Due diligence
Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) are crucial for evaluating potential environmental risks associated with commercial land transactions.
Phase I: This phase involves the identification of potential environmental hazards on a given site. It includes activities such as regulatory records search, interviews, site reconnaissance, and the preparation of a written report. The Phase I assessment aims to determine if there are any indications of contamination or other environmental issues that may warrant further investigation.
Phase II: In this phase, the presence or absence of contaminants on the site is confirmed. It typically involves sampling and analysis of soil, water, and/or air samples to assess the extent of contamination, if any. The Phase II assessment provides more detailed information about the nature and extent of potential environmental concerns identified in Phase I.
These assessments are critical for providing due diligence protection to property owners and stakeholders involved in commercial land transactions, as they help identify potential environmental liabilities and inform decision-making processes. Various entities such as architects, land brokers, banks, engineering firms, industrial plants, and governmental entities benefit from these services by ensuring that environmental risks are properly managed and addressed.
Assessment and Procedures
If contamination is confirmed during Phase II, Phase III involves further investigation to determine the specific contaminants present, the extent of damage caused, and the development of a site remediation plan. This phase may also include remediation activities to address any environmental issues identified.
During this phase, TSI personnel may identify materials that require proper handling and removal to prevent accidental exposure to site workers or visitors. These materials may range from investigative wastes such as borehole soils or purge water generated by soil/groundwater sampling, waste solvents or solids from facility operations, off-spec products, illegally or unlabeled dumped drums with unknown contents. TSI personnel will gather information and safely sample the materials as part of the waste characterization process. TSI can act on behalf of the owner to broker the wastes to a recycling, reclamation or disposal facility via an approval process. Then, we can assist in the transportation of the wastes under required waste manifestation. The client will be provided with documentation that the waste has been properly disposed of.
Site closure and Remediation
Remediation and site closure processes regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) involve several steps to address environmental contamination and ensure that sites meet regulatory standards for closure. Here’s an overview of what remediation and site closure typically entail:
Response Action Completion Report (RACR):
Provides a comprehensive overview of the cleanup process, including the effectiveness of implemented measures and confirming regulatory compliance.
Release Determination Report (RDR):
Utilizes extensive data analysis and site assessments to determine the presence, extent, and potential risks associated with contamination releases.
Affected Property Assessment Report (APAR):
Offers detailed evaluations of contamination impacts on properties, often including risk assessments and recommendations for remediation strategies.
Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP):
Facilitates expedited cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated sites through regulatory incentives and oversight, promoting economic revitalization while safeguarding public health and the environment.
Leaking Petroleum Storage Tank (LPST) Program:
Coordinates efforts to assess and remediate petroleum releases, emphasizing prompt response to prevent further contamination and mitigate risks to nearby communities and ecosystems.