Environmental Due Diligence, Investigation, & Remediation

An ASTM E1527-21-compliant Phase I ESA includes a thorough review of a property’s past and present usage. Issues of concern evaluated during these projects include the following:

• Site Condition & Usage
• Bulk Storage Tanks
• Site History
• Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
• Asbestos
• Hazardous Waste & Petroleum Products Management
• Solid Waste Disposal
• Wastewater Generation Treatment & Discharge
• Chemical Storage
• Potential Concerns Regarding Neighboring Properties
• Concerns Associated With Potential Soil Vapor Intrusion
• Petroleum & Chemical Spills
• Environmental Regulatory Records

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A T-Screen includes a review of a property’s present usage. Potential issues of concern that are evaluated during a T-Screen are equivalent to those evaluated during a Phase I ESA. T-Screens are less comprehensive than a Phase I ESA with regard to regulatory and historical research as defined by ASTM Standard E1528-14.

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RSRAs include a limited review of a property’s present and historical use. RSRAs include a similar level of effort as a T-Screen; however, exclude a site visit. RSRAs may be appropriate for properties of perceived low environmental risk, or a low loan amount.

RSRAs are conducted in general accordance with the United States Small Business Administration (USSBA) SOP 50-10 5(F) and are often completed in conjunction with US SBA loans.

The scope for a Phase II ESA is often based on information gathered during a Phase I ESA, a T-Screen, or a RSRA. Typical investigation activities include:

• Advancement of Overburden Soil Borings
• Installation of Groundwater Monitoring Wells
• Soil & Groundwater Sampling
• Geophysical Surveys
• Shallow Soil Sampling
• Indoor Air Quality & Soil Vapor Intrusion Sampling
• Radiological Surveys

Depending on the results of a Phase II ESA, the next step may be on-site management of impacted material or remediation.

Additional information about our Brownfield services can be found here.

LaBella’s Property and Construction Risk Services Program recognizes that the need for due diligence services for commercial real estate transactions often includes the potential risks associated with the physical condition of buildings/improvements on a property and the potential risks and liability associated with construction lending. Led by an architect with over 30 years of experience, LaBella’s Property and Construction Risk Services Program is designed to provide our clients with thorough and efficient assessments to identify potential significant costs associated with property upkeep and to ensure construction lenders that planned projects are completed on schedule and budget. Our Property and Construction Risk Services Group provides the following services:

• Property Condition Assessment (PCA) – A PCA includes the completion of a physical site inspection to document the condition of roofing systems, building envelope components including exterior walls, doors, and windows, structural components, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, and general interior conditions. The report is intended to identify overall site conditions and to identify potential costs associated with upkeep and/or replacement of these systems over a specific period. The completion of a PCA is guided by ASTM International Standard E2018. These reports are often utilized by commercial lenders/funding agencies, or attorneys/developers as part of overall due diligence. PCA reporting requirements can be tailored to the client’s needs. The depth of LaBella’s architecture and engineering experience allows for the enhancement of this service by providing further assessment and guidance regarding key building system components (e.g., roof coring, extensive assessment of HVAC, electrical, and/or structure systems) when desired.
• Plan, Specification, and Cost Reviews – Independent review of plans, specifications, estimated schedules, and contracts for proposed construction. The purpose of this report is to provide guidance and direction on how the project costs will be managed throughout the project and to identify any obvious discrepancies regarding the constructability, costing, and schedule of a project.
• Construction Monitoring/Draw Inspections – Verification via site inspection and review of submitted pay applications to ensure that work is completed before the release of funds by a lender. Construction Monitoring/Draw Inspections are typically completed multiple times throughout the duration of a construction project (over the course of months or years depending on the scale, complexity, and cost of the project).

Should asbestos, lead-based paint, mold, mercury, PCBs, or other hazardous materials be identified, LaBella’s certified staff can provide inspection, testing, and abatement design and monitoring services. Our in-house asbestos laboratory allows us to provide rapid and cost-effective analysis of air and bulk samples. Specific services include:

• Regulated Building Materials (Asbestos, Lead, Mercury, Radon, PCBs) Inspection
• Testing Services
• Abatement Design
• Variance Development & Applications
• Project & Air Monitoring
• Indoor Air Quality Studies
• Lead Remediation Clearance Testing
• Mold Contamination Assessment & Remediation Design

Additional information about our regulated building materials services can be found here.

LaBella’s in-house contracting department provides full-service environmental contracting, drilling, and remediation services to our clients. Our approach allows us greater schedule and cost control for our clients’ projects, including the elimination of the markup associated with the use of subcontractors.

You can trust our trained and experienced professionals to act as your environmental advocate. We provide a smooth process founded on positive interaction with all stakeholders and aim to build lasting relationships with our clients. You can rely on LaBella to obtain regulatory buy-in and act as a knowledgeable resource throughout your project.

Additional information about our construction services and support can be found here.

LaBella’s Permitting and Compliance staff are experts in federal, state, and local permitting in their respective regions, and can help you navigate through applicable regulations and project impacts to natural resources.

We also have a full-service compliance group to provide oversight and guidance during the various construction phases of a project, ranging from environmental, agricultural, and stormwater inspections to spoils management and air monitoring. Our compliance and permitting staff have excellent relationships with key agencies to help ensure project objectives are met.

Additional information about our environmental permitting and compliance services can be found here.