The National Science and Technology Center’s Division of Science provides natural resource science capabilities in the areas of scientific investigations and applications, landscape and resource analysis, environmental compliance support, and automated resource systems development. Our professional staff members possess expertise in the physical, biological, and social sciences and in geographic information system (GIS) technology.
We investigate scientific issues and develop synthesized summaries of science-related research. We develop strategies to integrate new scientific methodologies into land management activities and transfer those methodologies to BLM field offices through training, publications, and demonstrations. We coordinate science needs and research proposals and maintain an inventory of current research being done for BLM. We also provide senior technical and scarce skill expertise to field offices, BLM Headquarters, and other offices as needed.
We perform evaluations and develop applications of current and emerging technologies for use in resolving land management issues. We develop strategies to integrate current and emerging technologies to support land management activities. We transfer current and emerging technologies to BLM employees through training, publications, and demonstrations. We provide senior technical and scarce skill expertise to field offices.
We provide senior technical services and support to BLM offices related to the evaluation and cleanup of hazardous substance releases, cost recovery/cost avoidance associated with the cleanup/restoration and resource injury resulting from releases of hazardous substances, air and water quality issues related to the public lands, and compliance with environmental laws and regulations.
Site Evaluation and Cleanup Design
We provide services in response to releases of hazardous substances affecting public lands, such as an evaluation of the release and the cleanup of those sites that pose a risk to human health and welfare or the environment. These sites include abandoned mine lands, landfills, trespass dumps, underground storage tanks, oil and gas sites, mine and mill sites, and other hazardous waste sites. Services provided to BLM offices specifically related to these response activities include:
Contact:
Brent Lewis
303-236-0550 (voice)
brent_lewis@blm.govKarl Ford
303-236-6622 (voice)
karl_ford@blm.govDave Schafersman
303-236-1143
dave_schafersman@blm.govTom Morris (Site Mapping)
303-236-0964
tom_morris@blm.gov
Cost Recovery/Cost Avoidance Support
We provide services related to cost recovery/cost avoidance activities, such as identifying potentially responsible parties, or PRPs, liable for cleanup costs (PRP searches). In addition, we:
Contact:
Janet Youngdahl
303-236-1734
janet_youngdahl@blm.govDave Schafersman
303-236-1143
dave_schafersman@blm.gov
Air and Water Quality Support
We provide a variety of services to BLM offices related to air and water quality associated with the management of the public lands. Services specifically include:
Contact:
Bill Carey (Water Quality)
303-236-0103
bill_carey@blm.gov Scott Archer (Air Quality)
303-236-6400
scott_archer@blm.gov Dave Schafersman
303-236-1143
dave_schafersman@blm.gov
Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR)
We provide services related to NRDAR activities when cleanups do not fully restore the resources to their original pre-release conditions of healthy, functioning, and productive.
Under NRDAR, we identify or provide an assessment of resource injuries, determine the cost of restoring the damaged resources, and then negotiate or sue to get the polluters to pay. In addition, we provide:
Contact:
Paul Meyer
303-236-8858
paul_meyer@blm.govDave Schafersman
303-236-1143
dave_schafersman@blm.gov
External Support
Due to the demand for environmental compliance support, BLM’s senior technical staff cannot staff every request for assistance. To help fill this need, the Branch has access to an extensive cadre of expertise and resources external to BLM available to work on most environmental compliance issues. We can assist with the arrangement and procurement of these resources and can aid BLM offices with contractor or project oversight.
Contact:
Ken Smith
303-236-0206
ken_p_smith@blm.govDave Schafersman
303-236-1143
dave_schafersman@blm.gov
We provide high-level technical skills and user representation for BLM Headquarters, State, and Field Offices. We develop visualization tools including printed and web-based maps using new technologies to assist managers in addressing complex land management issues. We update and maintain national database systems for grazing allotments, wild horses and burros, and wildlife. Through training, publications, and demonstrations, we share our expertise across the country.