FENV has performed numerous environmental site assessments throughout the state of Texas and across the United States. These assessments are performed in accordance with the US EPA all appropriate inquiry, current ASTM  standards, as well as, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac scopes. 

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A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment is the gold standard for evaluating the environmental liability associated with a real estate asset of any type. Whether the property is industrial, commercial, mixed-use, or multi-family, FENV is able to fully assess the historical and current uses of the property. Our Phase I Environmental Site Assessments are done by Environmental Professionals who meet and/or exceed the requirements of the EPA's AAI Standard.

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All Appropriate Inquiries Rule

The EPA's All Appropriate Inquiries Rule governing the scope of Phase I Environmental Site Assessments went into effect on November 1, 2006, and provided specific scope requirements for a Phase I ESA to meet the requirements of CERCLA's innocent land owner defense.

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In FENV's risk practice, we help buyers meet the legal requirements for the CERCLA innocent landowner defense and we provide practical business advice on environmental liability to our clients.

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Phase I ESA Scope:

Site Visit

• Inspection of the Site by an Experienced Inspector

• Catalog the Presence of Hazardous Materials or Petroleum Products

Historical Research

• Historical Aerial Photographs

• Reverse Street Directories

• Building Permits

• Planning Records

• Topographical Maps

• Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps

• Department of Oil and Gas Maps

• Title Information

Geology and Hydrogeology

• Soil Type

• Geological Setting

• Groundwater Depth

Regulatory Research

• Fire Departments

• State Environmental Agencies

• Federal Environmental Agencies

Interviews and Document Review

• Interview Tenants and Owners

• Interview State and Local Regulators

• Review Provided Reports

EnviroFlight (upon Client request)

• Create a high-quality georeferenced aerial photograph

• Highlight Subject Property primary and ancillary structures

• Provide surface gradient contours

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Limited Environmental Due Diligence Products

Not all circumstances require a full Phase I Environmental Site Assessment. If the user is not looking to qualify for CERCLA liability protection, such as many lenders conducting environmental due diligence for loan origination, a tiered environmental due diligence policy utilizing both the Phase I and limited-scope or "desktop" environmental reports can be successful at screening for high environmental risk properties.