Real estate agencies, commercial lenders, attorneys, insurance agencies and property owners, when buying or selling land or buildings (or both), need to know the environmental characteristics of the property.
JTC conducts Transaction Screen questionnaires, as well as Phase I, II, and III environmental site assessments, and will assist in identifying potential problems, provide a quick response, and work with the Client and relevant experts to determine an appropriate course of action.
Each Assessment follows ASTM standards and includes a comprehensive report.
Transaction Screen Process
- Transaction screen questionnaire (ASTM E 1528-6) to property owners/occupants
- Observe property conditions
- Limited research of reasonably ascertainable records/historical resources
- Prepare a comprehensive report.
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment
JTC will provide a comprehensive investigation (“All Appropriate Inquiry”, or AAI – ASTM 1527-05)) to identify any current or historically-recognized environmental conditions on or in land and/or buildings.
- Perform interviews with persons knowledgeable of past or current operations
- Obtain historical information from records and sources available
- Review aerial photography and historical maps
- Review published data on site geology and hydrogeology
- Prepare a comprehensive report
Phase II Environmental Site Assessments
Should contamination, or the potential for, be found during the Phase I Assessment, JTC’s role in Phase II would include:
- Identifying if any contaminants exist and if so, what they are and their characteristics.
- Has any contamination been remediated and if so, at what stage is the remediation? If no remediation has occurred, are there any current plans for such?
- Would the client be exposed to liabilities associated with remediation or cleanup?
- Would there be any potential limitations on the use of the property as a result of the contamination and/or the remediation?
To address these questions, JTC provides the means necessary for a full investigation, including:
- Test borings, groundwater monitoring wells or other hydrogeologic means of evaluation
- Collecting and analyzing soils, water, and/or air samples
- Collect and analyze suspect asbestos containing building materials and/or lead based paint
- Collect air and/or water samples and evaluate for radon content
A report would be compiled and submitted. If required, JTC would evaluate the results of the Phase II Assessment and develop a scope of work for Phase III.
Phase III Environmental Site Assessments
Each Phase III Assessment and course of action is absolutely unique to the particular parcel, or area of parcel, of property. However, as a general guideline, JTC would:
- Determine the extent of contamination present
- Evaluate the delineated contamination relative to remediation standard regulations
- Identify remedial action alternatives by utilizing proposed structures, barriers and institutional controls to prevent exposure of further contaminants
- Provide most effective method to contain or isolate contamination
- Assist with remedial designs necessary to reduce or eliminate contaminants including the use of containment structures and/or collection treatment facilities
In addition, JTC would facilitate any remediation which may be required, including, but not limited to
- Oil or other hazardous materials spills removal/remediation
- Underground storage tank removal and disposal
- Lead paint removal
- Mold remediation services
- Asbestos remediation services
- Radon remediation services
JTC would then prepare a comprehensive report.