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Mr. Michael Infurna. <br /> May 22, 1996 <br /> Page 7 <br /> other oil companies which operated the gas station on the property. In short, she obtained a <br /> significant discount of the purchase price of this property because the seller would not <br /> provide the desired indemnification, and she now seeks to use the County's regulatory <br /> process as leverage to obtain the same indemnification from the prior operators of the site. <br /> The obligation of the PHS-EHD in this matter is to protect human health and <br /> the environment,not the private business interests of a property investor. The County's <br /> decision with respect to conditional closure, therefore, must turn on the site assessment <br /> information which has been developed at great expense with respect to this property. The <br /> only information that matters in determining whether conditional closure is appropriate is the <br /> type and extent of contamination,the depth to the contamination, and the actual and potential <br /> impact of that contamination on human health and the environment. Both you and Diane <br /> Hinsonhad that information at hand in January, and it was upon that information that Ms. <br /> Hinson based her decision that conditional closure is appropriate. Ms. Staudenraus'private, <br /> investment-based desires have no bearing on that decision. <br /> Nevertheless, it is clear from my meeting with Ms. Hinson and my discussion <br /> with you last week that the PHS-EHD was and is concerned about the rights of the current <br /> owner. Please be assured that Ms. Staudenraus' rights will be fully protected if conditional <br /> closure is granted. As in most cases involving contaminated property,private rights are best <br /> exercised directly with prior owners and operators of the site, and not indirectly through the <br /> inappropriate manipulation of regulatory agencies who lack the resources with which to <br /> allocate responsibility and liability. As you can see from the enclosed Purchase and Sale <br /> Agreement, Ms. Staudenraus was informed of the property contamination,the FDIC agreed <br /> to take certain steps with respect to that contamination, and the Agreement gives Ms. <br /> Staudenraus;remedies which she can pursue against the FDIC if she believes the FDIC has <br /> failed to satisfy its contractual obligations. Clearly she would have liked a more <br /> comprehensive indemnity,but she elected to take advantage of a reduced purchase price <br /> instead. Ms. Staudenraus is certainly free to bring a private claim against the FDIC or any of <br /> the prior owners or operators of this property if she feels such a claim is warranted. It is <br /> inappropriate, however,to hold conditional closure hostage to such claims. <br /> On behalf of the settling parties in the FDIC litigation, and pursuant to the <br /> Order issued by Judge Holloway, Texaco hereby requests that the County grant conditional <br /> closure with respect to this property. In that regard, we would be pleased to meet with you at <br /> your earliest convenience to discuss any questions or concerns you may have,whether they <br />