Phase I Environmental Site Assessments

Phase I Environmental Site Assessments conducted by Associated Sciences Corporation are done so using the widely accepted ASTM Standard Practice E1527-05 and can include the All Appropriate Inquiry required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Changes to Phase I Environmental Site Assessments and All Appropriate Inquiry:
On November 1st, 2006 the All Appropriate Inquiry rule (AAI) became effective as the requirement for Phase I audits meeting the liability requirements for Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) protection. ASC has been conducting Phase I Environmental Site Assessments according to ASTM E1527 standards since the inception of the company in 1998, and has easily made the transition to the new assessment standards. ASC's Professional Geologist and staff of Environmental Professionals have the experience to make recommendations that will help our clients make the right decisions. ASC can conduct a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment with or without the AAI standard, depending on the requirements of the lending institute.

Key Changes In The New All Appropriate Inquiry Rule:

Higher professional qualifications for environmental consultants

PE or PG license AND 3 years of relevant experience

Federal or State license/certification to perform environmental inquires AND 3 years of relevant experience;

B.A./B.S. degree (or higher) in engineering or science AND 5 years of relevant experience; or

No B.A./B.S. degree 10 years of relevant experience

Emphasis on responsibilities of the “user” (i.e., person seeking liability protection)

Search for environmental cleanup liens

Consider relationship of the purchase price to the fair market value of the property, if not contaminated

Consider specialized knowledge or experience on the behalf of the purchaser

Consider commonly known or reasonably ascertainable information about the property (shared with EP)

Consider degree of known contamination (shared with EP)

• New levels of Phase I research for consultant

Interviews with the property owner, operator, or occupant are required to be conducted

In addition, interviews with one or more adjacent property owner, operator, or occupant must be interviewd if an abandoned property suggests unauthorized use of the property

• Identify data gaps and document missing information.
• Note data gaps and whether it affects the overall findings

New focus on owner’s post-purchase obligations over property ownership

Phase II Environmental Site Assessments

The purpose of the Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is to evaluate the recognized environmental conditions (REC's) identified in a Phase I ESA or transaction screen process for the purpose of providing sufficient information regarding the nature and extent of contamination to assist in making informed business decisions about the property; and where applicable, providing the level of knowledge necessary to satisfy the innocent purchaser defense under CERCLA. A Phase II ESA can also be initiated without a completed Phase I ESA as long as contamination is known or has a high suspision to be on the property.

ASC conducts Phase II ESA's in accordance with ASTM 1903-97(2002) Standard Guide for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase II Environmental Site Assessment Process.

Contamination Assessments

ASC has performed soil and groundwater contamination assessments under regulatory supervision from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) within the Contaminated Site Cleanup Criteria and Petroleum Contaminated Site Cleanup Criteria. ASC also has experience performing RCRA corrective actions under the supervision of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ASC has the capability to efficiently delineate groundwater and soil contamination. ASC utilizes direct-push drilling that can quickly install monitoring wells or sampling points at specific depths to determine the horizontal and vertical extent of a groundwater plume. Shallow soil contamination can be quickly delineated in the field by ASC personell using a photo-ionization device (PID). Sampling point locations are logged in the field using an accurate handheld GPS device, which is later post-processed for improved accuracy.

Once the field investigation is complete ASC compiles the data into spreadsheets and then incorporates the data into modeling software that neatly illustrate the location and extent of the groundwater or soil contaminant plume. This information is then used to provide a well informed decision for any further action.

Remedial Actions

ASC is experienced with the remedial action process and are abreast on the various methodologies and remedial technologies currently used today to address petroleum-based, solvent-based, and other sources of soil and groundwater contamination.  ASC has worked with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Environmental Protection Agency in the successful preparation and implementation of Remedial Actions. ASC is capable of performing the following remedial services:

Evaluation of existing active remedial systems including operational effectiveness, remedial system operation & maintenance, remedial system monitoring, reporting, upgrading, and minor and major remedial system/technology modifications including RAP Modifications.

Remedial feasibility studies in order to determine the most practical remedial method to meet site rehabilitation objectives. Remedial feasibility studies include remedial technology applicability evaluation, design and performance of remedial technology pilot testing, and design/construction cost estimating.

Soil, Ground Water, and Surface Water Sampling

ASC personnel are experienced in collecting soil, sediment, ground water, and surface water samples in accordance with FDEP standard operating procedures .  Once collected the samples are then properly submitted to a qualified environmental laboratory for analysis.

Depending on the client's needs the samples can be expedited by the laboratory within two to five days, or recieved on a standard turn-around time (one to two weeks).

Environmental Compliance

If you own or operate a business today, or are starting a business, it is important to comply with local, state, and federal environmental regulations. Regulations are often changing and keeping in compliance will save you money in the short and long term. ASC's professional staff keeps current with environmental regulations and can guide you through the types of regulations that may apply to your circumstances. Below are some of the environmental compliance services that ASC can offer:

Baseline Property Condition Assessment - A baseline PCA is for the purpose of identifying a "physical deficiency" on a parcel of commercial real estate for the user. A baseline PCA entails a walk-through survey, document reviews, and interviews. Once these three items are completed, a Property Condition Report is issued that includes the information obtained during the walk-through survey, the document review and interviews, and includes opinions of probable costs for suggested remedies of the physical deficiencies identified.

Compliance Inspections - This may be part of your due diligence (Transactional Screen, Records Review, or Phase I ESA) before owning or leasing a property to operate your business.)

Compliance Monitoriing - ASC can perform site visits to evaluate your business operation so that you maintain compliance with environmental regulations.

Pollution Prevention - Pollution prevention (P2) is reducing or eliminating waste at the source by modifying production processes, promoting the use of non-toxic or less-toxic substances, implementing conservation techniques, and re-using materials rather than putting them into the waste stream. ASC can assist your company to reach these goals.

Regulatory Guidance or Assistance

Geological Services

ASC is registered with the State of Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Board of Geology, as a Geology Business. The principal of ASC, Mr. William Enos, has over 20 years of geological experience within the State of Florida. ASC offers the following geological services:

Geological mapping

Data evaluation

Sinkhole investigations

Geological reviews and studies

Well logging

Pump testing