Mill Creek Environmental (MCE) is among Georgia's leading environmental firms having completed thousands of Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (Phase 1 ESA) reports on properties for commercial real estate transactions, lender financing, owner re-financing, foreclosures, and other programs. Our Phase I ESA’s have been completed for a variety of program requirements, including:
- ASTM Standard Practice E1527-21
- All Appropriate Inquiry 40 CFR Part 312
- SBA SOP 50 10 5 (C)
- Specific Lender Requirements
- and others...
Our Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments are performed by experienced staff and all are directed by environmental professionals with a minimum of 10-years' experience. Our projects are very cost-effective, and we have the available staff and experience to complete multi-site portfolios with very short due dates.
We specialize in fast completion, quality assessments, and competitive cost while meeting the requirements for the ASTM E1527-21 Standards and the All Appropriate Inquiry Rule (AAI) 40 CFR Part 312.
Phase 1 ESA FAQ:
What is a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)?
A Phase 1 ESA is an assessment of a parcel of
commercial real estate to determine its potential for contamination by hazardous substances or petroleum products. A typical Phase One Report will allow a buyer or lender to make an informed decision as to the potential environmental risk associated with the purchase of the property. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) sets the standard for what constitutes an environmental risk or
"recognized environmental condition" (REC). A REC is defined by the ASTM standard E1527-21 as: "the presence or likely presence of any hazardous substances or petroleum products in, on, or at a property: (1) due to any release to the environment; (2) under conditions indicative of a release to the environment; or (3) under conditions that pose a material threat of a future release to the environment.”
What is the purpose of a Phase I ESA?
The purpose of a Phase I ESA is to gather sufficient information to develop an independent professional opinion about the environmental condition of a property and to identify actual or potential environmental contamination which may impact a property’s value. Completion of a Phase One Report will also allow the user to satisfy one of the requirements to qualify for the landowner liability protection (innocent landowner defense) from CERCLA liability.
Why is a Phase 1 ESA needed?
Potential buyers will complete a Phase 1 Environmental report to assure they are not buying a property that has an unacceptable risk of environmental liability. Most lenders will require a Phase I Report to protect their investment in a commercial property.
What type of properties do not generally require a Phase I ESA?
A Phase I ESA is generally completed for commercial properties. Residential properties generally will not need a Phase One Site Assessment, unless there are special conditions, such as an underground storage tank or a known spill on the property. Residential properties may also need a Phase One if they are adjacent to a property with a known or suspected environmental condition.
What is in a Phase 1 ESA Report?
A Phase 1 ESA report contains the following:
- Results of Inquiry by an Environmental Professional
- Interviews with Past and Present Owners, Operators, and Occupants
- Reviews of Historical Sources of Information
- Searches for Recorded Environmental Cleanup Liens
- Reviews of Federal, State, Tribal, and Local Government Records
- Visual Inspections of the Facility and of Adjoining Properties
- Commonly known or reasonably ascertainable information about the property
- The degree of obviousness of the presence or likely presence of contamination at the property, and the ability to detect the contamination by appropriate investigation
How fast can I get a Phase I Environmental Report completed?
MCE specializes in fast completion of our Phase I Environmental reports. Our typical completion time is 7-10 days. We regularly complete Phase I Environmental reports in less time, and a faster project completion can definitely be arranged if needed. Feel free to contact us for an estimated completion time for your property.
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