ACN 027/19 - MAR 2019 IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES

ALCOAST COMMANDANT NOTICE                                 CANCEL DATE  27 MAR 2020

R 281141 MAR 19
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-4//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS//N05090//
ACN 027/19
SUBJ:  IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES
A. Advisory: Identification of Potential Environmental Liabilities
B. Advisory: Review and Confirmation of Potential Environmental Liabilities
C. Policy on Management of Environmental Liabilities, COMDTINST 5090.11 (series)
D. COMDT (CG-4) Environmental Liabilities Implementing Procedures, May 2017
(current edition)
1. This ACN announces the procedures for the identification and reporting of
Potential Environmental Liabilities (PELs) by Coast Guard personnel.
2. The Coast Guard is required to perform due care by conducting a reasonable effort
to identify the presence, or likely presence, of environmental contamination. The likely
presence of contamination may be identified by stained soil, distressed vegetation, oily
sheens on water, unmarked pipes sticking up from the ground, etc. The identification of
contamination may, or may not result in identification of a previously unidentified
environmental liability.
3. Due care may be exercised by Coast Guard personnel while conducting regular duties
and activities. These activities may result in the identification of PELs. The performance
of due care should be documented. The results of Due Care must be documented.
4. The Office of Environmental Management (CG-47) has issued two advisories
REFs (A) and (B) on the identification and review of PELs. These advisories are on the
COMDT (CG-47) CGPortal page at: https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/cg47/SitePages/Home.aspx
and are in effect until an update to REF (A) has been published.
    A. REF (A) provides guidance on the proper recognition and reporting of PELs.
    B. REF (B) provides guidance on the process for review and proper recognition of PELs.
5. REFs (C) and (D) provide additional information regarding the Coast Guard’s PEL processes.
6. These changes with be implemented into the next revision of REF (C), which will be
released within the next year.
7. POC: Ms. Amy Martin, COMDT (CG-47), 202-475-5686 or Amy.Martin@uscg.mil.
8. Released by RDML M. W. Bouboulis, Chief Engineer and Assistant Commandant for
Engineering and Logistics.
9. Internet release is authorized.