Final Phase I Environmental Assessment; Tract P145-01; Big Thicket National Preserve, Beaumont, Texas

Michael Baker Jr., Inc

Michael Baker Jr., Inc. (Baker) was contracted by the National Park Service (NPS) to complete a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) on Tract P145-01 (the subject property). The subject property is 20.16 acres and is located along State Highway 770, adjacent to the Lance Rosier Unit of the Big Thicket National Preserve (BITH). The purpose of the Phase I ESA is to identify recognized environmental conditions (RECs) or other environmental liability associated with the subject property. Ms. Ruth Johnson (the subject property owner in 2000) wrote in her Last Will and Testament that her husband, Mr. James Johnson would receive life estate to the subject property in the event of her death. The Will further stated that the tract would be donated to the Houston Audubon Society (HAS) upon his death. After Ms. Johnson’s death in 2002, Mr. Johnson decided to donate the tract to the HAS. This Phase I ESA consisted of a site reconnaissance, public records search, and interviews with people knowledgeable of the subject property. Environmental Data Resources, Inc. (EDR) was used to perform an environmental database search of public, federal, state, and local records. Baker personnel performed some public records research, and site reconnaissance, and conducted interviews of current and previous property owners as well as BITH personnel. Based on information obtained from owner interviews, records review, and site reconnaissance, this ESA has revealed no RECs on the subject property (Tract P145-01).