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AB 972 (Calderon) became effective October 13, 2001. This bill changed the Preliminary Endangerment Assessment (PEA) public review and approval process. These changes are not yet reflected on this website. Please contact the SFPD representative assigned to your county, or the DTSC, for more information on the effects of AB 972. This website is being updated to reflect the changes made by AB 972 and AB 1367 (Wiggins). AB 1367 takes effect on January 1, 2002.
If you have questions about the Phase 1 Environmental Assessment (Phase 1), or you need assistance completing any of these tasks, please contact the School Facilities Planning Division (SFPD).
- Perform the Assessment
- Assemble Required Documents
- Submit Required Documents
- Respond to Assessment
The Phase 1 consists of a "paper" review of public records relating to past and current uses of the property at the proposed site. It includes:
- Consulting with State and local regulatory agencies
- Reviewing aerial photographs
- Inspecting the site to ascertain whether a previous use of the property might have involved hazardous chemicals
Your district's qualified environmental assessor conducts this review, and produces and signs a Phase 1 report.
If the Phase 1 concludes that no further investigation is necessary, prepare the following documents for submission to the SFPD:
- Two copies of the Phase 1 report.
- Proof or documentation of the qualifications and experience of the environmental assessor who signs the report.
- A check for $1,500, payable to the California Department of Education, to cover the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) review costs. The DTSC will refund the unused portion of these costs to your district; to date, DTSC review costs average slightly less than $1,000 per case.
If the assessment concludes that no further investigation is necessary, submit the required documents to the SFPD. The SFPD keeps one copy of the Phase 1 report from the completed submission package. Within 10 calendar days of receiving the complete package, the SFPD sends the package to the DTSC for review.
If the assessment concludes that further investigation is necessary, contact the DTSC regarding an Environmental Oversight Agreement Application for a Preliminary Endangerment Assessment (PEA).
The DTSC will assess applicable fees as further environmental reviews are conducted.
Sites must meet DTSC standards for "residential" use of land. If there is no reason to believe that hazardous materials (including naturally occurring hazardous materials) are present on the property, the DTSC will approve the Phase 1. The DTSC sends a "No Action" letter to the SFPD (with a copy to your school district), indicating that no further investigation is necessary. In that case, your district can continue with the CEQA review.
If, however, the initial Phase 1 or the DTSC review concludes that further investigation is required, and your district still wants to develop the site, your district must enter into an Environmental Oversight Agreement with the DTSC to oversee a Preliminary Endangerment Assessment (PEA).
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