Hydro Tech Environmental provides concise, timely and cost-effective Phase I ESAs

In 1993 and 1994, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) established investigative protocols (ASTM E1527) to ensure that "all appropriate inquiry into the previous ownership and uses of the property consistent with good commercial or customary practice" was conducted by environmental consultants. It was intended to permit a user to satisfy one of the requirements to qualify for the innocent landowner defense to CERCLA liability. However, the 2001 Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act signed into law in January 2002 made sweeping changes to CERCLA that required a modification to the ASTM Standard in order to meet the USEPA's definition of all appropriate inquiry. The modified Phase I standard (E1527-05), if followed, now permits a user to satisfy one of the requirements to qualify for CERCLA Landowner Liability Protections. In addition, the purpose of a Phase I ESA is to identify the potential presence of any Recognized Environmental Conditions, including, but not limited to, any signs of environmental mismanagement, past or present, that could potentially result in soil and/or groundwater contamination, and/or a cleanup liability at a particular site. The staff of Hydro Tech Environmental has over 15 years experience in conducting environmental site assessments across the United States, having successfully completed over 4,000 Phase I ESAs throughout the country. Given our extensive experience and work across the country we are your "local" environmental firm from Long Beach, N.Y. to Long Beach, Calif., and are uniquely positioned in the industry to provide concise, timely, and cost-effective Phase I Environmental Site Assessments with a national reach for single properties in excess of 100 property portfolios. Our reports are specifically tailored to meet the needs of our clients, exceed the ASTM E1527-05/AAI Standard, and include not only our findings and conclusions, but also recommendations on how to address any identified conditions. All Phase I work is managed from our corporate offices in Commack, N.Y., and all reports are generated from that same location. We have found this to be of great benefit to our clients who receive the same general Phase I report format with the same exact scope regardless of the location of their property or properties. Utilizing multiple firms across multiple geographic areas, or even other national firms who generate reports from various offices can result in the generation of Phase I reports of varying content and quality, even though all are bound by the same ASTM E1527-05 Standard. This can lead to an increase in the review time for clients and/or their counsel, a luxury that cannot typically be afforded when closing dates approach. Furthermore, we provide one main point of contact throughout the project, thereby eliminating the need for our clients to take the additional time to track down and contact various firms and/or offices during the Phase I process for status updates, questions, or concerns. In addition, for larger portfolios, we can also utilize an on-line reporting system that can be accessed in real-time by our clients (if so desired), so they can see the status of the portfolio as a whole, or a specific property or properties of interest. We look forward to building a mutually beneficial working relationship with you and your team. If you have any questions or require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us, your "local" environmental firm. Michael Fiscina is vice president, operations for Hydro Tech Environmental, Commack, N.Y.