Debris Removal From Old NPC Campus In Holbrook Is Still Under Consideration

By Linda Kor
   It was a year ago that the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) issued a notice of violation to Northland Pioneer College (NPC) for a building that was demolished and buried on the former NPC campus in Holbrook.
   During the Navajo County Community College District Governing Board meeting held Tuesday, NPC Vice President of Administrative Services Blaine Hatch updated the board on the current situation. Although at this time there has been no formal declaration of financial responsibility for the debris found at the old NPC campus, the college is preparing for a potential outcome that may be costly to the campus.
   “In early August we submitted a petition to ADEQ requesting exemption (for the financial obligation of cleanup for the site). On Nov. 6 I had a phone conversation with Amanda Stone (Waste Programs Division director for ADEQ) and although not a formal document, she verbally shared the information that they were going to deny the request. There are concerns that some materials at the site like gypsum could be a long term problem, as it has the ability to emit nitrogen sulfates,” stated Hatch.
   He also noted that ADEQ has concerns regarding possible asbestos, but he felt that was not a concern.
   “We believe we have a certificate from the building contractors stating that there is no asbestos,” noted Hatch.
   The site in question is where the Holbrook stabilization, or detoxification, center is currently located, near the southeast corner of the former NPC campus on East Hermosa Drive. The City of Holbrook purchased the campus from NPC, then donated a portion of the property to Northern Arizona Regional Behavioral Health Authority (NARBHA) for the construction of the detoxification facility.
   During preparation of the detoxification center site, a complaint was filed with ADEQ alleging that more than concrete was buried on the property.
   The complainant alleged that the waste from the demolition of a building was buried on the property. At the time of the inspection, the City of Holbrook was in the process of transferring ownership of the property to NARBHA. The property was previously owned by NPC.
   In the notice of violation, it was stated that NPC may have violated state law by failing to obtain the proper permit before burying the building waste.
   The solid waste discovered at the site included plastic sheeting, plastic irrigation pipe, carpeting, vinyl flooring, different types of metal, including an electrical fuse box, rebar, electrical wire and other unidentifiable types of metal, and other solid waste associated with the demolition of a building.
   During the follow-up inspection, NARBHA and City of Holbrook representatives explained that a building was previously located on the property, but it was demolished by NPC prior to the transfer of the property to the City of Holbrook.
   “The purchase agreement with the city was that the property would be sold as is, without warranty. Everyone was aware that a building had been demolished on the site and the city conducted their own investigation and chose to go forward with the agreement,” explained Hatch.
   Since that time, discussions have continued between the college and ADEQ in order to come to a resolution, but it was noted by Hatch that the City of Holbrook has not taken an official stance on the situation.
   “We approached the city for a letter of support in this situation, but they felt uncomfortable doing so at this time so we submitted the petition for exemption without their support,” stated Hatch.
   If the college is found financially liable for the clean up, officials are hoping to locate funding from outside sources.
   “The good news is that ADEQ is offering to assist with researching grant funds for the cost of the clean up. They have also verbally stated that they will be issuing a notice of violation to the contractor and sub-contractor,” stated Hatch.
   “Although it was just a verbal statement, I have been told that this is not imminent and that there will be months and months before we have to deal with this,” stated Hatch. In the meantime, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does offer grants to help clean ups of this nature and the college will be looking into applying for them. “There is no real need for a big decision right away. We can see how the notice plays out and continue working with ADEQ on how to approach the EPA for grants,” Hatch concluded.
   In other business Nov. 17, the board approved a dual enrollment intergovernmental agreement between the college district and the Heber-Overgaard, Window Rock, Ganado, Holbrook and Whiteriver school districts.
   The board also approved a one-year agreement for networking equipment maintenance with World Wide Technology Inc. at a cost of $52,810.27.