Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Ottumwa, Iowa Phase I Environmental Site Assessment

Caltha LLP Project Summary

Project: Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment 
Client:
Property Developer
Location(s):
Ottumwa, 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 multifamily residential development located near Ottumwa, IA. 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 Recognized Environmental Conditions (REC) including the potential for soil vapor intrusion risks.

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

Monday, January 22, 2018

Minneapolis-St Paul Area Metals Factory Phase 1 Environmental Assessment

Caltha LLP Project Summary

Project: Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment 
Client: Developer 
Location(s): Saint Paul, Minnesota
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 1527:15 and "All Appropriate Inquiry". The site was the location for a historical metal products factory dating at least since 1925 and was later converted to a plastics factory. The assessment included reviews of historical maps which documented site development over a 90 year period and the locations of key industrial equipment and processes, and storage locations for fuels. The on-site inspection identified other Recognized Environmental Conditions (REC) related to waste disposal systems and underground hydraulic systems. Current and historic issues were also identified as potential soil vapor intrusion risks.

Improper Waste Storage Observed 
During Phase 1 Environmental Investigation

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

Saturday, January 20, 2018

Minnesota Based Environmental Consultant For Site Cleanup and Investigations

Minnesota-based Environmental Consulting Firm

Caltha LLP, a Minnesota headquartered environmental assessment company, investigates the sources of contamination and remediates them. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Minnesota Department of Health has recognized soil contaminates to be an environmental issue with potential health impacts. Soil pollutants such as lead, cadmium, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, arsenic, asbestos, and petroleum-related products can be found in urban and rural sites across Minnesota. As a result, parties that buy or sell commercial or industrial property in Minnesota are urged to complete an environmental site assessment as part of their due diligence and mitigate potential liability.

If past spills or leaks are found, remediation services may be required. Caltha LLP is a trusted environmental consulting and engineering firm serving Minnesota with Phase I and Phase II site assessments and remediation services. Led by a member of our experienced staff, your environmental site assessment and remediation will be streamlined and completed thoroughly, thoughtfully, and to minimize current and future costs.

We perform Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments and remediation work across Minnesota, including:

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

Oil Contaminated Soil Left On Property 
Observed During Phase 1 ESA

Minnesota Environmental Firm Performs Vapor Intrusion Assessments

A vapor intrusion screening and soil vapor sampling has become a crucial component of Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments. Volatile organic compounds migrate through soil and groundwater and can potentially form harmful gases which can migrate into buildings, similar to radon gas. Soil vapor mitigation eliminates a key environmental liability and when needed is an component of our site remediation services.

Leaking Tank And Fuel Pump 
At Rural Minnesota Property

Minnesota-based Consultant With MPCA, MDH, MDA and Local Agency Knowledge

Caltha LLP maintains close ties with the key State and local agencies that oversee waste management and contaminated site cleanup. In Minnesota, most environmental laws and regulations fall under the authority of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The MPCA provides businesses with a wide variety of programs and resources to comply with environmental regulations. The Minnesota Department of Health also plays an important role in reviewing and setting health-based cleanup goals used by MPCA. Many projects to investigate and cleanup contaminated sites are managed through two MPCA programs, the Voluntary Investigation & Cleanup (VIC) and Petroleum Brownfields Program (PBP)

 The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) also has voluntary programs which effectively help farms and agrichemical businesses follow best practices to protect the environment. The MDA has a similar voluntary program to assess in the investigation and cleanup of agricultural chemical spills and leaks.

  Click here to request further information or to get a quote for services.

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Compliance audit and Environmental Assessment in Minnesota, Arizona, California

Caltha LLP Project Summary

Project: Pre-Acquisition Due Diligence Assessment
Client: International Food Manufacturer
Location(s): California, Arizona, Minnesota

Key Elements: Phase 1 ESA; Compliance audit

Overview: This project was performed for a Minnesota-based international food manufacturer and was coordinated through a Minneapolis-based law firm. The scope of the assessment was to perform environmental due diligence for multiple facilities located in California and Arizona they intended to acquire, and comprised of a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment, performed in accordance with ASTM 1527-13, and a compliance audit to assess the current compliance of existing equipment and operations with applicable State and Federal regulations. Numerous compliance issues and Recognized Environmental Conditions were identified. Caltha staff provided technical support to estimate the potential costs associated with corrective actions required. Caltha also provide technical support to coordinating law firm in developing contract documents and purchase agreements that address environmental issues identified during the assessments.

Click here for more Caltha project examples related to remediation, including site assessments, response action plans and site remediation.
Click on the State to review more project examples for facilities located in in that State and State regulatory updates: AZ, CA, MN .

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.

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

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.

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

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.

Thursday, December 21, 2017

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.