The Phase II Environmental Site Assessment determines whether suspect conditions identified during a Phase I assessment have impacted the environmental quality of a property. ACT's Phase II Environmental Site Assessments have been developed and refined to provide a thorough characterization of a property, while minimizing the time and costs of the assessment. Hence, they are accepted by federal, state and local regulatory agencies around the country as valid evidence of a property's environmental quality.
Preliminary Research
Background information such as previous assessments and local geologic studies is gathered to define the scope of the assessment and an appropriate sampling plan. ACT's in-house library contains dozens of subsurface assessments performed throughout the metropolitan area, providing information such as native soil composition, depth and quality of local ground water and sensitive receptors of interest to the local regulatory community.
Field Investigation
ACT's Phase II Environmental Site Assessments often utilize Ground-Penetrating Radar and Utility Surveys to evaluate subsurface conditions before sampling. These non-invasive procedures can locate underground storage tanks, septic systems or other buried structures as well as electric, natural gas, water and sewer lines without the risk of invasive sampling.
Subsurface Sampling is performed by collecting representative soil, soil vapor and ground water samples at precise locations to properly characterize a potential source of contamination. ACT's truck-mounted drilling equipment can sample geologic materials up to 100 feet below ground surface and our portable drilling equipment samples subsurface media in confined areas such as basements, boiler rooms or alleys where conventional equipment cannot fit.
In-field screening is utilized for real-time analysis of soil and water samples and to identify additional locations for exploratory sampling. During accelerated property assessments, ACT's Mobile Laboratory performs rapid in-field analyses to specifications accepted by most regulatory agencies. This feature has been proven to avoid multiple field investigations by eliminating delays associated with conventional laboratory analyses.
Data Evaluation and Reporting
ACT's reports contain all of the findings of the assessment, including the site's history and geological conditions, results of all field activities and laboratory analyses, and most importantly, conclusions regarding the property's environmental quality. At most properties, data gathered during Phase II Environmental Site Assessments is utilized to certify that a property is free from chemical impacts.
Where contamination has been found, the findings can be utilized to design appropriate remedial actions or form the basis for Area and Use Limitations, Environmental Easements or Deed Restrictions. ACT's Phase II Environmental Site Assessments have also been accepted by state and federal courts as proof of the source, type and age of chemical releases.
