Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Leaaf personnel performed a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) in conformance with the scope identified in ASTM E 1527-13 and all appropriate inquiries (AAI). The site consisted of 1 ½ blocks in a residential neighborhood near downtown Baton Rouge, LA. The property was cleared at the time of the Phase I ESA; however, in the 1920’s and 1930’s, employees of a nearby petroleum refinery lived in row housing on the site. During the historic records review of documents from the early 1900’s, the EDR Sanborn and Topographic Maps depicted a lake on most of the subject property prior to its development. Based on the historic development of the property and an interview with the current owner of the property, it was confirmed by Leaaf personnel that the land encompassing the subject property was reclaimed from the lake using unknown fill.
In addition to the unknown fill concern at the site, a large mound of unknown material and an excessive amount of midnight dumping (solid waste) was observed on the property. Leaaf identified the unknown fill, excessive solid waste, and the large mound as recognized environmental conditions (RECs) for this site. Also, railroad operations / tracks were located on a boundary of the subject property. Creosote-treated railroad ties were observed in an overgrown section of the property and identified as an REC. Leaaf recommended a Phase II ESA for further investigation of this site.
At the request of the client, a Noise Survey and Lead Soil sampling was conducted by Leaaf and a report was provided to the client as Phase I ESA out-of-scope additional services. The Noise Survey was conducted in accordance with the Noise Assessment Guidelines developed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to meet the requirements of Subpart B on Noise Abatement and Control to Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 51 of Title 24. The objective was to assess the proximity of the project to airports, railroads, and automotive traffic to ensure tenant exposure was 65 decibels or less. Lead soil sampling was conducted in accordance with HUDs Guidelines for Evaluation and Control of Lead-Based Paint in Housing, Louisiana Department of Environmnetal Quality's (LDEQs) Lead Regulations (LAC:33.III Chapter 28), and the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPAs) Superfund Lead-Contaminated Residential Handbook.
