It is our responsibility to help create a cleaner and better Toronto for future generations. Part of ensuring a better environment in our city includes conducting environmental site assessments for any property development. What is a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment and how does it benefit you? Let’s explore this topic further.
What is a Phase 1 Assessment?
A Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is an evaluation done in relation to a piece of property to help determine if there are any contaminants in, on, or under the property that may affect the phase one property. It is used to make informed decisions regarding property transactions and can be taken under consideration by a range of clients to establish baseline conditions before development happens.
Phase 1 ESAs are often required by lenders in commercial real estate transactions before a loan can be approved. The process helps you protect your investment by ensuring you’ve done due diligence on any former land use on or near the site that may have contaminated the site and that you would be responsible for cleaning up as the new owner.
Is There a Specific Canadian ESA Standard?
There are basic standards for environmental assessments set by the federal government through the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012. Provincial regulations can often substitute for these. In Ontario, there are specific guidelines for how an Environmental Site Assessment should be carried out, under Ontario Regulation 153/04.
What is the Process of a Phase 1 ESA?
A Phase 1 ESA has four core components. An ESA must include each of the following:
· Record Reviews – there must be a thorough review of all the necessary records. This includes county or city records, fire department records of spills, underground storage tank registrars, ERIS reports, aerial photographic interpretation, topographic and geological/soil mapping, well records, and evaluation and search of any other appropriate records to uncover any former use of the property that may have caused contamination or environmental damage.
· Interviews – interviewing past and current tenants of the property will be used to gather information on the actual uses and on-site activities of the property. Current property owners, neighbours, county officers, city officers, or fire department officers can be interviewed to gain information.
· Site Inspections – the site will be inspected to determine if there are any signs of contamination, either potential or actual.
· Reporting – the result will be a detailed report that outlines any potential for contamination on the site and identifies any risks.
Fisher Engineering Helps with Phase 1 ESAs in Toronto, Ontario
Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments are extremely important for identifying liabilities on existing properties in Toronto, Ontario. It can also help you avoid expensive cleanup costs.
Fisher Engineering has experience in conducting Phase 1 ESAs for a wide range of clients, including property owners, land developers, attorneys, and real estate developers. We handle all aspects of the ESA process – Phase II ESAs, record of site condition, and remediation. For more information on requesting a Phase 1 ESA in Toronto, Ontario, please get in touch with us today.
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