What is Environmental due diligence?
Environmental due diligence on a property requires particular levels of assessments to determine the current and historical use of the subject property. The property may have been used previously as a gas station, fertilizer plant, or a landfill. Determining how the property has been used and the assessment of potential contamination is the starting point of the due diligence process.
Prior to the purchase or occupancy of a property, the buyer or future occupant has the option to complete a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment to investigate the current and past use of the subjected property.
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
Phase I of Environmental Risk Management is Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), which is a risk management tool for lenders and potential purchasers of industrial, commercial, and agricultural property. The goal of a Phase I ESA is to identify Potential Environmental Conditions and Recognized Environmental Conditions (REC) associated with the subject property.
The Phase I ESA process involves substantial research into the historical land uses of the subject and neighboring properties, research into local, state, and federal regulatory environmental files and databases for the subject property and a site reconnaissance of the subject and neighboring properties. Standards for performing a Phase I Assessment have been disseminated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
History of Environmental Site Assessments
Documented as early as 1970, property buyers in the United States have researched and conducted studies resembling current phase I Environmental Site Assessments’, to assess the risks of ownership of commercial properties which had a high degree of risk from prior toxic chemical use or disposal. Typically, these studies were preparatory to understanding the nature of cleanup costs if the property was being considered for redevelopment or change of land use. Read more about the history of Phase I ESA here!
Phase II Environmental Site Assessment
If the site of the subject property is considered contaminated, a Phase II Assessment may be conducted. During Phase II soil and groundwater sampling is conducted to determine actual site conditions. Each Phase is designed to help property owners make informed decisions regarding their involvement with the property. If contamination is found during the Phased Site Assessment process, the project may proceed to site characterization and remediation if necessary.
Environmental Risk Management in Southwest, Florida
ERMI services property assessment needs from Phase I Environmental Site Assessments through remediation of contaminated properties. ERMI also characterizes mixed contamination plumes; fingerprints unknown petroleum compounds, and performs forensic investigations into the source and release date of contamination.
Corporate headquarters for Environmental Risk Management is located in Fort Myers, Florida. ERMI serves all of Florida with our complete service offering. Environmental Risk Management (ERMI) has been in the environmental consulting business in Florida since 1999. We have staff positioned throughout the state of Florida and offer forensic services throughout the nation. ERMI will help minimize your risk by offering valuable services to meet your needs.