Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments

Because real estate transactions and loans are subject to increasing scrutiny regarding potential liabilities related to the presence of hazardous substances, ERI performs Phase 1 assessments in accordance with ASTM International standards. ERI Phase 1 assessments enable you to economically evaluate potential environmental risks that may be associated with real property. ERI combines the features of a systematic, predesigned approach and those of site-specific, tailor-made studies. Our program emphasizes quick turnaround and the use of existing data sources to focus audit tasks and minimize costs.

As our client, you will be provided with the documentation necessary to: (1) deal effectively and economically with problems for which you are responsible, or (2) protect yourself from liability for identified preexisting conditions for which you were unaware and for which you have no legal responsibility.

Typically, ERI's Phase 1 assessments include the following tasks:

• Review of pertinent geologic and hydrologic literature and maps.
• Review of historical aerial photographs and archival land use maps.
• Review of federal, state, county, and municipal records of known and suspected hazardous waste release sites at the subject property and/or within the immediate surrounding areas.
• Reconnaissance of the subject property and the immediate surrounding areas. The site reconnaissance includes conducting interviews with past and present property owners and managers to assess past and present operations and maintenance procedures.
• Contact of local regulatory agencies regarding past site use, notices of violation, suspected problems, and noncompliance issues.
• Preparation of a summary report including our investigative methods, findings, photographs, conclusions, and, if warranted, recommendations for additional work.

In addition, ERI often provides title searches and asbestos testing as part of the Phase 1 assessment.

Environmental Regulation Changes You Should Know About
In November 2006, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented a new baseline for due diligence that must be conducted prior to the purchase or sale of property to qualify for protection under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA, or Superfund). The EPA is calling this new investigation requirement "all appropriate inquiry," or AAI. Previous ASTM International standards for Phase 1 reports have also been strengthened, and the new ASTM E1527-05 standard is equivalent to the EPA's AAI requirement. AAI and ASTM E1527-05 Phase 1 environmental site assessment reports must now be conducted by an environmental professional who meets established qualifications.

Goal of New Environmental Regulations
The goal of the EPA and the state regulatory agencies is to use these new regulations to identify:

• Current and past tenants' use of the property.
• Current and past use of hazardous substances on a property.
• Waste management and disposal practices that could have caused releases on a property.
• Current and past remediation activities at a site.
• Adjoining properties that may have had releases that impacted the property.

Items Included in ERI Phase 1 Reports

• Compliance with all ASTM E1527-05 standards.
• Review of local, state, and federal environmental databases.
• Local environmental oversight agency interviews and interviews with property owners and/or other interested party(ies).
• Historical building permits review.
• Historical insurance (Sanborn) map review.
• Historical city directory review.
• Historical topographic map review.
• Historical aerial photograph review.
• Historical tribal land review.
• Inspection of subject property and surrounding areas.
• Research of public agency records pertaining to historical land use (e.g., GeoTracker database).
• Conclusions regarding the presence or potential presence of environmental liabilities at the subject property.
• Recommendations.

ERI combines the features of a systematic, predesigned approach to Phase 1 reports with site-specific, tailor-made studies. Our program emphasizes quick turnaround and the use of existing data sources to focus audit tasks and minimize costs. In this way, you will receive the documentation necessary to: (1) deal effectively and economically with problems for which you are responsible, or (2) protect yourself from liability for identified preexisting conditions for which you are unaware and for which you have no legal responsibility.

ERI can also conduct asbestos surveys and lead-based paint surveys during a Phase 1 report. Asbestos and lead-based paint are not part of the ASTM International or AAI standards, but occasionally a buyer or owner will want to consider these issues before purchasing or selling a property.

ERI employs personnel who are fully trained and qualified to perform Phase 1 environmental site assessments under the new ASTM International and EPA regulations. Whether you (or one of your clients) are a current landowner or a prospective buyer, ERI can provide a fully compliant Phase 1 evaluation at a competitive price with a quick turnaround.

ERI's years of experience in the field also help us to provide appropriate recommendations on the occasional property that calls for an additional Phase 2 report or other corrective actions.

Phase 1 Site Assessments Phase 2 Investigations Phase 3 Remedial Action Groundwater Operation/Maintenance Litigation/Resolution	Regulatory Compliance Pilot Testing Biological Treatment Wastewater Treatment Storm Water Construction Management

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