What is a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA)?
There is a plethora of written information concerning ESAs, but quite simply an ESA is an investigation of real or possible environmental concerns associated with a property. The intent of an ESA is usually to provide liability protection to a prospective purchaser, lender, or other party associated with a property transaction, particularly for industrial or commercial property, but increasingly for farms and ranches as well. ESAs include both a detailed on-site inspection of the property, and research of existing information and records that might reveal environmental conditions associated with a property. There are numerous areas of inquiry associated with the proper performance of an ESA, and many firms cut corners in order to boost their profits on these projects. An ESA client should make sure they are dealing with a firm which takes ESAs seriously. Liability protection can be jeopardized if the environmental firm conducting the project uses inexperienced staff who lack the proper
