Is it Required to use the Bank’s Phase 1 Environmental Consultant? No, commercial loan applicants (Borrowers) are NOT required to use the Bank’s Phase 1 Environmental company. In fact, all loan applicants can use their own Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment Company, as well as for a Phase 2 ESA (if needed), which offers the…
San Francisco Bay Area Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Company Geo Forward is a San Francisco Bay Area Phase I Environmental Site Assessment company with projects throughout Northern California. The Bay Area team includes historians, scientists, and seasoned professionals with expertise in local geology, hydrogeology, and commercial land use. The Bay Area Team applies its…
ASTM E1527-21 Standard Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment Quarter four of the year 2021 entails an update to the ASTM Standard for Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment reports. The current ASTM standard for a Phase 1 ESA is “E1527-13.” Per a mandatory revision cycle, version E1527-21 proposes modern strategies to assess new and existing human…
Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) A Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) evaluates the potential dangers to people where there may be some exposure to chemical contaminants in soil, groundwater, ambient air, or soil gas. Typically, the recommendation for an HHRA stems from the Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment process. However, the awareness for indoor air…
Environmental Law Environmental Law refers to the various categories of law that are put in place to protect the quality and condition of the earth and the environment. This sect of law aims to protect the well being of people and to preserve the earth’s natural resources, reserves, and wildlife. In fact, environmental laws apply…
Phase 2 Environmental Recommendation In some cases, there may be a Phase 2 Environmental recommendation for a property, resulting from a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment. Typically, this occurs when one or more Recognizable Environmental Conditions indicate the possibility of subsurface contamination. For instance, a property with an in-place underground storage tank (UST) can likely…
Remedial Action Plan A Remedial Action Plan, or Remediation Plan is a guideline that proposes a series of engineering and geological procedures, in order to feasibly perform contamination cleanup actions over a strategic period of time. When pollution exists on a property, at levels requiring cleanup, it is important to design the most appropriate course…
Environmental Professional Definition Environmental Professional: As per the EPA’s All Appropriate Inquiries Rule, an environmental professional is an environmental consultant that has an accredited education in earth or natural science, at least five years of formal training under another environmental professional, a professional state license, and maintains expert knowledge in the environmental geology, sustainability, and…
All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) The term “All Appropriate Inquiries” (AAI) is defined as the official EPA and ASTM method to inquire about current or historical environmental conditions that may exist on a property, in relation to their legal and environmental liabilities during a commercial real estate transaction. The All Appropriate Inquiries “Final Rule” is 40 CFR…
Geology for Rock Climbers Geology for rock climbers tends to be a science of newfound interest. A field of study, that apparently, wasn’t the most popular among Millenials during their formative years. Although to be honest, most people do remember Earth Science class in high school for its tranquilizing effect. But fast forward 10- to…
Environmental Questionnaire Sample & Example An environmental questionnaire is a preliminary task in the environmental due diligence process by lenders and other information-seekers. The questionnaire screens the environmental hazards of a property undergoing any transaction. It consolidates the known facts of a property upfront, for a basic level of contamination and health risk presumption. Typically,…
De Minimis Condition in Phase 1 ESA Reports? A de minimis condition, as per the ASTM E1527 Standard for Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment reports, is a property condition that doesn’t pose a threat to human health or the environment. Although this is a notable concern to document, it does not warrant further action or…
Reporting Results of Environmental Due Diligence Investigation “Are there requirements for reporting results of an Environmental Due Diligence Investigation to the government?” Each case is different. The answer is generally “no,” because ESA reports are typically proprietary. However, if there is any trace of danger or impact on the public’s health or well-being (in any…
What is a Brownfield Site (Brownfields)? A Brownfield site is real property with plans for redevelopment, that has the potential presence of pollution and subsurface hazardous substance contamination. And the Brownfields Revitalization and Environmental Restoration Act of 2001 (also known as the Brownfields Act) encourages environmental remediation when and where necessary. The act is a…
Phase II Environmental Site Assessment Cost The price of a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment can vary, depending on the aspects of a property. The Phase II Environmental Site Assessment cost is typically between $5,800 and $12,000 (for a standard commercial lot). Sometimes, Phase 2 ESAs can cost as much as $25,000. Clients seeking the…
What is a Phase II ESA in Real Estate Due Diligence? The term “Phase II ESA” is short for Phase II Subsurface Investigation. It is an environmental due diligence report that typically follows the Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment process when recognized environmental conditions are apparent. During the commercial real estate due diligence period, this…
