After initial assessment of a property acquired by a school district with the intention of turning it into athletic fields, GRI deemed it necessary to conduct Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) and Phase II ESA at the site. The results of these assessments led GRI to recommend that the school district apply for a Brownfields designation for the property.
One of our clients, a school district in North Carolina, acquired a property that was a former textile mill that began operation in the early 1900s and wanted to convert the property into athletic fields. After a site walkover and a review of the purchase documents, Geological Resources, Inc. (GRI) expressed concern to the school district of the lack of due diligence conducted prior to their acquisition of the property.
GRI was granted a contract to conduct Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) and Phase II ESA at the site. The Phase II ESA included soil and ground water sampling, asbestos inspections, vapor intrusion sampling in an in-service scouting log cabin and excavation of contaminated soils.
GRI advanced eighteen temporary screening points at the site. Two soil samples were collected from each of the screening points. Concentrations of metals and Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs) exceeded the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) In-Active Hazardous Sites Branch (NC IHSB) Protection of Ground Water Soil Remediation Goals and/or the NC IHSB Health-Based Remediation Goals. GRI collected one air sample from the interior of the log cabin. Concentrations of various Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) were detected in the sample and exceeded the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) Vapor Intrusion Generic Screening Level for the particular compound. The presence of VOCs in the air sample collected is thought to be attributable to materials stored in the cabin, which included cooking fuel, paints and gasoline.
GRI presented their findings at a public meeting of the School Board. GRI recommended that the School District apply for a Brownfields designation for the property. GRI worked with the environmental attorneys for the School District in preparing the Brownfields application and Environmental Management Plan (EMP). Concurrently, a multi-county revitalization stakeholders group applied for a Brownfields grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for multiple properties in multiple municipalities.
This project was included in the grant and the grant was awarded by the EPA.