What is a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment?
As noted on Wikipedia: In the United States, a Phase I environmental site assessment (ESA) is a report prepared for a real estate holding that identifies potential or existing environmental contamination liabilities. The analysis, often called an ESA, typically addresses both the underlying land as well as physical improvements to the property. There is strict standard for Phase I ESAs (ASTM E-1527). A Phase I ESA does not involve soil or groundwater sampling.
When is a Phase I ESA required?
Again, per Wikipedia: There are a variety of reasons for a Phase I study to be performed, the most common being:
- Purchase of real property by a person or entity not previously on title.
- Contemplation by a new lender to provide a loan on the subject real estate.
- Partnership buyout or principal redistribution of ownership.
- Application to a public agency for change of use or other discretionary land use permit.
- Existing property owner’s desire to understand toxic history of the property.
- Compulsion by a regulatory agency who suspects toxic conditions on the site.
- Divestiture of properties
What is involved in a Phase II ESA?
Phase II ESAs often follow a finding that a site may have some kind of soil and/or groundwater contamination. During the Phase II soils and/or groundwater most often are sampled to assess a site for the content and distribution of contaminants. Phase II ESAs may also include sampling of indoor air to evaluate potential health risks to the occupants of a building.
What kinds of geologic hazards should I be concerned about?
Geologic hazards may include the risk of earthquake fault rupture, earthquake risks such as liquefaction and ground spreading, landslides, and deleterious soil conditions such as expansive or corrosive soils. An analysis of these hazards may include reconnaissance and aerial photograph or satellite studies of the site in question, geologic mapping, and soil sampling and analysis.