Phase 1 Environmental and Compliance Audit At Racine, Milwaukee Sites

Caltha LLP Project Summary

Project: Environmental Due Diligence, Phase 1 ESA and Compliance Assessment For Operations Near Racine, Wisconsin
Client: Real Estate Holding Company
Location(s): Wisconsin

Key Elements: Pre-acquisition Due Diligence, Phase I Environmental Assessment, Permit Review

Overview: Caltha was retained by this Real Estate Holding Company to conduct environmental due diligence of three properties located near Racine and Milwaukee, Wisconsin which they intended to acquire and continue to operate. Caltha staff conducted a Phase 1 ESA in accordance with ASTM standard practice E 1527-13. The ESA was augmented with a review of business risks associated with the acquisition and operation of these three existing businesses. Although no Recognized Environmental Conditions were identified, several business risks were revealed, including lack of spill prevention and control measures required under Federal rules, and lack of a State air emission permit for certain VOC emitting sources. Caltha recommended that both deficiencies be addressed prior to closing.

 Click here for more Caltha project examples related to due diligence audits and compliance audits. Click here to review more project examples for facilities located in Wisconsin and Wisconsin regulatory updates.

New Requirements For SBA Environmental Assessment In 2018

On October 13, 2017, the Small Business Administration (SBA) released a revision to its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) 50 10 5(J), Lender and Development Company Loan Programs. This revision made several amendments to the SBA environmental policies which became effective on January 1, 2018.

Some of the key changes are:
Appendix 2 – Definitions – SBA has updated the following definitions:

• Environmental Questionnaire,
• Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (Phase I ESA),
• Records Search with Risk Assessment,
• Reliance Letter, and
• SBA Environmental Indemnification Agreement.

Appendix 3 – Reliance Letter - SBA has revised the language in the Reliance Letter to conform to the updates to the environmental policies made in Subparts B and C.

Appendix 4 – NAICS Codes of Environmentally Sensitive Industries
1. Updated the following NAICS codes: 316 – Leather & Allied Product Manufacturing, 326 – Plastics & Rubber Products Manufacturing, 332 – Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing, 8122 – Death Care Services, and 56171 – Exterminating & Pest Control.

2. Added the following NAICS Codes: 484 - Trucking (if service bays, truck washing, or fuel tanks present and 713990 Other Recreational Industries (indoor and outdoor shooting ranges only).

Appendix 5 – Requirements Pertaining to Gas Station Loans – SBA updated this appendix for clarity.

Soil - Groundwater Site Investigation of Minnesota Commercial Real Estate

Caltha LLP Project Summary

Project: Phase 2 Site Investigation Prior To Commercial Site Redevelopment
Client: National Retailer 
Location(s): Minneapolis - Saint Paul Area, Minnesota

Key Elements: Phase 2 Site investigation, Groundwater sampling, Soil sampling

Overview: Caltha LLP conducted a Phase 2 Limited Site Investigation for this commercial property located in the suburban Minneapolis - Saint Paul Area. A Phase 1 assessment had determined a higher risk for groundwater impacts on the property due to known groundwater contamination at a nearby property. This commercial property located in the Twin Cities Metro Area was previously developed and the prospective purchaser intended to renovate existing buildings and to construct several new buildings on this mixed use site. The results of the investigation determined that low levels of solvents were present in groundwater on the site. The presence of the impacted groundwater was addressed during redevelopment of the site.

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

Phase 1 Environmental Reports - Pensacola, Tallahassee, Mobile

Caltha LLP provides expedited response Phase 1 environmental site assessment services to clients on northwest Florida and south Alabama, including areas surrounding:

• Pensacola, Florida
• Tallahassee, Florida
• Mobile Alabama

Caltha provides certified environmental professionals meeting the qualifications of ASTM E1527. Phase 1 assessments are conducted to meet all Small Business Administration (SBA) environmental review requirements and meet the requirements of all major Lenders.
To request a quote for a Phase I environmental site assessment, click here and complete the Environmental Assessment Quote Request Form.

FAQ Environmental Site Assessment Compared To Environmental Due Diligence

Caltha LLP assists Sellers, prospective Buyers and their Lenders in meeting Due Diligence, Environmental Site Assessment and Environmental Review requirements. To request a quote on-line, go to Caltha Environmental Assessment Quote Web Page.


For further information contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

How Long Does A Phase 1 Environmental Assessment Take?

Caltha LLP assists Sellers, prospective Buyers and their Lenders in meeting Due Diligence, Environmental Site Assessment and Environmental Review requirements. To request a quote on-line, go to Caltha Environmental Assessment Quote Web Page.
For further information contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

ASTM E1903-11 Soil Vapor Intrusion Risk Investigation

Caltha LLP Project Summary

Project: SBA Vapor Intrusion Risk Study
Client: National Bank
Location(s): Saint Paul, Minnesota

Key Elements: Site investigation, subslab soil vapor testing, vapor encroachment, Small Business Administration loan

Overview: Caltha LLP conducted a Soil Vapor Intrusion Risk Assessment for this commercial property located in St. Paul. The Phase 1 assessment conducted a Tier I Vapor Encroachment Screening Assessment using ASTM E2600-10. This assessment determined that the potential for risks of vapor intrusion could not be screening out, therefore a Phase 2 vapor intrusion risk study was recommended.


An investigation approach was prepared which met the requirements of ASTM E1903-11 (Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase II Environmental Site Assessment Process). Subslab soil gas samples were collected from inside the building. Results were compared to MPCA vapor intrusion screening values. Although some volatile organics were detected in subslab soil gas, all concentrations were below agency risk-based screening values.


Click here for more information on Caltha's SBA Environmental Review Services

Geoprobe Investigation of Former Bulk Fueling and Maintenance Facility

Caltha LLP Project Summary

Project: Phase 2 Soil & Groundwater Limited Site Investigation
Client: Regional Bank
Location(s): Minnesota

Key Elements: Geoprobe survey; soil sampling; groundwater sampling

Overview: Caltha LLP was retained by a regional bank to conduct a Phase 2 investigation on a property located in central Minnesota. A Phase 1 ESA had revealed that a bulk fueling operation and heavy truck maintenance facility had been operated on the site, which had been demolished prior to redevelopment. No records of tank closure or demolition records could be located.


The site investigation included soil borings in the area of bulk fuel tanks, along the foot print of the maintenance building and downgradient of these areas to detect if past petroleum releases had occurred.


Click here to review more example project summaries for Caltha LLP site assessment services.

Environmental Due Diligence Audit of Mississippi Facility

Caltha LLP Project Summary

Project: Techncial Support for Environmental Due Diligence During Corporate Merger
Client: National Food Ingredient Manufacturer/External Legal Counsel
Location(s): Mississippi

Key Elements: Technical support to resolve issues related to due diligence assessments, environmental compliance audit, Phase I ESA

Overview: Caltha LLP provided expert technical support to this national food manufacturing corporation through their external legal counsel. Work was to provide expert technical reviews and consultant services related to due diligence performed by the merger partner consultant. Issues were related to resolving Recognized Environmental Conditions, conformance to the new ASTM Standard Practice E 1527-13, and obligations related to shared environmental permits for air emissions, wastewater and stormwater.


For more information on Caltha LLP due diligence and merger/acquisition support services, go to the Caltha Contact Page

Board Certified Due Diligence Auditors Available For Environmental and Safety Audits

Caltha LLP provides IAA-BEAC certified auditors to perform EH&S audits to support due diligence for organizations or to support routine internal audit programs implemented as part of an overall governance system. Caltha can provide:

• Single auditors to support audit teams as a media or regulatory expert,
• Audit teams to address multiple program areas, or
• Due diligence auditors / audit teams.

Caltha auditors can act as adjunct auditors to augment your existing internal audit team, or can act as an independent third party auditor.


Caltha auditors have conducted assessments in all 50 US States, Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe and Asia.


Click here for more information on Caltha Compliance Audit, Management System Audit and Due Diligence Assessment services