TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF MARCH 18, 2010
COMMITTEE ON REAL ESTATE
Mr. Richard Lanyon, Executive Director
Title
Authority to issue a 6-month permit to ComEd and Nicor on 50.44 acres of unimproved land located south of the Lockport Prairie in Will County, Illinois, Main Channel Parcel 14.03 to conduct environmental investigatory work, Consideration shall be $10.00
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Dear Sir:
In 1894, the District acquired several tracts of land in Will County in connection with constructing the Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal. One such tract is now known as Main Channel Parcel 14.03 comprising approximately 50.44 acres. Parcel 14.03 is located in a very remote, difficult to access and heavily vegetated area in Will County, Illinois.
It was recently discovered that Parcel 14.03 contains piles of certain above ground materials associated with manufactured gas plant (MGP) residues. The visible contamination is located at the northwestern portion of the site, not the entire site. Research shows that in the 1930’s an MGP plant was operated by predecessors to ComEd and Nicor on an adjacent, non-District owned site. The adjacent site is currently owned by Toyal America, Inc. District records do not indicate that Parcel 14.03 was ever leased to ComEd, Nicor, or any of their predecessors.
Staff has been working with ComEd and Nicor attorneys to develop a site investigation and remediation plan for Parcel 14.03. ComEd and Nicor have requested a permit to enter upon the site to perform an investigation to delineate the extent of the materials of concern (blue-tinted wood chips and semi-solid tarry material) to estimate the volume of material to be removed. The Site Remediation Section has reviewed the proposed work plan and indicated it is acceptable. A remediation and removal plan will be implemented upon completion of the investigation, which will require a subsequent permit to perform such work.
A nominal fee of $10.00 is being recommended since the utilities are performing this site investigatory work at the request of the District.
It is requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that it authorize and approve the issuance of a 6-month permit to ComEd and Nicor on approximately 50.44 acres of unimproved land located south of the Lockport Prairie in Will County, Illinois, Main Channel Parcel 14.03 to conduct environmental investigatory work for a nominal fee of $10.00.
It is further requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and the Clerk be directed and authorized to execute said permit agreement after it is approved by the General Counsel as form and legality.
Requested, Frederick M. Feldman, General Counsel, FMF:CL:STM:rg
Recommended, Richard Lanyon, Executive Director
Respectfully Submitted, Terrence J. O’Brien, Chairman Committee on Real Estate Development
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for March 18, 2010
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