INVESTIGATION AND REPORT
ON
PHASE I ENVIRONMENTAL RISK AUDIT (ERA)
THE ARBOR OF NATCHITOCHES
A PROPOSED ASSISTED LIVING CENTER
LOUISIANA HWY #1
NATCHITOCHES, LOUISIANA
FOR:
MRS. JOANNE M. CALDWELL
507 TRENTON ST.
West Monroe, LA 71291
(318) 325-5462
BY:
KARL M. WALLACE, P.E.
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER
441 POINT PLACE ROAD
DOWNSVILLE, LA 71234
(318)-396-2197
February 4, 1999
KARL M. WALLACE, P.E.
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER
441 POINT PLACE ROAD
DOWNSVILLE, LA 71234
(318)-396-2197
February 4, 1999
Mrs. Joanne M. Caldwell
507 Trenton St.
West Monroe, LA 71291
Re: Phase I Environmental Risk Audit (ERA)
The Arbor of Natchitoches
LA HWY #1
Natchitoches, LA
A. SCOPE:
The scope of this Environmental Risk Audit (ERA) consists of a general
site inspection, review of the site's history, review of Public Records,
and contacts with people familiar with the site to determine if there
is any environmental problem or liability. The site is located on the
East side of LA HWY #1 and consists of a 8.72 acre Tract (See Exhibit A
for legal description)..
B. REFERENCES:
B.1 ASTM Standards on Environmental Site Assessments for Commercial
Real Estate, E 1527-97 and E 1528-96.
B.2 The following Federal Rules and Regulations:
1. Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA) of 1976, as amended.
2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Implementing Regulations
40 CFR Parts 50, 51, 52 & 61(CAA),Parts 100-149 and Parts 240-265.
3. Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, as amended.
B.3 The following Louisiana Rules and Regulations:
1. La. Administrative Code, Volumes 11 & 12, Air Quality.
2. La. Administrative Code, Volume 13, Hazardous Waste.
3. La. Administrative Code, Volume 14, Solid Waste, Underground Storage
Tanks, Water Resources.
4. La. Administrative Code, Volume 15, Nuclear Energy.
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C. INVESTIGATION:
C.1 Mrs. Joanne Caldwell retained this firm to conduct a Phase I
Environmental Risk Audit (ERA) of subject property before finalizing
property development. At the date of this investigation, the site
contained vegetation consisting of a few trees with grass cover. The
site slopes gently to the East.
C.2 Information relative to the ERA is as follows:
C.2.1 Location: The site investigated is more specifically described in the
attached Plat. (See Attachment #1).
C.2.2 Visual Site Reconnaissance: A visual inspection was performed at the
site on February 4, 1999.
C.2.3 Records Search: A records search was conducted on Public Records
contained in the Clerk of Court and Tax Assessors Office in the
Natchitoches Parish Courthouse.
C.2.4 Review of Past and Present Land Use: A review was made of aerial
photos owned by the Natchitoches Parish Natural Resource Conservation
Service Office, United States Department of Agriculture. USDA employees
were interviewed for this report.
C.2.5 Soil Survey: A brief soil survey was conducted on the site to determine
the suitability of this site to have supported extensive agriculture in
it's history.
C.3 Adequate data was obtained to construct a current and historical
review of the site.
D. DISCUSSION:
D.1 General: The Environmental Risk Audit (ERA) is an investigation
of the site to determine if contaminants are present.
D.1.1 Records Search: Detailed ownership history was studied from the
public record including prior use and activities and descriptions of the
property and adjacent pertinent property. Property descriptions and
chain-of-title records were reviewed. The site has had no major
agricultural use with records showing pasture land as the primary use.
Aerial photographs confirm this use of the site. Interviews with
public employees confirm the same site usage.
D.1.2 Visual Inspection: Attention was given to readily apparent environmental
indicators. Particular concerns were distressed vegetation, ground
stains, trash, landfills, noxious odors, depressions, and evidence of
any below grade tanks or other potential contaminant sources. None
were evident. Contact was made and veification was given by Officials
of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality that no
environmental hazards existed on the site.
D.1.3 Soil Suitability for Farming: The site contains "Latanier" clay soil to
a depth of 22". This soil can be used for cultivated crops but has many
limitations for this use. It has moderate fertility and low permeability.
The construction use is considered severe for most urban uses due to
high shrink-swell potential. It is very likely that the site was used
only for pasture and woodsland. The likelihood of pesticide and
herbicide residues is minor.
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D.1.4 Check for Specific Contaminants: The specific contaminants of interest
in this report were asbestos, lead-based paint, volatile organic
compounds such as methyl ethyl ketone, semivolatile organic compounds
such as o-Cresol, pesticides/herbicides/PCB's such as toxaphene, and
metals/inorganic compounds such as mercury. No evidence appeared to
require specific tests for these contaminants.
E. CONCLUSION: Based on this investigation, which was performed according
to generally accepted standards in the profession, the site does not
appear to have any detectable contaminants.
F. RECOMMENDATIONS: It is the recommendation of this report that after
evaluation of all data, there is no need for further soil or groundwater
studies or chemical analyses on soil and groundwater samples at this
site. The ERA concludes there is no reasonable evidence to suggest
existing or potential environmental impairment.
G. LIABILITY:
G.1 This report is not a certification and in no way implies or envokes
any warranty or guaranty.
G.2 In as much as the visual inspection of a site requires that certain
assumptions be made regarding prior and existing conditions, and
because some of these assumptions cannot be verified without expending
great sums of additional money, or destroying otherwise adequate or
serviceable portions of the site, the Engineer and his agents are not
liable for claims, damages, losses, and expenses including attorney's
fees arising out of or resulting from any subsequent discovery of
contaminants not specifically discussed herein, acts of God, or any
cause not attributable to Professional Design negligence.
END OF REPORT
/S/KARL M WALLACE
KARL M. WALLACE, P.E.
Consulting Engineer
enclos.
[CERTIFICATE OF SURVEY]