Providing Expertise in Environmental Site Assessments
Turn to Lincoln Environmental Consulting for all your property transaction due diligence needs. You can trust our consultants to be your guide in understanding your environmental liabilities and associated regulations.
Purpose of an Environmental Site Assessment
A primary purpose for conducting a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is to meet the requirements of the “innocent landowner defense” provisions of the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980. Meeting these requirements allows the buyer to avoid inheriting environmental liabilities caused by a property's past use.
To provide a common standard that ensures a thorough Phase I ESA is being performed, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has endorsed the guidance developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), an international standards organization that develops a range of technical standards, including environmental site assessments. The current ASTM Phase I standard, E1527, was finalized in 2005 and is regularly updated, has become the industry benchmark for such investigations.
Site and Property Specific Scope Requirements
Additional considerations outside the scope of ASTM E1527 can have a material impact on the business associated with the current or planned use of a parcel of commercial real estate. While these are often left outside the scope of a Phase I ESA, environmental issues such as suspect asbestos-containing building materials, lead-based paint, radon, mold, historic resources, floodplains, and ecological resources including wetlands and endangered species can have a material effect on the property and business. Lincoln Environmental Consulting has a broad range of experience with non-ASTM considerations and commonly works with all interested parties to developed a scope and report that will address these concerns.
Get Environmental Due Diligence Solutions From Us
We always review guidelines published by various national professional associations. Our team follows the most current definitions of “all appropriate inquiry”, which we use in our services. Currently, we rely on ASTM E 1527-21 standard to fulfill Phase I of our due diligence reporting.
Ask Us About Our Services Today
For more information about the initial stages of environmental site evaluations, connect with us today. We look forward to working with you soon.