Potential

• Distance to 100 year floodplain
• Direction to nearest upstream and downstream
  surface water bodies
• Site Proximity, distance, direction, and drainage
  relationship to existing wetlands within a 0.5
  mile radius of property

7
Examine Groundwater From Maps

• Review Any Hydrogeologic Maps
• Determine Groundwater classification or reporting
  category
• Determine Significant sand and gravel aquifers

8
Groundwater Map
9
Examine Groundwater on Site

• Wells and springs on site and any water quality
  information
• Approximate depth to groundwater
• General use and consumption of groundwater within
  0.5 miles of property
• Know groundwater flow and direction

10
Wetlands From Maps

• Virginia has about 1 million acres of wetlands
  one-quarter are tidal and three-quarters are
  nontidal.
• Forested wetlands (swamps) are the most common
  wetlands in the State.
• Many have been converted to nonwetland uses
  (agricultural, urban, industrial, and
  recreational)

11
What is a Wetland

• Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil,
  or is present either at or near the surface of
  the soil all year or for varying periods of time
  during the year, including during the growing
  season.

12
Wetland Protection

• Wetlands are protected by the Clean Water Act
• Economic incentives and disincentives
• tax deductions
• cooperative programs
• Acquisition for establishing national wildlife
  refuges
• States have enacted laws to regulate activities
  in wetlands
• Some counties and towns have adopted local
  wetlands protection ordinances

13
Look for Endangered Species

• Maps
• Site Surveys
• DEQ Lists
• Examples in Virginia
• Bald Eagle
• Virginia Big Eared Bat
• Slender Chub
• Yellowfin Madtom
• Dwarf Wedge Mussle
• Smooth Coneflower
• Swamp Pink
• Small Whorled Pogonia

14
Wild and Scenic Rivers

• Check State and Local classification of river on
  properties
• Water Quality
• Fisheries Habitat
• Use as Drinking Water Source

15
Site Operations

• Land and Building Areas
• Building Descriptions
• Site Use Operations

16
Land and Building Areas

• Describe Types and Variety of Land Types
• Forest
• Pasture
• Buildings On Site

17
Building Descriptions

• Date of Construction
• Size and location on property
• Other information renovations, additions and
  demolition

18
Current Site Use

• Activities on site
• Agriculture
• Industry
• Residences

19
Site Utilities

• Water Supply
• Waste Disposal
• Sources of heat electric, gas, oil
• Any buried or overhead pipes, wires, cables

20
Water Supply

• Wells
• Municipal water supply
• Know or suspected contamination
• Age of System
• Depth of Wells

21
Waste Disposal

• Septic System
• Municipal Sewer
• Location from Wells
• Evidence of Failure
• Pumping Records
• Age of System
• Load on the System

22
Other

• Buried pipes, tanks and cable
• Above ground pipes, tanks and cable
• Other cisterns, catch basins..

23
Sources of Heat

• Gas on site propane, natural gas lines
• Electric above or buried lines
• Evidence of leaks, problems or failures

24
Stormwater

• Flow of stormwater through property
• Channels
• Outfalls
• Swales
• Potential for contamination

25
Historic Resources

• Historical sites based on records, activities,
  buildings
• Any structures falling under Historic
  Preservations Act
• Discussions with local Historical Society

26
Resources

• Presence of resources of Archaeological
  significance

27
Farmlands

• Present or past evidence of commercial
  agricultural operations
• Evidence of pesticide and herbicide use
• Types of agricultural use

28
Recreational Use

• Evidence of current or past recreational use
• Parks, greenways, shelters or other recreational
  facilites within 0.5 miles of property

29
Zoning

• Land use compatible with zoning
• Zoning on property agricultural, residential,
  commmercial, industrial