Environmental Site Assessments
Since our inception in 1989, GLE has performed thousands of Phase I and Phase IIEnvironmental Site Assessments, and Contamination Assessments (which are also sometimes called Phase III Site Assessments). Our team of industry-leading experts serves commercial lenders, private landowners, municipalities, and property purchasers with fast, reliable, accurate site assessments. Our assessments meet all local, regional, and national regulations and provide peace of mind as well as legal protection for our clients.
We are a recognized leader in environmental site assessments in the Southeastern United States, with an extensive portfolio of satisfied clients in both the private and public sectors, and nearly every type of commercial, institutional and residential property. Our cross-disciplinary team includes registered professional engineers and geologists.
Environmental site contamination continues to be a major concern for lenders, owners, municipalities, and purchasers. Discovery of contamination can cause property values to plummet and trigger regulatory compliance requirements that can be costly to implement. Investing in an environmental site assessment prior to a purchase or property development can insulate buyers and lenders against liability.
When you hire GLE to perform your Environmental Site Assessments, you know you are in good hands. Our multidisciplinary team includes experts in environmental engineering and geology, remediation, and construction. Environmental Site Assessment Services offered by GLE include:
- Phase I Environmental Site Assessments
- Phase II Environmental Site Assessments
- Contamination Assessments
- Remediation Design
- Turnkey Remediation and Construction
Phase I Environmental Site Assessments
A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment is the most basic risk assessment, designed to satisfy the requirements to qualify for the innocent landowner, contiguous landowner, or bona fide prospective purchaser limitation of liability, according to the EPA’s Comprehensive Environmental Response, Contamination, and Liability Act. Under this criteria, new property owners are shielded from legal liability in the event that contamination is later found on the property.
The Phase I Environmental Site Assessment determines whether there is a “recognized environmental concern” and/or “business environmental risk” associated with the property in accordance with ASTM E-1527.
When you hire GLE to perform a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, we will provide a records review, site visit, and interviews to determine the environmental risk. Our records review will include a database search for past regulatory files, as well as identification of historical use, based on aerial photos, fire insurance maps, city directories, land title records, building and property tax records, and zoning land use records. We will visit the site to make a visual inspection, including assessment of adjoining properties, and to compare the current state with site plans. Finally, we’ll conduct interviews with the current property owners, operators, and occupants, as well as local government officials.
If your Phase I Environmental Site Assessment yields no cause for concern, generally the purchase may proceed with confidence. If the Phase I determines that there may be issues affecting the soil or groundwater, the ESA will recommend a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment.
Be aware that the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment does not include sampling of soil or groundwater; testing for asbestos, mold, radon, or lead paint; determining the presence of wetlands, ecological resources, or endangered species; auditing health, safety, or regulatory compliance; identifying the presence of environmental liens or land use restrictions; stormwater pollution violations; a property appraisal or purchase price review. For this reason, many lenders and purchasers opt to add these items to their due diligence process.
Phase II Environmental Site Assessment
A Phase II Environmental Site Assessment is a follow-up assessment to the Phase I. Where the goal of the Phase I Environmental Assessment is to determine the likelihood of the presence of contaminants, the goal of the Phase II Assessment is to determine factually whether contaminants or other relevant environmental conditions are present. The scope of the assessment will vary based on the results of the Phase I Assessment, loan size, property’s historical use, and other factors.
When you hire GLE to perform your Phase II Environmental Site Assessment, we will design the assessment to address your concerns as well as to address “recognized environmental condition” and “environmental concerns” per ASTM E-1527.
The assessment may include soil and groundwater sampling; comparison of laboratory results to local, state, and federal regulatory guidelines; inspection of interior spaces for asbestos, mold, radon, or lead paint; and identification of wetlands, ecological resources, or endangered species that may prevent certain land uses.
If the presence of environmental contaminants is discovered, then the landowner, purchaser, or lender may elect to proceed to a full contamination assessment.
GLE’s expertise in environmental site assessments is unsurpassed in the industry. Contact us today to schedule your assessment.
