Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)

Specific requirement of USA based companies, Environmental Site Assessment or "ESA" is the process of conducting "all appropriate inquiry" into the past or present uses of a property to determine whether the property is impacted by a "recognized environmental condition" (REC).

ESA is a comprehensive review of the environmental conditions at a specific property. ESAs are a valuable resource for property owners, lenders, real estate attorneys, land developers, and insurance companies that are used to identify and evaluate potential contaminants on the site. Usually, a component of Mergers and acquisitions involving USA based companies.

ESA is mainly performed on Greenfield and Brownfield projects. However, Greenfield projects only need Phase I evaluation, whereas Brownfield projects may require up to Phase II evaluation. These reports are typically ordered by a new purchaser of the property, a landowner that wants to better understand the environmental condition of their holding, a lender considering extending a property loan, or a regulatory agency that suspects on site contamination. 

Brownfields can also directly impact public and environmental health due to contamination that can pollute soil, air, and water resources on- and off-site. People might be exposed to these hazards by walking on the site, by wind carrying contamination off of the site, or by drinking groundwater affected by the site. This can occur before, during, or after redevelopment.

What is AAI ?

All Appropriate Inquiry is the process of evaluating a property’s environmental conditions and assessing potential liability for any contamination.

The AAI Final Rule at 40 CFR Part 312 provides that ASTM (American Standard for Testing and Materials) International Standard E1527-13 (“Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process”) and E2247-16 (“Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process for Forestland or Rural Property”) are consistent with the requirements of the final rule and can be used to satisfy the statutory requirements for conducting AAI. AAI may be conducted in compliance with either of these standards to obtain protection from potential liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) as an innocent landowner, a contiguous property owner, or a bona fide prospective purchaser.

When must AAI be conducted?

AAI must be conducted or updated within one year before the date of acquisition of a property.

EGSS builds a complete remedial program after the determination of contamination. Our team of experts have comprehensive understanding and are bound to put in all efforts to provide best solutions to the clients.