The voltility in current
commercial real estate lending has led us to see an increase the in
the requests for "reliance letters" on Phase 1 Environmental Site
Assessments (ESA). So what is a reliance letter?
Although whomever commissions the
Phase 1 Site Assessment should also carefully consider
any limitations a consultant may impose on who may use or rely
on the report and explicitly provide for reliance by
investors, lenders or others, this doesn't always happen. This is
usually discussed...
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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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In today’s market, August Mack
understands the need for your organization to stay competitive in
today’s market and our online Phase I ordering system can help you
accomplish this goal. Unlike some of our competitors, our online
ordering system can offer you an instant and cost-effective quote
for a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment. This process allows us
to offer you the best price and also allows us to get started
immediately on completing your site assessment and provide you with
a...
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I have been
spending my summer working in the transaction department mostly
assisting with and participating in Phase I Environmental
Site Assessments (ESAs). I recently assisted in historical
research for a report on a property in downtown
Indianapolis. My research included putting together and
reviewing historical Sanborn fire insurance maps, and historic city
directories for the property as well as surrounding properties at
the state library. I was specifically looking for
historical...
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In 2004, the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) released national emission standards for
hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) for new and existing industrial,
commercial and institutional boilers and process heaters. The
standards required certain boilers and process heaters meet air
pollution limits reflecting the application of maximum achievable
control technology (MACT). These new rules are commonly referred to
as “Boiler MACT” standards.
The 2004 standards were soon
challenged and vacated by...
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In an
effort to help finance the significant volume of commercial real
estate loans that will mature between now and December 31, 2012,
the U.S. Small Business Administration has launched a new,
temporary 504 refi program. It appears
that the environmental
site assessment report requirements for 504 refis mirrors that
of the SBAs standard 504 (and 7(a)) programs as outlined under SOP
50 10 5(c). As an environmental assessment consultant,
August Mack Environmental has been involved in...
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On October 1, 2010 the Small
Business Administration released the latest revision to its
standard operating procedures (SOP) for lender and development
company loan programs. The latest version, designated as SOP 50 10
5(C), includes some changes to the environmental policy when making
SBA guaranteed loans:
· For loans less than $150,000, if the lender’s environmental
questionnaire reveals the need for additional investigation, a
Desktop Environmental Review must be conducted by an...
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August Mack Environmental, Inc., a
full-service environmental, health and safety (EH&S) consulting
firm, is pleased to the promotion of Bennett Thayer to Office
Manager for the Dublin, Ohio office. Since joining August Mack in
2004, Thayer has served as a field scientist, staff scientist and
project manager.
With more than
eight years of experience, Thayer specializes in local, state and
federal environmental compliance; environmental, health and safety
(EH&S) servicing and reporting;...
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Environmental Tenant
Assessments - Take Control of Your
LiabilityThursday, July 8th, 2010 - 10:00 am EST
Owning a commercial or industrial
building can present unexpected environmental liabilities. A
property owner is ultimately responsible for the environmental
condition of the property which includes contamination caused by
past or current tenants. Most of these environmental concerns and
potential liabilities are unknown until a Phase I Environmental
Site Assessment (ESA) is performed....
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The six primary types of environmental site assessment
reports are:
-
Desktop Environmental Review - Record review
only with no site visit
-
ASTM E 1528-06 Transaction Screen - Site visit
conducted by either environmental assessment consultant or
user
-
Phase 1 Site Assessment Update - Update prior
Phase 1 Environmental Assessments with current government records
data, historical data, interviews and site visits. This is most
appropriate for Phase 1 Site Assessment that have exceeded their
shelf life...
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Seems like every time you turn around the media is all hyped up
about MOLD!!!! Mold CAN be a health concern, but it's
important to recognize that we are surrounded by hundreds of
different types of mold all of the time.
If visible mold growth is observed during the site visit portion of
a Phase One Environmental Site Assessment, it is likely to show up
in your final Phase I report as a non-scope
consideration.
For more information about mold, check out Bill Glaze's article at
www.augustmack.com...
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One of the non-scope consideration
that is sometimes seen in the Phase One Environmental Site
Assessment Report is Indoor Air Quality (IAQ).
Poor indoor air quality can be caused by a variety of
sources such as high temperature and humidity or poor
ventilation. And there are even more sources of indoor air
pollutants including (but not limited to) asbestos, radon, carbon
monoxide, combustion sources (oil, gas, kerosene, wood, etc.), and
even the use of household cleaners.
IAQ issues are...
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Recognizing the ever-increasing
importance of sustainability and "green" initiatives in business
today, August Mack is leading the way in developing and
implementing successful sustainability programs for a number of
clients in various industries. Additionally, we have taken a look
at our own business model and implemented a sustainability plan
aimed at further reducing our own impact on the world. As a
testament to our sustainability efforts, we have successfully
reduced our carbon footprint...
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Another non-scope consideration
that is will likely show up during a Phase One Environmental Site
Assessment is lead in drinking water. Consumption of lead has
been shown to cause various adverse health effects.
Plumbing with lead or lead solder could lead to lead in drinking
water. Buildings constructed prior to 1986 are more
likely to have lead pipes, soder, fittings or
fixtures. You cannot see, smell or taste lead, and boiling
your water will not get rid of lead.
There are "at-home" tests...
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August Mack was awarded 100 new projects in February. So you might
ask, what types of projects are you doing? Here is a sampling of
the types of projects that our clients awarded us recently:
- Air Permitting
- Phase 1 Site Assessments
- Tier II Reporting
- Groundwater Sampling
- Industrial Hygiene Sampling
- Permit Review
August Mack specializes in
environmental, health and safety compliance; environmental due
diligence; environmental site remediation; and sustainable business
strategies to the...
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Milk, bottled water, canned
food...and even, Phase One Environmental Site Assessments
(ESAs) have expiration dates. The only thing that reportedly
doesn't go bad...SPAM!!!*
Under the AAI Final Rule, a prospective property owner may use a
Phase I ESA report without having to update any information
collected as part of the inquiry:
•If the all appropriate inquiries investigation was
completed less than 180 days prior to the date of acquisition of
the property; or
•If the Phase I ESA report was...
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If you are currently in the
process of purchasing a property, you should know about the
advantages of performing a Phase One Environmental Site
Assessment (ESA) prior to purchase. Property transactions are often
completed without an understanding of the environmental conditions
and how they could cause you or your business financial risk. The
purpose of the Phase I ESA is to identify environmental concerns
related to a property. The Phase I includes an evaluation of the
potential for soil and...
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