ESA

 

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)

 

The potential negative effects of hazardous wastes have dramatically changed how properties are owned, managed, and transferred. There is an increasing concern that properties involved in real estate transactions may contain unknown environmental hazards which could potentially present major liabilities to the purchaser and its lending institution. Dominion Due Diligence Group (D3G) provides professional comprehensive site assessment services, accurately investigating and reporting environmental liabilities associated with real property concerns. Phase I Environmental Site Assessments are conducted in accordance with ASTM 1527-05 protocols, or individual financial institution requests (e.g. Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, HUD, etc.).

AAI Information

 

On November 1, 2006, the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) federal standards and practices for conducting all appropriate inquiries will be effective as required under sections 101(35)(B)(ii) and (iii) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). This rule establishes specific regulatory requirements and standards for conducting all appropriate inquiries into the previous ownership and uses of a property for the purposes of meeting the all appropriate inquiries provisions necessary to qualify for certain landowner liability protections under CERCLA. D3G Phase I ESA reports are currently compliant with AAI in order to meet the due diligence needs of our clients.

 

 

Environmental due diligence services include:

 

1) PHASE I ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES

Our preliminary investigations (Phase I Site Assessment) determine identify recognized environmental conditions (RECs) as defined by ASTM E 1527-05. Procedures include:

Identification of present and historical land usage
Comprehensive property investigation
Review of local, state, and federal regulatory records
Interviews with personnel familiar with site history
Site visit and preliminary field screening for pollutants

 

2) PHASE II ACTIVITIES/INTRUSIVE STUDIES

Phase II intrusive investigations involve the sampling and analytical confirmation of suspect contaminants. Common Phase II activities may include:

 

Soil Investigations
Water Sampling
Above-Ground and Under-Ground Storage Tank Testing
Hazardous Materials Identification and Testing

 

 

Phase II investigations determine the presence or absence of hazardous materials, the extent of contamination, the associated liability with contamination, and provide a basis for remediation design. Site investigations are completed with the compilation of a comprehensive findings report. D3G can additionally prepare remediation and mitigation plans, as well as provide third party management during remediation activities.

 

3) HUD ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE FORM 4128

 

Our 4128 report addresses ancillary National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) related documentation, including, but not limited to completion of noise assessments per HUD Noise Guidebook, Acceptable Separation Distance (ASD) calculations, sample field notes checklist/environmental field data sheets and State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)/Single Point of Contact (SPOC) correspondence. These reports additionally include completion of HUD “Form 4128 – Environmental Assessment & Compliance Findings and the following tasks:

Historic Preservation
Floodplain Management
Wetlands Protection
Endangered Species
Noise Analysis
Explosive/Flammable Hazards
Coastal Barrier Resources
Sole Source Aquifers
Airport Clear Zones
Other Federal or State Laws
Additional Hazards and Nuisances (covers, pipelines, etc.)