Environmental Site Assessment
Phase I Environmental Site Assessments
What is a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment?
A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (Phase I ESA) is an investigation conducted to inspect & assess the environmental condition of a property. The Assessment goes through past and present property use and condition to discover any potential hazardous materials, asbestos, potential oil or gas leaks, etc. A Phase I ESA can be used to help investors of a property determine if the property they are about to purchase has environmental liabilities that could turn a potentially profitable property into a financial burden.
Why Do I Need a Phase I?
- To help assess the past and present environmental condition of a property and whether or not the property is a safe investment.
- To help the buyer of a potential property make the best-informed decision on that purchase and to help the seller assess their current property, in order to get the most value for their sale.
- To help secure a loan for a property from a financial institution
- To help and inform current or future residents & owners of a property of environmental hazards that may exist on a property, preventing health issues that may result.
What Does a Phase I ESA Include specifically?
- Historical research into previous ownership and land use including the review of USGS maps, Sanborn maps, aerial photographs, and previous environmental reports.
- Review of available property title records for a period of 50 to 75 years, if requested
- Review of Federal, State, and local government records for Superfund sites, environmentally hazardous sites and activities, documented clean-ups, USTs, LUST sites, generator records, reported spill records, etc.
- A thorough site inspection of the property as well as all buildings, including the existence, use, storage, treatment, or disposal of hazardous or potentially hazardous materials
- A survey of neighboring properties and their uses and/or operations
- Property transaction screening can also be conducted to assess the environmental liability of a property. This screening process is cursory in nature and can be utilized when a Phase I ESA is not required.
What Does a Typical Phase I ESA Cost?
- A Phase I ESA can range anywhere from $2,500 - $5,000 depending on the size of the property in question as well as the complexity.
Phase II Environmental Site Assessments
A Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (Phase II ESA) evolves from the results of the Phase I ESA. The information compiled during a Phase I ESA is used to develop sampling and analysis programs for those potential environmental liabilities identified, and to help verify the existence, location, and extent of the problem. The extent of this verification process varies greatly and can be as simple as sampling an isolated contaminant, or as complex as a major site exploration to determine subsurface contamination. A detailed proposal outlining the extent of our Phase II ESA services is always provided by Integrity prior to the start of any activities.
What Does a Typical Phase II ESA Cost?
- The cost of a Phase II is hard to determine and can vary significantly depending on multiple factors. Integrity can provide a Free Quote by filling out the Contact Us form or by calling us at 630-534-0790.