demolitionThe Great Basin Air Pollution Control District has confirmed that the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power did not file required paperwork regarding potential asbestos in the historic hair shop in Independence.  Inyo County also confirmed that LADWP failed to wait for an environmental review and issuance of a demolition permit before destroying the old building.

Jan Sudomier, Air Quality Specialist for APCD, confirmed that DWP did no go through the required steps before demolishing the building.  She said she has emailed them the form, fee requirements and asbestos survey all required under law.  Sudomier said DWP should have taken these required steps before demolishing the building.

When asked if they had followed the required air quality steps prior to demolition, DWP forwarded a copy of a form submitted to APCD in 2010. Sudomier said that form was for a renovation plan for the Hair I Am building, not demolition.

Sudomier said she was surprised that DWP forged ahead with demolition without dealing with the asbestos issue.  She said they have always been cooperative in the past and have their own asbestos removal team.

Inyo County Counsel Randy Keller confirmed that DWP failed to go through a California Environmental Quality Act review as required by Inyo County when LA filed for a demolition permit for the hair shop.

Keller said Inyo’s Planning Department said LADWP needed to do a CEQA review on the building.  Keller said both Planning and County Counsel departments maintained the need for a CEQA review.  He said DWP tore down the building without it.

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