Environmental Site Assessments And Due Diligence

Adverse environmental conditions can drastically impact the value of real property. The purpose of a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments (ESA) is to identify and document the current and historical environmental conditions of commercial real estate with respect to the range of contaminants within the scope of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and petroleum products. The Phase 1 ESA is intended to permit a user to satisfy one of the requirements to qualify for the innocent landowner defense to CERCLA liability.

Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments

CNS Environmental's Phase 1 ESA's are performed in general accordance with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard Practice E1527-00. CNS Environmental's professionals conduct each assessment with strict confidentiality and are able to handle time-sensitive projects arising from property transactions.

The Phase 1 ESA includes:

• Site and surrounding area reconnaissance
• Interviews of individuals knowledgeable of the site and its historical usage
• Review of historical aerial photographs and insurance records to assess the site's historical land utilization and for indications of potential contamination or sources of contamination
• Review available federal, state, county and city documents that relate pertinent environmental information for the site

Additional issues may be assessed in connection with the Environmental Site Assessment, such as asbestos, lead-based paint, lead in drinking water, or radon.