What Does A Phase 2 Environmental Assessment Cost?

The second most common question Caltha receives (after "How much is a Phase 1 Environmental Assessment?") is "How much is a Phase 2 Environmental Assessment?".

The most common answer is zero. Because a Phase 1 environmental assessment determines if a Phase 2 assessment is needed, we will not know if a Phase 2 is needed until after the Phase 1 is completed. Fortunately, the majority of Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments do not identify issues which require a Phase 2, therefore there are no costs for a Phase 2.

 
Oil Spills Released Under Building At Floor Seams

If My Phase 1 Identifies Issues, What Does A Phase II Environmental Cost?

A typical Phase 2 will be in the range of $3,000 to $6,000. However, what needs to be included in the Phase 2 will be determined by the findings in the Phase 1 report. If there are extensive issues identified or if testing requires specialized equipment, the cost can increase.

 
550 Gallon Used Oil UST Being Removed At Former Service Station

What Comes After A Phase 2 Environmental Assessment?

A Phase 2 will generally look for the presence or absence of contamination on a property. If the presence of contamination is confirmed, in many cases it needs to be reported to the State agency. The agency could determine that no further investigations are needed, beyond the Phase 2. If any further investigation or cleanup is needed, it will be done in accordance with agency guidelines or with agency oversight and approval.


Unpermitted Commercial Waste Dump
Identified During Phase 1 Inspection

Are Phase 1 Environmental Assessment And Property Condition Assessment The Same?

In 2008, ASTM published “Standard Guide for Property Condition Assessments: Baseline Property Condition Assessment Process” (ASTM E 2018-08) to define the process for conducting a Property Condition Assessment (PCA).

 
Spills and Leaks In Former Oil Tank Room

 Actually, a PCA and an ESA have only minimal overlap, and are often complimentary. An ESA is performed to identify “Recognized Environmental Conditions (REC), which are related to releases or threatened releases of petroleum products and hazardous substances. An ESA report also has some specific regulatory aspects, related to Landowner Liability Protections (LLP). [Read more about LLPs].

ESA must be performed by “Environmental Professionals” meeting specific qualifications [Read more about qualification requirements]. If you are purchasing real estate and are concerned about environmental liabilities, a Phase I ESA is needed.


Oil Contaminated Waste Discovered During Onsite Inspection

A PCA is also a type of due diligence, pre-purchase, pre-lease, or post-lease inspection. However, the PCA evaluates the physical condition of buildings, systems and equipment at the property. A PCA identifies “red flags”. There are no specific qualifications required for persons performing PCAs. Because if this, there is no guarantee that the assessor’s qualifications will meet the client’s needs, simply because the assessor uses the ASTM standard.

 

Caltha LLP | Your Environmental Site Assessment 

and Remediation Partner

Environmental Assessment For Green Bay, Wisconsin SBA Lender

Caltha LLP Project Summary

Project: Transaction Screen & Phase 1 ESA For Historic Industrial Property
Client: SBA Lender
Location(s): Wisconsin

Key Elements:  Transaction Screen, Phase 1 ESA meeting SBA environmental requirements

Overview:  Caltha was retained by this Wisconsin Small Business Administration (SBA) lender to conduct environmental investigations required under SBA Environmental Policy SOP 50 10 5(C)- Lender and Development Company Loan Programs. The property qualified for a lower level of environmental review, which prescribed conducting a Transaction Screen using ASTM Method E-1528-08. The Transaction Screen identified past uses of the property as industrial and past spills and leaking tanks on adjoining properties. Therefore the next level of environmental review, consisting of a Phase 1 ESA using ASTM Method E-1527-05 was required. Based on the detailed environmental review, it was determined that past spills and other releases on and near the property had been adequately addressed, and were classified as "historic recognized conditions" only and no further investigation was required. The Phase 1 report was reviewed and accepted by SBA and a low-interest loan guaranteed through the SBA was obtained.

 
Commercial - Industrial Waste Dumping On Property

 For more information on Caltha LLP services, go to the Caltha Contact Page

 

Caltha LLP | Your Environmental Site Assessment 

and Remediation Partner

Phase 1 and Phase 2 Investigation For Iowa SBA Lender

Caltha LLP Project Summary

Project: Phase 1 ESA and Underground Storage Tank (UST) Survey For Former Filling Station Property
Client: Bank - Lender
Location(s): Sioux City, Iowa

Key Elements: SBA Phase 1 ESA, Phase 2 Investigation, Ground Penetrating Radar UST Survey


Overview:  Caltha was retained to prepare a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment, in accordance with the US Small Business Administration (SBA) lending requirements, for this commercial property. In recent years, the property had been redeveloped for commercial use. The Phase 1 ESA revealed that a former use of the property was for a filling station; no records were found on registration or removal of underground storage tanks that were assumed to be used by the gas station. A phase 2 investigation was conducted to determine if USTs remained on the property. The investigation used ground penetrating radar (GPR) technology as a non-invasive technical to survey the site. Four USTs were found on the property, when were then registered with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, then removed prior to sale of the property.


Abandoned Tanks Marked During Ground Penetrating Radar Survey


For more information on Caltha LLP services, go to the Caltha Contact Page 

 

Caltha LLP | Your Environmental Site Assessment 

and Remediation Partner

Phase 1 ESA of Minnesota Industrial Brownfield SIte

Caltha LLP Project Summary

Project: Phase 1 ESA For Historic Industrial Brownfield Property 
Client: National Food Sector Corporation  
Location(s): Minneapolis - Saint Paul Area, Minnesota

Key Elements: Phase 1 Site investigation, Tier I Vapor Encroachment Screening Assessment, ASTM E2600-10

Overview: Caltha LLP conducted a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment for this historical industrial property located in the suburban Minneapolis - Saint Paul Area. The property had been in industrial use since the late 1880s and had gone through several soil and groundwater cleanups to allow for redevelopment. The Phase 1 ESA looked at current operations on the property, but also reviewed documentation of past investigations and site remediation work completed by an earlier property owner. The Phase 1 assessment also included a Tier I Vapor Encroachment Screening Assessment using ASTM E2600-10. The prospective purchaser intended to renovate existing building and to construct new buildings on the site. Findings determined that some cleanup projects completed by the earlier owner were not finalized and residual contamination remained on the property. The Tier I Vapor Encroachment Screening Assessment determined that on-site vapor sources should be further evaluated to determine if vapor mitigation should be incorporated into  site development plans.

 
Leaking Fuel Lines From Underground Tanks

Environmental reviews for sites previously investigated and cleaned up need to consider the potential impact of any contamination left on the property on future uses of the site.

Click here for more information on Caltha's Environmental Assessment Services for commercial and industrial property transfer.

   

Caltha LLP | Your Environmental Site Assessment 

and Remediation Partner

Iowa Phase 1 Environmental For Residential Development

Caltha LLP Project Summary

Project: Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment 

Client: Property Developer 

Location(s): North Central Iowa

Key Elements: ASTM Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment, Tier I Vapor Encroachment Screening Assessment, ASTM E2600-10

Overview: 

Caltha conducted an Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment meeting the requirements of E 1527:13 and "All Appropriate Inquiry". The property was a residential development located in north central Iowa. The assessment included reviews of historical maps, aerial photographs, owner and site manager interviews and a review of regulatory databases. The on-site inspection identified no other Recognized Environmental Conditions (REC) including the potential for soil vapor intrusion risks. However, nearby industrial sites were identified in database reviews which had leaking tanks and prior hazardous waste management enforcement action. Upon further review, it was determined these sites posed a de minimis threat for contamination of the property being reviewed. 

 

Abandoned Gas Station Being Sold For Redevelopment

Nearby sites are reviewed during a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment because contamination from neighboring properties can affect the value of a property being purchased. 

Click here to review other example Caltha environmental site assessment projects. Click here to review other Caltha projects in Iowa and IDNR regulatory updates.    

 

Caltha LLP | Your Environmental Site Assessment 

and Remediation Partner

Phase 1 On Gas Station In Minneapolis, Minnesota

Caltha LLP Project Summary

Project: Phase 1 ESA For Gas Station/Service Station 
Client: Developer  
Location(s): Minneapolis - Saint Paul Area, Minnesota

Key Elements: Phase 1 Site investigation, Tier I Vapor Encroachment Screening Assessment, ASTM E2600-10

Overview: Caltha LLP conducted a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment for this gas station property located in the suburban Minneapolis - Saint Paul Area. The station had operated as a gas station and auto repair facility since the 1950s. The Phase 1 assessment also included a Tier I Vapor Encroachment Screening Assessment using ASTM E2600-10. The prospective purchaser and developer intended to renovate existing building and to construct new buildings on the site. Findings determined that the status of underground storage tanks currently on the property and historic tanks associated with the station since it opened in the 1950s would need to be addressed during redevelopment. In addition, other potential areas of concern were identified. The Tier I Vapor Encroachment Screening Assessment determined that on-site vapor sources should be further evaluated to determine if vapor mitigation should be incorporated into redevelopment plans.


 
Abandoned Gas Station Property

Environmental reviews for older gas stations are especially important because records for underground storage tank removals were typically not kept prior to the 1980s.

Click here for more information on Caltha's Environmental Assessment Services for commercial and industrial property transfer.

 

Caltha LLP | Your Environmental Site Assessment 

and Remediation Partner

How Do I Get A SBA Environmental Record Search Report?

How Do I Get A SBA Environmental Record Search Report?

 

Who Does Soil Vapor Intrusion Sampling In Minnesota?

Caltha offers Tier 1 Soil Vapor Intrusion Screening, Soil Vapor Sampling and Subslab Soil Vapor Intrusion Testing at a very competitive cost for sites across Minnesota. Tier 1 Soil Vapor Risk Screening and Phase 2 Soil Vapor Investigations are routinely conducted in cities across Minnesota, including:

Minneapolis	St. Paul	Rochester	Duluth	Bloomington
Brooklyn Park	Plymouth	Woodbury	Eagan	Maple Grove
Coon Rapids	Blaine	Eden Prairie	Burnsville	Bemidji
St. Cloud	Marshall	Minnetonka	Edina	St. Louis Park
Moorhead	Mankato	Maplewood	Shakopee	Cottage Grove

Why is Soil Vapor Testing Needed?

Recently Federal and State agencies have become aware of the risks posed by chemical vapors in soils associated with spill sites and leaking tank sites. This risk was not adequately addressed when older sites were closed by agencies and therefore agencies are now reopening old closed sites to address this risk. This means older sites which had been previously closed could require further investigation, cleanup or vapor mitigation.

To address this potential risk, since 2013 all Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments needed to include a Tier I Vapor Encroachment Screening Assessment conducted in accordance with ASTM Standard E2600-10. All Phase 1 Environmental Assessments performed by Caltha include a Tier I Vapor Encroachment Screening Assessment at no added cost.


Oil Spill and Contaminated Soil Identified
During Phase 1 Environmental Inspection

How Are Soil Vapor Samples Collected?

Soil vapor investigations are conducted to meet the requirements of ASTM E1903-11 (Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase II Environmental Site Assessment Process). 


Click here for more Caltha project examples related to environmental site assessments, including Phase 1 ESA, Phase 2 site investigations, and site cleanup.

Click here to review more project examples for facilities located in Minnesota and Minnesota regulatory updates.      Click here to Request Phase I ESA Quick Quote


    
Caltha LLP | Your Environmental Site Assessment
and Remediation Partner

Health Risk Limits For Trimethybenzene In Minnesota

The Health Risk Assessment Unit at the Minnesota Department of Health has started a full review of three trimethylbenzene (TMB) isomers (1,2,3-trimethylbenzene; 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene; and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene). TMB isomers are produced during petroleum refining and production of a component of gasoline. TMB isomers are also used in the production of solvents and are ingredients in paints, dyes, cleaning agents, and automotive fluids.

 The review will consider if the existing Health Risk Values (HRL) for the three trimethylbenzene compounds in groundwater are adequately protective. This review is particularly significant because trimethylbenzene compounds are commonly detected in soil and groundwater at petroleum release sites, such as leaking underground storage tank (LUST) sites.

Oil Contaminated Soil Identified During 

Phase I Environmental Site Assessment

 MDH previously developed water guidance for 1,2,4- and 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene. Re-evaluation of these contaminants in 2017 resulted in a recommendation for full review.



Caltha LLP | Your Environmental Site Assessment
and Remediation Partner

How Much Does A Phase 1 Environmental Assessment Cost?

How Much Does A Phase 1 Environmental Assessment Cost?

Answer: Cost for a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment will typically be $1,600-$1,900. This Phase 1 would meet ASTM E1527-13, Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process. Costs may increase for larger properties, sites with past spills or leaking tanks where an agency file review is needed, and more remote locations.

 As an alternative for larger rural properties, a different standard practice might be considered. Caltha uses ASTM E 2247 for these properties(ASTM E2247-08, Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process for Forestland or Rural Property). 

Click here to request a quote for your specific property.