The Monroe County Health Department provides a formal "Records Search" and a formal "Records Search with Field Investigation" for individuals and organizations conducting Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA). On March 15, 1996, the Monroe County Commissioners passed Ordinance 96-10 which established a new fee schedule that included fees for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments Information Requests. The department began providing information for ESAs back in 1989. Informal consultations are also conducted, before any formal requests are processed.

 

The records search involves checking various databases which the department maintains. These include: reviewing the nuisance complaint investigation files, program specific files, NPL/PCB project files, emergency response/spills files, solid and hazardous waste files, meth labs reported from state police, UST files, indoor/outdoor air complaint files, vector/pesticide files, and information request database file.

 

The records search with field investigation includes all the items checked during a records search plus a visit to the site under assessment. The field visit verifies site location and any "visible" public and environmental health concerns. The field investigation does not include any sample collection or analysis of site soil, water or air. Recommendations, copies of record file(s) and a written report are issued for each type of formal request.

 

Most formal information requests are completed within 3 working days of receiving the ESA Phase I information request form and proper fee(s). In 2009, the department conducted no formal information requests for Phase I ESAs and twenty-three informal requests. Since 1989, the department has issued a total of one hundred and forty-four formal information reports.