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

Soil and Groundwater Investigation In South Dakota

Caltha LLP Project Summary

Project: Tank Farm Investigation
Client: Agricultural Production Sector
Location(s): South Dakota

Key Elements: Phase 2 Investigation, leaking tank, SPCC requirements

Overview: Caltha LLP was retained by a potential investor group to conduct a Phase 2 Limited Site Investigation (LSI) at this large farm site. During a Phase 1 Environmental Site Investigation, visual evidence of past leaks and spills were identified within the tank farm. Due to recent changes to Federal Spill Prevention, Control & Countermeasure (SPCC) rules which would require above ground tanks at agricultural facilities to comply with SPCC rule, the tank farm was expected to require upgrades. The key question was what cost impact would be expected during tank farm upgrade to address existing contamination. The results of the investigation provided clarity to the potential investors on the range of cost impacts.

Leaking Fuel Tanks And Cracked Secondary Containment 

At Refueling Station

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

Soil And Groundwater Investigation For IA Equipment Manufacturer

Caltha LLP Project Summary

Project: Phase II Site Investigation
Client: National Equipment Manufacturer
Location(s): Iowa

Key Elements: Phase 2 Environmental Assessment, Soil sampling, Groundwater sampling, Spill Prevention Review

Overview: This Iowa-based equipment manufacturer relied on Caltha LLP to conduct a Phase 2 investigation of their manufacturer site. A Phase 1 ESA conducted by a third party had identified potential issues with the historical use of the site, a 90-day hazardous waste storage area, and several waste tanks. Caltha conducted soil borings and collected soil and groundwater samples at the site. The assessment also included a review of current spill prevention and response procedures in the facility RCRA Contingency Plan and SPCC Plan The results showed no evidence that spills or leaks of hazardous chemicals had occurred at the site in the past.



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

Assessing Environmental Risks & Controls For The Financial Professional

Professional Development Opportunity

Assessing Business Risks & Controls For The Financial Professional - Environmental Risks

Caltha LLP is offering a "lunch & learn" opportunity for financial sector organizations on the basics of environmental risks/environmental liabilities. The 30-min session places key environmental-related risks in the context of assessing business risks and the various controls to manage these risks. This training opportunity is particularly relevant to business bankers and commercial lenders dealing with real estate, and those lenders participating in SBA or other government backed lending programs.

To preview content, go to:
https://www.slideshare.net/LorenLarson2/assessing-business-risks-and-controls-for-the-financial-professional-environmental-risks

These sessions can be scheduled at your location or can be setup as a live webinar format. This session is being offered through December 2017.

For further information or to schedule a session, email info@calthacompany.com  or call (763) 208-6430.

Changes To Dioxane Regulation In Michigan

Michigan DEQ is proposing an amendment to the Cleanup Criteria Rules for 1,4-dioxane. Due to the impending expiration of the Emergency Rule and the anticipated timeline for the comprehensive Part 201 Cleanup Criteria Rule amendment package, the DEQ is moving forward with the 1,4-dioxane rule to preserve the agency's ability to use the best available scientific information regarding 1,4-dioxane for the residential drinking water pathway at sites throughout the state. The public comment was August 1st - August 22nd with a public hearing for the proposed rule held on August 22, 2017.

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

Changes To Vapor Intrusion Screening In Michigan

MDEQ has proposed to use a new tiered process for vapor intrusion, as recommended by the CSA. The Soil and Groundwater Volatilization to Indoor Air Criteria (SVIIC or GVIIC) in the 2013 rules are replaced by the Volatilization to Indoor Air Screening Levels and Criteria in the proposed rules. The proposed Volatilization to Indoor Air Screening Levels and Criteria protect for chronic exposures, in general, but also protect for acute toxicity for those volatile hazardous substances that have short-term health effects .


The tiered approach will reduce the number of site-specific evaluations that require a Department review by providing “off-ramps” at each tier:


VI Tier 1:

• Initial generic screening levels.
• Exceedances do not result in facility status, and DEQ will not use this Tier to require remedial action.
• If exceeded, further assessment through the tiered process is needed.

VI Tier 2:

• Incorporates facility-specific geologic and hydrogeological conditions
• Compliance with VI Tier 2 criteria results in unrestricted residential closure.
• Exceedances result in facility status.

VI Tier 3A:

• Incorporates land use and building-specific information for generic criteria.
• Identifies the need for response activity or a site-specific evaluation completed in VI Tier 3B.

VI Tier 3B:

• Site-specific alternative approach.
• Requires Department approval to implement.

Click here for more information on Caltha's services related to site assessment, site cleanup and redevelopment.