Environmental Site Assessments
- An Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is an integral element in a real estate transaction and/or property development. A thorough ESA can provide the necessary information needed to evaluate the risks and liabilities associated with possible environmental concerns during the real estate transaction phase and can avoid frustrating delays during the development phase. As regulations become more stringent and landowners are held accountable for contaminated property, it is essential to involve qualified environmental consultants at the onset of property transactions and/or property development.
- Precision’s team of experienced environmental professionals can assist you in identifying potential environmental problems and liability associated with a property. Our diverse team of professionals includes environmental engineers, geologists and other scientists. Our team understands the importance of timely action and each member complement each other in designing a phased approach to ESAs. Successive phases of ESAs are based on results and information gathered from preceding phases.
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)
- Phase I ESA’s involve assessing the potential for soil and groundwater contamination resulting from historical and/or current uses of a site and adjacent properties. Precision’s Phase I conforms to the scope established in the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard E-1527. Precision can customize the Phase I scope to fit your needs. Optional services include:
- Asbestos, radon, lead, and PCB surveys
- In-depth review of regulatory files for sites of interest
- Environmental compliance services
- Geotechnical and subsurface exploration services
Phase II Environmental Site Assessments
- If potential environmental concerns are identified during a Phase I ESA, a Phase II ESA may be recommended. The Phase II ESA helps to determine whether or not suspected contamination identified in Phase I is present on-site.
- A Phase II assessment typically consists of the collection and analysis of soil and/or groundwater samples from areas suspected of being impacted. The Phase II field exploration may involve drilling soil borings, installing monitoring wells, digging test pits, etc. Based on the data obtained, Precision presents an opinion on the status of contamination present on-site. In some instances, Precision can incorporate Phase II field exploration for environmental purposes with exploration for physical property characterization, reducing project costs.
- Phase II Assessments often provide the investor with sufficient information to determine the appropriate course of action. In other instances, findings may identify a condition requiring additional investigation.
- Precision can provide the means to resolve such issues, including:
- Subsurface investigations, including collection and laboratory analysis of soil and groundwater samples
- Surveys and evaluations of potentially hazardous building materials, such as asbestos and lead-based paint
- Sampling and laboratory analysis of wastes or other suspect materials
Additional Investigation or Remediation
- If the Phase I and Phase II Assessments suggest the need for additional investigation or remediation, Precision can design and implement a site characterization and develop remedial options.
- Every environmentally compromised site is unique. A precise and comprehensive site assessment provides the basis for decisions involving corrective action and remediation costs. It “defines” the scope of the problem and provides a basis for the development of options involving remediation, risk assessment, and budgets.
- Among the technologies that Precision uses to locate and define contaminated zones are:
- Conventional drilling and continuous core sampling
- Hydraulic probe with soil sampler
- Ground penetrating radar
- Subsurface metal detection
- Electromagnetic
- Subsurface gas surveys
- On-site analytical screening
- Aquifer hydrogeology
Precision’s engineers, geologists, and scientists work for you to develop the data essential for the decision making process. A thorough site characterization can actually save money by eliminating repeat visits to the site and by reducing the need to use risky assumptions in the decision making process.