VAP Environmental Covenant Guidance

2015

CP Coffee - July 14, 2015Sue Kroeger, Ohio EPA Legal Office

VAP EC Guidance

• Completed since April 2015 CP Coffee

• Expanded– More explanation – Adjusted for 2014 rules– Added activity and use limitation (“AUL”) examples

2015 highlights

EC Guidance Highlights

• Does the NFA letter rely on AULs? • Yes, if site does not meet:– residential standards to 10+ feet– potable use standards– vapor intrusion standards for reasonably

anticipated use• Need an EC to establish AULs

EC guidance highlights

• Need for legal description and survey

• Added example AUL language– Land use – Ground water– Building occupancy

Land use AULs

• Commercial or industrial – Updated definitions – Included “edit as appropriate” prompts• Express allowable site uses (as examples)• Current or anticipated

• “Restricted residential”

Restricted residential

• Residential standards met at modified POC – a common basis

• “Central management entity” – CME oversight of site - to prevent exposure to

COCs below POC– CME duties in O&M plan

• EC reference to CME

Restricted residential

Example 1: Property shall not be used for [X]. It may be used for [permissible land use defined.]

Example 2: Property shall not be used for [X]. The property is limited to [allowable land use defined.]

X = fee simple single-family homes and duplexes

Ground water AULs

• Expanded examples:– Prohibition on potable use– Use of non-potable ground water– Separate restriction of ground water zones

See April 2015 CP Coffee presentation

Building occupancy AUL Before occupancy…Owner will need to either:(1) Install VI remedy– Develop O&M plan– Enter O&M agreement w/ Ohio EPA – Receive Director-amended CNS

(2) Demonstrate no (more) remedy neededAnd: CP documents approach meets standards per VAP rules

Building occupancy AUL

• AUL will obligate owner to conduct a future remedy or demonstration

• Risk of voiding CNS per ORC 3746.05• Non-AUL way to achieve compliance?

Roles• CP: – Counsel on alternate remedy options– Determine appropriate AUL language

• Volunteer and owner: – Involve legal counsel to develop their proposed EC – Provide final draft EC to CP for NFA letter– Finalize EC with Ohio EPA

2015 VAP EC guidance

• 2015 guidance is (to be) posted on website

• Questions?