Last summer, Benton County’s road department demolished a barn without involving the state asbestos program, hauled the debris to another location and burned it—all in violation of state environmental laws. Road department employees later cleaned up the burn site. State investigators warned the county that its actions violated state law. State officials also conducted an educational seminar for the county, ensuring that county employees knew what the environmental laws require. In its discretion, however, the state environmental agency has decided that it will not fine or otherwise take formal action against the county. In explaining the agency’s decision, officials point to the county’s cooperation and quick cleanup of the burn site, as well as the fact that, although an asbestos survey should have been done, it is unlikely that the barn debris contained asbestos. The county’s actions, although they violated the law, probably did not pose a long-term danger to the environment. In addition, Benton County appears to be a first offender of the state environmental laws, and first time offenses often receive warnings.

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After 10 years in Aurora, Colorado’s Lowry Park, the Lowry Community Garden has been closed. Officials with Aurora Parks and Opens Spaces say the garden was closed because, after an asbestos-containing building was demolished right next to the garden, concerns grew that the garden might be contaminated by asbestos. Although the soil was not checked for asbestos, the city determined that the safer course was to relocate the garden. The non-profit Denver Urban Gardens is working with the city to find a new location.

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Two top building officials in Kerrville, Texas have resigned out of concern that recent changes have weakened the building code. Chief building official, Brian Whitton, expressed particular concern about a change that would waive the requirement of a building permit for some alterations or renovations to commercial structures. If a building permit is not required, the requirement of an asbestos survey will not be triggered. Whitton says this change in the code violates state law and may prompt involvement from the Texas Department of Health.

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Renovations over Spring break at Brykerwoods Elementary School in Austin, Texas may have exposed students to high levels of asbestos and lead. The renovations included sanding old paint—which probably contained lead—from the window frames and replacing glazing and caulking around the windows—which the principal says contained asbestos. When students returned from Spring break, dust still covered their desks. The Department of State Health Services has taken samples at the school, but the results are not yet available. A home lead test kit revealed lead in the dust. The Austin Independent School District says the school had air quality tests done before students returned from Spring break. The school district says a crew will be sent to clean the classrooms again.