Phase 1 ESA

What is a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment?

A Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment, also referred to as a Phase I ESA or Phase One Environmental Site Assessment is conducted to identify the presence or likely presence of environmental contamination like hazardous substances or petroleum products on the property that is under assessment.

Who Requires a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment?

  1. Anyone planning to buy a residential, commercial, industrial or any other type of property and needs to know if any contamination exists on the property that they are going to purchase.
  2. Banks that finance the transaction and need to know the financial risk involved.
  3. Property investors trying to determine the financial risk associated with the property to accurately determine the Return on their Investments (ROI).

What is the Purpose of a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment?

  1. To identify the presence or likely presence of any hazardous substances or petroleum products on the property under conditions that indicate an existing release, a past release, or a material threat of a release of any hazardous substances or petroleum products into structures on the property or into the ground, groundwater, or surface water of the property.
  2. To identify Recognized Environmental Conditions in connection with the property in accordance with ASTM Designation: E 1527-13. The newer standard E 1527-21 is currently under review by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and will be followed as soon as it is approved by EPA.

How is a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment Conducted?

  1. Available Federal, State and Tribal Records on the subject property and its associated operations will be reviewed for environmental concerns.
  1. Site Reconnaissance: We will conduct a visual inspection of the site in all accessible areas to identify hazardous substances or petroleum products in connection with the property. No physical samples will be collected, but can be addressed should the need arise. Special efforts will be directed to the areas where hazardous materials may be or have been used, stored or disposed on site.
  2. All previous Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments and any environmental studies conducted on the property will be requested from the owner/buyer for review.
  3. We will attempt to identify and interview current owner(s), buyer(s) and occupant(s) of the property and local government officials, and if appropriate, private citizens who may have information regarding past practices at the facility that could have had an adverse environmental impact to the property.
  4. A written report will be prepared, documenting the activities conducted, summarizing our findings, and providing recommendations regarding the need for additional investigations, if any, at the site. The report will include an identification of potential regulatory concerns, copies of records obtained from public sources and summaries of interviews conducted.

How Much Will a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment Cost?

The fee for conducting a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment can range from $1800 to $2800 based on the complexity of the property.

For larger properties and Industrial properties, the fee can be over $3000.

Photo by Marcin Jozwiak

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