Large Environmental Site Investigations: Georgia Environmental Protection Division Video Illustrating Use of Drones
July 14, 2026
By:
Walter G. Wright
Category:
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law
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The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (“GEPD”) issued a July 2nd news release discussing the use of drones:
... to complete large site investigations more efficiently and protect its waterways.
The news release features a video of a certified drone pilot who uses the craft to assist with inspections of sites greater than 400 acres.
The use of a drone to assess a large site is stated to potentially reduce staff time from a day on foot to 30 minutes by drone.
A number of state agencies (including Arkansas) have utilized drones for various purposes for a number of years. For example, an Environmental Council of the States 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 Involving Facility Discharges, Trail Derailments, Truck Accidents, and Oil Spills
- Investigation of Unusual Events
The same report indicates agencies use drone because of their ability to:
- Quickly obtain data
- More effectively respond to emergencies
- Ensure worker safety
- Improve environmental results
A link to the GEPD video can be found here.
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