technical memorandum: march 2016 aerial survey, high ... · cl - clarifier fp - floodplain area hp...

www.NewFields.com 1120 Cedar Street, Missoula, Montana 59802-3911 T. 406.549-8270 F. 406.549.8277

TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM DATE: January 17, 2017 PROJECT NO. 350.0065.001

TO: Sara Sparks, U.S. EPA Keith Large, Montana DEQ

FROM: Adam Johnson, NewFields Project Hydrogeologist

Cc: David Tooke, NewFields Project Coordinator Chris Cerquone, NewFields Principal in Charge Steve Hamilton, WestRock Brent Sasser, International Paper Ray Stillwell, M2Green Redevelpoment

SUBJECT: March 2016 Aerial Survey, High‐Resolution Aerial Imagery, and Topographic Data Former Frenchtown Mill Site, Missoula County, Montana

INTRODUCTION

This technical memorandum presents topographic information and composite orthophotographic aerial

imagery obtained and processed by NewFields during a March 2016 aerial survey of the Former

Frenchtown Mill Property (Site). The Site is located north of Fairbanks Lane and west of Mullan Road in

Missoula County, Montana (Figure 1), and has the physical address of 14377 Pulp Mill Road, Missoula,

Montana. The Site is approximately 3,150 acres.

The aerial survey was completed in accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)‐

approved Remedial Investigation Work Plan (RIWP) (NewFields, 2015) on behalf of International Paper

Company, M2Green Redevelopment, LLC, and WestRock CP, LLC, collectively referred to hereafter as

the potentially responsible parties (PRPs).

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the aerial survey were to: 1) provide current aerial imagery to support the remedial

investigation, and 2) obtain data needed to produce a topographic model and to determine surface

elevations for the locations of surface soil samples, test pits, soil borings, sediment samples, and surface

water samples collected as part of the remedial investigation at the site. Geographic data are currently

being used in ongoing site investigations and will be useful for future studies.

DATA COLLECTION METHODS

Aerial imagery and topographic data were obtained using a device mounted to a small fixed‐wing

aircraft that combines two cameras and a Global Positioning System (GPS). This type of technology is

January 17, 2017

suitable for collecting information over large areas such as the 3,200‐acre former Frenchtown mill site

(Johnson et al., 2016). To perform the survey, the aircraft flew flight paths which were pre‐planned by

NewFields over the project area (Figure 2) at an elevation of approximately 1,400 feet above ground

level. During the flight, the device captured overlapping georeferenced images (photographs whose

positions were precisely known). The images obtained were standard RGB (red, green, blue)

photographs that captured visible light. Eight ground control points (GCPs) were established by

NewFields on March 9, 2016 and surveyed by a professional land surveyor (Territorial Landworks, Inc.,

or TLI, of Missoula, Montana). GCP locations were used to calibrate and validate the aerial survey

information collected. Conventional surveying of the GCPs was completed on April 13, 2016; aerial data

collection activities were carried out on March 30, 2016.

DATA PROCESSING METHODS

Following aerial data collection, NewFields refined and compiled flight information and aerial imagery

using post‐processing software. Photogrammetry (the use of aerial photography to measure distances

between objects) was a key component of the processing phase. Using photogrammetry and the RGB

imagery, which consisted of hundreds of images, NewFields generated a surface elevation model (SEM)

and a geometrically‐corrected composite aerial image (orthomosaic) of the Site. SEM and orthomosaic

imagery are presented using a Geographic Information System (GIS) and computer‐aided design (CAD).

A point cloud (set of geographic data points) was developed and used to develop an elevation grid from

which contours were created.

QUALITY ASSURANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL (QA/QC)

NewFields followed QA/QC protocols throughout the data collection and processing phases of the air‐

based survey. The accuracy standards for this project were designed to meet the National Standard for

Spatial Data Accuracy (NSSDA) developed by the Federal Geographic Data Committee (1998). The

horizontal accuracy of NewFields’ aerial surveys is typically within 1 to 2 times the spatial resolution of

the aerial survey data (which, in this case, is approximately 2 inches), and the vertical accuracy is within

2 to 3 times the spatial resolution of the aerial survey data. This level of accuracy, which often permits 1

foot contours to be produced according to the NSSDA guidelines, may not be achievable in all

circumstances depending on the configuration of the ground surface. Lower‐resolution surface models

may result for cases where the natural surface includes structures or areas with sharp vertical

transitions. At the Frenchtown site, accuracy was lower in some areas with steeper slopes, such as pond

berms and building structures.

DATA CALIBRATION AND VALIDATION

NewFields used horizontal and vertical data from eight GCPs that were evenly distributed throughout

the flight area (Figure 2) to calibrate the elevation data collected by the RGB camera device. TLI (a

professional land survey firm) validated the elevation data using a total of 126 pre‐existing surveyed

GCPs. These GCPs do not include any of the eight GCPs used for calibration. As shown in Attachment B,

January 17, 2017

TLI’s validation process determined a vertical accuracy of approximately 30 inches. Using the difference

in spatial resolution between vertical and horizontal measurements, NewFields conservatively estimates

the horizontal accuracy to be approximately 8 inches. After TLI validated the elevation values, NewFields

reprocessed the data using the existing surveyed 134 GCPs and then developed site contours as

presented below.

RESULTS

The aerial survey effort produced topographic contours with a 2‐foot contour interval (Figure 3) and

orthophotographic aerial imagery with a spatial (horizontal) resolution of approximately 2 inches (Figure

4). The topography is available as an AutoCAD file at the following link: https://newfields.sharefile.com/d/fe0084973a554412

The validated elevation data were used to obtain surface elevations for all surface soil, test pit, and

boring locations as well as sediment and surface water locations sampled during the remedial

investigation. This information was presented in NewFields (2016). The SEM can also be used to provide

elevation data for future investigation and remediation activity at the Frenchtown site.

DISCUSSION

March 30, 2016 flight data were collected at a spatial resolution of 2 inches. The site‐wide vertical

accuracy obtained using the aerial survey data collected at the Frenchtown Site is approximately 30

inches. The surface elevation model accuracy was less than ideal due to multiple low‐accuracy areas

corresponding with site features such as structures, trees, and vegetation. Also, shadows, reflections,

areas with poor contrast along dike slopes, and water features make it difficult for the software to

derive accurate elevations from the photogrammetric data.

January 17, 2017

REFERENCES

Federal Geographic Data Committee, Subcommittee for Base Cartographic Data. 1998. Geospatial

Positioning Accuracy Standards Part 3: National Standard for Spatial Data Accuracy. FGDC‐STD‐

007.3‐1998. Accessed December 2016 at

https://www.fgdc.gov/standards/projects/accuracy/part3/chapter3

Johnson, A.N., Martin, P., Burkhalter, C., Krieger, G., Balge, Z, and Lutes, K. 2016. New Remote Sensing

Systems for Improved Planning and Management of Tailings Storage Facilities. Proceedings of

the Tailings and Mine Waste 2016 Conference. Keystone, Colorado. October 5.

NewFields, 2016. Preliminary Data Summary Report, November/December 2015 Sampling Event,

Smurfit Stone/Frenchtown Mill, Missoula County, Montana. Version 2. September.

NewFields. (2015). Remedial Investigation Work Plan, Smurfit Stone/Frenchtown Mill, Missoula County, Montana. Prepared for International Paper Company, M2Green Redevelopment, LLC, and WestRock CP, LLC. Missoula, MT.

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment A (Figures) Figure 1: Site Location Map

Figure 2: Aerial Survey Project Area with Ground Control Points

Figure 3 : 10‐foot Topographic Contours with Hill shade

Figure 4 : Orthophotographic Image

Attachment B Surface Verification, Former Frenchtown Mill Site.

Prepared by Territorial Landworks, Inc. September 14, 2016.

At t achment A Figures

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Former Frenchtown Mill SiteMissoula County, Montana

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Source: Montana USGS 100K Topographic Map

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M O N T A N A

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Color RemovalPlant

CL

SWB F

SWB G

SWB Cb

SPPSB20

AB3

AB1

AB2

SWB A

P8dc

SWB6

NPP

SWB Ca

P8

HP2

P3

P17

P5

P4

HP13a

HP11HP10

HP1a

HP7

HP12

HP9

HP1

HP13

C l a r k F o r k R i v e r

INTERSTATE 90

MULLAN ROADParcel Sold

in 2012

AG7

AG8

AG9

AG6

AG5

AG4

AG3

AG2

AG1

WR2

WR1

IN

IB J

HP18

HP16

FP

IB K

CRPB

LF

SB19

Rail Spur Line

O0 1,600Feet

Ground Control PointsFormer Frenchtown Mill Site

Missoula County, MontanaFIGURE 2

P:\350.0065 M2Green\AGIS\Projects\Topo_Maps\FIGURE 2 - Ground Control Points.mxd Revised 12/9/2016

Notes

ED Ground Control Points (Original)

ED Ground Control Points (Validation)

Mill Site Boundary

Aerial Survey Extent

LEGEND

AG - Agricultural LandAB - Aeration Stabilization BasinCFR - Clark Fork RiverCRPB - Color Removal Plant BasinCL - ClarifierFP - Floodplain AreaHP - Holding or Storage PondIB - Rapid Infiltration Basin

LF - Land farmIN - Industrial AreaNPP - North Polishing PondOU - Operable UnitP - Settling PondSB - Spoils BasinSPP - South Polishing PondSWB - Solid Waste BasinWR - West of the Clark Fork River

Aerial Photo Source: Newfields 2016 Aerial Surveyand NAIP 2011

Color RemovalPlant

CL3057

SWB F3067

SWB G3063

SWB Cb3062

SPP3062SB203054

AB33053

AB13057

AB23056

SWB A3072

P8dc3050

SWB63060

NPP3058

SWB Ca3060

P83047

HP23048

P33070

P173066

P53060

P43065

HP13a3035

HP113045HP103046

HP1a3053

HP73047

HP123043

HP93047

HP13050

HP133040

Parcel Soldin 2012

AG73058

AG83053

AG93053

AG63062

AG53063

AG43070

AG33067

AG23053

AG13046

WR2

WR1

IN3066

IB J3052

HP183046

HP163050

FP3034

IB K3058

CRPB3052

LF3061

SB193056

3070 3080

3060

3050

30503040

3040

3040

3040 3050

3046

3048

3050

3053

3060

3073

3068

30583065

3056

3060

3067

3067

3070

3071

30703065

3068

3068

3061 3062

3066

3056

3057

3058

3058 30543055

3075

3050

3040

3050

3050

3050 3060

3070

3040

3050

3250

3030

3030

3150

3048

3042 3053

3052

30503049

3064

3059

3045

30423040

3056

30473060

30633060

3039

3039 3043

3035

3052

3052

3047

3030

3039

3039

3032

3023

30303042

3043

30483050

3059

3058

3066

O0 1,600Feet

Topographic MapFormer Frenchtown Mill Site


P:\350.0065 M2Green\AGIS\Projects\Topo_Maps\FIGURE 1 - Topographic Map.mxd Revised 12/9/2016

Notes

Mill Site Boundary

Contours (10 ft interval)


LEGEND



Source: Newfields 2016 Aerial Survey

3620 ft

3020 ft All elevations in feet above mean sea level

3053 Approximate Average Top of Dike Elevation

3050 Contour Elevation3053 Approximate Low Point Elevation of Basin/Parcel

AG93053Basin or ParcelApproximate Average Bottom of Basin/Parcel Elevation

Color RemovalPlant

CL3057

SWB F3067

SWB G3063

SWB Cb3062

SPP3062SB203054

AB33053

AB13057

AB23056

SWB A3072

P8dc3050

SWB63060

NPP3058

SWB Ca3060

P83047

HP23048

P33070

P173066

P53060

P43065

HP13a3035

HP113045HP103046

HP1a3053

HP73047

HP123043

HP93047

HP13050

HP133040

Parcel Soldin 2012

AG73058

AG83053

AG93053

AG63062

AG53063

AG43070

AG33067

AG23053

AG13046

WR2

WR1

IN3066

IB J3052

HP183046

HP163050

FP3034

IB K3058

CRPB3052

LF3061

SB193056

3046

3048

3050

3053

3060

3073

3068

30583065

3056

3060

3067

3067

3070

3071

30703065

3068

3068

3061 3062

3066

3056

3057

3058

3058 30543055

3075

3048

3042 3053

3052

30503049

3064

3059

3045

30423040

3056

30473060

30633060

3039

3039 3043

3035

3052

3052

3047

3030

3039

3039

3032

3023

30303042

3043

30483050

3059

3058

3066

O0 1,600Feet

Aerial ImageryFormer Frenchtown Mill Site


P:\350.0065 M2Green\AGIS\Projects\Topo_Maps\FIGURE 2 - Aerial Imagery and Countours.mxd Revised 12/9/2016

Notes

Mill Site Boundary


LEGEND



Aerial Photo Source: Newfields 2016 Aerial Surveyand NAIP 2011

All elevations in feet above mean sea level3053 Approximate Low Point Elevation of Basin/Parcel3053 Approximate Average Top of Dike Elevation

AG93053Basin or ParcelApproximate Average Bottom of Basin/Parcel Elevation

At t achment B Surface Verification

September 14, 2016 Newfields David Tooke 1120 Cedar St Missoula, MT 59802

[email protected]

RE: Surface Verification Former Frenchtown Mill Site Territorial Landworks certifies the surface elevation model provided by Newfield base on aerial photography with a 95% confidence to +/- 2.5 feet. This is based on a comparison of 134 points with surveyed elevations and the elevations of the surface. Unrestrained Results Range of Surface Deltas -5.37 : 4.64 Mean 0.95 Standard Deviation based on a Sample 1.49 Median 0.93 95 Percentile 3.42 Confidence range -2.49 : 4.35 Results with Outliers Removed (Outlier being defined as 4 time the standard deviation) Range of Surface Deltas -3.91 : 4.64 Mean 1.04 Standard Deviation based on a Sample 1.28 Median 0.96 95 Percentile 3.42 Confidence range -2.49 : 4.35 Adjusted Results (Adjusting the Surface elevation up 0.96 to set the Median at Zero.) Range of Surface Deltas -4.86 : 3.67 Mean 0.08 Standard Deviation based on a Sample 1.28 Median 0.00 95 Percentile 2.47 Confidence range -2.5: 2.5 Sincerely, Territorial-Landworks, Inc. Hugh Thompson, P.L.S. Project Manager T:\1_ACTIVE FILES\2016 Projects\4248 - Newfields Frenchtown Mill Aerial Mapping\6_SURVEYING\ltr.2016-08-15.Surface Cert.doc

mailto:[email protected]

technical memorandum: march 2016 aerial survey, high ... · cl - clarifier fp - floodplain area hp...

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