Phase I ESAs and More

Phase I ESAs for Commercial Properties

A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, also called a Phase I ESA, evaluates
a property for potential environmental contamination and liability.

The assessment reviews current and historical property uses, surrounding
properties, available environmental records, and visible site conditions.
The goal is to identify potential environmental concerns that may require
further investigation.

Phase I ESAs are commonly requested before:

• Purchasing commercial real estate
• Financing or refinancing a property
• Developing vacant or improved land
• Constructing a commercial building
• Transferring property ownership
• Evaluating potential environmental liability

Completing a Phase I ESA before closing can help buyers and lenders understand
potential environmental risks before committing to a transaction.

Phase I ESA Reports and Environmental Due Diligence

A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment may include research and evaluation
of:

• Historical property uses
• Environmental database records
• Current site conditions
• Surrounding property activity
• Available regulatory records
• Potential environmental concerns
• Recognized Environmental Conditions

The findings are summarized in a professional report that can be reviewed
by buyers, lenders, attorneys, developers, and other parties involved in
the property transaction.

ASTM Standards and All Appropriate Inquiries

A properly completed Phase I ESA may help satisfy the requirements of
All Appropriate Inquiries under the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act.

This process may support certain environmental liability protections when
the assessment is completed before the property transaction closes.

Solid Ground Environmental performs Phase I ESAs using established
professional standards and detailed environmental due diligence procedures.

Record Search and Risk Assessments

For qualifying low-risk properties, a Record Search with Risk Assessment
may provide a limited environmental due diligence option.

The assessment generally includes a review of environmental database records
and historical property information. A letter report summarizes the findings
and identifies whether the property appears to present a low or elevated
environmental risk.

When a property is identified as higher risk, a full Phase I Environmental
Site Assessment may be recommended.

Additional Environmental Services

Solid Ground Environmental also provides environmental consulting services
for commercial properties and development projects, including:

• Phase II Environmental Site Assessments
• Wetland delineations
• Asbestos inspections
• Mold investigations
• Environmental permitting
• Record Search with Risk Assessments