Are you uncertain of what to look for during an environmental site assessment? Do you want to ensure that all aspects of the assessment have been accounted for?
Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment Checklist is a form of environmental due diligence conducted on properties prior to purchase and development. This evaluation assesses the impact that hazardous substances may have on any activity taking place on the property itself or nearby areas and further identifies existing or potential contamination risks.
An ESA requires an experienced and knowledgeable technician who is mindful of the potential dangers within the environment. To guarantee that your assessment runs smoothly, there are a few items you should keep in mind before beginning the analysis. In this article, we will discuss the essential checklist components for a successful Environmental Site Assessment Phase 1.
What is Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment Checklist
A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is an important tool for property buyers to identify and report on potential or existing environmental liabilities associated with pre-existing contamination. This assessment can help satisfy one of three legal defenses under the federal Superfund law (CERCLA), which otherwise makes landowners strictly liable for pre-existing contamination. A Phase I ESA is often required by banks when a loan is requested, as it helps protect the loan value and credit risk.
The scope of a Phase I ESA does not include lead-based paint, asbestos, mold, regulatory compliance, air quality, and wetlands assessments; however, these may be requested as an addition to assess other business environmental risks during this process. If hazardous substances or petroleum products are identified during a Phase I ESA, then a Phase II ESA may be necessary to further investigate the issue. It is important to note that any findings from either phase should be reported to the appropriate regulatory agencies in order to comply with local laws and regulations.
There are four important steps involved in a Phase 1 Site Assessment.
Whenever an industrial or commercial property is sold, leased, or financed, a Phase I environmental site assessment is one of the tasks that must be checked off the checklist of due diligence items (Phase I). Phase I’s are carried out for the goal of possibly defending against responsibility as well as for the more general objective of performing due diligence. Environmental Site Assessment Phase 1 (ESA) consists of the following four fundamental components:
The first step of a Phase 1 Site Assessment is the Records Review.
This requires an extensive background search of the property to assess any past activities that could lead to contamination. The records review will determine what the subject site and its neighboring properties are used for, as well as analyze if any past records are indicating or suspect contamination. A general record review usually assesses previous environmental site assessments, which the owner of the plot must provide to the assessor. Additionally, other documents such as historical aerial photographs, zoning maps, and local land use regulations may be reviewed in order to gain a better understanding of the property’s history and current uses.
The second step of a Phase 1 Site Assessment is a Site Reconnaissance.
This involves physically visiting the property in order to observe and document any potential sources of contamination or hazardous materials present onsite. During this visit, visual observations are made regarding soil conditions, surface water features, vegetation cover, and other physical characteristics that may indicate possible contamination issues. Additionally, interviews with local residents or business owners can provide valuable information about past activities on-site that could have caused environmental damage. After completing these two steps, an assessment report is generated which outlines all findings from both the Records Review and Site.
The third step of a Phase 1 Site Assessment is the interview.
During the visit to the site, interviews may be performed with any and all business owners as well as any site staff who are knowledgeable about the location. Along with that, government officials who have information regarding the location of the issue should also be interviewed with a set of questions that are pertinent to the investigation.
The final step of a Phase 1 Site Assessment is Reporting.
The recommendations will be pursued after recording every piece of information that is acquired pertaining to the property. A Phase 1 ESA report is required to have the following five sections:
Relationship with Customers and a Brief Description of the Property Being Assessed: During the reporting process, a synopsis of the relationship that exists between the client and the assessor, in addition to specifics regarding the property, is required. This pertains to the location, dimensions, and owners of the property in question.
Compilation of Information: During the reporting process, a summary of all of the information that was obtained through the study of documents, a site visit, and interviews will be presented in an ordered fashion. Everything that is discovered, including the fact that there were no discoveries, needs to be communicated.
Conclusions and Suggestions for Future Research: The information that was obtained along with the assessor’s expert opinion is used to draw conclusions about the situation. In terms of what the customer ought to do after this, recommendations will be made as to what the client’s next steps should be.
Documents and other References that Support the Claim: The appendix of the report must contain copies of all the sources and documents that were used in the research leading up to the conclusion.
Criteria for Evaluator Qualifications and Signatures: The assessor who is responsible for carrying out the Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment is the one who is required to sign the original document in order to demonstrate that they have the proper qualifications to do so and that their findings are reliable. In addition to this, it makes the assessor responsible for any false information that is reported.
A Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is a critical step in the process of purchasing or leasing a property. This assessment helps to identify any potential environmental liabilities associated with the property. A consultant can help you understand the process and answer any questions you may have about it.
The consultant will conduct a site visit, inspect the site, and catalog any presence of hazardous materials or petroleum products that may be present. They will also conduct historical research and review historical aerial photographs to determine if there are any potential environmental issues associated with the property. The consultant can provide you with an understanding of what needs to be done to ensure that your purchase or lease is safe and compliant with all applicable regulations. They can also provide advice on how best to manage any identified risks associated with the property.
If you need any assistance, please email info@rsbenv.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
