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A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, also known as “Phase One”, “ESA”, or “Due Diligence”, is performed on commercial and industrial properties as part of the prior-to-purchase escrow inspections.  A Phase I is also typically performed on vacant land that is purchased for future residential or commercial development. The Phase I is the standard procedure used to identify environmental liabilities in connection with a specific property.  

 

What is the purpose of a Phase I?

The purpose of a Phase I is to identify any existing environmental conditions on the property or any potential environmental issues from past site uses or adjacent properties. These conditions, known as recognized environmental conditions (RECs), may be related to the current use, past use and/or disposal of petroleum products and/or hazardous substances on or adjacent to the subject property.

 

What does a Phase I include?

The Phase I is a site-specific environmental study for the presence or likely presence of existing, or potential, environmental releases into the soil or groundwater of a property. The Phase I includes a visual site inspection of the property, review of governmental databases of environmental facilities, interviews with knowledge parties, review of aerial and historical maps along with other historical sources as appropriate to the site and evaluation of the findings. Soil and groundwater sampling are NOT performed as part of the Phase I (unless specifically requested). The findings from this review along with the environmental professional’s opinion is provided as a written report.

 

Is the Phase I performed to a standard?

The industry standard for Phase I ESA reports is the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard E-1527-13.  The last two digits indicate the year the standard was published and currently should read “13” for the most up-to-date standard.  The ASTM standard was revised in 2005 to adhere to the federal “All Appropriate Inquiry” standard (40 CFR 312), promulgated in response to the 2002 Brownsfield Amendments to CERCLA, and is required for defenses to the federal environmental cleanup law CERCLA.  The standard was most recently revised again in 2013.

 

Our Phase I ESA reports are performed to the most current ASTM Standard (E-1527-13) and thus, comply with the “All Appropriate Inquiry” standard.

 

What is the Shelf Life of a Phase I report?

The shelf life of a Phase I report, as specified in the ASTM standard, is one year with certain updates required after 180 days.