A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, or Phase I ESA, is the first step in the environmental assessment of a commercial or industrial property, with the goal of identifying existing or potential environmental conditions that may impact the soil or groundwater on or beneath the property.
A Phase I ESA is most often performed during, or in advance of, a property transaction. Those transactions may include property sales, loan refinancing, or mergers or acquisitions of entities with real estate assets. Additionally, a Phase I ESA may be a valuable tool for existing property owners who are facing existing or potential environmental conditions on their property, but are unsure of the source of those environmental conditions.
The Phase I ESA process is typically a non-intrusive assessment of the property, meaning that invasive assessment techniques, such as soil and groundwater sampling, are not utilized. The Phase I investigation will generally involve four components:
Phase I ESAs can be designed to meet the goals of the specific transaction or goals of the User of the Phase I ESA. If the User is potentially purchasing a property, they will likely want a Phase I ESA that meets Federal All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) requirements, which will assist them in obtaining CERCLA Liability Protections. This type of Phase I ESA — generally referred to as an ASTM/AAI Compliant Phase I ESA — is conducted under the guidelines of ASTM Standard E1527 and under the direction of an Environmental Professional.
In some situations, a Limited Phase I ESA or Business Risk Phase I ESA can be conducted when CERCLA Liability Protections are not the desired goal. These types of Phase I ESAs can often be completed more quickly and at lesser cost. You should discuss the limitations and applicability of these options with your Environmental Consultant prior to ordering.
PEC's team of Environmental Professionals can help you decide what type of Phase I ESA will meet your needs. Start your Free Project Review now, and let us join your team.
PEC's Standard ASTM/AAI Compliant Phase I ESAs include the following process:
Evaluate site history to 1940 or earliest known development, whichever is older — including historical aerial photography, topographic maps, city directories, Sanborn maps, and historical regulatory database entries.
Online regulatory file review and interviews with current regulatory case workers to identify any open environmental cases associated with the property.
Interviews with current and identifiable historical property owners, occupants, and environmental regulatory officials to gather firsthand knowledge of site conditions.
Onsite review of current environmental conditions, as well as review of adjacent and surrounding properties for potential off-site sources of contamination.
Preliminary results delivered verbally or via email prior to report completion. The final Phase I ESA Report meets AAI/ASTM and financial/lending requirements. An optional Materiality Summary is also available.
Summary of Environmental Conditions, including:
– $150 discount with 50% retainer
– $400 discount with 100% retainer
Does not include: Judicial Records Review, Travel Expenses over $100, In-person Regulatory File Reviews, File Copy Costs over $50.
Request a Free Phase I ESA EstimatePEC's Phase I ESA services are available to clients in all 50 states. View our service area coverage →