PROJECT BACKGROUND:

The City of Benham was formed when the International Harvester Corporation bought the surface and mineral rights for the rich deposits of coal underlying Black Mountain. They began mining coal in the early 1900’s until the mid 1990’s when the coal seams began to play out and surface mining became safer and more economical. The City acquired the property through donation where by it continued to serve as the Comprehensive Care Center until 2012. The City requested that the Cumberland Valley Area Development District utilize its USEPA Brownfields funds to evaluate the property and building for possible environmental contaminants in an effort to safely restart the medical facility. A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment was conducted in January 2011. The findings indicate that no recognized environmental conditions (RECs) are associated with the property. However, the survey did visually identify possible asbestos and lead-based paint issues. In October 2011 a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment was conducted for asbestos and lead-based paint. The findings confirmed elevated levels of asbestos in window glazing, floor tiles, mastic, and air cell insulation. Elevated levels of lead-based paint were confirmed in the ceilings, doors and windows. In October 2011 a Hazardous Material Survey was conducted inside the clinic. The findings identified mercury-containing light bulbs, thermostats and PCBs in ballasts. In October 2011 an Analysis of Brownfield Cleanup Alternatives was conducted for abating the asbestos and lead-based paint.