Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment:

What is a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment?

A Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment defines good commercial and customary practice in the U.S. for conducting an environmental site assessment of a parcel of commercial real estate. When conducting a Phase 1 (ESA), the main and most important things that are in question are if the soil or groundwater on a property has been contaminated due to historical or current use of the land.

Contamination on a property can become a liability for those that are owners, lenders or buyers that are trying to sell, lease, refinance, or purchase land. The discovery of contamination on a property can lead to environmental and human health risks that may uprise if not assessed and treated before closing any transaction on the land. All of our Phase I (ESA) 's are performed in accordance with the ASTM E1527 - 13 Standard Practice for ESA’s: Phase One Environmental Site Assessment Process.

How can a Phase One ESA protect the property owner or lender?

Innocent landowners, and potential purchasers are protected under the CERCLA if they have no prior knowledge of the contamination nor have, they caused or contributed to contamination identified at a property. All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) must be conducted prior to acquiring the property to indicate qualification for either party. AAI is obtained by thorough the proper completion of environmental due diligence.

Where can a Phase 1 Site Assessmnet be done (Phase One ESA)?