Objective: To evaluate whether past or current activities have resulted in conditions that could present a potential environmental liability upon the continued use of this property.
Scope of Services*
Initial Review:
- Review of information indicating past and present uses of the site
- Review environmental regulatory activity connected with the site
- Conduct reconnaissance of structure or related property
- Determine past and present use of adjacent land
Site Inspection:
- Visual observation of current practices at the site
- Determination of impacts of surrounding land uses, such as:
- PCB-containing equipment
- Underground and aboveground petroleum and chemical storage tanks
- Hazardous waste
- Material storage and handling procedures
- Incidents of spills
- Water and wastewater
- Air emissions
- Solid waste
- Sumps, drums or containers
- Drywells, irrigation wells, injection wells, abandoned wells
- Waste disposal activities
- Interview appropriate personnel regarding details of past activities as listed above
Background Inspection:
- Check state and federal regulatory listings (i.e., CERCLIS and the state list of inactive disposal areas) to assess whether the site may be subject to current or future regulatory action
- Contact regional office of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and local government agencies as necessary to establish whether regulated activities have taken place at the site
- If appropriate, inquire with local municipal offices to determine the status of past activities at the site and for Freedom of Information Letter (FOIL) requests
- Review historical aerial photographs for an indication of past land use at the site and adjacent properties
- Review historic city directories and/or topographic maps, as appropriate
- Other avenues: surrounding land use and activities may suggest other avenues to follow regarding past site conditions and use, and will be pursued as appropriate to achieve project goals
*Our Scope of Services is consistent with the American Society for Testing and Materials’ (2000) “E1527-00 Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment Process” and “E1528-00 Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Transaction Screen Process” (Completion of “Transaction Screen Questionnaire”) which reflects the prevailing standard of practice in the industry.