Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments (ESA’s) are utilized by purchasers and lenders to evaluate a parcel of property for potential environmental contamination.
Clay Point Associates, Inc. performs Phase 1 ESA’s in accordance with American Society of Testing and Material (ASTM) Standard E 1527-13, Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment Process. The ASTM standard is the industry standard of appropriate inquiry into a parcel of real estate with respect to the range of contaminants within the scope of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). As such, a Phase 1 ESA conducted in accordance with the ASTM standard is intended to permit a user to satisfy one of the requirements to qualify for the innocent landowner, contiguous property owner, or bona fide propsective purchaser limitations on CERCLA liability: that is, the practices that constitute “all appropriate inquiry into the previous ownership and uses of the property consistent with good commercial or customary practice” as defined in 42 USC § 9601 (35)(B).
Performance of a Phase 1 ESA in accordance with ASTM Standard E 1527-13 has been determined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to be consistent with the requirements set forth in the EPA’s final rule on All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI).
The intent of any Phase 1 ESA is to identify any Recognized Environmental Conditions which may impact the environmental integrity of the site being assessed. This could include the current/past presence of above/underground storage tanks, migration of contaminants from an off-site source, past uses of hazardous materials at the site or an adjoining site, etc.
There are four components of the typical Phase 1 ESA, including:
1. Records Review – Review of standard national and state environmental databases and municipal records; review of historical sources to determine previous use back to earliest development; and review of previous Phase 1 ESA’s.
2. Site Reconnaissance – Visual and physical observation of the property and any structures located on the property, and identification of current uses of the property and adjoining properties.
3. Interviews – Previous and current owners/occupants of the property, individuals with specialized knowledge of the property, and local government officials (as applicable).
4. Report – Structured to the users specifications.
All Clay Point Associates, Inc. consultants performing Phase 1 ESA’s are properly qualified as “Environmental Professionals” in accordance with EPA’s AAI rule.