Interesting article on how long subsurface impacts can hang around,
and how extremely expensive the assessment and cleanup can
be:
http://contaminatednation.blogspot.com/2011/11/uc-davis-addresses-leftover.html
As I've promoted to a position of management, I find myself
conducting fewer and fewer Environmental Due Diligence Assessments.
For logisitical and fiscal reasons, it only makes sense that
managers and EPs will have less time with boots on the ground in
the field, and more time keeping projects moving, reviewing reports
for content and issues, and communcating with clients.
However, I do find it important at least once a month to keep a
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), Modified Phase...
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This article details the issue of UST facilities and the change
in the SBA's SOP (effective 10/01/11) pertaining to how to address
them during environmental due diligence for an SBA backed
loan:
http://www.elabs7.com/functions/message_view.html?mid=1358993&mlid=10412&siteid=29083&uid=78a43f1442
The logic makes sense, but the increased liability for EP's is
significant.
Today, people are more aware of the
concerns associated with indoor air quality (IAQ)than ever before. This heightened awareness often causes employees
to be more sensitive and sometimes emotional about their situation.
Often, this causes employees to blame IAQ for their health-related
symptoms. As a property manager, it is important to understand
these concerns and address them as quickly and effectively as
possible using sound scientific principles. The initial reaction to
a tenant’s complaint...
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Typically, drycleaners are a red flag for environmental assessments
due to the inherent solvent use in the drycleaning practice.
Specifically, tetrachloroethylene (also known as perchloroethylene,
or perc) is a very invasive solvent, that when spilled can migrate
through the subsurface and contaminate groundwater pretty easily.
It travels quickly, and can cause problems quickly if groundwater
is used for drinking water. It can also cause indoor air quality
problems if the groundwater moisture...
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I have been reminded lately that
conducting a Phase One Environmental Site Assessment is not
just useful for the purchaser of a property. Being proactive when
preparing to sell is as good a time as any to complete this
study.
Add value to your property by having the study completed by a third
party and ready for review by interested buyers and lenders. This
is particularly helpful when the site in question is an
existing commercial or industrial site. It limits the occasion
of being surprised by...
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We have seen an increasingly large
volume of Records Search with Risk Assessment (RSRA) projects
coming through the door. The RSRA is a great product because it
provides a thorough review of a government database report and
multiple historical sources to produce a risk rating for a
potentail purchaser of commercial real estate. Since it is
literally just a review of records, it can be done from the desktop
of an environmental specialist, and usually very quickly.
August Mack has extensive...
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Here's a link to a great blogpost about some of the less talked
about hurricane aftermath:
http://commonground.edrnet.com/posts/69918004f9
Another consideration not mentioned in this post is physical damage
to asbestos containing materials (ACM) in older structures. ACMs
can become a serious hazard when made friable, which is all too
possible when hurricane force winds are a factor. The midwest was
obviously not adversely impacted by Hurricane Irene, but we are no
stranger to high winds, flooding,...
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Official interest rates are to be
posted September 12, and are expected to be at an all time low of
4.69% on a 20 year loan, and 3.75% for a 10 year loan originated in
September. This will undoubtedly incentivize more SBA guaranteed
loan applications, which in turn will warrant the need for
SBA compliant environmental due diligence assessments.
August Mack's environmental due diligence team is very familiar the
SBA's environmental policy, is experienced in preparing
reports in accordance with SBA...
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Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, or
Sanborns, are a great historical source of information for
conducting environmental site assessments. When available for an
area, they are a great record of UST locations, hazardous storage
areas, and historical building uses. Gasoline stations that
operated from the 1920's through the 1950's usually don't show up
on any type of registered UST database, largely because the
facilities closed down before the database was ever created.
Sanborns serve as a safety net...
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I found this article on fracking pretty interesting:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-28/epa-plan-to-wrap-up-fracking-review-in-2014-goofy-deutch-says.html
I wonder when this will make it's way into consideration for
property transfer....
If you are a developer planning on
submitting an application to receive state funds for your rehab or
renovation project, then you know the differing requirements that
you'll likely encounter from state to state. Your application in
most cases is going to require an environmental due diligence
assessment; usually a Phase I ESA that is compliant with the ASTM
E1527-05 standard. But most state funded projects require
additional investigation above and beyond the ASTM standard.
Non-scope...
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The SBA's SOP was recently
revised, and it's important to understand the SOP and how it
will effect the lifecycle of an SBA loan. Specifically, there
is a prescribed process in the SOP for conducting environmental due
diligence assessments. The type of assessment required
varies depending on loan amount and property use history. What
is important to note is that subsequent environmental due
diligence investigations beyond the first step must follow in
the prescribed order. For example, if a site...
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We recently conducted some Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments
in the western United States, and it's amazing how much further
contaminants can travel through the
porous, sandy subsurface soils out west! It was a
definite reminder that local geology plays a big role in making
determinations about off-site sources of contamination.
It's June 21st - the first day of summer! To all
our current and potential clients, we hope you have
a safe and fun-filled summer!
We've seen a lot of requests
lately for asbestos and lead-based-paint (LBP) operations and
maintenance (O&M) plans as a result potential asbestos and LBP
issues identified during a Phase 1 Site Assessment. Although it is
cheaper up front to jump straight to an O&M plan, this will be
a MUCH more costly method in the long run. Without conducting a
formal survey to identify specific asbestos containing
materials and surfaces painted with lead based paint,
owners/operators will have to abide by a...
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We recently had a client request a
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) prior to entering
a lease-to-own type agreement on a small manufacturing facility.
The client was interested in using the space for the next five
years, with no real intention of purchasing the property.
Conducting a Phase I ESA was a smart and strategic way to
establish a baseline condition as a part of their exit strategy
five years down the road.
We recently conducted a Phase I
ESA, and identified multiple RECs. Neither the study site
nor any surrounding properties had any issues identified in
the government database listings, and no real issues of
concern were identified through a review of historical sources and
local records.
However.......
When we arrived at the site to perform the inspection, a massive
junk/salvage yard operation was observed on an adjacent property.
Extensive piles of scrap automobiles, parts, and remnants...
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We often perform Phase 1 Environmental Assessments prior to
property foreclosure. The Phase 1 Site Assessments are key in
obtaining the CERCLA liability protections, which are afforded by
following the current ASTM standard for conducting Phase I ESAs.
But the ASTM standard scope of work does not require an assessment
of issues pertaining to asbestos, mold, lead-based paint, etc.
Prior to taking title to a property through foreclosure, it is
prudent to have your consultant address these issues...
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We always document utility
providers during an environmental site assessment. It becomes
particularly important when performing an assessment in
anticipation of bank foreclosure, because there are rarely
owners/occupants available to interview in those situations. During
the inspection, it is essential to look for evidence of possible
underground storage tanks (USTs) potentially used to store fuel oil
for heating purposes, or signs that a septic system is (or was)
utilized at the site. These...
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