Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments
Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) reveal information that allows the user to evaluate the environmental risk and make an informed business decision regarding a commercial real estate transaction. In particular, ESAs are designed to identify environmental conditions that can result in costly clean-ups, property devaluation, legal fees, and third party claims. If you have a financial interest in a parcel of property and desire the assurance of an ESA, REI will provide you with a timely ESA that is the standard in the industry.
The industry standard for an ESA has been established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM Practice 1527-05). The Phase I ESA is designed to constitute “All Appropriate Inquiry” and to satisfy one of the requirements to qualify for the innocent landowner, contiguous property owner, or bona fide prospective purchaser liability limitations as defined in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA – 42 United States Code § 9601(35)(B)) as amended by the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act of 2001.
The industry standard for an ESA has been established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM Practice 1527-05). The Phase I ESA is designed to constitute “All Appropriate Inquiry” and to satisfy one of the requirements to qualify for the innocent landowner, contiguous property owner, or bona fide prospective purchaser liability limitations as defined in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA – 42 United States Code § 9601(35)(B)) as amended by the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act of 2001.
REI’s Phase I ESA scope of services include:
- Records Review
- Property Reconnaissance
- Interviews
- Reports
If a Recognized Environmental Condition identified in the Phase I ESA indicates that additional assessment is needed to determine the presence or absence of contamination, a Phase II ESA will be recommended. Phase II ESAs are site-specific, and the scope of service is based on the findings of the Phase I ESA and the physical layout of the property.
A typical Phase II scope of service may include:
- Soil Vapor Survey
- Soil Sampling Analysis
- Groundwater Sampling Analysis
- Hazardous Waste Characterizations of Unknown Materials