Menu
Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments
Environmental Due Diligence Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (Phase I ESA) are an important risk management tool during commercial and real estate transactions. Earthwatch Environmental Consulting Inc. (EWE) is a market-leading expert in Phase I ESAs, and we fully understand how the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Report is used in the commercial and multi-family real estate industry. Phase I ESA reports throughout New York State.
Our Phase One Environmental Site Assessments in New York and beyond are completed by experienced staff, and all are directed by environmental professionals with a minimum of 10 years of experience.
Our projects are very cost-effective because we are a small employee-owned company, so we do not have the large overhead and expenses of a large company. We have the available staff and experience to complete multi-site portfolios in a timely manner. We take pride in the fact that we can provide quality Phase I ESA reports for less than our competition.
Call Us: 1-516-939-7681
HOW WE HELP
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
Earthwatch Environmental is the leader in Phase One Environmental Site Assessment. Most reports are performed to meet the standards of ASTM E1527-13. Earthwatch Environmental often customizes reports to meet individual clients’ or agency lenders (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac) requirements while taking the widely varying geology and topography of the State into consideration.
Phase One Environmental Site Assessment Scope:
● Site Visit
● Inspection of the Site
● Catalog the Presence of Hazardous Material
● Catalog the Presence of Petroleum Products
● Historical Research
● Historical Aerial Photographs
● Reverse Street Directories
● Building Permits
● Planning Records
● Topographical Maps
● Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
● Department of Oil and Gas Maps
● Title Information
● Geology and Hydrogeology
● Soil Type
● Geological Setting
● Groundwater Depth
● Regulatory Research
● Fire Departments
● State Environmental Agencies
● Federal Environmental Agencies
● Interviews and Document Review
● Interview Tenants and Owners
● Interview State and Local Regulators
● Review Provided Reports
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment is the gold standard for evaluating the environmental liability associated with a real estate asset of any type. Whether the property is industrial, commercial, mixed-use, or multifamily, Earthwatch Environmental is able to assess the historical and current uses of the property fully. Earthwatch Environmental is truly an expert at the implementation of the ASTM E1527 Standard and is up to date with both the 2013 and 2021 requirements. Our Phase I Environmental Site Assessments are done by Environmental Professionals who meet the requirements of the EPA’s AAI Standard.
Our experience in Phase I Environmental Site Assessments dates back to before the creation of the ASTM Standards. Having performed Phase I ESAs on hundreds of thousands of properties, we offer our clients an expert perspective on every property type. All Appropriate Inquiries Rule
The EPA’s All Appropriate Inquiries Rule governing the scope of Phase I Environmental Site Assessments went into effect on November 1, 2006, and provided specific scope requirements for a Phase I ESA to meet the requirements of CER CLA’s innocent landowner defense. In Earthwatch Environmental’s environmental risk practice, we help buyers meet the legal requirements for the CERCLA innocent landowner defense, and we provide practical business advice on environmental liability to our clients. ASTM E1527-21 Standard Update Standards for environmental site assessments are published by ASTM and should be carefully reviewed to fully understand the work to be completed as well as the limitations of the reports.
The ASTM committee has completed its revisions to the E1527-21 standard and will be submitting it to EPA for review to verify it satisfies AAI. In November 2021, ASTM will publish the long-anticipated new standard for conducting Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, ASTM E1527-21. The standard will then be submitted to the EPA for review and to verify it satisfies AAI requirements. ASTM E1527-21 will take effect January 1, 2022 and will replace the E1527-13 standard as the industry best practice for Phase I ESAs. Earthwatch Environmental is fully prepared to implement the new standard.
The changes from the 2013 to 2021 ASTM standards do not significantly alter the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment report or process, but there are a few key changes one should be aware of. The most significant changes include the following: Historical Research: The E1527-21 now requires the review of at least the “Big 4” historical sources (aerial photographs, topographic maps, fire insurance maps, and city directories) for both the subject property and its adjoining properties. If a Big four resource was not reviewed, the EP must explain why the review was not completed and may need to review additional resources.
Furthermore, if the subject property’s use is industrial, manufacturing, and (now) retail, the review of additional resources (building department records, property tax files, interviews, and zoning) may be needed. Definitions: The definitions for Recognized Environmental Condition (REC), Controlled REC (CREC), and Historical REC (HREC) has been updated for greater clarity and consistent interpretations. [A simplified flow chart is now included in the appendix to aid in the designation of a REC, CREC, HREC, or De Minimis Condition]. In addition, new definitions have been included for the following terms: Likely, Property Use Limitation, and Significant Data Gap. ESA Shelf Life: The E1527-21 standard will now require the inclusion of the dates upon which relevant parts of the assessment were completed to make it easier for users to recognize when updates are needed so that they comply with AAI’s 180-day viability timeframe. Emerging Contaminants- The new standard has added PFAS and other emerging contaminants to the list of “non-scope issues” that a user may want to evaluate as a business risk, as is commonly done with asbestos and mold. Until EPA classifies PFAS as a hazardous substance, it cannot be considered a REC within the confines of an ESA. The National Engineering and Environmental Due Diligence (NEEDDA), a non-profit formed to improve the practice of engineering and environmental due diligence, has published a user guide for ESAS that can serve as a useful starting point.