A Phase 1 Environmental Review or Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) Report is typically prepared for real estate and business transactions such as land purchases/leases, new residential developments, and bank loans. We commonly conduct ESA Reports for purchases involving a commercial or industrial property, or undeveloped vacant land. The main purpose of an ESA Report is to make sure you know the true value of the property and to have a better understanding of any soil or groundwater contamination that may have previously occurred on your site.
There are two phases to ESA Reports. Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments typically consist of four tasks:
- Gathering information about the past and present uses of the site;
- Inspection of the site by an environmental professional, usually accompanied by someone familiar with the property;
- Reviewing environmental files maintained by the site owner and regulatory agencies;
- Preparing a report that identifies existing and potential sources of contamination on the property.
One of the main aspects that ValleyGeo is determining is whether there could be Underground Storage Tanks (UST) on site. During the mid-1900’s these steel tanks contained petroleum and/or other chemicals. The problem with these old tanks is the release of chemicals into the soil causing contamination due to corrosion of the steel tanks. ESA reports prevent further contamination that could occur due to excavation, and disposal or reuse, of the contaminated soil.
The result of a Phase 1 ESA will indicate either the need for further site investigation via Phase 2 by an Environmental Firm; requires intrusive sampling and analysis, or that construction can proceed without further investigation.