CHAPTER 10 – HAZARDS AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS - sacog

A. Regional Impacts
The proposed MTP/SCS includes many projects that are located on sites within the region where
hazardous materials could potentially be present. These range from greenfield projects on
properties with prior agricultural chemical use to urban redevelopment on properties with
different existing and/or prior land uses, for which hazardous materials and/or waste may be an
issue (e.g. improper disposal of hazardous waste on-site). A common practice when property
changes hands for the purpose of development is for a Phase I ESA to be prepared in order to
research and disclose the prior uses of the site and the likelihood that residual hazardous
materials and/or waste would be present. Also, in many instances implementing agencies will
require submittal of a Phase I report prior to approval or implementation of a project. These
studies include research of a variety of government databases to determine whether the site has
had prior underground tanks or other industrial uses that could result in hazardous materials on
or below the ground surface.
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has developed widely accepted
practice standards for the preparation of Phase I ESAs. These include an on-site visit to
determine current conditions; an evaluation of possible risks posed by neighboring properties;
interviews with persons knowledgeable about the site’s history; an examination of local
planning files to check prior land uses and permits granted; file searches with appropriate
agencies having oversight authority relative to water quality and/or soil contamination;
examination of historic aerial photography of the site and adjacent properties; a review of
current topographic maps to determine drainage patterns; and an examination of chain-of-title
for environmental lines and/or activity and land use limitations. Preparation of and compliance
with a Phase I ESA for properties at risk of potential hazardous materials and/or waste
contamination will avoid adverse impacts associated with build-out of SCS land uses. If a Phase
I ESA indicates the presence, or potential presence of contamination, a site-specific Phase II
ESA could be required to test soil and/or groundwater. Based on the outcome of a Phase II ESA,
remediation of contaminated sites under federal and state regulations, administered at the local
level, could be required prior to development.
However, because not all proposed MTP/SCS projects will necessarily include a Phase I ESA or
Phase II ESA, the hazard impacts related to land use changes from the implementation of the
proposed MTP/SCS at the regional level are considered potentially significant (PS) for Impact
HAZ-4. See Mitigation Measure HAZ-2 below.
Proposed MTP/SCS transportation improvement projects could involve development on or over
sites containing potentially hazardous materials and/or waste. As described above, a common
practice when property changes hands for the purpose of development is for a Phase I ESA to be
prepared in order to research and disclose the prior uses of the site and the likelihood that
residual hazardous materials and/or waste would be present. Also, in many instances
implementing agencies will require submittal of a Phase I report prior to approval of or
implementation of a project. These studies include research of a variety of government
databases to determine whether the site has had prior underground tanks or other industrial uses
that could result in hazardous materials and/or waste on or below the ground surface.
MTP/SCS 2035
Sacramento Area Council of Governments
Draft Environmental Impact Report Chapter 10 – Hazards and Hazardous Materials – Page 10-52