01-26-1993 PTRC Meeting MInutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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devise ways to minimize the economic impact the extension of the permitting requirements would have on these facilities and activities. Efforts are being made to develop a regulatory program that would require cost-effective control strategies and that would keep at a *6P929 um the administrative burden on federal,state and local governments. Additional information may be obtained by call ng (202) or by calling EPA's storm water hotline at (703) 821-4823. INDOOR AIR QUALITY Although the Senate approved legislation last year (S. 455) that would have (1) funded research into the causes and cures of indoor air pollution, (2) provided money for indoor air quality diagnosis, mitigation programs and educational activities, and (3) caused the publication and distribution of educational materials on the causes, effects and solutions to indoor air pollution, the sponsors of a similar bill in the House (H.R. 1066) failed to complete work on their measure before Congress adjourned. Indoor air pollution is considered by many to be the source of numerous environmental health problems and has served as the basis for an increasing number of lawsuits against building owners. It is likely to receive careful attention by the next Congress. MULTIFAMILY ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS A subcommittee of the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) has completed work on a national standard for conducting environmental assessments of commercial real estate transactions. The procedures are intended to define what inquiries must be made by real estate purchasers, and those that make loans for such acquisitions, in order to avoid liability under CERCLA for cleaning up environmental hazards left on properties by previous owners. The document contains two separate approaches to analyzing environmental hazards on real property. The first is a transaction screening document designed for use by those who do not have environmental training but who,due to the size and nature of the transaction,desire to use the more cost-effective transaction screen which permits an environmental investigation of the prospective property without the assistance of an environmental professional. The second part of the standard establishes procedures for Phase I environmental site analyses to be carried out by an environmental expert The guidelines must now be voted on by ASTM as a whole. It is expected that the procedures will gain final approval early in 1993. ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS ern over adverse health effects caused by radiation from electromagnetic fields(E AF)has grown in the scientific community and been the basis for sevaal lawsuits alleging cancels caused by the close proximity of power lines to homes and apartments. As a result,all levels of government-- federal, state, and local — have been studying the issue and debating various proposed pieces of legislation. Several industry and government studies have been conducted over the past 15 years. with many ,note currently being carried out. NMHC has compiled a file of relevant materials on EMFs and those members who would like further information on the subject can contact NMHC Vice President Ronald Nickson at(202) 659-3381. FIRE-RETARDANT PLYWOOD A$50 million settlement was reached last week that will directly affect about 11,000 homeowners whose roofs are constructed with fire-retardant treated (FRT) plywood. The settlement applies to owners of homes built by New Jersey homebuilder K. Hovnanian Enterprises and is likely to serve as a model for settlement in cases involving approximately 24,000 other homeowners in that state. Under the settlement, the cost to replace the roofs will be shared among Hovnanian, plywood treatment companies, chemical supply companies, architects and lumber suppliers. The owners of the homes will also be required to pay between 5200 and $400. New- home-warrarity companies refused to participate in the settlement. It is expected that they will be sued by the State of New Jersey which will contribute that portion of the settlement that was expected to have come from such warranty companies. Parties familiar with the settlement believe it will be difficult to duplicate its success in other parts of the country because,unlike New Jersey, most states do not have the authority to pursue claims against companies or groups that refuse to participate in such settlements. FEDERAL PROPERTIES such On October 19,President Bush signed legislation (HR.+t%9 'that will make it easier for the government to sell real p roperty, as closed military bases,that it owns. The law modifies existing environmental Hiles that require clean-up of any environmental hazard found on the entire property prior to sale of any portion that may otherwise be environmentally clean. It requires agencies terminating operations on real property to identify those portions of real estate that do not contain hazardous substances(as defined by CERCLA), troleum products, and to encourage the sale of these parcels. The bill was intended to encourage the redevelopment of these ore ls to soften the economic impact on local communities caused by the closing of federal facilities. —4-