What goes into Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment?

A Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is the first step in evaluating the environmental condition of a property. It is a comprehensive study that is conducted by a qualified environmental consultant/assessment firm to determine whether any recognized environmental conditions (RECs) exist on the site.

The main purpose of a Phase 1 ESA is to identify potential environmental liabilities associated with a property before transferring ownership or initiating construction or development. It is conducted in accordance with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E1527-13 standard, which outlines the procedures and criteria for conducting a Phase 1 ESA.

The Phase 1 ESA process is typically broken down into several key steps, which are discussed in detail below.

Historical Research The first step in a Phase 1 ESA is to conduct a thorough search of historical records to determine whether the property or the surrounding areas have a history of potential contamination. The environmental inspector will examine pertinent city and county records and create a historical timeline of the site and its surroundings, including all previous and current land uses.

Site Inspection The next step in a Phase 1 ESA is to conduct an on-site visual inspection of the property. The expert will inspect the property for any obvious indications of pollution or possible hazards, such as oil or chemical spills, asbestos, underground storage tanks (USTs), and other possibly hazardous items. The inspector will also assess any nearby properties, soil characteristics, vegetation, and other elements that could point to potential pollution.

Site Utilization Research The inspector will then evaluate the site's present and historical uses, looking for any earlier applications that might have produced harmful compounds. To identify any possible concerns, they will consider the local industrial and commercial facilities as well as the nearby land usage.

Regulatory Research The environmental consultant will conduct regulatory research to determine whether the site or surrounding areas have been subject to any state or federal environmental laws, such as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), and the Clean Water Act (CWA). A review of federal, state, and local environmental databases and abandoned property registries will also be conducted.

Interviews The Phase 1 ESA will also include interviews with various past and present property occupants, officials, and other relevant personnel to gather additional information about the property's past use, any environmental incidents or other significant events that may have occurred, and the potential presence of contaminants. Interviews with people who have had management or administrative positions at the site are frequently done.

Report Preparation The environmental consultant will write a thorough report summarizing the results of the Phase 1 ESA once all the data has been gathered. The site description, historical research, regulatory reviews, the on-site inspection, photos, maps, and documents gathered through interviews are all included in this report. A REC list detailing potential liabilities, if any, will also be included.

The environmental consultant will advise conducting a Phase 2 ESA if the results of the Phase 1 ESA indicate the existence of possible RECs. In some circumstances, the consultant may also make suggestions for corrective action, such as cleanup or other mitigation techniques.

Overall, the Phase 1 ESA is a critical stage in the due diligence process for any real estate transaction, acquisition, or development. Additionally, it can spot any environmental issues, sparing buyers and developers from exorbitant remediation costs and potential liabilities, and it can guarantee that the property can be used in a safe and suitable manner for a new use.