Environmental Site Assessments (ESA)

Phase I ESAs are conducted following American Society of Testing Methods (ASTM) E1527-13 standards including the new All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) Rule enacted by the Environmental Protection Agency.

ESAs also help establish an 'innocent landowner defense' under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA). As a result, this form of real estate due diligence has emerged to protect both the real estate purchaser and the lending institution from any future liability.

Our Phase I Environmental Site Assessments include, but are not limited to:

Physical Inspection - Examining the site and contiguous properties to gauge the likeliness of contaminant releases and identify areas of concern.
Environmental Database Search - Conduct research into the historic past uses of the site including state file reviews to ascertain the regulatory history of the site.
Historical Review - Study historical maps and aerial photographs of the site.
Geologic and Hydrologic Assessment - Review published data on the geology and hydrogeology of the site.
Comprehensive Report - Prepare a comprehensive report which includes recommendations and a conclusion statement outlining tasks to be performed going forward (ESA II) or clearing the property of environmental liability.

Potential concerns in the Phase I process include existing or former underground storage tanks (UST), dry cleaners, chemical storage and handling, wastewater clarifiers, surface staining, PCB-containing equipment, sumps, and wastewater clarifiers. Additional concerns are asbestos-containing materials, lead-based paints, lead in water, and radon.

Please contact us with questions or for more information.