This document discusses two key environmental topics: aviary and asbestos. It provides information on which bird species are protected under laws like the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the penalties for violating these acts. The document also defines asbestos, explains where it can be found, and why it poses health concerns if fibers are inhaled from damaged or friable asbestos-containing materials. Proper handling and identification of asbestos is important for construction and demolition work on older buildings and sites.

1. Environmental Awareness for
Installation/Renewable Energy Projects
Luis Perez
UTEP Regional Energy and Cyber Security Center
lgperez@utep.edu

2. Two Environmental Subjects of Concern
• Aviary
• Asbestos
• And a whole range of other topics we won’t get to today…
• PCB awareness
• Spill prevention control
• Universal waste
• And much more...
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3. Which Birds are Protected?
A LOT of species…full list at
http://www.fws.gov/migrato
rybirds/RegulationsPolicies
/mbta/mbtandx.html
Includes various eagles,
hawks, herons, owls, and
many more
NOT protected includes
pigeons, starlings,
sparrows, and numerous
others
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4. Aviary
• Laws and Regulations
• U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife
• State overseers (e.g., Texas Parks & Wildlife, New
Mexico Game and Fish)
• Protected Bird Acts
• Bald & Golden Eagle Protection Act
(Under extremely stringent regulation)
• Endangered Species Act
• Migratory Bird Treaty Act
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5. Protected Bird Acts and Penalties
• The Protected Bird Species Act was created to ensure protection of
migratory birds, their parts, nests, and eggs
• The act makes it unlawful to pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill, transport,
possess, sell, or purchase any migratory birds
• $15,000 – $250,000 per individual (You)
• $15,000 - $500,000 per organization
• 6 months – 2 years incarceration (You)
• The act offers a $2,500 per person award to anyone who provides
information leading to a violator’s arrest
• Just as IOU and municipally-owned utilities have reporting
requirements, so too will installations and renewable energy producers
delivering energy via Power Purchase Agreements
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6. Asbestos Awareness
According to the EPA’s definition, asbestos is “the name
given to a number of naturally occurring fibrous minerals with
high tensile strength, the ability to be woven, and resistance
to heat and most chemicals. Because of these properties,
asbestos fibers have been used in a wide range of
manufactured goods, including roofing shingles, ceiling and
floor tiles, paper and cement products, textiles, coatings, and
friction products such as automobile clutch, brake and
transmission parts. The Toxic Substances Control Act
defines asbestos as the asbestiform varieties of: chrysotile
(serpentine); crocidolite (riebeckite); amosite
(cummingtonite/grunerite); anthophyllite; tremolite; and
actinolite.”
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7. Where is Asbestos and Why the Concern?
Where?
Just about everywhere
Why the concern?
Friable versus non-friable
Inhalation can lead to severe and potentially terminal lung
damage (asbestosis or mesothelioma)
Symptoms may lie dormant for decades
New construction for renewable projects is unlikely to
encounter asbestos-related issues, but re-use/re-model or
destruction of existing sites, particularly those built before
1989, must have a plan to address asbestos
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