The NYSDEC does have a spills database and also listing of known contaminated sites on its website. However, because historical contamination is not necessarily required to be reported there can be contamination that occurred prior to the current environmental requirements that will not show up on these records. This is why it is important to do a phase 1 that thoroughly evaluates past uses of the site and adjacent properties

Posted by: LSchnapf at August 7, 2009 11:28 AM in response to Toxicity Problems on Properties

You should not acquire property without doing a phase 1 environmental site assessment. Property uses have changed over the years and the current use may not provide any clues to potential environmental problems from the past. Dry cleaners, gas stations, old underground storage tanks can pose problems and they may not be apparent on public records.

Do not underestimate the potential for impacts from adjoining properties.

If you want some more background information, you can go to my website: www.environmental-law.net or look at the posts on my blog that appear at the EDR Commonground website.

Posted by: LSchnapf at August 7, 2009 11:24 AM in response to Toxicity Problems on Properties

The NYSDEC does have a spills database and also listing of known contaminated sites on its website. However, because historical contamination is not necessarily required to be reported there can be contamination that occurred prior to the current environmental requirements that will not show up on these records. This is why it is important to do a phase 1 that thoroughly evaluates past uses of the site and adjacent properties

Posted by: LSchnapf at August 7, 2009 11:28 AM in response to Toxicity Problems on Properties

Thanks all for your suggestions. I plan on following up with all the links you sent and check it out further.

Posted by: tlocane at August 8, 2009 5:19 PM in response to Toxicity Problems on Properties