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Mr. Dan Pearson of the Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment (“ADEE”) undertook a presentation on May 15th as part of the Arkansas Environmental Federation Land & Sustainability Webinar Series addressing:
Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment UAV/Drone Program (“Presentation”)
Mr. Pearson serves as ADEE’s UAV Program Manager.
A number of state environmental agencies and environmental service organizations utilize unmanned aerial systems (“UAV” [i.e., “drones”]) for various purposes. For example, a February 2021 Environmental Council of the States (“ECOS”) report notes that state environmental agencies have used drones to undertake activities such as:
- Surveillance
- Enforcement
- Permit support documentation
- Waste and landfill inspections
- Illegal dumping of chemicals, oils, or waste tires
- General emergency response functions including facility discharges, train derailments, truck accidents, and oil spills
- Investigation of unusual events
The ECOS report notes that agencies use drones because of their ability to:
- Quickly obtain data
- Provide more effective response to emergencies
- Ensure worker safety
- Improve environmental results
ADEE is one of the state environmental/energy agencies utilizing drones.
Mr. Pearson’s Presentation addressed topics such as the startup of the ADEE program. Key personnel in the drone program are identified as:
- Direction and Management
- Lawrence Bengal – ADEE Chief Technical Officer/Oil and Gas Commission Director
- Dan Pearson – ADEE Chief Information Officer/Private Pilot
- Original RPICs and VOs
- Jeremy Ramsey – Oil and Gas Commission technician
- Chris Krou – DEQ Hazardous Waste Branch Manager
- Brian Kehner – AGS GIS Technician
Training and Procedure Establishment is described as:
- 10 Days On-Site with Flight Safety Systems (Including Build Documentation and Procedures)
Documentation is described as including:
- Policy
- Mission Request
- Mission Checklist
- Flight Log
- Flight Checklist
- Emergency Procedures
- Pilot Application
The Presentation lists risk management tools as:
- Weather
- UAV Forecast
- sUAS-FRAT
- AIRMAP
Mr. Pearson notes that the first UAV purchased included a DJI Phantom 4 Pro whose abilities include:
- Photogrammetry
- Video
- Photo
The criteria for selection is stated to include:
- Familiar to RPICs, similarity to training aircraft
- Very solid, capable and stabile aircraft
- Technology support of the initial mission requirements
The Phantom 4 Pro Missions are stated to have included:
- Algae bloom
- Mining Survey
- Landslide
An additional drone purchased is referenced as an Autel EVO II. Characteristics of this drone include:
- Go Command
- Photogrammetry
- Video
- Photo
- Thermal
Mr. Pearson noted:
. . . As the emerging technology of small unmanned aircraft solutions continues to build and grow, the E&E UATS team will continue to expand knowledge and professional skills.
Challenges identified during the Presentation include:
- Current and proficient with the air craft and the data processing tools
- New and improved air craft and towable data collection technology
- New FAA regulations and requirements
- Mission requirements will guide the program into new technology
A copy of Mr. Pearson’s slides can be downloaded here.