ST. PAUL APARTMENT FIRE DISPLACES 30 RESIDENTS, MAY HAVE BEEN SPARKED BY FIREWORKS

BringMeTheNews.com

A grass fire at an apartment building in St. Paul resulted in the response of 12 fire companies, 4 fire chief officers, 2 ambulances, and over 60 fire department personnel. The apartment building was damaged, but no injuries were reported.

The fire was likely caused by fireworks, which investigators found firework debris near the origin point. Furthermore, residents recalled hearing fireworks shortly before the flames began. As a result of the fire, residents of the complex were displaced, and the Department of Safety and Inspections condemned all 17 units in the building. The Red Cross responded to provide assistance.

CONTAMINATION PILES FROM MINING NEAR CUBA, NEW MEXICO TO BE CLEANED

www.KRQE.com

Two contaminated sites at the Nacimiento Mine near Cuba, New Mexico are the focus of cleanup plans. The South Ore Pile and Heap Leach Pile are part of the abandoned copper Mine that was operational from 1970 to 1975.

Work at the Mine resulted in approximately 100,000 cubic yards of low-grade ore contaminating the South Ore Pile. Additionally, during its operation for in-situ mining, contamination spread to the nearby aquifer, resulting in a water treatment plant continuous work to address the groundwater contamination.

Williams Express, the responsible party for the cleanup and is working to excavate, remove, consolidate, and cap the contaminating materials. Cleanup is expected to be completed by November 2023.

COLOMBIANS LIVING BY A “TOXIC” LANDFILL

www.GlobalWitness.org

The rural community of Patio Bonito, near Barrancabermeja in Colombia, suffers from pollution caused by a landfill established in 2015. The landfill is currently operated by French company Veolia, but a report from human rights group Global Witness suggests that corporate mismanagement, both by the previous operator Rediba and Veolia, contributed to the contamination. The landfill has led to environmental damage, affecting water, food sources, and marine ecosystems, as well as causing health issues among residents.

Global Witness urges Veolia to take urgent action to address the harms suffered by the community and environmental defenders who have spoken out against the landfill. Community concerns include documented die-offs of fish and wildlife, as well as health impacts on residents. Reports suggest a link between the landfill and rare birth defects and skin conditions among children in the area.

Veolia denies disregarding environmental laws and claims to operate with respect for human rights and environmental regulations. Despite the threats and challenges faced by activists and community members, some individuals remain determined to continue advocating for nature protection and human rights.

FEDERAL AND STATE REGULATORS BUST UTAH REAL ESTATE SCHEME FOR $16.7 MILLION

TheGroupSLC.com

The Federal Trade Commission and Utah regulators have reached a historic damage settlement against Response Marketing Group, a Utah-based real estate investment firm. They have agreed to pay $15 million and are banned from selling money-making opportunities. The lawsuit accused the company of using false promises to sell expensive real estate investment training programs.

Response Marketing attracted consumers through free events nationwide, promising access to tools for successful real estate investing. However, they deceptively pitched additional costly training programs, resulting in most consumers not becoming successful investors or recouping their expenses.

The settlement involves Response Marketing's affiliates and four individuals allegedly owning the company. The company must pay consumers $15 million in redress, and failure to do so will result in an additional $15 million in civil penalties payable to the Utah DCP. This settlement is Utah's largest consumer protection division settlement, holding Response Marketing and its affiliates accountable for harming consumers across the country.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION LIABILITY UNDER COMMERCIAL LEASES

Brodies.com

Environmental clauses in commercial leases are increasing. Single let properties often hold tenants liable for contamination, while multi-let buildings may make landlords responsible.

Pre-existing contamination can pose complex issues, leading to confusion over responsibility. Landlords may mistakenly assume that once a property is leased, environmental liability transfers entirely to the tenant. However, this is not always the case, as some clauses only cover specific statutory regimes initiated by local authorities.

Claims from third parties or other environmental legislation may still land at the landlord's doorstep. Tenants may negotiate specific clauses to address liability. Landlords may have to agree to assume liability for pre-existing contamination, depending on the property's nature and location.

GOVERNOR ABBOTT ISSUES STORM DAMAGE DISASTER DECLARATION FOR CAMERON COUNTY

www.NewsChannel10.com

Governor Greg Abbott announced a disaster declaration for Cameron County due to severe storms and a tornado causing property damage.

Texans impacted by the storm can report damages through the iSTAT damage survey to determine eligibility for federal assistance. The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is providing ongoing assistance in Cameron County, supporting the community as they move forward from this storm.

Governor Abbott directed the TDEM to collaborate with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for joint disaster damage assessments. This partnership aims to ascertain the state's eligibility for federal disaster assistance. Texans can self-report property damage using iSTAT at damage.tdem.texas.gov.

TDEM continues to have recovery personnel actively engaged in Cameron County, supporting local officials and the community in their efforts to recover from the storm's impact. A Disaster Assistance Center (DAC) is now open in Cameron County to provide disaster recovery information from local, state, and nonprofit partners.

EPA ANNOUNCES LATEST ACTION TO PROTECT COMMUNITIES FROM COAL ASH CONTAMINATION

www.TampaBay.com

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken action to safeguard communities from the risks posed by coal ash disposal. Coal ash, a byproduct of burning coal in power plants, can contain contaminants like mercury and arsenic. The goal is to protect communities already burdened by pollution.

The proposed rule would require proper closure and remediation of inactive coal ash surface impoundments, addressing a federal regulatory gap identified in 2018. Additionally, certain protections from EPA’s coal ash regulations will be applied to areas outside of regulated units where coal ash has been disposed.

GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION NEAR SHAW AIR FORCE BASE RAISES CONCERN

www.WLTX.com

Shaw Air Force Base has taken steps to address environmental concerns arising from groundwater contamination. The contamination, caused by firefighting foam used in previous training exercises, has impacted neighboring communities, prompting the base to monitor water sources since 2018.

The pollution stems from historical operations at the base, and its effects have led to the delivery of bottled water to affected neighborhoods. Plans are now underway to potentially install new water systems to mitigate the issue. In March, the EPA proposed a standard (a maximum contaminant level), but it is not finalized or established nationally.

BOMBS IN A SWAMP: ROBESON COUNTY RESIDENTS BATTLING PROPOSAL FOR PRIVATE MILITARY TRAINING SITE

NCNewsline.com

In Southern Robeson County, a 610- acre swamp near Rowland has become the center of a complex proposal. Alottabang, LLC, seeks to establish an explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) training facility for the military and police on this site, involving disarming and detonating of bombs.

The detonation of bombs in the swamp could contaminate groundwater, creeks, and rivers, endangering drinking water supplies for countless residents in the area and potentially extending into neighboring South Carolina. Public safety and health concerns further escalate the situation, as the proximity of the facility to residental areas raises fears about potential accidents and potential contamination to both people and wildlife.

METHAMPHETAMINE CONTAMINATION FORCES THE CLOSURE OF MOUNTAIN METRO LOBBY AND RESTROOMS AT DOWNTONW COLORADO SPRINGS TERMINAL

www.KKTV.com

The Mountain Metropolitan Transit (MMT) states that the lobby and restrooms at their Downtown Terminal will be closed until further notice due to methanphetamine contamination. To address the problem, MMT plans to hire a remediation contractor certified by the State of Colorado. Once the remediation work is completed, the facility will undergo testing again, ensuring that it meets the state standards and is safe for public use.

The issue of methanphetamine contamination is not unique to MMT’s Downtown Terminal. It appears that several libraries across the state of Colorado have also faced closures due to methanphetamine contamination in the past. “Mountain Metro is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for its riders, drivers, and staff,” said Acting Transit Services Manager Lan Rao. 

CALIFORNIA PROPOSES FUNDING TO CLEAN LEAD FROM TOXIC PARKWAYS

www.LATimes.com

California state officials recently announced that the state budget proposal commits $67 million to clean thousands of lead-contaminated parkways in front of homes, schools and parks near the former Exide battery smelter in southeast Los Angeles County. The funding will come from fees the state collects on car battery purchases.

Over the course of several decades, the plant released substances like lead and arsenic into the environment. As a result, a substantial number of properties, estimated to be around 10,000 within a radius of 1.7 miles from the plant, may have been impacted by the contamination, according to the state’s assessment. In such situations, remediation efforts can involve testing, cleanup, and potentially even relocation or compensation for affected residents.

LIFE AFTER 'SNOWMAGGEDON'

GritDaily.com

Residents in the areas hit hardest by ‘Snowmaggedon’ are still struggling after the event due to costly property damage. Within the San Bernardino communities facing the aftermath, storms produced over 12 feet of snow contributing to public and private losses of nearly $380 million. This not only impacted the physical properties but the spring tourism season as well.

Many residents are dealing with rebuilding such as Tricia Dufour, owner of Pine Rose Cabins who has to make sure the cabins are fixed before wedding season.  Others such as Michaelk Irion are trying to get repairs done on their home.

HURRICANE IAN VICTIMS SUING THEIR INSURANCE COMPANY FOR UNDERPAYING DAMAGE CLAIM

www.ABCActionNews.com

Eight months after Hurrican Ian some homeowners say that their insurance company is not paying for the full cost of repairs. Sherry McBride and her husband Jim had their home drenched with the back wall separated and roof ripped up in several places.  “It blew in with such a powerful suction that everything got wet… anything that was in here was damaged. They had to totally gut it,” said  McBride.

According to McBride most contracters gave estimates around $220,000 to repair the damages. However, the insurance adjuster estimated about $40,000 in damages. Additionally they have been paying rent to live elsewhere for the past seven months. According to the state’s reporting data, the McBride’s claim is one of nearly 110,000 Ian claims still open as of March. “We're gonna have to take our claim to court because they leave us no choice.”

EVICTIONS ADD TWIST FOR LITTLE ROCK TORNADO VICTIMS

www.KETK.com

Renters in Little Rock are dealing with eviction as their buildings are repaired due to the tornado that took place on March 31, 2023. One tenant, Jared Holt, received and eviction notice on April 26 stating that he would need to leave his apartment within two weeks. "My main complaint is with the amount of time, because two weeks is not nearly enough time for one or two people to find housing in Little Rock, let alone dozens," of people, he said. "They've just been really vague; they didn't give us any kind of time frame or estimate on when things would be better, talking about moving back in or anything."

While some landlords have been moving residents into other units, other landlords  say that the demand for housing has increased since the tornado hit. Manager Vicki Brumett of Foxglen Apartments stated that the tornado damaged a lot of local “reasonably priced apartments.” Jill Judy who runs Downtown Dwellings said about 50 people called looking for housing after she posted about vacancies on Facebook.

GEORGIA COUPLE AWARDED $135.5M OVER DAMAGES BY SOLAR COMPANY, CONTRACTOR

InsuranceJournal.com

A Georgia couple was awarded $135.5 million for damages to their property by a Tennessee-based solar company and its contractor. According to the lawsuit 1,000 acres of timberland, farmland, and land were mass graded by IEA near the Harris couple. The land was previously used for recreational hunting and fishing and the grading was done without adequate measures for erosion and sediment control.

According to James E. Butler, the attorney for Shaun and Amie Harris, “when it rained, pollution poured downhill and downstream onto the neighbors’ property, inundating wetlands with silt and sediment, and turning a 21-acre trophy fishing lake into a mud hole.”

The Jury returned a verdict of $10.5 million for compensatory damages. The punitive phase, where jurors consider an amount that would punish the companies for their actions, the panel found that SRC, IEA and and an IEA subsidiary — IEA Constructors, LLC — acted with specific intent to cause harm. The jury imposed $25 million in punitive damages against SRC, $50 million against IEA Inc., and $50 million against IEA Constructors

LANDSLIDE: COLLAPSE AT CASA ROMANTICA DAMAGES HISTORIC PROPERTY, FORCING TEMPORARY CLOSURE

www.SanClementeTimes.com

On April 27, 2023 a landslide caused Casa Romantica’s backyard terrace, landscaping, and other debris to fall about 25 feet down the hillside. As of May 2, city engineer and Public Works Director told the City Council that the main landslide area still shows signs of movement. The estimated cost to fix the slope and secure the rear of the building would be about $7 million to $8 million.

The city has closed and red-tagged the property and evacuated between 6 to 8 units of Reef Gate’s Building A which sits at the lowest elevation of the complex’s three structure. Additionally, the landslide impacts railroad tracks running along San Clemente’s coastline. Due to the debris from the landslide Metrolink and Amtrak announced an indefinite suspension of commuter service through San Clemente.

BUSTED BEAVER DAM CAUSES FLASH FLOOD, PROPERTY DAMAGE NEAR CALABOGIE, ONTARIO

Toronto.CTVNews.ca

An Ontario resident has suffered over $100,000 in property damage after a beaver dam burst, causing a flash flood event. The flood waters engulfed the whole street in water, blocking cars and surrounding both sides of his house.

This incident is not the first time a beaver dam has burst, resulting in flooding; however, previous times did more damage to the road. The property owner is now seeking some level of government to be held accountable to prevent future incidents.

ROSENBLUM SUES 3M, DUPONT, OTHERS OVER ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION

www.KPTV.com

The Attorney General of Oregon sued 21 organizations, including DuPont and 3M alleging that their foam-based chemical (PFAS) products have created a public health and environmental contamination issue for the state. PFAS is a chemical used in firefighting foam at military bases and airports. The chemical is also used in food packaging, waterproof jackets, carpets, and nonstick pans.

PFAS is also known as forever chemicals because it can stay in humans and the environment for decades. The EPA has concluded that PFAS exposure can cause health problems.

The Attorney General’s lawsuit alleges contamination at the Portland International Airport and Kingsley Field Air National Guard Base. The lawsuit seeks a court order requiring the companies to remove contamination from state-owned lands and waters and seeks damages to test, treat and restore damaged drinking water resources.

EASTMAN CHEMICAL RESINS TO PAY $2.4M FOR ENVIRONMENTAL VIOLATIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA

www.alleghenyfront.org

The Environmental Protection Agency announced that Eastman Chemical Resins, Inc. will pay $2.4 million in penalties for environmental violations at the 56-acre manufacturing facility in West Elizabeth, Pennsylvania.

The company will review stormwater discharges and groundwater contamination and ensure compliance with environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and parallel Pennsylvania laws. The chemical producing facility is bordered on the southeast by the Monongahela River and bisected by a tributary to that river.

CRYSTAL PIER RE-OPENED AFTER CITY ASSESSES STORM DAMAGE

SDNews.com

After a season of winter storms in San Diego, California, the Crystal Pier was temporarily closed as a safety precaution until any damage could be assessed. The Crystal Pier Hotel owns the access portion of the pier, while the City owns the remainder. According to the Hotel, the damage was believed to have happened to the City portion of the pier.

After the winter storms, the City hired consultant Moffatt & Nichol to assess the pier's condition. As of May 15th, the City announced that the pier is safe for public use.

The City of San Diego says the end of a Pacific Beach pier will be reopened weeks after it was improperly closed off by the owners of the Crystal Pier cottages, which sit atop a large stretch of the pier. The closure was initiated by the owners of the Crystal Pier cottages, who had concerns about safety due to winter storm damage. However, the city now deems their action premature, as formal permission was required.

The consultant’s report evaluated the safety of the pier and concluded that it is suitable for public use. While urgent repairs are still needed, the report confirms that the pier can be reopened with proper precautions in place to ensure visitor safety.