Where do we start?
The first place to start on any project is to determine whether there is the presence or potential presence of a Recognized Environmental Condition (REC) on a property. The team at Terra Environmental has more than 65 years of experience in both private and public environmental consulting to assist you in identifying and resolving any existing RECs. The trusted and qualified team of professionals at Terra Environmental personally walk our clients through every step of the process and work to ensure that your needs are consistently met. Before any visit to the site or physical testing, we research the historical use of the property. This research can determine if any further, more in-depth investigation might be necessary to legally protect its owner(s) and can be used to determine potential contaminants on a site and to guide testing in future phases.
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is prepared for a parcel of real estate to identify potential or existing Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs). The Phase I ESA is generally considered the first step in the process of environmental due diligence. Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), a Phase I ESA provides the basis for an innocent landowner defense for purchasers who demonstrate proper due diligence prior to acquisition. Assessment of a site includes evaluation of potential environmental issues, both on- and off-site.
Many times, environmental firms delegate Phase I ESAs to less experienced staff who may be freshly out of college or new to the industry. As a result, these Phase I ESAs might be grossly inadequate in both content and scope! While you may think you are doing your due diligence by having a Phase I ESA, if the assessment is not done properly, the risk and liability associated with any unfound RECs remains and can cause even bigger headaches. That won’t happen with Terra Environmental. Our Phase I studies are completed by staff members that have been doing this kind of work for 20+ years, not 2+ months. Why pay good money for inferior work that will later be scrutinized by high-paid attorneys?
Under federally accepted standard ASTM E1527-13, parameters were set forth as to who is qualified to perform Phase I ESAs. Terra Environmental’s qualified staff of Licensed Professional Geologists (LPG), Biologists, Certified Hazardous Materials Managers (CHMMs), Environmental Scientists, and Project Managers utilize their background and experience in conjunction with extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations and ASTM standards to efficiently provide a quality Phase I ESA, which allows our clients to make educated business decisions.
