I need to find out if a Phase I environmental study was required
before constructing high school buildings in the state of MD in 1924.
The building I am looking at was constructed in 1924 and is a former
high school. If it was, where can I get a copy of the study?
Also, does HUD conduct a phase I environmental study when it acquires
a property and auction it? The same school building was acquired by
HUD and then auctioned off after fixing it.
Thank you |
Clarification of Question by
hopr-ga
on
10 Nov 2005 12:28 PST
Also would like to know where can I get copy of the study conducted by
HUD, if it is needed?
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Request for Question Clarification by
pafalafa-ga
on
10 Nov 2005 17:57 PST
hopr-ga,
I have been an environmental professional for more than 20 years.
There were no requirements for formal environmental studies for
construction projects back in the 1920's. Indeed, the value of such
studies wasn't well-recognized until several decades later.
HUD, like all federal agencies, does have environmental planning and
review requirements for certain projects it undertakes, especially
where construction is involved. However, I can't imagine an
interpretation of existing law that would require an environmental
assessment for the routine transfer of a school building, unless some
large-scale demolition or re-construction was anticipated.
In the (very likely) absence of formal environmental reports for this
school building, is there any other information we can provide for you
as an answer to your question?
For instance, there may be historical newspaper articles about the
construction of the school...would those be of interest?
Let us know.
pafalafa-ga
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Clarification of Question by
hopr-ga
on
11 Nov 2005 06:46 PST
pafalafa-ga,
Well, the purpose to find out if such reports are available is to
ensure that there were/are no environmental issues with this building.
As you can appreciate, I don't want to come in the chian of ownership
and then expose myself to potential liabilities to fix the place if
there were any environmental issues.
I am not sure if I have the answer to your question, but may be with
your experience, you could help me uderstand if historical newpaper
articles about the school building be of any protection to me. An if
they are, I would assume that would be the answer to the question.
Many thanks,
With Regards,
hopr-ga
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Request for Question Clarification by
pafalafa-ga
on
11 Nov 2005 07:12 PST
There are numerous services that will conduct a background
environmental assessment of a site (for a fee, of course), to look for
the presence of any unpleasant surprises. They usually examine local
land use records, building permits, environmental records, and so on,
along with compiling a history of the general area so you know what
was happening right around the property.
I can certainly direct you to firms that offer such services in Maryland.
In addition, if you are comfortable posting here the address of the
property in question (keeping in mind, this is a public forum that
anyone can read), then I can take a look at a few databases myself to
let you know what sort of records might be available on the property.
Let me know if that works for you.
paf
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Clarification of Question by
hopr-ga
on
11 Nov 2005 07:58 PST
Well, I am not comfortable giving the details on this forum, how else
can we do this? BTW, what can a phase-I study cost?
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