What Are Phase 2 Environmental Assessments And Baseline Environmental Assessments?

A Phase 2 environmental site assessment (ESA) is usually conducted in order to first investigate and then quantify the absence or presence of any suspected contamination that is associated with RECS that have been identified during a Phase i ESA.

Thus, a Phase 2 environmental site assessment is an in depth examination of soil and water samplings at a particular site and its neighboring properties. These samples are sent to a laboratory to be analyzed. Upon completion the property owner(s) receive the results of the analysis in a Phase ii report.

Phase 2 environmental site assessments can be either invasive or non-invasive. A non-invasive approach might be a surface geophysical survey that is done to locate underground contaminant plumes and underground structures. An invasive investigation of a site could involve monitoring wells, analyzing soil borings, and investigating ground water. If necessary, laboratory analysis would be part of an invasive investigation.

In addition, Phase 2 ESAs could be conducted to define baseline levels of contamination, define the cost and the scope of any environmental cleanup, and fill in any gaps in data that would be critical to resolving a problem.

A Baseline Environmental Assessment (BEA) establishes pre-existing environmental conditions. It is used to provide liability protection for both prospective purchasers as well as lenders. A BEA is done only when the results of a Phase 1 ESA indicate that contamination has been found that is above cleanup criteria.

In order to be protected from liability for any existing contamination that has been found on a site a BEA has to be completed within sixty days of the date of the occupancy, purchase, or foreclosure of the site. And in many states the results must be disclosed to the Department of Natural Resources within six months.

There are three BEA categories. They are:

1. Category N, where no proposed significant hazardous substances have been used.

2. Category D, where there are proposed uses of different hazardous substances than those that are known - or likely to be - site contaminants.

3. Category S, where there won't be any limits on the future use of hazardous substances at the site, or where there are proposed uses of the same hazardous substances that have come to be known as facility contaminants.

The report will either prove that there is no evidence of contamination on the site and its surroundings or it will isolate the areas of contamination. Many funding entities require a Phase ii report on industrial or commercial properties before they will lend any money.