Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs)

The Environmental Site Assessment is a process of evaluating the environmental liability of a real estate asset. Specifically, Environmental Site Assessment or “ESA” is the process of conducting “all appropriate inquiry” into the past or present uses of a property to determine whether the property is impacted by a “recognized environmental condition” (REC). The ESA process includes a site inspection, a review of historical records of the property and research of records available at government agencies. This information is detailed and evaluated in the Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Report, and an opinion is made as to whether past or present activities may have caused a release of hazardous substances or petroleum products at the property. The ESA is the primary tool used to qualify a user for the Landowner Liability Protections under CERCLA.