Environmental Site Assessments (Phase I & Phase II) Services
Protect your investment. Uncover environmental risks before they become liabilities.
Vanguard provides thorough Phase I and Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) for commercial real estate transactions, property redevelopment, and corporate due diligence — in full accordance with the most current ASTM and EPA standards.
What Is an Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)?
An Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) evaluates a property for potential environmental contamination — particularly from hazardous substances or petroleum products — that could adversely impact its value, usability, or legal standing.
When Is the ESA Required?
- Commercial real estate transactions
- Property redevelopment or rezoning
- Bank financing or SBA loan applications
- Mergers, acquisitions, or corporate due diligence
- Brownfield development
Buyers, lenders, developers, and legal teams all rely on accurate ESA reports to reduce risk and confirm compliance with federal regulations.
Phase I ESA (ASTM E1527-21)
This initial, non-invasive assessment includes:
- Review of historical records
- Environmental database search (federal/state)
- Site visit, visual inspection, and topographical mapping
- Interviews with current and past property owners/occupants
- Identification of Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs)
Meets All Appropriate Inquiry (AAI) standard required for liability protection under CERCLA (EPA’s Superfund law).
Phase II ESA
If contamination is identified in Phase I, a Phase II ESA may be recommended. This includes:
- Soil, groundwater, and/or vapor sampling
- Laboratory analysis for specific contaminants and pollutants
- Risk assessment and reporting
- Regulatory communication, if necessary
The Phase II ESA helps confirm or rule out the presence of hazardous materials and guides the next steps for cleanup or property reuse (i.e., Phase III).