Active Environmental Services, Inc. conducts Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESA) in accordance with ASTM Standard E 1527- (Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessment: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process - Second Edition) and/or the EPA All Appropriate Inquiry (AAI) guidelines to assist our clients in the transfer or redevelopment of a property.
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
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Reviewing historical aerial photographs, and/or Sanborn Fire Insurance maps, and/or county/city directories and/or other reasonably ascertainable historical records from selected years;
- Interviewing the client and past owners;
- Reviewing data provided by a private data base firm as to listings under CERCLA, FINDS, ERNS, RCRA, and other federal or state files;
- Interviewing and reviewing files from local fire jurisdictions and/or the local government to determine if reports of incidence have occurred;
- Reviewing USGS topographic, geologic, hydrogeologic, and hydrologic information;
- Contacting the local electric utility company to determine the PCB status of electrical transformers/equipment at the site;
- Making a site reconnaissance to note use and conditions of the site and immediately surrounding properties for concerns such as: drums, containers, discolored pavement or stressed vegetation, unusual odors, signs of above- or below-grade fuel or chemical tanks (ASTs / USTs), chemical storage, spill control containment devices, septic tank drain fields, electrical equipment which may contain PCBs, drainage patterns and the potential for drainage from off-site, and storm and sanitary sewers;
- Visually observing the interior of accessible areas of the site building including maintenance/repair, storage areas, and a representative sample of occupant spaces;
- when requested by the client, conduct surveys to investigate Asbestos or Lead Based Paint containing materials within a structure, or conduct geophysical surveys to investigate the potential for subsurface drums or other containment structures.
Report
Preparing twocopies of a single summary report in Active Environmental Services, Inc.'s format that documents the physical conditions observed, supplies a site plan detailing significant conditions, and provides conclusions including a statement of likelihood of the site being affected by hydrocarbon or hazardous waste and/or hazardous materials, and, if pertinent, recommendations for further exploration or remediation for those conditions.
The purpose of this environmental assessment is to provide a professional opinion, based on the Scope of Services, as to the potential for contamination from hydrocarbon or hazardous waste to exist, which may require remedial action. Unless specifically listed, the Scope of Services does not include an assessment for asbestos, lead-based paint, radon, formaldehyde, wetlands, lead-in-drinking water, methane gas, or electromagnetic fields (EMF).
Phase II Environmental Site Assessment
Phase II ESA may include the Phase I portion of the assessment and also include soil and ground water and surface sampling in suspect areas. If an environmental hazard is identified or if a known hazard exists based on past usage, a Phase II ESA will evaluate suspect areas identified on the subject property. A Phase II assessment can also be implemented without the Phase I ESA if the interested parties are aware of existing contamination to the property.
Soil samples are collected using hand augers, a Geoprobe®, or a drilling rig. Soil borings are collected in suspect locations. Samples are collected, preserved, shipped to a laboratory according to standard industry methods. Ground water samples are collected from the borings or permanent monitoring wells located on the property.
The Phase II ESA report describes the soil borings completed, soil texture, soil and ground water analytical results, and presents the data in tabular format with a map illustrating the sampling locations and plan of site. Conclusions are drawn from the available data collected onsite, regional, and local information available. If conditions are identified that may require remediation the recommendations section of the report will discuss general options available.