PHASE I ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT (ESA)
NassCass personnel have completed numerous Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESA) for undeveloped properties, and developed commercial and industrial properties, on behalf of lending institutions, potential purchasers and property owners. The purpose of the ESA is to perform appropriate inquiry as defined by the ASTM Standards to qualify for the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) innocent landowner defense. The scope of work performed by NassCass is intended to reflect a commercially prudent and reasonable inquiry as discussed in the ASTM standards.
The objective is to adequately identify potential or existing recognized environmental conditions (REC) at a site that may be discerned by visual observation and information gathering procedures. Generally, it is not intended that samples of the soil, air, groundwater, building materials etc. are taken or analyzed using invasive techniques during this phase of site evaluation. However, if the ESA determines the possibility of contaminants on the subject property, a sampling plan and cost estimate can be prepared to implement any recommended Phase II Assessment. The records review portion of an ESA includes obtaining and reviewing records that will help identify recognized environmental conditions in connection with the property. Information that can be obtained within reasonable time and costs constraints will be reviewed. Records for the subject property, adjacent properties, and properties within the defined approximate minimum search distance will be reviewed. Depending upon availability, additional state and/or local records may be reviewed. These records may include lists of landfill/solid waste disposal sites, lists of hazardous waste/contaminated sites, lists of registered underground storage tanks, records of emergency release reports, and/or records of contaminated public wells. The local sources that may be contacted, as reasonably available, include:
The physical setting of the property will be reviewed on the United States Geologic Survey 7.5 Minute Topographic Map or other source as available. Reasonable, ascertainable, standard historical sources will be reviewed to identify historical uses of the property from the present back to a time defined in the ASTM standard. A chain-of-title search is generally not included in the ESA scope of work. Standard historical sources to be researched may include the following:
The ESA also includes a site visit by a NassCass professional. A site visit to the property will be performed to visually and physically observe the property and its structures to obtain information indicating the likelihood of identifying recognized environmental conditions. The following subjects may be assessed and included in the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment report:
Interviews are also conducted to obtain information on the possibility of recognized environmental conditions for the subject property. Site owners, occupants, and government officials may be interviewed, as appropriate. Local official to be interviewed may include the local fire department, local state health agency, and local agency with jurisdiction over hazardous waste disposal or other environmental matters. After completing the above activities, NassCass personnel summarize all findings in a report that conforms with the specifications of the relevant ASTM Standard. In the event that RECs are identified, NassCass will also provide, if requested, a scope of work and cost estimate to perform sampling and testing activities to evaluate the presence of and potential severity of the REC investigated.
NassCass personnel have completed numerous Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESA) for undeveloped properties, and developed commercial and industrial properties, on behalf of lending institutions, potential purchasers and property owners. The purpose of the ESA is to perform appropriate inquiry as defined by the ASTM Standards to qualify for the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) innocent landowner defense. The scope of work performed by NassCass is intended to reflect a commercially prudent and reasonable inquiry as discussed in the ASTM standards.
The objective is to adequately identify potential or existing recognized environmental conditions (REC) at a site that may be discerned by visual observation and information gathering procedures. Generally, it is not intended that samples of the soil, air, groundwater, building materials etc. are taken or analyzed using invasive techniques during this phase of site evaluation. However, if the ESA determines the possibility of contaminants on the subject property, a sampling plan and cost estimate can be prepared to implement any recommended Phase II Assessment. The records review portion of an ESA includes obtaining and reviewing records that will help identify recognized environmental conditions in connection with the property. Information that can be obtained within reasonable time and costs constraints will be reviewed. Records for the subject property, adjacent properties, and properties within the defined approximate minimum search distance will be reviewed. Depending upon availability, additional state and/or local records may be reviewed. These records may include lists of landfill/solid waste disposal sites, lists of hazardous waste/contaminated sites, lists of registered underground storage tanks, records of emergency release reports, and/or records of contaminated public wells. The local sources that may be contacted, as reasonably available, include:
- Department of Health/Environmental Division
- Fire Department
- Planning Department
- Building Permit/Inspection Department
- Local/Regional Pollution Control Agency
- Local Regional Water Quality Agency
- Local Electric Utility Companies (for records relating PCBs )
The physical setting of the property will be reviewed on the United States Geologic Survey 7.5 Minute Topographic Map or other source as available. Reasonable, ascertainable, standard historical sources will be reviewed to identify historical uses of the property from the present back to a time defined in the ASTM standard. A chain-of-title search is generally not included in the ESA scope of work. Standard historical sources to be researched may include the following:
- Aerial photographs
- Fire insurance maps
- Property tax files
- Recorded land title records
- USGS 7.5 minute topographic maps
- Local street directories
- Building department records
- Zoning land use records
The ESA also includes a site visit by a NassCass professional. A site visit to the property will be performed to visually and physically observe the property and its structures to obtain information indicating the likelihood of identifying recognized environmental conditions. The following subjects may be assessed and included in the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment report:
- Current and past uses for the subject and adjoining properties
- Current or past uses of the surrounding area
- Geologic, hydrogeologic, hydrologic, and topographic conditions
- General description of onsite structures or other improvements including roads
- Potable water supply and sewage disposal system
- Hazardous substances and petroleum products onsite
- Storage tanks
- Odors
- Pools of liquid
- Drums and/or other containers for hazardous substances or petroleum products
- Unidentified substance containers
- Polychlorinated byphenyls (PCBs)
- Heating/Cooling
- Stains or corrosion
- Drains and sumps
- Pits, ponds, or lagoons
- Stained soil or pavement
- Stressed vegetation
- Solid waste
- Waste Water
- Wells
Interviews are also conducted to obtain information on the possibility of recognized environmental conditions for the subject property. Site owners, occupants, and government officials may be interviewed, as appropriate. Local official to be interviewed may include the local fire department, local state health agency, and local agency with jurisdiction over hazardous waste disposal or other environmental matters. After completing the above activities, NassCass personnel summarize all findings in a report that conforms with the specifications of the relevant ASTM Standard. In the event that RECs are identified, NassCass will also provide, if requested, a scope of work and cost estimate to perform sampling and testing activities to evaluate the presence of and potential severity of the REC investigated.