Environmental Site
Assessment and
Remediation

The Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is an important step a purchaser can take to evaluate a property’s past use and potential presence of contamination. The goal of a Phase I ESA is to identify “recognized environmental conditions” (the presence or likely presence of hazardous substances or petroleum products).  Typically, NHSC completes a 5-step assessment of past and present uses of the target property, and other nearby properties. This includes:

1. Site History Compilation
2. Review of Public Records
3. Site Inspection
4. Owner/Occupant Interview
5. Report Preparation

NHSC includes other properties in the assessment because liability may be assigned to a property owner who has released hazardous substances that contaminate another site. Also, contamination that has migrated to the target property from another site may materially affect the property value, impair/ delay its development potential, or require remediation costs if the contamination cannot be proven to have originated offsite of the target property. NHSC professionals have diverse technical skills and consider environmental issues in a realistic manner to support merger, acquisition and redevelopment of properties.

All Phase I ESAs are prepared by NHSC in accordance with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards, unless otherwise specified, and can usually be completed within two weeks of authorization to proceed.

If a Phase I ESA identifies a “recognized environmental condition,” a Phase II ESA should be completed to verify the presence, and/or the extent of, contamination. During a typical Phase II ESA, NHSC collects soil, surface water, and groundwater
samples. Additionally, groundwater-monitoring wells may be installed. All samples are analyzed by a certified environmental laboratory using EPA-approved testing procedures. 

Based on the results of a Phase II ESA, a determination is made on whether Phase III ESA work is required. Phase III actions such as remediation or mitigation, are most often required or guided by a regulatory agency/program. Clean-up criteria and techniques vary depending on regulatory programs and site-specific conditions. Sometimes regulatory closure can occur on the basis of a “Risk Assessment.” Risk Assessments typically involve detailed analyses of the contaminants and potential receptors in the area. Additionally, NHSC’s experience in establishing Brownfield’s status at properties can be a useful tool in liabilities management. The eligibility of a site and its appropriateness for a Brownfield’s program are determined on a case-by-case basis.