At ENVIRONET, we believe every parcel of land has an important history. Our ESA Reports are designed to tell the story of the land supported by research consistent with regulatory and industry standards.
EnviroNET’s personnel meet or exceed the regulatory definition of “Environmental Professional” provided by EPA and ASTM. We evaluate potential environmental liabilities specific to real estate for purchasers, sellers, bankers, developers, municipalities, economic development personnel and realtors. ESAs are often combined with Property Condition Assessments (PCAs) to quantify potential financial liability when underwriting a loan.
Phase I ESAs
PHASE I Assessments are conducted in accordance with American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM) guidelines E 1527-21 Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I ESA Process, and E 1993 Standard Guide for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase II ESA Process.
EnviroNET’s Phase I Reports include “all appropriate inquiry” (AAI) as defined in legislation passed by Congress specific to real estate liability and brownfield redevelopment. Our Phase I ESAs afford the purchaser, its heirs, assigns, and mortgage lender potential eligibility for an innocent landowner defense against liabilities which become evident at a future date.
Property Assessments always include:
› Visual assessment of environmental conditions.
› Assessment and testing for asbestos, mold, vapor encroachment and water quality, if appropriate.
› Research of historical information, including old plat maps, fire insurance maps, historical topographical maps, aerial photos, former tax assessment maps, city directories, interviews and other resources.
› Evaluation of historical information gathered specific to property use.
› Identification of Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs).
› Conclusions regarding RECs, as appropriate.
› Recommendations specific to RECs and other items identified during the course of research, as indicated.
› Photographs and support documentation.
Phase II ESAs
PHASE II Assessments are designed to define the horizontal and vertical extent of contamination, where present, by utilizing a combination of the following investigative techniques.
- Geophysical GPR
- Magnetometer
- Drill / Geoprobe
- Hydraulic Conductivity Testing
- Groundwater Modeling
- Soil & Groundwater Sampling
Phase III ESAs
PHASE III Assessments include remedial design and implementation of a corrective action plan. These assessments are designed to mitigate specific pathways of potential exposure, and to obtain a “clean environmental closure” specific to planned Property use. Every Property is different and site-specific conditions govern the scope of work and design for closure.
Innovative Technologies:
› Visual assessment of environmental conditions.
› Low Temperature Desorption
› Bioremediation
› Excavation
› Chemical Injection
› In situ / Ex situ
Phase I Environmental Site Assessments are generally done in relation to mergers, acquisitions or financing activities. The intent of ESAs is to identify potential sources/existence of property contamination for purposes of clean-up costs/liability under US law Environmental site assessments have become an important component of real estate transactions, especially for commercial and industrial property. ESA’s rarely contain a compliance audit component and should not be confused with audits.
