Imagine that you are performing a Phase I ESA on a property that is an abandoned industrial site. Provide a brief discussion of the main steps you would take in investigating the site.
Phase 1 ESA (Environmental Site Assessment) is done to identify any contamination in the environment of real estate holdings. This assessment reviews the environmental history of the property including the land which the property is located on. An assessment includes a detailed review as well as walk-in inspection. The site history is conducted by interviewing people who are familiar and knowledgeable about the site in question. These people provide information about the past uses of the land and the property which is being investigated (Environmental Consulting 2011).
The environmental history is investigated by a physical inspection of the property. The issues which will be checked for will include environmental contamination like chemical spills, oil spills, and stains and materials containing lead and asbestos. Apart from investigating the specific site, the assessment also inspects neighboring properties to determine whether they were sources of any contamination which may be leaking into the property being investigated. In addition, the historical records of the site are also carried out. This will be done by going through private records, provincial and historical records. According to Russ, (2002), this assessment does not involve carrying out laboratory analyses of the soil or water. After the assessment is made, a report is compiled and given to the client so as to elaborate the results and recommendations as to whether the site should be investigated further. It is important that these sites be investigated because the nature of certain businesses may require confirmation of the site’s safety (Terrapex Environmental, 2011).
References
Environmental Consulting (2011). Environmental Site Assessment of Real Estate. Available at http://www.aaenvironmental.ca/index.php?pid=9
Russ T. (2002). Site Planning and Design Handbook. New York: McGraw- Hill Company.
Terrapex Environmental Ltd. (2011). Phase One ESA. Available at http://www.terrapex.com/phase-i-esa.asp
