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J. Chie, Esquire

Our law firm provides legal work for real estate closings for over 30 years… What distinguishes Chicago Commercial Appraisal Group from other appraisers is the level of thoroughness and details.

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Gary is a hands-on professional always willing to pick up the phone and work with you... His appraisal firm produces one of the best real estate forecasting reports in the state. I highly recommend his work and his opinion is highly recognized by governmental agencies.

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As an attorney, we deal with many appraisal reports used in tax appraisals. Gary's work has proven successful for our clients and I do not hesitate recommending him for tax assessment appeal appraisals.

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I needed an appraisal for settling an estate. Mr. Peterson was very professional, punctual and helpful with the process. I received my report ina timely manner. I would certainly recommend this company, as well as use their services in the future.

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No Further Remediation (NFR) (OR NOT)

In the course of our appraisal work we frequently see NFR letters associated with contaminated properties.  While the NFR letter is desirable to have, it may give a false sense of security to the prospective buyer or lending institution, since it does not entirely absolve either of liability or risk.


Since the implementation of TACO (Tiered Approach to Corrective Action Objectives), the Illinois EPA has issued many NFR letters, which allow residual contamination to persist by relying on engineered barriers and institutional controls to limit impacts on soil and/or groundwater. Although beneficial in returning some properties to productive use, or in fostering redevelopment, the approach has engendered much confusion, in that the letter is commonly misinterpreted as signifying that a site is clean. In point of fact, for commercial and industrial properties, the NFR implies that the site is still contaminated, just not so contaminated as to have required further action under rules in place as of the date issued. While this may, or may not, affect the ability to obtain financing, or to continue using the site, it may impact its marketability (due to stigma) and its potential for redevelopment.


In reading an NFR letter, you will encounter a statement citing potential causes for it to be voided such as:


Subsequent discovery of contaminants, not identified as part of the investigative or remedial activities upon which the issuance on the Letter was based, that pose a threat to human health or the environment.


This means that after an NFR has been issued, a subsequent discovery on the site, a tightening of regulations or a new “contaminant of concern (CoC)” added to the list, are potential reasons for voiding the NFR.


As observed by Matthew E. Cohn, an attorney with Arnstein & Lehr:


… an NFR letter can be rescinded if additional data or information contradicting what was known at the time of the site investigation later becomes available. A site can also be reopened when the rules change and a new risk is brought to the IEPA’s attention (e.g., the new VI [Vapor Intrusion] rules). It is important to notice here that the IEPA’s position is that it is not looking to reopen sites, but it will do so in appropriate situations when it believes it is necessary to do so. So much for the clarity and finality sought by the holders of NFR letters.[1]

[1] “What Is So Great about a ‘No Further Remediation’ Letter Anyway?” Environmental Leader, November 2013, viewed on environmentalleader.com.


A recent point of concern for example is the uncertain effect new Vapor Intrusion (VI) rule issued in 2013 might have on existing NFR letters which were based on site analyses that did not consider the VI pathway.


The key take-away points with respect to the NFR are:


  • it does not mean a site is clean;
  • it will limit a site’s use to commercial or industrial;
  • it may impose additional restrictions further limiting utility, or imposing additional costs;
  • it may be rescinded; and
  • it does not absolve the property owner from potential future liability. 


Mr. Cohn observed that, because it is voluntary, an NFR letter can be as broad, or as narrow, as the applicant wants it to be, by focusing on specific contaminants, future land use consideration, and the types of activity restrictions and engineered control, which may or may not have wide acceptance in the market (see Matthew E. Cohn, 2013).  


In short, a contaminated property, even with an NFR letter is still contaminated, stigmatized and carries risk to the owner.  Its value would be lower than an environmentally clean site.