Environmental Due Diligence & Consulting Specialists
408-406-3850
Serving all of California and major metropolitan areas across the country
Division of Silicon Valley Environmental Group
A Phase I ESA is an in-depth study of the current and historic operations on a Property as they relate to possible environmental concerns. The study includes the Property itself, and any surrounding properties that have or historically have had environmental problems that could negatively impact conditions at the Property. The purpose of the Phase I is primarily to protect the purchaser (buyer) & lender from inheriting environmental liabilities, however, it also affords liability protection to the seller. A Phase I is one of the major due diligence steps when purchasing a commercial/Industrial/Multi-Tenant property, much like a Building Inspection, Zoning Report or Land Survey.
The actual sampling of soil, air, groundwater and/or building materials are typically not conducted during a Phase I ESA. Standards for performing a Phase I have been promulgated by the US EPA and are based on ASTM in Standard E1527-13.
If Areas of Concern are found during the Phase I, and there is suspect of possible subsurface contamination, a Phase II (2) ESA may be recommended. This involves collection of soil and/or groundwater samples and testing them for the suspect Chemicals of Concern.
The staff and founders of Phase-1 Environmental Services have 35+ years experience in performing all aspects of environmental work. Our philosophy is centered on facilitating the Property transaction by performing only what is needed to successfully close the sale while protecting the parties involved.
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The Preliminary Environmental Report contains all of the current and historical environmental regulatory database review information that is required for a full Phase I ESA. It is often ordered by the Lender, Seller or Buyer as a precursor to the Phase I. It presents potential areas of concern that will be discovered during the Phase I on the Property and its surrounding sites. It acts as a barometer for environmental concerns. This can be very helpful in preparing both the Property Seller and Buyer for the full environmental due diligence that will likely take place. The report costs a fraction of a Phase I and its cost can be fully credited to the Phase I if we also perform that study.
Preliminary Environmental Reports can also be reviewed by one of our staff environmental professionals and conclusions and recommendations included.
Please note that neither the Preliminary Environmental Report by itself or reviewed may replace the need for a complete Phase I.
Preliminary Environmental Reports can be emailed within minutes. If you would like the report “professional reviewed”, the complete report with review can be ready in as little as 2 hours.
Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, Limited Environmental Transaction Screens, Preliminary Property Reports, Phase II Investigations, Phase III Environmental Remediation, Tank Removals, Service Station Construction, Environmentally Distressed Property Consulting, Environmental Re-Zoning, Regulatory Negotiations, Review of other companies Phase I or Phase II Reports, Environmental Project Planning & Management, Expert Environmental Witness, Environmental Advise, and more…
An ETS is best described as an abbreviated Phase I ESA. It involves performing nearly all of the research, including; regulatory database radius searches, researching aerial photo and/or Sanborn map history at least back to 1940, and an on-site inspection of the Property. It requires a fairly detailed questionnaire be answered by the Property owner and tenants, and notation of all adjoining properties and their uses. What it lacks is the need to physically review unpublished fire, city, and environmental health records. Because of this, the reports cost less to perform but do not necessarily meet most lender’s requirements.
When a Property is found to have little-to-no reason for environmental concerns, ie; not listed on any regulatory database, no history of operations of environmental concern, and no surrounding sites of significant environmental concern, an Environmental Transaction Screen may be all that is needed. They can serve as adequate due diligence for many unaffected Properties with limited historical use.
The ETS will not satisfy the requirement to conduct All Appropriate Inquiries into the previous ownership and uses of the Property to qualify for one of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Landowner Liability Protections (LLPs). A full Phase I is required for this protection.
All reports can be customized and designed to meet the scope of the client needs. Below are a few examples:
- Limited Environmental Site Assessments
- Environmental Historical Reports
- Desktop Environmental Reports
Call for more information:
408-406-3850
admin@phase-1environmental.com
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