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Phase I ESI What are they and why have one? The purpose of an Environmental Site Assessment is to identify environmental conditions that can impact a land transaction. Determining the presence or potential for release of hazardous substances into structures, ground water, surface water, or soils. Most lending institutions and agencies require this to be accomplished.  Watch 30 Second Television Commercial

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There are three phases or types of environmental site assessments. They include:

Phase I: This phase is the research and review stage. There are four stages to this phase, records review, site reconnaissance, interviews, and reporting. BAI Services Inc. staff conducts visits to the property. The reconnaissance requires that they walk the property and look for items such as underground storage tanks, chemicals, as well as consider historical uses of the property. Staff also interview the current property owner and individuals on properties near by as well as other individuals that may have had some level of involvement at the property in the past. The records review includes examining Federal and state databases for suspected or confirmed hazardous waste in the area, examining historical aerial photographs, historical fire insurance maps, city directories, titles and any other information that may help determine what may have affected the location. Phase I is the first step in the clean up process. Recognizing environmental conditions is paramount in this phase. The term recognized environmental conditions means the presence or likely presence of any hazardous substances or petroleum products on a property under conditions that indicate an existing release, a past release, or a material threat of a release of any hazardous substances or petroleum products into structures on the property or into the ground, groundwater, or surface water on the property. The term includes hazardous substances or petroleum products even under conditions in compliance with laws.

Phase II: With information gathered in the phase I stage, BAI Services Inc. determines what sampling and testing of the components of the property needs to be performed, whether it be a building, soils, asbestos, groundwater, or other physical components of the environment. Often times the groundwater is sampled and/or monitored because the contaminants can leach from the soil into the aquifer that supplies drinking water which the groundwater well draws from. The soil may be contaminated from a leaking underground storage tank or buried contaminated materials from bad historical practices, such as sandblasting, car repairs, painting, and industrial useage.

II. Risks to Be Assessed Risks to be assessed in the environmental due diligence studies (EDD) include, but are not limited to the following: Potential for the presence of contaminated soils and/or groundwater. Potential for the presence of materials and vessels, which may contain potentially, hazardous or harmful substance such as asbestos-containingbuilding materials, petroleum-bearing underground storage tanks, and PCBs in electrical equipment. Potential for on-site migration of contaminants from off-site sources. Potential for off-site migration of on-site contaminants by air emissions, groundwater and other media. Potential increased costs in demolition or removed of existing structure or construction of facilities by the client because of the presence of harmful or hazardous materials.

III. Investigations It is estimated that this Scope of Work will include completion of the following Investigations and activities to be completed by two or more environmental consultants: Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESA) Phase II Environmental Site Assessments (ESA) Corrective Action Plans (CAP) Environmental Remediation Oversight

 

IV Phase I – Environmental Site Assessment: An Environmental Due Diligence Study shall be completed on each property to be acquired by the client as directed by the client. Phase I studies shall be consistent with ASTM guidelines and professional standards of care. Phase I work will include the following:

1. Within a maximum of 10 calendar days from the time the client provides a list of properties to be acquired and evaluated, the firm shall provide a preliminary environmental evaluation of each property based upon the anticipated use of the property to be acquired and the requirements of the title holder (e.g. fee acquisition versus temporary construction easement) and recommend the level of investigation required.

2. Within a maximum of 45 calendar days from work authorization, firm shall complete environmental assessments for properties designed for acquisition, which require Phase I ESA. Phase I assessments shall be consistent with all current ASTM guidelines and professional standards of care.

3. Review historical information, background, geological and hydrogeological information, site reconnaissance, reviews of neighboring properties and on-site assessment of surface conditions without taking samples. Phase I studies shall also include a review of state and federal records listing documented sites identifying the subject site and sites near the subject property to include, but not limited to: WDOE Confirmed and Suspected Contaminated Sites (CSCS) WDOE Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) list,  Registered Underground Storage Tank (RUST) list, WDOE Toxic Clean-Up Program Register, EPA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Generator’s list EPA Faciltiy Index System (FINDS) EPA Comprehensive Environmental Response. Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) database EPA National Priority List (NPL) EPA Emergency Response Notification System (ERNS) list

 

Deliverables:  The results and findings of the Phase I ESA investigations will be recorded in draft and final reports that summarize the work performed, the resources reviewed and any identified, recognized environmental conditions. An opinion statement must be included concerning site or historic characteristics, if any, which are of environmental concern or, conversely, a statement indicating no apparent environmental concerns are present, as applicable. The rationale for the conclusion must be included. If during the site reconnaissance areas are identified, which visually indicate the possible presence of hazardous materials; these conditions should be photographed and presented with the documentation included in the Phase I report. The draft report may be submitted in electronic format, but if this means of submittal is used, all figures, tables, and photographs must also be included. Copies of the final report shall be submitted to the client, including one unbound copy for ease of photocopying. An electronically scanned copy of the final report, including all appendices, must also be submitted to the client. A separate letter will be prepared and submitted to the client that summarizes the Phase I ESA findings and presents any recommendations for further area of study.

Phase II – Phase II studies shall occur only when there is reason to believe that contamination may exist that may exceed regulatory standards or pose significant liability concerns and only after prior authorization by the client. Phase II may include sampling of soils, groundwater, and surface water and will follow guidelines established under ASTM. Before commencement of any Phase II testing, the firm will provide for client’s approval, a plan of investigation appropriate to the nature of the planned acquisition and an estimated cost and schedule for accomplishment. Phase II studies may require use of subcontractors to be engaged by the firm, including drillers, geophysicists, and analytical laboratories.

 

Deliverables: The rationale for the Phase II investigation, the means and methods of investigation and the findings of the investigation will be summarized and presented in a final report. Copies of the appropriate laboratory reports must be include as appendices. copies of the final report shall be submitted to the client, including one unbound copy for ease of photocopying. An electronically scanned copy of the final report, including all appendices, must also be submitted to the client. Any opinions or recommendations for further study should be presented in a separate letter submitted to the client.

 

V. Hazardous Building Material Surveys (HazMat) HazMat Surveys will include an inspection and invasive sampling (drilling of inspection test holes, etc.) of building materials suspected to contain regulated concentrations of asbestos. Consultant will make every reasonable effort to acquire invasive samples in inconspicuous locations and make reasonable efforts to repair the sample location to its original condition. The asbestos survey shall fulfill the "good faith survey" requirements of WAC 296-62-07721(2)(b)(ii). In addition, the HazMat surveys shall include an inventory and evaluation of potential sources of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). These sources commonly include PCB containing transformers and ballasts in fluorescent lights. The PCB survey will document the presence of any hydraulic systems, fluid-insulated transformers, and fluorescent light ballasts that are not labeled “non-PCB” in the structure of interest, as well as an inventory of the number of fluorescent light tubes present in permanent fixtures The findings and recommendations regarding the PCB survey will also be included in the HazMat Survey report.

 

NOTE: Lead-based paint surveys are included in this scope of work.

Deliverables: Survey methodology, sampling locations, analytical results are in compliance in the State of Washington Department of Commerce Lead Based Paint Program with certified firm and risk assessors on staff, perform risk assessments and interim controls and findings along with conclusions and recommendations will be presented in a final “Hazardous Building Materials Survey” report. The reports shall provide two separate abatement cost estimates: 1) "Highest and Best Use" with materials to be managed appropriate to all governing regulations (usually with costs for partial abatement, encapsulation, or management-in-place with continuance of current or similar use); and 2) full abatement and demolition for site redevelopment. Copies of the final report shall be submitted to client and, including one unbound copy for ease of photocopying. An electronically scanned copy of the final report, including all appendices, will also be submitted to client and supporting agencies.

VI. Remediation Cost Estimates Based upon the results of appropriate investigations, and with client’s prior authorization, the Consultant shall provide an estimate of the extent of any contamination, a conceptual cleanup action, and prepare a Remediation Cost Estimate (RCE) detailing the costs of any required or appropriate remediation. The RCE must be based on a conceptual cleanup action scoped in close collaboration with customers appropriate Project Managers and Hazardous Materials Manager. The RCE will include a spreadsheet of line item costs associated with the presumed remedial action. For some acquisitions, the Consultant may be required to provide conceptual plans for two different cleanup pathways, including one reflective of current or “highest and best use”, and one involving total site redevelopment.

VII. Cleanup Action Plans Where remediation is anticipated as required by client, the Consultant may be asked to develop technical and contract specifications for remediation activities along with formal Cleanup Action Plans (CAP) suitable for inclusion with contract documents and for review by the Department of Ecology.

VII: Related Services

In addition to the above, the consultant may be required to provide the following related services:

1. Provide assistance, as requested, in developing mitigation measures.

2. Provide assistance in securing the removal of all underground storage tanks located on properties to be acquired.

3. Provide remediation oversight, regulatory compliance and agency coordination support services.

4. Provide support to client, Civil and Construction for development of contract specifications.

5. If requested by client, prepare and provide testimony as necessary in any legal proceeding.

6. If requested by client, provide assistance in negotiations with property owners and regulatory agencies.

 

SCOPE OF WORK REFERENCES Acquisition/Relocation/Project Management Services for property purchasersl, Certain Regional Express and Other Related Real Estate Contracts. Central Puget Sound Real Property Acquisition and Relocation Policy, Procedures and Guidelines. U.S.C. 4321 et. Seq., National Environmental Policy Act Publ. L. 93-234, Floodplan Management and 11990, Protection of Wetlands. American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM); E 1524-00: Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments; Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process. FTA Directive No. C 5010 Grant Management Guidelines: Chapter II Management of Real Property, Equipment and Supplies

CONFIDENTIALITY:All information that BAI Services Inc. provides or causes to be provided to the client in connection with its duties herein shall be deemed as confidential. All reports and underlying and/or related documentation developed in the performance of this assignment shall become the property of the client and shall be deemed as confidential regarding their use as public information, unless applicable law  provides otherwise.

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