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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.