Uncategorized

Don’t Let the Detroit Lead Ordinance Surprise You

If you own rental properties in Detroit built before 1978, there is a good chance that you’re out of compliance with the city’s lead ordinance.  According to Detroit Health Department and the Census, almost 75 percent  of the city’s housing was built before 1955 and, therefore, likely contains paint with a high proportion of lead….

Read More

Do you always need a Radon Inspection Report for HUD multifamily project applications?

Radon detection and mitigation is a priority for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Since 2013, HUD’s Office of Multifamily Housing policy has required radon testing and, if applicable, mitigation for most new FHA-insured construction, conversion and substantial rehabilitation projects, as well as most FHA-insured refinance transactions.  HUD requires a Radon Inspection…

Read More

Experts Corner: What Can I Use from Past Environmental Reports?

The more you know about the past, the better prepared you are for the future. Theodore Roosevelt wasn’t particularly referring to Environmental Due Diligence, but his wisdom holds true when it comes to performing high-quality environmental work. Reviewing prior environmental reports is crucial in the due diligence process since they provide valuable insight on a…

Read More

Experts Corner: Petroleum Marketers and the Ticking Clock

The clock keeps ticking for petroleum marketers since the EPA’s revisions to the Underground Storage Tank Regulation (40 CFR Parts 280 and 281) in July of 2015 and the liability shift policy by U.S. credit card issuers in October of 2015.  The EPA’s revised regulations on the inspection, maintenance, and monitoring of Underground Storage Tanks…

Read More

New Jersey Property Owners Can Now Contest a Spill Lien on Their Property

New administrative guidance has been released to clearly define the Spill Act Lien and outline the procedures for property owners to contest a lien. The Spill Compensation and Control Act, N.J.S.A. 58:10-23.11F, also known as the Spill Act Lien, was put in place to compensate the State of New Jersey for any monies spent cleaning…

Read More

Experts Corner: Solar Energy and Better Nutrition Top 2016 Brownfield Trends

This year, the EPA’s Brownfield Grant Program will have $30 million more than last year to spend to revitalize abandoned, underused and potentially contaminated sites. The $110 million will go to the identification, assessment, characterization, and cleanup planning at brownfields sites throughout the United States. Every federal dollar spent on brownfield cleanup leverages $17.79 in…

Read More

What is the difference between an Environmental Transaction Screen (ETS) and a Phase I ESA?

Environmental Transaction Screens (ETS) are a voluntary procedure intended to identify Potential Environmental Concerns (PECs) for commercial real estate. They are meant to be a screening tool for those who wish to conduct limited environmental due diligence, and usually only recommended for low risk property types with available historical information. An ETS is sometimes used…

Read More

Do Environmental Consultants Have to be Licensed? Not in Michigan!

You have to be licensed through Michigan’s office of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to cut hair or install a drinking water well. While we’ve all had bad haircuts, it isn’t as likely to have a well installed improperly by a licensed well driller. It may be surprising to some, but Michigan does not license…

Read More

Snack Food that Cleans Up Contaminated Groundwater

Who likes to eat snacks?  Short answer is most of us.  The long answer includes two types of naturally occurring bacteria that are capable of reducing concentrations of contaminants in groundwater.  Who knew that some common snack food additives can help reduce groundwater contamination?  Considerably fewer of us Sodium acetate is a common food additive…

Read More

Perspectives on the Michigan Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund

(Published – Michigan Banker – September 2015) – Since being signed into law in December of 2014, the Michigan Underground Storage Tank (UST) Cleanup Fund has been met with cautious enthusiasm.  Michigan, as one of the top five states with the most open leaking UST sites, undoubtedly needs the MUSTA fund. However, there have been…

Read More