A Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is a comprehensive review of past, present, and potential future environmental risks to a commercial property. They are typically done during a change in property ownership and are usually ordered by buyers, sellers, or lenders. Ultimately, an environmental site assessment is performed to protect the value of the collateral for a loan for the buyer and lender. 

A Phase I ESA is completely non-invasive. Our experienced environmental investigator will walk the site, take pictures, and note any obvious areas of potential concern. We will also complete a thorough forensic investigation of the site, accessing a wide range of current and historic data resources to determine if any previous environmental impacts have occurred, if there are any existing or historic regulatory concerns, or if neighboring properties may have impacted the site in some way.

A complete Phase I report will identify any active or suspected environmental conditions that may affect property values, pose a possible financial liability to the purchaser or lender, or affect the ability of a borrower to repay a loan obligation.

Clients may also obtain a Phase I ESA in order to satisfy requirements of the “innocent landowner defense” or other available defenses to environmental liability under CERCLA. ESI tailors the Phase I ESA scope to the client’s needs, as well as the specific reporting requirements of the financial institution or governmental agency.