A Phase I Environmental
Site Assessment (ESA) is a review of past and current uses of a
property and adjoining properties to determine if there is evidence of
recognized environmental conditions.
A recognized
environmental condition is the presence or likely presence of hazardous
substances or petroleum products under conditions that indicate an
existing release, a past release, or the material threat of a release
into structures, soils, surface water, or groundwater. Recognized
environmental conditions may include issues related to fuel storage
tanks, soil staining, unsafe chemical storage, PCB-containing
electrical equipment, etc.
The Phase I ESA is an
important component of the due diligence process for a real estate
transaction because it helps to identify potential liability for
property owners under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and equivalent state laws. The
Phase I ESA may be required by the buyer, seller, lender or receiver.
Foree & Vann,
Inc.'s Phase I ESA's are prepared in conformance with the scope and
limitations of standards prepared by the American Society for Testing
and Materials (ASTM). ASTM Practice E 1527-05 is the nationally
recognized standard for the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
Process, incorporating the requirements of the EPA "All Appropriate
Inquiry" rule.
The Phase I ESA
research process includes:
• Historical Site
Usage
- We review past uses of the property through a study of historical
aerial photographs and maps, property ownership records, historical
city directories, and interviews with past and present owners and
tenants.
• Site Reconnaissance
-
Our personnel visit the property to observe materials stored, the
general condition of the property, adjoining property uses, utility
installations, and surface water drainage to look for evidence of
recognized environmental conditions. A typical site reconnaissance
includes interviews with managers and tenants.
• Regulatory Agency
Database Review - We review published federal, state, and local
environmental databases and contact local agency officials to determine
if sites of known environmental problems have adversely affected the
property.
• Report - Our
results
are presented in a bound report including narrative descriptions,
conclusions and recommendations, maps, and color photographs.
Update to Phase I Environmental Site
Assessment
Phase II Environmental Site
Assessment
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