A Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) evaluates potential environmental risks on a property, such as contamination from past usage or nearby hazardous materials. This assessment includes a site visit, historical data review, and analysis of regulatory records to ensure compliance and reduce liability before property transactions.

For more details, visit the full page here.

A Phase 1 ESA is generally required during commercial property transactions, refinancing, or when changes in land use occur. This assessment helps identify environmental risks and fulfills the due diligence requirements for buyers and lenders to limit liability.

For more details, check the full checklist about Phase 1 ESAs here.

If contamination is found during a Phase 1 ESA, the next step is typically a Phase 2 ESA, which involves more detailed testing to assess the level and type of contamination. This process helps determine the extent of remediation or cleanup required to ensure the site meets safety and regulatory standards.

You can explore more details on this process here.

The timeframe to complete a Phase 1 ESA varies but typically takes a few weeks. This period includes research, property inspection, and report preparation.

For a detailed overview of each step, you can visit the Phase 1 ESA process information here.