Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (otherwise known as a Phase I ESA) is a thorough review of a property and its surrounding area. The goal of a Phase I ESA is to determine whether or not there is any need for additional investigation in order to fully understand the liability risks that could possibly be associated with that specific property. By using a systematic approach in order to identify these environmental conditions, an industry standard can be set and maintained consistently across the board regardless of the area.
The Records Review Process
The first stage of an ESA Phase I is the records review process, which includes reviewing the chain of title and determining how surrounding land is being used. Also reviewed is a historical aerial photograph that
focuses on the developmental timeline of that area. Local agencies (such as fire departments and local health departments) are contacted to gather pertinent information about the area.
The Site Reconnaissance
During the Environmental Site Assessment Phase I, a visual inspection of the actual property is performed. During this stage, each of the boundary measurements of the actual property are thoroughly inspected and observed. Detailed photographs are captured of the property, but there is no type of physical testing and sampling that is conducted during the first phase of this assessment.
The Interview and Final Reporting Stages
In the interviewing stage of this process, we will interview anyone who might offer pertinent information for this report, including former and current property managers as well as tenants and owners. If the surrounding areas present a major concern, we will also interview people associated with those properties.
The final stage of Phase I Environmental Site Assessment is the reporting stage, which calls for official documentation of findings and conclusions. If there are any additional investigations that are necessary, they are recommended within this particular stage of the process and then executed accordingly. All significant data gaps affect the overall evaluation of the property need to be identified before a conclusion of recognized environmental conditions can be reached and finalized.
Our Phase I ESA is a non-intrusive investigation of current Site conditions and operations. It also includes a historical review of environmental records relating to the Site, as well as its surrounding area. To know more about our Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment and ESA Environmental Site Assessment, visit us now.