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Your location: Home » Resources » White Papers » Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs)
ENVIRONMENTAL SITE ASSESSMENTS (ESAs)
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Outlined below are commonly used environmental site assessment methods that Viewpoint Technical Group utilizes. The level and depth are generically based on inherent property risk, loan amount, property value, and typical user risk tolerance. Viewpoint Technical Group can help recommend the most appropriate level to fit a specific project or help further customize one of these approaches such as including a vapor intrusion or asbestos screen.
Document Peer Review
This service is provided when an existing environmental document was prepared on behalf of another party, such as a current Phase I ESA, and is available for review. Viewpoint Technical Group reviews these documents in the user or commercial lender’s perspective and provides a summary letter of the findings, significant issues, and recommendations.
Desktop Records Review Screen (aka SBA Records Search with Risk Assessment)
This service is provided for any property as a screening tool when property type is inherently low risk, access to a property is unavailable, and/or a relatively quick screening of the property is necessary. The scope commonly includes a review of current government environmental databases and limited research of two or more standard historical sources. The scope can be further customized to include telephone interviews and agency file reviews. The objective is to provide an opinion of high or low environmental risk.
VPTG Custom ESA
This service is provided for inherently low risk property types where property access is granted to document current site and surrounding property conditions. The scope includes a visual site inspection, a review of government environmental databases, and a limited historical review of two or more standard sources. Essentially optimized for the key inquiries of a Phase I ESA. As the name implies, the scope can be further customized to include other environmental considerations.
ASTM Transaction Screen
This service upgrade is provided for inherently low risk property types where site access is granted and/or in some cases where loans are under $1 million. The scope specifically follows the ASTM E 1528-06 standard and includes a screening questionnaire for the site owner and occupants, a visual site inspection by an environmental professional, specific environmental database research, and specific historical records research. The scope can be further customized to include non-ASTM considerations such as a visual assessment of potential asbestos containing materials.
U.S. EPA AAI/ASTM Phase I ESA
This type of assessment is conducted for inherently intermediate to higher risk property types and/or loan amounts over $1 million. The objective being to identify Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs). The scope follows the ASTM E 1527-05 standard and AAI final rule. It includes a site reconnaissance by an environmental professional, site and agency interviews, and environmental database and historical records research. The scope can be customized to include non-ASTM considerations such as visual assessments on mold, moisture intrusion, lead based paints, asbestos containing materials, and material compliance issues. This must be used to obtain potential liability protection under CERCLA.
Phase I ESA Update
This type of assessment combines the aspects of a Peer Review and the Phase I ESA. The intent is to update a Phase I ESA that is more than 6 months old in terms of the current site conditions and environmental database records. It's also a good tool to evaluate the completeness of the original Phase I ESA.
Reporting Formats
Viewpoint Technical Groups prefers to submit assessment reports electronically in Adobe Acrobat Reader format to save time and paper. The electronic submittal can be either via compact disk, email, or a third party virtual file room. The virtual file room option is a password secure website that enables users to access reports anytime and anywhere they can access the internet. We also can provide traditional report hardcopies.
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