Stokes Environmental Associates, Ltd. performs environmental assessments of real estate to identify and record existing, potential, or suspect conditions that may impose environmental liabilities to, or restrict the use of the subject property. Site assessments are often requested by investors as part of their feasibility study or due diligence by banks prior to lending on a property, as well as by property owners and tenants for routine management purposes. The need for site assessments arose from the federal Superfund laws which exert strict, joint and several, retroactive and virtually perpetual liability for environmental contamination. Additionally, the environmental professional conducting the assessment is able to evaluate the potential for wetlands, endangered species, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas, asbestos, lead-based paint, and radon.
A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) provides a thorough analysis of the environmental history and conditions of property. The Phase I ESA includes:
Stokes Environmental Associates conducts environmental reconnaissance, including detailed on-site inspections, review of environmental practices, conduct of appropriate interviews, identification of wastestreams and regulated substances, evaluation of neighboring environmental practices, asbestos, fill material, PCBs, Radon, above ground and underground storage tanks, and other potential contaminant sources.
Our review characterizes environmental concerns associated with the general location, zoning, prior permits and inspections, and current and prior uses.
We identify and describe pertinent characteristics of soils and topography, surface water and ground water characteristics, wetlands and Chesapeake Bay Preservation Areas, and other attributes of the surrounding environment to evaluate land use constraints or other environmental conditions which could affect the proposed project.
SEA reviews aerial photographs, ownership data, local municipal data, maps, diagrams, available prior investigations or historical reports, and other records to identify historic land use and environmental conditions in the site vicinity.
Environmental database reviews, including federal, state, and local agency data identify known or potential contaminant sources at or near the site.
The Phase I ESA is intended to identify environmental liabilities at the site and includes a summary of findings and recommendations.
