Phase I Environmental Assessments & Transaction Screens

Phase I Environmental Assessments are an investigative tool used by sellers and buyers of real estate, lending institutions, and investors to assist in making an informed decision regarding the environmental condition of a property. The term property is used here in a broad sense to include commercial and industrial parcels, agricultural parcels, and in some cases residential properties. The consulting staff at ProTank has performed over 100 Phase I assessments for a variety of clients in the New Jersey / New York area and would be happy to discuss the steps involved in a Phase I as it pertains to your particular site. Listed below is a general outline of the steps involved in the preparation of a Phase I Environmental Assessment.

Scope of Work

The scope of work to be performed in preparing a Phase I is divided into the following tasks: 1) Site Inspection, 2) Records Review and Historical Information Search, and 3) Report Preparation.

The purpose of a Phase I Environmental Assessment is to identify, to the extent feasible, recognized environmental conditions in connection with a subject site. Phase I environmental assessments are performed in accordance with the guidelines established pursuant to the American Society For Testing And Materials (ASTM), Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process; ASTM designation E 1527-97 and all applicable updates and modifications.

A Phase I Environmental Assessment generally consists of the following:

• A site reconnaissance to identify potential areas of environmental concern relating to any on-site operations including, but not limited to, the storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous materials, past site usage, and visual environmental concerns.
• A records review of available information maintained by the local, state, and federal regulatory agencies to assist in identifying and evaluating current and/or historical environmental concerns with respect to the site and surrounding area. This review also includes review of historical Sanborn maps and, if necessary, aerial photos if the site exceeds 2 acres in size.
• Interviews with owners, on-site personnel, and local government officials.

Specific details associated with each task are presented below.

Task 1: Site Inspection

A site inspection is conducted in order to assess the use and/or storage of hazardous substances in order to evaluate possible areas of concern. The operations that are currently ongoing are reviewed in order evaluate the manufacturing processes and to determine if historical operations at the subject site may have had an impact. The inspection covers all portions of the building(s) including the offices, basement(s), warehouse(s), and manufacturing areas.

Task 2: Records Review

Information from thirteen basic record systems compiled by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) are reviewed. These programs include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

• Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Information System (CERCLIS)
• National Priorities List (NPL-Superfund)
• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Hazardous Waste Data Management System (HWDMS)
• Resource Conservation and Recovery Information System (RCRIS)
• Emergency Response Notification System (ERNS)
• Hazardous Materials Information Reporting System (HMIRS)
• PCB activity database (PADS)
• Toxicity Chemical Release Inventory System (TRIS)
• RCRA Administrative Action Tracking System (RAATS)
• Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
• Facility Index System (FINDS)
• Coal Gas Sites

In addition to the Federal lists, State and local lists are be reviewed.

Task 3: Report Preparation

A Phase I Environmental Assessment report is prepared upon completion of the site, historical, and data review. The site assessment includes a description of the interior and exterior reconnaissance of the subject site, a review of information available from local, state, and federal regulatory agencies, photographic documentation of the subject site, and recommendations based on the inspection and database search and review.

While the ASTM standard is used as a reference in determining a basic information guide, a client can also tailor a Phase I to fit their needs and requirements. ProTank's professional staff will be happy to work with you to develop a Phase I criteria to fit your needs.

Transaction Screen

A Transaction Screen is basically a Phase I that has been reduced in scope and magnitude. A Transaction Screen is often conducted on a property that does not have a history of commercial or industrial use or has a low dollar value. In conducting a Transaction Screen a site inspection is still conducted of the subject site; however, the data base review is reduced. In addition, the reporting is also reduced in scope and observations regarding any environmental concerns are included in the report but there are no recommendations made regarding resolutions to any of the concerns.

As stated above, the Transaction Screen format has been established by the ASTM, however Pro Tank can develop a screening process that can be tailor made to your specific needs.

[HOME] [ABOUT] [SERVICES] [WHY CHOOSE PRO TANK] [TESTIMONIALS] [TANK FACTS]
[SITE REMEDIATION] [CLOSURE/ABANDONMENT] [TANK REMOVAL] [EMAIL]