Asbestos abatement planned in carlsbad, new mexico

Carlsbad, New Mexico - The Eddy County Commission has approved the first step in an asbestos abatement project in Happy Valley and La Huerta, but plans to take the project slowly due to the high level of asbestos in one of the condemned properties. The first step-inspection of the properties to determine how much asbestos is present-has been approved. The next steps will include removing the asbestos and demolishing the buildings. This abatement project is a little unusual, however, as the committee is not sure who owns the condemned buildings. Commissioner Lewis Derrick was concerned that the county doesn’t know whether the properties have mortgage liens against them, as the county will initially be paying for the asbestos removal. The commission already authorized the inspections after taking advice from county attorney Cas Tabor, but has decided to hold off on authorizing the rest of the project until a title and mortgage search has been carried out to determine if any liens or other liabilities are held on the properties. Tabor said, “I agree with Lewis. We need to do the research to see if there is an existing mortgage on the properties. If there is a sizeable one, we can work with the mortgage company.” Another problem with the project is the expense of asbestos abatement. Safely removing asbestos requires contractors and work crews who have received special training in handling asbestos, as well as the use of special techniques such as wet-removal to minimize the generation and dispersal of asbestos dust. In addition, disposal of asbestos waste is around three times more expensive than disposal of non-hazardous waste. Eddy County Manager Steve Massey says that the presence of asbestos in one building has already been confirmed, but is not certain whether asbestos is present in the others. Massey has estimated the costs of removing asbestos from just one of the properties as between $17,000 and $20,000. The costs of abatement in the three other buildings will depend on how much asbestos is present in them. The county has decided that if it proceeds with removal, it will bill the owners of the properties for the costs of asbestos abatement and demolition, and place liens against the properties until the money is repaid. If the owners don’t pay the bills, the county says, they can recoup the money by selling the properties. Massey has also emphasized that the county is not simply targeting properties because they are unsightly or are built on valuable land. The clean-up and demolition is necessary due to the asbestos hazards posed by the buildings. Commissioner Janell Whitlock said, “If we are going to go in and demolish structures because they are unsightly in the neighborhood, then I would be against it. But if it’s a health and safety hazard, then I don’t have a problem.” (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)