Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 31, 1993 TAG: 9307310158
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Because of environmental laws enacted in recent years, localities may assume enormous risks when they purchase property for sewer and waterlines, storm drains, streets, parks or other facilities.
Hazardous and toxic wastes might have been buried in the land. The cost for cleaning them up could be very high. Just ask Roanoke city officials.
The city and the Army Corps of Engineers have spent about $1 million for environmental tests on property required for the Roanoke River flood-reduction project.
Hazardous and toxic wastes have been found. But federal and state agencies have not decided whether the city and corps will have to clean them up.
In the meantime, City Council has adopted a policy that requires the city to check for potential environmental problems on any property it plans to buy. This is to protect the city from undue risk and liability.
City Manager Bob Herbert said projects such as the proposed City Jail annex could be affected by the policy.
A preliminary assessment of all property to be acquired will include a check of the owners and uses of the properties for the past 60 years.
City officials also will review historical data and check on asbestos. And they will walk over the property to see if there is any evidence of hazardous materials.
If the preliminary assessment shows the presence of hazardous waste, the city will make detailed tests, sald Kit Kiser, director of utilities and operations.
"If there is anything suspect, we will move to the next phase and make detailed tests," he said.
Kiser said the environmental assessment will show that city officials had no knowledge of environmental hazards when the property was acquired.
If the preliminary test reveals no environmental problems, Herbert can authorize the acquisition without detailed tests.
"If we find there are no problems on sites, we will assume some potential liability," Kiser said.
The city buys about 250 parcels a year, including easements for utility lines and rights of way for highways.
Kiser said a detailed examination costs $1,500 to $2,000 per parcel.
The cost for testing all parcels could be nearly $500,000 a year.
by CNB