Phase I & II Environmental Site Assessment Services
PPM offers a broad range of Phase I environmental assessment types and due diligence consulting services crucial for transactions involving commercial properties. These assessments help identify potential environmental risks associated with commercial properties.
These services range from Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESA) to full risk mitigation and corrective action on mergers and acquisitions. We offer our services to financial lending institutions, insurance companies, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), investment companies as well as individual purchasers or sellers of industrial, commercial or residential property.
Site assessments are essential in determining potential environmental contamination and the corresponding obligations under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Compliance with CERCLA ensures that owners and lenders meet their legal and financial responsibilities.
PPM personnel have collectively conducted thousands of Phase I ESAs in accordance with the ASTM “Standard Practices for Environmental Site Assessments” to help them identify if recognized environmental conditions are present.
PPM’s Approach to Environmental Site Assessments
When recognized environmental conditions are identified, PPM provides expert Phase II ESA services to determine if soil, groundwater, inside air quality, or structures are impacted in accordance with ASTM and Environmental Protection Agency standards. Visual inspections play a crucial role in identifying these conditions. We can help you avoid environmental liens whether you have commercial or industrial property.
We design targeted work scopes to determine if adverse environmental conditions subject property to risks by sampling an analysis of all potentially impacted media and comparing the findings to state and federal action levels.
This includes Phase I environmental concerns (and Phase II when necessary) stemming from the runoff of adjoining properties. Remember, surrounding properties can sometimes create environmental liabilities for you. It may also harm your property value. Our assessments ensure regulatory compliance, helping you meet legal requirements and identify potential environmental risks, thus decreasing the likelihood of costly liabilities in the future.
Current property owners have legal obligations under CERCLA to address environmental contamination clean-up, regardless of past occupiers’ actions.
PPM compiles and presents findings clearly and concisely, allowing our clients to make more easily informed decisions regarding options and effective mitigation strategies. Our environmental site assessment reports from leading environmental professionals will determine risks that might subject property to health risks. We can also help identify environmental risks left by past property owners. Remember, due diligence is your responsibility, but our reports make it easy. PPM’s assessments help clients mitigate risks effectively before completing their deals.
Specialized Environmental Testing and Compliance Services
If Phase I ESA findings warrant further assessment, PPM conducts Phase II ESAs in accordance with ASTM E1903-19 “Standard Practice For Environmental Site Assessments: Phase II Environmental Site Assessment Process”; state-specific environmental assessments, or federal assessments required under brownfield grant programs. The Phase II assessment involves collecting samples from soil and water to detect environmental contaminants and inspecting properties for hazards such as mold and lead paint.
For properties where chlorinated solvents and other compounds may pose a vapor encroachment or intrusion concern, PPM has staff experienced in conducting a Tier 1 vapor encroachment screening (VES) in accordance with the ASTM E2600-15 “Standard Guide for Vapor Encroachment Screening on Property Involved in Real Estate Transactions.”
A Phase III assessment is conducted only after contamination has been confirmed. This assessment identifies the extent of the contamination and aids in developing remediation plans and cost estimates, serving as a crucial tool for buyers and lenders in property negotiations.
What is an Environmental Site Assessment?
An Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is a comprehensive evaluation of a property’s environmental condition aimed at identifying potential environmental hazards and contamination. Typically conducted before commercial property transactions such as purchases or leases, ESAs are crucial for mitigating risks and ensuring regulatory compliance.
These assessments provide lenders, buyers, and potential property owners with the necessary information to make informed decisions about a property’s environmental status. By identifying environmental hazards early, ESAs help in planning appropriate remediation strategies and avoiding future liabilities.
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is the initial step in evaluating a property’s environmental condition. This assessment involves a thorough review of the property’s historical use, regulatory records, and visual observations to identify any potential environmental liabilities. As a non-invasive and cost-effective process, a Phase I ESA provides a preliminary evaluation of environmental contamination risks.
If the findings suggest potential contamination, a more detailed Phase II ESA may be warranted to further investigate and confirm the presence of environmental contaminants.
Phase II Environmental Site Assessment
A Phase II Environmental Site Assessment is a more detailed and investigative process designed to confirm the presence and extent of contamination at a site. This assessment involves collecting and analyzing samples from soil, groundwater, and sometimes indoor air quality. Laboratory analysis of these samples helps characterize the size and source of contamination.
Groundwater sampling is particularly crucial in understanding the spread of contaminants. The results of a Phase II ESA provide a comprehensive understanding of the property’s environmental condition, forming the basis for developing remediation and risk management strategies.
Specialized Environmental Testing and Compliance Services
Phase I ESA is conducted to identify potential or existing environmental contamination liabilities on a property. It involves reviewing historical records, conducting site inspections, and assessing potential risks to comply with ASTM E1527-21 standards and support real estate transactions or regulatory compliance.
Phase II ESA is required when the findings of a Phase I ESA suggest potential environmental concerns that warrant further investigation. This includes sampling and laboratory testing of soil, groundwater, and other media to confirm the presence of contamination.
Phase II ESA involves collecting soil, groundwater, or air samples to detect environmental contaminants. It may also include advanced screenings, such as vapor encroachment screening (VES) following ASTM E2600-15 guidelines, and identifying the presence of hazardous materials like chlorinated solvents or lead-based contaminants.
The timeline varies depending on the property’s complexity and the extent of required investigations. A Phase I ESA usually takes 2-4 weeks, while a Phase II ESA may take several weeks to months, depending on sampling needs and lab analysis requirements.
Environmental Assessments with PPM Consultants
The professionals at PPM are experts at accurately assessing environmental risks and helping our clients with commercial and industrial properties identify effective mitigation strategies. In the often-gray world of real or perceived environmental impact, we provide black and white solutions that will get your project or transaction moving again. We also offer guidance in response to appropriate inquiries from regulators.
Contact us to get more information.