Environmental Assessments: Phase I/II Environmental Site Assessments

Environmental Assessments:Phase I/II Environmental Site Assessments

Environmental Assessment ProcessIdentify environmental risks before property transferUnderstand full extent of contamination and consider future steps to cleanupAvoid responsibility for cleanup under CERCLA as an innocent landowner

CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act2

Phase I ESAReview of potential contamination at siteEnvironmental consultants conducts:Review of recordsSite inspectionStakeholder interviewsProduces report outlining data and potential contamination findings

Environmental Due DiligencePhase I ESA fulfills the U.S. EPAs All Appropriate Inquiry rule2002 Brownfields Amendment liability protections for property owners who conduct all appropriate inquiries past and present uses of contaminated propertySatisfaction of AAI rule protects prospective purchasers and adjacent landowners from CERCLA liabilityUsually required for commercial property purchases and major expansions

Phase II ESARecognized Environmental Condition (REC) identified during Phase I Requires further evaluationSite-specific sampling and analysis to define type and extent of contaminationCleanup recommendations

Response Action PlanWhen contamination is adequately characterized, cleanup plan developedRAP: plan for cleanup and managing contamination during construction activities at properties under developmentSummarizes findings of Phase I/II ESA and proposes plans for decontamination and mitigation of recontamination

Summary of Environmental AssessmentPhase Ihistory and operationsPhase IIenvironmental investigationcomplete?

Response Action Planrisk-based cleanupno

yes

Contacts for More InformationMPCA http://www.pca.state.mn.us/ 651-296-6300

MPCA Brownfield Programshttp://www.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/waste/waste-and-cleanup/cleanup/brownfields/index.html651-296-7212