What is environmental site assessment?

Environmental site assessment (ESA) is an evaluation of the environmental quality of a property or site. It is used to identify any potential environmental liabilities associated with the property and ascertain the need for any form of environmental protection or remediation. ESA is commonly used in California before buying, selling, or developing a property. During an ESA, a professional assessor collects and evaluates data about the site and its surrounding areas. This may include collecting soil, water, and surface samples, conducting interviews with local residents, conducting aerial imagery analysis, and reviewing regulatory records. They then assess the environmental conditions of the property, analyzing the collected data and referencing local and state environmental regulations. The ESA process also involves a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment. This assessment is typically performed before the purchase or development of a property, to identify if any areas of concern exist, including if there have been any spills or releases of pollutants on or around the property. If any areas of concern are identified, then a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment may be required to further investigate the site or property. The information gathered through ESA is used to make informed decisions about the purchase and development of a property. The assessments provide insight into the potential risks or liabilities associated with a property and can help property owners and developers to comply with applicable environmental regulations.

Related FAQs

What are the different types of environmental law?
What is the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)?
What is the Federal Water Pollution Control Act?
What are NEPA and CEQA?
What are the environmental regulations for homes?
What is the purpose of environmental law?
How does environmental law protect endangered species?
What are the federal environmental laws?
What is the Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act?
What is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?

What is environmental site assessment?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts