Environmental
When one is considering the purchase of real estate (whether raw land or improved property) we recommend that a properly executed Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) be performed. Confusion is not uncommon for even experienced real estate professionals when the term “proper assessment” is used. Most simply lump site assessments into a Phase I category and that is an all to common mistake. At EnGEN, we will go the extra mile to insure that you know what you are getting and the benefits associated with various approaches. Below we list in ascending order the various levels of studies that can be performed depending on client and project needs. Please contact us with any questions.
Pre-Property Purchase Consulting Services
This level of service is a primarily inquiry to observe any obvious problems from a hazardous materials standpoint. To an untrained eye obvious problems can be easily over looked. Typically this involves a site walk and cursory review of available records. At which time, some preliminary work can be performed that will aid in reducing costs for a more detailed inquiry should the client decide to move forward. This is the most cost affective approach in cases where a client needs a level of comfort before entering escrow. We highly recommend this approach as a method yielding the most information with a very limited financial outlay. We believe the industry would benefit greatly if this level of inquiry were exercised more frequiently than it has historically.
Transaction Screens
A Transaction Screen is typically performed after a given property demonstrates that there is no current or historic use of the property that would result in a negative declaration. And, as such a more in depth inquiry would not be necessary. Many firms perform transaction screens while calling them Phase I Site Assessments and this has resulted an embarrassment to the professional community. The professional integrity of the firm performing these services is very important and EnGEN is highly respected in by not only our clients but the public oversight agencies that review and approve our reports.
Phase I Environment Site Assessments (ESA1)
This level of assessment is the most common inquiry used in the real estate development and financing industries. Our ESA’s generally conform to ASTM Standard E-1527-05. There is an important distinction between the letter and the spirit of any professional fact finding procedure and we take pride in having overcome the developers and finance institutions that have worked with us the preconceived notion that these practices are a necessary evil promulgated by an over reaching EPA to further stifle business and growth. By working to understand your goals we can insure that you will be equipped with pertenant data to aid you in making an informed decision.
Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESA2)
Should areas of concern be identified during a Phase I and recommendations to proceed to a more in-depth study are made, EnGEN can provide these services. A Phase II evaluation can be tailored to accommodate site-specific conditions from on a very limited level to a complete characterization study that includes a detailed action plan, deep borings, sampling protocol, field and laboratory analytical testing and preparation of a detailed report of findings with recommendations. A Phase II typically includes sampling of soil, groundwater, surface waters, or suspected hazardous materials identified on the Target Property.
Corrective Action
Though, rare, there are times when a site cleanup is required. EnGEN’s many years in the geotechnical and environmental fields will insure that the work is performed in a competent, professional and cost effective manner while.
Groundwater Monitoring
When there is a necessity to monitoring and report the technical data associated with contaminants in soil and groundwater, EnGEN is experienced in compiling the detailed reports by local, state and federal oversight agencies to insure compliance at an affordable fee.