Phase I Environmental Site Assessment

AEC personnel have performed and managed over 1,000 Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs). AEC performs Phase I ESAs which meet the federal standard outlined in 40 CFR Part 312, and are in accordance with ASTM E 1527-05 Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments. Phase I ESAs are conducted by, or under the supervision or responsible charge of, an Environmental Professional, as defined in 40 CFR 312.10. If requested by our clients, AEC will modify our standardized Scope or Work to meet the specifications of a client or lender. Summarized below is a typical scope of work: 

A visit of the Site will be conducted to search for conditions or equipment indicative of potential environmental impairment. Such items include: underground and aboveground storage tanks, piping with unidentified purpose; soil staining or vegetative stress; evidence of burial activities; indications of dumping; electrical and hydraulic equipment such as transformers, capacitors, light ballasts, elevators, and service bay lifts which could contain polychlorinated biphenyls. AEC will identify the types of on-site operations and evaluate the potential for chemical or petroleum release and/or impairment to the property. Areas of chemical storage and use will be observed for evidence of releases or poor housekeeping. Sources of hazardous and non-hazardous waste generation will be identified and waste storage locations will be observed for evidence of releases. On-site personnel will be interviewed to determine the method of waste disposal, the contracted disposal company, and the frequency that waste is removed from the Site. 

The history of the Site ownership and land use will be reviewed in order to identify past land uses, tenant operations, or owners of concern that may have resulted in environmental impact to the Site. The identification of past ownership is accomplished through a review of land title records and/or tax records. Contact of past owners will be attempted to obtain information regarding historical uses of the Site and surrounding properties. When possible, tenants, area residents, or other individuals will also be interviewed for pertinent site information. 

The review of past land use will be accomplished through the analysis of aerial photographs, fire insurance maps, city directories, permits and building department records, and/or prior reports as such documents are deemed to be reasonably ascertainable and appropriate for the level of inquiry required for a particular property. Adjacent and nearby properties will be identified from curbside, and their potential for impacting environmental conditions on the Site will be evaluated based on distance, local topographic conditions, and available public records. 
In addition, the federal and state databases as mandated by ASTM will be reviewed to evaluate potential on-site and off-site sources of contamination. Furthermore, representatives of local environmental agencies will be interviewed where possible, or information regarding the Site will be requested in writing.

Topographic and geologic conditions on the Site will be characterized through inspection of observable physical conditions and review of a United States Geological Survey topographic map and the applicable state geologic map. This information will be utilized to evaluate the potential for impact to the Site from off-site contaminants.

The ESA report will include the identification and discussion of any data gaps encountered during the performance of the ESA, including a discussion of all good faith efforts undertaken to obtain the information required by the standards and practices identified above and an evaluation of the impact of the data gaps on the ability to identify recognized environmental conditions. 

Based on the overall findings from the ESA, AEC develops conclusions aimed at identifying potential liabilities associated with a specific property. Conclusions are then evaluated with respect to the client’s position in a real estate transaction (i.e., owner, buyer, seller, lender, equity partner, etc.). By so doing, AEC develops recommendations that are tailored to support the individual needs of the client.

If requested by the Client, AEC will comment upon the possible presence or likelihood of asbestos-containing materials (ACM), lead-based paint (LBP), radon, mold, and/or wetlands. In addition, AEC can perform more detailed surveys for such items, if necessary, as an additional scope of work. 

Phase II Subsurface Investigation and Site Evaluation

For many clients, AEC has performed Phase II assessments and eventual remediation as a follow-up activity to Phase I ESAs. Typically, these activities included the following AEC services:

- Intrusive field sampling and analysis of soil, water, and vapor media
- Direct push drilling (Geoprobe)
- Geophysical surveys
- Monitoring well installation and well development
- Monitoring well sampling and gauging
- UST closure monitoring.
- Soil vapor surveys

Phase II activities are coordinated with the appropriate regulatory authority when required or if deemed beneficial to the client’s position. AEC strives to meet the most stringent deadlines to satisfy our clients’ needs.