Environmental Assessments or Phase I Investigations are mechanisms used to identify and analyze the potential environmental risks and liabilities for a piece of property associated with a real estate or other financial transaction.
The investigation will:

• Clarify the level of environmental risk and liability associated with past and current practices and make recommendations.
  
• Demonstrate “Due Diligence” and good faith as to support potential future defense claims under CERCLA or Superfund.

It is therefore critical that certain standards of performance be set and a minimum scope of work be performed in a consistent manner. As a minimum, Iowa Environmental Services provides the following:

Scope of Work
Site Survey
Visually inspect the property, buildings, associated structures, equipment and operational procedures for actual or potential sources of environmental contamination or impairment.

Surrounding Land Use Survey
Identify potential off-site sources of contamination that could be an environmental threat to the site or areas that could be a threat from the subject site.

Geological, Hydrogeological, Hydrology, Topographical and Meteorological Assessment
An assessment of the geological, hydrogeological, hydrology, topographical and historical meteorological trends will be made of the site and surrounding areas. This assessment will aid in the development and understanding of the environmental transport routes, dispersal patterns, and risks, of past, present or future pollutants spilled or discharged on or into the ground or water or pollutants discharged into the air.

Historical Review of the Site
Historical search of all available and readily obtainable documents to determine past uses of the property including land and improvements.

Regulatory Review of Current and Past Activities
Inquiry of governmental agencies that may have some jurisdiction over environmental matters at a site.
Examples of agencies that could be contacted are: Federal and State EPA, and/or agencies under the jurisdiction of the Federal and State EPA (i.e., regional Water Quality Control Boards, etc.), County Health Department, City Engineering Department, Fire Department, Courthouse, etc.

Data Evaluation
Evaluation of all data collected during the assessment.

Report Preparation
Presentation of the information gathered during the assessment presented in a logical progression. The report will summarize findings by expanding on each task, identify actual and potential risks and liabilities and evaluate the risks and make recommendations on risk reduction and the potential costs involved.


Last Updated: Jan 04

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