Phase I ESAs work to identify Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs) associated with a property or parcel of land in the state of Illinois.
Completing environmental due diligence is an important step in any property transaction. Phase I environmental site assessments (ESA) play a key role in this process. They work to identify potential environmental liabilities associated with the past or present use of a property.
Phase I ESAs consist of two main parts: the review of historical property information and assessment of the site in its current condition. Combined, this provides an overview of what the property has been used for and a review of any associated environmental concerns. One of the main focuses of a Phase I ESA is to identify if there is the potential for hazardous substances or petroleum products to be present on the property in ways that could pose a threat to the environment or humans. Identifying these potential issues helps reduce liability for the property purchaser and lender.
Here at Aegis, we provide Phase I ESAs that exceed the industry standard guidelines defined by the American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) Standard Practice for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments and Environmental Protection.
Phase I ESA Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Recognized Environmental Condition (REC)?
A REC is the presence, or likely presence, of hazardous compounds or petroleum products on a property in a way that indicates there has already been a release or there is the potential for a future release to the environment.
What type of report will you receive from a Phase I ESA?
We have created a Phase I ESA process/report that meets the requirements of the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) Standard Practice requirements for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (E1527-13) and Environmental Protection.
What are the next steps if a REC is found on the property?
Aegis will assess the risk of environmental contamination stemming from the REC and provide an informed opinion on any associated risks. In some cases, further investigation may be recommended in the form of sampling. If needed, Aegis has a team of environmental professionals available to provide turn-key solutions from initial assessment through remediation.
How long does a Phase I ESA take to complete?
Typically, a Phase I ESAs requires 2 to 3 weeks to complete. It is possible to prepare a Phase I ESA faster, but this increases the risk of data gaps if all of the relevant information is not available.
