SERVICES

Completed in general accordance with the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard E1527-21, “Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment Process” (ASTM E1527-21).

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Reports (ESAs)

Real Estate Transaction Screen Reports (RETS)

RETS Reports contain similar information as a Phase I ESA Report with the exception of geology, hydrology, and topography of the property and a review of state and local agency records that include state environmental agencies, health departments, building permits, assessor records, and fire department records. RETS are completed in accordance with ASTM Practice E1528-14 Standard Practice for Limited Environmental Due Diligence: Transaction Screen Process.

Records Search with Risk Assessment Reports (RSRAs)

RSRA Reports contain a review of federal, state, and local regulatory databases, historical city directories, fire insurance maps (Sanborn maps), and a summary of historical property and adjoining property uses. A risk assessment is determined by BEA based on the results of the RSRA Report as to whether the subject property is either “high risk” or “low risk” for contamination. RSRAs are completed in accordance with the United States Small Business Association’s Lender and Development Company Loan Program (SOP 50-10(5)) directive.

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Reports

BEA’s primary scope of work are Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Reports (ESAs). The purpose of the Phase I ESA Report is to identify existing or potential Recognized Environmental Conditions (as defined by ASTM E1527-21) in connection with the property. The intent of the report is to assess if current or historical property uses have impacted the soil or groundwater beneath the property and could pose a threat to the environment and/or human health. The report will identify any evidence of recognized environmental conditions (RECs), historical recognized environmental conditions (HRECs), controlled recognized environmental conditions (CRECs) or business environmental risks (BERs) in connection with the property. Banks and lenders typically require this report for financing purposes during a commercial real estate transaction.

The Phase I ESA Report includes the following:

A site visit to observe current and past conditions and uses of the property and the adjoining properties.
A review of federal, state, and local regulatory databases that include underground storage tanks (USTs), aboveground storage tanks (ASTs), reported release events, landfills, and hazardous material and waste sites.
A historical review of the property and the adjoining properties that includes historical aerial photographs, fire insurance maps (Sanborn maps), historical city directories, and historical topographic maps.
A review of state and local agency records that include state environmental agencies, health departments, building permits, assessor records, and fire department records.
Interviews with current and past property owners, operators, and occupants.
Geology, hydrology, and topography of the property.
Wetland, flood, and radon zone determinations.
Inventory of hazardous materials and wastes, solid waste, wastewater, ASTs, underground components (USTs, sand traps, hydraulic lifts, grease traps, sumps, and drains), electrical transformers, elevators, and evidence of chemical spills, stains or releases.
A discussion of observed suspect asbestos-containing materials (ACM), lead-based paint (LBP), mold/water intrusion, lead in drinking water, and radon.

Environmental Issues That Can Affect A Property

Historical or current uses of the property or adjoining properties as a gas station facility, automotive servicing operations, dry cleaning services, and industrial and manufacturing applications.
On-site or nearby fuel-containing USTs, ASTs, sand trap, hydraulic lift, grease trap, and sump components and the storage and handling of hazardous materials and wastes.
Construction materials that can include asbestos and lead-based paint materials.
Flood zone, wetlands, and radon zone determinations.
On-site conditions that can include chemical spills and stains and mold/water intrusion conditions.

BEA does not conduct Phase II Subsurface Investigation Reports, UST removal activities, soil/groundwater sampling or asbestos, lead-based paint, mold, radon or indoor air quality surveys. If additional activities are recommended while performing the Phase I ESA Report, BEA maintains a professional working relationship with a Fort Collins, Colorado-based full-service environmental engineering firm which is equipped to conduct additional investigations.

Desktop Regulatory Database Reviews

The desktop database reviews federal, state, and local regulatory databases to determine if any regulatory listing for the property, adjoining properties or any nearby properties represent a REC to the property.

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